Qi Qiong personally escorted the Lin sisters to the main gate.

Lin Chan smiled: “Princess, please stop here. If you continue, you’ll end up at the General’s Manor.”

Qi Qiong smiled and looked toward Lin Hao: “Second Miss Lin, regarding today’s matter, I truly thank you.”

“Princess has already thanked me several times.”

“Thanking you several times is only appropriate.” Qi Qiong thought about Sun Xiuhua falling into the water and still felt frightened.

Mother was so fond of Cousin. If something had happened to Cousin, she probably wouldn’t have been able to bear the blow.

Even she herself would be left with psychological trauma from watching someone with blood ties to her perish right before her eyes.

At this moment, the young princess’s gratitude toward Lin Hao was sincere and heartfelt. She even temporarily overlooked the fact that the other party had spurned her perfect eldest brother.

“Once this period passes, when Elder Miss Lin and Second Miss Lin come to visit the Prince’s Manor, I’ll host you properly.”

Lin Hao and Lin Chan agreed, then bid farewell to Qi Qiong and walked toward the General’s Manor. Just as they reached the entrance, they heard a soft call.

“Second Miss Lin.”

Lin Hao looked toward the voice and saw Chen Yi standing by the roadside, as if she’d been waiting for some time.

“Elder Sister, I’ll go over for a moment.”

Lin Hao walked over and asked: “Does Elder Miss Chen need something?”

Chen Yi’s expression showed some struggle: “Could we find a convenient place to talk? I’d like to chat with Second Miss Lin.”

Lin Hao smiled gently: “A convenient place is easy to find. Elder Miss Chen, please come to my quarters.”

“Then… I’ll be imposing.”

Lin Hao brought Chen Yi to the entrance where Lin Chan was still waiting.

“Elder Miss Chen came to visit me.”

Lin Chan smiled and nodded: “Then Second Sister should entertain Elder Miss Chen well.”

For Lin Chan, her younger sister being able to make friends was something worth being happy about.

This was Chen Yi’s first time coming to the General’s Manor, yet she had no mind to observe her surroundings. Amid her chaotic thoughts, she heard Lin Hao say: “We’re here.”

The two had just entered Luoying Residence when Lin Xiaohua charged toward Lin Hao, affectionately nuzzling her hand.

“Lin Xiaohua, you’ve frightened our guest.” Lin Hao patted Lin Xiaohua’s head in reproach.

Lin Xiaohua glanced at Chen Yi, who was frozen in place, then departed with drooping head and ears.

Chen Yi was increasingly astonished.

She had actually detected dejection in a donkey’s demeanor.

“I apologize for startling Elder Miss Chen.” Lin Hao smiled apologetically.

Chen Yi opened her mouth and said it was fine, but in truth became even more curious about Lin Hao.

Once inside the room, Baozhu served tea and withdrew, closing the door behind her.

“What would Elder Miss Chen like to discuss?” Lin Hao held her tea, her manner leisurely.

Chen Yi remained silent, lowering her eyes to take a sip of tea.

The flower tea with its faint sweet flavor was refreshing and seemed to have a calming effect on one’s heart.

She raised her eyes to look at Lin Hao, her fingertips tightening around the teacup: “Actually… I didn’t fully believe Second Miss Lin’s words.”

“Mm.”

“I even wondered… whether Second Miss Lin came to tell me those things with ulterior motives.”

Lin Hao listened quietly, amusement in her eyes.

She hadn’t expected that Elder Miss Chen had such a forthright temperament and would openly speak her thoughts.

“But now I’m starting to believe.” Chen Yi gazed into Lin Hao’s eyes. “Seeing Second Miss Lin jump into the lake to save Miss Sun, I feel I should believe.”

If a young lady could jump into the water in public to save someone completely unrelated to her, what reason would she have to run before her and sow discord between her and her fiancé?

That left only one possibility: this young lady was telling the truth.

Chen Yi’s eyes stung as she covered her face and cried: “What should I do…”

Inside the room, the sound of a young lady’s suppressed weeping arose.

Lin Hao took out a handkerchief and silently passed it over.

Chen Yi accepted the handkerchief and carelessly wiped her tears, her smile bitter: “I’ve already used up two of Second Miss Lin’s handkerchiefs.”

Lin Hao tilted her head with a smile: “That is their honor.”

Chen Yi curved her lips slightly, the oppression in her heart inexplicably easing considerably.

“I’ve made Second Miss Lin witness something unseemly.”

The two were completely unfamiliar with each other, yet she couldn’t control crying in front of Second Miss Lin.

Lin Hao was silent for a moment before asking: “What does Elder Miss Chen plan to do? I mean… regarding your betrothal to Heir Pingjia.”

She had given Chen Yi a warning. Whether to play deaf and dumb to maintain this engagement, or bear the losses of breaking the engagement and escape the quagmire—the choice was the other party’s.

“If it’s true, I naturally won’t marry such a person.” Chen Yi’s face was pale, yet her tone was resolute.

Lin Hao felt pleased hearing this: “Elder Miss Chen, I think your decision is correct.”

At this moment, she was very glad she had told Chen Yi the truth.

Her decision had also been correct.

Chen Yi hesitated briefly: “Second Miss Lin, although I believe your words, I still want to personally confirm this.”

“That’s only natural. After all, it’s not a small matter.”

Chen Yi’s expression relaxed somewhat: “Second Miss Lin mentioned that your grandmother sent people to investigate Heir Pingjia. If I were to investigate, I wouldn’t know where to start. I’d like to ask Second Miss Lin to help inquire.”

“That’s easily arranged. I’ll have the person responsible for investigating continue to pay attention and notify Elder Miss Chen promptly if there are any developments.”

“Then thank you very much.” Chen Yi set down her teacup. “Second Miss Lin must also be tired today. I won’t disturb you further.”

Lin Hao stood: “Elder Miss Chen can call me Ahao.”

Chen Yi was startled, then curved her lips: “You can call me Chen Yi, or Yuanniang.”

“Then I’ll call you by name.”

Every manor’s eldest daughter could be called Yuanniang, but “Chen Yi” was unique.

Lin Hao had just seen Chen Yi off when Madam Lin arrived at Luoying Residence in a flurry.

“Ahao, you jumped into the lake to save someone today?” Madam Lin pulled Lin Hao and examined her from head to toe without stopping.

Lin Hao chuckled: “Daughter hasn’t lost even a single strand of hair. You don’t need to keep staring so intently.”

Madam Lin glared at Lin Hao: “You can still laugh! When I heard this news, my legs went weak from fright.”

“Where did Mother hear this news?”

If she’d heard it from outside, the speed of this spreading would be far too fast.

“Prince Jing’s Manor sent over gifts of gratitude.” Madam Lin thought of those abundant and valuable gifts and sighed somewhat. “Prince Jing’s Manor is quite thoughtful in this regard.”

Lin Hao nodded in agreement.

Her impression of Princess Consort Jing was also quite good.

Madam Lin turned her attention back: “Ahao, having a kind heart is good, but you can’t be reckless. If you encounter such situations in the future, you must put your own safety first.”

“I understand.”

“Wait a moment.” Madam Lin belatedly thought of something. “Ahao, when did you learn to swim?”

Lin Hao blinked and asked in return: “Mother didn’t know?”

“Know what?” Madam Lin was completely baffled.

“It was that year when I went to escape the summer heat with Grandfather. Grandfather taught me.”

“Is that so?” Madam Lin carefully recalled.

That year when her parents took Ahao to escape the summer heat, she had indeed heard that Father was secretly teaching Ahao to swim, and after Mother found out, she had chased him with a feather duster for several miles.

“My daughter is truly capable. After learning from your grandfather just a few times, your swimming ability became this good.” Madam Lin felt proud and couldn’t help but think of Prince Jing’s heir. “Mother made some inquiries. Prince Jing’s heir also went into the water to save someone. He jumped into the lake only to remember he couldn’t swim and nearly got himself into trouble.”

His heart was kind, but he seemed rather unreliable.

Good thing they had declined that engagement back then!