Chapter 148 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

 FlamingoBees 

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Home    :    Novels

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

 Chapter 148: 

Revealed in Public

 

Fan Mama and the female members of the East Lin Mansion were told to settle down in the guest rooms of the Cien Temple.

"Miss, let's go too," Xiruo said as she supported Lin Yunwan and walked with Madam Zheng.

In the wing room, the female members of the West Lin Mansion also settled in, filling the courtyard with bustling activity.

The girls from the West Lin Mansion were all dressed in purple jackets and skirts, while those from the East Lin Mansion wore attire adorned with plum blossom patterns and accessories, clearly distinguishing the two sides.

People from the West Lin Mansion came to pay their respects to the old lady Lin.

"Please be well, Old Madam Lin. We wish you blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains."

In the West Lin Mansion, there was the Old Madam, but she didn't meddle in the affairs of the younger generations. So the head of the family was the First Madam, accompanied by a group of young and beautiful girls, including legitimate and illegitimate daughters. They were all well-groomed and refined, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate daughters at a glance.

People from the East Lin Mansion were surprised. "The First Madam of the West Lin Mansion is quite generous."

The girls from various branches were all outstanding!

Lin Yunwan also took a glance and thought they were truly lovely!

Old Madam Lin smiled and said, "Children, all of you, stand up." She instructed the servants beside her, "Reward each of them."

Everyone received a red packet, and the room became lively.

When it was the turn of the girls from East Lin Mansion, the mistresses from the third courtyard each brought their daughters forward to pay respects, arranged by age. Lin Yunwan was the first in line.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

"What a bright and beautiful young lady," remarked the lady of West Lin Mansion, her eyes shining with admiration.

Old Madam Lin introduced, "This is the eldest daughter of the second family. Yunwan, pay your respects to your aunt."

"Aunt, greetings to you," Lin Yunwan respectfully bowed.

Upon hearing that she was Lin Huabin's daughter, the smiles on the faces of the West Lin Mansion people faded a bit. The First Madam asked politely, "Are you learning female handicrafts at home or studying?"

"I study both, reading and learning female handicrafts," Lin Yunwan replied.

Old Madam Lin then commented, "A bit dull, just learning some girls' skills with Fan Mama."

The mistress of the West Lin Mansion smiled and remarked, "Fan Mama rarely teaches others." The conversation ended there.

The eldest daughter of the second wife of the East Lin Mansion... Many people in Jiangqian have heard about her, saying she lacks education. Although the behavior of the second mistress in the East Lin Mansion is not good either, this stepmother-daughter pair is probably equally matched. Lin Yunwan stepped aside.

The other girls from the mansion came over one by one to pay their respects and celebrate the birthday. She secretly observed how the mistress of the West Lin Mansion treated the other sisters, and in her heart, she already had a clear answer. Even their own family members looked down on the Lin girls! 

After paying their respects, Old Madam Lin smiled and said, "Go out and have fun! Don't stick around this old woman."

The girls knew that the Madams were going to talk to the Old Madam, so they followed suit and exited. Although the girls from the two mansions rarely met, some of them got along quite well. After dispersing, each found their own playmates. Even Lin Yunjiao had cousins she was close to.

Lin Yunwan stood alone in the corridor of the wing. Xiruo frowned and said, "Miss, the girls from West Lin Mansion seem to be intentionally avoiding you."

"Who can't see that?" Lin Yunwan smiled and added, "It seems that Madam and Second Miss have put in quite some effort with ostracizing me."

She allowed the rumors to spread without defending her innocence. It seemed like she was becoming famous throughout Jiangqian!

"Let's go out and take a look."

His Highness was definitely going to send someone in, and she wanted to see how Lin Huabin and Madam Zheng would handle the situation at this point.

Walking towards the main hall together, Lin Yunwan and Xiruo noticed an increase in the number of monks in Cien Temple.

"What's going on?" Lin Yunwan asked quietly.

"I'll go and find out," Xiruo replied.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

They pulled aside a monk to inquire and learned, "A fool came in... not sensible, afraid they might disturb the ladies from the two mansions."

"Thank you," Xiruo said. Turning to Lin Yunwan, she added, "It must be Ling Xiang who entered!"

However, this commotion alerted the people from Lin Huabin's side.

"The madam's attendant, Fan Mama, has come out—Old Madam is also here!" 

Madam Zheng brought Fan Mama to another guest room to meet Lin Huabin.

"What? Ling Xiang came to Cien Temple?" 

Madam Zheng widened her eyes, disdainfully saying, "Does she have such audacity?"

Lin Huabin sighed, "She indeed has such audacity!"

Madam Zheng frowned, "This Ling Xiang, I don't know what madness has possessed her. Sir, you must quickly catch her and deal with her! We can't let her run amok."

At this point, they certainly couldn't let Ling Xiang show up. Lin Huabin said with some annoyance, "Deal with her? How do you want to deal with her? She has already been released, and it's not our responsibility anymore."

Twisting her handkerchief, Madam Zheng said, "She came all this way just for the money."

"Give her money, lots and lots of money. More than she can carry."

"The rest, well, that's the magistrate's problem. You don't need to worry about it."

This was a form of extortion against the old master!

Taking the money provides evidence. When it reaches the magistrate's office, what else is there to judge?

Lin Huabin glanced at Madam Zheng.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Madam Zheng chuckled and said, "This is the only way out. Old Madam is about to go to offer incense at the auspicious time. Are you really going to let her ruin Madam's birthday celebration?"

Lin Huabin paused and said, "Whether she deserves punishment or not, let the authorities decide. I'll leave it to the magistrate's office to handle."

He would never personally get involved in such dirty matters.

Madam Zheng smiled, "Exactly. The courthouse is the fairest place. Let's focus on ensuring Old Madam's birthday celebration goes smoothly."

"Agreed."

Lin Huabin called the chief of guards and instructed expressionlessly, "Use all means to catch her. Gag her mouth, make sure she makes no sound, give her some silver, and send her to the courthouse."

The chief of guards voiced his concern, "Master, if we handle it this way and accidentally harm someone... Besides, she's already a former maid released from the mansion. It might be complicated at the courthouse."

Lin Huabin asked with a gentle expression, "Do you think filial piety is more important, or injuring an insignificant maid is more important?"

The chief of guards responded, "I'll go and catch her immediately!" With a few ruthless guards, they went to apprehend the person. 

Lin Yunwan stood in a side hall, with a high vantage point, able to see the guards and monks moving briskly on the path.

"Miss, it seems that the master doesn't intend to let Ling Xiang off the hook."

Lin Yunwan replied, "If the luck is bad, the best course of action is to make the situation irreversible. Create circumstances that even if the truth comes out, it would be too late to change the outcome."

Xirou frowned, "But that's not fair."

Lin Yunwan smiled, "Fairness is a luxury we can't always afford. I've only said half of it—if luck is on your side, silencing them is the best method. If luck isn't on your side, then it becomes troublesome."

Curious, Xirou asked, "Miss, what's the best way to handle it if luck isn't on your side?"

Lin Yunwan replied nonchalantly, "Of course, taking control of the situation. With so many people around, it's just a matter of one or two sentences from the master and madam to clarify things for Miss Lin. This can also help to distance oneself."

Now they have lost control of the situation.

"It's almost time for the auspicious moment. I need to get ready to accompany the Old Madam to offer incense."

Xiruo still seemed a bit worried, "Miss, will Ling Xiang be caught?"

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "Do you really think they are searching for Ling Xiang?"

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

It should be just a diversion set up by Qi Lingheng.

She had already guessed what he was up to. He wouldn't be as soft-hearted as she was.

Xiruo smiled and said softly, "Miss really understands the prince!"

Lin Yunwan's gaze paused slightly, and she said, "I have known the prince for many years as well."

However, their interactions were limited. In all the time she had known the prince, he had never pretended in front of her. She had always seen the real him, so naturally, she understood him.

Walking to the largest hall in Cien Temple, Old Madam Lin had already led the other ladies ahead.

The sound of Buddhist chants echoed in the hall, and the bronze incense burner was filled with ash, sending wisps of smoke into the air.

"Offer the incense," instructed the abbot, and the disciples brought forward the incense.

Several elderly gentlemen turned to Old Madam Lin bowed, and said, "Please, Madam, offer the first incense."

Just before the auspicious moment, Ling Xiang rushed out from somewhere, kneeling on the ground and crying, "Old Madam Lin, I beg you to do justice for me!"

Lin Huabin and Madam Zheng turned to look, their faces pale with shock.

How did she end up here? Wasn't someone supposed to capture her? How did she end up here!

Lin Yunwan and Xiruo also looked at Ling Xiang.

Xiruo was a bit restless and whispered, "Miss, can she finish her words by coming out like this?"

Lin Yunwan thought for a moment and said, "The old lady is not someone to be trifled with. Sometimes, being a bit ruthless, like the Prince, might be the right approach!"

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

•••

https://ko-fi.com/flamingobeestranslations

Prev  :  TOC :  Next