Dong Wenyi had an idea, but implementing it wasn’t that easy.

First of all, how could he get close to Cousin Ying Yu?

Young ladies of good families never stepped outside their doors.

This saying was somewhat exaggerated, but it could basically summarize the daily life of all young ladies in great families.

Especially now, the Lin family hadn’t yet completed their mourning period. As children, they needed to observe mourning for three years, and only the first year had passed.

Many banquets wouldn’t actively invite the younger generation of the Lin family, and the Lin family sisters spent most of their time in the inner courtyard.

Dong Wenyi was thirteen years old this year. Although they were relatives, at this age he needed to strictly observe the separation between men and women. If he entered the inner courtyard, apart from going to the Old Madam’s place, he had no other options.

There were matrons guarding the entrance to the inner courtyard. When he went in to see the Old Madam, someone would specifically guide him and refuse to leave.

And even if he could shake off the people, he didn’t know where Cousin Ying Yu lived.

Unable to think of a good method, he went back to find his mother again. “I really like Cousin Ying Yu very much. Mother, go talk to Great-Aunt and betroth her to me. I’ll definitely treat her well in the future.”

Xie Ruozhen felt somewhat helpless and also stifled inside. Definitely treat her well?

Then she absolutely couldn’t let him marry her.

She thought of a reason: “My little ancestor, didn’t I tell you? They haven’t gone through the imperial selection yet. They have to participate in the selection.”

Dong Wenyi turned his head away. “Mother, don’t try to fool me. I know about the selection, but there are people who just go through the motions, and others who find ways to avoid it entirely. It just involves taking some risks, that’s all.”

He grabbed Xie Ruozhen’s sleeve and shook it: “I don’t care! Mother, I must marry my cousin as my wife! Mother, Mother—”

He employed his pestering tactics, giving Xie Ruozhen a headache. She had already been rejected by her aunt. Even if she brazenly brought up the matter again, the success rate wouldn’t be high.

But Dong Wenyi wouldn’t understand his mother’s position. It had always been this way—whatever he truly wanted, he would tell his mother. If once didn’t work, he’d try twice. If he kept pestering, he would eventually succeed.

This approach put Xie Ruozhen in a very passive position. She rubbed her temples and compromised once again: “Fine, fine, you troublesome child. I must have owed you something in my past life.”

She shook her head and sighed, plotting how to approach her aunt with a higher chance of success.

Now Dong Wenyi was happy: “Mother is the best. Mother, you’re the person who loves me most. When I achieve success in the future, I’ll definitely repay Mother well. I’ll request an honorary title for you, making you the undisputed old matriarch of the family…” His sweet words came out in a stream, coaxing Xie Ruozhen until she beamed with joy.

But after the laughter, she still had to face reality.

She went to find her aunt and said many things, but as soon as she brought up the topic of matchmaking, the Old Madam stopped her.

The Old Madam had been happily discussing her nephew and elder brother with her niece, but then she heard her bring up the matter of cousins marrying again, and her mood immediately soured: “Ruozhen, I’ve said before, don’t mention this matter again. Your Wenyi is still young, and my granddaughter is still in mourning. It’s not appropriate!”

Xie Ruozhen looked embarrassed. “Aunt, in private we…”

The Old Madam expressionlessly picked up her teacup—showing her the door.

Xie Ruozhen glanced at the Old Madam and could only swallow back what she wanted to say.

Dong Wenyi, who was waiting for good news, could tell from his mother’s expression that things hadn’t gone smoothly. His brows immediately furrowed.

Xie Ruozhen consoled him: “Since this approach doesn’t work, let your father talk to Cousin. Perhaps it will succeed.” The marriage was to be decided by parental command and matchmaker’s word. The betrothal itself should be decided by his cousin.

Better to have them settle it directly. That way, even if her aunt disagreed, there would be nothing she could do.

Xie Ruozhen thought it was a good plan, but as soon as she mentioned it to Dong Gaocheng, he directly refused: “The Old Madam has already refused. Why seek more humiliation!”

He would not lose face like that.

“Foolish woman! Rather than fussing over his matchmaking, you’d be better off urging him to pass the examinations and earn honors as soon as possible.”

Xie Ruozhen felt her life was truly bitter. She hadn’t even made clear which girl she meant, and he had already refused so eagerly. He even said she should urge their son to study.

Wasn’t their son’s schoolwork something the father should be concerned about? When had she ever studied the Four Books and Five Classics? The words of the sages? How was she supposed to supervise?

In his heart and eyes, there was simply no room for her and their son—only those lowly women!

She returned with red-rimmed eyes.

Seeing her, Dong Wenyi knew the betrothal wouldn’t work. He was forced to use his own brain.

He began inquiring about who was in Minister Lin’s rear courtyard, figuring out the power dynamics in his uncle-in-law’s household.

Then he learned that his beloved Cousin Ying Yu was born to Concubine Mei and didn’t get along well with another Concubine Yun.

That was normal. In his father’s rear courtyard, none of the concubines got along well either. They always competed for favor and jealousy, wanting his father to visit only their quarters. Presumably it was the same here.

Perhaps Cousin Luo Yu could also be used?

In his view, Cousin Ying Yu was more beautiful than Cousin Luo Yu. Cousin Luo Yu must be jealous of Cousin Ying Yu, and Cousin Luo Yu’s mother would therefore look unfavorably upon Cousin Ying Yu’s mother. If he found someone from that side, they should be more willing to reveal more information to him…

So he frequently entered the inner courtyard to pay respects to the Old Madam, and he was also clever enough to know to often bring his sisters along.

However, once he entered his great-aunt’s place, he basically had no opportunity to slip away.

On this day, he entered the inner courtyard, saying he was going to pay respects to his great-aunt. On the way, claiming he needed to relieve himself, he shook off the maidservant and began looking left and right to see if he could accidentally encounter Cousin Ying Yu.

Yun Shuyao, accompanied by a maidservant, happened to be returning. She had just delivered something to her daughter and was passing through when she saw Dong Wenyi in the garden, seemingly looking for someone, with not a single maidservant by his side.

Yun Shuyao stopped in her tracks and stood where she was, having her senior maidservant Hong Qin go see if he was lost.

She wouldn’t go over herself.

She didn’t want to deal with this person.

She had heard from Luo Yu about his behavior at their first meeting and really had no good impression of him. She was too lazy to be diplomatic.

“Young Master Yi, greetings.”

Hong Qin went over and curtsied. “Young Master Yi, are you lost? The Old Madam’s courtyard is in this direction. Let me lead you there.”

Seeing it wasn’t a maidservant from the Old Madam’s courtyard, Dong Wenyi’s eyes lit up: “Please wait a moment, Miss. I’ll go to Great-Aunt’s later. It’s just that I have some puzzling questions and wonder if Miss could help clear them up?”

Hong Qin smiled: “Young Master Yi, please speak.”

Dong Wenyi smiled somewhat embarrassedly: “I wonder where Miss serves?”

Hong Qin: “…I don’t deserve to be called ‘Miss.’ Young Master Yi, just call me Hong Qin. I serve Concubine Yun.”

Dong Wenyi’s eyes brightened even more: “I see. I heard that Concubine Yun and Concubine Mei don’t get along well. Is that true?”

Hong Qin: “…”

She was inwardly surprised.

This was the first time she’d seen someone inquire for information like this, coming to her with such a question.

Was Young Master Yi unaware of his problem, or was he truly foolish?

Hong Qin: “Young Master Yi jests. The two concubines naturally get along harmoniously.”

Dong Wenyi frowned: “Really? I heard Concubine Mei has a pampered temperament. Isn’t that true? Concubine Yun must have suffered quite a bit, right?”

Hong Qin was silent again. What had Concubine Yun suffered?

How come she had never heard of it?

And as for Concubine Mei being pampered… she hadn’t seen her being pampered to the point of troubling Concubine Yun’s side.

Hong Qin: “There’s no such thing.”

“Ha ha, is that so? I heard that Cousin Chen Yu…” He rambled on about many things, finally asking what he most wanted to know.

“My second sister and younger sister have very good relationships with the two cousins. I vaguely heard earlier that they were going to visit Elder Cousin. Do you know the way? I want to find my second sister.” When saying this, his voice was much more excited than before.

Hong Qin paused, then glanced with the corner of her eye in Concubine Yun’s direction. After receiving a response, she answered: “Young Master Yi, if you have any matters, please tell me. I’ll pass on the message.”

After all, he was an unfamiliar cousin young master, and he seemed somewhat suspicious.

Dong Wenyi was a bit disappointed, but then, not knowing what he thought of, he perked up again: “Then please trouble Miss to help me pass on a message to Elder Cousin, saying I have something I’d like to ask her help with. Could she come to the garden to meet? It’s about my second sister.”

Hong Qin immediately became alert. Earlier he said he wanted to find his second sister, but now it was the eldest miss? She quickly made excuses: “That won’t do. I’m not familiar with the eldest miss and can’t speak to her.”

Dong Wenyi didn’t believe her: “Miss, you’re being too modest.” Looking at her attire, he could tell she was a person of status among the maidservants. How could she not be able to speak to her? She simply didn’t want to help. He knew how to handle this.

He pulled out a small gold ingot from his sleeve and pressed it into Hong Qin’s hand: “Miss, please help me. I know you’re the most beautiful and kind-hearted. After the matter is done, I’ll have another generous reward! I really have something I want to say to Elder Cousin. Please accommodate me.”

Hong Qin stiffly tried to return it, but it was pushed back. After repeatedly declining, she finally accepted it at Concubine Yun’s signal: “…I’ll try. I can’t guarantee I’ll definitely pass on the message.”

“Thank you so much, Miss.”

Dong Wenyi was excited. Today he’d finally made a breakthrough. Money makes the world go round. Even if it wasn’t proper, with enough money, someone would be willing to help him pass messages.

He waited contentedly in place.

Hong Qin turned two corners and handed over the two small gold ingots she’d received.

At first, the other party gave one, but during the declining, it became two.

Yun Shuyao wrapped the gold ingots in a handkerchief, frowning as she looked in Dong Wenyi’s direction.

From the conversation she’d just heard, this person was up to something. What did he want to do?

At first, listening to him, she thought he wanted to stir up conflict between her and Concubine Mei, but later he specifically inquired about Ying Yu…

Thinking of his age, Yun Shuyao frowned even deeper.

In modern times, this would be barely starting middle school, but here he couldn’t be viewed as a child anymore. This was already an age suitable for marriage. Now he wanted to arrange a meeting with Ying Yu, avoiding people… no matter how she thought about it, it didn’t seem like anything good.

However, to catch a thief, you need evidence.

Hong Qin waited a while, then regretfully went to find Dong Wenyi, who was crouching in the flower bushes afraid of being found by others.

“Young Master Yi, the eldest miss is doing lessons with the second miss. I couldn’t pass on the message.”

Dong Wenyi’s disappointment showed on his face: “…If that’s the case, could Miss please make another trip after they’re finished? I’ll come again at this time tomorrow.” He needed to hurry to his great-aunt’s place now. He’d delayed too long.

The next day, Hong Qin said: “I saw the eldest miss once, but she said it’s not convenient. Whatever the matter is, she asked me to relay the message.”

Dong Wenyi anxiously circled in place. Why wasn’t Cousin Ying Yu willing to come?

Was it because he’d been too presumptuous at their first meeting?

Dong Wenyi felt somewhat regretful. If only he’d been more restrained then.

But it was too difficult.

Thinking of the scene in his dream, Dong Wenyi felt a wave of heat, and his heart itched even more: “Miss, would you be willing to make another trip for me and help me deliver a letter to her?” Along with these words came two more small gold ingots.

Hong Qin: “…”

Privately delivering correspondence? This was a major taboo!

She was alarmed, but smiled on her face: “…I’ll try.”

She would absolutely not try. If she really did this, she couldn’t remain in the Lin household.

As soon as Dong Wenyi left, the letter reached Yun Shuyao’s hands.

Yun Shuyao sneered as she opened the letter. Opening it, as expected, the letter was full of admiring and praising words.

The ending revealed his purpose—arranging to meet Ying Yu the next day to pour out his feelings.

There was also an implication that if Ying Yu didn’t come, he would keep waiting.

Yun Shuyao put the letter back as it was. The safest way was to nip things in the bud.

Although Ying Yu wasn’t her birth daughter, she had watched her grow up. The two sisters had a good relationship. Seeing her being targeted by someone in such a disrespectful manner made Yun Shuyao uncomfortable.

In this era, private exchange of tokens was absolutely not a good phrase. Moreover, this world was harsher toward women. If word got out, for men it was just the harmless words “romantic and debonair,” but for women it meant the humiliating “lacking propriety.” Others’ pointing and gossiping could destroy a girl.

Moreover, in Yun Shuyao’s view, they weren’t a good match.

She had heard Chen Yu mention that as the host, he had entertained this cousin, but the other party was just like other spoiled wastrel sons—couldn’t sit still, had no interest in studying, loved eating, drinking, and pleasure-seeking. None of the maidservants serving him was unattractive.

And if he truly liked Ying Yu, he should propose marriage properly.

However, the Old Madam loved her granddaughter and wouldn’t fail to see what kind of person this nephew-grandson was—not only lacking ambition but also lustful and frivolous. If he had already proposed and been rejected, yet still tried this approach without considering the woman’s position—absolutely not a good man.

Yun Shuyao then sent someone to invite Lin Ruhai to come over.

Yun Shuyao rarely sent for him, and it was basically always because something had happened.

Lin Ruhai came over after finishing his work at hand.

Then seeing those gold ingots and that letter, the aura around him immediately turned cold.

His mother had told him about rejecting his cousin’s matchmaking proposal. He thought the matter had passed, but now it seemed this boy hadn’t given up and was trying this trick!

He took the letter away and gave the gold ingots to Hong Qin: “You did well. Take these.”

He smiled at Yun Shuyao: “I understand this matter. I’ll handle it properly. Thank you so much this time, Shuyao.”

If some other young maidservant had been bribed and swayed into delivering the letter and word got out, the label of “private exchange of tokens” would come down.

Yun Shuyao sighed: “Ying Yu has been wronged this time.”

When the Old Madam saw this letter, anger immediately flared up inside her.

He even used bribery to corrupt the Lin family’s maidservants. What did he want to do!

And the letter, arranging a meeting…

The Old Madam didn’t want to think of her nephew-grandson in the worst way, but thinking of her niece bringing up the marriage matter again, she couldn’t be optimistic.

So Chen Yu invited Dong Wenyi to drink.

After getting drunk was the best time to extract information.

The information was extracted, but Chen Yu wasn’t happy at all.

He felt utterly disgusted.

Whether it was that dream or this cousin’s filthy thoughts.

If not for his self-control, he really wanted to beat him up and throw him out directly.

When the Old Madam learned of it, she laughed in anger: “I was previously worried that he was too spoiled by his mother, and that if not strictly disciplined in the future, he’d bring disaster to one side, not knowing where he’d take a great fall. Now it seems he really should learn a proper lesson. Let me, his elder, provide this first great fall.”

Lin Ruhai readily accepted his mother’s suggestion, so Dong Wenyi was taken to a pleasure house.

The character for lust had a knife on top of it—if he didn’t understand this principle, naturally someone would teach him.

When Dong Wenyi woke up from his drunken haze, he discovered something terribly wrong.

His hands and feet were actually spread wide and tied to the bed. His clothes were all gone. The room was unfamiliar with not a single person—just as he was panicking, several scantily dressed old women smilingly pushed through the door and came in, walking closer and closer. “Oh my, is this handsome young gentleman waiting for us?”

Dong Wenyi’s body immediately began trembling: “Who—who are you? Quickly untie me, let me out! Do you know who my father is, who my uncle is? If you release me, I can promise to let bygones be bygones. Don’t! Don’t come closer—”

How could such a pampered young master experience something like this? Even though nothing was actually done to him, after that night he was nearly scared witless.

When he returned, he cried like a fool, only able to huddle in his mother’s arms trembling.

Xie Ruozhen was furious: “Cousin, what is the meaning of this?”

Lin Ruhai said coldly: “What is the meaning? Ask your good son. For the sake of family ties, you better behave yourself.”

Xie Ruozhen felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her head. Looking at her trembling son—what had he done?

To make Cousin disregard family feelings and become so furious?

The next day, the Dong family left the Lin residence in disgrace.

Through her mirror, Jing Huan watched this scene. Her delicate brows furrowed as she softly sighed. This person was truly useless.

Though she hadn’t held much hope to begin with.

She looked at the healthy Old Madam and Lin Ruhai in the mirror, a slight smile appearing on her face. No matter—she still had time to slowly make plans. As long as the Lin family met with misfortune before the immortal herb grew up, the immortal herb could still grow up with Baoyu and achieve the goal.

The figures in the mirror flashed, revealing Concubine Mei. She was joyfully holding a string of prayer beads.

These were precious items she had obtained with great difficulty—prayer beads from the hands of the Child-Giving Guanyin, extremely efficacious. It was said that with sincere worship for twenty-one days, one could bear a son as wished.

A month later, Concubine Mei’s monthly courses stopped. After smelling fish soup, she vomited. She was first stunned, then overjoyed: “Am I with child?!”

The maidservant serving beside her was also overjoyed and quickly went to invite Doctor Zhou.

But after Doctor Zhou felt her pulse for a long time, his brows slowly furrowed.

At first, he had also thought it was a pregnancy pulse and was about to announce the good news. But thinking that the Lin household’s succession situation was rather difficult and it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious, he didn’t immediately announce it. As a result, he really did discover something amiss.

It resembled a slippery pulse, yet had some abnormalities.