Chapter 263 - An Visitor From Lin Family
“Someone from my home?” Lin Mengya’s thoughts were mingled with hope and fear.
After cleaning her hands, she went to the living room.
When she entered the room, she saw a slim figure standing there.
“Brother! It’s you!”
She looked at Lin Nansheng in surprise. She had never imagined that the ‘someone’ would be her elder brother, Lin Nansheng.
Lin Nansheng turned back and gave her a doting smile, as what he always did, when they were children.
“I was so worried about you, so I arranged to come here. How is it going recently?”
Lin Mengya looked noble, elegant and graceful. But Lin Nansheng still felt regret, that she could not live the light-hearted life she had before.
“I’m good. Don’t worry about me. Oh, brother, have you had a meal? Baizhi, go to the kitchen and prepare some food.”
Then, Lin Mengya took Lin Nansheng to Liuxin Courtyard.
When he entered the yard, Lin Nansheng saw all kinds of precious flowers growing profusely there. He shook his head and thought that it would have been a waste, if it was not used by his sister.
“Sister, it’s well-decorated here, but these artificial hills, rocks or flowers are not precious enough. Later on, I will find more valuable ones, and then redecorate it, okay?”
Hearing that, Lin Mengya became speechless. “Brother, Qinghu, or Xiaoyu, why are they so keen on placing precious things in my yard?”
historical
“It’s good enough here. Oh, brother, why did father let you come to see me?”
Steward Deng was experienced and also a master in dealing with all kinds of affairs. If she could not handle it, she would die for it.
Only her maids were with her in the Liuxin Courtyard, no strangers. It was such a relief. She was really worried that Lin Nansheng would see her being busy, and thought that Long TianhaoLong Tianyu was bullying her.
“Father has agreed to help you enter the Palace. “But father wants you know that, although our people are there, they would not show up, unless there’s an emergency. So you must be very careful when entering the Palace.”
Lin Mengya nodded. Lin Muzhi was really awesome to have arranged everything so well, in just a few days. When it came to the Palace, Lin Mengya could not do better than her father.
“And, King of Chongshan, and King of Lishan, will not give you a hand, unless there’s no other way. You must be clear about it. After all, although they are father’s old friends, they are still one of those powers in the court. It’s complicated and they have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages, and look at the big picture. Do you understand?”
In fact, Lin Mengya did not think too much, when she first had the idea to enter the Palace. Her original plan was only to check on His Majesty’s health condition.
But now, a slight move on one part may affect the situation as a whole. Perhaps when she entered the Palace, Lin Muzhi and other officials would start their plans immediately.
“I understand. Actually, I am able to protect myself as well. The Empress dares not do anything to me for now. Did father tell you anything else?”
Long TianhaoLong Tianyu had his people in the Palace as well, but she heard that he still could not get close to His Majesty.
Information from the Palace said that His Majesty was still unconscious. Whether he was alive or not, was still not confirmed.
“Father also got news that, the Empress and the Crown Prince would go to His Majesty’s room every three days, unaccompanied. Every time they came out, their faces would be very sullen. So father took a wild guess and thought that His Majesty might not be unconscious, and that their statement might not be true.”
The information shook Lin Mengya’s mind.
His Majesty was wise, and was unlikely to be controlled by the Empress and the Crown Prince easily.
But if His Majesty was in good health, how could the Empress and the Crown Prince issue a fake edict?
It seemed that the situation was much more complicated than she expected.
After they talked for a while, Baizhi got lunch ready.
Long TianhaoLong Tianyu had gone out early this morning, so both of them could feel at ease at the table.
Baizhi and some diligent old maids, were setting the table. The dishes were simple, delicate and tasty. Lin Nansheng noticed that all the servants in Prince Yu’s Mansion, had great respect for Lin Mengya.
Servants might not cunning or neat enough, but they did know what to do. There were none that was arrogant. He credited it to Lin Mengya’s good management.
“Brother, why are you laughing?”
Lin Mengya saw Lin Nansheng’s lips curl slightly, when she was helping to set the table.
“I’m laughing because my little girl is now the Master of Prince Yu’s Mansion, and has everyone’s respect.”
She pretended to be angry and stared at him. But when she was about to say something, Baiji, who looked a little nervous, came nearer to her, and said something.
“Why would she come here?”
Lin Mengya looked at Baiji and frowned. Baiji just shook her head. Then, Lin Mengya turned and looked at Lin Nansheng, and seemed to be hesitating.
“Bring me to have a look. Brother, you stay here. I’ll deal with this, and come back soon.”
After making sure Lin Nansheng was comfortable, Lin Mengya went out of her main room with Baiji and Baizhi. Outside the room, all the servants were kneeling on the floor. Lin Mengya’s eyes widened, then she turned to look at the elegant woman, standing in the yard.
“Greetings, mother.”
The woman was Concubine De, who had not made an appearance for some time. Her full purple palace outfit made her look beautiful and gorgeous.
But the continuous arrogance in her eyes made her look mean as well, not at all like an elegant, noble madame.
Suddenly, a strange assumption came into Lin Mengya’s mind, but she thought it was too ridiculous, and suppressed it.
“I heard that your brother is here today. We are family. As juniors, you may not want to disturb me, so I came over, instead. Am I disturbing you?”
Lin Mengya lost her nerve. After she became distant, Concubine De had never treated her in such a friendly manner, let alone been so concerned about her.
But Lin Mengya did not know the reason yet, so she had to act cautiously.
“It’s my fault. Mother is resting now, so I thought it would not be appropriate to disturb you. Therefore, I did not bring my brother to greet you.”
In fact, Concubine De existed in name only, in Prince Yu’s Mansion.
Long TianhaoLong Tianyu issued an order personally that Concubine De had no right to look into anything here. If Concubine De insisted on getting herself involved, she would be sent to their house in the countryside.
It seemed a little heartless, since she was his mother. But Lin Mengya knew clearly that Long TianhaoLong Tianyu was trying to keep Concubine De safe.
“No, I know you’re busy, so I came here specially. I’d like to see what the famous young hero is like.”
Concubine De’s reasoning was sound, and Lin Mengya had no refutation for the moment. So she had to take Concubine De to her room. But at the time, nobody noticed Baizhi disappearing.
“Lin Nansheng paying my respects to Concubine De.”
Concubine De sat in the honorable seat, and looked at him from head to toe. Lin Nansheng was really a young hero, handsome, and also righteous.
“Arise. Like father, like son. Mr. Lin, you look as handsome as your father. I really like you. Oh, do you like our food here? Your sister always tries to cut expenses, if there is anything lacking, tell me.”
What Concubine De said, sounded like she was praising Lin Mengya for her frugalness, but in fact, she was trying to win Lin Nansheng over.
It sounded a little ironic, though. Both Lin Nansheng and Lin Mengya did not bother about her attempt to sow discord. Concubine De was smiling on the surface, but actually in her heart, there was some resentment.
Then, her frown slowly eased, and she took a sip of the tea, elegantly.
“I know you’re a good man, but unfortunately, still unmarried yet. Since we’re relatives, I could introduce an elegant lady to you, what do you think about that?”
Lin Mengya and Lin Nansheng exchanged glances. Both of them had never imagined that Concubine De would propose to introduce a girl to him.
Lin Mengya became a bit angry. Concubine De had indirectly caused the death of Yue Ting. So she was not supposed to mention that.
Lin Nansheng cupped his hands, and replied in an apologetic manner.
“Thanks, Your Highness. But only my parents can make that decision for me. “And I am already engaged. So thank you, Your Highness.”
Concubine De did not get angry. Instead, she smiled and said.
“Oh, I remember, you were engaged to Miss Yue, right? But she’s unlucky not to live long enough. Qin’er, come and see young general Lin. Mr. Lin, she’s my niece, Qin’er. She may not be as clever and lovely as Mengya, but she also comes from a noble family. Much better than those shameless women. I suppose, why not be doubly related?”
Lin Nansheng and Lin Mengya ‘s expressions changed instantly.
Then, Jiang Ruqin, dressed in light pink, showed up gracefully and greeted them, and then, shouted in hindsight.
“Ah! Are you the fiance of that Miss Yue? She was really the subject of gossip the other day. What a pity. She left such a handsome, young hero, and seduced the prince from the state in the west. Consequently, she lost face. If I were her, I would also have committed suicide.”