Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Many Thanks to the Lin Family

“Even though the Empress is so kind-hearted, she never forces us to follow her when she does a good deed,” said Li Zhaohui’s mother, Mrs. Li. “Previously, when she took us to the charitable hall, it was entirely voluntary, and we brought our own donations. The Empress has never imposed any demands on us.”

“Exactly.”

Everyone echoed.

Once someone spoke up, others quickly followed, each expressing their dissatisfaction with Lin Qingqing.

“This humble daughter… this humble daughter did not intend it that way…” Lin Qingqing’s tears were about to fall in grievance. “You, ladies, have misunderstood.”

“Miss Lin,” Fu Shinian spoke, “during the New Year, it’s inauspicious to cry. If you start the year off with tears, it will bring misfortune all year long.”

Lin Qingqing: “…”

She hurriedly held back her tears, her face turning red from the effort.

Someone whispered, “Crying in front of His Majesty and the Empress during the New Year, aren’t you afraid of bad luck?”

Lin Qingqing’s face changed in fear, “Forgive me, Your Majesty, forgive me, Your Grace, this humble daughter did not do it intentionally.”

Mr. Lin’s face turned blue and then white.

His heart was filled with fear.

He hoped that his daughter wouldn’t cause trouble on the first day of the New Year.

Why was it that Fu Zhijin could be frequently rewarded because of his daughters, yet he was so unlucky?

As expected, the faces of Emperor Jiawen and the Empress turned grim.

[Ding! Lin Qingqing’s luck value -10, the Fu family’s luck value +10]

Fu Shinian felt a burst of joy in his heart; it worked!

As long as the luck value settlement appears, it means it worked!

Emperor Jiawen said coldly, “Since you are eager to do good, then tell us, what do you intend to donate to the soldiers in the army?”

Lin Qingqing hung her head low, her face turned pale, her hands and feet cold.

Initially, leading everyone to donate items and money, she didn’t actually need to contribute much herself.

But after the earlier conversation, with the direction given by His Majesty, she is now naturally expected to donate by herself.

The Lin family… where could it find so much money?

Mr. Lin knew that if Lin Qingqing did not reply, they would be in trouble, so he hurriedly stood up and went to the center, saying, “Your Majesty, Your Grace, it was my humble daughter’s shallow thinking. Although her intentions were good, she ultimately hasn’t seen much of the world, which is why she made immature remarks. As for me… my family’s wealth isn’t abundant, but we are willing to donate a hundred pairs of cotton shoes to the soldiers in the army.”

“Though a hundred pairs of cotton shoes aren’t many, they are all I can offer,” Mr. Lin said.

Mrs. Lin’s heart trembled, feeling terribly dizzy.

Now, her dresses would have to continue being worn with patches.

Mrs. Lin also stood up and said, “These hundred pairs of cotton shoes, are stitched by my daughter and me with our own hands. Although there aren’t many, the intentions from me and my daughter are heavy with sincerity.”

The crowd chuckled in their hearts.

There’s no choice but to sew them by hand.

Who doesn’t know the Lin family is poor?

These hundred pairs of cotton shoes would empty their family resources; there would be no money to hire people or buy ready-made items.

There’s no worry about the shoes being too big; adding a few more insoles would keep them warm.

Better to be big than small.

“Ah, well…” Fu Shinian said softly, “Mrs. Lin and Miss Lin have good intentions, but with only the two of you sewing by hand, how long will it take to finish? What if they’re done… when it’s already springtime in the Northwest?”

Lin Qingqing’s face flushed, saying, “We do have one or two servants at the Lin Mansion who can help. Even if it’s late, they can still be used next year… next year.”

Mrs. Lin hastily said, “I assure you, we’ll finish them within ten days. Even if we don’t sleep, we are determined to finish on time.”

Many people at the table couldn’t help but click their tongues.

What need is there for all this trouble?

During the New Year, while others rest and enjoy at home.

This Mrs. Lin was forced by her daughter to stay up, tirelessly sewing cotton shoes at home.

If Lin Qingqing hadn’t spoken earlier, none of these troubles would exist.

Judging by the reactions of His Majesty and the Empress, even if they did a good deed, His Majesty and the Empress wouldn’t be satisfied.

Now this good deed is clearly a forced one, done reluctantly.

How could His Majesty and the Empress be pleased?

Everyone was highly skilled at reading the room.

Just from their unchecked whispers during the feast without rebuke, they could tell that His Majesty and the Empress were displeased with the Lin family.

“Very well, then,” Emperor Jiawen said blandly, “in ten days, I will send someone to collect the shoes, and it will be convenient for General Gu to take them back to the army along the way.”

“I accept the decree,” General Gu happily accepted the order.

Why wouldn’t he be pleased?

Originally, he was supposed to leave on the fifth day.

Now, he can stay an extra five days, having a good reunion with his family.

It’s truly thanks to the Lin family.

“Alright, you may return to your seats,” Emperor Jiawen said.

Mrs. Lin pulled Lin Qingqing back to their seats and gave her a stern look.

She had told her this morning not to try so hard; it was all in vain.

And she hadn’t listened.

Now, a home that wasn’t wealthy to begin with is even worse off!

Mrs. Lin decided that for this year, not only she would not get new clothes, but Lin Qingqing wouldn’t either.

If her clothes wore out, she would just have to try what it’s like to wear patched clothes!

Mrs. Zheng said with a smile to Zheng Sulan, “I was just envying Mr. Fu and Madam Fu earlier; clearly, they’re also officials, why do they get to enjoy such joy during the New Year, while our family has nothing? I felt a little downhearted. Who would’ve thought, seeing the Lin family, my mood has improved.”

Mrs. Li now also beamed at Li Zhaohui, “Mother understands now, it’s all about comparison. Comparing with the Lin family, I suddenly feel that if we stay honest and do nothing, at least we won’t lose anything, which is better than trying hard and ending up worse off.”

“Isn’t it?” Li Zhaohui happily tucked away a strand of hair behind her ear, “Don’t say I’m useless again, I think being honest and not being a burden to the family is already quite good.”

“Indeed,” Mrs. Li nodded in agreement.

As the palace banquet concluded, the departing ministers and womenfolk each left with different feelings.

Some felt fortunate that even if their children weren’t particularly capable, at least they didn’t bring trouble, nor hindered their own prospects.

Some were simply there for the drama.

The Fu family was naturally jubilant.

Look at how on the first day of the New Year, they were greeted with such joy and continued good fortune.

Mr. Fu did not hide his elation in the slightest.

Even his eldest daughter had become a noble lady!

If one encountered such a good situation and still remained indifferent, even His Majesty would suspect them.

Such obvious delight, it should be so.

But the obvious contrast was with the Lin family.

Mr. Lin and Mrs. Lin’s faces were as black as coal at the moment.

On the first day of the New Year, to start so poorly, they couldn’t help but wonder if the omen was terribly inauspicious.

The Lin family’s ears were filled with the gossip of others around.

“Oh dear, the Lin family wasn’t wealthy to begin with, now with this, they probably won’t recover for the whole year!”

“Mrs. Lin always claims to be frugal, Lin Qingqing always tells everyone how frugal her mother is at home, patching clothes over and over, now look, more patches will need to be added to the clothes.”

“Wouldn’t the Lin family cut up their own cotton clothes to make shoes just to save money?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep