Ying Yu was older than Luo Yu. Her auspicious wedding day was set one month before Luo Yu’s.

The three letters and six rites, step by step they proceeded through them.

Although Da Chun’s father currently served as an official in Fengtian Prefecture, his grandfather and others were still in the capital, which didn’t affect the two families exchanging gifts.

So the Old Madam was very busy.

And also very joyful.

How long had it been since the Lin family had a young miss marrying out?

Although there was some regret about not having more grandsons, the Old Madam truly cherished her granddaughters. Whether it was the upbringing over these years or now preparing their dowries, she put in full effort, striving to let them live better and better lives after marrying out.

The two eldest granddaughters were both leaving home. Some matters couldn’t be left to them, so the Old Madam had Daiyu help.

Not to brag, but her youngest granddaughter was clever and intelligent. Reading and studying were no problem, and managing household affairs—as long as she wanted to—was equally no problem.

Watching her handle matters in perfect order, the Old Madam always felt gratified.

This was right.

In the future, she would definitely marry a satisfactory husband. Even if she didn’t like managing the household, she still had to know how, had to have it clear in her heart—only then would she not be deceived by servants.

The Lin family now had a good reputation in the capital.

Moreover, the Silin Gioro clan was also a great family. In Da Chun’s generation, he had four brothers. In his father’s generation, there were three brothers.

This was another prominent Manchu surname, connected by marriage to other prominent surnames. Not speaking of deep affection, just pulling kinship connections formed a massive relationship network.

The Fourth Prince’s side couldn’t be compared this way. The numbers were certainly also many, but they weren’t people one could rashly claim kinship with.

An accident happened on Lin Ruhai’s side. The Lin family didn’t get the news first, but the Fourth Prince knew about it, though even he didn’t know much.

Moreover, he could only see the surface—knowing problems had occurred in Yangzhou, but he didn’t know exactly what had happened.

Not only him, but the Crown Prince and First Prince and others also discovered it.

Especially the Crown Prince—what he knew was the clearest, but Imperial Father had intervened. Even if he wanted to do something, he couldn’t do it openly.

Yun Shuyao and the others didn’t yet know about Lin Ruhai being injured. A force was containing this matter in Jiangnan. Lin Ruhai also didn’t want his family to worry and hadn’t let servants inform them.

By the time news finally reached the capital, it was because Lin Ruhai had suffered severe injuries. It was said his life was in danger. This news made the Old Madam unable to catch her breath for a moment—she fainted.

When awakened by Doctor Zhou, her tears streamed down as she called out: “My son…”

Her voice was full of grief and indignation. Could it be that after going in circles for so long, her son still couldn’t avoid the fate of dying in the Salt Monopoly Censor position?

Then what was the use of all she had done?!

This surge of grief and indignation paused when she saw the four worried grandchildren at the bedside. She still had them—she couldn’t collapse.

Seeing her awake, both granddaughters’ eyes were somewhat red. Daiyu’s tears directly pattered down.

“Grandmother…”

“Grandmother, are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

At this moment, the Old Madam saw Concubine Yun enter. She was frowning, her face grave. After paying respects, she asked: “Old Madam, Master has been injured, and we still don’t know the specific situation…”

If the Old Madam hadn’t fainted, Chen Yu should be riding at full speed to get there. Right now, heaven and earth and everything else wasn’t as important as Lin Ruhai’s severe injury. Only because of the Old Madam’s sudden fainting had Chen Yu been temporarily unable to depart.

But how could the Old Madam let her grandson go to such a dangerous place?

Although the source of this matter was something Concubine Yun brought out, that was also genuine merit. She agreed, her son also agreed. It’s just that somehow something went wrong, information leaked, which led to this result. She wouldn’t blame her, but her grandson wanting to go over—that was impossible.

The Old Madam first gently shook her head, then asked the servants: “Where’s the letter that was sent?”

Lin Ruhai hadn’t written in his own hand. Yun Chang and the advisors had written the letter.

Chen Yu had already read the letter’s contents first. The message on the letter only mentioned severe injury, and that a doctor was already treating him. It said there was no serious problem and told them not to come over. The emphasis was on Chen Yu not going over.

The letter said this, but how serious was Father’s severe injury? The letter wasn’t even written by him. After reading it, Chen Yu was more worried and wanted to go even more.

Unfortunately, Grandmother was extremely resolute. One hand covering her chest: “The letter says you don’t need to go, and that’s my opinion too. I can’t do without you by my side!” Her other hand forcefully gripped her grandson, unwilling to let him leave her sight, afraid that in a moment of impulsiveness, one careless moment would let him go.

Thinking of this, the Old Madam immediately called the steward in and gave him orders—without her permission, the young master was not to leave the residence.

Seeing her attitude, Chen Yu’s eyes reddened. “Grandmother.” He looked at her pleadingly: “Father has had an accident. As his son, how can I stand idly by in the capital?”

Old Madam: “Precisely because your father had an accident, our family only has you as the sole male heir left. You cannot have another accident. Have you thought about what your grandmother and your sisters should do if you also have an accident?”

At this moment, Ying Yu and Luo Yu couldn’t help but cry out in grief. Not to mention Daiyu—she was already more sentimental than others. Now hearing Grandmother’s words with their pessimistic attitude toward Father’s situation, her tears fell even faster.

Yun Shuyao stood there with a pale face, silently not speaking for a moment, thinking in her heart about what methods there might be. Why didn’t her wood-type ability have healing functions? If only it did.

At this time, a burst of crying and shouting came from far away. It was Concubine Mei’s voice.

“Old Madam, Old Madam, what happened to Master? I heard Master had an accident!”

“Old Madam!”

Concubine Mei came in. Seeing the Old Madam on the bed with a defeated expression, four children with red-rimmed eyes, and Lady Yun with a grave expression wiping tears, she cried even louder. Master was the sky of the Lin residence. If this sky collapsed, what would she do? What would her daughter do?

Concubine Mei’s crying was genuine.

Hearing her crying, the others couldn’t help feeling moved.

Yun Shuyao also didn’t know Lin Ruhai’s situation. People weren’t grass or wood—who could be without feeling?

Even treating him as a superior, after so many years of pleasant interaction, she almost regarded him as family. Thinking of him now with life and death uncertain, Yun Shuyao couldn’t help gripping her handkerchief tighter.

She herself was truly too weak and small.

Concubine Mei: “Old Madam, you must send someone to heal Master. He’ll definitely be fine. As long as we get there in time, it definitely can be done.”

At this moment, Chen Yu leaned forward, pleading again: “Grandmother, just let me take Doctor Zhou and go together.”

The Old Madam remained resolute: “No. You don’t need to say more. We still don’t know what the situation is there. A son of wealth doesn’t sit beneath a crumbling wall. If you have an accident, I’ll have no face to meet our ancestors!”

Chen Yu felt dejected.

Luo Yu: “Grandmother, I’ll go!”

Old Madam: “Don’t be silly. How can you and your sister leave? Your father… will be fine!”

“Old Madam, let me go. Let me go see Master!” Seeing the Old Madam’s attitude, Concubine Mei suddenly felt this was an opportunity.

If not for her daughter being inconvenienced, she wished she could pull her daughter along. What if Master was saved?

With his status, people there had definitely already requested the best local doctors. In that case, the possibility of being saved was relatively high. At this critical moment, if she appeared before Master, he would definitely think more highly of her.

Hearing these words, the Old Madam didn’t refuse. She looked at Concubine Mei for a while, then nodded. “Fine. You go.”

She had made a decision. Very quickly, everyone in the Lin residence began moving into action.

Concubine Mei was going to care for her son. Additionally, there were also advisors traveling along, doctors, guards, and renowned escort masters ostentatiously invited. The group set out in a grand procession.

But before this large group departed, Doctor Zhou had already gone south first with another team.

They disguised themselves as traveling merchants, not drawing attention. Concubine Mei’s side was intentionally meant to draw attention—to attract targets.

If her son hadn’t had an accident, those people might go mad enough to kidnap her as leverage. But the Old Madam had also arranged enough personnel. She didn’t believe such arrangements could still have problems.

Although she didn’t much like Concubine Mei, the Old Madam would also give her some care for her eldest granddaughter’s sake and wouldn’t let her go to her death.

The Lin family was in turmoil. Other households in the capital also successively learned that Lin Ruhai had moved against others’ interests in his post and suffered assassination.

What they knew wasn’t very clear. Most only knew it was related to salt.

He was Salt Monopoly Censor, managing salt affairs to begin with—nothing unusual. Only those with well-informed sources knew why those people were so frantic—because if it succeeded, their interests would be greatly reduced. The salt in salt warehouses wouldn’t turn into flowing water, but its value would be greatly discounted. Moreover, it would be like this for generations, cutting their flesh alive. It would be strange if they didn’t fight Lin Ruhai to the death.

Households on good terms with the Lin family successively came to visit the sick and offer condolences. Yun Shuyao guided the children in responding.

The Old Madam was truly ill, lacking energy, unable to manage anything. Although the several children in the family would be more mature psychologically than their peers, ultimately they were still children who hadn’t experienced such major events. Yun Shuyao stood beside them reminding them what they should do.

Seeing her like this, the Old Madam silently sighed in her heart. Lady Yun truly was a good one.

People from the Fourth Prince’s residence and the Silin Gioro clan both came to visit the sick and offer condolences.

The Fourth Prince didn’t come personally but sent his trusted servant. He knew the ins and outs of the matter, but he had to avoid suspicion. At this moment, Imperial Father was enraged. Everyone didn’t want to jump out at this juncture. Especially now that he had no personnel there—even if things turned upside down, his interests wouldn’t be damaged. On the contrary, only after reshuffling and starting over would he have opportunity.

The person from the Silin Gioro clan who came to visit was Da Chun. Yun Shuyao met this eldest son-in-law of the Lin residence—tall and jade-like in bearing, refined and reserved, his face full of worry.

He looked indeed like a fine young man.

The Jia family’s information wasn’t so well-informed. But because they were near the Jinling stronghold, delayed somewhat, they also learned of it.

After learning of it, Grandmother Jia’s heart skipped.

This son-in-law was going to be enemies with all salt merchants under heaven.

Those salt merchants—saying they were wealthy enough to rival nations wasn’t empty words.

Money makes the devil push the millstone. Even if her son-in-law was deeply favored by the Emperor, offending salt merchants to such a degree wouldn’t make them retreat.

Previous Salt Monopoly Censors being stabbed and injured wasn’t unprecedented. There were also those who had accidents on boats and were gone.

This time, could he pass through safely?

Grandmother Jia didn’t even know if she hoped he was safe or not safe.

The person leading the Jia household’s sick visit was Grandmother Jia. Such opportunities weren’t many. Setting other thoughts aside, she decided to come have a good look at Lady Xie’s haggard face to vent her anger.

Although if Lin Ruhai truly had an accident, the influence the Jia family could borrow would be somewhat less, this wasn’t done by her either—she also had no way.

Jia She, Jia Lian, plus the three Springs and Baoyu all came.

Grandmother Jia and Jia She came to visit the Old Madam. Jia Lian’s focus was asking Chen Yu if there was anything he could help with—mundane matters management, he was very capable.

The three Springs and Baoyu came to comfort Daiyu. Each performing their duty. Originally Wang Xifeng should also come, but Wang Xifeng was currently in confinement. She had given birth to a daughter and was about to emerge from confinement.

The Old Madam knew what Grandmother Jia wanted to do. At this time, she had no mood to deal with this disgusting person and gave her no face at all. Grandmother Jia had just entered when she said she was uncomfortable—serving tea to see off guests, not giving the other party any chance to speak. A belly full of prepared words were forcefully held back in her stomach, stifling her until her face was iron-blue.

This old hypocrite! What was she being proud of? She only had one son. If he died, the Lin family would decline, even worse than her Jia family. What gave her the right to be proud?!

She waited to see the day of her downfall!

Not long after, Wang Xifeng emerged from confinement. Although because it was a girl she wasn’t much valued, this was still the legitimate-born eldest daughter of the next generation. A banquet was still held in Rongguo Mansion.

Chen Yu originally didn’t plan to go, but the Old Madam thought of that pitiful little girl. After thinking, she still had her grandson go show his face. On his return, he bumped into a Jia family clan member.

Somehow, there was a somewhat obsessed expression on his face, muttering about Second Madam.

Was he talking about Second Madam Lian?

But very quickly the other party came to his senses. Seeing Chen Yu, he said nothing more, lowered his head, and walked hastily toward the courtyard exit. He had come from the inner courtyard direction. Had he taken a wrong turn or was there some matter?

Not long after, people Yun Shuyao had sent to watch the Jia family and surroundings transmitted information—a monk and a Daoist had appeared, sending something to Jia Dairu’s household.

And that monk and Daoist had also appeared around the Lin residence. Only this time they didn’t break in, just looked around outside the residence, seeming to also calculate something with their fingers. When guards tried to catch them, they escaped again.

Yun Shuyao’s spirits lifted. These two people appeared again!

She immediately ordered people to go take the thing the monk and Daoist had sent to that household. If she remembered correctly, taking it away in time could still save that person’s life.

She just didn’t know—this Mirror of Wind and Moon, what could she discover from it, and what could she do with it…