Lin Zheng Yue laughed loudly: “Today we are at Xia Courtyard, we will make some summer delicacies that you have never eaten before.” He spread out the recipe book with several dishes written on it, “Crisp Duck Claws, Rouge Lotus Root, Golden Chicken Balls, and the deep-fried crispy fish you love.”
Lin Yan smiled: “Yan’er likes it, Dad worked hard.”
“My good Yan’er, you understand Dad the best. Before you get married, Dad hopes to let you taste all the delicacies in the world.”
Watching their father-daughter conversation, I looked carefully at Lin Yan again, finding nothing unusual, feeling delighted.
This Lin Yan seemed increasingly extraordinary.
“Rebirth.”
An empty voice drifted into my ears, and I lowered my head and asked: “What?”
“You’re drooling.”
“…” I’m hungry…
Concubine’s Rebirth (IV)
The next day, I was awakened again by the noisy sounds outside.
I lifted the blanket and rose in anger, dressed and went out, following the sound to the main hall, where I saw Lin Ran wailing miserably: “Father, I won’t marry, I’m still young.”
The second wife took a sip of tea and sneered: “You’re already nineteen, not married. People of the same age have already become mothers.”
Lin Ran glared: “Second Mother, you never used to care about my marriage before.”
The second wife responded: “Of course I wouldn’t care when you were sixteen or seventeen.”
Lin Ran was speechless and turned to plead with Lin Lao Ye: “Father.”
Lin Lao Ye broke out in a cold sweat, unable to comfort or oppose. At this moment, Lin Family’s third young master Lin Sen interjected: “Father, Second Mother wants to marry off the eldest sister, send me to East Lin Academy hundreds of miles away, and arrange a marriage for the fourth sister, yet deliberately keeps the second sister at home. I think Second Mother has lost her soul once and is now pursuing her own selfish interests.”
I secretly sighed that Lin Sen, only seventeen, could see things quite clearly. I watched the second wife with interest, apparently having already understood the Lin family’s affairs overnight. By sending away the family’s three children and leaving only her “daughter” behind, gathering wealth would indeed be convenient.
There are two types of people who harm others before being harmed themselves: those who are reborn and those who cross over. The second wife belongs to the latter.
But her actions seem too hasty and unwise.
The second young lady Lin Zi leisurely said: “Third Brother, you’re becoming more and more improper. The eldest sister’s marriage was long decided. Marrying at nineteen is not too late. East Lin Academy is a world-famous school. The best teachers are there. Sending you is to help you succeed, so don’t be so unambitious.”
“
Lin Sen snorted: “Fine, what about the fourth sister?”
Lin Zi covered her mouth and giggled: “Oh, marry her off quickly while her face is still somewhat presentable. Otherwise, in a few years, you might not even be able to tell which is her nose and which is her mouth.”
The silent Lin Lao Ye suddenly slapped the table and shouted: “Outrageous!”
The previously noisy hall immediately fell silent, and even I outside the door was startled.
Lin Lao Ye’s face darkened as he said sternly: “Mock Yan’er again, and I’ll marry you off to Black Mountain to dig stones!”
Lin Zi trembled: “Zi’er will never dare again.”
Lin Yan sat in her specially made oversized chair, chuckling: “Father, don’t be angry. Yan’er is fine.”
The second wife pursed her lips, smiling: “Yan’er’s matter can be discussed later. Right now, I’m just helping her look for a good husband. But Ran’er and Sen’er’s matters should be decided early.”
As soon as the words fell, Lin Ran and Lin Sen looked pitifully at Lin Lao Ye.
Lin Lao Ye said with a stern face: “Wife should not worry about these matters.”
The second wife laughed softly: “Since that’s the case, I’ll listen to my lord.”
I narrowed my eyes, watching her. Everyone in this room has their own thoughts. I shook my head and saw Lin Yan come out, saying with a smile: “Feeling stuffy at home, shall we go out for a walk?”
Lin Yan nodded: “A good restaurant opened in the city center. Let’s go taste the dishes.”
If they’re delicious, we’ll invite the chef over.”
Always thinking about food. But now I’d rather go shopping and see interesting things.
“By the way, it’s quite far. Let’s bring Li Si.”
“Hmm, okay.” I nodded, thinking to myself, isn’t Li Si the “Mansion Strategist”? Does Lin Yan always bring a bodyguard when going out?
We three took the horse carriage to the city center. The mansion strategist drove outside, while I and Lin Yan chatted casually in the carriage. When discussing the second wife’s matters, Lin Yan’s tone slightly changed.
“Oh, Second Mother, she didn’t used to act like this. She was very careful. Although Father entrusted all family matters to Second Mother, she didn’t manage them well.”
Seeing her look of disgust, I became curious: “How was she not good?”
“Too weak. The servants didn’t like her and dared to talk back,” Lin Yan curled her lips. “The second sister wouldn’t usually speak to me like this, but today Second Mother changed her temperament, and she became aggressive too.”
I smiled slightly. It seemed the “crossover person’s” words weren’t entirely accurate. At least the second wife and her daughter didn’t seem as high-status in the Lin family. On the contrary, from Lin Lao Ye’s reaction today, Lin Yan appeared to be the most favored child, and even the Lin family’s only son didn’t seem particularly cherished.
I lifted the curtain and looked outside.
The streets here were much more lively compared to the Lin family’s area. The vendors’ goods were dazzling, making my heart itch with desire. I turned back, wanting to persuade Lin Yan to get off the carriage and look around, and saw that she had just lowered the curtain. I said, “Cousin, Yan’er wants to buy something. You and Li Si can go to the restaurant first.”
Seeing her piercing gaze, I retracted my words and smiled, “Go ahead, hurry.”
“Mm.”
After Lin Yan got off, I pondered for a moment and patted the Mansion Strategist’s shoulder: “I’ll follow her.”
Jumping down from the carriage, I could no longer see Lin Yan’s figure. Following the direction she had disappeared, after walking a hundred steps, I saw her sitting in a teahouse, looking around.
Not long after, someone sat at the same table. Seeing the person’s face, I was quite surprised. Wasn’t this Rong You? What were they meeting for?
Lin Yan poured him a cup of tea and said, “Long time no see, Young Master Qin.”
Rong You seemed anxious, looking left and right, and said, “Miss Lin, please speak directly.”
Lin Yan paused: “Alright, I won’t beat around the bush. Do you still remember what you said before, that you would do your best to help me if I needed something?”
“Naturally.”
“Mm.” Lin Yan smiled, her eyes flashing with a cunning look, “I want you to propose marriage to my second sister.”
Rong You’s hand holding the cup trembled: “Why?
He immediately felt something was off and looked troubled, “Moreover, we have already withdrawn from an engagement with your family before. Going again now would likely not be accepted. Besides, I have no feelings for Lin’s second young lady.”
Lin Yan smiled: “Have the matchmaker go and say that you initially broke off this marriage because you had your eye on my second sister and would only marry her. As for whether you like her or not, that’s not my concern. Young Master Qin, you haven’t forgotten what you promised me before, have you? Are you going to go back on your word? I might as well tell my father.”
Rong You’s expression changed. He slowly put down his teacup and sighed after a while: “Fine. If I go to propose, our matter will be settled, and you must never use this to threaten me again.”
