Chapter 52: Treating as One's Own

After a few moments of intimate conversation, Lin Jinyan stood up and said, "Grandmother, the tutor comes to teach every other day. Since there is some leisure time today, I would like to take Concubine Gu to the General's Mansion."

The old lady replied, "You want to go today? Your father will be on his day off the day after tomorrow, so you should naturally go then and just follow him."

Lin Jinyan said, "It is precisely because Father is going to the General's Mansion on his day off that I want to go today. There are some matters I need to ask about."

After speaking, she glanced at Lin Wanrong. The old lady understood that she intended to ask whether the General's Mansion would allow Lin Wanrong to visit.

Unaware of the underlying tension, Zhou Yuexue said, "I have nothing to do today as well. May I go along with Sister Jinyan to take a look?"

Lin Jinyan glanced at the old lady and said, "Let's skip it for today. Cousin, you can come with me and my father the day after tomorrow."

Zhou Yuexue looked puzzled. "Why is that? Does Sister Jinyan perhaps not want me to go?"

Lin Jinyan feigned a look of grievance. "It's not that..."

Zhou Yuexue pressed, "Then why?"

Looking at Lin Jinyan's aggrieved expression, the old lady somehow thought of the scene from a few days ago when this granddaughter had come to pay her respects and claimed that Zhou Yuexue had tripped her into the water.

Suppressing this uncomfortable thought, the old lady's smile faded slightly. "Alright, Yuexue. Yan'er is going to the General's Mansion for serious business. She didn't say she wouldn't take you, so why be in such a hurry today?"

Zhou Yuexue glanced at the old lady's expression. Her eyes flickered before she changed her tone. "Since Sister Jinyan has matters to attend to, I shall go the day after tomorrow instead. I was unaware, so please do not blame me, Sister."

Lin Jinyan smiled and said, "Yan'er simply has some matters she wishes to ask Aunt Mother about in private. It is not that I do not welcome Cousin to visit the General's Mansion; Cousin should not overthink it."

The old lady cast an appreciative glance at Lin Jinyan. This granddaughter acted with such propriety and was so willing to look out for her kin; she was truly excellent.

The four of them had a meal together. During the meal, Zhou Yuexue used her sweet words to serve dishes to the old lady, coaxing her until the discomfort in the old lady's heart dissipated.

After the meal, Lin Jinyan left the manor with Concubine Gu. As usual, Lin Song prepared a carriage and attendants, sending his younger son, Lin Shun, to accompany them.

Upon arriving at the General's Mansion, she sat down with Bai Yiran and spoke of Lin Wanrong's situation.

Bai Yiran sighed and said, "The sins committed by the official have made life hard for this child. As long as she wishes to come, she may come at any time. No one in the General's Mansion will utter a single word against her."

Lin Jinyan smiled. "I know Aunt Mother is kind-hearted. I only asked to be sure. This time, I have come because I have another matter to trouble you with."

Bai Yiran laughed. "I thought you came because you missed me, but it turns out you came with a request. Tell me, what is it?"

Lin Jinyan took Bai Yiran's arm affectionately. "Of course I missed you, Aunt Mother. I was just too embarrassed to say so, so I used business as an excuse. With such a wonderful Aunt Mother, Yan'er feels as though a single day without seeing you is like three autumns passing."

Bai Yiran burst into laughter and said to Concubine Gu, who was also smiling nearby, "Concubine Gu, did this little troublemaker eat honey this morning?"

Concubine Gu smiled and replied, "The Young Mistress has had no mother since childhood. Since Madam treats her as her own, she regards you as her biological mother in her heart. It is only natural for a daughter to act coquettishly toward her mother."

Bai Yiran laughed. "The two of you are equally sweet-tongued; you're putting me on the spot. If Yan'er were to ask for the moon in the sky right now, I would have to find a way to get it for her."

Lin Jinyan smiled. "How could Yan'er bear to make things difficult for Aunt Mother? I only wish to ask Aunt Mother to send some people to help me look into the shops included in my mother's dowry."

As she spoke, she took out a transcribed list of the shops and their addresses and presented them to Bai Yiran.

(End of Chapter)