The Old Madam lovingly smoothed Lin Chan’s soft hair: “Don’t worry about causing trouble. Although His Majesty covered up this matter, he knows in his heart he’s wronged the General’s Manor. When he learns you’re ill, he’ll certainly make some gesture. And with His Majesty’s gesture, when marriage negotiations come up again in the future, others won’t dare use this incident to gossip.”

This was why this was Chan’er’s best opportunity to make a choice, rather than being forced to accept fate’s arrangement as before.

And whatever choice Chan’er made, she would support it.

“As long as there’s no trouble, that’s good.” Lin Chan showed a heartfelt smile.

Lin Shi was pleased: “This is quite good—it saves getting entangled in all that messy imperial family strife.”

Cheng Shu looked at the several people with relaxed expressions and thought to himself that only the General’s Manor would care nothing for the Princess Consort position. But it was precisely because they were such a grandmother and aunt that he, a child without father or mother, had never felt lacking in love.

“Chan’er, don’t worry. In the future I’ll work hard too and strive to be someone you can rely on.” Cheng Shu patted his chest.

Lin Chan smiled: “Then I’ll wait for Big Brother to be my support.”

On the way back to Jiaoyue Residence, Lin Chan invited Lin Hao to her quarters.

The osmanthus tree at Jiaoyue Residence had sprouted tender buds, adding considerable vitality to the exquisite little courtyard. The heavy padded cotton door curtain from winter had also been replaced with a light and attractive gauze curtain.

The two sisters each held a cup of spring tea, nestled on the beauty couch talking.

“I originally thought that becoming Prince Wei’s consort would shield my family from wind and rain. I never expected to instead draw them into a whirlpool.” Lin Chan smiled bitterly.

Lin Hao grasped Lin Chan’s hand: “Elder Sister, don’t think that way. The heir apparent lacks virtue—he’s capable of doing anything unexpected. He can’t be measured by normal reasoning.”

“What about Second Sister?”

“Me?” Lin Hao was stunned.

“Yes, what does Second Sister think about Heir Apparent Jing?”

The spring tea was slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. Lin Hao’s cheeks felt somewhat hot as she spoke her heart: “I’m not entirely certain. Interacting with Heir Apparent Jing, I feel very comfortable, even very happy… but I’m not sure if this is that kind of ‘must be him and no other’ affection.”

Lin Chan was rather surprised by Lin Hao’s conflicted thoughts. After thinking it over, she asked: “These past days quite a few people came to propose marriage to Second Sister. Think about it—if you had to choose between Heir Apparent Jing and those people, how would you choose?”

“I’d naturally choose Heir Apparent Jing.” Lin Hao didn’t hesitate. “After all, I haven’t even met any of those other people.”

Lin Chan was even more confused: “If that’s the case, isn’t Heir Apparent Jing the best choice?”

Lin Hao was stumped by the question. After quite a while, she tentatively asked her elder sister: “Do you think a person can have feelings for two people at the same time?”

Lin Chan was stunned.

She didn’t even have one person she felt particularly drawn to, yet her younger sister liked two people!

After a long while, Lin Chan carefully asked: “Then who is the other one—”

Lin Hao nearly choked on her tea.

“Elder Sister, I was just asking out of curiosity.”

“Oh.” Lin Chan wanted to say more but hesitated, still reeling from the shock internally.

Her younger sister liked two people, liked two people…

Lin Hao held her forehead.

It was over. Her image in Elder Sister’s heart could never recover.

News that Miss Lin was ill gradually spread. Junior Princess Qi Qiong was the first to visit.

Lin Chan lay on the bed with her hair loose and disheveled, clearly forcing herself to receive the visitor with what little spirit she had.

Seeing this, Qi Qiong didn’t stay long. After offering a few words of comfort, she left.

“Ah Hao, don’t worry. Sister Chan’er is young with a good constitution. With proper rest, she’ll recover quickly.”

“Mm, thank you, Junior Princess.” Lin Hao felt apologetic inside but had to show a worried expression on her face.

After this, various noble ladies who were on good terms with Lin Chan came to visit one after another, though those who came later couldn’t see her.

Miss Lin seemed to have fallen seriously ill.

When people realized this, it was no longer limited to visits among the younger generation. Many households sent stewards to deliver gifts of condolence. Even the palace sent tonics, and Prince Wei personally came to visit.

Looking at the handsome young man, Lin Shi secretly felt regret.

What a pity—if only he weren’t the Emperor’s son. Chan’er was kind and gentle—she couldn’t handle the demanding position of an imperial prince’s consort.

Thinking this way, Lin Shi’s bit of regret instantly vanished into thin air.

“How is the eldest young lady?”

Lin Shi secretly pinched her thigh and showed a pained expression: “She’s managing. We’ve troubled Your Highness with your concern.”

Seeing Lin Shi’s reaction, Prince Wei guessed that Miss Lin was probably quite seriously ill.

“I’ve heard that Imperial Physician Qian from the Imperial Medical Bureau is skilled at treating symptoms of anxiety, fear, and fright. Has Imperial Physician Qian been invited to examine her?”

“He has been invited. She’s currently taking medicine prescribed by Imperial Physician Qian.” Hearing Prince Wei mention Imperial Physician Qian, Lin Shi felt her head grow large.

Not long after news spread that Chan’er had fallen ill, Imperial Physician Qian had come to their door. Upon inquiry, it turned out Prince Jing’s Manor had invited him.

Fortunately they had prepared. They had the physician examine through suspended thread diagnosis through a curtain, with the person inside the curtain not being Chan’er but rather a maidservant in the manor who was genuinely ill. They managed to get through it that way.

Thinking back on that day’s experience, Lin Shi only felt it was too painful to recall.

“Please set your mind at ease. Imperial Physician Qian’s medical skills are excellent—the eldest young lady will certainly be fine.”

“We’ll rely on Your Highness’s auspicious words.” Lin Shi forced out a trace of a smile.

After sending Prince Wei off, Lin Shi turned to complain to the Old Madam: “Mother, I’m really not good at lying with my eyes open. Next time someone comes, you should handle it instead.”

The Old Madam’s expression twisted for a moment.

Not good at lying with eyes open, so she should do it?

What kind of unfilial daughter was this!

After silently lecturing herself for quite a while, the Old Madam said indifferently: “Those who should come have mostly all come. In another two days I’ll enter the palace to seek an audience with the Empress Dowager and express through her our intention to break the engagement.”

“That’s good—let’s hope no one else comes.”

Two days later, the Old Madam submitted her tablet to enter the palace.

The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised by the Old Madam’s palace visit: “It’s been quite some time since we last met.”

Upon hearing this, the Old Madam’s eyes reddened.

The Empress Dowager paused.

What now?

The scene of the Old Madam entering the palace last time to tearfully complain about her ungrateful son-in-law was still vivid. The Empress Dowager’s instinct told her this wasn’t good news.

Though the Empress Dowager didn’t want to get involved in troublesome matters, she still felt some old friendship for an old acquaintance. Moreover, the two families now had an in-law relationship. So she asked with a concerned tone: “Old Madam, what’s the matter?”

The Old Madam sighed deeply: “Did you hear about what happened to my eldest granddaughter Chan’er some days ago?”

The Empress Dowager nodded: “Such a major incident—naturally I heard about it.”

Could she be dissatisfied with the investigation results?

If she came to find her about this, that would show a lack of propriety.

The Empress Dowager didn’t mind helping an old friend, provided it didn’t cause trouble for His Majesty.

“That granddaughter of mine is timid. After going through that ordeal, she fell ill.”

The Empress Dowager looked surprised: “Is it serious?”

She didn’t pay much attention to affairs outside the palace and didn’t yet know about Miss Lin falling ill.

The Old Madam wiped the corner of her eye: “Originally I thought it wasn’t serious, but unexpectedly she’s grown more and more ill. These past two days she’s been unconscious. I thought—we can’t let this girl’s poor fortune delay Prince Wei, so I came to the palace to seek the Empress Dowager’s help.”

“The Old Madam’s meaning is—”

“Please ask the Empress Dowager to inform His Majesty that young Chan’er doesn’t have the fortune to serve Prince Wei.”