Chapter 14: Grandfather and Grandmother

Upon entering the courtyard of Songmoudang, the busy maids and elderly servants greeted her with bows, to which Lin Jinyan responded with a gentle smile.

A sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl dressed in vibrant colors stepped forward to greet her with a smile.

"Miss, looking at your complexion, you have recovered greatly. The Old Madam will surely sleep soundly tonight."

Lin Jinyan said with a beaming smile, "Sister Manao, I am already well. I came to pay my respects to Grandmother so she could be at ease. Is Grandmother taking a nap?"

Manao smiled and led the way, saying as they walked, "The Old Madam has been worried about you these past two days and hasn't been sleeping well, so she woke up a bit late this morning. She is currently burning incense with the Old Master."

Lin Jinyan remarked, "Grandmother has always loved incense."

Manao replied, "Indeed. The Old Master acquired some new incense a few days ago. This morning, upon hearing the servants report that you had fully recovered, he felt so relieved that he came here to enjoy the elegance of it."

Lin Jinyan smiled and said, "It seems my timing is quite inconvenient, then."

As she spoke, Manao lifted the beaded curtain for Lin Jinyan.

"Your arrival is more soothing than any incense. Old Madam, look who has come!"

Stepping into the main hall, they found a bright room where two elders sat on opposite sides of an Eight Immortals table. On an exquisitely crafted bronze burner atop the table, wisps of smoke rose leisurely.

Seated on the left was Lin Jinyan's grandfather, the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, Lin Yanqing.

Though he held no actual political power, he was deeply revered by scholars and literati. His hair was tied with meticulous precision, and he wore dark blue robes with subtle patterns. His beard and hair were streaked with white, giving him an air of immortal-like elegance.

Seated on the right was Lin Jinyan's grandmother, the Old Madam Lin, née Zhou.

Dressed in crimson-purple robes with vermilion hairpins, she possessed a dignified and elegant grace that naturally radiated nobility; it was not difficult to see her beauty from her youth.

Hearing the sound, both elders turned their heads simultaneously. Upon seeing Lin Jinyan, their faces instantly softened with affection.

Old Madam Lin beckoned her, saying, "Come quickly to Grandmother. You've lost a whole circle of weight from being tossed about these past few days."

Seeing the two of them, Lin Jinyan felt a sudden ache in her nose as her eyes reddened. She stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and performed a kowtow by resting her forehead against the back of her interlaced hands.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, Yan'er has caused you both much worry. My heart is filled with immense guilt."

Her guilt stemmed from her past life, where she had brought ruin to the Lin family, forcing her grandfather to take his own life with poisoned wine to protect the family's members and reputation, and leaving her grandmother so heartbroken that she ended her own life by hanging.

Seeing this, the Old Madam hurriedly said, "You have only just recovered; what are you doing? Quickly, get up. Manao, Liuli, Yutong, help the Miss up immediately."

The maids rushed forward to assist Lin Jinyan. The Old Madam reached out her hand.

"Good child, come to Grandmother."

Lin Jinyan stepped forward, took the Old Madam's hand, and stood before her.

Seeing Lin Jinyan's red-rimmed eyes and the tears hanging from them, the Old Madam took out a handkerchief to wipe them away.

"Stop crying. You were the one suffering through the illness, while we could only watch helplessly. It was the General's wife who truly worked hard. Fortunately, you are well now, and we can all be at peace."

Lin Yanqing also added, "You've only just recovered and you're already out and about. Life is long, what is the rush? When you woke from your high fever the day before yesterday, your spirit was shaken by nightmares, and you suffered from fever for another two days before recovering. Your aunt has repeatedly instructed that you must rest well and avoid emotional fluctuations. There is no need to come for morning greetings for the next few days; just focus on recuperating."

Lin Jinyan teased playfully, "Knowing that Grandfather and Grandmother were worried, Yan'er rushed here the moment she could walk, thinking that seeing you both would put your minds at ease. Yet Grandfather complains that I came too early—could it be that you blame Yan'er for spoiling the elegance of your and Grandmother's incense session?"

Hearing Lin Jinyan's playful words, the Old Madam burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha, you cheeky girl!"

(End of Chapter)