Chapter 250: Little Kid, Come Here
Lin Jixue wanted to go pay her respects. If Mei Wanying hadn’t been there, the mama wouldn’t have stopped her.
After all, she had come to the Capital City for a prospective marriage meeting with Xun. They were bound to meet sooner or later.
Today’s situation was unique, and since the mama didn’t know Lin Jixue’s temperament, she was afraid the girl might offend her distinguished guests.
Her plan was to take the girl to the guest courtyard first, give her some thorough instructions, and then let her meet Mei Wanying and the Little Prince next time.
"Miss Lin," she said, "why don’t you go to the guest courtyard and rest your feet first? Her Ladyship will formally introduce you to the young master at the family banquet. There’s no need to rush."
The mama’s initial deference had vanished, her tone now familiar. Lin Jixue’s heart skipped a beat.
’Did I say something wrong? Did I displease her?’
Feeling nervous, she subconsciously squeezed the handkerchief in her hand.
The Lin family’s status was far below the Gu Family’s. A match like this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Before she left, her parents had repeatedly told her to be patient and forbearing, and never to act on selfish impulse.
They also told her to listen to the Gu Family’s elders, do her best to win their affection, and finalize the marriage as quickly as possible.
Once married into the Gu Family, her father and brothers would have the chance for a promotion and transfer back to the Capital City.
Even if they couldn’t return to the Capital City, their reputation in Shu would grow.
This marriage was very important to the Lin family; it absolutely could not go wrong.
Everyone in her family had placed their highest hopes in her.
She had also mentally prepared herself.
Marrying into a family of higher status meant she would inevitably have to endure some unfair treatment from her in-laws.
As long as she could marry into the Gu Family and become one of the Imperial Relatives, a little hardship was nothing.
Lin Jixue was clear about her own status and knew what she wanted. She didn’t dare to go against the mama.
Before leaving, she glanced again at the graceful and elegant woman. Such beauty—even the most famous Oiran in Shu couldn’t compare to her.
’With a vixen like that in the household, I’ll have a formidable rival.’
’A rival who has a child, no less... Even if I secure my position as the main wife, there will surely be a bitter struggle ahead.’
Lin Jixue’s heart tightened, afraid she was no match for that woman.
’Once I’m settled in, I’ll write to Mother and my sister,’ she decided. ’I’ll ask them for advice.’
The mama prompted her, "Miss Lin, if you’ll please follow me."
Lin Jixue nodded. Before she could look away, the woman turned her head and glanced over.
Her beauty was bewitching, her figure graceful. She wore her hair in a married woman’s bun, and though she had few accessories, she carried herself with an extraordinary air.
A single sweep of her eyes held a thousand charms—an allure that only a mature woman possesses.
’I always thought my youth was my advantage,’ Lin Jixue mused, ’but perhaps men prefer maturity.’
The woman in the distance swept her gaze over her, then looked away as if she hadn’t seen her at all.
Lin Jixue’s heart began to pound. She felt the anxiety of being caught staring.
A flicker of anger sparked within her as well.
’I’m here to become the official wife of the Gu Family. That woman is a favored concubine at best. What right does she have to look down on me?’
Lowering her gaze, she followed the mama toward the guest courtyard.
As they reached a corner, Lin Jixue’s ankle twisted, and she cried out as her body lurched to the side.
Her accompanying maids and serving women were startled and rushed to support her.
The commotion was just loud enough to make both Gu Xun and Ling turn and look.
Ling had a kind heart. "Mother," she asked Mei Wanying, "should we go see what’s wrong?"
Mei Wanying took hold of the little one’s hand. "No need. Someone will call a doctor for her. You’re just a child; you can’t help with grown-up matters."
"Oh."
Ling stood obediently beside her mother, craning her neck on her tiptoes to peek at the situation over there.
She touched her own leg, then looked at her mother’s, and said with a serious expression, "Mother, you have to watch where you’re going when you walk."
Her grandmother often said that to her. She thought it was only something children needed to be told, not realizing adults could twist their ankles too.
Ling furrowed her little brow. "Mother can’t twist her ankle. Father and I would be so sad..."
Mei Wanying smiled, stroking the back of her daughter’s delicate hand with her fingertip. "Mother will remember. I’ll be sure to watch my step."
The injury might have been serious; another low cry came from that direction.
The mama said, "We don’t know if a bone is injured. Miss Lin, don’t try to move. I’ll have someone carry you to the guest courtyard."
Lin Jixue looked apologetic. "I’m so sorry to have caused you trouble right after arriving. Please don’t go to too much trouble, lest we disturb others. If I just sit and rest for a moment, I should be able to walk."
The mama hadn’t wanted to disturb Mei Wanying and Ling, which was why she’d tried to hurry Lin Jixue away.
Now it was too late to leave. It was better to be open about it.
This would prevent Mei Wanying from overthinking things and assuming the Gu Family was being secretive and wary of her.
"Very well," the mama said. "Sit and rest for a bit. We’ll have the Household Doctor come take a look. Once we’re sure no bones are injured, you can move."
Lin Jixue nodded. "I’ll do as you say."
After speaking, she once again raised her eyes to the two adults and one child, nodding at them as a form of greeting.
They weren’t far, so even with Mei Wanying’s poor eyesight, she could clearly see the other woman’s actions.
She didn’t need to guess; this had to be the Miss Lin from Shu.
The prospective bride the Gu Family had arranged for Gu Xun.
Mei Wanying was sensitive to being watched. The woman had been sizing her up, and she had felt it.
’Twisting her ankle right at this moment... was it an accident, or was it deliberate?’
Mei Wanying was not that naive. She had experienced too much and understood that one shouldn’t assume the best of strangers.
Not wanting to get involved in the Gu Family’s affairs, Mei Wanying held Ling’s hand tightly and said to Gu Xun, "He should be finishing his business soon. Ling and I will go wait for him."
Seeing that she was about to leave, Gu Xun wanted to walk them out.
But before he could get the words out, Mei Wanying spoke first.
’With Pei Yan here, I’m completely redundant...’
Gu Xun’s Adam’s apple bobbed. In the end, he only said one word, "Alright."
Lin Jixue couldn’t hear what they were saying, and her curiosity got the better of her.
Seeing the woman holding the child’s hand and about to leave, she grew a little anxious.
’I still wanted to size that woman up,’ she thought anxiously, ’and test Gu Xun’s attitude at the same time.’
’Everyone’s here. I can’t miss this opportunity.’
She quickly instructed her personal maid, "That little child is truly adorable. She seems worried about me; she keeps looking our way. Go fetch a greeting gift to give to her."
The mama glanced over and saw that the Little Prince was indeed watching them, peeking over with a look of great curiosity about the manor’s guest.
’That quick wit is nothing like her father’s,’ the mama thought. ’She’s quite endearing!’
Lin Jixue propped herself up on a pillar and stood, waving to the little child. "Come here, little one. Big sister has a gift for you."
The child pointed at herself, as if asking if the gift was for her.
Lin Jixue nodded and waved again. "Come on over."
She had a smile on her face and her tone was very gentle. This was how she always charmed children back in her hometown.
Lin Jixue’s eyes were certain. Hearing there was a gift to be had, any child would certainly come running over eagerly.
Hearing what Lin Jixue was saying, the mama almost fainted.
’That’s the Princess!’
’Is she treating Her Highness like a puppy, beckoning her over like that?’
’And daring to call herself "Big sister"... Does she have a death wish?’
Just as she was about to correct Lin Jixue and explain the identities of Mei Wanying and the Little Prince, she saw a noble and aloof man approaching from the direction of the study.
He was clearly here to pick them up.
The mama grabbed Lin Jixue’s wrist and whispered a reminder, "Lower your head. Don’t offend the distinguished guest."