CHAPTER 92: A NEW BEGINNING

Months passed, and the news of Princess San’s delivery reached the Wu village as well as Mo Ying’s second marriage with the Prime Minister’s third daughter.

As expected, Lin Xu acted unresponsive. Yan Mei and Zu Shi just decided to act unresponsive too and not try to remind Lin Xu of anything heartbreaking.

Time passed for real. News of Mo Ying going to war also reached, and he didn’t return for years.

And in the blink of an eye, three years passed.

---

Opening her eyes, Lin Xu rubbed her eyes slightly as she yawned.

Sitting up from her bed, she was greeted by the huge mirror she placed at the side of her bed.

"I look so beautiful this morning," she muttered to herself, smiling brightly as she got up and walked towards her bathroom, which was now built at the side of her newly renovated bedroom.

[ Goooood morning, host! Indeed you do look good! ] Susu appeared out of nowhere as Lin Xu ignored the flying ball.

Filling her bath, she walked towards her wardrobe as she checked out the clothes she would be wearing today.

"Hmm... should I go for a blue or a green... Susu, use your small brain and help me here..." she stroked her chin as Susu turned red and rolled its eyes.

[ Well, since your brain is so big, why don’t you use it instead, huh? How about that!? ]

"Oh, c’mon, don’t be too emotional... help me, I have so much to do this morning... it’s the kids’ birthday party, I have to make sure I look takeaway."

[ Fine! Fine! ]

Susu floated in front of the wardrobe, pretending to examine the clothes like a grand fashion expert.

[ Hmm... the blue one makes you look gentle and elegant, but the green one gives off that "I own this place" kind of energy. Honestly, both look good, but if you want to make people’s jaws drop, go with the green. ]

"The green one, huh?" Lin Xu smiled, picking out the emerald silk hanfu. "You have good taste for once."

[ For once?! Excuse you, host, I always have good taste! ]

"Yeah, yeah," Lin Xu said dismissively, laying the dress on the bed. "Now disappear, I have to freshen up!"

[ Tsk! You always chase me away when you’re about to bathe! It’s not like I haven’t seen you before, you know. ]

"You have seen me before, but that doesn’t mean you should keep watching," Lin Xu said flatly, rolling her eyes. "Now disappear, Susu."

[ Hmph! Humans and your unnecessary modesty. Fine, fine! I’ll go into standby mode. ]

With a faint flicker of light, Susu blinked twice before vanishing into thin air.

Lin Xu let out a sigh and stepped into the bath. Warm water surrounded her body, and she leaned back against the wooden tub, closing her eyes.

Three years...

Three years since everything changed.

From pain and heartbreak to peace and control, she had built something for herself, something real.

When she finally stood up, steam curled around her like mist. She wrapped herself in a soft towel, walked to the mirror, and smiled faintly at her reflection.

"I really do look better every day," she murmured.

She picked the green hanfu, the one Susu had recommended. The fabric shimmered faintly under the morning light.

Her fingers worked quickly, tying the sash and adjusting her hairpins. A single jade pin held up her hair, a few loose strands falling perfectly against her cheeks.

Just as she turned to check the final look, Susu reappeared—hovering above her shoulder with a bright flash.

[ Finally! You took forever. I almost went into sleep mode for good. ]

"You could’ve," Lin Xu replied dryly, picking up her bracelet. "Would’ve saved me some noise."

[ Hey! You’d miss me in five minutes! ]

"Mm... unlikely."

Done with her hair, Lin Xu stood up and made her way out.

Stepping out of her room, she had a bright smile on as she stared at her massive courtyard.

Three years had passed, and everything had changed so much.

She had completely transformed the once old-looking house into a massive mansion.

With up to seven rooms, the main courtyard was cemented with beautiful bricks, which flowers decorated everywhere.

The entrance door was huge and well polished with dark wood as the ’Lin Residence’ board was placed at the entrance.

The kitchen was also renovated, bigger and more massive. Over the years, she had earned so much money she could build her own empire if she wanted.

Stepping out, she saw Zu Shi tending to Yiling as she helped her with her hair.

"Stay still, you..." Zu Shi smacked her slightly on the head as Yiling groaned, "Oh, Mama takes forever to get ready..."

But as soon as she turned her head, she saw Lin Xu walking towards them.

"Mama!" She immediately ran towards Lin Xu as Zu Shi squeezed her hands together in annoyance.

"Y-you brat... sigh! I give up."

Smiling, Lin Xu bent down as she stroked her daughter’s hair. "Good morning, birthday girl, how are you this beautiful morning?"

"I’m great, Mama. Mama, it’s my birthday, yet you look way prettier. I’m feeling jealous..." Yiling said with a cute giggle.

Lin Xu stared at her daughter while smiling from ear to ear.

Today the kids were turning twelve, and they had grown so much. Yiling was much taller, and now she had started to mature, both physically and mentally.

She was looking more like Lin Xu day by day with her brown hair and dark eyes.

Just then, the boys arrived as they stepped out of their room with two maids behind them.

"Madame, the young masters are ready!" The maids announced as Lin Xu and Yiling turned their heads towards the boys.

"Mama!" Mo Bao and Mo Yuen ran towards them, smiling brightly.

They were dressed in nice blue robes and looked charming and absolutely breathtaking.

"Awwn... see my two princes, they look so handsome... too bad I didn’t wear a blue hanfu. Now I’m twinning with your sister instead."

Now rich enough to hire a private tutor, the boys didn’t go to the academy anymore as their tutors came to teach them daily.

Mo Yuen was also given a martial arts mentor since he loved martial arts.

Stepping out from the kitchen was Yan Mei and three maids beside her who held trays of different snacks and sweets.

"You guys should help out, it’s almost noon... the guests will arrive soon," she scolded as Lin Xu nodded.

But just then, someone stepped into the courtyard.

Turning around, they all saw Young Master Su stepping in, dressed in a dark purple robe. Beside him was his personal guard who carried a big box in his hands.

"Huh? Young Master Su, you’re here... I never knew you would end up making it." Lin Xu smiled as she walked towards him, bowing slightly.

"Why would I miss the birthday party of those three gems? Look at them... hahaha... here, I brought gifts!"

His guard handed the gifts over to Lin Xu’s maids to carry inside.

"C’mon, let’s go, your mom will be busy for a while," Zu Shi took the kids’ hands, and the rest of them left, leaving Lin Xu and Young Master Su alone in the huge courtyard.