Chapter 267: Chapter 267

Lin Xiaoyue had no specific preference for airing her family’s dirty laundry to entertain others.

She glanced at Lin An’an and Lin Jingjing, instructing them to go inside and settle down first.

As Lin An’an passed by Lin Xiaorou, she paused slightly, her gaze full of smugness, "Just kneel there nicely. When our eldest sister is pleased, she’ll let you stand up."

"An An," Lin Jingjing tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to say less.

Only then did Lin An’an reluctantly close her mouth, stepping forward two steps. Facing Lin Xiaoyue, she plastered a different flattering smile on her face, took the initiative to encircle Lin Xiaoyue’s arm, and asked while walking inside, "I heard from the old lady that in this house, you are the only female owner, eldest sister. Isn’t it quite stifling not having someone to talk to regularly?"

Lin Jingjing listened silently, casting a sidelong glance at Lin Xiaoyue, only to see her smile casually and lightly, "Indeed, it is quite stifling without someone to talk to." She added, "But aren’t you both here now? I’ll have some lively days ahead."

Lin An’an’s eyes shot around, grasping Lin Xiaoyue’s arm more affectionately, "Since eldest sister needs us so much, shall we stay with you from now on?"

They hadn’t even seen their brother-in-law’s appearance yet and were already suggesting such a thing. Is she not afraid of displeasing her eldest sister!

Lin Jingjing frowned, wanting to stop Lin An’an from continuing, but when she lifted her head, her gaze turned to Lin Xiaoyue. Subconsciously, it wasn’t so much to stop Lin An’an, but to see how her eldest sister would respond.

Before they left, the old lady had carefully instructed them that their elder sister had not borne any children for her husband’s family for many years. The Lin Family couldn’t afford to have another Lin Xiaorou being cast out by a man. She instructed the sisters to see to it that whoever fancied their brother-in-law would stay in the Capital to be his concubine, bear children for him, and uphold the Lin Family’s reputation. She added that the Su Family was a noble family, highly esteemed in the Capital, and even a concubine here was better than a legitimate wife in a small place like Jizhou.

Lin Jingjing actually wanted to be a legitimate wife, but she had secretly investigated. People said this brother-in-law was tall, handsome, and capable; after separating from his family, he passed the exam as a Martial Champion on his own merits, and the Emperor awarded him a mansion. Now, he was as prominent as one could be.

What girl wouldn’t be swayed by such a man?

Hearing Lin An’an’s words, Lin Xiaoyue hesitated for a moment and asked her, "If you want to stay, would the old lady agree?"

Seeing a glint of hope, Lin An’an’s smile deepened, "As long as the eldest sister is willing, how could the old lady disagree?"

These words sounded as if she were eager to become a concubine.

Though their purpose in coming to the Capital was precisely this, it’s not something to bluntly shove in someone’s face, lest it devalue the Lin Family girls and diminish their stature!

Thinking of this, Lin Jingjing hurriedly intercepted Lin An’an’s words and looked at Lin Xiaoyue with a cautious and careful gaze, "The old lady thinks that with our natal family so far away in Jizhou, while the eldest sister is alone in the Capital, if you have any petty conflicts with brother-in-law, there’s no one for you to express your feelings to, so she specially sent us here to accompany you."

Isn’t it just becoming Mr. Qi’s concubines?

Lin Xiaoyue wasn’t foolish; she heard the underlying meaning.

She didn’t stop Mr. Qi from accepting concubines but couldn’t bear for her own sisters to be subordinated, so she tactfully said, "Some time ago, I did mention to Mr. Qi about elevating a few concubines, but he refused."

"Ah?" Lin An’an quickly asked, "Why?"

Lin Xiaoyue replied, "You might not know, but four years ago, there was a coal mine case in Ningzhou involving over eighty lives, and only recently was the truth uncovered. It turns out the Su Family was involved. Although it was the deed of the late Fifth Young Master, as Su Family members, even the Prime Minister was suspended. Naturally, Mr. Qi also couldn’t escape the impact, and he’s recently been unable to attend the government office.

You also know, Mr. Qi had long severed ties with the residents of the main household. All our income depends on his meager salary. Now with this incident, the household has begun to economize, how can we afford to support concubines?"

Hearing this, Lin An’an started to get cold feet. She came to the Capital to be a concubine for a life of luxury and wealth, not to suffer hardships and face scorn.

Simple-minded Lin An’an already pondered that if her eldest sister’s house truly declined, she might just enjoy a few days of fun here before leaving promptly.

Lin Jingjing said nothing, merely glanced thoughtfully at Lin Xiaoyue, then lowered her head and continued walking.

Knowing in advance that they would come, Lin Xiaoyue had already arranged for their rooms, asking the maids to lead the two to the side rooms. She followed to the kitchen to instruct them to prepare dishes the sisters enjoyed.

Once in the room, Lin An’an plopped down on a seat, thinking about how Lin Xiaorou was still kneeling outside, she couldn’t help but feel amused, "I said so, second cousin shamelessly eloped with a man back then, now returning, how could she smoothly enter the Champion Scholar Mansion? Does she think it’s a vegetable market here, come and go as she pleases? Ha, also, without self-reflection, she ought to see how she looks now— like the second aunt of Zhu Bajie — yet she dares to covet brother-in-law. To my thinking, she’s just like her mother, inherently shameless."

Lin Jingjing didn’t respond to Lin An’an’s comment. She glanced around the room’s decor and furnishings, then asked, "An An, what do you think of the Champion Scholar Mansion?"

"Good! It’s too good!" Lin An’an immediately perked up, "Did you notice earlier on our way in, sister, how big this manor is? It’s like having two or three of the Lin Family. The carved beams and painted rafters show it’s a wealthy family’s demeanor."

Lin Jingjing casually remarked, "I also think it’s quite opulent."

Lin An’an picked up on the hint, "Sister, in such a big mansion, could it really be that they can’t afford a few concubines?"

Lin Jingjing said, "I don’t know if they can or not, but there’s a saying that blood is thicker than water. No matter how separated brother-in law is, he’s still a member of the Su Family."

The implication was that as long as he was part of the Su Family, he couldn’t cut ties with the big mansion. Could the big mansion really just watch him fall to the point where he couldn’t even afford concubines?

"Exactly!" Lin An’an immediately said angrily, "A camel, even dead, is still bigger than a horse. No matter how down-and-out my brother-in-law is, he’s still Mr. Qi of the Su Family. If he wants to take in a couple of concubines, isn’t it just a matter of saying so?"

Thinking of Lin Xiaoyue’s words when they entered, Lin An’an was even more annoyed, "Was Big Sister saying all those stupid things to brush us off because she was afraid we’d steal brother-in-law?"

Lin Jingjing said in a very conciliatory manner, "All legitimate wives don’t wish their husbands would take concubines. We need to understand Big Sister’s situation; her life isn’t easy either."

"Her life isn’t easy? Isn’t it her own fault for not being able to give her husband a son or daughter? I’ve come to share her worries and solve her problems. It’s one thing if she doesn’t appreciate it, but to subtly want to kick us out? I refuse! I want to stay in the Capital as Mr. Qi’s woman, and when I have children, who knows who will be the more important then!"

Lin Jingjing covered her mouth and smiled, reaching out to tap Lin An’an’s forehead with her finger, "You, why can’t you ever hold your tongue? Are these really things a young lady should say?"

Lin An’an, upon reflection, also felt she was a bit too blunt and rude. Her face grew slightly hot, and her voice weakened, "I just spoke out of anger. I thought Big Sister was good, but who would’ve thought on the very first day of entering the mansion she’d be so intolerant? She’s occupying the High Ground and yet forbids others to nest up? What kind of reasoning is this? We’re her cousins after all, not strangers, why must she treat us like thieves?"

This conversation was overheard by a woman sweeping outside, who quietly stopped her task and went to the main courtyard.

Lin Xiaoyue had just returned from the kitchen, having instructed the cook to prepare some hometown dishes for the Lin sisters, fearing they wouldn’t be accustomed to Capital’s food.

Seeing a maidservant standing at the entrance of the courtyard, craning her neck to look inside.

Lin Xiaoyue asked her, "What are you doing?"

The maid was startled, quickly turned around and saw it was Granny Qi, hurriedly kneeling to apologize, saying it was unintentional.

Lin Xiaoyue didn’t enter but stood at the moon gate.

The maid hesitated for a long time before explaining, telling Lin Xiaoyue that the two newly arrived girls had ill intentions. They hadn’t even seen Mr. Qi yet but had already started badmouthing Granny Qi.

At first, Lin Xiaoyue didn’t believe it, but after listening to the maid imitate their tone, she frowned.

Originally, she was considering her sisters’ lifelong happiness, not wanting them to become concubines, so she said things to dissuade them.

But those two, not only misinterpreted her words but also cursed her in private.

She waved the maid away and returned to her room, asking the little maid, "Has Mr. Qi returned yet?" ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁

The maid replied, "Not yet. Does Granny Qi have something to ask of Mr. Qi?"

"No, I was just asking casually."

When Lin Xiaoyue said this, there was a touch of irritation in her tone.

If she’d known earlier, she wouldn’t have let Mr. Qi arrange for people to be picked up from Jizhou. What are these people!

When Su Qing returned, the accompanying servant shouted out loud, "Mr. Qi is back!"

Lin Xiaorou, who had been kneeling in front of the Champion Scholar Mansion, heard it, and her heart stirred slightly. As Su Qing got off the carriage, she immediately closed her eyes and "fainted."

Such a living person suddenly collapsing made it hard for Su Qing to ignore. He raised his eyes and asked the housekeeper who came to greet him, "Who is that?"

The housekeeper replied truthfully, "She’s a young lady from the Lin Family in Jizhou."

Su Qing raised his thick eyebrows slightly, "A person from Granny Qi’s family?"

"Then why wasn’t she allowed in?"

The housekeeper hesitated for a moment, then recounted everything that happened outside the gate in detail.

"Oh, it was her?" Su Qing asked, with a cold smile on his lips, quickly shifting his gaze without further interest, deliberately raising his voice, "She fainted as soon as she arrived, indicating she’s not quite used to Capital’s climate. Let the household doctor take a look, and send her back to Jizhou."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaorou bit her lip tightly, let out a faint murmur, pretending to wake up just then, and as she straightened up to see the man standing by the carriage, her heart began to race uncontrollably.