Extra Chapter 1: Xie Songyi and the Lin Family

Only Lin Shi remained in the room. Xie Yanzhi looked at Lin Shi and asked, "Second Aunt, why did you drug Second Master?"

Lin slowly spoke: "Yi Lang, you have never liked me."

As she finished speaking, her eyes were already reddening. The grievances she had kept hidden in her heart for so many years could finally be vented today.

Xie Yanzhi frowned, his brows furrowed with impatience, yet he still gave her one last bit of patience.

Lin lowered her eyes, twisting the handkerchief between her fingers, a bitter feeling welling up in her heart: "Even Min'er, I only got her by using underhanded means."

As she spoke, Mrs. Lin fell into deep reverie.

That summer, she fell in love with Xie Songyi at first sight.

"Miss, please slow down. The eldest young master brought a colleague back today!" Hong Sui said, supporting Lin Shi.

Fifteen-year-old Lin wore an exquisite pearl hairpin and a pale yellow silk dress. Her eyes and brows were still full of childishness, and every smile and frown was charming.

"I don't care," she said, her steps unwavering, her tone tinged with a hint of spoiled arrogance. "My brother promised to bring me a white plum blossom hairpin, he can't lie to me."

Hongsui followed behind, watching her young mistress's hurried appearance, and sighed helplessly.

If the madam sees this, she will surely grumble that the young lady doesn't behave like a proper lady.

"Hongsui! Hurry up!"

Hongsui looked up and saw that Madam Lin was already standing under the eaves, turning back to urge her on. She dared not delay and quickly quickened her pace to catch up.

Outside the hall on the other side, the cheerful voices of men could be heard talking.

"Songyi, you deserve great credit for successfully uncovering the enemy spy this time. I will definitely petition the Emperor for your commendation."

Xie Songyi raised an eyebrow and smiled unrestrainedly: "Then thank you for your kind words, Brother Lin."

By then, the Xie family had long lost its former glory, and the eldest brother, Xie Songyan, was of mediocre talent and could only pursue a career as a civil official.

He was skilled in both literature and martial arts from a young age. Since his elder brother had already entered officialdom and pursued a literary career, he decided to abandon literature and take up martial arts to protect the family.

The reason why the First Madam took the brothers back to the mansion was because her only son had died young, and she hoped that they could restore the Xie family's prestige.

He and Xie Songyan shared a deep brotherly bond, and he would do anything to help his elder brother.

"I've acquired a few jars of fine wine; let's drink until we drop tonight!" Lin Shenyong said with a laugh, patting his shoulder.

Lin was so focused on running forward that she kept turning back to call out to Hongsui that she didn't notice the people coming from ahead.

When I turned around again, I bumped straight into a solid, warm chest.

"Big brother!" She staggered to her feet, a smile still lingering on her face as she looked up, but the person she saw was not her familiar older brother.

It was an extremely handsome face, and the sunlight shone gently on his eyebrows and eyes.

Those smiling eyes were also looking at her with great interest.

Lin's cheeks flushed red instantly, and she hurriedly took two steps back, twisting her handkerchief as she stood aside.

"Little sister!" Lin Shenyong walked over quickly, his tone full of affection.

Lin shook her head gently, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Xie Songyi's direction again.

Upon seeing this, Lin Shenyong laughed loudly: "Little sister, this is Xie Songyi, the second master of the Jingnan Marquis's mansion. He is currently working with me."

"Thank you, young master." Madam Lin placed her hands at her sides and curtsied.

Xie Songyi smiled gently and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "So you are Miss Lin."

At this moment, Lin Shenyong took out a small cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to her: "Here, the hairpin you've been longing for."

"I have to go drinking with Songyi, I'll come see you later."

Later, she mustered up the courage to confess her feelings to Xie Songyi, but he rejected her decisively.

Undeterred, she pleaded and cried, clinging to her elder brother, Lin Shenyong.

Unable to resist his sister's persistent pleading, Lin Shenyong finally relented and, under the pretext of drinking, arranged to meet Xie Songyi, secretly drugging Lin's daughter.

The next morning, Xie Songyi woke up and learned the truth. He was furious and broke off relations with Lin Shenyong on the spot, storming off.

Later, when the old lady learned of this, she advised Xie Songyi.

As the Lin family is a high-ranking official's residence, marrying into the Lin family would be beneficial to the Xie family.

Moreover, Lin is already pregnant. If he doesn't marry her, Lin's life will be ruined.

The Lin and Xie families will become enemies because of this, which would be adding insult to injury for the Xie family.

Xie Songyi had no choice but to compromise in the end.

The wedding was rushed, and Xie Songyi's face showed no joy; all that remained was his cold gaze towards her.

After getting married, the two lived in separate houses and were like strangers.

It wasn't until she gave birth to Min'er that Xie Songyi, looking at the crying baby in the swaddling clothes, finally thought of the bond between blood and flesh and felt that the child was innocent. Only then would he occasionally step into her yard to see the child.

Later, Xie Songyi brought Su Shiyu back, and after that, he never came to her courtyard again.

He simply ordered someone to bring Xie Min to his study and personally teach her to write and read.

Thinking of this, Lin was already in tears. If there were a next life, she did not want to meet Xie Songyi again...