Lin Hairu hurried out to hold young Nan. Yining followed her. As soon as they stepped out of the western side room, they saw a young man in a new sapphire blue robe holding the child, patting his back to comfort him. When he turned around, Yining realized it wasn’t Lin Mao. His features were elegant and handsome – it was Gu Jingming, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
He also noticed Yining and smiled slightly: “Cousin Yining is here too!”
Yining curtsied to him: “I came to visit Mother. Hello, Cousin Jingming.” At that moment, the child sobbed and threw himself into his mother’s arms. Seven-month-old Nan couldn’t speak yet. He wore a red silk jacket with gold melon-shaped anklets on his little feet. He clung to his mother’s neck, looking distressed.
Gu Jingming found it amusing and said: “Lin Mao took him to see the cranes he’s raising. He let him touch the crane’s head, which startled him…”
Why was Lin Mao always so unreliable? Lin Hairu comforted Nan, patting his back, and asked: “Where’s that Lin Mao?”
“He’s coming,” Gu Jingming paused before continuing, “…he insists on bringing you a crane!”
Yining also found this funny. Cousin Mao was still so interesting! The three went to sit in the flower hall. Soon, they saw a young man in a gray robe walking towards them, carrying a crane in his arms from afar. The crane’s beak and wings were bound with silk. His attitude was very natural as if he wasn’t carrying a crane but just an ordinary box or bundle.
“Aunt, I brought you a crane,” Lin Mao said as he entered the flower hall. “You can just keep it in one of your courtyards. It’ll add some celestial atmosphere to your place. I think this courtyard is perfect for raising cranes. I specially picked an active one…”
Lin Hairu glanced at the crane with disdain and had servants take it to the kitchen. Then she asked him to sit down: “Look how you scared Nan!”
Lin Mao just smiled. When he smiled, his phoenix eyes were still long and narrow, very handsome: “He’s just timid…” He slowly glanced back and saw Yining standing behind Lin Hairu. She wore a persimmon-patterned yellow vest today. Her skin was as white as snow, her eyes clear and bright, with a small red mole at the end of her slender eyebrow. The matching colors gave off a sensual aura that stirred one’s thoughts.
He suddenly paused slightly.
“Hello, Cousin Mao,” Yining stepped forward, barely suppressing a smile. “It’s been years. Cousin Mao has stopped making elixirs and started raising cranes?” She pointed at Lin Mao’s sleeve, “There are even two crane feathers stuck to it.”
Lin Mao looked down and indeed found two feathers. He plucked them off his sleeve and calmly said: “What do you mean by that, Cousin Yining? I’m raising cranes on the Emperor’s orders. He wants me to provide cranes for the Imperial Crane House. He thinks the ones raised by the Imperial Stables aren’t good enough. Besides, I’m now a legitimate fifth-rank official in the court.”
“What’s there to brag about? Her third brother is already the Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicature!” Gu Jingming said with a laugh as he drank his tea. “I think before long, Minister Xu will promote him further.”
Gu Jingming also knew about what happened in the Luo family years ago, but no one wanted to mention it again. They just treated Yining as the young lady of the Duke of Ying’s household who had once been fostered by the Luo family. That was enough to remember. Luo Chengzhang didn’t dare offend the Duke of Ying’s household, so he turned a blind eye to Yining living here, pretending not to know.
Hearing this, Lin Mao ignored her and asked with a smile: “Cousin Yining, which hutong is the Duke of Ying’s mansion in? Why don’t I send a couple of young cranes for you to raise? It’ll add some celestial atmosphere to your place too?”
Yining waved her hands, repeatedly declining. She was too lazy for such things. What would she do with them?
Meanwhile, young Nan leaned against his mother’s chest, curiously watching these people talk. He didn’t like the bad person who had scared him earlier and turned to look at Yining. This child had been saved because of Yining. Whether he was her biological child or not, Lin Hairu naturally wanted them to be close. She smiled and handed the child to her: “Yining, would you like to hold him?”
Of course, Yining wanted to hold him. She reached out and took the fragrant, soft child into her arms. The child sat in her embrace, feeling a bit awkward and unadjusted. Yining smelled the milk scent on him and kissed him on the cheek. The child seemed startled by her action, making a sound and turning his face to hide in her embrace.
Yining found him even more adorable. Children at this age were the best. When they grow a bit older, like young Ting, it becomes a headache to figure out how to discipline them.
At this moment, a maid came from outside to announce that the Sixth Young Lady had come to pay respects to the madam.
Hearing this, Gu Jingming’s smile became somewhat cold.
When Luo Yiling entered, she was still graceful and charming. Seeing Gu Jingming present, she was taken aback.
Yining had just heard from Lin Hairu that Luo Yiling had come of age last year. Matchmakers had come to propose marriage to Luo Yiling, but Concubine Qiao thought the family’s status was too low and disagreed. Luo Chengzhang had always doted on Luo Yiling and didn’t force her to agree. Luo Yiling was now eager to find a husband. But mother and daughter had high standards; those they approved of didn’t approve of them. So far, no marriage had been settled. Now Concubine Qiao was hoping to find a good match for Luo Yiling in the capital.
Luo Yiling paid her respects to Lin Hairu and softly called Gu Jingming “Fourth Young Master Gu.”
Gu Jingming covered his teacup and said with a smile: “Lin Mao, didn’t you say you were going to find Luo San? I think he should be back by now.”
He didn’t want to see Luo Yiling.
Hearing his words, Luo Yiling understood his meaning. She bit her lip, feeling somewhat humiliated. She watched Gu Jingming and Lin Mao walk past her, her slender fingers tightly gripping her handkerchief.
Young Nan sat in Yining’s arms, curiously playing with her bracelet. Yining pulled her hand away, not letting him play with it. He anxiously tugged at Yining’s sleeve, making babbling sounds. Luo Yiling turned to glance at Yining, feeling even more uncomfortable. She was no longer the legitimate daughter of the Luo family but had become the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ying’s household. If it weren’t for her, her mother wouldn’t be in this situation…
Noticing Luo Yiling looking at her, Yining raised her head and said: “It’s been over a year since I’ve seen Sister Yiling. Sister didn’t acknowledge me just now. Perhaps I should be the one calling you sister now.”
If it weren’t for them, mother and daughter, she wouldn’t have left the Luo family. Although she couldn’t say she hated them, she certainly didn’t like them.
“Sister Yining is now the young lady of the Duke of Ying’s household. I’m not worthy of speaking with you. Looking at Sister Yining now, you’re full of noble air,” Luo Yiling smiled faintly. “My mother still has matters to discuss with me, so I must leave now.” After saying this, she excused herself and left.
Lin Hairu shook her head and said: “…The one who proposed to her is the grandson of the Prefect of Zhending. He just passed the provincial examinations. It’s not that I’m biased, but I truly think this marriage proposal is not bad. The young man likes her too. But Concubine Qiao doesn’t agree, and your fath… the master listened to Yiling and didn’t agree either. They’re hoping to find a better match for her in the capital.” A cold smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. “Is it that easy to find a good match? The master even asked me to keep an eye out. I want to see what kind of match she can find!”
Lin Hairu had always been kind-hearted and wouldn’t mistreat children born to concubines. Yining knew this.
Yining said to her: “You shouldn’t bother with this matter. I see that no matter how you handle it, the concubine won’t be satisfied. Just let the Second Master handle it.”
Lin Hairu stopped talking about Luo Yiling and instead spoke to her about young Xuan: “Now the master is teaching him to read. Young Xuan’s talent is far inferior to your third brother’s – the master seems oblivious to this and still wants to cultivate another like your third brother. Your third brother sees this but doesn’t say anything. Oh, by the way, you don’t know! I’ve rejected so many marriage proposals for your third brother, that I’m worried about his marriage. I don’t know when he’ll get engaged to the Sun family’s daughter… I don’t dare to ask him – why don’t you help me ask when you have the chance?”
Thinking of last night’s situation, Yining shook her head. She didn’t dare ask him again!
Young Nan had been playing outside and was sweaty. Lin Hairu wanted to take him for a bath. Yining brought her maid to make red bean ice in the courtyard. This was the best for relieving summer heat – crushed ice as a base, topped with cooked red beans, cane juice, and tender lotus seeds. Lin Mao hadn’t seen her for a long time and stood watching from a distance. When Yining noticed him, she looked up with a smile and asked: “Didn’t you go to see Third Brother? Why are you back? Would you like to try a bowl?”
Lin Mao walked to the table and stood still. Her slender wrist held a jade bowl, offering it to him.
He looked at Yining, remembering how round her face was when she was little. He couldn’t resist wanting to pinch it. Now she looked different from when she was little but still seemed very pinchable… Unfortunately, the young lady had grown up, and he couldn’t casually pinch her unless he married her.
Yining saw that he didn’t take the bowl and seemed lost in thought, standing with his hands behind his back, keeping his distance. Then she heard him ask: “Cousin Yining, do you think raising cranes is unproductive?”
Yining shook her head, finding Lin Mao’s question strange.
Unexpectedly, he smiled again and asked: “Let me ask you another question, do you like floral arts?”
It was said that no woman disliked floral arts. If she didn’t appreciate his unorthodox ways, he had plenty of other methods.
Yining was quite interested in flowers and plants, but she didn’t understand the purpose of Lin Mao’s questions. However, since he asked, she nodded and said she liked them. To her surprise, Lin Mao left without saying anything else.
Who would have thought that the next day, he would send many pots of flowers over? Summer-blooming four-season orchids, sword orchids, clusters of pearl jasmines, and hydrangeas. The entire courtyard was filled with fragrance. Finally, there were several porcelain jars with water lilies – cup-sized water lily flowers floating quietly on the water surface, in full bloom.
Lin Hairu was startled to see so many flowers and asked the servant who brought them: “Why did he send so many flowers?”
The servant smiled and said: “Madam, the young master instructed us to send them, saying the young lady likes them.”
Lin Hairu’s heart skipped a beat. She suddenly remembered the agreement Lin Mao had made with her years ago… Could he still remember it?
Usually appearing unorthodox and unfocused, he turned out to be quite touching when serious. Lin Hairu looked at the blooming flowers all over the courtyard, then at the graceful deep purple to light purple water lilies. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been to cultivate such beautiful water lilies. She asked the maids and servants to move the flower pots to Yining’s place. Yining was also shocked to see so many flowers.
The servant who brought the flowers was still waiting with hands lowered and asked with a smile: “The young master asked me to inquire if the young lady is pleased with these?”
Yining didn’t know what to say.
What did Lin Qingtian mean by this?
Lin Hairu dismissed the servants before asking her: “What do you think… of your Cousin Mao?”
Yining was even more stunned by these words. Could it be as she thought? In her previous life, she had only experienced marriages arranged by parents and matchmakers. This was the first time she encountered such a situation. For a moment… she didn’t know what to do!
Moreover, this person was Lin Mao, the future Lin Qingtian! Thinking of his long phoenix eyes looking at her full of smiles, Yining moved her lips. She had no other feelings for Lin Mao.
She didn’t know what to say and drank two cups of tea, still feeling unsettled. Seeing the pot of water lilies blooming magnificently on the small table, she simply had the maid move it to the study.
Lin Hairu went to see Luo Shenyuan in the evening.
Luo Shenyuan was discussing Liu Pu’s case with his subordinates. Liu Pu’s confidant had been transferred to the Ministry of Justice prison and was now in their custody. Whatever happened to him later was no longer his concern; the man had no more value to exploit. He had arrested several people from Liu Pu’s hometown in Zhejiang and brought them over. These people had been leaked during the search, but they were key figures in the private communication between Wang Yuan and Liu Pu. He had just interrogated these people overnight and uncovered some clues. He was now planning to follow the trail and make a decisive move.
Hearing that Lin Hairu wanted to see him, Luo Shenyuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked his subordinates to leave first. He had been too busy these past few days to attend to family matters. He had to find evidence before they could suppress this matter; otherwise, there would be no chance to catch them red-handed again.
“What brings you here?” Luo Shenyuan sat down opposite Lin Hairu. His tall shadow appeared even broader and more upright in the candlelight, his face extremely handsome and his demeanor steady. Lin Hairu looked at him and sighed, no wonder so many young ladies wanted to marry him!
Lin Hairu looked around his main hall. There was a plaque hanging that read “Cultivate oneself and balance one’s nature.” An incense burner was placed on the long table. The hall was spacious and elegant. She then said: “Tomorrow I’ve invited Madam Sun to watch a play. Do you think you could come and see… I haven’t met the Sun family’s daughter yet. Your father said we should meet this time.”
Luo Shenyuan’s long fingers tapped lightly on the armrest as he shook his head and said: “I have no time to spare for this. I’ll speak to Father about it.”
Lin Hairu noticed his slight frown, knowing he didn’t like hearing this topic. She had always been cautious with this stepson, as he was a fourth-ranked official. However, she had to muster the courage to ask, “If you don’t come, fine. But I must ask you. Even if you don’t fancy Miss Sun, is there any girl you do like? As long as you say so, your mother will speak on your behalf…”
“I have my judgment on this matter. You don’t need to worry,” Luo Shenyuan interrupted, making a gesture to indicate he was done with the conversation. “I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you.”
Seeing his demeanor, Lin Hairu knew it wasn’t appropriate to press further. Since Luo Shenyuan said she needn’t worry, anything more she said would be pointless. She stood up, supported by her maid. “I won’t say more, but there’s one more thing I need to ask you. Lin Mao has shown interest in Yi Ning. What do you think of them as a pair?”
Luo Shenyuan, who had been sipping his tea, suddenly looked up at her words.
Unaware of his reaction, Lin Hairu continued, “Mao’s character is impeccable. Our Lin family’s customs are straightforward, and we’ve never mistreated a daughter-in-law. I’ve watched Yi Ning grow up and I’m concerned about her marrying into a family with a difficult mother-in-law. But I’d be reassured if she married into the Lin family—of course, this depends on the Duke of Yingguo’s opinion! I’m afraid Lin Mao might not meet his standards, but Mao has made great progress recently. He is now a fifth-ranked official, so the Duke might not be entirely against it.”