Chapter 16: Faking Tears to Play the Victim

Lin Jinyan lowered her head, and after a moment, whispered

"I simply remembered it incorrectly. When I woke up and heard that Sister Yuexue was kneeling in the Buddhist hall, I didn't ask for details. I thought... I thought Sister was being punished with kneeling, so I... I took the events from my nightmare as reality. Grandfather and Grandmother need not dwell on it. It was just Yan'er being muddled and remembering wrongly; please help Yan'er keep it a secret. Let alone telling Sister Yuexue, I... I am afraid Sister will laugh at me."

The old lady replied, "Is that so? Yuexue was so exhausted from kneeling and reciting scriptures that she nearly fainted. She only returned to her room to sleep after being sent back by Nanny Qi this morning upon hearing you were unharmed, and she hasn't woken up yet. If she truly tripped you, call her here to question her. If you truly just got confused, then do not call her."

Lin Jinyan nodded. "Yes, Yan'er was muddled and caused worry for Grandfather and Grandmother. I know Grandmother cherishes Sister Yuexue, and I should not have spoken of the dream and caused Grandmother displeasure. I beg Grandmother not to blame me."

As she spoke, she stood up. "I must return to take my medicinal soup. I will not disturb Grandfather and Grandmother further; I will come to pay my respects again once I have fully recovered."

Having finished, she bowed and turned to leave, leaving behind a lonely silhouette.

Once outside, she walked back with her head lowered, accompanied by Yutong, while Manao followed to see them out.

Just as Manao reached the door of Songmao Hall and was about to turn back, she heard Lin Jinyan speaking to Yutong with a sob in her voice

"Why would she not dare to admit it? To think I was even afraid she had been punished, and even lied to Grandfather and Grandmother..."

The voice gradually faded. As Manao stepped out of the courtyard, she watched the master and servant walking briskly into the distance, hearing only a faint sound of Yutong anxiously coaxing Lin Jinyan not to cry.

Manao frowned and pondered for a long time, but unable to understand what had happened, she turned back to the courtyard.

Once they were far from Songmao Hall, Lin Jinyan looked back to ensure no one was following, and immediately wiped the aggrieved expression from her face.

Yutong was stunned. "Miss... what is wrong? You were just crying..."

Lin Jinyan said indifferently, "I was faking it."

Yutong was even more confused. "Huh? Why?"

Lin Jinyan deceived her, "Someone was speaking ill of me in front of Grandmother. Faking tears prevents one from being scolded."

Yutong's brows knitted tightly. "Who would dare speak ill of you? You have always been so sensible and have rarely been scolded. Since when did you learn how to fake crying?"

Lin Jinyan continued her deception. "Zhou Yuexue is speaking ill of me to vie for favor. I knew this long ago, which is why I told you to be on your guard against her. But you must not tell anyone. When facing Zhou Yuexue, you must also pretend to be unaware. If you cannot do this, I will have the wet nurse strike your palms—hard."

Yutong looked indignant. "How can Cousin be so wicked! Don't worry, I will definitely do it."

While Lin Jinyan successfully instilled suspicion toward Zhou Yuexue in Yutong, the elderly couple in Songmao Hall were also feeling uneasy.

Lin Yanqing asked, "What do you think of what Yan'er said?"

The old lady replied, "She must have just been confused by a nightmare. Yuexue has such a gentle temperament; how could she do such a thing?"

Lin Yanqing remarked, "Looking at Yan'er's manner, it seemed more as if she had suffered a grievance."

The old lady said with heartache, "It must be the shock from falling into the water. A child without a mother... it is inevitable that she would feel wronged after such a fright. I will take more care to protect her in the future. If she doesn't want Yuexue to know, then let's not speak of it. It is best for the children of the family to live in harmony."

Lin Yanqing sighed. "Back then, Qinglan went only to ensure the continuation of our Lin family lineage, leaving Yan'er and Jing'an, those boy-girl twins, without a mother's love."

The old lady's heartache deepened. She made a mental note to be more attentive to Lin Jinyan and her brother in the future.

(End of Chapter)