Lin Yajun frowned deeply. She wasn't too worried about paying the head tax, but the thought that she would have to be without family if she wanted to establish a female household made her feel heavy-hearted.
"No woman can establish a household without family members? No, this is absolutely unacceptable!" Lin Yajun told herself silently. "I must protect the original owner's family members, because they are my family now too."
Although the current situation is somewhat tricky, she has not given up easily.
"I'll just have to take it one step at a time," Lin Yajun comforted herself. "I still have more than two years until I turn eighteen, there'll always be a way."
Deep down, Lin Yajun still longed to be a woman in her own household. She yearned for a free and independent life, where she could be in charge of her own affairs and no longer be bound by others.
After all, she was an adult who had traveled from another time, so she thought about things more deeply, considering the situation several years from now.
Lin Songhao will gradually grow up, and then he will get married, have children, and start his own little family.
The younger brother might be able to tolerate her living at her parents' house, but what about his wife?
Who can guarantee that the sister-in-law will always be willing to accept her as her sister-in-law? For the sake of her own family and children, how long can the sister-in-law tolerate her? If the brother protects her, it will inevitably affect the relationship between the brother and sister-in-law.
In the end, if I use the money to support my younger brother's family, I will still have to put up with my sister-in-law's attitude. What's the point of living like that?
Since Lin Yajun was murdered by her own sister Lin Jiang for money, she has gained a new understanding of human nature: I may be kind and generous to others, but they may not reciprocate that kindness. The safest approach is to keep your distance from others, protect yourself first, and then you can protect those you want to protect.
Thinking of this, Lin Yajun frowned again. She felt that she couldn't just wait; she had to find a way to establish a female household.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind: "I can try to find Lin Daowei's connections and see if that works. If I give him more money, maybe he'll help me."
Lin Yajun pondered this in her heart. Although it wasn't a very reliable method, it was the only option for now. She decided to give it a try and see if she could realize her wish of establishing a female household through Lin Daowei's connections.
The three walked into a street lined with shops selling fabrics, clothes, shoes and other items. Lin Songhao, with his sharp eyes, spotted a man in the distance carrying a pile of things.
He quickly pointed to the person in front of him and whispered to Lin Yajun beside him, "Sister, look, isn't that the second branch's housekeeper, Steward Chang?"
Lin Yajun looked in the direction Lin Songhao pointed and indeed saw the second branch's housekeeper selecting items in a general store.
Upon closer inspection, all these items were bright red, including thick quilts, vibrant fabrics, and exquisite clothes.
A sense of doubt welled up in Lin Yajun's heart, and she asked in bewilderment, "Someone from the second branch of the family just passed away and they are currently holding a funeral. Why would anyone want to buy these red things? Could it be that someone from the second branch of the family is having a wedding?"
Just as Lin Yajun was wondering what was going on, the second branch's steward looked up and saw the eldest branch's young lady and young master staring at him.
He hesitated for a moment, but finally stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Zhao Canchen first, then turned to bow to Lin Yajun and Lin Songhao, saying, "Miss, Master, what a coincidence that this old servant has run into you here."
Lin Yajun nodded expressionlessly to Butler Chang, then asked in a slightly sarcastic tone, "Oh? Butler Chang, I see you bought so many red things. Did Lin Daoqing send you to buy these for the funeral?"
Upon hearing Lin Yajun's words, Butler Chang quickly shook his head, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
He explained, "Miss, you've misunderstood. Actually, the Cheng family sent their youngest daughter over to be their second wife, so our second branch is holding both the funeral and the wedding tomorrow."
"Oh, I see." Lin Yajun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a mocking smile. "Then I really have to congratulate you second wife. I hope Lin Daoqing will have many children and much happiness."
Butler Chang wore a bitter smile. He couldn't help but think: This marriage caused a huge fight between the Cheng and Shen families, and they even fought in front of Cheng's coffin. In the end, the marriage was settled by drawing lots.
The master promised the Shen family another good thing, which finally stopped them from causing trouble.
Butler Chang dared not say these words to the eldest son's daughter. He silently turned aside, respectfully making way, and watched as the eldest son's daughter and son accompanied that nobleman into the distance.
Watching their departing figures, Butler Chang couldn't help but sigh deeply.
These days, his master's life is getting worse every day. The old lady is paralyzed in bed, suffering from stomach pain, and her life is in danger; she probably won't live much longer.
Lin Daoqing's wife passed away, and although he remarried, he lost his position as head bodyguard.
Steward Chang thought to himself that it was the most foolish thing in the world for brothers to quarrel.
Now, things have gotten really messy. After the brothers fell out, the lives of the second and third wives have become a complete mess.
Every day when Third Master rode his horse to visit his elderly mother outside the city, he was full of resentment and blamed everyone and everything.
The third wife had to take care of her sick mother-in-law, as well as her husband and children. She would leave the city early in the morning and return late at night, and in a short period of time she became extremely haggard.
After careful consideration, Steward Chang felt that the eldest branch of the Lin family had always treated their stepmother and brothers very well, while the old lady and the two branches of the family were ungrateful.
He then thought that over the years, the masters of the eldest son's family had always treated them, the servants, very well and had never made things difficult for them.
Madam Xu, the first wife, was also a benefactor to his family. Several years ago, his wife had a difficult childbirth and almost lost both her and her unborn child. It was Madam Xu who spent a lot of money to hire a highly skilled midwife, who saved his wife and child.
With this in mind, Steward Chang made a decision: he would reveal some of the second branch's plans to the eldest branch of the family.
So he hurriedly started running to catch up with the eldest son of the main branch, calling out, "Young Master, this old servant has something to tell you. The old lady is ill; you should go and see her..."
Lin Songhao stopped and said angrily, "She has severed ties with our family. She still killed my grandfather and grandmother. She is our enemy. What are you looking at?"
As Butler Chang approached, he whispered to Lin Songhao, "Master, the old lady and the second master are after your sister."
Lin Songhao asked angrily, "What do they want now?"
Butler Chang, his face grave, lowered his voice and revealed a shocking piece of information to Lin Songhao: "When the old lady was lucid, she suggested that her nephew from her maternal family arrange a marriage between her and the eldest son of the Lin family. Her real purpose was to swindle your sister's dowry! Once the marriage is successful, they will poison your sister..."
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