131. Things have really changed.

Li Yuniang happened to walk over and gently explained the source of the wound, saying, "Lingrong, your sister has been working very hard these past few days. Yesterday she even secretly learned to make pastries in the kitchen."

Lin Lingrong stared blankly at her once spoiled younger sister.

She's really different now.

She used to scream and yell even at the slightest wound, her cries filling the whole yard.

Now that he is truly injured, no one can tell that anything is wrong.

It's like... he's become a completely different person.

She pursed her lips, then suddenly took the most beautiful rose from the woven wreath and gently tucked it into Lin Fuman's hair.

"It looks...good." Lin Lingrong's voice was as soft as a feather, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Lin Fuman was stunned, raising her hand to touch the flower in her hair in disbelief.

Then, a brighter smile spread across her face, and she threw herself into Lin Lingrong's arms.

Li Yuniang quickly reached out to protect the two little girls, but her eyes couldn't help but redden.

She looked up at Gan Fanggui, who was standing not far away. The two mothers' eyes met in the air, and they both saw relief in each other's eyes.

"Sister, look!" Lin Fuman popped out of Lin Lingrong's arms and pulled out another oil paper package like a treasure. "This is something I made myself. It's called a cookie. I put berries on it. It's my first time making it, so it might not look very pretty..."

She carefully opened the paper package, inside which lay several irregularly shaped, flat pastries, emitting a faint sweet aroma.

"I've tried it, and it tastes pretty good." Lin Fuman presented the oil paper package to Lin Lingrong again.

Lin Lingrong looked at the few blackened biscuits, hesitated, and reached out to take them.

She took a small bite, her brow furrowing slightly—the pastry tasted a bit strange, neither sweet enough nor quite burnt.

But seeing Lin Fu's expectant eyes, she still whispered, "It's delicious."

Lin Fuman's eyes immediately lit up, as if stars had fallen into them.

She twirled around happily: "Sister said it's delicious! Little Moon, do you want to try some too?"

The little dumpling stood on tiptoe, its tiny hands gripping the edge of the stone table: "I want it!"

Three children sat around a stone table, sharing snacks that weren't exactly delicious.

Lin Lingrong ate the biscuits in small bites, occasionally stealing a glance at Lin Fuman.

This once spoiled and willful younger sister is now gently wiping the crumbs from the little dumpling's mouth and wiping her little hands with a handkerchief, her movements exceptionally skillful.

"Lin Fuman..." Lin Lingrong hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help asking, "That twin lotus... how did you do it?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Fuman leaned closer and whispered, "I bought two lotus flowers and sewed them together with silk thread to put in the water. Lotus flowers are hard to find in autumn, so my aunt secretly helped me find them..."

Lin Lingrong was stunned for a moment, then looked at her and confirmed that she had indeed changed.

This younger sister, who used to be unwilling to share even a single flower, would actually go to such lengths to reconcile with her.

"You..." Lin Lingrong's voice trembled slightly, "Why did you do this?"

Lin Fuman raised her head and said very seriously, "Because I want my sister to forgive me. I used to be too bad and always bullied my sister. Now I want to become a good person."

After saying that, she quickly added, afraid of putting pressure on Lin Lingrong, "I know I was very wrong before. It's okay if you don't forgive me, I will continue to work hard."

Lin Lingrong looked at her younger sister, and felt as if something had gently bumped into her heart.

She slowly reached out her hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally gently brushed away the grass clippings that were stuck to Lin Fu's sleeve.

"I don't know whether I should forgive you..." Lin Lingrong's voice was soft, but much gentler than before, "but... I'm willing to believe that you've really changed for the better."

Lin Fuman smiled again: "Really? Sister, you're really willing to give me a chance?"

Lin Lingrong nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips.

-

Li Yuniang and Gan Fanggui stood not far away, watching this scene with great satisfaction.

Li Yuniang said softly, "Sister, Fufu really likes Lingrong. These days, she keeps asking me what Lingrong likes and dislikes..."

Gan Fanggui looked at her daughter's unusually relaxed figure, her eyes filled with mixed emotions: "I hope this time... it's for real."

On the other side, Duke Anguo and Qu Zijin stood by the pond, gazing at the three children from afar.

Duke Anguo looked somewhat dazed: "How long has it been since I've seen Lin Lingrong smile like that..."

Qu Zijin smiled: "Blood ties are the most wondrous bond. Your Excellency might as well give them more time."

After a moment of silence, Duke Anguo turned to the steward and instructed, "Find a courtyard in a good location, clean it up, and make a study for the young lady."

Qu Zijin seized the opportunity to create another chance for the children to meet: "Lord Duke, I've heard that the maple leaves outside the city are turning red. How about we take the young ladies to admire the maple leaves another day?"

Duke Anguo nodded, his gaze unconsciously following the figures of the three children.

Lin Fuman was braiding Lin Lingrong's hair, and the little dumpling was helping by handing her hair ribbons.

The sunlight shone on them, making them look especially warm.

-

As the sun set, Qu Zijin's carriage slowly drove back to the Marquis of Beiding's residence.

The little girl leaned against the car window, her face flushed with excitement: "Grand Tutor! Grand Tutor! Big Sister smiled so many times today!"

Qu Zijin looked at her with a smile: "Yes, today went very smoothly."

He took out a small paper packet from his sleeve: "These are candies I bought when I passed by a candied fruit shop, to thank the teacher for her kindness today."

The little dumpling cheered and took the candy.

Then, the carriage stopped in front of the Lin residence. The little girl jumped off the carriage impatiently, lifted her skirt, and ran towards the main courtyard: "Mother! Yue'er is back!"

When Jiang Xiyue saw her daughter rushing in, she quickly got up to catch her, saying, "Slow down, be careful not to fall."

"Mommy!" The little dumpling rushed into her mother's arms. "Big sister ate the snacks that Sister Fufu made today! And she even combed my hair!"

Jin Qizhi was somewhat surprised: "They really made up? Has Lin Fuman really changed her ways? Or is she up to some trick again?"

"No, that's not true!" the little dumpling said angrily. "Sister Fufu's hands are sore, all because she made delicious food for Big Sister and Yue'er!"

Jiang Xiyue pondered, "It seems that Miss Lin has truly changed her nature..."