Let’s not mention how incredulous and awkward the expressions of the Lin mother and daughter, blocked at the front gate of the Liang residence, were. Nor how gloomy the atmosphere in the old Lin family became afterwards.

Several months later, by the time An Ning received news again, Lin Sini’s marriage had already been settled.

During this period, Sini, unwilling to give up, had come several times, but unfortunately, each time she was blocked outside the door by the butler who had received strict orders.

The person the Lin family settled on was none other than the old Huang family who ran a wine shop in the county town. It was said their family assets were somewhat substantial. Well, of course. Given the Lin family’s situation, anyone could guess that Sini’s future would inevitably involve supporting her natal family.

How expensive is preparing for the imperial examinations? One could say that the small landlords from ordinary villages simply couldn’t sustain it.

The problem was that this Manager Huang was already in his thirties this year, several years older than Old Man Liang. In terms of age, he could practically be Sini’s own father. His eldest son at home was also about the same age as Sini. Naturally, this marriage was for him to take a stepmother.

Upon hearing this news, Lin Ting’s hand, which was flipping through a book, paused for a moment.

Was it surprising?

Actually, not really. Ever since she decisively shut them out, Lin Ting had already anticipated this outcome.

Scholars’ expenses are huge. Writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, books, tuition fees, festival gifts for the teacher during holidays, socializing with classmates… one could say money is eaten up everywhere.

And the one at home was not engaged in productive work. Furthermore, the expenses for traveling to take the exams along the way… without a stable source of income, relying solely on the family’s few dozen mu of land would eventually drag the entire Lin family down.

Besides, the present situation was different from before. An eighteen-year-old failed Tong Sheng candidate was vastly different from an eleven-year-old one. Realistically speaking, as Lin Qingyun’s age increased, unless he advanced further, the marriage alliance value of the Lin family’s daughters was continuously declining.

It’s just that when the matter actually came to a head, thinking of all the preferential treatment Fourth Sister received at home earlier, and all the doting from their parents… Lin Ting even understood clearly in her heart. The reason Fourth Sister’s marriage hadn’t been settled for so long was precisely because they were waiting for Qingyun to pass the Xiucai exam, so they could arrange a perfectly ideal marriage for their daughter.

However, now…

One has to say, it is particularly ironic and laughable!

Gently stroking the jade bracelet in her hand that still carried a coolness.

Even though she had some suspicions in her heart, when faced with such a brutally stark reality, by the window, Lin Ting still felt dazed for a moment.

It was as if she saw back then, Second Aunt who frantically made a scene for her own daughter, even going so far as to hang herself from the beam, as well as their equally hesitant, full of guilt, yet ultimately unable to change anything parents.

But that was all.

When she was sold into the Liang residence back then, Sini was not even two years old. One couldn’t expect a sister who was hardly seen a few times a year to have much affection for this younger sister who enjoyed everything.

By the same token, Sini was probably the same.

It was naturally impossible for her to have much respect for this older sister who willingly became a concubine and might even hinder her own marriage prospects in the future.

Some things, especially the subtle details, ultimately cannot be deceived.

Now, wanting her to provide a safety net? That was even more impossible.

All these thoughts took only a few moments. Hearing the continuous sounds of children playing outside the window, Lin Ting quickly snapped back to reality. Seeing the rosy figure constantly moving about in the outer room, genuine laughter soon appeared in her eyes.

Skillfully pulling her little daughter close to her side:

“Ning Ning, why have you returned so early today?”

It happened to be the middle of the month. According to the schedule, just after eight in the morning was precisely the time when the young ladies of the household should be going to Shou’an Hall to pay their respects to the old madam.

As if thinking of something, putting down the book in her hand, worry quickly flashed in Lin Ting’s eyes:

“Did something happen at the old madam’s place?”

“Don’t worry, Mother. Grandmother is in very good health!” Knowing what her mother was worried about, nestled in the other’s embrace, An Ning’s tone was quite cheerful:

“Knowing that Elder Sister and I have been studying hard recently, Grandmother specifically let us come back early.”

As she spoke, An Ning also happily shook the new bracelet she had just obtained on her wrist.

Actually, although it’s said to be three sisters, who doesn’t know that the Eldest Young Lady of the residence is not fond of studying? Every time she reads, it’s as if she has fleas under her backside; she can’t sit still for a moment.

Third Sister has only been studying for less than half a year, learning superficially, far from the point of it being hard work. Who this refers to is self-evident.

Satisfied, she looked at the jade bracelet full of watery color on her wrist.

Indeed, throughout the ages, the treatment of good students is just better!

But thinking about it carefully, it wasn’t surprising. Considering the old madam’s attitude recently, An Ning thought, although merchant families don’t have so many rules and formalities, being able to let the family’s young ladies attend classes together with their brothers…

It showed that whether it was the old madam, or Father Liang and Madam Wu, at the very least, they were not rigid and pedantic people.

Compared to some scholarly families in the county, they were instead much more open-minded.

“Since Grandmother gave it, Ning Ning can just accept it with peace of mind. The old madam is generous and gentle, and she usually likes it most when the younger generation works hard and strives to improve.”

Thinking back then, there were quite a few clever little maids in Shou’an Hall. The reason she could catch the old madam’s eye wasn’t unrelated to her own private diligence and eagerness to learn.

Of course, the old madam always had a sense of propriety. Lin Ting guessed that there might not have been an implicit support for them, mother and children, within that.

As for why it wasn’t Jing’er, as the legitimate heir, the future head of the household, the Eldest Young Master’s position was unshakable.

Since the Madam had the capacity for tolerance, then the old madam here naturally couldn’t show any partiality either.

Perhaps because she had read more books, apart from becoming increasingly composed, the various things that were once shrouded in fog now became much clearer to Madam Lin.

It felt quite like the clouds parting to reveal the sun.

Even regarding the old Lin family from before, Lin Ting thought:

The reason those people could be so at ease back then might not be unrelated to her usually overly good attitude, playing the role of the “filial daughter” too convincingly. And they felt they had a handle on her, thinking that as a concubine in a large mansion with little security, she couldn’t possibly not curry favor with a future Xiucai brother.

Of course, more importantly, it was her own younger brother Qingyun, the future reliance of the family. With him so clearly expressing dislike and distaste, others, just to avoid offending her brother, wouldn’t show her much closeness openly either.

Hmm… perhaps there was also herself, with her enviable fine clothes and delicious food, her glamorous appearance, yet precisely lacking an awe-inspiring status sufficient to ward off such malice…

In the following days, without the dramatic episodes from the old Lin family, life in the Liang residence remained peaceful and pleasant.

As a child, An Ning only had to worry about eating and playing. The rest was naturally taken care of by reliable adults.

On the day of Sini’s wedding, as expected, Lin Ting still did not make any gesture, not even sending basic wedding gifts through someone.

This was her own younger sister!

At this point, even if they were most unwilling to believe it, the old Lin family had to admit that this eldest daughter had completely severed her heart from the family!

But at this stage, did the old Lin family have any other methods?

The answer was no. Not to mention a great household like the Liang family, without some connections in the yamen, how could they establish themselves in the county town? They simply couldn’t afford to offend them.

A concubine sold off since childhood, by both sentiment and reason, knocking on their door would only bring shame to their own family, with not the slightest bit of use.

Looking at the eldest grandson (eldest nephew) at the banquet, dressed in a neat blue gown, wearing a square scarf, almost completely out of place with his surroundings. As if struck heavily by an iron hammer, the hearts of the old Lin family members instead felt increasingly hollow.

Forcing down the coldness continuously welling up in their hearts, the Lin family prayed sincerely from the depths of their being.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep