“Then I’ll trouble you with this.” Da Chun placed the box in Ying Yu’s hands. Without bothering to wash up or change clothes, he climbed onto the bed, lay down, and almost immediately fell asleep.

Ying Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she lightened her movements and opened the box to look at the papers inside.

The front parts were fine, but the further back, the more visible the changes in handwriting became. He had become anxious, and increasingly so, which was why it turned out this way.

If looking at just one page alone, it wasn’t too obvious, but if flipping through a large quantity all at once to the end, it was hard not to notice.

In other words, she noticed at a glance. When Father received it, wouldn’t he notice?

Ying Yu looked at the dark circles under her husband’s face: “…”

Waking him now would truly be unbearable.

He must not have slept at all last night.

In the early stage he had worked leisurely because in his estimation there was still plenty of time. Fortunately, later his handwriting became somewhat hasty, which also showed his attitude was very proper. The content wasn’t carelessly written but had substance. Considering this point, Father shouldn’t be too angry.

Thinking of this, Ying Yu breathed a sigh of relief. She also hoped her husband would have a good impression with Father.

She placed the box to one side, checked the time, and seeing it was about right, quietly got up to wash.

She needed to go pay respects to Grandmother.

She didn’t plan to send this box to Father so quickly. Today Father still had to attend court. Going early versus going late made no difference—they would have to wait for him to return before he could look at it.

After her husband woke up and looked at this handwriting, there would still be some time. Perhaps he would want to recopy the most rushed page again. As long as it was delivered before Father returned in the afternoon, it would be fine.

There wasn’t enough time to recopy all the pages with unstable handwriting.

When Da Chun woke from his sleep, he felt refreshed and clear-headed. Just as he was about to get up, he saw the familiar wooden box at the bedside. The smile on his face instantly froze. He remembered—hadn’t this been sent to his father-in-law? Why was it still here? Had he forgotten?

He quickly looked at the sky—good, good, it was still daytime. Wait, he hadn’t slept for over a day, had he? This was the second day, right?

Thinking of this, Da Chun swayed unsteadily as he got up, holding his head and doubting his life. Ying Yu heard the commotion and walked into the inner chamber, looking at him with confusion: “Husband, what’s wrong?”

Da Chun raised his head pitifully: “Should we be setting out for the Lin residence now? Is today the rest day?”

Ying Yu fell silent, reached out to feel his forehead temperature—normal: “No, that’s tomorrow. You slept for one morning. It’s noon now. Are you hungry? I’ll have someone bring up the meal. There’s still time to send your coursework later.”

Noon?!

Then there was still time.

Da Chun instantly revived with full energy: “Excellent.”

Ying Yu saw he had breathed a sigh of relief and decided to wait until he finished eating before telling him about the handwriting problem.

So when Da Chun had happily finished his meal and put down his bowl, Ying Yu took out his coursework and flipped through it page by page, letting him look: “Husband, do you notice anything?”

Da Chun looked over: “What’s wrong? Where did I write incorrectly?”

He became nervous.

Ying Yu shook her head: “It’s not that you wrote incorrectly. Look at your handwriting—do you notice anything different?”

She quickly went through it once. The smile on Da Chun’s face slowly stiffened, finally freezing into a tearless expression. Ying Yu consolingly patted his hand: “There’s still some time before Father returns from the government office. Copy this one over?”

She was referring to the last completed page, where the handwriting was most hasty—the last page practically flew off the paper.

Da Chun silently returned to the study and began transcribing.

When Lin Ruhai returned from the government office, someone delivered a box: “Master, this was sent by the eldest son-in-law.”

Hearing this, Lin Ruhai raised his eyebrows slightly: “Finally finished writing it. Send it to the study. I’ll look at it slowly later.”

The next day was the rest day, and many people came.

Basically those who had received invitations, with a small portion coming uninvited. Although Lin Ruhai was no longer the Salt Censor, the affairs there were initiated by him, and how long had it been? The salt administration reform had just begun not long ago, and there were still many people who wanted to get a share, to probe for information.

The roads around the Lin residence were momentarily blocked by carriages. It was only when the steward inside saw the situation and quickly came to redirect traffic that the roads were cleared.

They separated into male and female sides—male guests in the outer courtyard, female guests in the inner courtyard.

The male guests’ side was naturally Lin Ruhai’s responsibility, leading Chen Yu and the others in receiving them. The inner courtyard side had the Old Madam leading Yun Shuyao, Ying Yu, and others in hosting.

Da Chun and Ying Yu arrived very early, coming ahead of time to help receive guests.

When they had just arrived, they saw Lin Ruhai. Ying Yu’s joy at seeing Father need not be mentioned. Da Chun’s mood was complicated—guilty conscience and anxiety both present. Seeing his father-in-law, his body stiffened for an instant.

Had Father-in-law looked at his coursework?

Would he think he was being perfunctory?

He truly wasn’t!

He didn’t know if he was being overly sensitive, but when Father-in-law saw him, the smile on Father-in-law’s face seemed to change somehow.

Da Chun: “…”

To make up for it, he worked extremely hard in receiving guests.

His voice even became hoarse.

Chen Yu: “…”

There was really no need for such extremes.

Da Chun and Ying Yu came early to help. The Fourth Prince and Luo Yu’s side came relatively late, and the Fourth Prince’s status was also different.

Whether it was the Fourth Prince or Lin Ruhai, neither showed any intention of displaying their intimate relationship.

If he came early to help receive guests, it would be too conspicuous.

The Jia family people also came relatively early, just a bit later than the Old Madam’s grand-nephew Xie Zimo and his wife.

Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng hoped to draw the two families’ relationship closer and frequently volunteered saying they could help, but unfortunately they had never succeeded.

Previously it was still acceptable, but now because of bleeding heavily twice, Wang Xifeng hoped even more that the two families’ relationship could be restored. Once restored, the gifts going in and out wouldn’t result in such large losses.

Because they knew they could come to the Lin household today, the three Chun sisters and Baoyu were all very excited.

To avoid Baoyu making the Lin family unhappy, Wang Xifeng repeatedly instructed Jia Lian to watch Baoyu well and not let him go to the inner residence.

Previously with their own relatives it was one thing, but now the inner courtyard also had many young ladies from other families.

Baoyu was also nine years old this year.

Jia Lian solemnly agreed. Baoyu: “…”

He could only watch helplessly as Ying Chun, Tan Chun, and Xi Chun entered the inner courtyard, aggrieved: “What kind of world is this? I also want to see Cousin Lin. Why are you all blocking me?”

Hearing this, even Jia Lian couldn’t help but frown.

Baoyu’s preoccupation with Cousin Lin was unexpected.

How long had it been since they’d seen each other or spoken?

He kept hearing him mention it from time to time. If he were a few years older, one couldn’t help but suspect he had some intentions.

If that were truly the case, Jia Lian’s heart stirred.

But then looking at the Lin residence here with so many censors and civil officials, he fell silent again.

Uncle was already a high official of the third rank. Among his colleagues he was still young, and before his retirement he would most likely rise further. Would he take a liking to Baoyu?

Jia Lian thought about the destinations of the two younger female cousins—one was the legitimate son of a third-rank high official, one was a prince. Baoyu was indeed a son of a ducal residence, but Master’s official rank was currently only sixth rank.

The only thing worth mentioning was that the two of them were legitimate maternal cousins, and although the Lin family didn’t say it, looking at Cousin Lin’s body, she might have some congenital deficiency. If it were serious, it seemed not completely impossible…

Baoyu looked over with confusion: “Second Brother, what’s wrong?”

Why the sudden silence?

Jia Lian came back to his senses and forced out a smile: “Nothing. Baoyu, Uncle values proper conduct. Today there are many guests too. Let’s not do other things. Promise Second Brother, all right?”

Forget it, forget it. Why was he thinking so much? He couldn’t make such decisions anyway. Even the Madam might not be able to decide this matter. He just needed to do his own job well.

In the inner courtyard, this was Yun Shuyao’s first time stepping forward in the capital with such status as a mandarin lady.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t received guests before, but at that time she had done so with the status of a good concubine of the Lin family.

Unless it was an occasion where the Old Madam wasn’t present, otherwise the targets she hosted were mostly those of equivalent status to her. But now it was different.

Previously in Yangzhou she had also attended banquets hosted by others. Because of the Emperor’s edict, and moreover because she had achieved merit, even if some legitimate wives found her showing off disagreeable, they didn’t dare openly express dissent toward her.

This feeling of “you find me disagreeable yet can do nothing about me and still have to greet me with smiling faces”—honestly, it felt quite good.

They didn’t have any real grievances—it was just dissatisfaction arising from status differences.

Wives and concubines harmonious like sisters—this was only men’s wishful thinking. The vast majority of wives and concubines were adversaries.

Although both were oppressed subjects in this era, they were still divided into superior and inferior ranks, and in a certain sense, became competitors.

They had to compete for the man’s favor, compete for offspring, compete for the resources offspring could obtain.

Those who could truly be affectionate as sisters were far too rare.

Zhao Yin was also in the capital. As Jia Min’s close friend, their affection had always been deep. When Jia Min passed away, she even gave her a copy of her dowry list, from which one could see how deep their affection was.

She received the Lin family’s invitation. Seeing that Yun Shuyao was hosting her, her face was also smiling, but the feelings in her heart, she herself couldn’t distinguish.

The Lin family was getting better and better. It was just a pity that younger sister Min didn’t have the fortune to see this day.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Yin brought up Daiyu: “I wonder where Daiyu is?”

Yun Shuyao: “Qing Ning, take Madam Zhao to Third Miss.”

“Yes. Madam Zhao, please come with me.”

Lin Daiyu was currently receiving young ladies near her age. Seeing Zhao Yin, she smiled: “Aunt Zhao.”

The relationship between their two families was maintained quite well. Zhao Yin would tell Daiyu many things about her mother, talk about their past interactions, the poems they had composed, some of their preferences back then. Daiyu listened very seriously every time.

Originally she should have inquired about these things from her maternal grandmother, but unfortunately the relationship between their two families…

Coming back to herself, Zhao Yin looked Daiyu up and down, praising: “Daiyu is becoming more and more outstanding.”

In the future, who knows which family’s son would benefit.

Seeing the opportunity, with no one around, Zhao Yin said in a low voice: “Does Concubine Yun bully you?”

Her status was different now. Zhao Yin didn’t know if Concubine Yun would still be the same as before.

Speaking of this, Lin Daiyu’s mood was somewhat complex: “No. Rest assured, no one will bully me.”

Concubine Yun hadn’t discarded her original modesty and harmony.

Zhao Yin felt at ease: “Good. But still don’t be too trusting of her. Stay close to your grandmother—your grandmother won’t harm you. I won’t disturb you anymore. Go be busy.”

Just in the time it took to say a few words, little maids were already poking their heads around.

This banquet went very smoothly.

No one caused trouble.

Even those dissatisfied with Lin Ruhai wouldn’t immediately jump out at this time, fearing to catch the Emperor’s eye.

On the inner residence side, Lin residence maids were everywhere. Some people couldn’t completely escape the Lin family’s sight even if they wanted to, let alone anything else.

There were many people. Yun Shuyao felt some regret at not being able to linger long with her daughter, but was also satisfied. Seizing the opportunity, she spoke a few private words with her and arranged the next time to go out: “The Buddha’s Birthday is coming soon. Ask Fujin if you can go out to offer incense. If so, send me word.”

Today they couldn’t speak properly, but there would be other opportunities.

Luo Yu thought the same way, her smile radiant: “Fourth Prince believes in Buddhism. There should be no problem.”

Guests left one by one. After seeing off the last guest, Lin Ruhai called to his eldest son-in-law: “Da Chun, come with me.”

Having been busy all day and forgotten about his anxious matter, Da Chun suddenly remembered his coursework, forcing a smile: “Yes.”

On the carriage returning to the Jia residence, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng sat in one carriage, while Baoyu and the three Chun sisters shared another.

Jia Lian was somewhat tired today. Watching Baoyu to prevent him from saying improper things to others was very draining.

For a moment he didn’t want to speak.

Wang Xifeng also didn’t want to speak.

She had come today and seen enough of that Concubine Yun’s prestige. She was a mandarin lady personally conferred by the Emperor for merit. Today even Old Madam Lin hadn’t received as much attention as her.

Moreover, she was a fourth-rank mandarin lady, while she herself was still a commoner. Nominal positions couldn’t request conferral.

Wang Xifeng had suffered enough blows. Where would she still have the energy to speak?

Nearly back at the Jia residence, Wang Xifeng finally adjusted her mood and asked: “Today Baoyu didn’t cause you trouble, did he?”

Jia Lian shook his head: “He wanted to go to the inner courtyard but was blocked.”

The outer courtyard men talked about things Baoyu didn’t like to hear, but the Lin residence kept strict watch between inner and outer courtyards, and he himself had stayed by his side the whole time, not giving him a chance: “He might resent me. I’ll send him some things later.” Baoyu’s temperament didn’t hold grudges.

Wang Xifeng couldn’t help but frown: “Baoyu really is—forget it. Did you hear if the Lin residence has any intention of forming marriage ties with anyone?”

In the inner courtyard she had seen quite a few ladies bringing their daughters or nieces to speak with Concubine Yun, their words hinting at Chen Yu.

Her younger female cousin still hadn’t discussed marriage.

Her cousin sent someone to have her inquire about it, which made Wang Xifeng somewhat irritable. This should be by parents’ command and matchmaker’s arrangement, but Second Uncle and Second Aunt hadn’t given her any news.

Jia Lian shook his head: “I didn’t pay attention. Why?”

Wang Xifeng’s tone was sour: “The Lin family will presumably form another noble marriage alliance.”

Jia Lian thought of his earlier speculation: “What do you think about Baoyu and Daiyu?”

Wang Xifeng: ?