Spring had arrived, bringing the revival of all things, green mountains and clear waters. People’s spring outings began from the end of the Lantern Festival and would continue until the end of the third month of spring. The most enthusiastic about spring outings were young men and women, especially well-to-do young ladies who had both money and leisure—how boring it would be to stay cooped up at home.

Lin Chan had not planned to go, but Madam Lin persuaded her, “Chan’er, you are only betrothed, not imprisoned. What are you doing shutting yourself in at home every day? Now that the weather is nice, go out with your younger sister and the others to get some fresh air.”

Old Madam also said, “Your mother is right. Do not keep yourself shut in at home. Once you marry out and must manage an entire household’s affairs, you will not have the leisure you have now.”

Hearing both her grandmother and mother say this, Lin Chan nodded.

Lin Hao had not gone out to play with Lin Chan in quite some time and was rather excited. She specially changed into the new spring shirts Madam Lin had tailored for them.

The two sisters’ spring shirts were of matching style—both were goose-yellow flower-patterned gauze shirts paired with pleated skirts. Only the skirt colors differed: one was moon-white, the other willow-green.

“Grandmother, Mother, we are leaving.” Lin Chan pulled Lin Hao along and said goodbye to Old Madam and Madam Lin with a smile.

Madam Lin did not say things like “take good care of your younger sister.” In her view, both daughters were very sensible and would not cause trouble. She smiled and urged, “Go quickly. Do not keep the young lady waiting.”

After the two sisters left, Madam Lin sighed. “I truly cannot imagine the days when I will not see Chan’er daily after she marries out.”

Old Madam was more composed. “You will get used to it. Ah Hao will also marry out in the future.”

Madam Lin fell silent for a moment, somewhat doubtful. “Mother, are you not just trying to comfort me?”

It did not sound like it.

Old Madam smiled. “When children grow up, that day will always come.”

Madam Lin’s eyes brightened. “Mother, why not take in a live-in son-in-law for Ah Hao? That way Ah Hao would not have to marry out.”

Old Madam was momentarily stunned and inevitably felt somewhat tempted.

If they took in a live-in son-in-law, Ah Hao would be the one in charge, and with them watching over things, they need not worry about encountering an ungrateful wretch like Wen Rugui. However, men willing to become live-in sons-in-law were often quite ordinary.

There were gains and losses—this was generally true of many things.

Old Madam, having experienced many trials, took a very open view of many matters. “We can ask Ah Hao’s thoughts later. The child’s happiness is most important. Everything else is empty talk.”

“Mother is right. The most important thing is that the two of them live well.”

When the two Lin sisters went out, the young lady’s carriage was already waiting.

“Oh my, Sister Chan, Ah Hao, you are wearing matching outfits today.” Qi Qiong could not hide her envy.

She also wanted to have a sister—to go shopping together, wear beautiful clothes together, share confidences together. Unfortunately, Mother Consort had only given her two elder brothers: one who would not play with her, and one who competed with her for everything every day.

Lin Chan was amused by Qi Qiong’s envious tone. “We had the clothes tailored together, so the styles are mostly similar. Lady, do you remember that year when you first came to the capital? You mistook me and Ah Hao for each other.”

Qi Qiong recalled and also laughed. “I remember. At the time, I was a bit angry that you ignored me, then later learned it was Ah Hao.”

Back then, Ah Hao could not even speak yet.

The three each entered their carriages. Qi Qiong’s carriage went in front, with the Lin sisters’ carriage following behind. Together they headed toward the outskirts of the city, meeting up along the way with Chen Yi, Zhu Jiayu, and Tao Qing, who they had already arranged to meet.

In the countryside, green mountains stretched endlessly and clear waters babbled. Everywhere could be seen men and women in light spring shirts, walking or reclining, gathering orchids and playing grass games, feasting and making merry. Some had tied swings between two large trees and played to their hearts’ content.

The six ladies’ carriages stopped by the roadside, and they selected an open area to fly kites.

Zhu Jiayu was flying a dragonfly kite, while Qi Qiong flew an eagle kite. The two ran about helping their kites take flight, competing to see whose would fly higher and steadier.

“Qing’er, you take over for me.” Having run until tired, Zhu Jiayu handed the spool to Tao Qing and ran over to Lin Chan and the others. “Sister Chan, what are you looking for?”

Lin Chan smiled and held up the orchid grass in her hand. “We are planning to gather some orchid grass to take home and cultivate.”

Orchid flowers were elegant. Though not any precious variety, they possessed the freshness of the wilderness.

Zhu Jiayu became interested. “Then I will gather some too.”

She caught sight of the orchid grass Lin Hao held in her hands and could not help being surprised. “Ah Hao, I only flew my kite for a little while and you have already gathered so much.”

Lin Hao smiled. “My elder sister likes orchids.”

Zhu Jiayu was speechless. This was truly an undisguised display of sisterly affection.

“Do not walk any further in. Be careful of wild beasts.” Lin Chan straightened up and reminded everyone.

The valley was where orchid grass grew most abundantly. From where the group stood, they could see scattered young ladies gathering flowers in the valley. Lin Chan was naturally cautious by nature, and having brought her younger sister out, she inevitably considered things more carefully.

It was quite a coincidence—she had just finished speaking when they heard a commotion in the valley.

The group looked over and saw several small deer running out.

The appearance of the deer immediately attracted many orchid-gathering young ladies to gather around. Even Qi Qiong and Tao Qing, who had been flying kites, reeled in their lines and walked over carrying their kites.

The deer were not afraid of people. After the initial alarm, they wandered leisurely on the grass. When someone tentatively offered grass leaves, they obediently ate.

Zhu Jiayu watched with eager eyes. “Let us go over and play too. If there were wild beasts in the valley, they would have been startled out long ago. By the looks of it now, at most there are just some small deer and rabbits.”

Seeing everyone was interested, Lin Chan did not stop them again.

Just as Miss Zhu had said, by these appearances there should be no fierce wild beasts haunting the valley. She would not spoil the fun.

The group walked over with great interest.

In the deep grass, two masked men lying there raised their heads.

“Which one is First Miss Lin—the one in the moon-white skirt or the green skirt?”

“It should be the moon-white skirt, right? She looks a bit older.”

“Older? I think their heights and appearances are quite similar.”

“Why not just abduct both to be absolutely certain?”

“Better not to complicate matters. We were specifically instructed to only act against First Miss Lin.”

“Then the moon-white skirt it is. Cannot be wrong.”

Having decided, one person put his finger to his lips and blew a sharp whistle.

There was a grove in the valley. When the wind blew, the rustling suddenly grew much louder.

A young lady playing with the deer on the grass outside the grove glanced over inadvertently and her eyes widened. “That, what is that?”

A robust wild boar came charging out at full speed.

The young ladies present were almost all from wealthy backgrounds. Where would they have seen a living, rampaging wild boar? Most of them froze in shock.

“Run quickly, it is a wild boar!” Lin Hao was the first to react. With one hand she grabbed Lin Chan, and with the other she randomly grabbed whichever friend was nearest, then ran toward the mouth of the valley.

A maddened wild boar was no less dangerous than tigers or leopards. If they were trapped in the valley and charged, the consequences would be unthinkable.

The young ladies who came to their senses fled outside on foot, while the maids, matrons, and guards waiting outside rushed over from all directions.

The scene became extremely chaotic for a time.

“Second Sister, head for the carriages.” Lin Chan reminded her even while running.

Lin Hao had just responded when suddenly a great force yanked Lin Chan’s wrist from her grasp.