The First Madam soon had no time for wild thoughts, devoting all her attention to exchanging pleasantries with Grand Commandant Luo.

“We are truly remiss. Today all the gentlemen have gone to the ministry and cannot receive the Grand Commandant,” the Old Madam said politely.

Grand Commandant Luo smiled. “Going to the ministry is proper business. I should have visited during Academician Lin’s rest days, but I’ve been too busy these past few days to get away. Speaking of which, I’m the one who’s been remiss—I should have come earlier.”

Of course, this wasn’t actually the case.

The day after attending Princess Pingnan’s birthday banquet, he had asked Sheng’er if she wanted to come. As a result, Sheng’er said to wait a bit longer.

He asked why wait, and Sheng’er said to wait until Second Young Master Lin was home.

Thinking back to how he’d felt hearing those words, Grand Commandant Luo felt a wave of heartache.

Was being a father easy!

“You’re too kind, Grand Commandant. It was just my son doing his duty—there’s really no need to make a special trip to express thanks,” the First Madam responded.

Her son had helped someone, yet the other party wanted to make him a male favorite—how could they repay kindness with enmity?

Since Old Madam Lin and the First Madam had arrived, Luo Sheng had already risen and stood behind Grand Commandant Luo. Hearing this, she gently tugged on Grand Commandant Luo’s sleeve.

Understanding her meaning, Grand Commandant Luo cleared his throat and asked, “Why don’t I see your esteemed son?”

The First Madam wished she could slap herself.

Why had she mentioned Teng’er!

“Er, today isn’t a rest day—has your esteemed son gone to the Ministry of Justice?”

The First Madam laughed dryly. “It happens to be my son’s day off, so he’s at home.”

“Then please have your esteemed son come meet us. Luo and my daughter have always been grateful to him.”

The First Madam instinctively tightened her grip on her handkerchief.

Don’t mention what ideas your daughter has about Teng’er, or we won’t be able to sit here and talk nicely.

Seeing her eldest daughter-in-law had forgotten to respond, the Old Madam coughed and instructed the maid beside her, “Go ask the First Young Master to come.”

Luo Sheng tugged on Grand Commandant Luo’s sleeve again.

For an instant, Grand Commandant Luo wanted to play dumb.

This was going too far—seeing their eldest grandson could still be explained, but seeing the second grandson had absolutely no excuse.

Grand Commandant Luo quickly gave up struggling.

Fine, his daughter had already behaved quite obediently today—what more could he ask for?

“Ahem, I’ve long heard that your manor’s second young master is exceptionally talented, a paragon among the younger generation. If he’s also at home, perhaps he could come as well.” After saying this, Grand Commandant Luo quickly drank tea to cover his embarrassment.

Old Madam Lin and the First Madam exchanged quick glances.

As expected, the real intention wasn’t the stated one—expressing thanks was false, eyeing the two children was true!

But the other party was the renowned Commander of the Brocade Guard. Though the Lin family was of noble scholarly status and valued integrity, it wasn’t worth offending the Brocade Guard just by refusing to let them meet.

Of course, if Grand Commandant Luo’s daughter dared make a move on Teng’er or Shu’er, everyone in the Lin manor would resist to the death.

The Old Madam instructed the maid, “Summon both young masters.”

The maid hurried out to pass the message.

Upon receiving the news, the two brothers were somewhat stunned.

On the way to the flower hall, Lin Teng solemnly reminded Lin Shu, “Second Brother, speak as little as possible when we get there. The more mediocre you appear, the better.”

Lin Shu sighed. “Elder Brother, you should have reminded me earlier. Then I would have stayed at the academy and not come home.”

Lin Teng felt somewhat embarrassed. “I originally thought I was overthinking it. I didn’t expect them to actually come, and even request to see you by name.”

After all, the other party was a young lady. Though he’d been somewhat worried when he heard, without being certain, he couldn’t casually ruin someone’s reputation.

The two brothers entered the flower hall one after the other.

Luo Sheng’s gaze fell directly on the young man half a step behind Lin Teng.

The young man wore a bamboo-green straight robe, elegant as jade with an outstanding bearing. In his features, one could see traces of Princess Wuyang.

Luo Sheng couldn’t help but reveal a genuine smile, her eyes showing relief and gratification.

Her nephew had truly grown up, grown up so well.

This “well” didn’t refer only to his appearance.

Her older sisters had all been beauties, and Second Brother-in-law’s looks were also good, so naturally their son couldn’t be ugly. What was rare was the confidence and composure that Shu’er exuded in his every gesture.

To be able to raise a child with such a mentality, he probably hadn’t been mistreated in the Lin family.

Luo Sheng knew what children who suffered long-term oppression would grow into.

These past days, having Kou’er investigate this nephew, she’d learned some things.

After Second Sister’s death, Second Brother-in-law had been devastated for several years, spending his days immersed in drink. Later, Academician Lin, seeing his son in such a state, had swallowed his pride to speak with the Emperor and the Ministry of Personnel, getting his son a teaching position at the Imperial Academy—essentially keeping him under watchful eye.

Though Lin Shu studied at Qingya Academy and had considerable literary fame, he had long since announced he would not take the imperial examinations to enter government service.

This point both gratified and pained Luo Sheng.

What pained her was that for a scholarly family, a son not being able to take the imperial examinations was probably a lifelong regret. What gratified her was that the Lin family understood the situation.

Lin Shu’s mother was Princess Wuyang, and his maternal family had been exterminated for the crime of treason. Though the saying went that crimes didn’t extend to married-out daughters, how could there not be implications in reality?

If crimes truly didn’t extend to married-out daughters, how could Eldest Sister and Second Sister have died?

With such maternal relatives, entering government service would be a disaster rather than a blessing for Lin Shu. It was truly better to be a carefree young gentleman.

Luo Sheng had been staring at Lin Shu for quite a while—long enough that even though Lin Shu had been reminded by his elder cousin to play the wooden man, he couldn’t help but look over.

Then he saw the young lady’s loving, gratified gaze.

Lin Shu was stunned.

Had he buried himself in books at the academy too long and become dull? Why did he feel this young lady’s gaze toward him was similar to his grandmother’s and eldest aunt’s?

This didn’t look like the gaze of someone wanting to snatch him as a male favorite.

Though such a gaze gave him great security, it was still very uncomfortable, and quite strange…

Thinking this, Lin Shu forgot to look away for a moment.

Old Madam Lin and the First Madam, noticing Lin Shu’s abnormality, nearly fainted from anger.

What was this foolish child doing!

Lin Teng stepped forward to block the two exchanging gazes and called out clearly, “Paying respects to Grandmother and Mother.”

He also clasped his fists toward Grand Commandant Luo in greeting.

Grand Commandant Luo responded with a smile. Looking at the two equally outstanding brothers, he sighed inwardly.

Both young men were excellent. Would his daughter really not consider properly marrying someone?

Having spent many years in official circles as one of the Emperor’s close ministers, casually chatting with young people was no challenge for Grand Commandant Luo. However, he gradually noticed that Second Young Master Lin was even less talkative than his serious-looking elder brother.

Luo Sheng was also somewhat puzzled.

Judging by her eldest nephew’s bearing, he should be open and unrestrained—why was he so silent?

Could it be that what she saw was only superficial, and her assumption that her nephew hadn’t been oppressed in the Lin family was too optimistic?

If that was the case, she still needed to probe.

“Old Madam Lin.”

As soon as Luo Sheng spoke, she immediately drew everyone’s attention.

The Old Madam’s eyelid twitched as she asked with a smile, “Is there something, Miss Luo?”

“I’ve heard your manor has a particularly unique Taishan stone. I’d like to see it. Might the Old Madam have one of the young masters show the way?”

Facing her, a female wastrel who wanted to toy with every handsome man she saw, she wondered which one the Lin family would instinctively sacrifice first?