Old Madam Lin’s smile froze at the corners of her mouth as she quickly looked toward Lin Teng and Lin Shu.

The two grandsons stood side by side, each more outstanding than the other.

Oh heavens, these fine grandsons were both the flesh of her heart—pushing either one forward would be cutting out her heart!

The First Madam’s expression shifted slightly. Meeting the young lady’s dark, bright eyes, she spoke with difficulty, “Let Teng’er take Miss Luo—”

Lin Teng spoke at the same time, “I’ll take Miss Luo.”

The First Madam looked at her son who had volunteered himself, feeling both gratified and pained.

If one truly had to be sacrificed, it could only be Teng’er who suffered the injustice.

Shu’er was different from Teng’er.

Shu’er had lost his mother at a young age, and because of his maternal family’s situation, despite his abundant talent, he could only give up even the imperial examinations. He was already pitiful enough.

Moreover, her brother-in-law had only just improved these past few years. What if his son was also ruined—how could he bear it?

If that happened, the second branch of the Lin family would be destroyed.

At least Teng’er still had her and the master to care for him…

As the First Madam was struggling, Lin Shu, who had been playing the wooden man, spoke up, “I should take Miss Luo instead. The calligraphy on that Shoushan stone was written by me—I can explain it to Miss Luo.”

Lin Teng placed a hand on Lin Shu’s shoulder, his tone cold and hard, “When the Shoushan stone was dragged back and set up in the garden, I even helped steady it. I should take Miss Luo.”

Grand Commandant Luo awkwardly drank his tea.

Did they think he had no face? Why were these two young men acting like they were sacrificing themselves for righteousness?

Luo Sheng calmly watched the two compete, saying indifferently, “Since both young masters want to take me, there’s no need to fight over it. Let’s all go together.”

Old Madam Lin: “…”

First Madam Lin: “…”

Lin Teng and Lin Shu: “…”

Grand Commandant Luo nearly spat out his mouthful of tea.

He suddenly felt somewhat regretful that Sheng’er was a daughter. If she were a son, she would be a great talent in the Brocade Guard.

Lin Teng and Lin Shu were stunned for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Watching her two grandsons accompany Luo Sheng out of the flower hall with eager eyes, Old Madam Lin clutched her chest.

Was this total annihilation?

The First Madam, worried the Old Madam might become ill from distress, sent her a reassuring look.

Actually, this was fine—with both Teng’er and Shu’er there, surely one young lady wouldn’t be a match for them?

Thinking of Prince Kaiyang who’d had his belt pulled off in the street, the First Madam’s forcibly raised confidence plummeted back to the depths.

The atmosphere in the flower hall became suffocating.

Grand Commandant Luo sheepishly set down his teacup and racked his brain to lighten the mood.

There was no help for it—his daughter had indeed gone too far. Couldn’t she just pick one!

As the father, he could only keep smiling apologetically.

The atmosphere grew even heavier.

For someone of Grand Commandant Luo’s status to be so polite—it was over, it was over. The other party’s visit truly had ill intentions!

Luo Sheng walked beside Lin Shu, her gaze constantly circling around him.

What? Staring at someone like this wasn’t appropriate?

She was Miss Luo—she didn’t need to consider whether something was appropriate or not.

Her parents were gone, her older sisters were gone. Her nephew had grown from a small child into such a handsome, outstanding young man—of course no amount of looking would be enough.

Lin Teng wore a cold expression, inwardly very vigilant.

He’d been right to worry—Miss Luo really was after Second Brother.

On the way to the flower hall, he’d asked Second Brother, and Second Brother clearly had never met Miss Luo before.

Could it be that women particularly admired talented men, able to fall for them just from hearing their name?

Glancing at his scholarly cousin, Lin Teng suddenly felt a tiny bit uncomfortable.

He had wanted to shield his cousin, but unexpectedly, she looked down on him.

“Is Second Young Master busy at the academy?”

The two brothers simultaneously paused in their steps.

“Not very busy.” Faced with the soft-spoken young lady whose status couldn’t be offended, Lin Shu couldn’t avoid responding.

The young lady smiled. “Not busy is good. You’re still at the age of growing—you need to eat well and sleep enough.”

The corner of Lin Shu’s mouth twitched, nearly unable to maintain his young gentleman’s image.

What did she mean by “at the age of growing”? Though the words weren’t wrong, coming from the mouth of a girl clearly younger than him, wasn’t it too strange?

These past two years, even Eldest Aunt didn’t say such things anymore—at most he’d occasionally hear a few such words from Grandmother.

“I’m skilled at cooking. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll have Second Young Master try it.”

Lin Shu’s heart and liver trembled.

This sounded more like what a young lady with designs on him should say.

After considering, Lin Shu politely declined, “I’m afraid that wouldn’t be very convenient. We’re neither relatives nor friends—it wouldn’t be proper to visit your manor without reason.”

Luo Sheng said unconcernedly, “No need to come to my home. I plan to open a wine shop soon.”

Using a wine shop as bait, she thought she could hook many big fish.

Lin Teng, who had been completely ignored on the side, coughed lightly, his expression not very pleasant.

The distinguished daughter of the Grand Commandant wanted to open a wine shop?

Miss Luo was truly scheming everything for his second brother!

Luo Sheng looked over, putting away her loving gaze and becoming indifferent. “If First Young Master Lin has time, please honor us with your presence as well.”

Lin Teng’s eyebrows twitched.

This feeling of barely being included as an afterthought was truly unpleasant. Could Miss Luo speak any more coldly?

“If Miss Luo opens a wine shop, I’ll visit when I have time.”

Luo Sheng quickly returned her attention to Lin Shu. “What about Second Young Master?”

Lin Shu: “…”

That grandmother-like loving gaze from earlier must have been an illusion!

“This humble one is busy with studies and may not have time—”

“Delivery is available.” Luo Sheng blocked Lin Shu’s refusal with one sentence, her dark brows raising slightly. “Second Young Master just said he wasn’t very busy at the academy.”

Lin Shu opened his mouth and cast a pleading look at his elder brother.

He usually encountered young ladies interested in him, and some bold ones would even throw handkerchiefs, fresh flowers, and such into his arms.

Typically, after doing such things, the young ladies would smile shyly and then turn and run away.

He truly had no experience dealing with a young lady as persistent as Miss Luo!

Lin Teng positioned himself between the two, saying seriously, “When I have time, I’ll bring Second Brother along.”

“Then I thank both young masters in advance for their patronage.”

“Who’s there?” Lin Teng’s gaze sharpened as he suddenly looked in a certain direction.

Shi Yan, who had been hiding by a wall root on a tree branch stretching his neck to scout the enemy situation, immediately jumped from the tree to the wall like an agile monkey, then disappeared from sight.

Lin Teng immediately gave chase. Upon reaching the perimeter wall, he leaped up, using the momentum to climb over and jump outside, but there was no trace of the thief.

Lin Teng’s expression turned extremely ugly.

In broad daylight, for a thief to sneak into the manor—this was no small matter.

After his anger, Lin Teng’s expression changed.

Oh no, he’d left Second Brother alone!

Meanwhile, Luo Sheng, standing beside a uniquely shaped Taishan stone, watched the swaying tree branches and raised her eyebrows.

Eh, wasn’t that Prince Kaiyang’s personal guard?

Though it was only a fleeting glimpse, her ability to recognize people was still adequate.

Thinking of the Shi brothers’ contrasting personalities, Luo Sheng deduced it should be the elder brother, Shi Yan.

Prince Kaiyang’s personal guard actually sneaking into someone’s Lin manor like a thief—what was his purpose?

If this matter spread, Prince Kaiyang would lose all dignity, inside and out.

Luo Sheng smiled while holding her handkerchief.

This meant she’d caught Prince Kaiyang with another weakness, didn’t it?