For an instant, Wang Xifeng suspected she had misheard. She said the Lin family was about to form a noble marriage alliance, yet he said Baoyu and Daiyu?

Did their family count as a noble connection?

According to Wang Xifeng’s understanding, legitimate daughters should marry better than concubine-born daughters. Calculating it this way, the person Lin Daiyu would marry in the future would either be a legitimate eldest son with a title, or the eldest son and grandson of a great family, or even those imperial clan members.

Judging from how their family’s Second Miss was betrothed to the Fourth Prince as Ce Fujin, if Daiyu went to participate in the selection in the future and Uncle Lin’s status hadn’t changed much, she would be betrothed to—

But now he mentioned Baoyu and Daiyu… this gap was quite far.

Wang Xifeng looked at Jia Lian with a strange expression: “Why would you think this way?”

Being looked at with such an expression, Jia Lian couldn’t help but be surprised: “What’s wrong? What did I say incorrectly?”

Wang Xifeng raised the corner of her mouth: “Do you think Baoyu is worthy of Cousin Lin?”

Jia Lian laughed twice: “They’re maternal cousins, and Aunt has already passed away. When in a few more years Daiyu’s grandmother passes away, the Lin household will be ruled by a concubine. Rather than that, it’s better to marry back here to her dear maternal grandmother. The Jia family can protect her so she won’t be bullied.”

Wang Xifeng thought about it: “Indeed there is this possibility, but I see that Concubine Yun isn’t a presumptuous person. Having received the Emperor’s edict and been conferred the title of mandarin lady, she’s still about the same as before. I haven’t seen her treat Daiyu poorly anywhere.”

Jia Lian shook his head: “You shouldn’t look at now. Right now Old Madam Lin is still here, and moreover Uncle is here, and this is the capital. Our Rongguo Residence isn’t without people either. If she dared to bully Daiyu now, she would have been taught a lesson long ago. She’s mostly pretending now. In the future without Old Madam Lin, and Uncle being a man, who knows how Daiyu’s dowry might be deducted.”

The concubines of the two Masters, once they gained power, would become arrogant. If there was no one above to suppress them, who knows what they would become.

Wang Xifeng just gave him a sidelong glance: “This is still different. Concubine Yun came from a good family background. Although her father was a minor official, when she was young he taught her reading and writing.”

Speaking of this, Wang Xifeng’s heart stirred. The upbringing of scholars was still different from their family’s. When she attended the Lin family banquet and listened to them speak, many times she couldn’t join in because she didn’t understand.

Jia Lian shook his head: “I can’t out-talk you. I’m just randomly thinking to myself. We can’t make decisions about this matter anyway.”

Wang Xifeng sighed. These words were true—indeed they couldn’t make such decisions: “This would require the Old Ancestress to decide.”

Although generally children’s marriage matters were decided by parents, the Old Ancestress was still here, and she regarded Baoyu as the apple of her eye. His marriage matter would definitely need the Old Ancestress’s approval to succeed.

Wang Xifeng also thought of her younger female cousin’s marriage matter.

She needed to go ask Second Uncle and Second Aunt.

Thinking of this, she stopped talking. Jia Lian also stopped talking. They had arrived.

Everyone went to the Old Ancestress’s place—they should be waiting for them to return.

Indeed they were waiting for them. Both Grand Madam Xing and Second Madam Wang were there.

Jia Baoyu was first to rush in, throwing himself into Grandmother Jia’s embrace: “Old Ancestress, we’re back.”

The three Chun sisters had tried hard in the carriage to divert his attention, hoping he would forget about not seeing Cousin Lin. Unfortunately, he still remembered: “Old Ancestress, Uncle’s place was so lively today. Why don’t we also invite Uncle and them over to be lively together? Today’s liveliness, Old Ancestress, you didn’t see it. Moreover, Old Ancestress, you also haven’t seen Cousin Lin for a long time. If we invite them over, you can see her.”

He even used roundabout tactics?!

Hearing these words, Tan Chun and the others couldn’t help but give him a complex look.

He had made progress after all. It was just that this progress made one not know whether to laugh or cry.

Grandmother Jia smiled as she held him, moved: “Baoyu, you’re right. We should invite your uncle and them over to be lively.”

Seeing Baoyu’s face light up with joy, she slowly added: “However, you must first finish your lessons. Otherwise I won’t send an invitation over.”

Hearing Grandmother Jia’s words, Baoyu was somewhat unhappy and started acting coquettish in her arms. Grandmother Jia, unable to handle his pestering: “All right, all right. Stop pestering me, you little pest. But you still must study well. Don’t you always want to play with your Cousin Lin? Your Uncle Lin—he likes talented people. Next time perform well in front of him, and he’ll agree to let you play with Cousin Lin.”

If she had said this before, perhaps it would have meant nothing, but today Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng had just discussed this question. It immediately stirred up thoughts. They exchanged glances, both with some disbelief in their eyes. Could it be that the Old Ancestress really had the intention to pair those two up?

However, this way didn’t seem too easy. Wang Xifeng wasn’t very optimistic about it.

Jia Lian thought this way was good. If it really came to be, their family’s next generation’s relationship would be even more solid. After all, their aunt had already passed away several years ago. Once she died, the relationship between their two families had faded considerably. Now with the Lin family, for some unknown reason, the relationship was cold. If they could marry Cousin Lin back, this marital relationship could continue. Moreover, this way they could also contend with the Wang family somewhat. He was suppressed by the Wang family to the point he didn’t dare even take a concubine.

Second Madam Wang listened as Grandmother Jia used the Lin family’s sickly girl as bait to entice Baoyu to study. He even fell for it completely, agreeing: “Old Ancestress, I understand. I will study well.”

Second Madam Wang watched, feeling stifled in her chest. What kind of love potion had that Lin girl given Baoyu?

Second Madam Wang couldn’t figure it out.

Da Chun left his father-in-law’s study. Ying Yu didn’t know what they had discussed inside. After he came out, he was in a daze, which worried her somewhat: “What’s wrong?”

Da Chun only shook his head: “Nothing.”

“You say that—first look at yourself.”

Da Chun let out a long sigh: “Really nothing. It’s just that I have some more coursework… that’s all.”

His mouth tasted bitter.

It turned out that previously the questions Father-in-law had given him were all problems younger brother-in-law had done before. Father-in-law called him over and had him look at younger brother-in-law’s answers. He had to admit he was dealt a blow. Then Father-in-law gave him some new coursework. One could imagine these were also questions younger brother-in-law had done back then.

Younger brother-in-law was clearly still a year younger than him, but Da Chun felt that it was only because next year was the provincial examination year—otherwise if he went to take the provincial examination now, he would most likely pass.

This gap was too great.

When his grandmother learned of this, she was very happy: “You must listen to your father-in-law. He achieved third place in the palace examination. What books do you lack? Grandmother will buy them for you.”

Although their family had more than just the civil examination route if they wanted to become officials, using this path was the smoothest and most indisputable, more frank and straightforward. It didn’t require necessarily passing the metropolitan examination—passing the provincial examination would be very good.

At this time, in the Lin family study, Lin Ruhai and Chen Yu were also discussing Da Chun.

Chen Yu: “Father, are you angry with eldest brother-in-law?”

Lin Ruhai: “No.”

Lin Ruhai had long known the eldest son-in-law’s level. Naturally there was no disappointment that the eldest son-in-law worried about. Moreover, with this lesson, he would surely remember firmly to be more diligent next time.

Chen Yu: “I was still worried Father would be angry about his handwriting. There are some reasons for this.”

Lin Ruhai: “What reasons?”

Chen Yu smiled: “In early spring, the Fourth Prince invited us to go with him to the estate to farm—holding hoes to turn the soil, pick out the weeds, plant beans. We even went down to the paddy fields. Although eldest brother-in-law’s hoe-holding posture was still somewhat stiff, it wasn’t unfamiliar. He had practiced in advance. We worked the fields for several days. Adding up the time before and after, it wasn’t short. He must have been delayed during that time.”

Lin Ruhai also smiled and nodded: “So that’s how it is. I understand.”

He was somewhat more satisfied with the eldest son-in-law.

Although his requirements for the eldest son-in-law weren’t as high as for his son, Lin Ruhai still hoped he could obtain academic honors. This way, as husband and wife were one body, his daughter’s days would be good.

Now learning that he was even more diligent than he had anticipated, he was naturally pleased.

Afterward, Wang Xifeng returned once to her maiden home to ask her second aunt what her thoughts were.

Her second aunt’s complexion was somewhat ugly: “Did your younger sister seek you out? Don’t pay attention to her. Your second uncle and I are already looking at matches for her.”

With these words out, Wang Xifeng understood. The Wang and Lin families wouldn’t work out. Looking at this, it even seemed like they were rejected by the Lin family.

“Second Aunt, I know what to do.”

She had no intention of asking more. One could foresee that with such an incident, Second Aunt was certainly very angry.

Her asking would be reopening Second Aunt’s wound.

Her being so tactful and sensible indeed made her second aunt’s mood improve somewhat: “Your younger sister has been spoiled by us and doesn’t understand matters. Rest assured, we will properly guide her. There won’t be a next time.”

When saying this, she was somewhat gritting her teeth. No matter which mother would feel heartache and anger when her own daughter wasn’t favored.

The Lin family! Just wait. Fortune turns in cycles. Sooner or later there would come a time they regretted!

Every Buddha’s Birthday was very lively. People who normally didn’t go out would also take this opportunity to go walk around. Luo Yu didn’t believe in the existence of Buddha and such, but because Grandmother was very devout, having been influenced since childhood, if one were to discuss it, she could speak knowledgeably. As soon as she mentioned wanting to go offer incense with her younger brother on Buddha’s Birthday, the Fourth Prince very readily nodded: “If you want to go, then go.”

So when Buddha’s Birthday arrived, Yun Shuyao, Chen Yu, and Luo Yu each set out.

The place they went wasn’t the National Protection Temple but an ordinary temple.

The National Protection Temple had extraordinary people, but for others, Yun Shuyao didn’t need to worry about eminent monks.

Especially since she didn’t plan to enter inside the temple anyway.

Luo Yu first went to offer incense, then came out to meet with Concubine Mother and younger brother in the pavilion in the small grove and began talking.

Luo Yu was very happy: “Concubine Mother, Father should be staying in the capital now, right?”

“Concubine Mother, has younger brother’s marriage matter been decided yet? Are there any families you’ve taken a liking to?”

“Concubine Mother, tell me in detail about the situation when you met with the Emperor. I want to hear about it.”

Yun Shuyao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Ask your questions one at a time.”

“Whether your father will always be in the capital—you have to ask the Emperor about that.”

“Your younger brother is sixteen this year. There’s no rush. If it weren’t that you all participate in the selection and can’t choose, according to my thinking, you would first get engaged, then marry two years later—that wouldn’t be too late either.”

Luo Yu: “I know there’s no rush to marry. But aren’t there any families you’ve taken a liking to? If it’s much later, those of suitable age will all be engaged.” She looked at Chen Yu: “You’re not anxious either?”

Chen Yu was unperturbed: “I’m not anxious.”

…

While they were chatting, other people happened to come here.

Wang Xiluan had been put in a bad mood recently by her parents. They didn’t support her ideas at all. She might as well take advantage of Buddha’s Birthday to come out and relax. Because she didn’t want to go squeeze into places with too many people, she randomly found a place to walk around. As she walked, she saw several people in the pavilion ahead talking, with servants waiting at a distance around them.

Who was it?

Wang Xiluan walked closer and closer. She recognized them. Instantly, her heart leaped with joy. Could this be a heaven-sent opportunity?

She wanted to ask him in person.