“Since Ah Lin has been punished, and I’ve just recovered, why don’t you go and apologize to the old lady on my behalf, Prime Minister?” Madam Lin said this deliberately, feeling sorry for her son.
Jiang Su chuckled, "My wife always tells me that no matter how much commotion we cause at home, we mustn't let outsiders laugh at us."
Lin remained silent, her eyes carrying a hint of coquettishness.
Jiang Su leaned closer and said patiently, "Leaving aside the fact that A-Lin ruined the Crown Prince's reputation with his words, just the fact that he injured the Crown Prince's guards in front of so many people could be considered an assassination attempt."
“The Crown Prince has already given me enough face by sending him to the Prefect of the Capital. I could have just executed him on the spot.”
"Such a serious matter, the Crown Prince was able to release him, so I have to make a statement. Confining him to his quarters for a month is also to prevent those with ulterior motives from using it against him."
Mrs. Lin knew this was important, but she really felt sorry for her son, especially during this time of family reunion.
Seeing that her expression relaxed slightly, Jiang Su continued, "Madam knows what kind of person my second sister-in-law is. Ah Lin has a fiery temper and used to get angry after just a few words from people. I can't very well scold our son in front of them."
When Lin thought about how her mother-in-law and sister-in-law were both troublemakers, she immediately dismissed the idea. "Zhenlin's temper is my fault for spoiling her all the time."
Jiang Su served her some food, saying, "It's because I've been busy with political affairs and neglected to discipline her."
Lin Qingwan knew that Jiang Su treated his wife well, unlike those powerful men who treated their wives like servants. But this was the first time she had ever seen Jiang Su so gentle and patient. It was as if he had shed the sharp and profound demeanor of the head of all officials and was just a husband who was willing to bow his head and accommodate his wife's little moods.
Lin was fortunate; as the matriarch of the household, she was pampered by her husband and could still occasionally be a little temperamental at her age.
Lin was in a good mood and found Lin Qingwan more pleasing to the eye. "Qingwan, go back and change your clothes and come with us to the old house."
*
Lin Qingwan changed her clothes and came out to see Mu Xue displaying all the headdresses and jewelry her father had given her, taking whichever was the most eye-catching.
Lin Qingwan could imagine herself standing in front of people, shining brightly, and couldn't help but chuckle.
Mu Xue had been serving her for a while and knew that she didn't like to dress ostentatiously, so she said, "Miss, it's your first time going out with the Prime Minister's wife, so of course you should dress up nicely. You are the daughter of the Prime Minister's family."
Lin Qingwan chuckled, "Then you don't actually need to wear a gold pendant when you go out."
"Just use two hairpins to tie your hair up."
Mu Xue hurriedly hid the hairpin behind her back, "No, no, it's too plain. Xia Yan, who serves the young lady, wears more hairpins than you."
Just as Qiu Hong was about to speak, Lin Qingwan said indifferently, "Father and Mother probably don't like the people from the old house. They went there for dinner because they didn't want people to gossip."
"Why should I make a fuss at a time like this?"
Qiu Hong smiled slightly and silently withdrew.
When Lin Qingwan arrived at the door, two carriages were already prepared. The maids and servants took stock of the things to be taken to the old house and reported them to Jiang Yanwan one by one.
Jiang Yanwan saw that she was wearing a bright yellow long dress with a matching cloak, the embroidery of which was exquisite. It was obviously something from the palace, and it must have been the box that Prince Jing sent!
Jiang Yanwan's hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, tightened slightly, but her smile remained composed. "Qingwan looks stunning in this outfit."
"There are just too few hairpins." She reached out and plucked a pearl tassel from her own hair to put on Lin Qingwan's head. "I'll take my sister out to choose some jewelry tomorrow."
"My father has bestowed upon me honors, and I also have jewelry." Lin Qingwan's words almost made Jiang Yanwan lose her composure.
A crowd gathered in front of the Prime Minister's residence, curiously peering over. After all, for the past half month, various rumors about Lin Qingwan had been circulating throughout the capital, but no one had ever seen her in person.
"Look at her, Miss Jiang is really beautiful."
"She looks like the Prime Minister's wife."
"Yes, those two sisters are quite affectionate. I always said those rumors were just made up by storytellers."
Jiang Yanwan took her hand and said, "It's cold outside, sister, get in the car first."
Lin Qingwan knew perfectly well, "Father and Mother haven't come out yet."
Jiang Yanwan's smile froze slightly. "Look how busy I am! I was just worried you might be shy around strangers."
She glanced at the people who were gathering around her and thoughtfully stood in front of Lin Qingwan. She hadn't noticed it before, but now, hearing the discussions, she realized that Lin Qingwan really looked like her mother.
This made her feel both resentful and uneasy.
Jiang Su and Lin Shi's eyes lit up when they saw Lin Qingwan.
Jiang Su praised her generously, saying, "Qingwan should wear brighter colors more often; it makes her look more energetic."
Madam Lin nodded. "Get in the car. Don't keep your grandmother waiting."
Jiang Yanwan's smile was already stiff. She deliberately let Lin Qingwan go first, but Lin Qingwan stopped in front of the carriage and waited for Jiang Yanwan to get in first.
Twice in a row, Jiang Yanwan's attempt to use these trivial matters to make outsiders say that she didn't know the rules failed.
The moment the carriage curtain fell, the smile on her face vanished completely. Lin Qingwan, whose expression was already cold and expressionless, also pulled off the pearl tassel from her hair and threw it in front of her.
He didn't say anything, but he exuded disgust.
Jiang Yanwan's face turned pale. "I will never use anything that someone else has touched again."
Lin Qingwan glanced at her sideways, wishing she could touch her clothes and see if she would take off all her clothes right now.
She didn't mince words either, "What a coincidence. I have the same habit; I always find the fragrance of tassels nauseating, I wonder if it's poisoned."
Jiang Yanwan sneered, "My sister understands pharmacology, and I have the same concerns."
Lin Qingwan said directly, "If I were to vomit blood and faint in front of everyone right now..."
Jiang Yanwan's expression changed, and she suddenly looked at the pearl tassel hairpin beside her. The tip of the hairpin was grayish. Her palms were sweating, and her body stiffened. She was afraid that Lin Qingwan would really vomit blood in the next second.
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