Chapter 155: Pulling Away

The Old Madam affectionately smoothed Lin Chan's soft hair. "Do not worry about trouble. Although the Emperor has covered this matter up, he knows in his heart that he has wronged the General's Mansion. He knows that once you fall ill, he will surely show his intentions. And with the Emperor's gesture, no one will dare use this matter against you when marriage is discussed again in the future."

That was why she said this was Chan'er's best opportunity to make a choice, rather than being forced to accept fate as she had back then.

And no matter what Chan'er chose, she would support her.

"As long as there is no trouble, it is fine," Lin Chan said, revealing a sincere smile.

Madam Lin was amused. "This is quite good; it saves you from being dragged into those messy imperial disputes."

Watching the relaxed expressions of the group, Cheng Shu thought to himself that it was only because the General's Mansion held no interest in the position of Princess Consort; however, it was precisely because they were such grandmothers and aunts that a child like him, who had no father or mother, had never felt a lack of love.

"Chan'er, don't worry. I will work hard in the future and strive to be your backbone," Cheng Shu said, patting his chest.

Lin Chan pursed her lips and smiled. "Then I shall wait for Eldest Brother to be my support."

On the way back to Jiaoyue Residence, Lin Chan invited Lin Hao to her place.

The osmanthus trees in Jiaoyue Residence had sprouted tender buds, adding much vitality to the exquisite little courtyard. The heavy quilted cotton door curtains of winter had also been replaced with light and beautiful gauze curtains.

The two sisters each held a cup of spring tea, snuggling on a beauty chaise to talk.

"I originally thought that becoming the Consort of Prince Wei would allow me to shield my family from the wind and rain, but I didn't expect that I would instead drag them into a whirlpool," Lin Chan said with a bitter smile.

Lin Hao took Lin Chan's hand. "Eldest Sister, don't think that way. The Crown Prince lacks virtue; he is capable of doing anything unexpected. One cannot judge him by common logic."

"Then what about Second Sister?"

"Me?" Lin Hao was stunned for a moment.

"Yes, what does Second Sister think of the Prince Jing's Heir?"

The spring tea was slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. Lin Hao's cheeks grew somewhat warm as she spoke her heart: "I am not quite sure. Dealing with the Prince Jing's Heir makes me feel very at ease, even very happy... but I am not sure if this is that kind of 'must-be-him' kind of love."

Lin Chan was somewhat surprised by Lin Hao's contradictory feelings. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Many people have come to propose to Second Sister in recent days. If you had to choose between the Prince Jing's Heir and those people, how would you choose?"

"I would naturally choose the Prince Jing's Heir," Lin Hao replied without hesitation. "After all, I haven't even seen the faces of the others."

Lin Chan became increasingly confused. "In that case, isn't the Prince Jing's Heir the best choice?"

Lin Hao was stumped by the question. After a long while, she tentatively asked her elder sister, "Do you think a person can have feelings for two people at the same time?"

Lin Chan was stunned.

She didn't even have a single person she felt something special for, yet her sister actually liked two!

After a long silence, Lin Chan asked cautiously, "Then the other one is—"

Lin Hao nearly choked on her tea.

"Eldest Sister, I was just asking out of curiosity."

"Oh." Lin Chan hesitated to speak, her heart still in shock.

Her sister liked two people, liked two people...

Lin Hao pressed her hand to her forehead.

It was over; her image in her eldest sister's heart would never be good again.

As news of the eldest Miss Lin's illness gradually spread, the young County Princess Qi Qiong was the first to visit.

Lin Chan lay on the bed with her hair loose, clearly forcing herself to stay spirited to receive the guest.

Seeing this, Qi Qiong did not stay long, offering a few words of comfort before leaving.

"A-Hao, don't worry. Sister Chan'er is young and has a good constitution; she will recover quickly if she rests well."

"Mhm, thank you, Princess." Lin Hao felt apologetic in her heart, but on the surface, she had to maintain a look of deep concern.

After this, several noble ladies who were close to Lin Chan came to visit one after another, but those who came later found no one to receive them.

It seemed the eldest Miss Lin was seriously ill.

By the time people realized this, the visits were no longer limited to the younger generation. Many households sent stewards with consolation gifts, and even the Palace sent tonic supplements. Prince Wei even visited in person.

Looking at the handsome young man, Madam Lin felt a secret sense of regret.

What a pity; if only he weren't the Emperor's son. Chan'er was kind and gentle; she couldn't handle the delicate task of being a Prince's Consort.

Thinking this way, Madam Lin's slight regret instantly vanished.

"Is the eldest Miss doing alright?"

Madam Lin secretly pinched her thigh and put on a grieving expression. "She is alright, but she has caused the Prince worry."

Seeing Madam Lin's reaction, Prince Wei guessed that the eldest Miss Lin might be quite seriously ill.

"This Prince has heard that Physician Qian of the Imperial Academy of Medicine is skilled at treating ailments caused by anxiety and fright. I wonder if Physician Qian has been invited to see her?"

"He has been invited, and she is currently taking the medicine he prescribed." Hearing Prince Wei mention Physician Qian, Madam Lin felt a headache coming on.

Not long after news of Chan'er's illness broke, Physician Qian had come to the door. It turned out he had been requested by the Prince Jing's Mansion.

Fortunately, they were prepared. They had the physician perform a pulse diagnosis through a curtain; the person behind the curtain was not Chan'er, but a maid in the mansion who was actually ill, allowing them to bluff their way through.

When Madam Lin thought of that day's experience, she felt it was too painful to recall.

"Please rest easy. Physician Qian's medical skills are profound; the eldest Miss will surely be fine."

"I take your word for it, Prince." Madam Lin managed a forced smile.

After seeing Prince Wei off, Madam Lin turned to the Old Madam to complain, "Mother, I am truly not good at lying through my teeth. Next time someone comes, please, you do it."

The Old Madam's expression contorted for a moment.

Not good at lying, so she should do it?

What kind of unfilial daughter is this!

After silently persuading herself for a long while, the Old Madam said indifferently, "Most of those who need to come have come. In two days, I will enter the Palace to seek an audience with the Empress Dowager and express our intention to break the engagement through her."

"That would be good. Let no one else come."

Two days later, the Old Madam submitted her request and entered the Palace.

The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised by the Old Madam's visit. "It has been quite some time since we last met."

The Old Madam's eyes reddened the moment she heard this.

The Empress Dowager froze.

What now?

The scene of the Old Madam coming to the Palace last time to wail about her ungrateful son-in-law was still fresh in her mind; the Empress Dowager had an intuition that this was not a good sign.

Although the Empress Dowager did not wish to get involved in troublesome matters, she felt some sentiment for her old acquaintance, especially since the two families were now related by marriage. Thus, she asked in a concerned tone, "What is the matter, Old Madam?"

The Old Madam let out a deep sigh. "Have you heard about the matter my eldest granddaughter Chan'er encountered a few days ago?"

The Empress Dowager nodded. "Such a major event, of course I have heard."

Could it be dissatisfaction with the investigation results?

If she came here for that, it would be crossing a line.

The Empress Dowager did not mind helping an old friend, provided it did not cause trouble for the Emperor.

"My granddaughter is a timid one; she fell ill after this ordeal."

The Empress Dowager showed surprise. "Is it serious?"

She did not pay much attention to matters outside the Palace and was unaware of the news regarding the eldest Miss Lin's illness.

The Old Madam wiped the corners of her eyes. "I originally thought it was nothing, but I did not expect her illness to grow heavier and heavier. For the past two days, she has been unconscious. I thought that because this girl lacks fortune, she should not delay Prince Wei, so I have come to the Palace to seek the Empress Dowager's help."

"Does the Old Madam mean—"

"Please inform the Empress Dowager and the Emperor that Chan'er lacks the fortune to serve Prince Wei."