Chapter 47: Thoughts of the Heart

  Lin Ruoyan pouted, "Grandmother said that the maids in the mansion are getting old and should be married off. So, let's have a big turnover and wait for new maids to arrive before I choose again."

  Lin Zhaoyan nodded, not forgetting to remind him, "You'd better not make any more trouble, if it weren't for the fact that Zi Su was innocent and suffered because of you, Mother wouldn't have tolerated you like this. I know that no one can replace Zi Su, but it's just a matter of choosing a maid to serve you, no one said she would take Zi Su's place."

  Man Shuang's face tensed up, "A major reshuffle?"

  Lin Zhaoyan smiled and pulled her hand, comforting her: "Don't worry, you and Manhua are both going to follow me as dowry, Grandmother knows, she won't exchange you."

  Lin Ruoyan teased, "This eight-character phrase hasn't even been written yet, and you're already thinking about getting married yourself, aren't you ashamed?"

  Lin Zhaoyan smiled and said, "Since ancient times, men have married and women have been married off; it's the natural order of things. What do I have to be ashamed of?"

  Lin Ruoyan saw that she didn't blush at all, so he scolded her and then said nothing more.

  No one mentioned Liu Wenxuan's previous request to marry her, and Lin Ruoyan also began to understand that past things are ultimately in the past, and people should look forward.

  At this time, Manhua lifted the curtain and entered the house, saying respectfully: "Miss, Master is calling you over. He's waiting for you in the study."

  "Father?" Lin Zhaoyan asked in surprise, "Do you know what's going on?"

  Manhua shook her head, "I don't know either."

  "Maybe he's looking for you to discuss something good!" Lin Ruoyan spoke up, her tone clearly cooling down.

  Lin Zhaoyan knew that although the relationship between her and her sister had improved recently, the long-standing contradictions and estrangement could not be eliminated in a short period of time. One careless move would cause their relationship to drop to freezing point again.

  "She said: 'Do you want to go with me and take a look?'"

  Lin Ruoyan waved her hand, "You're looking for him, not me, what's the point of me going with you?"

  After finishing speaking, she caught a glimpse of Lin Zhao Yan's cautious expression and softened in her heart, saying: "You go, I'm serious. Father probably really has something important to discuss with you, don't worry about me, I'll stay behind and play with Xue Tuan."

  Lin Zhaoyan let out a sigh of relief and nodded slightly with a smile.

  She really cherishes her sisterly relationship with Lin Ruoyan, and this kind of kinship makes her feel very warm.

  Lin Chen was waiting for her in the study of Yi An Tang.

  Lin Zhaoyan rushed over just as Lin Chen was bent over a desk by the window, painting.

  The window was half open, and the gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of spring grass into the room. In the quiet study, only the sound of papers rustling in the wind could be heard.

  Sunlight filtering through the window frames cast dappled light spots on Lin Chen's face.

  His expression was serious and solemn, with a hint of sadness.

  Lin Zhaoyan's heart skipped a beat, and her footsteps slowed down unconsciously.

  When she was young, she often saw such an expression on his face.

  At that time, Lin Chen thought she didn't understand anything, so he looked at her like this, gazing deeply into her eyes, and whispered a promise, "Jiao'er, do you know? Father loves you very much. Father will definitely protect you well and give you the best future."

  Later on, she grew up gradually, and Lin Chen would no longer look at her like that. Every time, he just smiled gently, like a kind, gentle, and temperless old good man.

  Now she saw such an expression again.

  What's going on?

  Lin Chen looked up and happened to see Lin Zhao Yan's confused expression, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly put away the painting scroll on his desk.

  He then coughed twice and said: "When did you arrive? Why didn't anyone make a sound?"

  Lin Zhaoyan glanced at the painting scroll in his hand, collected his thoughts, and pretended to be nonchalant as he walked forward, smiling: "I saw Father was concentrating on painting, so I didn't dare disturb him. What is Father painting?"

  "Nothing." Lin Chen didn't show off his painting skills in front of her for the first time, quickly putting away the painting while saying: "You go sit over there, Father will come over once he's done packing up."

  "Oh." Lin Zhaoyan could only nod dejectedly.

  She thought that Lin Chen must have some unknown secret. Otherwise, why would such a knowledgeable and well-read scholar not serve the imperial court, but instead live in seclusion at home and paint?

  Unfortunately, she couldn't figure it out and didn't have any prophecies about this aspect either, so she had no choice but to give up.

  Lin Chen quickly put away the desk, and the painting he had just painted was layered and wrapped in a Qing porcelain painting tube that no one was allowed to touch.

  Lin Zhaoyan gazed quietly until Lin Chen walked over, then smiled at him and asked, "What does Father want with me?"

  Lin Chenyi lifted her skirt and sat down opposite Lin Zhao, not exchanging pleasantries with him, but instead getting straight to the point: "Did you go to the Liu residence to see Xuan Ge today?"

  Although Lin Chen never interfered with household affairs, it didn't mean he was unaware of them.

  Lin Zhaoyan didn't hide it either, nodding his head and saying: "Yes, my second aunt said that my cousin's body is not suitable, so I'll go take a look."

  "You're an unmarried girl from a respectable family, how can you easily go see another man?" Lin Chen's tone was still gentle, but his face didn't look very good.

  Lin Zhaoyan did not expect Lin Chen to say the same thing as Liu Shi, wasn't he always "disdainful" of Liu Shi for being too realistic and lacking in poetic charm?

  She was stunned for a moment, then said: "Chao'er treats him as her own elder brother."

  Lin Chen's expression eased a bit, but he still said: "Xuan Ge is not a bad person, but your second aunt is not a good person. In the future, you should have less private contact with them. The reputation of a young lady's family is most important."

  This doesn't sound like something Lin Chen would say.

  Lin Zhaoyan said something strange, and then Lin Chen said: "To say that, Zi Pei is a child who has won my heart. His mother is also your aunt, from a famous family, unlike your second aunt who is good at socializing. In the future, you will feel more comfortable with them."

  Lin Zhaoyan was bewildered and asked, "Father, what are you talking about?"

  What does Liu Wenxuan's business have to do with Lu Yanzi?

  Lin Chen's next sentence made Lin Zhao's words sound like thunder.

  He actually said: "Nature has already chosen a suitable husband for you, and your age is fourteen, which is not young anymore."

  "Cough...cough..." Lin Zhaoyan was choked, and emotionally thought that Lin Chen wanted her to marry Lu Yan?

  Just thinking about Lu Yan's intimacy that night made her whole body break out in goosebumps.

  "Dad, don't joke about this, Lu Shixiong is going to marry either San Jie or Ruoyan."

  If Lin Ruoyan knew that Lin Chen had such thoughts, she would probably be hated by her for the rest of her life.

  "The Glory of Women" Insomnia King

  Developing supernatural powers to become rich and powerful, taming and traversing the universe. Daring to love, hate and fight, fully enjoying the glory of nobility.