Chapter 4: The Audacious Fool

A few days later, Zisu hurriedly came to report.

“Miss, something happened over there.”

Lin Wanqing was leaning by the window reading when she looked up. “What happened?”

Zisu bent close to her ear and whispered, “The Second Miss and that scholar from the Su family were caught embracing each other in the Qingfeng Book Club. Someone saw them. The news has already spread, and Master is currently throwing a fit in the front courtyard.”

In truth, it was far worse than just an embrace. Rumor had it that Lin Xianyun’s clothes were disheveled and her lips were bruised by Su Jincheng’s kisses. But such sordid details were not fit for the young lady’s ears.

Yet Lin Wanqing had already guessed the gist of it; after all, she knew that pair too well.

Lin Xianyun was adept at flaunting her charms and was desperate to marry into the Su family. Being well acquainted with Su Jincheng, it was certainly not just a simple embrace. As for Su Jincheng, a hypocrite through and through, with a willing young lady throwing herself at him, how could he remain chaste?

If they hadn’t been caught, there was no telling what might have happened in the book club.

Disgust flickered in Lin Wanqing’s eyes as she closed her book. “Has anyone come from the Su family?”

Zisu shook her head. “No one from the Su family has come, which is why Master is so furious. All the maids around the Second Miss were beaten with boards, and two of the senior maids were dragged away and sold.”

Lin Wanqing smiled to herself—fools would always be fools, no matter how many lives they lived.

They simply never learned.

Madam Su had never regarded the Lin family highly, seeing them as mere merchants. Now with Lin Xianyun making Su Jincheng the subject of gossip, she’d likely be furious enough to twist Lin Xianyun’s head off.

But this marriage alliance was unbreakable, come hell or high water.

How wonderful.

At Lanyue Garden, Madam Qin was raging at Lin Xianyun. “Have you lost your mind? What you’ve done—how will you hold your head high after entering the Su family?”

“Didn’t I tell you to wait patiently? Your marriage will be arranged by your father and me. Why can’t you keep your composure?”

“Our merchant family is already looked down upon. You, being so useless, are truly infuriating!”

The Su family had always looked down on the Lins, refusing to come formally for the betrothal even after Su Jincheng’s mourning period ended last year. It was only recently, after much effort, that the Su family reluctantly came to discuss the marriage.

Now this scandal had erupted, yet the Su family showed no reaction, clearly intending to use it to humiliate the Lin family.

Her husband and father-in-law were furious over this, and she was nearly scared to death. Yet the foolish girl didn’t seem to care at all—what a curse!

Lin Xianyun listened with her neck hunched but was secretly delighted.

Indeed, as long as she took the initiative, Su Jincheng would never escape her grasp.

Having had a child together in a past life, she knew exactly how to ensnare Su Jincheng’s heart. A few days ago, when she followed him into the book club, she deliberately pretended to lose her footing and fell into Su Jincheng’s arms.

Everything since then had been under her control. Su Jincheng was utterly captivated and intoxicated by her charms. Had they not been interrupted, she could have made him utterly unable to forget her.

Still, the news spreading did worry her somewhat. Madam Su was notoriously difficult and might use this to make things hard for her.

But she didn’t care much.

After all, as long as she held Su Jincheng in her hand, she needed not fear Madam Su.

If that old hag became too troublesome, she could always deal with her as she had dealt with Lin Wanqing in the previous life.

Though it was best not to let the old woman die early—that would jeopardize Su Jincheng’s future.

She still hoped to become Lady Gao Ming soon.

Seeing Lin Xianyun’s indifferent attitude, Madam Qin felt her chest tighten with frustration.

How could she have given birth to such a fool?

Lin Xianyun saw Madam Qin’s face darken and hurriedly excused herself. “Mother, I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. I just wanted to see Su Lang in private, but he was so reckless…”

Thinking back to Su Jincheng’s reaction those days, Lin Xianyun blushed deeply.

In their previous life, when she and Su Jincheng became close, he was already in his early thirties, nowhere near as vigorous as he was now. That day, she had clearly felt his burning desire and urgency.

Madam Qin, having gone through these things herself, understood the meaning behind her daughter’s expression and grew furious, her vision darkening.

How could her daughter be so shameless?

No, the Su family must be made to come and formally propose soon, the marriage must be finalized quickly. If such a scandal happened before marriage, Master would surely beat her to death!

Thus, Madam Qin hastily had her maids support her as she left, ordering, “From today onward, the Second Miss is not to leave the courtyard. If she does, you will suffer the same fate as those before you!”

The maids at Lanyue Garden paled.

They had all just been transferred here and didn’t know exactly what the Second Miss had done wrong. But they had witnessed those maids beaten nearly to death.

None of them wished to share that fate, so they vowed to obey Madam Qin’s orders and keep a tight watch on the Second Miss.

Lin Xianyun didn’t care. Her goal was achieved, so staying indoors was no problem. She could focus on embroidering her wedding gown.

The thought of marrying into the Su family soon made her smile uncontrollably.

Even more so when she thought of Lin Wanqing, who was to marry into the Lu family and live a lonely life. She even hummed a little tune.

In the days that followed, the Lin family busied themselves with preparations for Lin Xianyun’s marriage.

The Su family refused to send anyone, infuriating the Lins, but they dared not show it openly, lest they appear eager.

When open defiance failed, underhanded tactics took over.

Though the Lin family had no power, they had money—and money could move mountains.

Under their direction, the Su family began having a hard time; even simple errands like buying groceries were met with harassment.

After several days of this, the Su family could no longer endure it.

“Miss, the Su family has come.”

Lin Wanqing was practicing calligraphy at the table when she heard the news. She smiled faintly. “Has Madam Su arrived?”

Zisu nodded. “Yes, she’s currently discussing the marriage with Madam Qin in the front courtyard. The Second Miss heard the Su family was here and sneaked a peek.”

“To welcome the Su family, Madam Qin brought out many fine things from the storeroom. Madam Su looked reluctant before entering but her expression improved considerably once inside.”

Lin Wanqing sneered.

Madam Su fancied herself a scholar’s wife, always putting on airs of superiority, but in truth, she was vulgar to the core. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have obsessed over the silver Lin Wanqing had earned in her previous life.

Madam Qin had long learned about Madam Su’s character. To win some favor from Madam Su for Lin Xianyun, she had spared no effort in displaying the Lin family’s wealth.

Sure enough, Madam Su was dazzled by those “lowly” trifles she so despised.

When Madam Su left, her mood was entirely different from when she arrived. Though she still looked down on the Lin family, she realized that marrying into the Lin family would surely benefit her son.

After the Su and Lin families verbally agreed to the marriage, Madam Qin went to Lin Wanqing’s courtyard.

“Wanqing, Xianyun has already settled the marriage with the Su family’s third son, so I’ve come to ask if you’re willing to marry into the General’s mansion?”

Madam Qin was eager to force Lin Wanqing’s consent. After all, as the eldest daughter, she had to marry first before Lin Xianyun could proceed.

Lin Wanqing had long anticipated this outcome, so she merely smiled and replied, “I will follow the family’s arrangements.”

She had no objection to marrying, but before tying the knot, there was one matter she intended to settle thoroughly with the Lin family.