Chapter 139 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

 FlamingoBees 

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 Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion

 Chapter 139: 

 Different

"Miss Lin, I really appreciate the housewarming gift you sent.... I didn't expect your clerical script to be so good."

Lin Yunwan smiled. She felt a bit awkward praising herself since, in reality, her best handwriting wasn't in clerical script.

Qi Lingheng took her to the back hill of Cien Temple to talk. The stone steps were clean because it was a secluded area, and the monks rarely walked there.

"If you like, I can write a few more pieces for Xiruo to give to you," Lin Yunwan offered.

"Sure," Qi Lingheng didn't hesitate to accept. He even took the initiative, "I have a girl cousin who is about to be born. Do you have time to help me transcribe a few congratulatory articles? I'll have them embroidered into a screen and send it to my aunt."

Lin Yunwan couldn't help but smile, "How do you know it's going to be a girl cousin even before the birth? That's quite impressive!"

Qi Lingheng explained, "That's what everyone in the family says."

I apologize for any confusion. Here's a revised translation:

"Regardless of whether it's a boy or girl, everything for my aunt and uncle has already been prepared, including clothes and a crib, following the style my aunt likes."

Lin Yunwan smiled gently. The Empress' maternal family, the Zhao family, indeed showered their girls with affection. She commented, "Being born as the Prince's cousin is truly fortunate."

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Qi Lingheng also acknowledged that the Zhao family treated their girls exceptionally well. His female cousins were all cherished. The aunts who married into the Zhao family got along harmoniously, thanks to the family's good values.

"Xiruo mentioned that you wanted to see me, Lady Lin... You've never sought help unless necessary," Qi Lingheng said, smiling mysteriously. "What made you want to meet me?"

Lin Yunwan slowed her pace, and with great sincerity, she gave a polite bow. "Lord, indeed, I have something to request of you."

Qi Lingheng playfully supported her, saying, "No need to be so formal. I was the one who escorted you to the Lin family." He paused and continued, "Considering, I might be your only... friend in Jiang Qian. No need for formalities."

Lin Yunwan felt warmth in her heart hearing this.

After her father's passing, only her brother took care of her like this.

The Prince was the second.

Feeling a sense of closeness, she spoke frankly to Qi Lingheng, "I wouldn't be able to find this person on my own. I'd like you to help me find someone."

"Who are you looking for?" Qi Lingheng inquired.

After some thought, Lin Yunwan said, "The maidservant who came as part of the dowry with Miss Lin's stepmother."

Qi Lingheng furrowed his brow, sensing that the situation was quite complex.

Complexities were nothing new, but there had to be something even more intricate behind it.

What had she encountered in the Lin family?

Lin Yunwan then explained the situation as she knew it.

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"A four-year-old girl wouldn't intentionally bump into her stepmother's belly in the middle of the night. Since then, people around Madam Zheng and Miss Lin's wet nurse have all been dismissed."

How could there not be something suspicious in all of this? Lin Yunwan mused absentmindedly, thinking about what Dong Shuangshuang had told her.

"Lady Lin, have you thought of any other important information?" Qi Lingheng looked into her eyes.

Lin Yunwan came back to her senses, shook her head, and said, "Nothing more."

She had also told Qi Lingheng the hometown of the maidservant who came with Madam Zheng's dowry.

"So many years have passed. If you can find her, that's great; if not, it's not a big deal," Lin Yunwan added.

Qi Lingheng chuckled, "I will find her. Unless... she's no longer alive." How could there be someone the royal family couldn't find? The Prince was indeed confident!

Lin Yunwan had great trust in the Prince; he wasn't someone who spoke without substance. Since he promised to help her, he would surely deliver.

The path up the mountain was rugged, and even with stone steps, it wasn't an easy journey.

A'Fu followed behind them, reminding, "Your Highness, lady, it gets colder as we go up. I didn't bring enough warm clothes."

Qi Lingheng and Lin Yunwan both looked up the mountain road. Due to the heavy mist on the mountain, it appeared pitch-black.

Unconsciously, the two had walked quite a distance together.

Lin Yunwan was silently surprised. How was it that it felt like she had only spoken with the Prince for a short time, but an hour had already passed?

"Miss Lin, let's head back," Qi Lingheng suggested.

Lin Yunwan nodded, "I've been out for too long."

A'Fu quickly added, "Be careful of the slippery path, Miss."

Qi Lingheng said, "You go ahead and lead the way."

"Alright."

A'Fu jogged ahead, and Qi Lingheng and Lin Yunwan descended the mountain together.

When it was time to part, before Lin Yunwan could only bid farewell, Qi Lingheng looked at her with a faint smile. "Don't you have anything else to say to me?"

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Anything else? Lin Yunwan frowned. What else did the Prince want to hear?

Seeing that she couldn't grasp the implied meaning, Qi Lingheng continued, "...Go back. If people find out, I'll have someone notify Xiruo."

He had already taken a step ahead, and there were guards on the mountain path. He couldn't walk with her, so it was better to leave first.

Lin Yunwan watched Qi Lingheng and his entourage move further away, still standing on the stone steps.

Xiruo followed along and asked with a smile, "Miss, did you talk to the Prince?"

Lin Yunwan nodded.

The lord cherished their past connection and was very willing to help her. Why wouldn't she seize this opportunity? When she had cultivated her own influence, investigated the truth, and cleared her name, how long would she have to wait?

Xiruo followed up, "Did the Prince agree?"

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "What is there that the Prince wouldn't agree to?"

Xiruo blinked her eyes, widening them, and said, "It's not quite like that. The Prince doesn't easily do favors for others, that's just for you, Miss!"

"Me?"

Lin Yunwan was puzzled. Qi Lingheng's reputation had always been good; was he unkind to others?

Xiruo thought for a moment and said, "Miss, the Prince truly treats you differently."

"Differently? How so?"

Xiruo explained, "The Prince usually keeps his distance from women, even those from the Zhao family. He's always very prudent. But with you..."

"...we've been alone together twice."

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Xiruo counted on her fingers. It was definitely more than two times!

Lin Yunwan closed her eyes, recalling not just the two times mentioned but also their private moments in the Temple in the capital. Various emotions surged within her.

"Xiruo, why do you think the lord treats me differently?"

Xiruo pondered for a while, unable to provide a clear answer. Shaking her head, Xiruo replied, "I can't really say." 

Even the maidservant couldn't discern the reason, so it might not be a matter of romantic feelings. Lin Yunwan couldn't quite grasp the nature of her emotions either. She asked, "Is it because of Father? What do you think?"

Xiruo nodded thoughtfully, "It should be! The Prince holds the Grand Tutor in high regard. I've heard from Eunuch Fu about the Grand Tutor's accomplishments in teaching, but he only spoke highly of Master Lin and no one else!"

Lin Yunwan breathed a sigh of relief. She regretted trying to guess a gentleman's intentions. If she had viewed the Prince's kindness with the love of a child, it would have been a disservice to him.

"Let's go," she said.

"Do you want to return to the carriage, miss, or do you want to go see Miss Lin first?"

"Let's go see Miss Lin first, then proceed to offer prayers."

"Prayers for Miss Lin again?"

Lin Yunwan clarified, "No, it's not for Miss Lin. Zhuqing's child is about to be born, and I want to offer prayers for her. Giving birth is a painful but joyful experience for women. Zhuqing will soon go through that, but unfortunately, I can't share it with her."

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