"Daiyu, you're a little older than Ningyu. Since Ningyu just returned home, she might not be used to it yet. How about you stay with her for a while?" Lin Ruhai's voice was gentle, carrying the tone of a caring father.
Lin Daiyu held a cup of fragrant tea for rinsing, glancing first at her father and then at her younger sister, who looked a bit dazed. Slowly, she nodded.
"Don't worry, Father. I will take good care of my sister." Lin Daiyu set the tea cup on the table and turned to look at her little sister, who still seemed a little unresponsive.
This little sister seemed a bit clumsy. Daiyu knew she would have to take good care of her, ensuring no one bullied her. Silently, she gave herself a little pep talk.
Lin Ningyu was stunned by her father's sudden decision. After a moment, discomfort settled in. She had never told anyone this, but she could remember things from the day she was born.
At just one year old, she had been sent to a manor, left to fend for herself. She no longer had expectations for family love. If it weren't for her brother and sister, she might not have survived at all. Even later, it was under their care that she grew up safely to this age.
In these past few years, her brother and sister might not have indulged her, letting her run wild according to her own whims, but every major decision was discussed with her. Never before had they simply made a choice and informed her, like they did today.
Ningyu wanted to refuse staying with Daiyu—she could manage on her own—but seeing the hopeful look in Daiyu's eyes, she didn't directly say no. Instead, she nodded obediently, which counted as an agreement.
Lin Ruhai and Lin Daiyu could not tell Ningyu's silent refusal, but Lin Zhiyu and Lin Xuanyu could. Just as they were about to speak, the steward hurried in to report that a distinguished guest had arrived.
"You two stay here and chat. I'll go see about the visitor," Lin Ruhai said, leaving with the steward to the front courtyard. Lin Zhiyu and Lin Xuanyu had to swallow their words, feeling awkward and frustrated.
Ningyu could immediately tell what her siblings wanted to say—they were worried about her—and the earlier discomfort evaporated.
"Sister Daiyu, I'll go pack up, and then I'll come find you," Ningyu said with a smile. Seeing Daiyu nod, she turned and left.
Since she would be staying with Lin Ningyu, Daiyu naturally didn't want Ningyu to carry her belongings alone. She wanted to go herself to escort her. Both of them excitedly went to pack, leaving the two worried relatives exchanging helpless glances.
"This is like worrying over nothing," Lin Zhiyu muttered. Ningyu had been upset just moments ago, yet now she was cheerful? Then she noticed the old maid trailing Daiyu as usual. Ningyu bumped Lin Xuanyu with her arm, whispering a question into his ear.
Lin Xuanyu was speechless. "You think all that effort last night would show results this quickly? And who said I was going to drug that old maid directly?"
"Just wait," Ningyu replied teasingly. Lin Xuanyu ignored Lin Zhiyu and went straight to the study. Lin Ruhai had assigned him evening lessons to check, and he would be busy for quite some time. Having lived freely at the manor, he had barely learned manners; if Lin Zhiyu hadn't pressured him, he would've been lazy about etiquette entirely. Now that he was back at the Lin residence, he would be busy for a long while.
"I…" Lin Zhiyu clutched her handkerchief. "Hmph. So it's only me who's anxious, huh?" She scolded herself, yet still went to Lin Ningyu's courtyard.
Lin Ningyu didn't have much to pack—she only hugged the huge stuffed rabbit that Lin Zhiyu had given her. The rest could be looked after by the maids. When Lin Zhiyu arrived, Ningyu was sitting in a chair, hugging the rabbit, eating some fruit.
Seeing her like that, Lin Zhiyu immediately lost all irritation. She reached out to ruffle Ningyu's hair and comfort her.
"Ningyu, just a few days. I'll make sure you regain your freedom soon," Lin Zhiyu whispered.
Ningyu handed her a piece of fruit. "Sister, it's not urgent. Staying with Sister Daiyu is perfect. I'll try to get her to favor us a bit before we go to the Jia family."
Realizing Ningyu had her own plans, Lin Zhiyu gave up her original idea—it wasn't for long anyway. After chatting for a while, she went to the front courtyard. The previous day, Lin Xuanyu had complained that the tea there was not good, so she had promised to bring him a pot. Of course, this wasn't ordinary tea—Lin Zhiyu understood he was craving the spring water. She didn't reveal that, and happily agreed.
By the time Ningyu finished packing, Daiyu had arrived. At first, the two girls were polite, but with the giant rabbit joining in, they quickly started playing together.
That evening, the two girls placed the giant rabbit in the center, hugging it together. Ningyu began telling Daiyu about the Lin family affairs, praising Lin Ruhai's abilities.
Though Ningyu didn't understand why she had to praise her father, she obediently repeated the words. She hadn't expected that Daiyu, raised in the Lin household from childhood, didn't already know these things. By the time Ningyu finished, Daiyu's mouth was full of admiration.
"I didn't expect our Lin family to be this impressive! Just like the Rongguo Mansion!" Daiyu's eyes sparkled.
"Rongguo Mansion?" Ningyu finally understood why Daiyu had asked her to talk about the Lin family more. "The original Duke of Rongguo earned his title through battlefield valor. His descendants enjoyed the prestige, but no one could reproduce their ancestors' glory. Over time, they've grown mediocre."
"Our Lin family is different. Our ancestors were also talented, but the key is that in this generation, even though our noble rank is gone, Father secured third place in the imperial exams purely by his talent. He was personally appointed as the Third Place Scholar by the emperor, and now holds real power as the Inspector of Salt in Yangzhou. That's far stronger than someone who holds a title without actual authority."
Though Ningyu had little affection for Lin Ruhai and thought him somewhat careless with household matters, she could not deny his talent. Not everyone could rank in the top three, nor could everyone maintain the post of Salt Inspector for several years. The two sisters whispered to each other, gradually drifting into sleep.
The maid outside, sensing they had fallen asleep, finally entered to blow out the candle and returned to her own room.
Ningyu vaguely felt a warm current flow through her body. Just as she tried to feel it more clearly, a sudden suction pulled the warmth inward. It was absorbed rapidly, sending her into the deepest sleep.
The room became completely quiet. Only a faint, flowing light drifted across Ningyu, hidden perfectly by the moonlight so that no one would notice.