Jiang Yanwan's voice trembled with tears as she spoke.
Lin helped her adjust her cloak, but when she looked at Lin Qingwan, her eyes were devoid of tenderness. "You fainted in her courtyard. If I hadn't come in time, who knows how long you would have been freezing outside. How can you say it has nothing to do with her?"
"Our distinguished guest is speaking with the Prime Minister up front, while Ah Lin is smashing things here. How can this be none of her business?"
Jiang Yanwan hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself, "But..."
Lin's tone was cold and stern, showing no mercy whatsoever, "She didn't care about your life or death before, and now you feel sorry for her, but don't you even ask if she appreciates it?"
Jiang Yanwan gently bit her lip with her pearly teeth, "We're all family. If we have to talk about whether we're grateful for each other's help, then my mother has spoiled me all these years for nothing."
These words warmed Lin's heart. She had been furious with Lin Qingwan earlier, but now she finally felt a little better.
Seeing that Lin Qingwan's gaze was still so sharp, Madam Lin said helplessly, "Do you know your mistake?"
Lin Qingwan really wanted to ask her birth mother how she could switch between cold and warm gazes between herself and Jiang Yanwan so easily.
Before she could speak, Jiang Yanwan said urgently to her, "Qingwan, quickly apologize to your mother."
Lin Qingwan's knees and calves were numb, and her face was red from the cold. However, it was much better than washing clothes in the icy river. At that time, she was cold, but the expectation in her heart made her feel less hopeless.
Now, her chest is so cold she can't even speak.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Jiang Yanwan affectionately coaxed Lin Shi, "Qingwan is really going to get cold, but you're the one who cares about her the most."
These words were very helpful, and Lin Shi and Lin Qingwan were furious. The servants inevitably had their own speculations, and it wouldn't be good if word got out.
Jiang Yanwan's words restored Lin Shi to her position as a mother, implying the depth of her love and the severity of her criticism. This not only quelled the rumors but also gave the two of them a way out.
When Madam Lin looked at Lin Qingwan again, her expression softened. "Alright, Yanwan pleaded for you. You should learn from her."
"Muxue, help her up."
Lin Qingwan pushed Mu Xue away, "My mother told me to reflect on my mistakes, but I still don't understand where I went wrong."
Upon hearing this, Lin's eyes darkened like ink, and her oppressive aura returned.
Jiang Yanwan was also surprised, "Qingwan, you..."
"No need to say anything more! Make her kneel!"
Lin grabbed Jiang Yanwan's hand and started to walk out. In her anger, she lost control of her strength and almost caused Jiang Yanwan to drop the hot water bottle, and the cloth wrapped around it slipped down.
Lin Qingwan's fingernails dug into her palms as she watched helplessly as the handkerchief she had painstakingly embroidered was trampled underfoot by Madam Lin, then by Jiang Yanwan, and then by the maids and servants who followed them...
In the end, it became so dirty that it was unrecognizable.
Her chest felt throbbing, and her eyes stung but she couldn't shed a tear.
Mu Xue took a quilt and wrapped it around her. "Miss, if you keep arguing, you'll only suffer. Kneeling like this will ruin your knees."
Mu Xue breathed warm air onto Lin Qingwan's hands, which were frozen purple. The chilblains had just started to heal, and if they flared up again, it would be even more painful.
The little girl's anxiety was written all over her face. Lin Qingwan sniffed and smiled wryly, "I'm not stubborn."
"I just..."
Her throat felt like it was being crushed by a boulder. "I don't want to be misunderstood. I just want to keep some dignity for myself."
Jiang Zhenlin pointed his finger at her and cursed her like that. Her mother felt sorry for Jiang Yanwan and indulged Jiang Zhenlin, but she didn't even give her a chance to speak when it came to her.
If she doesn't defend herself, who else can she rely on?
However, she also realized that Jiang Yanwan's subtle tactics could truly drive people to their deaths.
Tears welled up in Mu Xue's eyes, and she pressed her lips tightly together, not daring to make a sound.
lobby.
When Prince Jing and Jiang Su came out of the study, Jiang Zhenlin had already changed his clothes and was waiting outside looking respectable.
The servant Yuanbao whispered a few words in his ear. Jiang Zhenlin was startled at first, then his eyes flashed slightly. "Fool! She deserved to kneel to death!"
Jiang Su instructed Jiang Zhenlin to accompany Prince Jing to visit the plum garden, while he personally went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Jiang Zhenlin served as Zhao Yan's page for four years. Zhao Yan was favored by the emperor and got along well with Jiang Zhenlin. They were often inseparable. Even the important ministers of the cabinet had to give Jiang Zhenlin some face, which allowed him to become bolder and more temperamental.
Unfortunately, Jiang Zhenlin backed down when Zhao Yan went to his fiefdom three years ago. Now, seeing Prince Jing, his heart is not as bright as it used to be.
Zhao Yan, as always, could tell at a glance that he had been angry, and teased, "Who are you bullying now? I heard the sound of things being smashed."
Jiang Zhenlin chuckled, "My sister fainted just now, and I was so anxious that I didn't restrain her properly."
He was clearly trying to distract Zhao Yan, since his sister was preoccupied with Prince Jing. Even if Zhao Yan had politely inquired about Jiang Yanwan's well-being, he could imagine how happy his sister would have been.
However, Zhao Yan said, "I heard that you have a second older sister who was raised in the Bodhisattva Temple since childhood? I have never heard you mention her before."
Jiang Zhenlin lowered his head. "This is the first time I've ever seen this before."
Zhao Yan asked directly, "What's your name?"
"Huh?" Jiang Zhenlin was stunned for a moment.
Even the closest men wouldn't inquire about women's affairs in private, but Zhao Yan's reputation precedes him...
Jiang Zhenlin was annoyed with Lin Qingwan for all the trouble she had caused upon her return. "Qingwan."
"Qingwan." Zhao Yan parted his thin lips slightly, repeating the two words in a low voice with a subtle feeling, "A nice name."
Just as Zhao Yan understood Jiang Zhenlin, Jiang Zhenlin was also very clear about his master's temperament. Upon hearing this tone, he couldn't help but think of Lin Qingwan going out to buy clothes without even wearing a straw hat, which led to her being spied on by many people.
He felt a chill run down his spine, and continued Zhao Yan's words, "The conditions outside are not good, she is not as good-looking as my sister, and she has a withdrawn temperament, so she is not popular."
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