Ms. Wang felt that she understood her husband less and less these days.

“It’s nothing serious, it’s just…” But since Lin Yanping had already asked, she voiced her doubts: “I’m a little confused. Why would you spend so much money to have a young girl tell your fortune? I’ve followed you for so many years, but I didn’t know you were a believer in ghosts and gods.”

What Wang kept to herself was that she thought Lin Yanping was being foolish.

Lin Yanping was known throughout the court for his extreme preference for sons over daughters, a fact known to everyone, not to mention his wife of many years.

But now, Lin Yanping is actually willing to spend a thousand taels of silver to have a little girl tell his fortune?

Isn't this just throwing money down the drain?

Even if you throw silver into the water, at least you'll hear a sound!

You could spend a thousand taels of silver to have a fortune teller, but what kind of result could you expect?

"Hmm." Lin Yanping simply hummed in response, not intending to explain anything to her.

After finishing speaking, I prepared to go back and take a shower.

He had been busy all day and had already eaten dinner, but hadn't had time to shower yet, and felt a bit uncomfortable.

But before he could take two steps, Wang grabbed his sleeve. "Why are you running? I don't care if you believe in ghosts or gods, or if you've been bewitched by that little girl like the Regent and His Majesty! But you should at least give me an explanation about that thousand taels of silver!"

"What's there to explain? That child is Lao Wu's daughter, my own granddaughter. It's only right that I spend money on her." Lin Yanping pulled his sleeve back, ignoring Wang Shi, who was staring blankly in disbelief.

"What?" When Wang was suddenly informed of this news, she was greatly surprised and somewhat incredulous.

But didn't you throw that baby away yourself?

What kind of good deed are you doing here now?

...

The Lin family members all believed this, but their worries were no less than his. They were all very concerned about the fact that the old Prime Minister Lin Yanping held a high position and was also Wanwan's grandfather.

If he really tries to take Wanwan back, the Regent might not necessarily help his side.

But Lin Wanyue was completely unaware of the Lin family's worries. Instead, she slept soundly that night, probably because she felt at ease knowing that her father was nearby.

She slept well and woke up early in the morning.

Just then, Lin Weiming was putting on his official robes and hadn't gone to court yet, so Lin Wanyue insisted on going to the palace with him.

Lin Weiming wasn't as energetic as Lin Wanyue. He tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, and had huge dark circles under his eyes. He was so worn out that he had no temper left and simply nodded in agreement.

In the carriage, Lin Weiming looked at his little girl sitting obediently next to him and felt a pang of sadness.

Lin Wanyue changed into a festive red coat when she went out today. The coat was made of bright red brocade with rabbit fur lining, and the collar and cuffs were trimmed with white fur. The long fur made her fair face look even more delicate and cute. She looked like a round little glutinous rice ball sculpted with red yeast rice powder, and her big, round, black grape-like eyes were bright and sparkling.

How could such a cute and well-behaved daughter not be his biological child?

Lin Weiming was furious. He had been holding it in for half the night, and after much restraint, he finally asked Lin Wanyue, "Daughter, you were less than three years old when you were abandoned. How could you recognize that old man as your grandfather? What if he was lying to you?"

Lin Weiming held onto a lingering hope that Lin Yanping was definitely lying and that his daughter had made a mistake!

As long as Lin Wanyue can't find her biological parents, then he and Xuefu will be the child's biological parents!

No one else can take his daughter away from him.

Thinking of this, Lin Weiming felt a pang of self-reproach. Why had he agreed to Qi Sichen's request to bring Lin Wanyue to the capital?

If they hadn't come to the capital and had stayed in that dilapidated little county town, Lin Yanping might not have been able to find Lin Wanyue even if he searched for half his life.

“Hmm…” Lin Wanyue turned her head and looked at her father with a leisurely gaze, “Maybe this is the feeling of blood ties.”

Upon hearing Lin Wanyue's answer, Lin Weiming nearly died of anger.

He turned his head away, unwilling to look at Lin Wanyue any longer. He stared at the carriage wall for a while before turning back and saying, "Daughter, I think there's something wrong with what Lord Lin said... They're not some small, insignificant family. They have so many maids. If they really lost you, why wouldn't they make a big fuss about searching for you?"

"I think you're just too naive and kind, Wanwan. You don't want to think the worst of people. How could you believe whatever he said?"

Lin Wanyue looked at Lin Weiming and felt sorry for him looking at her with such pleading eyes, so she nodded and said, "Father, you're right."

Sure enough, Lin Weiming perked up immediately upon hearing her words. "Daughter, remember this: don't listen to him and go with him. I'll investigate further. I don't think he's a good person. A good person couldn't possibly hold such a high position!"

Once they reached the entrance of the Golden Palace, Lin Wanyue could no longer go inside with Lin Weiming.

However, the young eunuch guarding the palace gates, upon seeing her, immediately stepped forward with delight to help lead the way, taking her to the warm pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

That place is where flowers and plants are cultivated. The plants are delicate, and there's a charcoal fire burning almost all the time, so you won't feel cold no matter when you go there.

Lin Weiming got off the carriage, hunched his shoulders, and put his hands inside his sleeves, looking like a commoner who was afraid of the cold, without any airs of an official.

His colleagues, who were also rushing to court, quietly avoided him when they saw him like this, and some even huddled together and whispered among themselves.

"Have you all heard? Yesterday after court, the Prime Minister did indeed go to see that little princess. We must have misunderstood the old Prime Minister before!"

Those around him chimed in, "Of course! Our old prime minister's preference for sons over daughters isn't something that can be changed overnight. Besides, that little girl isn't even the regent's biological daughter. Who knows where she came from? Do you think our prime minister would be afraid of her?"

"So, can we produce the impeachment memorial today?" someone said in a low voice.

The person next to him nodded quietly, "Mine is written too. I was worried yesterday that the old prime minister wouldn't stand up for me, so I held back from taking it out. Now that we know the old prime minister's attitude, there's nothing to be afraid of."

The others nodded in agreement, sharing the same sentiment.

They didn't bring it out yesterday because they were worried the old prime minister wouldn't help. But now that Lin Yanping has personally gone to make trouble for Lin Wanyue, their memorials are just going with the flow. They can't be blamed for anything.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from the side: "You're all wrong."