Looking at her two beautiful granddaughters—no, they were granddaughters now—the Old Madam felt a sense of relief, yet she worried that the news of Wen Rugui’s dismissal might weigh on their spirits.
“You’ve heard the news about your father being dismissed, haven’t you?”
The sisters exchanged a glance and said in unison, “We have.”
The Old Madam sighed. “A perfectly good family has ended up like this; Grandmother knows it’s hard for you. Even if your father has done such things, the bond between father and daughter cannot be severed entirely. But you must remember, if your father ever comes looking for you in the future, do not handle it privately. You must tell Grandmother.”
In this affair, the one most heartbroken was her daughter, but the ones in the most difficult position were these two children.
Wen Rugui had enjoyed twenty years of luxury; now that he had nothing, he would eventually come seeking his two daughters.
While it was true the two children now belonged to the Lin family, in the eyes of the world, the blood ties to one’s biological father could not be cut.
If Wen Rugui came knocking, she and Wanqing could scold or drive him away, but the two girls could not turn their backs on him without facing public criticism and blame.
The Old Madam was willing to stand at the forefront, but she feared the sisters might soften their hearts when faced with their father and allow themselves to be entangled and exploited.
“Granddaughter understands,” Lin Chan replied, lowering her eyes, her expression grave.
In just two days, the household had undergone earth-shattering changes. It was true that she hated her father, but if he came to her, she didn’t know if she could truly turn a blind eye and ignore whether he lived or died.
Lin Chan’s mood was exceptionally heavy with this internal conflict.
Seeing Lin Chan agree, the Old Madam looked at Lin Hao.
Compared to her sister’s heaviness, Lin Hao appeared much more relaxed. “Don’t worry, Grandmother, it has already been severed.”
These words left both the Old Madam and Lin Chan stunned.
Lin Hao’s tone was indifferent as she made herself clearer: “As of yesterday, I have only Grandmother, Mother, and Big Sister. I no longer have a father.”
She was different from her sister.
Although her big sister was angry at their father’s actions, she had not watched their maternal grandmother die in fury, had not seen their mother driven mad and imprisoned, had not seen herself married to a wretch and hanging herself, nor had she seen her younger self left to wander and eventually die in the snow on that winter day.
For those who are tolerant and kind-hearted, it is difficult to completely sever blood ties without having truly experienced despair.
“A-Hao—” The Old Madam was, instead, more worried.
She did not want her granddaughter to be bound by the so-called bond of father and daughter, but she also did not want her granddaughter to become extreme after suffering such a blow.
Seeing the Old Madam like this, Lin Hao chuckled. “Grandmother, I’m able to let it go, so why do you look even more worried?”
The Old Madam spoke the truth: “Grandmother is worried you’ve trapped yourself in a dead end.”
Lin Hao tilted her head slightly, a sweet smile on her face. “I haven’t. Granddaughter still thinks the sky is blue, the flowers are fragrant, and the beggar’s chicken at our General’s Mansion is still the most delicious.”
The Old Madam was startled, then burst into laughter.
Of the two granddaughters, Chan’er’s gentle and steady nature had been evident since childhood, but because A-Hao had been unable to speak, her temperament had been hard to gauge.
Now it seemed that A-Hao was a rare, free-spirited, and clear-headed soul.
But—
The Old Madam reached out to stroke Lin Hao’s hair, unsure whether to be happy or concerned. “A-Hao is so free-spirited, I only fear the world will not understand.”
Lin Hao smiled dismissively. “I don’t care what the world thinks; I only care about Grandmother, Mother, and Big Sister.”
“If only your mother could think like you, I would be at ease,” the Old Madam sighed.
Since returning yesterday, Lady Lin had buried herself in her room and hadn’t stepped out once.
The Old Madam knew her daughter’s temper; she knew that persuasion was useless and that she had to come to her own realization before she would walk out.
“I’ll go check on Mother.”
Lin Chan added, “I’ll go with Second Sister.”
The Old Madam nodded. “That’s fine, go ahead. Don’t be anxious if you can’t persuade her; your mother has a stubborn streak.”
Though she was stubborn, she wasn’t the type to seek death like ordinary women when faced with a massive blow. On that point alone, the Old Madam felt relieved.
“I’ll go see Aunt with my sisters.” Having such a major event occur, Cheng Shu had specifically asked for leave.
“Shu’er, you don’t need to go. There are other things I need you to do.”
Hearing the Old Madam say this, Cheng Shu did not insist.
After the sisters left, the Old Madam’s face darkened. “Shu’er, take some men to the Wen residence and reclaim our family’s property.”
Cheng Shu’s eyes lit up. “Don’t worry, I will certainly get it done!”
He had long been harboring a belly full of fire with nowhere to vent it.
“Cuixiang, you go with Shu’er.”
“Yes,” replied the nanny standing by the Old Madam’s side.
The Old Madam picked up her teacup and took a slow sip.
Whatever belonged to the Lin family, Wen Rugui shouldn’t even think about keeping it!
Outside Lady Lin’s room, the maid Fangfei was on guard. Seeing Lin Hao and her sister arrive, she curtsied in greeting.
“Has Madam eaten?” Lin Chan asked.
Fangfei lowered her head. “The food sent in hasn’t been touched.”
Lin Chan’s expression darkened. She reached out to push the door open but was blocked by Fangfei.
“Eldest Miss, Madam said she wants to be alone.”
“Even if she wants to be alone, she cannot go without eating.” Lin Chan knocked gently. “Mother, Second Sister and I have come to see you.”
After a long while, Lady Lin’s hoarse voice came from inside: “Is that you, Chan’er? Take A-Hao and go back. Mother wants to be quiet for a while; I’ll be fine after a couple of days.”
Lin Chan didn’t dare push too hard, her tone softening. “Mother, you must eat, or your body won’t hold up.”
“I will eat, I’ll eat in a little while.”
Lin Chan looked at Fangfei, who shook her head.
“Mother—”
Lady Lin interrupted Lin Chan: “Chan’er, be a good girl. Mother just wants some peace.”
Lin Chan didn’t dare to persuade her further, yet she didn’t dare leave. Helpless and anxious, she cast a look at her younger sister.
Lin Hao rubbed her eyes and threw herself against the door, crying miserably: “Mother—!”
This sudden outburst caused Lin Chan’s expression to change.
Lin Hao blinked at her while crying.
Lin Chan: “...”
The door was suddenly flung open, and Lady Lin appeared, looking panicked. “A-Hao, what’s wrong?”
Lin Hao threw herself into Lady Lin’s arms, sobbing, “Mother, I had a nightmare, I was so scared!”
“A nightmare?” Lady Lin was momentarily stunned.
She had suddenly heard her daughter’s miserable wailing and her mind had gone blank; by the time she realized what was happening, she had already rushed to the door.
Lin Hao looked up, tears wetting her cheeks: “I dreamed that something happened to you, and Father used that as an excuse to take me and Big Sister back to the Wen residence. The mistress of the Wen house became the Chang woman, and Big Sister and I had to call her Mother. Under her command, Big Sister and I were betrothed to two men even more rotten than Father, while Chang Qing married—”
Lin Hao couldn’t think of a name, so she blurted out, “She married the heir of the Jing Prince’s mansion next door, and her dowry was entirely made up of your dowry, Mother!”
The young girl’s terrified and aggrieved wailing grew louder: “Mother, if you don’t eat, something might happen to you! If something happens to you, Father’s mistress will occupy your place, spend your money, and bully your daughters, and we’ll have to honestly call her Mother...”
Upon hearing this, Lady Lin was so angry she burst into tears.
“A-Hao, don’t be afraid, Mother will eat right now...”
Watching the mother and daughter hugging and crying, Lin Chan stood dumbfounded.