The night wind blew, the old elm tree lazily yawned, its branches and leaves swaying, making a low, pleasant rustling sound. The half-moon hung high in the sky, its light slanting down, casting a layer of silver frost over the houses inside and out.

  Lin Jinyong knelt on the stool in front of the window, ending his conversation with Lin Jinyin: "That's it, I made a profit for Huang Niang and also made one for myself. The money for sister will be returned tomorrow."

  The room was not lit, and the moonlight made Lin Jinyu's expression particularly warm. However, Lin Yinyin felt that her sister was unfamiliar. Lin Jinyu explained everything clearly, from start to finish, and she had also seen the note left by Huang Niangniang. She wasn't a member of the Tao family, not only did she not object to Huang Niangniang spending money on Lin Yizhi's marriage, but she was also very happy about it. After all, she was the eldest daughter, and her age was several years older than others, so she had thought about many things, but they were hard to do. This was the awkwardness of being a daughter - if you weren't careful, people would easily criticize you for being greedy and calculating about your husband's family property. But Lin Jinyu not only thought about it, she also did it, which made her feel extremely surprised and uncomfortable.

  Lin Jian faced Lin Jianyin's scrutiny and doubts calmly, she was very clear that she was vastly different from before, almost the opposite, so it was normal for Lin Jianyin to be surprised or suspicious.

  After a while, Lin Jinyan finally spoke up: "I've said before that the money is borrowed from you, I only need the principal, and I won't take anything else. You'd better think carefully, if Mother finds out that you helped Huang Niang, it will inevitably cause trouble."

  "So that's why I clarified things with my sister, and Madam Huang's money is really not a small amount. Next time if there's another opportunity like this, I plan to help her again..." The little bit of silver Madam Huang had given earlier was just a small gesture, how much could it save? She needed Lin Jin's help to cover up and deceive the Tao family so that she could continue to borrow from Madam Huang. Of course, these specific plans for next steps would not be shared with Lin Jin, as long as he knew there was such a thing going on.

  Lin Jin's voice sank into contemplation for a long time, then she said resolutely: "Then let's just keep it from her for now and talk about it later. Although Mother is angry, she won't possibly not take the money from Huang Niangniang, and instead use her own money to make up for it." Although she said so, she was still worried that when the time came, Huang Niangniang would suddenly produce a large sum of money, and Tao Shi would have to quarrel with Lin San Lao Ye again. And they would become a laughing stock in front of others.

  "What's the fear?" Lin Jin smiled calmly: "A concubine born from a lowly maid can bring out so much private money, it's clear that Master San wants to favor his concubine and abandon his wife. So, this matter doesn't need us to worry about it, I guess later she will ask Master San to come forward and count this money as Master San's allowance. If Master San agrees, in the future he can't not give anything to Seventh Brother. Illegitimate children have them, but legitimate children don't, what kind of reason is that? He won't be able to stand his ground."

  The two sisters exchanged a glance and both smiled. Even if the Third Master couldn't produce any money, he could still bring out some of those valuable paintings and calligraphy he had collected, no need to waste them.

  Lin Jinyan smiled and suddenly felt a bit unwell: "What are we doing? Two sisters sitting down to calculate their father's wealth, if people know about it, they will probably be laughed to death."

  "You can laugh at him too." Lin Jiran disagreed: "This is not a calculation, but to save face for Zhou Yuan's father. Have you ever seen anyone be a father like this? I haven't. Oh, I have seen one, that Lin Chang is almost the same as him."

  Lin Jin heard her sister's words and couldn't help but feel extremely worried again. Earlier, she thought her sister was too weak and quiet, hoping that her sister could be stronger and more clever. Now, however, she felt that Lin Jinrong's temper was too big. A woman having a big temper is not a good thing, and it's unknown whether the husband's family will tolerate it in the future. She wanted to advise Lin Jinrong a few words, but when the words reached her lips, she couldn't bring herself to say them. So she thought silently, unless she waits for another time to talk to their mother, when they arrange a marriage for her sister, they must find a gentle and kind family, a warm and gentle brother-in-law; everything else is secondary.

  On the second day in the afternoon, Huang Niang brought Zaier and a food box to Lin Jingrong's courtyard under the pretext of delivering pastries.

  Lin Jianrong ordered the gatekeeper of Litchi Bay to guard the door from outside and settled accounts with her.

  No matter what Huang Yiniang was thinking in her heart, she showed a satisfied and grateful appearance. She heard that Lin Jirong didn't want to draw lots, so she insisted on giving Lin Jirong a silver bracelet as a thank you gift, asking Lin Jirong to remember to help Lin Yizhi if there were similar opportunities in the future.

  Lin Jinrong still thought about the future and wouldn't accept Huang Yiniang's silver bangle, so she sent her off peacefully.

  The food box was quite heavy, and Zao'er had some difficulty carrying it, so they walked very slowly. Huang Niang looked at them with a mix of joy and sadness in her heart. She remembered that Lin Jiren had asked Tao Fengtang to wait until after the spring tax payment before selling, and Tao Fengtang had agreed. But the money Lin Jiren gave her just now was only calculated based on the silver and gold prices in Qingzhou last autumn, and considering Lin Jiren didn't take a commission or gifts, it was clear that he had made a big profit by borrowing her money.

  Although she also understands that nothing is free in this world, if Lin Yiru didn't have any benefits at all, why would he help her and Lin Yizhen for no reason? Moreover, this opportunity to make money was hard to come by, but she still felt a bit sour and resentful. She wished that Lin Yizhen could quickly pass the imperial examination, marry a good wife, and then be able to take care of himself and earn his own living without having to ask others for help in such trivial matters. Only then would their lives be stable.

  Forget it, forget it. How can one not lower their head under someone else's roof? Fourth Young Miss is really unwilling to marry into the Lu family. The card she originally held in her hand, Fang's card, has lost its use, and it's even more impossible to bring it up in front of Fourth Young Miss. Can't help but lower her head even further. As long as Fourth Young Miss is willing to speak a few words on Lin Yizhen's behalf at the critical moment, then so be it. Still need to find an opportunity to mention it to Fourth Young Miss and ask for her help in speaking up in front of the Tao family, or at least help investigate the situation.

  Huang Niangniang was in the middle of planning, when Zhou Shi's trusted maid, Xu Yiniang, came rushing over with a smile on her face. Before she could even greet her, Xu Yiniang had already rushed up to her. Huang Niangniang dodged out of the way, but collided with Zaier, who was behind Xu Yiniang. The collision was quite severe, and Zaier stumbled, almost dropping the food box in her hands. Huang Niangniang quickly rushed forward and firmly protected the food box.

  Xu Ayi stopped in her tracks, swept a glance at the dates on the ground, and her gaze fell on the food box in Huang Niang's arms. A smile spread across Piggy Face's face as she stretched out her hand to pull Xu Ayi: "Oh, it's you, Niang. I'm getting old and blind, didn't see you, and bumped into you like this. Bumping into Miss Date is my fault."

  How dare Huang Niang offend the confidant of the lady of the house? Holding the food box tightly, she smiled and said: "Auntie, is there something urgent?"

  "Of course! The old lady has come from her mother's family. Hurrying to report, I suppose. Where did you come from, Auntie? And what delicious dish have you made again?"

  "It's nothing, just steamed some cakes and sent them to the two girls to try. Auntie, you're busy, I won't bother you." Huang Yiniang couldn't bear Xun Yiniang staring at her own food box, so she gave Zaor a signal with her eyes and quickly left.

  Mrs. Xu turned around and looked at her carefully, pondering for a moment, and forgot to continue walking inside. Entering the simple residence, she directly called out to a small maid: "Go ask around and find out what Madam Huang did today, then come back and tell me." Then, without stopping her feet from moving forward, "The mistress is overjoyed, we have guests arriving at home!"

  The Zhou family was looking at the account book, getting angrier by the minute. The second house really knew how to save money, the twins received their monthly allowance but went to the old lady's place to eat and drink, daring to ask for anything, eating all the good food, not saving a single penny. Luo Shi also often mixed in, all expenses were counted on the old lady's head, and they even took things back with them. How could they be so shameless? The old lady was too biased! Just as she was getting annoyed, she suddenly heard Xu Ayi's shout and said displeased: "What's all the commotion about?"

  Madam Xū saw her with a dark face, and only then did she collect her expression, saying: "The master has ordered me to come in and inform the madam that there are guests from Sōngzhōu. Second Uncle is leading Third Young Master to pay respects to the various gentlemen and seek learning under their names."

  "What? Really?" Zhou Shi was the one who had been married into the Lin family when Old Man Lin was still in office, and her hometown was far away. It had been many years since she last saw anyone from her natal family, so she was overjoyed to the extreme, forgetting the unpleasantness of just now. She immediately stood up and said: "Let's go, let's go, I'll take a look."

  "Madam, at this moment Uncle and Young Master are chatting with Old Master in the Taoyuan residence."

  "Ah, I'm so silly! Shouldn't we first pay our respects to the outer courtyard and then proceed? Alright, let's prepare dinner first. Second Uncle likes to eat Snowflake Soup and Braised Pork Belly, these two dishes must not be omitted. Cousin, I haven't met this child before, send someone to ask what he likes to eat and report back."

  The old woman came back and whispered to Madame Zhou, "Madame, I met Huang's wife earlier. Zao'er was carrying a heavy food box. I rushed over to tell you the news without noticing that I bumped into Zao'er. Isn't it strange? Huang's wife usually treats that girl very well, but she didn't care about her falling down and instead hugged the food box tightly. She even ignored Zao'er when she couldn't get up after the fall. Later on, she didn't let Zao'er carry it either, but carried it herself..."

  "Get to the point!" Zhou said impatiently.

  The old woman hastily gathered up the string of words that followed; "I thought it strange, so I sent someone to investigate, and it turned out that Huang Niang was from the Fourth Young Lady's courtyard."

  "What's in the lunchbox?" Zhou asked impatiently.

  The old nun looked a bit embarrassed: "I didn't hear anything. That's why I found it strange."

  "Then let's keep asking around! Someone must know something." When did Lin Si get mixed up with Huang Niang? This is too abnormal!

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