Lin Lao Tai was getting on in years, and the previous night her bones ached so much that she couldn't sleep. This morning, it was inevitable that she got up late, and just as Qing Li and several other maidservants were helping her put on her shoes, before she even had time to tidy up her clothes, her eldest daughter-in-law, Zhou Shi, suddenly lifted the curtain and strode in, calling out: "Mother!"

  Mrs. Lin considered herself a refined and cultured person, who attached great importance to etiquette. Her daughter-in-law had not even been announced before bursting in, taking big strides and making a racket, which naturally displeased her. She hummed: "I'd forgotten that it's gotten chilly, and I've kept you waiting."

  Zhou's face tensed up, but she couldn't be bothered to argue with her about these things, and hastily said: "Gong Mama, who is by Third Brother's wife's side, just rushed over and said that Third Brother's wife has moved the fetal energy, please go take a look."

  Lin Lao Tai raised an eyebrow and said loudly: "What's going on?!" How could it be that the fetus was moving so early in the morning for no reason, and she had to be invited over?!

  The Zhou family had a rough idea, but because the whole family was keeping it from the two elderly people, she couldn't shake off the crime of knowing and not reporting. So she didn't dare to answer, only saying: "My daughter-in-law just heard about it and got anxious, lost her composure, and didn't even have time to ask questions in detail. Why don't we let Mother Gong come in and respond?"

  The old lady ordered someone to hurry up and comb her hair and wash her face, while coldly saying: "Need I say more?" Before she had even finished speaking, Luo's wife "kindly" dragged in Mrs. Gong.

  Gong Mama saw Lin Lao Tai, her eyes were all red, but she didn't dare cry. She knelt down and paid respects, trembling with voice: "Slave gives old lady a greeting."

  The old lady sat upright in front of the dressing table, her eyes staring straight into the mirror, and said coldly: "Hurry up and tell me what's going on."

  Gong's mother was busy talking about getting up, and heard that the old lady's face suddenly turned red and white, Zhou's eyebrows were slightly locked, and Luo's mouth twitched.

  But Qingli also took the opportunity to slip out, smiling and bowing to the female masters standing outside the curtain listening to the commotion, advising: "Ladies and young ladies, please go back first, the old lady may not have time for a while."

  Although everyone perked up their ears to listen, they didn't dare stay any longer and dispersed one after another. Only Lin Jingrong remained, tightly pursing his lips and lowering his eyes, stubbornly standing under the curtain, his face already pale.

  Inside the curtain, Mrs. Gong's voice was trembling slightly, but it was very clear and logical: "The third madam had just finished packing and was about to set off to pay her respects to the old lady when the third master suddenly walked in and asked his wife to prepare gold, silver, brocade, and other things to formally bring that woman into the house as a concubine. Such a big thing should have been reported to the old master and old lady before it could be done, but the third madam didn't dare take matters into her own hands. Seeing the third master reeking of alcohol, she was afraid he was drunk and confused, so she said she had to report to the old lady first and asked about the woman's background. For some reason, the third master suddenly flew into a rage, smashing the furniture in the third madam's room, scaring the seventh young master into wailing loudly, then beating and scolding him. When his wife tried to intervene, he pushed her to the ground, where she fell and couldn't get up due to pain, and soon saw red...

  "Despicable scoundrel! What kind of fox spirit has bewitched him to the point of losing his mind? He wanted to bring it in, didn't he? Go and bind it for me, I want to see what kind of fox spirit it is!"

  Two bright teardrops fell from Lin Jianrong's lowered eyelashes, and Qingli's heart trembled at the sight. The Third Master was truly a scoundrel, dragging these children down with him for no reason. Just as she was about to go forward to comfort Lin Jianrong, the curtain was lifted, and it was Lin Lao Tai who emerged first, her face twisted in anger, supported by Zhou Shi and Luo Shi on either side, who whispered words of consolation: "Old mistress, calm down, take your time."

  The green pear was no longer persuadable, and had to retreat a step back. But Lin Jinrong did not dodge or yield, only lowering his eyes, with tears like broken strings of pearls, falling down one by one, yet he made not the slightest sound.

  "Ah!" Luo exclaimed, her voice shrill and sharp. "Fourth Young Mistress, what are you still doing here? Why haven't you gone back to your room?"

  The old lady stood still, frowning at Lin Jinyong. Lin Jinyong gently wiped the corner of his eye with a white handkerchief and bowed slightly: "Grandmother." Before he could get up, another tear fell out and splashed into eight pieces on the bluestone ground.

  The old lady looked at Lin Jianrong like this, with complex emotions, and heavily stamped her foot, hatefully sighed and said: "Still not following up!"

  Lin Jiner hurriedly followed the few people, quietly glancing at Gong Mama with her eyes downcast. Based on her understanding of the Tao family's temperament, the situation at that time should have had some discrepancies with what Gong Mama said. The words spoken by Gong Mama were likely carefully crafted. She still held onto a glimmer of hope, wishing that it was just a trap set by the Tao family to thoroughly dispel Old Master Lin's thoughts, and that the child in her belly would be fine.

  Gong Mama noticed her gaze and also took a stealthy look at her, with a painful expression, the corners of her mouth drooping, and a dull gray face.

  Really having something on his mind, Lin Jien Rong's lips uncontrollably trembled slightly.

  Lu said as he walked: "Old lady, you walk slowly, oh dear, we've long known that Third Uncle and Third Brother's wife often have some small arguments, but they never hit each other. Third Uncle is also confused, what kind of fox spirit can compare to the legitimate wife and son at home..."

  Old Lady Lin's breathing became heavier, and she glared at her fiercely. Madame Zhou said, "You'd better not say another word!" As she spoke, she glanced at Lin Jingrong.

  Lu closed his mouth at last.

  Lin Jinyong lowered his eyelids, expressionless, and didn't say a word.

  In her memory, before this, Old Master Lin and Mrs. Tao would quarrel and fight, smashing things countless times, but they never laid hands on each other. It wasn't until the year that Huang's wife died that Old Master Lin, drunk to excess, went to smash the furnishings in Mrs. Tao's house. Mrs. Tao was furious and smashed a flower vase onto his head, creating a hole. From then on, those who were reasonable became unreasonable, becoming infamous shrews, not being seen or treated well, with their circumstances becoming increasingly difficult. This time, because of her, the one who smashed Old Master Lin's head was Old Master himself, but Mrs. Tao became the injured party instead. If this child can be kept safe, there might still be a turning point; if she can't be kept safe...

  Lin Jinyong didn't dare to imagine further. But one thought still uncontrollably sprang up, was it because of her rebirth that some things changed, but the final result is still the same? The siblings who shouldn't exist can't come, and the relationship between parents will still have to reach the freezing point? Lin Jinyong shivered, no, she wouldn't agree. She's not the same Lin Siyi who would only hide in her quilt and cry when seeing her parents quarrel!

  Lin Jianrong quickly raised his eyes to look at Lin Lao Tai, who was visibly angry. As a traditional woman, she would not tolerate anything that would tarnish the family's reputation, and now she was clearly standing on Tao Shi's side, with a hint of guilt in her heart. Lin Lao Ye would not let Lin San Lao Ye off easily, and he would definitely get a good scolding.

  However, the matter has already happened. The old master and mistress can only blame the third master for not being capable, but what can they do to their own son? Can't they just beat him to death or disability? No. So what she needs to do is to rush ahead and persuade the Tao family, seize the opportunity to seek the greatest benefit, rather than making a futile sacrifice.

  Lin Jinrong immediately stepped forward, with tears in her eyes and a low voice said: "Grandma, I miss my mother, let me run ahead first to take a look, then come back to pick you up."

  Mrs. Lin originally wanted to say that such a place was chaotic, with a heavy atmosphere of blood and gas, and what could a young girl do there? But looking at Lin Jianrong's pitiful and flustered appearance, thinking of the worries of parents for their children, which is also a common reason in human relationships, she didn't say it, but just nodded lightly.

  Lin Jianrong threw away the crowd and ran forward with big strides, mother and daughter connected at heart, this time no one criticized her behavior.

  She soon arrived at the Tao family's courtyard, but saw Lin Sanlao carrying a stool with his head down and sitting at the door, Lin Shen stood aside, tightly hugging Xia Ye's leg and sobbing softly, no one else was seen, the courtyard was quiet.

  Seeing her, Lin Sanlao, who was drunk, felt a bit uneasy. His pale face twitched and his mouth opened, but he didn't say anything in the end. Lin Jingrong was surprised that he didn't run away, but she pretended he didn't exist and slipped past him.

  The atmosphere in the house was so depressing that it was frightening. Tao's family lay on the bed, shrunk into a ball, Chunya and Lin Jianyin stood tightly beside her with red eyes, Huang Niang also stood by, but she was very sensible, standing quietly beside them, the anxious look on her face was just right.

  Lin Jinyong glanced at Huang Niang quickly: "I have something to say to Madam."

  The aunt immediately said: "I'll go see why the doctor hasn't arrived yet." Then she backed out.

  Lin Jinyong took over Tao's icy hand from Lin Jianyin and called out softly: "Mother."

  Taoshi was in so much pain that he was drenched in sweat, his face pale as he bit his lips tightly, his chest heaving violently, yet still managed to force out a smile, trembling as he said: "Niangniang don't be afraid, I'm fine... just bear with it. Go, comfort your seventh brother..."

  Lin Jianyin didn't understand, but Lin Jianrong immediately knew that things were not going well. At the very least, this child was doomed. She suddenly felt like bursting into loud sobs, but she clearly knew that this wasn't the time to cry. She tightly grasped Mrs. Tao's hand, holding back tears, and spoke in a low voice: "Mother, Grandmother will be here soon. Remember, you can wail loudly and scream in pain in front of her, but don't say anything else. What needs to be said, Mother Gong has already said..."

  A glimmer of hatred flashed in Taoshi's eyes, clearly showing her indignation, but she could only endure it silently as her body couldn't withstand the outburst. Lin Jirong had to whisper into her ear, "The closest relationship is that of flesh and blood, and so is the deepest hatred. You bear with it, for the sake of your seventh brother...". Before he finished speaking, a tear dropped onto Taoshi's face.

  ——*——*——*——

  Hey, sorry about that, making everyone watch this kind of scene on Christmas. But this is a pretty crucial turning point, so, with the rumored extra update for this chapter, releasing two chapters at once, does it make you guys feel any better?