Chapter 52 Lin, the PUA master, is back online.

"Those two maids were talking about rescuing someone from drowning. Did something happen in the manor a few days ago?" Lin Wan'er asked the maid who was leading the way.

"Replying to Miss Lin, this servant is not very clear about the specifics. I only heard that a few days ago, the Second Miss and Miss Xiaoyu accidentally fell into the pond in the backyard. It was the Young Master who arrived in time to rescue them."

Lin Wan'er nodded and didn't ask any more questions, but her heart was in turmoil.

Upon arriving at Jinxiu Pavilion, Xiao Lingxi had been waiting for a long time. When she saw Lin Wan'er, she greeted her warmly.

"Sister Lin, you've finally arrived! I've been cooped up in the house for days, and I'm so bored."

Lin Wan'er's face still held an impeccable gentle smile as she handed the food box she had brought to Xiao Lingxi:

"I knew you were bored, so I specially brought you some of Baoxiangzhai's new pastries. They're still warm, why don't you try them?"

Xiao Lingxi happily accepted it and thanked her repeatedly.

However, when I saw the exquisitely crafted pastries, I didn't feel much of an appetite.

There was no other reason than that she had already eaten her fill in Su Xiaoyu's courtyard.

These past few days, Su Xiaoyu has basically taken care of all her meals. Of course, she didn't eat for free; she paid for it.

Therefore, Xiao Lingxi's appetite is now very picky.

Those pastries that I used to find exquisite and delicious no longer hold much appeal for me.

She glanced at it, then instructed the maid beside her to put it away for now, and then chatted with Lin Wan'er.

"Sister Lin, you've come all this way, you must stay a little longer today!"

Lin Wan'er observed all of this discreetly, then gave Qingdai a wink.

Qingdai understood and turned to Zisu, who was standing to the side, and said with a smile, "Miss Zisu, let's go to the outer room to talk. I would like to ask you how the Hou family's pastries are made."

Zisu glanced at Xiao Lingxi, and seeing her nod, she smiled and agreed with Qingdai, and they both left.

Only Xiao Lingxi and Lin Wan'er remained in the room.

"Lingxi, you fell into the water a few days ago. I hope you're not seriously ill. I heard from Zisu that the young master was extremely worried about you and even put aside his official duties to stay by your side."

Xiao Lingxi waved her hand, "It's all over now, thanks to my older brother. Mother also said that I'm not allowed to play by the pond anymore."

Lin Wan'er's eyes flashed, and she probed, "That's good, but I just heard that the maidservant by the young master's side also fell into the water? What happened?"

Xiao Lingxi felt a pang of guilt, and her expression became somewhat unnatural.

Although not many people went to the pond that day, the commotion was so great that when the three of them returned to the courtyard soaking wet, they were still seen by many passing servants.

"Oh, Xiaoyu went into the water to save me, but she herself is only half-baked and almost drowned. It was my brother who happened to be passing by and found someone to save her."

Xiao Lingxi didn't say that her elder brother had personally rescued her, also in order to protect Su Xiaoyu's reputation.

Another point is that she doesn't plan to tell anyone about her brother's feelings for Su Xiaoyu for the time being.

Everyone has secrets, just like she likes Shen Moyan, doesn't she?

Lin Wan'er's eyes darkened for a moment, knowing she wouldn't get any more information, so she changed the subject at the right time.

"Oh, right."

Lin Wan'er took out the brocade pouch. "Yesterday I met Young Master Shen. He heard that you were unwell and was very worried. He specially asked me to give this to you."

Xiao Lingxi's eyes lit up immediately when she saw the exquisite brocade pouch.

She took it, opened it, and took out the simple and exquisite poem token. Her face instantly flushed red, as if she had applied the finest rouge.

Seeing this, Lin Wan'er sneered inwardly, but her face became even more gentle.

"Young Master Shen was extremely anxious at the time, repeatedly asking about his sister's condition. He said he had no appetite and only hoped that she would recover soon. This sentiment was truly touching."

Xiao Lingxi stroked the poem tablet, feeling warm and sweet inside, but also with a touch of guilt.

"I'm sorry to have troubled him... It was my fault. I've been recuperating these past few days and haven't been able to send him any messages, which has made him worry."

"But he has his imperial examination coming up soon, so it's really not good for him to be distracted. Don't worry, Sister Lin, I'll find some time to meet with him tomorrow and explain things to him in person. It's better not to meet him anytime soon, so as not to disturb his peace of mind."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wan'er's heart skipped a beat.

Xiao Lingxi actually took the initiative to suggest temporarily distancing herself from Shen Moyan? And she even encouraged him to prepare for the exam?

This won't do.

If Shen Moyan really focuses on the imperial examination and cuts off contact with Xiao Lingxi, or if he becomes more interested in other things after the examination, then Xiao Lingxi will be useless.

She had to keep Xiao Lingxi and Shen Moyan 'entangled'; the deeper their feelings, the easier it would be for her to manipulate them.

After much thought, Lin Wan'er quickly came up with a plan to kill two birds with one stone.

She gently grasped Xiao Lingxi's hand, speaking in a tone of heartfelt sincerity:

“Lingxi, you may have been a bit thoughtless in saying that.”

Xiao Lingxi looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Lin Wan'er gently persuaded him: "The imperial examination is important, but Young Master Shen is currently in the capital and has no relatives or friends. At this crucial time, everyone else is buried in their studies and under great pressure, but he still cares about you. How precious is this affection? If you avoid seeing him now, or even say that you are temporarily distancing yourself, wouldn't you be breaking his heart?"

"Men are sometimes like children; they need encouragement and warmth. When you see him tomorrow, you shouldn't say anything distant. Instead, you should speak gently and softly to let him know that you support him and motivate him to work harder for your future together."

"The more considerate you are of him, the more he will cherish you and feel that you are understanding and know his heart."

Xiao Lingxi's resolve began to waver after hearing her words.

Is that really the case?

Seeing that she was interested, Lin Wan'er subtly changed the subject: "These are just my personal opinions, just something I said offhand."

"However... it's not entirely safe for my sister to go out alone tomorrow. Although what happened at the street corner last time was a misunderstanding, it was still quite dangerous. Perhaps... we could take Xiaoyu with us?"

"Take her with you?" Xiao Lingxi's face was full of rejection.

"But she's my eldest brother's maid now. She'll definitely tell him."

“That’s precisely why we should bring her along.” Lin Wan’er smiled meaningfully.

“Think about it, sister. After the incident of falling into the water, Su Xiaoyu has been ‘meritorious’ in front of the young master. If she goes with you, just say you’re going out to relax. Even if you and Young Master Shen are seen by others, she can be a shield.”

"You can take this opportunity to test her. If she obediently goes with you and keeps quiet, it means she is reliable and may be useful to you in the future."

"If she refuses, or if she reveals it later... then you can see through her sooner and take precautions to prevent her from spreading rumors in front of the young master and ruining your good time with Young Master Shen."

After Lin Wan'er's analysis, Xiao Lingxi suddenly felt enlightened.

She thought Lin Wan'er's idea was brilliant!

"Sister Lin, you're right! Let's do it your way!"

She could both safely meet Shen Moyan and test Su Xiaoyu's loyalty.

Having achieved her goal, Lin Wan'er curled her lips into a smile, a cold laugh echoing in her heart.