Lin Ningyu was stunned by everything her sister had said. She hadn't realized matters were so complicated. Did this mean that in the future, she might have to make her life in the Jia household? She already felt uneasy in the Lin family—how could she survive in the Jia family? Even though she could still be with her sister, the thought of being separated from her brother was unbearable.
Lost in thought, Lin Ningyu grabbed Lin Xuanyu's sleeve, her face betraying her displeasure, and mentally crossed out the Jia family—the ones who might tear her and her brother apart.
Lin Xuanyu caught her gaze in an instant. A wide smile spread across his face, and he glanced at Lin Zhiyu, beaming with pride. Hmph, she still likes me the best, he thought.
Lin Zhiyu rolled her eyes. She didn't bother to remind this fool—if they went to the Jia family, he wouldn't see his sister for a long time.
"The Jia family…" Lin Ningyu pressed her lips together, "I'm afraid what they want isn't just Lin family's support, is it?"
"Huh?" Lin Zhiyu and Lin Xuanyu both turned to look at Lin Ningyu. The normally naïve, obedient, and delicate little sister suddenly seemed to radiate an extraordinary brilliance. The cold light in her eyes made the surrounding air feel a little colder.
"Compared to gaining Lin family's support, securing Lin family's fortune seems far more reliable. The former carries too many uncertainties. The latter, though only silver, is exactly what the struggling Guogong Mansion most needs."
"And as Sister said earlier, Father's position is special and involves many complications. There are countless people who covet him. If Father were to remarry at this moment, the Jia family wouldn't get anything."
"So, to prevent uncontrollable situations, the Jia family might take extreme measures, creating incidents within the Lin family. Even worse, if the head of the Lin family were gone, the Jia family would pay a minimal price to claim everything as theirs. Other factions might gain a slice of Yangzhou's interests, but the Jia family would become an untouchable fortune, taking whatever they desire."
Lin Ningyu frowned. If things really turned out this way, it would be disastrous. The girls might be okay, but her brother would certainly fall into grave danger.
Lin Zhiyu and Lin Xuanyu exchanged a glance—Lin Ningyu had hit the nail on the head. Wasn't that how the original story went? Once Lin Ruhai passed away, only a lone girl raised in the Jia family remained. Everything would be at the Jia family's command. And even then, didn't Lin Daiyu die filled with resentment? Lin Ruhai, a titled officer in Yangzhou, had amassed a huge fortune over the years—wasn't it all easy pickings for the Jia family?
"Sister, before going back to the Lin family, we need to help Brother clear the Lin household thoroughly."
Actually, Lin Zhiyu and Lin Xuanyu already understood their situation, but hearing it from Lin Ningyu made them nod almost instinctively. They chose to follow her plan naturally.
"And Daiyu-sister… she's Lin family blood. If we truly act recklessly, the outcome could be dire. We must also guard against anyone exploiting her status as the legitimate daughter. Only then can we prevent the Lin family from becoming someone else's fish on a chopping board."
"We should…" Lin Ningyu waved her hand, gesturing for the two to sit closer. Only then did she reveal her plan. The three huddled together, whispering for half the night, and only when they felt nothing was left out did they put the matter aside temporarily.
After leaving Lin Ningyu's small courtyard, Lin Zhiyu and Lin Xuanyu didn't immediately return. They stood in a hidden spot. Lin Zhiyu looked at Lin Xuanyu—he had obviously wanted to say something earlier but hadn't.
"What's wrong? Why are you hiding your words from Ningyu?"
Lin Xuanyu glared at her. "Hiding? I just don't want to dirty her ears."
"And you're not afraid of dirtying mine?" Lin Zhiyu almost laughed in frustration. The double standard was glaring.
"Sis…"
"…" Lin Zhiyu rolled her eyes, sighed, and forced the small curve of her mouth down. "Go on, speak."
Lin Xuanyu smirked inwardly. He didn't understand how Lin Zhiyu had developed this habit—anytime he acted a little coy toward her, even her greatest anger could be melted away.
"Sis, Ningyu's heart has softened a bit. Don't forget what happened the day Jia Min's son passed away."
"…" Lin Zhiyu felt a chill in her heart. Her expression turned cold. If she hadn't discovered it in time that day, the three of them might have already been gone. "You mean to…" But Lin Daiyu was just a child who had lost her mother; she wouldn't know or participate in such matters.
"Where are you going with that?" he said. He wasn't going to target a child who knew nothing. "Jia Min is gone, but that housemaid is still here. She handled everything back then. She knows the secret medicine. I just want her to make a move—once she falters, we'll proceed more smoothly."
Jia Min had been in charge of the Lin household for many years. Who knew how many loyal hands were still in the family? Only by making them act could he catch a weakness. If they acted, the news would reach him, giving Lin Ruhai cause for caution. That way, they would be far safer.
"You've already figured out the medicine, right? Give me some."
Without another word, Lin Zhiyu tossed a small porcelain bottle to Lin Xuanyu. "Be careful."
"Mm. You go back. I'll finish this and return."
They parted without further discussion.
The next morning, Lin Ningyu felt considerably lighter, knowing the effect of her sister's medicine. She simply gave Lin Zhiyu a wink to indicate she was feeling better.
Lin Zhiyu patted her little head, seated her properly, and personally served her a bowl of porridge before sitting down with her own.
The first spoonful told Lin Ningyu that Lin Zhiyu had cooked it herself. She looked up and noticed Lin Ruhai sitting in the main seat, wearing a satisfied expression.
Lin Ruhai looked at his children with contentment. Though the illegitimate children hadn't grown up by his side, their manners were impeccable. The caretakers at the estate had done their work well. Still, he wondered—if he hadn't sent the children away back then, would they have been closer, more affectionate instead of just respectful?
He glanced at Lin Daiyu, his third daughter who had grown up by his side. Small and quiet, she seemed a little lonely. He hoped she could get along better with her siblings in the future.
Though Lin Ningyu hadn't seen it herself, she could sense Lin Ruhai's shifting emotions. She was puzzled—what was wrong with Father? The last ceremony for the stepmother had already been completed. His grief should have eased. Why this sudden mood now? Her intuition told her it couldn't be good.
Lin Ruhai struggled internally. He knew the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children and always valued propriety. Now, with only one legitimate daughter, the rest illegitimate, how could he secure Daiyu's future? He valued his legitimate daughter, but the illegitimate ones were also his blood. Whether due to political affairs or Jia Min, he had neglected them for years. Fortunately, the children were still young—he still had time.
After much inner debate, Lin Ruhai finally spoke after the meal, dropping a thunderous revelation on Lin Ningyu.