Miaoyu: Sooner or later, isn't everything his anyway?

My goodness, although Sister Qin has always loved to roam about and has spent more of her life on boats than on solid ground since childhood, she is still a young lady after all," Xue Baochai said, a look of helplessness crossing her face. "No matter how one speaks of the Lin family having Aunt Lin and her daughter, the head of the household is proper man!"

"That clan nephew of the Lin family?" Mrs. Xue frowned. "What about him?"

"Sister Qin mentioned in her letter that she is currently staying at the Lin family residence," Xue Baochai sighed softly.

Mrs. Xue's expression froze.

She naturally understood what kind of reputation would spread if a virtuous young lady stayed at someone else's house for months on end, especially when that household consisted of "strangers" with no direct relation, and there was no proper mistress running the household.

Jia Min was currently a widow, and Lin Rui had not yet formally married.

"Qinkin... how is she staying there?" After a long silence, she asked with lingering worry.

"Did Mother not read the letter?" Xue Baochai was quite exasperated by her carelessness. "That girl is staying with the Lin family sister, and each of them has her own maid. The two sisters reside in the embroidered tower in the back garden, completely separated from the front quarters."

"That is a relief!" Mrs. Xue finally exhaled. "By the way, who did you just mention is managing the household?"

"Naturally, it is Eldest Brother Rui!" Xue Baochai found her biological mother's attitude rather strange.

"Really him?" Mrs. Xue found this impossible to comprehend.

"Who else?" Xue Baochai wore a complex expression, thinking of her own entirely unreliable brother. "Although Eldest Brother Rui is only a distant clan relative, following Master Lin all these years has earned him a great reputation throughout the Jiangnan region. Who would dare—"

"That reputation of his? Being called 'Street-Clearing Tiger' or 'vulgar martial brute,' how could that ever amount to anything good?" Mrs. Xue said with utter disdain, though she quickly recovered herself. "Wait, didn't you just say he was just appointed to a post in the Ministry of War?"

"A senior secretary in the military-equipment department of the Ministry of War—an official post of the fifth rank in the capital." Xue Baochai felt immense helplessness toward both her mother and her eldest brother. "Leaving aside ordinary people, the vast majority of masters in various yamen could never reach such a position in their entire lives.

Mother, Eldest Brother Rui has achieved this fortune partly through his own capability, but mostly by bathing in the legacy left by Master Lin. Your daughter does not know how far he can go, but regardless, it is far better than us being helpless and dependent in Jinling. Besides, are we not old family friends?"

"Your aunt (Lady Wang) has mentioned many times that she hopes we will move to the capital soon, and arrangements have already been made there. Yet I always feel something doesn't quite add up." Mrs. Xue possessed very poor vision, but she was not truly foolish. "Could there really be such good fortune?"

"If it were truly so easy, why have Father and Second Uncle never mentioned it?" Xue Baochai, however, sensed a problem. "Mother, things are probably not that simple. My thought is that we might as well follow the Lin family's arrangement. In any case, we are not short of mansions; we can simply live in our own property. What does it matter?"

"That makes sense!" Mrs. Xue naturally nodded. "Still, our family has settled in Jinling for generations. To pack up and move to the capital on a single word—isn't that too rash? It would be better to go and take a look first before making a decision."

"Mother is right." Xue Baochai also realized she had been too hasty. "Coincidentally, Zhang Dehui's son, Zhang Lu, was requested by Sister Qin. He is one of our hereditary bondservants. Although his deed of indenture was sent along with him to the Lin household, he should not be difficult to talk to."

"Ask him? That might work." Mrs. Xue nodded slowly. "However, he is, after all, only a servant now working for a new master. Who can say how much he is actually able to see? Moreover, would he dare to tell us everything?"

"What is Mother's thought?" Xue Baochai also found this reasonable.

"If only we could go and see for ourselves," Mrs. Xue said casually.

"Indeed!" Xue Baochai's face suddenly brightened. "Why not let Elder Brother—"

"Pan'er has just returned from a business trip; he surely needs to rest, doesn't he?" Mrs. Xue interrupted hurriedly. "Besides, Jinling is thousands of li away from the capital, and along the way there isn't even anyone to tend to his needs or keep him warm. If your eldest brother really went, wouldn't he be worked to death?"

"Mother!" Xue Baochai was exasperated.

She had long resented her mother's pampering of her brother, but unfortunately, her own words carried no weight.

"No!" This time, Mrs. Xue's tone was resolute and unyielding.

"If Brother cannot go, and we cannot trust anyone else, surely it cannot be your daughter who goes?" Xue Baochai was so angry tears welled up in her eyes. "Mother, Brother will have to manage the household in the future. If you constantly keep him from doing any major tasks, how can he ever stand on his own feet?"

"You go?" To her surprise, Mrs. Xue completely ignored the latter half of the sentence. "No, no!"

Fortunately, she was not completely mindless.

"I will go instead!" Xue Baochai's expression grew firm, especially after completely giving up hope on her only two family members. "Mother, the Xue family has reached a dead end in Jiangnan; we must go to the capital.

If not Brother, then it must be me. Someone trustworthy must go and take a look, and by the way, clear out the old ancestral home on Xiaohuazhi Lane so that when we truly move, we won't even have a proper place to land. Besides, isn't Sister Qin there?"

"Ah?" Mrs. Xue actually cherished her daughter deeply. "As a young lady—"

"Let it be so!" Xue Baochai knew she could not delay any longer. "In these next few days, your daughter will go discuss it with Second Uncle, let Cousin Ke take over the Jinling business, and recall Zhang Dehui to act as an assistant. As for Brother... let him continue his 'inspections'!"

"Bao'er!" Mrs. Xue pulled her daughter into her arms with a heart full of ache.

Unfortunately, Xue Baochai no longer wished to waste time with her and turned to walk into the inner room.

"Ying'er, grind the ink!"

"Yes, Miss!" The maid hurriedly began to work.

"Bao'er, what are you doing?" Knowing her daughter's temper, Mrs. Xue hurriedly followed her in. "Are you writing to summon someone? Why don't I also write a letter to your aunt and ask her to make arrangements?"

"Your daughter thinks it best to let Sister Qin find a way," Xue Baochai said slowly, shaking her head.

"Sister Qin? Can she manage it?" Mrs. Xue remained doubtful.

"Has Mother forgotten where she is staying?" Xue Baochai had already picked up her brush and seated herself.

"This... very well then!" Mrs. Xue finally understood, a look of tender concern crossing her face. "This Lin Rui, I've heard he has many people around him. I wonder if Sister Qin will suffer any grievances."

"Grievances?" Xue Baochai's expression paused as she recalled her past interactions with him. "Eldest Brother Rui is a consummate gentleman. When treating two helpless maidens like Sister Qin and myself, he still observed the rites and never took advantage of our isolation. Presumably, he will not mistreat her.

As for the people around him, your daughter has met a few. The two You sisters are nothing special, but from what your daughter observed back then, even they showed no sign of unhappiness. It must be because Eldest Brother Rui is affectionate and caring, and would never bully anyone."

"Then that is fine." Mrs. Xue was finally reassured.

In the Lin Residence, East Courtyard.

In the east side-chamber, Miaoyu slowly put down her writing brush, let out a soft breath, and stood up.

"Has Elder Sister finished her busywork?" Xing Xiuyan hurriedly stood up, supported her as she took a few careful steps, and only let go after confirming her legs were not numb. "Master didn't give any specific instructions, so why busy yourself to this extent?"

"It is still better than being idle," Miaoyu said with a smile, glancing out the window.

Xing Xiuyan followed her gaze and could not help breaking into a smile as well.

"The two You sisters are actually quite nice, it's just that Sister Juan's tongue spares no one." Watching the two of them walking in circles around the courtyard out of sheer boredom, she shook her head gently. "Fortunately, Master is a tender and caring man; otherwise, she would probably not fare well.

As for you, Elder Sister—little sister spent many years with her parents at Panxiang Temple, and all our food and lodging relied entirely on Elder Sister's care, so I thought I knew you well. Looking at you now... if you went back just two years, beating little sister to death would not make me believe you could ever become like this."

"If I hadn't changed, I truly would have been beaten to death," Miaoyu complained with feigned annoyance.

"Pfft—" Xing Xiuyan failed to restrain herself, covering her lower abdomen as she giggled. Seeing that the great proud beauty's face was turning rather dark, she managed to hold it in. "Master is truly—how could anyone be so bullying? If little sister didn't know his nature, I really would have taken him for an overbearing tyrant!"

"Hmph!" Miaoyu shot her a side-glance of annoyance, yet allowed herself to be linked by the arm. The two sisters walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down together.

"I used to detest him to the bone, but now when I think about it, if I had remained as I was—looking down on this person and despising that one—I would probably have come to a wretched end sooner or later."

"Isn't Elder Sister still like that now?" Xing Xiuyan glanced sideways at the window.

"Them?" Miaoyu instantly wore a look of disdain. "What are they other than being women?"

"Elder Sister!" Xing Xiuyan said helplessly. "We are all serving Master—"

"It is you who are serving him, I have not." Miaoyu maintained her haughty pride.

"Have you not?" Xing Xiuyan looked with a knowing smile at Miaoyu's two crimson lips.

"Wicked girl, even you have grown so bold!" Miaoyu bashfully pounded her a few times.

"My dear elder sister, aren't women all like this?" Xing Xiuyan gently embraced her. "Although Master is tender and caring, we cannot go too far. Elder Sister has already crossed the threshold, why not serve him sooner?"

"He promised that he would allow me and Sister Lin to enter his household together," Miaoyu said with lingering hesitation.

"Really?" Xing Xiuyan immediately sensed the impropriety. "Because of Master Lin's passing, Miss Lin will surely observe the full three-year mourning period. Does Elder Sister truly intend to... don't forget, neither of us is young anymore. If we delay further, won't people start talking?"

"I was merely speaking." Miaoyu sighed softly. "Sooner or later, isn't everything his anyway? Yet given the current situation, you can see for yourself. How much time has passed? Between the inside and outside, four sisters—Miss Lin, Sister Qin, plus you and myself—have already been settled.

Those two from the You family also serve him, and Xueyan and Xiangling are bound to follow. Who knows if there will be newcomers in the future? That makes eight already. If any others are added, I fear whether this household can even hold them all."

"So, is that why Elder Sister busied herself with this?" Xing Xiuyan pointed to the booklet on the table.

"It must be of some use." Miaoyu slowly stood up, walked to the table, and opened it. "Since he let Miss Lin help write memorials, it has likely been settled for the future. Although I know I cannot compare, I still cannot let others look down upon me, so I might as well find some work to occupy myself."

"In that case... very well!" Xing Xiuyan nodded gently.

"With you and me, sister-hearts as one, we will surely not let anyone bully us!" Miaoyu looked out toward the courtyard again.

"Shall we make Sister Juan kneel again?" Xing Xiuyan teased, holding back her laughter.

Blushing fiercely, Miaoyu pelted her with playful blows.