Chapter 7: The Lin Family of Yunjing, Descendants of the Heavenly Sound Pavilion

Lin is a major surname, belonging to the descendants of the Tianyin Workshop.

The Tianyin Workshop was the only martial arts faction among the six great sects composed entirely of women, specializing in classical musical instruments.

The musicians of Tianyin, with the movement of their strings across the five tones, could startle even gods and ghosts!

Although the Tianyin Workshop was destroyed in a battle three hundred years ago, a portion of its disciples fortunately passed down their heritage to this day.

There are many branches of the Lin family. The Jiangcheng Lin family doesn't even rank in the top ten in Jiangcheng, but the Yunjing Lin family is one of the five great wealthy families in Yunjing, and they are the authentic successors of the Tianyin Workshop.

The Lin family takes pride in giving birth to daughters; all musical techniques are passed down only to women, never to men.

If a daughter from a branch family passes the main family's assessment, that branch can return to the main family.

In Lin Huaijin’s branch, only Lin Qin has shown extremely high attainments in the guqin, and the Lin family places great importance on this.

"I don't know, but I’m telling you both in advance: even if you have complaints, don't show them," Lin Woyu warned the siblings. "If you upset your grandmother’s health, don't blame me for dealing with you."

Lin Yue curled his lip: "We aren't the ones who upset Grandmother."

Lin Qin didn't speak, but she felt restless inside, losing all desire to practice the qin.

She didn't want to be associated with Ye Wanlan. Every time she heard her classmates at school use Ye Wanlan as a punchline for being a body double, she felt embarrassed.

Fortunately, Ye Wanlan didn't change her surname after returning to the Lin family, and not many people knew that Ye Wanlan was her cousin.

Lin Qin’s expression was indifferent.

She wanted to see what exactly Ye Wanlan, who hadn't returned in four years, was planning to do this time.

**

At this moment, on the way to the old Lin family residence.

Lin Huaijin was driving, while Xu Peiqing and Lin Wenli sat in the back, leaving the passenger seat for Ye Wanlan.

The atmosphere in the car was frozen.

While waiting for a red light, Lin Huaijin asked, "How were the consultation results?"

Ye Wanlan was calm and composed: "He said I only have some depressive moods, that my inner world is very beautiful, and that my character is excellent and upright."

Lin Huaijin believed her: "That’s good. When we get to the old residence in a moment, be well-behaved."

The Lin family knew full well what Ye Wanlan had done over the past four years, and they had never invited her to a family dinner.

Ye Wanlan said softly, "I haven't seen Grandmother in a long time. I wonder how her health is."

"Just don't make your grandmother angry," Lin Huaijin sighed. "I also hope you have truly turned over a new leaf."

Thirty minutes later, the four arrived at the Lin residence.

Lin Huaijin went to park the car, and Ye Wanlan followed behind Xu Peiqing and Lin Wenli into the main hall.

The other two branches of the Lin family were there, along with several cousins.

"Peiqing is here, sit, sit."

"Oh my, Wenli, I heard from Qinqin that you’re very popular at school and your grades are good too. How are you so impressive?"

As Xu Peiqing and Lin Wenli took their seats, the Lin family’s gazes finally shifted toward Ye Wanlan, as if bestowing a favor.

She was still wearing that new national-style casual outfit. Her long hair, which had been draped over her shoulders, was pinned up with a wooden hairpin, revealing her fair, slender neck and a pair of jade earrings.

A moment of silence.

Everyone thought of the same word—

Unparalleled elegance.

Lin Yue muttered: "No wonder she could be a body double for Miss Sheng Yunyi; she’s got some capital..."

Lin Woyu immediately hit him: "Shut up."

Lin Qin frowned slightly.

Although Ye Wanlan hadn't returned to the Lin family in four years, she had occasionally bumped into her cousin at the mall, and she had never possessed this kind of bearing before.

In the main seat, Lin Weilan, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them. Her gaze was like a torch, and she actually smiled: "Ah Lan is back."

"Grandmother, I came in a hurry and didn't prepare anything good for you." Ye Wanlan set down the tea box she was carrying.

"It’s enough that you’re here." Lin Weilan beckoned to her, her smile deepening. "Come here and let Grandmother look at you. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you."

This scene caused an uproar.

Lin Qingwen and his wife exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.

Lin Yue couldn't help but say, "Mom, Ye Wanlan has done so many outrageous things, why is Grandmother..."

Lin Woyu: "Shut up."

Lin Yue was annoyed, but he didn't dare to say anything else.

Lin Weilan was the head of the family and held absolute authority.

Ye Wanlan stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"It’s good that you’re back," Lin Weilan murmured, tears gathering in her eyes. "Grandmother is very happy. It hasn't been easy..."

Ye Wanlan’s eyes flickered slightly.

"Ah Lan, sit here by Grandmother," Lin Weilan instructed. "It’s getting late. Everyone sit down. Butler, you may serve the meal."

Lin Weilan’s favoritism made many in the Lin family feel uncomfortable.

Facing a table full of delicacies, Lin Qin had no appetite; she found it hard to swallow.

Lin Huaijin was also extremely surprised.

He considered himself to have already been partial to Ye Wanlan, otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to let her come back to live.

How could Lin Weilan be even more unable to distinguish right from wrong?

Mrs. Lin was also extremely puzzled: "What does the old lady mean by this?"

"How would I know?" Lin Qingwen shook his head, his voice lowered. "You don't need to worry about anything. It’s useless for Mom to be partial; my eldest niece is beyond saving."

Mrs. Lin thought that was true and relaxed.

Lin Weilan suddenly asked, "I remember Ah Lan’s birthday is coming up. What birthday gift do you want?"

The table fell into silence again.

Ye Wanlan said, "Grandmother, why not give me that small company, Huiteng?"

Lin Weilan was startled: "Why did you think of that?"

Huiteng was a nearly bankrupt company owned by the Lin family that dabbled in the clothing industry; even she had almost forgotten about it.

Ye Wanlan said nonchalantly, "I want to try managing a company."

She never hid her ambition.

Power and authority—of course, she liked them.

The world was so beautiful, how could one not be attached to it?

In her life as Princess Yongning, her greatest regret was the goal she hadn't been able to complete.

In this life, her body was suddenly possessed, catching her off guard, and many plans hadn't yet been implemented.

But it wasn't too late now.

"Good, you have guts!" Lin Weilan suddenly laughed. "If you want it, take it. Do whatever you want with it."

This time, even Lin Huaijin was shocked: "Mom, this isn't in accordance with—"

Lin Weilan looked at him.

Lin Huaijin swallowed the words "the rules."

"Ah Lan, stay at the old residence tonight," Lin Weilan patted Ye Wanlan’s hand. "In a while, Grandmother will transfer Huiteng into your name."

"Thank you, Grandmother." Ye Wanlan nodded. "I’d like to check your health."

"No need, it’s an old ailment." Lin Weilan waved her hand and smiled. "It’s enough for Grandmother to see you back. Besides, seeing you, my body feels much better already."

Ye Wanlan held her arm, her tone brooking no refusal: "Grandmother, just a check-up."

Lin Weilan was caught between laughter and tears: "Fine, check it then. Everything as you wish."

"The old lady’s health is monitored by a specialized therapist. Even if there really were any problems, we are here to accompany her," Mrs. Lin looked at Ye Wanlan coldly. "Can you stop using the tricks you use on men on your grandmother, please?"