Chapter Six: The Unfolding Narrative
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Madam Bai was at a loss for words. She didn’t quite understand what a bicycle was, but her daughter’s few words had indeed cleared her mind and lifted her spirits.
She spoke plainly, “Sister, what you said is ridiculous. A month ago, when you left the mansion to look for your younger brother, you even withdrew a thousand taels of silver from my private reserve. Over the past two years, haven’t I been the one buying your clothes and jewelry?”
“There are some things I don’t wish to say harshly, but you know in your heart. Pack your things tonight and leave first thing tomorrow!”
“But—” Zhao Shuangshuang still wanted to protest, but Madam Bai led the others and left immediately.
* * *
Having dealt with a major future problem, Lin Zhaozhao lay down on the bed feeling utterly joyful.
By mid-morning the next day, Madam Bai personally came to fetch her youngest daughter, puzzled, “What time is this? Zhaozhao, why are you still in bed?”
Lin Zhaozhao, who was just about to catch a few more winks, was speechless.
[Why should I get up now? I just got up yesterday!]
Madam Bai was speechless in return.
“I know what you mean, but just because you ate yesterday doesn’t mean you won’t eat today.”
“Come now, your father just finished working on the flood control and must be tired from the journey. It’s only right that we all eat breakfast together.”
By the time Lin Zhaozhao went downstairs, Madam Bai’s maids had already set the table.
Madam Bai gave birth to five children in total: Lin Zhaozhao, Lin Qingci, and three elder sons.
The eldest, Lin Qingwu, was away on official business outside the capital with an uncertain return date. The second, Lin Qingying, was studying at the National Academy and only returned home once a month. The third, Lin Qingjue, was busy with affairs in the capital and was often absent.
Only Lin Zhaozhao, the youngest brother, spent his days idly.
Upon seeing Lin Zhaozhao, Lin Qingci hesitated for a long moment, then, with a twisted expression, threw a medicinal ointment into his arms and said, “Heal your brain!”
Lin Zhaozhao, already annoyed at having to get up early, was utterly confused.
“What a brilliant reversal! You little brat, who exactly do you think has a problem with their brain?!”
Lin Qingci looked puzzled.
Was he crazy? He had just been calling him a eunuch in his heart, and now he had the audacity to openly call him a little brat?
Did he think Lin Qingci was some pushover?
Under Lin Wanyue’s expectant gaze, Lin Qingci rolled up his sleeves and shouted even louder, “Why are you shouting so much? If you hadn’t said your head hurt, do you think I’d care enough to bring you ointment?”
Wait a minute—
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Lin Zhaozhao looked utterly bewildered: care for her? Bring her ointment?
[No way, man! Yesterday we were at each other’s throats, and today he suddenly turns all sweet?]
[Could it be that he wants me to apologize or soften up to Little White Lotus, or maybe even hand something over to her?]
Lin Qingci was speechless.
Lin Zhaozhao! Was he usually so mean to her? It was clearly the other way around—she was always mean and bullied Sister Wanyue, stealing her favor.
Last time, too, she had been like a mute, hurt but silent, which made him feel guilty all night.
And now she had the nerve to call him a weasel? If he was the weasel, what was Lin Zhaozhao— a chicken?
Just as Lin Zhaozhao was about to toss the ointment back to stake out her territory, she noticed the delicate packaging of the little porcelain bottle. It looked expensive.
[Forget it, if I don’t take it, it’s wasted. But don’t expect me to remember that the little brat did me a favor. Just because he’s good-looking doesn’t mean he’s got a good mouth!]
Lin Qingci looked puzzled.
Does Lin Zhaozhao’s mouth speak any more kindly?
It was his own fault for being bored and insisting on bringing ointment, only to be insulted like that.
Lin Qingci silently vowed—
By Heaven, if he ever showed concern for Lin Zhaozhao again, he would be nothing but her dog!
Before the two could start fighting, Lin Wanyue sighed in frustration.
She was nearly heartbroken. That ointment was a tribute from the Western Regions—only ten boxes a year.
It was either given to imperial concubines in the palace or bestowed by the emperor to favored ministers. She and Lin Qingci had begged for it many times but were always refused. Yet, unexpectedly, it was given to Lin Zhaozhao, the illegitimate child!
Did he even know who his real sister was?
She slammed down her chopsticks, eyes red, and said, “I’m not eating anymore!”
“All right, on such a joyous day, what’s the point of throwing a tantrum? Is this how your mother usually teaches you?”
Just as she was about to speak further, a maid standing outside hurried in.
“Master, Madam, the Old Madam requests you bring the Fifth Miss to see her immediately.”
Lin Yuanzhi was puzzled. “Why would Mother want to see Zhaozhao at this hour?”
The Great Yong Dynasty valued filial piety highly. Madam Bai, as daughter-in-law, always paid respects to the Old Madam after breakfast.
But the Old Madam, fond of the children, usually excused them from formal greetings.
So what was this about?
[Could it be the mess involving your favorite cousin again?]
[No wonder the old saying goes, “Trouble follows where men gather.” Where there are many men, scandal is inevitable!]
Lin Yuanzhi was speechless.
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He was truly at a loss with this daughter.
Madam Bai was also vaguely worried but, as a mother, had to remain firm.
“It’s nothing, Zhaozhao. Don’t be afraid. If your grandmother asks you anything, just answer truthfully. I’ll be here for you.”
* * *
The Old Madam Han of the Qingyuan Marquis Residence lived in Changchun Garden.
Changchun Garden was the largest and most splendid courtyard in the entire mansion. Passing through a carved wooden corridor, surrounded by rare flowers, rockeries, and koi ponds, it took about a quarter of an incense stick’s time to reach the destination where Lin Zhaozhao followed her parents.
Inside the garden, Old Madam Han sat.
Zhao Shuangshuang sat there in tears, looking aggrieved and wailing.
“Auntie, please stand up for me! You don’t know that Lin Zhaozhao is really a wild child from the countryside, without a trace of a proper lady. She sneers at me and even insulted me for having such a big face. I just want to die, boohoo…”
[Right, right, always refusing to live or die. Calling you a coward is an insult to cowards!]
Madam Bai was speechless.
She thought that would be enough for now, but when Old Madam Han saw Lin Yuanzhi’s family enter, she immediately slammed the table.
“Bai, how dare you! Kneel at once!”
As daughter-in-law, Madam Bai was traditionally of lower status than her mother-in-law and knelt immediately, lowering her eyes respectfully.
“Mother, please calm down. I don’t know what I have done wrong to make you so angry.”
Old Madam Han sneered, “You say you don’t know why I’m angry?”
[What? Am I your gut worm? Do I have to know why you’re angry? You’re angry because you want to be!]
[And what about your useless husband? His own wife is being humiliated and kneeling, yet he says nothing?]
Lin Yuanzhi was speechless.
He truly felt wronged; his daughter was too young to understand—
One was his birth mother who carried him for ten months; the other was his wife from marriage. The Great Yong Dynasty emphasized filial piety, and it was no easy feat for his mother to raise him.
The conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law—Madam Bai tolerated them quietly; what business did he, a grown man, have to interfere?
Only under Lin Zhaozhao’s scornful gaze did he awkwardly scratch his nose and say, “Mother, it’s early in the morning. Can’t we speak calmly? Perhaps we should ask Bai to rise?”
“You still think of her as your wife, but she probably doesn’t think of you at all! If I may say, you’re too soft-hearted, and that venomous woman has you completely under her thumb! You don’t even know the shameless things your good wife has done!”
[What has my beautiful mother done? Care to elaborate?]