When Lin Yuqiao went to Huifang Courtyard in the morning, she saw her third brother Lin Yufeng and his group coming from the front yard to pay their respects. She jumped up and down and rushed over to them.
"Third brother, fourth brother, little brother."
"Good morning, little sister." Lin Yufeng smiled as he caught Lin Yuqiao, bending down to pinch her cheek. Lin Yufeng was going through puberty, and his voice was a bit deep, with a touch of sexiness that was different from that of a young boy.
Lin Yuqiao hugged Lin Yufeng's waist, nestled in his arms, and sighed in her heart how wonderful it was to have an older brother. She decided not to walk by herself, since she had arrived early today and Lin Yufeng would carry her for the next few steps.
"Little sister, don't call me 'little brother,' call me 'Fifth Brother.'"
The old-fashioned Lin Yutian seemed unhappy upon hearing the word "big brother," his eyes shining as he stared at Lin Yuqiao. Although he was currently the youngest boy in the Marquis's mansion, and a chubby-faced, three-headed little cutie, his latent "older brother syndrome" would kick in whenever he was around Lin Yuqiao, and he loved to show off his dignity as an older brother in front of her.
Lin Yutian always felt that calling him "little brother" was not as formal as calling him "fifth brother," which undermined his authority as the older brother. However, Lin Yuqiao never accepted this and insisted on calling him "little brother" even more.
"No, little brother, little brother, little brother." Lin Yuqiao hugged Lin Yufeng's neck and looked down at Lin Yutian from behind, satisfied to see the little bean curd jumping up and down in anger.
Seeing that the two were about to start fighting again, Lin Yuning, who was ranked fourth, deliberately tugged at Lin Yutian and pretended to hug him.
"Little Fifth, are you envious of your little sister being hugged by Third Brother? Come here, Fourth Brother will hug you too."
"Hmph, only little kids need to be carried." Lin Yutian arrogantly waved away Lin Yuning's hand and walked ahead, indicating that he was no longer considered a child.
Lin Yuqiao saw Lin Yuning smirking behind Lin Yutian, and waved to him, hiding her face on Lin Yufeng's shoulder before he could pinch her cheek.
Lin Yufeng had a faint scent of fresh grass on him, and Lin Yuqiao thought to herself, this must be the scent of her idol.
It has to be said that the happiest thing for Lin Yuqiao after transmigrating was having a bunch of "male god" brothers. This family of handsome men, young and old, all have very high looks, and their facial features are all far superior to those of idol stars in her previous life. Among them, Lin Yucheng is particularly handsome, with a face like jade and eyebrows like ink paintings. In addition to being beautiful, he is also good at studying. He is the youngest person in the capital to pass the imperial examination in a hundred years. He has an innate aura of academic excellence, and his whole person looks not only elegant and refined, but also has a touch of ethereal beauty.
Among the boys in the manor, Lin Yufeng most resembled Lin Yucheng in appearance; both were handsome and gentle. Unlike Lin Yucheng, whose eyes were slightly narrow and who had a high nose and deep-set eyes, Lin Yufeng had regular, large, double-lidded eyes with clear gaze. He also had a small dimple when he smiled, and his temperament was gentle and kind.
Lin Yuning's facial features resemble Chen Lianghou's, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, giving him a heroic air and a cheerful personality. His small tiger teeth, visible when he opens his mouth, make him look like a sunny young man. As for Lin Yuqiao's older brother, Lin Yuqi, he resembles their deceased mother, Chen Shi, with delicate eyebrows, refined eyes, and a beauty mark under his eye, also giving him a handsome scholarly appearance.
Lin Yufeng carried Lin Yuqiao into the house and saw Chen Lianghou and his son Lin Yuqi there as well.
After exchanging greetings, the group spoke briefly with Lin Yuqi, expressing their longing for him after not seeing him for so long. After a few words, Chen Lianghou and Madam Li led them to Cixin Hall, where Madam Zhang resided, to pay their respects.
Actually, if Lin Yuqi hadn't returned, Madam Zhang probably would have exempted them from paying their respects for a few more days. She was truly angered to the point of falling ill by the Second Madam, He Qingfang. She treated He Qingfang, her daughter-in-law, like her own daughter, doting on her for so many years and always thinking of her needs. Yet He Qingfang showed her no consideration at all, even making a scene while sending someone over, causing her to lose face. Madam Zhang was truly heartbroken this time.
However, since her eldest grandson, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, had returned, she was determined to see him. If it weren't for the fact that Lin Yuqi hadn't returned until late the previous night, exhausted from his journey, the old lady would have wanted to see him last night. Although Zhang wanted to see Lin Yuqi, she couldn't just see her grandson alone, since Li and others were also present. Li was Lin Yuqi's mother, and it wouldn't be proper for only Lin Yuqi to pay his respects. Therefore, despite her illness, Zhang sat on the main couch in the main room early in the morning, waiting for everyone.
When Zhang saw Lin Yuqi enter, she couldn't see anyone else. Before Lin Yuqi could even finish kowtowing, he pulled her into his arms, calling her his precious darling, "Oh, my good grandson, Grandma has missed you so much."
"Grandson also misses his grandmother. It's all because grandson is unfilial and failed to be by his grandmother's side."
Lin Yuqi nestled in Zhang's arms, obediently letting her hold him. Although he considered himself the eldest brother and didn't want to act like a child in front of his many younger siblings, he had lost his mother at a young age and grew up with Zhang, so he naturally had a deep affection and adoration for her that was different from others.
Li watched with a hint of disgust as Zhang and Lin Yuqi wiped away their tears and bid each other farewell. She felt that it was really unsightly for Lin Yuqi, a grown man, to act like a weak and delicate child.
She hadn't noticed before that Yuqi lacked a bit of masculinity compared to her other sons. After all, Zhang Shi doted on Lin Yuqi too much, especially since she was a grandparent. With the grandmother and father both doting on him, it was no wonder he became spoiled.
In her previous life, Lady Li hadn't properly taught her sons; they were all cunning and misguided. Ultimately, she was defeated by the Crown Prince's wife, and her sons were ruined by her as well. Therefore, comparisons between them are meaningless. In this life, however, she has changed her approach and is carefully educating her children. Her sons have all grown up to be upright, honest, and hardworking.
Especially her eldest son, Lin Yucheng, was both talented and hardworking, and he excelled in his studies, with a limitless future. Compared to this son in her present life, Li felt that Lin Yuqi was far inferior to the son she had raised.
A man like Lin Yucheng is truly a first-rate gentleman. What does Lin Yuqi have besides the title of heir? Madam Li thought proudly as she looked at Lin Yuqi.
"It's not easy for the old lady to see Qi Ge'er every day. Now that Qi Ge'er is grown up and has been married, he won't be going to study on that mountain anymore. When he gives you a great-grandson, you can enjoy the pleasure of being with your grandchild every day!"
The second wife, He Qingfang, arrived at Cixin Hall a moment before them. Now, she stood before Zhang's bedside, holding tea and fruit, trying to persuade her with a tone that was somewhat ingratiating and submissive.
Zhang ignored her completely and continued to stroke her grandson's face and talk to Lin Yuqi.
Originally, Madam Li intended to take the opportunity to make a few sarcastic remarks to He Qingfang. Usually, He Qingfang was very arrogant and looked down on Madam Li. Because Marquis Chen Liang and Madam Zhang were indifferent to Madam Li's sons, not even half as much as they loved the heir Lin Yuqi, He Qingfang always used this as a pretext to stab her whenever she had the chance.
Li thought for a moment, and realized that it would be most embarrassing for her if she didn't respond to He Qingfang. So she didn't even look in that direction, and stood next to her daughter, peeling pine nuts for her.
After sending over the heir apparent Lin Yuqi and exchanging greetings, Marquis Chen Liang led his sons and the second master out, leaving the rest of them to wait and have breakfast with the old lady.
After Lin Yuqi left, Zhang Shi finally had a chance to talk to Li Shi and the others.
Thinking about Lin Yuqi's sudden return and the tone of Chen Lianghou's recent conversation, Madam Li said to Madam Zhang, "Grandma, your daughter-in-law thinks that Qi-ge'er is indeed of marriageable age now. I wonder what your and the Marquis's plans are?"
Madam Zhang nodded, "Yes, Qi-ge'er is of marriageable age. I came back this time to find him a suitable match. Once we find someone suitable, we can get engaged and get married next year."
"It seems the old lady has found a suitable candidate. Why don't we tell her daughter-in-law so she can prepare in advance?"
Lin Yuqi was not Li's biological daughter after all. Although Li deliberately cared for Lin Yuqi in this life and their relationship was much better than in the previous life, she still had no say in Lin Yuqi's marriage.
Li remembered that in her previous life, she wanted to sabotage Lin Yuqi's marriage. She deliberately found several girls from wealthy but actually impoverished families in the capital, intending to choose one to marry Lin Yuqi. However, before these girls could be put to use, Zhang rejected them, and the Marquis also forbade her from interfering in Lin Yuqi's marriage.
Having gained self-awareness in this life, Madam Li decided not to provoke Lin Yuqi again. It was none of her business who Lin Yuqi married, no matter what. Her son was also successful, and for the past ten years, he hadn't found any fault with Lin Yuqi, and they both had a good reputation. Even if Jin Xiyan, the former wife of the heir apparent, entered the family, she wouldn't be afraid.
"I just observed that the fourth young lady of the Marquis of Anle's family and the sixth young lady of the Chen family in Weinan were both dignified and elegant."
It sounded like Madam Zhang had been deliberating for a long time before choosing two suitable candidates, one of whom was the fourth young lady of the Marquis of Anle's mansion, Jin Xiyan, who was the heir apparent's wife in her previous life. Madam Li knew that Madam Zhang and Madam Han, the old lady of the Marquis of Anle's mansion, were very close, so she also preferred Jin Xiyan, who was personally raised by Madam Han.
"I met the fourth young lady of the Marquis of Anle's family once before when her nephew got married. Isn't she dignified and elegant, with a good family background and character? She is a perfect match for our Qi-ge'er."
The Second Madam, who had been humiliated by Madam Zhang for interrupting earlier, couldn't help but chime in again. It wasn't purely to seek attention; the Marquis of Anle's family and the Second Madam He Qingfang's family were related, and she hoped that the future heir apparent's wife would be closer to her than Madam Li, so she enthusiastically recommended her relative, the Fourth Miss of the Marquis's family.
"Look at your mouth, Second Sister-in-law. The old lady hasn't even settled down yet, and you're already saying it's a match made in heaven. Even if you're biased towards your maternal relatives, you should still consider Qi-ge'er. I've heard that although the Fourth Miss is also a daughter of the Earl's Mansion, the master of her third branch isn't very ambitious."
Li Shi gave He Qingfang a lukewarm reply. In truth, she knew nothing about the Anle Marquis's mansion in her previous life, which was why she was at a disadvantage after Lin Yuqi married Jin Xiyan. Now, thanks to her second life, she knew in advance that Jin Xiyan's father was from the third branch of the family. Although he was also born of the legitimate wife, the third master had no interest in officialdom and spent his days managing the mansion's affairs. To say he was unambitious would be a slight exaggeration, but there was no fault to be found.
Taking advantage of the fact that He Qingfang was disliked by Zhang, Li used words to subtly stab her in the back.
"Sister-in-law, you don't know the heart of a mother-in-law if you don't have a son. Our Qi-ge is a promising young man, we can't let him marry into an unreliable family."
Sure enough, when He Qingfang heard Li say so bluntly that she had no son, she was so angry that she trembled. However, she also knew that Zhang was annoyed with her because the second wife had no son, so she did not dare to act rashly. She just glared at Li.
Upon hearing Li's words, Zhang indeed began to hesitate. Originally, she had also favored the fourth young lady of the Marquis of Anle's mansion and trusted that the granddaughter raised by Han would surely be good. But now, thinking about it again, Zhang felt that Li was right. She had been observing the fourth young lady for so long and naturally understood her situation. This fourth young lady was indeed not perfect. She hoped that her father, the third master, would neither be able to help Qi Ge'er nor help him.
Originally, Li was just saying it casually, disapproving of He Qingfang's enthusiastic recommendation of her maternal relatives. But now that she saw that she had actually persuaded Zhang, Li was also pleased. Jin Xiyan might never be able to marry Lin Yuqi in this lifetime.
Having taken a liking to the idea, Zhang wanted to learn more, so she didn't continue the conversation. Seeing that it was getting late, she told them to start setting the table.
Lin Yuqiao felt that the worst thing about ancient times was that the status of daughters-in-law was too low. Even though her mother had given birth to so many sons, she still couldn't sit down to eat at the same table and had to stand next to her mother-in-law to serve her.
Madam Zhang sat at the front, with four empty chairs beside her. Lin Yuqiao and Lin Yumei sat on one side, while the eldest daughter, Lin Yuxuan, sat alone on the other side. Madam Li served the rice, He Qingfang set the chopsticks, and the maids and nannies behind her began to serve the soup and dishes.
Lin Yuqiao didn't particularly like the food at the old lady's place. Fortunately, they usually only ate breakfast together, and then went back to their respective courtyards to eat dinner. The food at Zhang's place was prepared according to the old lady's taste; the soups and rice were soft and mushy, and the dishes were light and easy to digest.
After a few hurried bites, everyone put down their chopsticks. Seeing that everyone had finished eating, Zhang waved for them to disperse.
After completing the ceremony and leaving Cixin Hall, Lin Yuqiao and Madam Li went out together and saw that her eldest sister Lin Yuxuan and second sister Lin Yumei had left together, while the second madam He Qingfang stayed behind, presumably to have something to say to Madam Zhang.
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