The word "Prime Minister" made Jiang Su's face darken even further.
He stood up and said to Madam Lin, "Get her some decent clothes, teach her manners, and then we can have a family reunion dinner later."
After saying that, he turned and left.
All eyes, inside and out, were fixed on Lin Qingwan's back.
Her forehead pressed against the cold floor tiles, she bowed respectfully to her father, receiving not even a "no need for formalities" in return. Life in the Prime Minister's residence would only become more difficult from now on.
Looking at her thin back, Jiang Zhenlin remembered that he had kicked her that afternoon, and suppressed his anger, he said to Mu Xue outside, "Why didn't you change her clothes before she came over? She came to see Father in tattered clothes, as if she was afraid we wouldn't know that she was having a hard time outside."
Mu Xue is innocent. It's not that she refuses to change; it's that the manor simply doesn't have any clothes prepared for Miss Lin!
But as a maid, she dared not overstep the bounds and could only plead guilty, saying, "This servant was foolish, please punish me, young master."
"Ah Lin, don't say that, it's all my fault."
Jiang Yanwan leaned against Madam Lin's chest and spoke weakly, "It's because I took advantage of Miss's good fortune that she has to suffer so much outside. I...I..."
When she got emotional, she gasped for breath a few times, her delicate brows furrowed, and she felt extremely guilty.
Seeing that she was upset, Jiang Zhenlin immediately became like a gentle puppy, "Don't worry, sister, I won't say anything."
Lin patted her daughter's shoulder in her arms, then looked at her own daughter kneeling outside. Her heart felt like it was being torn in two, both tired and aching.
"Muxue, help Miss in, it's cold outside."
After Lin spoke, Mu Xue quickly stepped forward and only then realized that Lin Qingwan was ice cold when she touched her.
Lin Qingwan's cold heart fluttered slightly at those words, and a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes. Unfortunately, Lin's next words plunged her back into an icy abyss.
"Cheng Min sacrificed her own flesh and blood for Qingwan back then, so she will certainly not treat you badly over the years, and she will certainly not fail to teach you manners."
Lin's words were exceptionally clear, like drumsticks striking Lin Qingwan's heart. She stared in astonishment at that gentle yet dignified face, confirming that she had not misunderstood her biological mother's meaning. Disappointment spread through her heart, which felt as cold as ice.
Lin Qingwan did not hide the emotions in her eyes. For a moment, she wanted to lift her clothes and let her see the whip marks that Cheng had left on her body!
But she held back.
When Lin met her disappointed gaze, she suddenly lowered her eyes and said, "It was my oversight that I didn't send two sets of clothes to Ningsi Garden."
That garden is called Ningsi. Who is it thinking of? Is it thinking of the Cheng family, or of Jiang Yanwan's life-saving grace?
“I still have many clothes in my room that I haven’t worn yet,” Jiang Yanwan forced a smile at Lin Qingwan. “If Miss doesn’t mind, I’ll have someone send them to you.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Lin looked pleased and said, "That's excellent."
Jiang Zhenlin immediately said, "Sister's clothes are made of the most fashionable materials, and the patterns are unique. Many young ladies would love to have them, so how could you possibly dislike them?"
As he spoke, he gave Lin Qingwan a warning glare.
Jiang Yanwan awaited her reply. Although Lin Qingwan was dressed in shabby clothes, her features were undeniably beautiful; if she were to dress up properly…
no!
Jiang Yanwan will not give her that chance.
She hated Cheng Shi to the core. Since she hadn't heard from her for fifteen years, why did she have to reveal this secret before she died? Blood ties are ultimately an insurmountable wall. Her only advantage was that she had died in place of Lin Qingwan.
The Jiang family owes her. If she uses a little bit of her power, even if Lin Qingwan is the legitimate daughter, so what? Fifteen years of life in the mountains have long since cut off any possibility of her returning to the family!
"Miss Lin, do you have a particular style or color you like?" Jiang Yanwan asked cautiously yet very enthusiastically.
Lin Qingwan watched as she nestled in her mother's arms, with her younger brother by her side. Even her fluttering eyelashes were as gentle and touching as water, and her occasional light breaths filled Lin Shi and Jiang Zhenlin with love and affection.
"Whether Miss Jiang has worn them or not, they are still your clothes." Lin Qingwan's tone was devoid of any emotion.
"Although we are about the same age, we are different in size and build, so I may not look good in this."
Jiang Yanwan paused for a moment, then immediately changed her attitude, "It was my presumption. You are the real Miss Jiang, how could you wear my counterfeit clothes?"
“Yan Wan!” Madam Lin’s brow furrowed. “You are not a fake.”
Jiang Yanwan smiled and said, "These fifteen years are a blessing I have accumulated over several lifetimes. Even if I were to die right now, I would have no complaints."
Jiang Zhenlin rushed over, "Sister, what nonsense are you talking about! Who wants you dead?"
Madam Lin also said, "Silly child, you must never have such thoughts again, or your mother will be scared to death."
Jiang Yanwan choked up, her already pale face made even more heartbreaking by the tears welling up in her eyes.
Jiang Zhenlin subconsciously looked at Lin Qingwan, his face clearly saying, "It's all because of you that my sister is in such pain!"
Seeing their affectionate interaction, Lin Qingwan tactfully took two steps back and said, "If there's nothing else, I won't disturb Miss Jiang's rest."
She turned around abruptly, only to have Jiang Zhenlin grab her arm angrily. When she turned back and met the boy's fiery eyes, Lin Qingwan felt unhappy as well.
"Does Young Master Jiang have any further instructions?"
Even though her voice wasn't loud, her clear eyes made Jiang Zhenlin uncomfortable. "You... you're just leaving like that? Shouldn't you say something to your older sister?"
He didn't realize he was using too much force, and he almost pinched Lin Qingwan's arm until it was swollen.
Lin Qingwan pursed her lips, "What did you say?"
Jiang Zhenlin glared at him, "You said you came back not to compete with her for the position of the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, that you wouldn't bully her, and that you would let her stay in the Prime Minister's residence in peace and happiness, just like before!"
Lin Qingwan's gaze swept across her mother, Madam Lin's, face. Madam Lin lowered her head to wipe away Jiang Yanwan's tears, making no attempt to stop Jiang Zhenlin.
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