Huaguang Institute.
Jiang Yanwan coughed badly, and the medicine didn't help. Seeing this, Madam Lin held her in her arms with heartache.
“Mother, don’t worry. I… cough cough.” Jiang Yanwan gripped Lin’s sleeve tightly, clinging to her mother like she did when she was a child. “I’m fine, cough cough.”
While patting her back, Madam Lin said, "Mother knows you've been wronged."
"What happened three years ago was caused by the Prime Minister's residence implicating you. Originally, your relationship with the Prince was quite harmonious..."
Jiang Yanwan felt wronged, but shook her head, saying, "My daughter wouldn't dare to complain."
“If Your Highness truly loves Qingwan, I am willing to step aside.” She steeled her resolve. “It was originally me who took Qingwan’s place.”
Lin's heart softened. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"You are the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. Only if you become the Princess Consort of Jing can the Jiang family have any honor."
Hearing Lin's words, Jiang Yanwan felt relieved. "But I don't want Qingwan to be unhappy either. She suffered so much outside; if she hadn't been recognized in time, who knows what kind of person she would have married and suffered even more. I..."
She choked up, "I have a guilty conscience."
At this point, Madam Lin's brows furrowed even more. The letter that Madam Cheng had sent back said that Qingwan had eloped with someone. As a result, she was fooled and ended up covered in injuries. This news had already made Madam Lin panic, and seeing Lin Qingwan's injuries with her own eyes only made her feelings more complicated.
"Giving it to her will only harm her," Madam Lin said solemnly. "Once this gets out, who knows what people will say about her reputation? And with her personality, how can she possibly marry into the royal family!"
"Take good care of yourself and don't talk nonsense again."
Jiang Yanwan nodded obediently.
Lin was worried about Jiang Yanwan's health and urged Qin Ma for the third time, "Go to Ningsi Garden and see if you can get some scar-removing ointment. Why does it take so long?"
Qin Ma said, "Madam, the maid I just sent over said that it was because the Prime Minister personally bandaged Miss Qingwan that the family physician dared not take his leave."
Jiang Yanwan's heart skipped a beat. "Mother, there's no need to rush me. I'll be fine after a while."
"Qingwan's injury is more important."
Madam Lin was puzzled. Could it be that Lin Qingwan had said something to the Prime Minister? Or was she feeling wronged for not arranging a physician for her earlier?
Ningsi Garden.
Jiang Su comforted him, "Take good care of yourself. Besides the ointment the prince gave you, the royal physician will come every day. Just tell me if you feel unwell."
If Lin Qingwan hadn't seen through their personalities, she would have been moved to tears by now.
Her father showed concern for her in front of all the servants, put pressure on the family doctor, and personally applied medicine and bandaged her wounds, but he didn't ask why she was covered in injuries, nor did he ask how she had lived for the past fifteen years.
But that's okay, even just superficial support and care is enough.
She sniffed, her face full of flattery, "Thank you, Father."
Jiang Su helped her up and said, "Your mother loves her son dearly and is a bit strict with you. Don't blame her."
Lin Qingwan said, "It was the servants' confusion that caused Mother to misunderstand."
Jiang Su's face turned cold. "Those two old women should be sold off immediately. Anyone in the manor who tries to sow discord should be beaten to death with sticks!"
In no time, the news spread to every corner of the Prime Minister's residence.
Originally, the servants in the inner quarters all depended on Jiang Yanwan and Madam Lin's attitude. Now that Jiang Su had spoken, Lin Qingwan had truly gained status.
After seeing the physician off, Mu Xue returned with a wide smile, saying, "Prince Jing is truly a benefactor to Miss."
Lin Qingwan didn't look at Prince Jing much that day, only remembering the exquisite dragon pattern stitching on the hem of his robe and the dry warmth emanating from his body. Perhaps it was because the dress she wore last time was too thin that she longed for warmth.
She knew very well that Prince Jing was targeting the Prime Minister's residence, and she was just an external point of attack.
But she did benefit from it.
She didn't care what people outside said; she just didn't want to be ruined by the Cheng family for fifteen years, and then have to suffer Jiang Yanwan's torment for the rest of her life.
Her parents and younger brother wouldn't protect her, so she had to fight for justice for herself.
In the afternoon, Jiang Su had the steward deliver twenty taels of silver to Lin Qingwan, who generously rewarded him. She also gave Mu Xue a silver ingot in front of Granny Lai.
"Miss, this is too much." Mu Xue dared not accept it.
Lin Qingwan handed it to her, saying, "You're the only maid in my courtyard who's busy, so take it."
Mu Xue was moved to tears.
Granny Lai was envious. She cleaned the courtyard and helped Mu Xue every night, but she still didn't get a kind look from Lin Qingwan.
She was furious and turned to Jiang Yanwan to spread rumors and gossip.
While Lin was resting inside, Jiang Yanwan deliberately waited until Granny Lai finished speaking before coldly scolding, "Mother has gone to sleep, so keep your voice down."
“I haven’t been feeling well these past few days and haven’t been able to take good care of her. Go and tell the head steward to send four maids to Ningsi Garden to serve Qingwan.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin's voice came from inside, clearly displeased, "Just point to Qiu Hong next to me."
The next day, when Rong Ma came to teach Lin Qingwan manners, she suddenly started talking about the maids in the mansion.
"The Prime Minister and his wife are deeply in love, and there are no concubines in the inner courtyard. Therefore, the number of maids in the mansion is slightly less than that of other families. The wife has a maidservant, Qin Ma, and four maids serving her. The eldest young lady's courtyard only has one old woman and two maids."
“There are two maids and two old women in the young master’s courtyard.” Rong Ma glanced at Mu Xue. “The young master has reached the age for marriage, and the madam is worried that some of the maids may have inappropriate thoughts, so she has sent many of them to work in the outer courtyard.”
"Those who remain in the inner court are all those trained over the years, and they are trustworthy."
Rong Ma said tactfully, "Right now you have Mu Xue to serve you, and Granny Lai can also manage things outside. However, Mu Xue may need to take leave for some reason, so Madam has assigned Qiu Hong, the girl by her side, to come over."
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