Chapter 3: Family

Wen Hao’s thoughts were in turmoil as she was brought back to the General’s Mansion by Wen Chan.

The General’s Mansion was right next to the Prince Jing Mansion, so returning here was far more convenient than returning to the Wen Mansion.

Upon hearing the report, the Old Madam rushed out: "A-Hao, I heard you injured your foot?"

Looking at the Old Madam, whose face was filled with anxiety, tears welled up in Wen Hao’s eyes and fell in a stream: "Grandmother—"

This cry stunned everyone present.

After a moment of shock, the Old Madam hugged Wen Hao, her trembling hands stroking her hair and then her face, thinking she must be dreaming: "A-Hao, A-Hao—"

That Wen Hao could not speak had always been a heavy stone on the hearts of the elders who doted on her.

"Grandmother, I can speak now." Wen Hao smiled through her tears, her gaze unable to leave the Old Madam for even a second.

It was so good to see Grandmother again. According to the original course of events, Grandmother would pass away before long.

She would be angered to death by Father.

"Chan’er, do your father and mother know that A-Hao can speak? By the way, didn't you go to the Prince Jing Mansion with your mother today?" The Old Madam was overcome with joy, only then realizing, "Wasn't A-Hao at our mansion? How did you both return from outside together?"

Wen Chan glanced at her younger sister, who was staring unblinkingly at their grandmother, and said helplessly, "Second Sister climbed over the wall."

The Old Madam only paused for a brief moment before laughing, her eyes filled with doting affection as she looked at Wen Hao: "A-Hao’s mischievous nature, it’s just like mine."

Wen Chan’s mouth twitched slightly.

She had known this would be the Old Madam’s reaction, which was why she had told the truth directly.

Wen Hao reached out and gently tugged at the Old Madam’s sleeve.

"A-Hao, what is it?" The Old Madam looked at her granddaughter, the joy at the corners of her eyes impossible to hide.

To her, whether A-Hao could speak or not, she was still her beloved little granddaughter. But to A-Hao, it would mean a completely different life.

Her A-Hao, who was clearly as beautiful as a heavenly flower and as sweet and lovable as could be, had suffered too much injustice simply because she could not speak.

"Grandmother, I think I’ve caused trouble."

"What trouble?" The Old Madam thought of Wen Chan’s words and smiled dismissively, "Oh, the wall-climbing business? What does that matter? You climbed walls when you were little."

The General’s Mansion had originally been a Duke’s Mansion. Although Old General Lin, who followed the founding emperor to conquer the world, was not as noble in status as a prince, in terms of real power and his position in the founding emperor’s heart, few princes could compare.

Later, the founding emperor passed away, and the weak-willed Emperor Ping-le ascended the throne. Facing the incursions of the Qi people, he retreated again and again, paying indemnities and ceding territory, losing ten cities in just two years.

Old General Lin had a fiery temper; every time he scolded the emperor, his title was lowered by one rank. After scolding back and forth, the Duke’s Mansion became the General’s Mansion. Perhaps out of respect for the late emperor’s lingering prestige, the emperor did not make the Lin family move out of the Duke’s Mansion, merely changing the plaque on the gate.

Later still, Prince An, the younger brother of Emperor Ping-le, invaded the capital. Emperor Ping-le disappeared in the chaos, and Prince An ascended the throne, changing the reign title to Tai-an.

Emperor Tai-an wanted to re-confer the title of Duke upon Old General Lin, but the Old General, heartbroken by Emperor Ping-le’s weakness and also displeased with Emperor Tai-an’s dishonorable means of succession, firmly refused.

"I fell in front of the Prince Jing Heir, and it was seen by the little princess and others."

Hearing this, the Old Madam raised an eyebrow, pulled Wen Hao into her arms, and comforted her: "That doesn't matter either. A-Hao, remember, gossip is nothing more than a gust of wind. As long as the people who love you don't care, it will dissipate in the blink of an eye."

"I will remember." Wen Hao nestled against her grandmother, sighing inwardly.

The people who loved her truly didn't care, but soon, those who loved her would die or go mad, and those who didn't love her would be left to push her into a pit of fire.

At this moment, a medical woman walked in carrying a medicine box.

The Old Madam pointed to Wen Hao: "Quickly, take a look at the Second Miss’s foot."

One of Wen Hao’s ankles was bruised and swollen, but fortunately, no bones were broken. The medical woman wrapped ice in a soft cloth to apply a cold compress.

While feeling distressed, Wen Chan couldn't help but chide: "You twisted your foot, and that’s not all—how did you bite your hand? What if it leaves a scar?"

Wen Hao looked at her eldest sister, who was carefully applying ointment, and smiled: "I discovered I could speak and thought I was dreaming."

Wen Chan’s hand paused, and she lowered her eyes to hide the tears.

Her sister had finally reached the end of her suffering and the beginning of better days.

After the medical woman finished and withdrew, a beautiful woman with her hair in a high bun hurried in, lifting the curtain.

"I guessed that Chan’er would bring A-Hao to Mother’s place." Lady Lin arrived at the Old Madam’s side like a gust of wind, looking at Wen Hao with a nervous expression: "A-Hao, are you alright?"

She had been chatting with the Princess Consort of Jing among a group of noblewomen when a maid from the Prince’s Mansion quietly told her about her youngest daughter.

The maid hadn't said much, which had scared her half to death.

Wen Hao looked at Lady Lin and didn't speak for a moment.

Lady Lin looked at her eldest daughter, who was smiling, and then at her mother, who looked full of joy, and asked with a confused expression: "What’s wrong?"

"Mother—" Wen Hao called out in a crisp, clear voice.

Lady Lin froze, staring straight at Wen Hao: "A-Hao?"

Before Wen Hao could speak again, she raised her hand and pinched her own cheek hard.

The Old Madam couldn't stop her in time and chided: "You two really are mother and daughter."

Lady Lin was so excited that her lips were trembling; even though her cheek hurt, she couldn't believe it: "A-Hao, call me Mother again."

"Mother." Wen Hao choked up.

Lady Lin pulled Wen Hao into her arms and couldn't stop herself from crying.

The Old Madam wiped her tears and smiled: "Hurry and tell your husband this great news."

Hearing this, Wen Hao’s gaze turned cold.

That’s right, at this time, Father was still the good son-in-law in Grandmother’s eyes and the good husband in Mother’s eyes.

Wen Hao broke free from Lady Lin’s embrace: "Mother, let’s go back to the mansion first."

"A-Hao, you’ve injured your foot; just stay here and recover. You can go back when you’re better," the Old Madam said, trying to stop her.

"It’s not far. It only takes a few steps by carriage. I’ll come back to keep you company once my foot is better."

Lady Lin also said: "Mother, let me take the girls back so we don't disturb your peace."

Since Old General Lin had passed away, Lady Lin, as a married daughter, only needed to observe mourning for one year, while the Old Madam needed to observe mourning for her husband for three years, so they were still in mourning.

The Old Madam thought of this and did not stop them further.

The Wen Mansion was indeed very close to the General’s Mansion. The three of them boarded the carriage and arrived in less than a quarter of an hour.

Wen Hao lifted the carriage curtain and stared fixedly at the plaque inscribed with the two characters "Wen Mansion," letting out a silent, cold laugh.

This house had been carefully selected and purchased by her grandfather after her parents became betrothed. Her mother was an only daughter, and her grandparents had hoped she would live nearby to make it convenient to visit her maiden home.

Of course, the most practical issue was that at the time, her father was just a poor scholar who had just passed the imperial examination as a *shujishi*; he was unwilling to live with his in-laws for the sake of his pride, yet he had no money to buy a house.

"A-Hao, what are you looking at?" Lady Lin was in a great mood and asked her youngest daughter, who was peeking outside with a smile.

Wen Hao lowered the carriage curtain and smiled: "I just feel like I’m dreaming; even the house looks a bit unfamiliar. Mother, why don't we not send word to Father? Wouldn't it be a surprise to wait for him to return?"

Lady Lin had been pampered her whole life; despite being married for many years, she still had the temperament of a young girl and immediately thought this was a good suggestion.

It wasn't until dusk approached that a maid had the chance to report, "The Master has returned," and Wen Rugui strode in.

"Master—" Seeing Wen Rugui’s livid expression, the smile on Lady Lin’s face vanished, and she couldn't help but freeze.