Lin Jinrong smiled at them as if nothing had happened and walked back the way he came. As a result, the mother and daughter who were startled by the noise in the house found not only the lychees and beans but also Lin Jinrong's back figure.
Osmanthus was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she rushed to push Osmanthus: "Mother, mother, go ask the girl quickly!" After the rouge incident, Lin Jinrong had become more and more distant from her. She had a guilty conscience and didn't dare to get close to Lin Jinrong easily. As a result, many things that were originally her responsibility were done by Lychee, and some unimportant things were also taken over by Miao Yu. Gradually, she became an unimportant person.
She was originally worried that Lin Jinyong would bring Miao Ya back to replace her, but as it turned out, Miao Ya really wanted to come, and Lin Jinyong flatly refused, citing that Miao Ya was not suitable.
Does she not know how to say pleasant things? Lin Jing was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Yes, grandmother, the granddaughter will pay attention in the future." She said it was attention, not change. Some things are innate, but habits accumulated over time can change one's original preferences. She has never been someone who likes to talk or say pleasant things, even when she had wanted to speak very much, she would swallow her words because she couldn't find anyone to confide in, and that's how Lin Jing became the way she is today. People always have things they're not good at, why make it difficult for themselves over such things? But she can pay attention appropriately, in some situations, say a few words to fit in, it won't kill her.
Mrs. Lin saw that Lin Jianrong did not follow her instructions to speak up, and she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed, but she also knew the saying "it's easy to change the dynasty but hard to change one's nature", so she waved her hand: "Go down."
Lin Jianyin had some things to discuss with Tao Shi, and Tao Shi also had matters to entrust to Lin Jianyin. The two sisters made an appointment to have a midnight conversation together, and then each returned to their own room without mentioning it.
Guī yíng yíng was very capable and considerate. When Lín Jǐn Róng went to the nursing home for a visit, she had already instructed everyone to tidy up her bedroom, so when Lín Jǐn Róng returned, she could rest easy and take a nap.
She had only slept for a short while, but Lin Jinrong opened her eyes. The room was very quiet, and even the slightest footsteps and rustling of clothes couldn't be heard. Nor did she know where everyone had gone? She thought lazily, not wanting to call out to anyone, and simply narrowed her eyes, lying in bed, savoring this state of being half awake and half drowsy.
Sunlight pours through the window into the room, landing on the stool in front of the bed. Countless tiny dust particles dance happily in the beam of light. She stretches her hand into the beam, trying to catch those lively spirits. The dust particles cleverly dodge out of the way, and she catches nothing. Yet, as if she has found amusement, she continues to grab at them, watching the dust particles jump even more happily with her movements, a smile spreading across her lips.
A very low sob came from outside, if it wasn't for the quietness of the room, it would have been almost inaudible. Lin Jingrong was not affected by this and quietly put on his clothes and shoes, lifted the curtain and walked out.
As she had expected, there was no one outside. This situation rarely occurred, but since they had just returned home and were short-handed with many things to do, it was normal for the maidservants to be busy with their own tasks during her afternoon nap. She didn't mind either, and walked along the long corridor towards the source of the sound.
At the end of the long corridor was a two-sectioned boudoir where Gu Yurou and her mother lived. The faint sobbing sound came from inside. The window was half open, and Lin Jingru skillfully avoided the line of sight of the people in the room and approached the window.
In the room, Gui's mother was gritting her teeth tightly, tearing at Guiyuan's face. Her hands were extremely ruthless, with a half-crazed hatred and pain. Guiyuan was crying, but didn't dare to struggle or cry out in pain, allowing Gui's mother to pull on her cheek and push her back and forth, trying her best not to make any noise, only letting out a low sob when she couldn't bear it anymore. Every time she let out a sob, Gui's mother would stop moving for a moment, tensely looking out the window.
After a long time, the tug-of-war between mother and daughter in the house finally stopped. Gu Yini's hoarse voice said: "Do you dare or not?"
"Osmanthus fragrans was good for a while, and then trembled and said 'heh...' in a low voice, crying: 'I don't dare anymore. Mother, I don't want to be separated from you... You still have to tell the girl... Don't drive me out.'"
"Gu Gui remained silent for a moment, then said coldly: 'I won't leave you behind, but you can't stay with the young lady either. I have no face to stay here anymore. Living until today, all I have is this face, and that's only in front of the young lady and the madam.'"
Lin Jinyong withdrew her gaze and stood still by the window, her head raised motionless as she stared at the old elm tree in the courtyard. The old elm tree was lush with branches and leaves, its greenery so vibrant it seemed to drip with dew. On the tip of the leaf on the branch closest to her, a pink butterfly perched, its head facing hers, seemingly gazing back at her.
Lin Jinrong slightly furrowed her brow, as if, if she didn't clarify the situation with Guigui soon, the emotional bond between them would likely fade away before she grew up. She was raised on Guigui's milk, but since there wasn't enough for two, Guigui had been fed rice porridge instead. Having been a mother herself, Lin Jinrong understood the difference between biological children and those raised on milk, and that even with an intermediate relationship of dependence between master and servant, it couldn't replace or change things.
The courtyard door creaked softly, and Lizi and Dou'er walked in with a stack of clothes in their arms, smiling. For a moment, they saw Lin Jianrong standing still by the window, both of them looked stunned.
Lin Jinrong smiled at them as if nothing was wrong and walked back the way she came. As a result, the mother-daughter duo in the house, who were startled by the noise, discovered Lin Jinrong's back after finding the lychee and bean sprouts. Gu Yuan was so scared that her face turned pale, and she quickly pushed Gu Niangniang: "Mother, mother, go ask Miss!" After the lip rouge incident, Lin Jinrong had become even more distant from her. She had a guilty conscience and didn't dare to get close to Lin Jinrong easily. As a result, many things that were originally her responsibility were done by Lizi, and some unimportant tasks were taken over by Miao Yu. Gradually, she became an unimportant person. She was worried that Lin Jinrong would bring back Miao Yu to replace her position, but it turned out that Miao Yu really wanted to come, and Lin Jinrong flatly refused, citing that Miao Yu was not suitable.
She secretly congratulated herself and plucked up the courage to try to win Lin Jinyong over again, but Lin Jinyong didn't scold her or say anything to her, still not arranging for her to do things. It was only then that she truly became afraid. At the time, it wasn't easy to dismiss someone from the Zhuangzi, nor was it easy to add someone new, but once they returned to the Lin Manor, it would be different. Countless people were waiting to fill her position, but she didn't want to become a coarse and menial servant girl who drooled at the smell of meat!
Guī yǎo yǎo glared at Guī yuán with a fierce gaze, her face flushing bright red. After hesitating and struggling for a long time, she finally walked back to the table, sat down, and burst into tears, unable to utter a word.
The osmanthus had no choice but to cover her face and sob.
Lychee sent Bean to watch the door, and then walked into the house alone with a stack of fabrics. She saw Lin Jingrong kneeling on the windowsill, carefully examining the embroidery in front of her. Hearing the sound, she said without lifting her head, "Lychee, what kind of wood do you think is suitable for making the screen frame for this pillow?" Before Lychee could answer, she continued, "I remember my mother has a piece of agarwood stored away, although it's not big, but it should be enough. Agarwood can calm the mind, relieve cough and phlegm, warm the stomach and spleen, and relieve pain. It's most suitable for Aunt. I'll talk to Mother tonight, she won't refuse."
She said this as if it were nothing, but Lychee was at a loss for words and remained silent for a moment before saying: "The fragrant wood is quite good, and it matches well. I'm sure Auntie will be very happy." She then put the stack of fabrics on the table and invited Lin Jing to come over and take a look: "Miss, you were just sleeping, and the pomegranate from the main room came over and said that your spring and summer clothes hadn't been made yet. Please go over and pick out some fabrics, and we can make them all into summer clothes. When they heard you were asleep, they let me bring these samples over for you to choose from. Take a look and see if there's anything you like? The patterns are all quite nice."
The Lin family's rule for the girls' clothing was one new outfit per person per season, and another one for special occasions. This way, Lin Jing Rong could make four outfits. Li Zhi had a common love for pretty accessories and clothes that ordinary girls have, and she would be very happy even if they weren't chosen for herself.
"It's just right that I've grown taller, the clothes from before are a bit small now." Lin Jinrong put away the embroidery and walked to the table to pick out fabrics.
Although the Zhou family won this time, they still had a bad taste in their mouths. So they steeled themselves to use the several thousand taels of silver contributed by the Luo family to build relationships. Since it's hard to prevent thieves at home, preventing them just means others take advantage, so why not let everyone benefit and get a good reputation? Therefore, this year's fabrics were obviously higher than last year's, not only in color but also in texture. Lin Jinrong was touched as she picked through the fabrics. That year, the same thing happened at home, but when the fabrics arrived, they were all leftovers from her sisters, how could they be as beautiful as they are now? Not to mention that they had missed the chance to make new clothes and then supplement them.
It's not that there were only those materials, and once they were picked out, there was nothing left. Rather, others didn't bother to think about her, whatever was left over was what she got, and she was used to accepting and enduring it. But today was different. At the very least, inside were the two fabrics she had liked best back then - the pale jade-colored lotus-patterned thin silk and the light green thin gauze that at the time belonged entirely to Lin Wu.
Since there's been a change now, why can't I satisfy my own preferences? Lin Jinrong didn't hesitate and picked up the two pieces of fabric: "This one is good."
Lychee's eyes lit up, and she immediately sighed: "Miss, this fabric was also chosen by the fifth miss." She had always been meticulous and thorough in her work, and had previously asked the pomegranate about what fabrics the other girls had chosen, so as to remind Lin Jiner. After all, none of the girls liked wearing the same thing as others.
"She wears hers, I wear mine." Lin Jien Rong said indifferently: "I just like this."
Lychee still remembered the hatred of Lin Wu's bullying and framing her, and deliberately wanted to annoy Lin Wu. She thought to herself that her own daughter was originally better than Lin Wu, and most suitable for these elegant colors. Lin Wu was narrow-minded, and once this dress was made, she would definitely be angry and refuse to wear it. No matter how you looked at it, it wasn't a loss for her own daughter, so she smiled and agreed, picking out the two pieces of fabric and putting them aside, continuing to help Lin Jingrong pick out fabrics.
The two of them had enough fabric for four sets of clothes. Lychee Fang spoke in a low voice, "Miss, what do you plan to do about the matter with Guan Yu?"
"Guī yǎo hasn't done anything wrong, I don't want her to suffer injustice." Lín Jǐn said calmly: "Gōng mā has mentioned it twice, she has too many miscellaneous tasks in her hands and needs a clever maid to help with errands and manage things. Guī Yuán is more suitable. I plan to add another younger maid."
Lychee quietly let out a breath, and from the young lady's room went to the madam's room to follow the stewardess to learn her skills. Looking at it again, she was promoted, and she was particularly valued by the master. Generally speaking, with Lychee's identity, no one would suspect anything. It's possible that others might think it's for Lin Jingrong's future marriage preparations. In fact, Lychee couldn't even match wits with the clever and powerful Gong stewardess, and was essentially being taken care of by her. This is really a good solution, which doesn't hurt anyone's feelings and solves the problem, almost perfect.
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