CHAPTER 280: CHAPTER 275: AM I REALLY THAT PETTY?

Mrs. Qin looked at her children in front of her with extreme satisfaction, her eyes and brows couldn’t hide the smile and pride.

Lin Yanran was unexpectedly reserved this time. She gave Mrs. Qin a slightly reproachful glance and said softly:

"Mother, His Highness the Crown Prince and I haven’t married yet! Saying such things will make brother laugh at me!"

Mrs. Qin was full of affection, "The imperial edict has already been issued, the marriage is just a matter of time, right? Besides, your brother is not an outsider, he will only be happy for you!"

"Indeed, sister, brother is too happy for you to laugh! My sister is beautiful, dignified, and kind, and should be the Crown Princess Consort of our dynasty!"

Lin Yanran was blooming with joy inside, yet her face showed a shy and playful rebuke, "Brother, even you tease me!"

"I’ve been wronged! It’s been years, and sister is even more beautiful! No wonder the Crown Prince likes you!"

They chatted for a while, and Mrs. Qin busied herself getting people to tidy up Lin Haoran’s courtyard and prepare some food.

Lin Haoran suddenly spoke seriously, "Father, Mother, I have to leave soon, so you don’t need to fuss."

Everyone was taken aback at these words, and three pairs of eyes looked towards Lin Haoran, "What’s going on?"

Lin Haoran explained, "I came back this time with the young master and some generals to report in Beijing. Currently, our army has reached Weiyang City, about a hundred miles outside the capital."

"I saw in a letter that mother and sister were sick, and I couldn’t ease my worries, so I wanted to come home and see them first. I informed my superiors and hurried back on horseback."

"Now that I’ve seen that sister and mother are well, I’m relieved, and I have to return to the troops and will enter the capital with the army."

After hearing Lin Haoran’s explanation, Mrs. Qin was both gratified and heartbroken.

Look at her, her great son is not only excellent but also filial!

What does Bai Ruoxi, that unfortunate and short-lived woman, have to compare with her? What does she have to compete with her? Even in death, she has to remain below her!

"Your filial piety has always been known to me! It’s really too hard for you to come and go like this! How about resting for one night and leaving tomorrow?"

Lin Qianqiu glanced out at the window at the wind and snow and also frowned to persuade, "Tonight the wind is strong, the snow is deep, and the road is slippery. It’s better to leave at dawn, it won’t delay anything."

But Lin Haoran declined, stating that he had long been accustomed to marching and fighting, and such wind and snow were nothing, claiming his body was robust and absolutely not weary from traveling.

Ultimately, Lin Yanran pulled his arm with a pout, saying she had many things she wanted to tell him, and hadn’t seen him for years, and missed him much, wanting to spend more time with him.

Lin Haoran could not refuse his sister’s affection and agreed to stay one more night.

The two almost talked until dawn, with Lin Yanran recounting many evil deeds Lin Wanyue did to her, as if it was an endless list, unable to stop.

Lin Haoran listened seriously, his face of righteous indignation growing angrier, with flood of worry and pity in his eyes.

"It’s brother’s fault for not being by your side to protect you. You’ve suffered so much all these years! I’m not a competent brother!"

"Brother, stop talking like this, you are a great hero who defends the land and protects the people! You are Yan’er’s pride and the pride of our entire family!"

Seeing Lin Yanran so understanding and expressing justice, Lin Haoran’s worry and self-blame deepened.

"I never thought that the timid and weak dead girl Lin Wanyue would become like this! She has done so many bad things! To you and mother! How dare she!"

Lin Yanran sighed deeply, her eyebrows lightly furrowed in full sadness, "In fact, we don’t blame her for all the things she did to me and mother. After all, she lost her mother from a young age and is pitiful."

"Even though mother treats her as her own, no matter how much mother dotes on her, deep down it can’t surpass her real mother."

"If she only targets me and mother, even if she does something excessive, we wouldn’t blame her. But last time she, for her own selfish desire, married Prince Qin in my place after drugging me, without considering the consequences!"

"The act nearly brought disaster upon the entire Lin Family. Father knelt outside the Imperial Study Room for half a day! Luckily, the emperor’s benevolence spared the Lin Family from calamity!"

"Brother, you know that father’s knee was injured, and it hurts unbearably every time on a rainy day. After last time, father’s leg hurt for a long time."

"But afterward, sister not only showed no remorse, but repeatedly disrespected father, not only offending with words but even drawing a knife to him in the street!"

"What? Such things happened? Has she become so unruly?"

Lin Haoran was completely shocked, with disbelief in his expression.

This behavior was entirely different from the Lin Wanyue he remembered.

Lin Yanran sighed, "At first, Yan’er was also unwilling to believe it, but after such things happened so many times, one had to believe it."

"Ever since sister married into Prince Qin Mansion, perhaps she felt assured in her heart, having support behind her, without needing to be cautious, her true nature slowly revealed itself."

Lin Haoran listened, his expression fluctuating, but he did not comment, just lightly patted Lin Yanran’s shoulder.

"Sister, don’t worry, the bullying and grievances you and mother suffered will not be in vain, brother is here."

...

When the talk ended, it was already early dawn (5 am), Lin Yanran imagined Lin Wanyue’s future ending, feeling satisfied and returning to her room for more sleep.

Lin Haoran, meanwhile, rode off before dawn, hastily heading to Weiyang City.

...

After a night of snow and wind, snowflakes were still falling the next day.

Yun Ran looked at the sky and decided to set up her stall despite the snow.

Before she left, Nangong Mo stopped her.

Yun Ran looked up with a smile, her charming dimple unparalleled, "Mr. Dog, what’s the meaning of this?"

"..."

Nangong Mo’s handsome face darkened, "Lin Wanyue, please watch your language!"

Yun Ran blinked mischievously with a smile, "What’s the problem? I think this title suits your unique temperament!"

"..."

The man’s face turned dark, casting a cold glance at her, "Lin Wanyue, you’re not allowed to go out today."

Yun Ran heard this and expressed disbelief, "Oh come on! Just calling you Mr. Dog will generate this level of pettiness?"

Nangong Mo: "..." Am I such a petty man?!

The man glanced at the snow knee-deep on the ground, his voice darkened with coolness, "The snow is too deep, you’re too clumsy, I fear you’ll fall to your death."

Yun Ran: "..."

[The dog says what?! Fall to death?! Is it polite?]

Another strand of evil voice rang by her ear:

"Today the north wind is howling, look at your thin arms and legs, don’t let a gust of wind blow you into the river and drown you."

Yun Ran: "..."

[Whom is this fool cursing? Couldn’t he wish me a little good?!]

[Still upset over yesterday’s matter?!]