As if a basin of cold water had been poured over her head, Princess Pingning felt as if her throat was glued shut, unable to open her mouth.
She strongly did not want to admit the fact that Lin Zhiqing had surpassed her, but she had to believe it.
Because every one of Lin Zhiqing's actions had not escaped her eyes.
The most exuberant person had fallen silent, and naturally, no one else dared to speak up.
The Old Madam, seeing Princess Pingning standing there, utterly dejected, also lost her enthusiasm.
The spring banquet thus ended hastily.
"Qing'er, I never knew you could design ready-made clothes! You're truly amazing. You should have seen their expressions just now, it was like they were looking at a monster!" Jiang Liuyun enthusiastically discussed the scene from earlier.
Monster Lin Zhiqing: ...
She sometimes truly suspected that Jiang Liuyun was deliberately insulting her.
After seeing Lin Zhiqing into the carriage, Jiang Liuyun didn't forget to remind Lin Shian to take good care of Lin Zhiqing before bidding farewell.
Watching Lin Zhiqing climb into the carriage in three quick movements, Lin Shian also fell silent. Did she really need him to take care of her?
After getting into the carriage, Lin Zhiqing spoke to Aunt Mu without a care, completely oblivious to her cousin beside her.
Lin Shian tried to strike up a conversation multiple times, but found no opportunity along the way.
It wasn't until the sun set and the carriage stopped at the Lin family's main gate that he called out to Lin Zhiqing: "I remember Third Aunt wasn't good at..."
Before he could finish the two words "painting," a clear voice came from the main gate: "Young Master Shian, Young Lady Zhiqing, Master is asking for you."
This person was a servant of Lin Congli.
Lin Shian had no choice but to swallow all his words. Now, another problem lay before him.
A few days ago, Lin Zhiqing had threatened him with the ginseng she gave to his elder sister, forbidding him to tell their uncle about it.
It so happened that Lin Congli had official duties and was not at the Lin family mansion, so he had forgotten about this matter.
But now, it seemed the situation was dire!
Lin Shian had wanted to inform Lin Zhiqing, asking her not to speak carelessly, but Lin Zhiqing had already taken the lead and followed the servant.
He could only sigh inwardly and followed.
When the two arrived at the main hall, they found that Lin Congli was not the only one seated at the head.
The Old Master, who had not appeared for a long time, was also present.
Lin Zhiqing, taking advantage of the moment while bowing, carefully observed the Lin family's Old Master, who was also her second granduncle who had given her the cold shoulder several times.
His beard was white, and his face was full of smiles. He looked quite old.
Lin Zhiqing lowered her brows, becoming more certain that the original owner and this second granduncle must have had a conflict.
Otherwise, he would never have avoided her for so many consecutive days, deliberately slighting her, only to appear to watch the spectacle when she was about to be reprimanded.
If you ask Lin Zhiqing why she knew she was about to be reprimanded, it's because—
Lin Congli's eyes narrowed slightly, the distance between his eyebrows growing smaller and smaller. His upper and lower eyelids were tight, and his gaze was highly concentrated.
This was a micro-expression of anger.
Before Lin Zhiqing could get a good look, he spoke in a deep voice: "Lin Zhiqing, I ask you, where did you go today?"
Before Lin Zhiqing could answer, Lin Shian, from the side, cupped his hands and said, "Uncle, I went with him to..."
"Shian, I didn't ask you." Lin Congli interrupted him, staring intently at Lin Zhiqing.
His words implied that he already knew how Lin Zhiqing had tricked Lin Shian into accompanying her.
Lin Zhiqing smiled: "I went to the Scholar's Mansion to attend the spring banquet."
"Spring banquet? After a few days apart, Zhiqing has actually changed her temperament and can get an invitation to a spring banquet." The second granduncle's eyes raised, and the left corner of his mouth curved upwards. He seemed surprised, but it was more like schadenfreude.
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Lin Congli's voice dropped an octave: "Where did you get the invitation?"
"I treated the Scholar's daughter's granddaughter, and she sent the invitation specially to thank me." Lin Zhiqing explained truthfully.
But Lin Shian beside her frowned. He had just wanted to remind Lin Zhiqing not to mention treating illnesses or opening a medical clinic, lest she touch a raw nerve with their uncle. But he didn't expect Lin Zhiqing to speak so quickly.
Lin Congli's brows furrowed even deeper when he heard the words "treating illness": "I allowed you freedom, not for you to mess around with that girl from the Lu family. Treating illness? You've only read a few medical books and already call yourself a doctor?"
He had originally wanted to suppress Lin Zhiqing's arrogance, but to his utter surprise, Lin Zhiqing actually nodded along with his words:
"Yes, Uncle, I was just about to tell you that I want to be a doctor and open a medical clinic."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Shian lowered his head, afraid of being caught in Lin Congli's wrath.
With a "bang," a teacup flew past Lin Zhiqing's face.
Lin Shian took a deep breath. His uncle rarely got so angry.
But Lin Zhiqing didn't even blink.
Lin Congli's chest rose and fell slightly, but he didn't forget to lower his voice:
"Who told you to open a medical clinic? People who don't know might think the Lin family isn't feeding you? You'll not starve if you stay quietly in the courtyard. Why aren't you content like that girl from the Lu family!"
"Uncle," Lin Zhiqing said softly, "I only want to open a medical clinic to help my second granduncle share the burden. It has nothing to do with anyone else, and this matter has already been approved by the Old Madam of the Scholar's Mansion."
"Presumptuous!" This time, it was the second granduncle who spoke. He stroked his white beard. "Zhiqing, you've grown up now and learned to lie."
"The Scholar's Old Madam's only daughter married a merchant from Bianliang. She hates women doing business the most. How could she agree to this?"
"Furthermore, what have I been toiling for day and night? It's for the many mouths of the Lin family to eat. Doing business is not as simple as you make it out to be."
On the surface, he was reasoning with Lin Zhiqing, but his words subtly implied that Lin Zhiqing was ignorant and lying.
This kind of outwardly smiling person was much harder to deal with than Lin Congli.
"Second Granduncle, Uncle, I did not lie. Today at the spring banquet..." Lin Zhiqing opened her mouth, intending to explain the matter clearly.
But before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Lin Congli: "You still mention that useless spring banquet. The Lin family is already on the cusp of public scrutiny, and you have no skill in zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Going there is simply an embarrassment."
"Not only do you lack any self-awareness, but you even instigated Shian to fool around with you. Did you consider the Lin family's reputation?"
He appeared very angry, clearly sensitive about others damaging the Lin family's reputation. Lin Shian had learned this trait from him.
The second granduncle also shook his head: "Zhiqing, I heard you've been running around outside a lot lately? Were you perhaps misled by someone, which is why you're talking nonsense about wanting to do business?"
This old man...
Lin Zhiqing glanced at him. Every word he spoke was setting a trap for her, clearly trying to get Lin Congli to punish her.
Lin Congli was already furious. Being egged on like this, he immediately gave an order: "Starting tomorrow, you will stay in your courtyard and are not allowed to go anywhere!"
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