Because Fourth Prince was going to come along for the return visit, not only was eldest son-in-law nervous, but others were nervous too.

After all, he was an imperial prince, and moreover, the outside reputation was that he didn’t have a good temper. Among the various princes, Eighth Prince was famous for being amiable. Correspondingly, Fourth Prince was known for being impartial and unsmiling.

Would his face show a smile when he came along with second young madam for the return visit?

For Old Madam, Fourth Prince’s status was even more different, because she knew that in the future it would be him who ascended to the throne.

That was the future Son of Heaven.

Now he was going to come over together with her second granddaughter. She asked the servants again and again, asking them if they had tidied everything properly, whether there would be any lapses in etiquette.

She had heard gossip saying that Fourth Prince was someone with a very good memory. If there were any breach of rules that he noted down, that would be too terrible.

Concubine Mei watched the activities throughout the Lin residence and once again soaked in the vinegar vat. Although she was also nervous about this situation, it didn’t prevent her from being sour.

Concubine Chu didn’t understand at all watching this. Why was Concubine Mei doing this to herself?

Was it because her life was too peaceful, so she was like this? If her own experiences were switched with Concubine Mei’s—her child dying shortly after birth—would she have to resent heaven and earth? Be jealous of everyone?

Her heart still wasn’t calm enough.

Thinking of this, Concubine Chu entered the Buddhist hall again. Whether it was Fourth Prince or anyone else, it wouldn’t affect her tranquility. This was her pure land.

Concubine Mei naturally wouldn’t care what Concubine Chu was thinking. She often overlooked Concubine Chu. Her sense of presence was really too low. Moreover, although she was also a concubine, the son she bore died young at a small age—still not as good as her own daughter, who even if she would marry out, had at least been safely raised.

At Fourth Prince’s residence, the return visit gifts also had to be prepared in advance. This naturally was to be prepared by Fourth Fujin. After preparing everything properly, she would then take the list to show Fourth Prince. If Fourth Prince thought it was acceptable, he wouldn’t change anything. If he felt it needed modification, he would add or subtract one or two items.

Fourth Prince looked at the list Fujin submitted and added two jade Buddha statues.

Fourth Prince worshipped Buddha, and the Lin family’s Old Madam was even more devout toward Buddha. This was very famous in the capital.

Those two Buddha statues were of transparent jade quality and considerable value. When Fourth Fujin saw these two items added to the list, her brow wrinkled imperceptibly, though she said nothing. She had people silently go down to prepare, but her heart sank.

This was also a test from her. This list would have been sufficient for other princes’ Ce Fujins’ return visits. If it was increased, it meant that in Fourth Master’s eyes, Lin Ce Fujin’s status was even higher than she had imagined.

This really was inauspicious.

Thinking of Lin Ce Fujin’s appearance when she first came to pay respects—shyly and timidly following beside Fourth Master as she entered—that sense of crisis Fourth Fujin still remembered now, making her involuntarily tighten the handkerchief in her hand.

Lin Ce Fujin was well-read in poetry and books, had wealth, had family background, and had appearance.

Previously, the best-looking person in Fourth Master’s rear courtyard was Li Gege, and she also had the advantage of being fertile, which made Fourth Master favor her even more. But this Lin Ce Fujin’s appearance was even better than Li Gege’s. Moreover, she was still young, in the prime of youth, so fresh she seemed as if water could be squeezed from her.

Her only weakness was being born of the Chinese Banners, unable to compare with her own birth from a prominent Manchu clan, and moreover being illegitimate. But as long as Fourth Master was willing to favor her, what did these matter?

“Master, Li Gege reported that the wet nurse isn’t conscientious. I reported it to the Imperial Household Department…”

Having finished speaking about the residence’s affairs, Fourth Fujin suddenly realized that besides saying these things, she surprisingly didn’t know what to say. After a moment of silence, she watched helplessly as Fourth Master left. These past few days, he had been staying continuously in Lin Ce Fujin’s courtyard.

As soon as Fourth Master left, an old nanny came forward. “Fujin, should we do something?”

Before Lin Ce Fujin had even entered the door, watching that momentum, she knew this was a formidable enemy coming on strong. Now Fourth Master’s reaction confirmed her guess. They must make plans early, otherwise once Lin Ce Fujin’s power rose, it wouldn’t be so easy to suppress her.

Although the mistress was Fujin, it wasn’t as if there weren’t cases where princes’ Ce Fujins had more face than Fujins, where Fujins were forced to only sit on the cold bench, possessing nothing but rank.

Fujin lowered her eyelids. “No hurry. There will be others more anxious.”

They only needed to sit and watch. Most importantly… Fujin’s hand slowly moved to touch her belly. She stared blankly ahead, then pulled out a small garment. This was First Prince’s clothing. Her Honghui, why did you leave?

Mother’s Honghui, you will return to Mother’s side again, won’t you?

Seeing Fujin thinking of the young master again, the old nanny secretly sighed and silently stood at the side to accompany her.

That was right. If Fujin had another son, with Fourth Master valuing rules so much, the future heir would only be the legitimate son. It was just that matters of offspring affinity were hard to say.

The next day, Fourth Prince and Luo Yu got into the carriage, heading to the Lin family.

In the carriage, Luo Yu couldn’t help but be lost in thought. She had been out for only a short time but already missed home very, very much. However, on the surface she still had to restrain herself somewhat. “Rumble rumble—” The carriage turned. Luo Yu felt she needed to divert her attention, so she pulled open the drawer on the carriage. “Master, there are pastries. Would you like to try some?”

These were pastries not available at Fourth Prince’s residence—they were unique to their family. These recipes could all be passed down through the family, representing heritage, so they wouldn’t easily give out the recipes. However, her situation was naturally different. Most of these things were created by Mother, and she had all the recipes.

This type of pastry was milk pudding. It looked about the same as other families’ milk pudding, but only by eating it could one experience the difference. Sweet and melting in the mouth, fragrant and tender, with endless aftertaste. Luo Yu liked eating it very much. Coincidentally, Fourth Prince also liked eating it.

He tentatively took one. It was delicious, so he took another. Without realizing it, the plate of milk pudding was gone. Fourth Prince’s hand reaching to take more found only empty space. He paused, his hand changed direction, reaching toward the chestnut cake on the other side.

Luo Yu: “…”

Eating like this, would there still be room for the banquet?

Also… looking at the empty plate, Luo Yu’s eyes curved with a smile. She seemed to have discovered something remarkable.

Fourth Master liked eating sweets.

“Huaizhen.”

Fourth Prince was somewhat helpless. This smile was too obvious.

Fourth Prince had given Luo Yu a courtesy name, called Huaizhen.

The names that Luo Yu and the others currently had were all childhood names. Their formal names were given very late. The childhood names had long been used habitually. In the family, basically no one would call them by their formal names—they were only used when socializing outside.

When women married out, some would have courtesy names, some wouldn’t.

This courtesy name was either given by the father or by the husband.

The courtesy name Fourth Prince gave Luo Yu was Huaizhen—embracing treasures and cherishing virtue, meaning beautiful character.

The name Luo Yu recorded in the family genealogy was Lin Tian. Ying Yu was called Lin Yi, Daiyu was called Lin Xin, and Chen Yu’s formal name followed the fire radical for this generation, called Lin Yu.

When they were alone, Fourth Prince called her by her courtesy name. Luo Yu liked him calling her this way.

This was a form of intimacy.

Luo Yu knew that externally he was unsmiling, but internally, his face wasn’t unchanging either. He would also express his joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. However, he was accustomed to being reserved. His emotions weren’t obviously expressed—one needed patience and also attentiveness to discover them.

“Rumble rumble—” The carriage stopped. They had arrived. The central gate of the Lin residence was wide open, welcoming second young madam’s return visit.

Because it was a family banquet and there weren’t many people in the family, they simply divided into two tables for men and women, not far apart, and without using screens to separate them. At the men’s table were Fourth Prince, Da Chun, and Chen Yu. On the women’s side were Old Madam and the three granddaughters.

The two concubines were also present, though they weren’t seated at the table.

Besides hoping that Lin Ruhai’s side could have results sooner, Yun Shuyao had no other way.

This accursed feudal era!

After her daughter entered, she carefully scrutinized her.

Today she wore clothes befitting Ce Fujin rank. Her hairstyle and adornments were all those only married women could use, making her look much more mature. In reality, they had only been apart a few days.

Her complexion was also good, with light in her eyes. Currently it seemed she hadn’t suffered any grievances.

This meal was far less lively in atmosphere than when Da Chun first came to the Lin family, but it wouldn’t grow cold either, because after Fourth Prince exchanged brief pleasantries, he began testing them, in the manner of an elder.

Although Da Chun was eldest brother-in-law, who could regard Fourth Prince purely as second younger sister’s husband?

Moreover, Fourth Prince’s age was also ten years older than his.

Da Chun was sixteen this year. Fourth Prince was twenty-six years old.

This meal was somewhat hard to swallow for Da Chun. He didn’t want to lose face in front of Fourth Prince, younger brother-in-law, his wife, and all his wife’s family, so he racked his brains, not knowing how much tea he drank.

For Chen Yu it was fine. He could handle all the examination questions with ease. However, they couldn’t continue examining like this endlessly. Coming to a pause, he proactively asked about some matters in Yangzhou, which counted as starting a conversation. At this, Da Chun breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing that the atmosphere over there was acceptable, Old Madam also breathed a sigh of relief and began speaking in a low voice.

Afterward, Fourth Prince proactively suggested touring the garden. Da Chun and Chen Yu accompanied him, also to make space so the womenfolk could talk.

With men present, some words couldn’t be spoken.

Old Madam had the others leave and only kept Luo Yu, holding her hand and asking with a smile: “How is it? How does Fourth Prince treat you?”

Luo Yu lowered her head with a smile.

From this smile, the answer needed no words.

Old Madam was very gratified: “What about Fujin?”

In Fourth Prince’s residence, Fourth Prince was the greatest, then came Fujin. As long as these two people wouldn’t deliberately target her, there was no need to fear others.

Luo Yu: “Fujin is also someone who values rules. As long as I follow the rules, there will be no problems.” Currently speaking, it was like this.

“What about Li Gege?”

Luo Yu thought for a moment: “Li Gege—she has two sons and one daughter under her knees. Children are of utmost importance.”

Old Madam understood. This meant relying on her children, her arrogance was soaring.

“Regarding children, you should avoid them for now. As for the rest, doesn’t Fujin value rules? If she crosses the line, Fujin first won’t tolerate her. Don’t openly clash with her, even if you have to suffer some grievances first.”

Children were too important.

Li Gege had borne two princes—they were the only two males in Fourth Prince’s residence. If she clashed with her granddaughter, even if Fourth Prince favored her granddaughter and the fault wasn’t on Li Gege’s side, he wouldn’t be too partial to her. If it harmed the children, this favor would become a castle in the air.

Luo Yu solemnly agreed: “Grandmother, I understand.”

They talked for a long time, then Old Madam had Luo Yu go back to rest. This was to allow mother and daughter to speak privately.

Besides this time, when the next such opportunity would be, who knew.

Luo Yu understood too. She smiled, quickening her pace all the way, returning to her own courtyard. Mother was already waiting for her there.

“Mother…” She had so, so many things she wanted to say to Mother.