Concubine Lu concluded the flower-viewing banquet feeling stifled. Today’s banquet had yielded nothing useful except frustration.

After returning, she must tell the old matriarch that the Lin family didn’t take their Zhen family seriously at all.

Yun Shuyao and Concubine Mei returned feeling refreshed and clearheaded. When Lin Ruhai learned of it, he only smiled. He and the Zhen family didn’t need to be too “friendly” anyway. If he appeared too “friendly,” that would more easily cause problems.

No matter how much His Majesty looked after the Zhen family, he wouldn’t be pleased to see his officials all becoming thick as thieves with them.

“You should prepare to return to the capital.”

As soon as he spoke, both women fell silent.

Lin Ruhai smiled slightly: “Ying Yu’s wedding day is approaching, and after that, Luo Yu’s wedding day will arrive soon too. I can’t break away from here, so I won’t return. If you go back, you can help.” Speaking of this, he also felt regret, but there was no helping it.

He could only handle matters quickly, then transfer back to the capital afterward.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Lin Ruhai added: “My injury is nearly healed, and there’s Doctor Zhou and the others here, so don’t worry. When you return, bring along the dowries I purchased for them here.”

Speaking of dowries, Concubine Mei trembled, feeling very aggrieved: “Master, Ying Yu’s dowry absolutely cannot be inferior. She’s the Lin family’s eldest daughter.”

Lin Ruhai felt somewhat helpless: “We’ll follow the proper rules. But since Luo Yu is entering the imperial family, hers needs to be more generous by two parts.” Although their family hadn’t had a married-out young lady for several generations, the amount of dowry had precedent to follow. They would only give more than the rules specified, absolutely never less. As for her wanting Ying Yu’s dowry to exceed Luo Yu’s… Lin Ruhai looked at her coolly. The dowry he was preparing for his eldest daughter would already be enough to surpass most legitimate daughters in the capital. How could she be wronged?

His gaze made Concubine Mei lower her head.

Her Ying Yu’s match wasn’t bad, but unfortunately, Luo Yu’s was better—and to the imperial family no less. So Ying Yu’s dowry had to be one step behind.

It was truly unwilling to accept.

Yun Shuyao’s lips curved in a smile: “Sister’s good intentions for Ying Yu, we all understand. It’s all to give the child more confidence for her future and to live well. The master and old lady have both contributed supplements. I gave birth to Luo Yu, so I also have supplements. If sister feels it’s not enough, you can supplement it yourself.”

The dowry from the public funds was indeed more generous for Luo Yu, but what truly widened the gap was what she prepared for her daughter herself, alright?

Lin Ruhai also thought of the dowry she had prepared for Luo Yu. Even though he considered the Lin family’s estate vast and prosperous, his brow still twitched involuntarily.

Concubine Mei frowned tightly upon hearing this: “I’ll naturally supplement it, but how much can that be?”

Lin Ruhai: “…”

Yun Shuyao smiled without speaking.

Concubine Mei recalled hearing from the master and her daughter previously about how Yun Shi often paid out of her own pocket to buy jewelry for Luo Yu. She had never believed it, thinking the master was supplementing. Could it really be her own money?

“Where do you get so much money from?”

Yun Shuyao’s smile became even more brilliant: “Naturally from business operations, all legal and proper.”

The flowers and plants she cultivated were of good quality and popular, so naturally she earned well.

Concubine Mei: “…”

She glanced at the master who tacitly agreed, feeling that she had lost.

Before leaving, Yun Shuyao met with her cousin Yun Chang once.

This extremely busy person was being directed this way and that by Lin Ruhai.

Since she had arrived, they had only met a few times total.

During the previous turmoil, Yun Chang had also nearly been assassinated several times. Fortunately, nothing serious happened. Now he was thinner but very spirited.

“Elder Brother, do you still plan to participate in the next imperial examination?”

Yun Chang smiled, revealing white teeth that contrasted sharply with his complexion: “No, my heart isn’t calm. Originally my talent was also insufficient. Participating would only waste time.”

Before coming, he hadn’t made a firm decision, but after arriving in Yangzhou and seeing so much, he had already decided.

Yun Chang was very emotional: “Shuyao, you may not know how much change you’ve brought to everyone.”

He presided over salt production by the sea.

Previously everyone only knew how to boil salt—how much manpower and resources did that consume? Now they only needed to dig pools, and with good weather, they could obtain endless amounts of coarse salt.

For common people, coarse salt was already sufficient.

It wasn’t that they couldn’t provide refined salt either.

Why were those merchants so panicked?

It was because they knew that faced with such conveniently obtained coarse salt, their coarse salt that required consuming manpower and resources to mine couldn’t maintain its previous advantages.

This time, having done so much, he would definitely smoothly enter official service. Plus with Master Lin, and the cousin who first discovered these methods—he wondered how His Majesty would reward them once the matter was concluded. Presumably it wouldn’t be stingy.

Thinking of this, Yun Chang’s white teeth seemed to shine even more brilliantly.

Yun Shuyao and Concubine Mei packed their belongings together and headed north with a large convoy. To prevent accidents, they brought sufficient personnel. Additionally, there were the items purchased here to bring back—a considerable portion was what Lin Ruhai had prepared for his two daughters who were to be married.

Their return journey to the capital was much faster than Concubine Mei’s journey south. However, though it was arduous, this time Concubine Mei didn’t complain about the hardship. She also wanted to return early.

When they were nearly back to the capital and chose an inn as their lodging point, Yun Shuyao heard some rumors, or rather interesting stories, saying that some time ago lightning had struck down from the heavens.

It happened to strike, just by such coincidence, a somewhat strange monk and Taoist.

“They were struck by lightning—they definitely aren’t good people. They were struck until they vomited blood.”

“I heard it wasn’t just that—they’re already dead. Who knows what unforgivable deeds they did to suffer such divine punishment.”

Why did everyone think it was divine punishment?

Because at the time, there were other people in the vicinity, but at such close distance, others were completely fine—only these two were struck.

The subsequent accounts varied greatly. Some said they were instantly turned to charcoal by the lightning, others said they were struck until they vomited two mouthfuls of blood then left as if nothing happened, and still others said they were evil creatures who were struck back into their original forms and then trampled to death.

Opinions varied widely, but what piqued Yun Shuyao’s interest were the physical descriptions of these two people. They sounded remarkably like the two who had trespassed into the Lin family before. They were also Yun Shuyao’s prime suspects.

Could it be that Lin Ruhai really did something that caused them to suffer divine retribution?

With this doubt, Yun Shuyao and Concubine Mei entered the capital together.

The old lady’s people had been waiting for quite some time. As soon as they entered, they were welcomed to the old lady’s courtyard. All four children were sitting inside, and when they looked over, their expressions were highly unified.

Yun Shuyao first took out the letters. “Old Lady, these are letters from the master.” Lin Ruhai had written one for each person, from the old lady to Daiyu—everyone had one.

Besides the letters for everyone, each person also had a gift that Lin Ruhai had specially prepared.

All were prepared according to personal preferences.

Seeing these, smiles appeared on their faces.

The old lady read that letter back and forth several times before putting it down. Her expression was kind as she asked Yun Shuyao: “How is the master now? Has his injury healed?”

Yun Shuyao: “Basically healed. As long as he recuperates properly going forward and ensures rest, he’ll be fine.”

Upon first hearing this, the old lady felt somewhat displeased. Her son wasn’t completely recovered yet—someone should have remained by his side to care for him.

However, looking again at Ying Yu and Luo Yu, the old lady set aside this dissatisfaction.

Forget it, forget it. Her son had so many people by his side—he wouldn’t lack for care.

Once the granddaughters’ weddings were concluded, they could journey south again.

The old lady carefully inquired about Lin Ruhai’s daily life and the current situation there. Hearing that things had stabilized there and that they had even attended the Zhen family’s flower-viewing banquet before returning, she slowly nodded: “The Zhen family, ah…”

She was somewhat emotional. She had almost forgotten about this family. The Zhen family was like a local power in Jinling.

They had good relations with the Jia family.

After asking clearly about what she wanted to know, the old lady didn’t keep the two concubines any longer, letting them return to their own courtyards. She also let the two granddaughters and grandson leave.

Those three left following behind their respective concubine mothers.

Daiyu watched this scene, feeling somewhat envious.

Her own mother was no longer here. If she were still alive, she would also be following behind her back to their quarters.

The old lady noticed and gathered the girl into her embrace. “Daiyu, what are you thinking about? Missing your mother?”

It would have been better if she hadn’t asked. Once she did, Daiyu’s tears became somewhat uncontrollable.

She had been aware of things early and still remembered her mother’s gentleness and love. Every time she thought of it, it brought such sorrow.

This made the old lady sigh every time without fail.

“Daiyu, you must cherish your health. Your mother doesn’t want to see you unhappy, and Grandmother doesn’t want to either. Our Daiyu is the precious treasure of our family. Your whole life, you’ll be safe and joyful…”

She slowly spoke of her hopes for her young granddaughter. Listening and listening, the tears on Daiyu’s face gradually ceased, revealing a smile…

Yun Shuyao returned to the courtyard with her two children. The maids joyfully bowed, then per old custom served tea and refreshments before withdrawing.

Because the surroundings were completely open, anyone wanting to eavesdrop had no way to approach.

Luo Yu’s hand appeared on Yun Shuyao’s arm. She had practically glued herself over: “Mother, are you tired?”

Yun Shuyao: “I’m alright.”

“Did anything happen in the capital during this time? Is everything going smoothly at Fourth Prince’s residence on your end?” Chen Yu answered the first question: “Regarding Father’s matter, His Majesty flew into a great rage at court and reprimanded quite a few people. Afterward, he even held a heavenly sacrifice ceremony.”

Speaking of this, Chen Yu smiled: “Speaking of which, there’s an amusing matter. Mother, do you still remember that monk and Taoist who broke into our home? In broad daylight, under a clear sky, they were struck by two bolts of lightning that descended from the heavens before everyone’s eyes. Each vomited a great mouthful of blood, then fled.”

This was also what Yun Shuyao wanted to inquire about: “Where was this place? Were there many witnesses?”

Chen Yu: “Right around Rongguo Mansion. At the time, servants from the Jia family and clan members were present—they all saw it. It quickly spread throughout the capital and is still spreading outward.”

Yun Shuyao nodded. “I heard about it on the road too, but there were many versions. What ultimately happened to them? Is there any follow-up?”

Chen Yu expressed regret: “They escaped. I had people search for them but couldn’t find anyone.”

Yun Shuyao also nodded regretfully. From this perspective, the possibility they were still alive was relatively high.

Luo Yu answered the second question. Although she was a new bride and wouldn’t be allowed to interfere in many matters, if there was any situation, she would know most clearly: “Everything is going smoothly. Mother, don’t worry about me. Rather, it’s you—during this time we’ve been constantly worried…”

The three of them talked in the courtyard for a long time. In another courtyard, Concubine Mei was also talking with Ying Yu. Concubine Mei asked her: “Has your dowry list been finalized?”

Hearing this, Ying Yu’s face flushed red with embarrassment. “Mother, how would I know about this?”

“You still don’t know? This concerns your lifetime of happiness. How can you not know? I’ll go ask the old lady tomorrow.” She comforted her daughter: “Your dowry will definitely be very generous. This time the master has acquired quite a few more things for you.”

Ying Yu felt somewhat helpless. “Mother, Grandmother dotes on us. Although I still don’t know the exact amount, much has already been sorted out…” Speaking of this, her voice grew lower and lower: “It’s already very generous. Grandmother won’t shortchange us.”

Concubine Mei raised an eyebrow: “That your grandmother won’t shortchange your second sister is true—who told her to be so fortunate, being selected to go to Fourth Prince’s residence? Why didn’t you pay more attention? If you don’t care, even if you suffer a great loss, there’s nowhere to seek justice. That Xilinjueluo family isn’t that wealthy either, and moreover you’re marrying a middle son—neither high nor low. In the future when the older generation is gone and they divide the family, if you don’t have money in hand, how will you live in the future…”

The Jia family also learned of their return and sent someone to invite them.

Inviting them to attend a flower-viewing banquet—flower-viewing banquets were useful bricks that could be moved wherever needed.

Even if there originally weren’t any in one’s own garden, as long as there was a need, overnight the garden’s flowers could be arranged for viewing.

Among those the Jia family invited, they didn’t include Ying Yu and Luo Yu, who were about to be married. Instead, they invited Chen Yu and Daiyu, plus the two concubines, wanting to inquire about Lin Ruhai’s current situation.

When she received this calling card, the old lady had originally wanted to refuse, but then she saw the expression on Daiyu’s face.

She hadn’t seen her cousins for quite some time and missed them. Seeing her like this, the old lady’s heart softened.

Then she had Chen Yu go along as well. His only task was to keep Jia Baoyu occupied and not let him approach Daiyu—then there would be no problem.

Neither Yun Shuyao nor Concubine Mei refused, though their reasons for accepting differed.

Yun Shuyao wanted to go gather firsthand information about when that monk and Taoist were struck by lightning. Additionally, she wanted to observe Jia Baoyu’s condition.

Having experienced such turmoil, she couldn’t see any changes in Daiyu, so what about Jia Baoyu’s side?

The Lin family’s response was sent back and delivered to Wang Xifeng’s hands.

She listened as Ping’er read it aloud. Her body, which had been reclining on the couch, sat upright. “The Lin family agreed to come?”

Ping’er immediately smiled. “Indeed they did. They’re finally willing to come. This Lin family is truly hard to invite.” They’d invited them many times, but there were always various reasons for refusal.

Even if they couldn’t stay long, just coming to sit for a while would be fine.

At this moment, Jia Lian lifted the curtain and entered. “The cousins are coming?”

Wang Xifeng handed him the calling card from Ping’er’s hands. Jia Lian opened it and looked, feeling somewhat emotional: “Their family is holding two happy events. Old Lady Lin is truly stubborn. We said we’d go help, but she never relented.”

He didn’t even want to earn some token payment—he just thought this could strengthen relations between the two families. Wang Xifeng also regretted this: “Old Lady Lin is being too strong and stubborn. This isn’t a light matter.”

Jia Lian sighed again. “Every time Daiyu and Chen Yu come over, Baoyu either gets scolded by the master or worse, gets the board. You must be alert.” If you notice any signs, quickly request the Old Ancestress, or else the household will be in chaos again.

Wang Xifeng fell silent. She had almost forgotten about this matter.

Who knew whether Baoyu, currently rejoicing, had remembered this? Should he temporarily cram and read some books?