Chapter 358 The Past Events in the Capital City

The wife of Marquis Zhennan was one of the best legendary characters in the entire capital city.

It was said that she was not only exceedingly beautiful and was excellent in her skills as a physician, she was also extremely kind and compa.s.sionate.

Although the Lins were a powerful and reputable family, they were very open regarding the matter of marriage for the children.

Half a year after General Lin returned from the battlefield, he married his wife.

Nevertheless, given that the Lin Family was a well-known family, due to the fact that Madame Lin’s origin was a mystery, she was almost elbowed out by the ladies from ill.u.s.trious families in the capital city.

That year right after the chaos brought about by the war, the land was struck with pestilence. While numerous victims became homeless, all the physicians in the capital city were at a loss as to what to do.

The present emperor at that time was still a prince. However, when General Lin raised the point that he was able to provide a cure for the pestilence, the emperor was the first to support his idea.

With the emperor’s recommendation, the solution provided by General Lin was accepted by the court. When the prescription was adopted and used all over the country, the pestilence was gradually contained and under control.

All the people thought that it was the work of General Lin. At this moment, however, General Lin attributed the credit to his wife, instead of himself.

The emperor, then a prince, came forward to clarify the facts, and in an instant, Madame Lin became the benefactor of the entire nation of Dajin.

Thereafter, the emperor ascended the throne and General Lin contributed greatly to the victories against the nation’s enemies.

Then, Madame Lin gave birth to their first child. By then, she had become the youngest and the most envied wife of the general in the entire capital city.

Madame Lin was very beautiful. Despite the fact that she had already married the general, there were still many admirers who wished to have a glimpse of her. However, she hardly left the house, and when she did, she wore a veil so that she did not reveal herself before others.

Nevertheless, having a heart of gold, she usually personally received and attended to the sick who had been brought to her gates, and even gave the patients money and medicine for free.

In those days, there was no one person in the capital who did not know about her reputation. No one disliked this lady physician, who was kind and exceptionally skillful.

Lin Mengya was immersed in Long Tianyu’s narration and description, so much so she could not recover for her deep thoughts.

She shut her eyes as she tried to imagine what she heard.

How beautiful, intelligent and virtuous was the woman who had brought Lin Mengya into this world.

From Long Tianyu’s description, she made her mother out to be a tall, slender and elegant lady, always wearing a thin veil. Although she could not make out the facial features, she could imagine a pair of eyes filled with tenderness.

Since young, she had always tried to suppress her longings.

It was the same, be it the Lin Mengya of Dajin or the modern-day Su Qingge.

Both of them had never seen their mothers and therefore had not experienced a mother’s love. In the same way, they had relied on the little strength they had, in order to survive this cold world.

A drop of warm tear seemed to have run down from the corner of her eye.

Lin Mengya did not realize that she was tearing up, because she was overcome by her emotions.

“I can see it now. She’s so beautiful. She is the most beautiful and gentle mother in the world. I — miss her so much.”

Her eyes opened gradually and there were tears pooling in her dark eyes.

It was as if she had ingested some magical pill that took away all her troubles.

Her tears began rolling down her cheeks like strings of pearls, and a brilliant yet innocent smile appeared on her tender pink lips.

Seeing Lin Mengya’s child-like and gentle smile of innocence, Long Tianyu could feel himself holding in his breath.

This seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity to see her smile in this way, and he did not want to alarm her.

Those who had seen Madame Lin’s appearance had commented that Lin Mengya resembled her closely.

However, compared to Madame Lin, Lin Mengya was missing some lingering charm.

At present, Long Tianyu finally understood what was missing.

This was the true Lin Mengya that she had always tried to suppress.

Now that she had revealed her true self after learning about her mother, Long Tianyu found her breathtakingly beautiful.

It was as if the most dazzling and renowned lady physician of Dajin had been revived in her daughter, at this very moment.

Instinctively, Long Tianyu reached out to wipe away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

Long Tianyu finally understood why General Lin was so smitten and single-minded toward Lin Mengya’s mother.

This was the only salvation to people who had deep struggles all their lives.

Be in Lin Mengya or Madame Lin, they were the only salvation in this world to the people around them.

Thank goodness the Heavens had been merciful toward him that Lin Mengya was granted to him as wife, out of coincidence.

“I’m sorry, I… I’ve lost control of myself.”

Lin Mengya was at a loss at this moment when she was overwhelmed by her emotions.

Lin Mengya, whose eyes were a little red and was looking down, did not look at all like the fierce and evil princess feared by all.

She was more like an innocent and timid young lady, and it made Long Tianyu feel differently about her.

“It’s alright, I understand. You must miss your mother a great deal.”

Lin Mengya nodded. Although she had been living with Long Tianyu since she transcended s.p.a.ce and time to enter this world, and rarely saw the relatives of the Lins.

She developed emotions which she never had, since she met her father and elder brother a year ago.

It was the feeling of anxiety and worry of a daughter and sister for her father and elder brother.

It should be mentioned here that her sentiments were a fresh experience for her, and she treasured such feelings too.

Perhaps she had completely immersed herself in the role of Lin Mengya, without her noticing it.

“It’s getting late, you should go back and pack. Don’t you be too nice tomorrow, if Madame Lin and your younger sister should bully you.”

In response, Lin Mengya nodded and left the room, bashfully.

At that instant, a hesitant look appeared in Long Tianyu’s eyes.

He had always laid out his plans in everything he did, and there was never a moment as hard and unsettling as now.

After considering all factors, he still felt it was better to keep this matter from Lin Mengya. She would understand his difficulties, wouldn’t she?

“Night, should I have kept quiet instead of saying those things to her?”

A gush of wind was followed by the phantom-like appearance of Ye’s dark figure in Long Tianyu’s study.

For years, not only had Night been his secret guardian, but he was also Long Tianyu’s confidante.

The two taciturn men had miraculously become each other’s confidantes.

“That’s right— Your Highness.”

Night barely conversed with anyone else other than Long Tianyu.

Even since that loathsome Qinghu left, no one would suddenly appear before him, and force him to drink or have a martial arts contest with him.

Night remained by Long Tianyu’s side day after day, so he knew best the changes happening between the couple.

“I don’t have selfish motives, but—”

It was rare for Night to interrupt Long Tianyu.

“The overall situation should take priority.”

These words hung upon Long Tianyu’s heart like a heavy burden.

He let out a bitter laugh. How many years had it been that he had used the overall situation as a guideline, be it when he was a cool and unrestrained young man, or when he was waging t.i.t-for-tat.

The overall situation— when would he be able to put aside his consideration for the overall situation to be free to do whatever he wanted?

“Sigh—”

A helpless sigh rose from within the study.

“Are you really returning home, Master?”

Back at Liuxin Courtyard, Baizhi’s face crumpled the moment she heard that Lin Mengya was going to pay a visit to the Lins.

Although that was the place where she and her master had shared during their growing up years, it was the place filled with their blood and tears.

The person she dreaded most when she went to the Lins was the madame, as well as the arrogant Second Miss Lin Mengwu.

“I’m only visiting for a day. If you don’t feel like going, I will get Baishao to accompany me. Just look at that downcast face of yours.”

Lin Mengya smiled as she teased Baizhi, as her slender hand lifted the warm cup of tea to her lips to have a sip.

“Don’t. I’m a totally different person from the past. This maid of yours who used to be so timid, is now as sharp as a knife ,when she rebukes the maids in the outer courts. People addressed her as Big Sister Baizhi nowadays. She has become a big sister even when she is still so young.”

Baishao tapped Baizhi’s forehead with her finger. She had obviously matured and grown prettier.

She had a pair of ‘phoenix eyes’, which made her look fierce but charming. She was capable and efficient, just like w.a.n.g Xifeng in the Dream of the Red Chamber.

Today, she managed every aspect of the running of the mansion perfectly, including managing the shop fronts, as well as the shops themselves.

The treasury was well managed. Nevertheless, Baishao remained respectful and thoughtful toward Lin Mengya.

The relations.h.i.+p between the girls was no longer that of a master and servants. In fact, they were more like sisters.

“Elder Sister Baiji, she bullies me.”

In terms of eloquence, Baiji naturally could not be compared with Baishao. She pouted and put her arms around Baiji’s slender waist, shamelessly.

After Baiji glared at Baishao, she immediately kept quiet.

Lin Mengya looked at Baiji with a smile, thinking that she indeed had the makings of a big sister.

“Master, let all three of us accompany you on the trip home tomorrow. Madame and Second Miss are troublesome and nasty. If you go alone, I’m afraid you will be bullied.”

To Baizhi, the impression of Madame Lin and Lin Mengwu were deeply imprinted in her mind.

Labeling them as selfish and ruthless, Baiji was not comfortable with the idea of Lin Mengya and Baizhi going back on their own.

“There is really no need for that. I’m only going back to retrieve something. Moreover, the prince had already instructed Steward Deng to come along with me. If nothing unexpected crops up, I should be back before dinner. The managers of the shops will be coming to the mansion to draw money. Although Baishao is very capable, she is going to need an a.s.sistant, right?”

Lin Mengya did not think it was necessary to treat this trip as if they were facing enemies.

She was no longer the Lin Mengya a year ago, who was resigned to being bullied.

Nowadays when she returned to the mansion, no one could be certain who was at a disadvantage.