This day.

Lin Wanyue slept soundly until noon.

But it wasn't lunchtime yet.

Lin Wanyue rubbed her slightly rumbling belly, got out of bed, and walked across the spacious courtyard.

"Wanwan, are you hungry? Come and have some breakfast. It's all warmed up for you in the kitchen." Xuefu saw her under the eaves, quickly waved to her, and took her slightly cold little hand.

They led the person to the kitchen, lifted the pot lid, and took out two small bowls from inside.

A bowl of white rice porridge and a bowl of stir-fried vegetables were placed in front of Lin Wanyue.

Lin Wanyue picked up her chopsticks and obediently began to eat, peeling a salted duck egg and putting it into her bowl.

Looking at her obedient appearance, Xuefu's heart melted completely. She smiled and said, "Your brother said he wants to go out and see if there are any suitable books to buy. Wanwan, would you like your mother to bring anything back?"

"Hmm..." Lin Wanyue tilted her head and thought for a while, but she didn't feel that she was lacking anything in her life. So she could only shake her head and say, "No need, Mother. Can I take Diao Diao to play in the yard for a while later?"

"Of course you can, just don't get your clothes wet. It's too cold here, be careful not to catch a cold," Xuefu said, patting her head gently.

The cold in the north is unimaginable to those in the south. Lin Wanyue was wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, making her look like a big round ball with arms and legs.

Even though she was dressed so warmly, her little hands and feet were still cold. Fortunately, Lin Diaodiao's fur was warm all over, and her softest and warmest belly was pressed against Lin Wanyue's neck, which was more effective than a hundred heat packs.

Not knowing if her second, third, and fourth brothers were awake yet, Lin Wanyue toddled around the entire three-courtyard complex with her short legs.

Yesterday she just ran around with her four older brothers and glanced at things casually, but now she's walking around the yard all by herself and looking at things much more carefully.

For some reason, the courtyard was unusually quiet today. Not only were Lin Zheyun, Lin Zihan, and Lin Ziqiu not seen, but even the servants who helped them yesterday were nowhere to be seen.

Lin Wanyue casually stroked Lin Diaodiao's smooth, large tail, frowned, and asked, "I really don't know what's going on? I haven't seen a single person today."

Lin Diao Diao chirped and cooed for quite a while.

However, Lin Wanyue couldn't understand what it was saying, so she just continued to stroke its big tail and walked to the door of the main room.

Inside, Lin Weiming and Liu Junlan were discussing preparations for opening a shop.

Thanks to Qi Sichen, they were able to live in such a nice house without spending any money, and they also accumulated a considerable amount of savings.

However, these savings, though "quite substantial," are only enough for a small place like a county town.

Now that we've arrived in the capital, it's not good enough.

Lin Weiming, mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace, didn't want to simply sit back and let his wealth dwindle. So he discussed with his mother whether they should continue running the business.

No matter how much money they make, it's at least some income, so they don't have to rely entirely on Qi Sichen and Qi Yuan for food.

Liu Junlan shared the same idea, but shops in the capital were not easy to buy.

Renting would present many problems.

The two were whispering to each other when Lin Wanyue excitedly ran in.

When Liu Junlan saw his beloved granddaughter running over, he quickly opened his arms and hugged Lin Wanyue on his lap.

"Grandma, were you talking about opening a shop?" Lin Wanyue asked Liu Junlan, blinking her big eyes.

“Yes,” Liu Junlan nodded and said, “That’s what I’m thinking, but there are a lot of problems here. Besides, we’re unfamiliar with this place and don’t know where to find a shop. Let’s wait and see.”

"Grandma, don't let this little thing delay our important business of making money! We can always ask my godfather for help." Lin Wanyue said casually.

"Wait a minute!" Lin Weiming, who was listening nearby, widened his eyes: "Daughter, what did you just say?"

"I said I couldn't find a shop, so why don't you ask my godfather for help?" Lin Wanyue didn't quite understand why her father had suddenly become so agitated, but she still repeated what he meant. "Dad, are you getting old and your hearing isn't working well anymore?"

Unexpectedly, Lin Weiming became even more agitated upon hearing this: "You...you...you actually called him godfather? You actually accepted him so readily!"

"Then don't I call you Dad too?" Lin Wanyue tilted her head and asked Lin Weiming, not understanding.

In truth, these two are not father and daughter.

But these words were like icicles falling from the eaves and hitting Lin Weiming's chest, making his heart turn ice-cold, colder than a radish in December.

Lin Weiming: "..."

Lin Weiming just stared at Lin Wanyue, heartbroken and speechless.

The sadness was so profound, it was as if Lin Daiyu herself had been reborn.

Lin Wanyue felt a little guilty under her father's gaze.

"Daddy~" She jumped down from Liu Junlan's arms, hugged Lin Weiming's arm and said coquettishly, "I only call him godfather, he's just a godfather, he can never surpass you no matter what, so don't be sad, Daddy."

"..." Lin Weiming remained silent, heartbroken and deeply saddened.

Just as Lin Wanyue was wondering what to do with her father, Wang Youcai's voice suddenly came from outside.

Wang Youcai shouted loudly, "Master, Madam, someone has come from outside!"

"Why are you back again? Didn't you go back to the Prince's Mansion?" Liu Junlan asked curiously when she saw Wang Youcai coming over.

"Uh..." Wang Youcai was panting heavily from running and didn't have time to answer. He quickly said, "Madam, the people from the palace have arrived. You should go and receive the imperial decree."

"An imperial decree?" Liu Junlan asked in surprise.

Wang Youcai nodded: "Yes, it is indeed Eunuch Liu from the palace. I have seen him several times in the Prince's residence! You should go and receive the imperial decree."

No matter how much Lin Weiming wanted to throw a tantrum, he didn't dare to do so at this moment. He carried Lin Wanyue and helped his mother to the front to receive the imperial decree.

But it wasn't an imperial decree as they had imagined; it was just a verbal message delivered to them.

They said it was a warm pavilion in the Imperial Garden, where many flowers were in bloom and it was very beautiful, so they invited the whole family to go and visit.

Eunuch Liu seemed to have never received such a warm and subtle imperial decree before, so the smile on his face blossomed like a newly opened flower, and he was exceptionally respectful and happy towards the Lin family.

"Master Lin, we've brought a carriage with us. Please, Master, Madam, and all the young masters and ladies, get in the carriage together," said Eunuch Liu with a beaming smile.

Liu Junlan hesitated for a moment: "But we haven't had lunch yet. I'm afraid we'll disturb His Majesty. Why don't we eat first?"

“Madam, you’re being too polite. His Majesty has already made arrangements and is waiting for you to join him for the meal,” said Eunuch Liu.

"But my children haven't come back yet. My daughter is still young. Could you please give us a message? We can go in a couple of days?" Lin Weiming suggested.

"Hmm?" Eunuch Liu's face immediately turned cold.