Chapter Twenty-Five Days

  Manhua, however, does not have as many sentimental worries as Man Shuang. Most of what she thinks about are practical problems.

  "Although Master Biao likes the young lady, what about Second Aunt? From what I've seen of her attitude, it seems she prefers Fifth Miss instead. It's not that Fifth Miss is particularly good, but because she's the most favored daughter in our household. Someone as cunning and powerful as Second Aunt would naturally want to marry off a daughter-in-law who will bring her the most benefits."

  Listening to Manhua's analysis, Manshuang didn't think much of it. "But our madam will definitely not agree! Rather than making a futile effort, why not marry the girl? At least she is a legitimate daughter, better than Seventh Girl!"

  Manhua pondered for a moment and felt that Manshuang also made sense.

  Lin Zhaoyan didn't think much about it. The outcome of things will be said later, and unnecessary speculation is just to add trouble.

  "Sleep! There will be news soon, and when that time comes, whether it succeeds or not, it's still a result."

  It's done, naturally good.

  It's not meant to be, they just don't have a destined relationship.

  The room fell silent instantly, with only the rustling of snow outside floating and dancing in the air.

  The censer with blue flowers wrapped around it emits waves of jasmine fragrance, warming people's hearts.

  At the same time, the Liu Mansion in Qingjiao Alley was brightly lit.

  There were bursts of noise coming from the house on the west side, breaking the silence of the night.

  "You must have lost your mind! Quickly dispel that thought, and never mention it again!" Madam Lu's sharp voice rang out in the room, carrying an unyielding firmness.

  Liu Wenyuan did not expect his proposal to elicit such a strong reaction from his mother, and in a fit of anger, he exclaimed: "Why can't I?! Must you insist on marrying Ruyan?! I only regard her as my own sister, how could I possibly marry her?! Besides, Aunt is unwilling to have Ruyan married off to me, she's destined for the palace and will be marrying someone of great importance. You want her to marry me? It's simply absurd!"

  Lu was so angry that her whole body trembled, and she slapped Liu Wenxuan's face fiercely. She said with great grievance: "I have been thinking of you in every way, but you repay me like this?! For the sake of Lin Zhaoyan, you dare to be rude to your mother?! She is a scourge! In the future, she will definitely harm you! I tell you, unless I die, you will never get her heart for the rest of your life!"

  Liu Er Ye immediately stepped forward to protect his only son, with a fierce expression: "What are you doing? If you don't want to marry, then just say so, do you have to be like this?"

  "You don't understand anything!" Lu said fearlessly to him, "Can't you see that your son has been bewitched and is now acting wildly? If I hadn't slapped some sense into him, who knows how he would have ended up?"

  "It's not as serious as you say!" Liu Er Ye felt that Lin Zhao's words were just a bit unpleasant, but after all, she was still the legitimate daughter, which one of her was not worthy of his son, a fifth-grade official?

  Lu was huffing and puffing, but couldn't say why.

  Liu Wenyuan covered his face, staring at Lu's eyes as tears slowly seeped out. But it wasn't because he was hurt by the beating, rather he felt guilty towards Lin Zhaoyan, and guilty for not keeping his promise to her.

  He was too arrogant, thinking that his mother would love and respect him, but who would have thought her reaction would be so intense.

  He thought of Lin Zhao's smile that burst out at him, and even the snow-capped mountains could melt for it, let alone the deep thoughts he had for her.

  She said: "If Brother Biao can persuade Auntie, then Zhao'er will not disappoint Brother Biao either."

  She won't let him down, how could he not keep his promise?!

  "If Mother insists on this, then Wenxuan will have no choice but to die!" He flung out these words and didn't care about Lu's ashen face, fiercely turning his sleeve and leaving.

  Liu Er Ye looked at his only son's dejected departing figure and said with a stifled tone, "You can also not be so overbearing, it's easy for a son to like someone, can't you let him take charge of his own marriage?"

  Lu's style has always been overbearing and tyrannical, but he has endured all these years because Lu is indeed a shrewd person. If she hadn't helped him smooth things out outside, his career wouldn't be as smooth sailing as it is today.

  A few days ago, the Crown Prince passed away, and she quickly analyzed that the son of the quiet consort from Jian'an Houfu had a great chance of seizing the throne, so she hurriedly wanted to form an alliance through marriage.

  It doesn't matter who you climb with, as long as you've climbed it's okay, why bother specifying which person?

  Lin Zhaoyan is the legitimate daughter, and her son likes it too, that's enough!

  Lu's behavior this time was so outrageous that even he, who usually endured humiliation and swallowed his anger, couldn't stand it anymore!

  "What do you know? You don't ask about worldly affairs, and you don't even understand your own sister's situation!" Lu Shi was speechless towards Liu Er Ye, and said in a bad tone: "Even if it really doesn't work out, I would rather have Lin Xingyan than Lin Zhaoyan! Her identity will eventually be a disaster!"

  "What identity does she have?" Liu Er Ye was perplexed.

  Lu gave a dismissive glance and lowered her voice, saying: "Fourteen years ago, the Third Master of the Lin family had an affair with the current emperor's concubine. Although it wasn't made public, family members are always aware of these things. Otherwise, do you think Lin Chen is staying at home with his talent going to waste because he doesn't want to serve in office? Do you really think he's not interested in worldly affairs? Even if he truly wasn't, would the Old Lady of the Lin family be willing?"

  Liu Er Ye suddenly enlightened.

  He then worried and said: "I see that Wenxuan is using his true heart, I'm afraid it's very difficult to dispel his thoughts."

  Lu's lips curled up into a smile, "But I can make him give up! Haven't the young ladies of the Hou Mansion been competing for that imperial palace quota recently? The eldest daughter-in-law Lu and the aunt from Yu Xin's family aren't easy to deal with! Yu Xin doesn't want to marry Ruo Yan over here? Hmph, she won't have a choice!"

  In just a few days, the nanny invited by Madam Lu arrived.

  Lin Ruoyan was forced by Liu's family, although she was reluctant, but had no choice but to follow behind and learn etiquette.

  After a while, her behavior and demeanor were quite elegant and refined, but her eyes still showed an air of arrogance, clearly indicating that she had not been truly "tamed".

  It was Lin Xingyan who followed behind and learned diligently, as if he was determined to enter the palace.

  Lin Zhaoyan had a playful attitude, spending three days fishing and two days drying nets, always finding excuses to stay in the house reading books and practicing calligraphy, in short, never studying seriously.

  Fortunately, no one paid attention to him, Lin Zhaoyan was happy and free, so he simply stopped going out and stayed in the house, reading books and quietly waiting for Liu Wenyuan's reply.

  February 15th is Old Lady Lin's birthday.

  In such an atmosphere, the days are slowly approaching.

  As he was still in mourning for his crown prince, it was not suitable to hold a grand ceremony, so he decided to only invite close relatives and friends, and have a family gathering to celebrate his birthday.

  Although it's not grand, the gifts that are sent must be just as plentiful, and I don't advocate for luxury, but rather sincerity.

  Lin Zhaoyan thought that embroidering red shoes was not good, and making embroidered shoes for her was an impossible task. Moreover, time was not abundant, so she planned to paint a portrait of Guanyin similar to Old Lady Lin and give it to her.

  She was ill in her previous life and spent many years in the hospital, where she would often pick up a brush to paint the scenery outside the window when she was bored. Over time, her painting skills became quite good. In this life, with Lin Chen's guidance, painting a Guanyin image is not a difficult task for her.

  The difficulty is how to cleverly merge Grandma Lin's charm into it.

  Lin Zhao decided to seek help from Lin Chen.

  Lin Chen did not stay at Liu's or Wan Niang's place, but lived in the outer courtyard's Yi'an Hall, however, it was not in the bedroom, but rather he often rolled around in the study.

  She took the painting and went to Yi'An Hall to find him. As expected, his personal attendant told her "Third Master is in the study..."

  Lin Zhaoyan hastily went to see him, and hadn't heard clearly what he said afterwards. When she pushed open the door and entered, she saw a tall and straight white figure standing opposite Lin Chen.