Chapter 6: Second Sister, Don’t You Dare Forgive Him!
The Lin residence was located on the outskirts of Chang’an. The mansion faced south and had an imposing scale. Based on the Lin family's official income, there was no way they could afford such grandeur. All of this was thanks to Ning Que’s support.
A maroon-colored carriage slowly stopped at the front gate. With the help of a maid, Lin Xianhong stepped out.
"Second Sister!" A girl in a peach-colored dress came running out. She bore some resemblance to Lin Xianhong—she was the Lin family's third daughter, Lin Qinghuan. In the Lin family, she was quite favored. Despite being a girl, she was admitted to the Six Arts Academy—the highest institution in all of Great Feng. Eight prime ministers had graduated from there, and dozens of 1st Rank officials. Getting in required passing numerous evaluations—either you had astonishing talent, or a powerful patron. Lin Qinghuan had neither. She only got into the Six Arts Academy because of Ning Que’s help.
Last year, she was successfully engaged to the Jiang family. The Jiangs were also a martial noble family of Great Feng. The patriarch was the Minister of War, a 1st Rank official, and a former subordinate of the late Prince Ning—though he didn’t participate in the Yumenguan battle. His eldest son served as county captain of Nan County, while his second son, Jiang Cen, was studying at the Six Arts Academy. Lin Qinghuan was engaged to Jiang Cen.
Truth be told, this marriage wasn’t a good match. The Lin family was a minor household. Lin Jiang, her father, was merely a 6th Rank official in the Ministry of Personnel. How could they compare to the Jiang family? The Jiangs only agreed to the match out of respect for Ning Que. Besides, Jiang Cen was the second son and wouldn’t inherit the family line. Marrying a Lin daughter didn’t matter much. Still, the bride price couldn’t be too modest—the Jiang family had a reputation to uphold in Chang’an. Taking in a Lin girl without any benefit? No way. Even agreeing to the marriage was already giving Ning Que enough face.
"Qinghuan!"
"Look at you, rushing around like that. Your sister is now a 3rd Rank Female Imperial Physician. She just saved the life of General Gu Yuan. You’re about to get married—you can’t act like this anymore."
"Second Sister, look! Father’s scolding me again." Lin Qinghuan tugged on Lin Xianhong’s arm coquettishly.
"Let go of her! Your sister hasn’t fully recovered yet."
"Ah, I forgot!" Lin Qinghuan quickly let go, seeing how weak Lin Xianhong looked. "Second Sister, are you feeling any better now? And where is that guy? You returned to the Lin family today, and he didn’t even come see you off. Is he even a man?"
"Don’t mention him," Lin Xianhong said weakly, waving her hand.
She had only recently started recovering. After returning to the Lin residence, she went back to bed to rest. Madam Lin sat at the bedside, wiping her tears.
"You silly girl, how could you be so foolish? And where’s Ning Que? Why didn’t he send you back?"
"He’s just a bastard!" Lin Qinghuan jumped in, knowing the truth.
"Just because of this matter, he wants to repudiate Second Sister? Does he even consider why she did what she did? If he really loved her, would she have aborted the child? General Gu made a great contribution—what’s wrong with saving him?! He should be thanking her! And yet, he’s repaying her with a divorce?"
Madam Lin raised her phoenix-like eyebrows in anger. She had risen from being a concubine to become the main wife and was known across Chang’an for her fierce temper. Back then, she had angered the original wife to death.
"Is he insane? She lost the child, and now he wants to abandon her?"
Lin Jiang, pacing back and forth, seemed like he wanted to say something but hesitated. Every time he opened his mouth, Madam Lin cut him off. He was notoriously henpecked—his fear of his wife was well-known, and the entire city laughed about it.
"Father, what is it you’re trying to say?"
"Your grandfather’s health has been deteriorating over the years. It’s always been Doctor Chang who treated him. I sent someone to invite him today, but they weren’t even allowed to enter. The apprentice at the door said Doctor Chang would never treat anyone from the Lin family again. He said we’re an unpresentable family, and that treating your grandfather would shorten his lifespan!"
"What?!"
Lin Xianhong was stunned.
Despite her fame in Chang’an as a ‘Goddess Doctor,’ she was nothing compared to Chang Baicao. There were many prescriptions he never taught her—for example, the Spirit-Preserving Pill that prolonged life. There was only one person in all of Great Feng who could make it: Chang Baicao.
In terms of medical skill, no one could match him.
Her grandfather’s chronic illness, in truth, was simply due to age. Lin Xianhong had no way to treat it. For the past two years, he had relied solely on the Spirit-Preserving Pill to stay alive. Now, without the medicine, he probably wouldn’t last two years!
"Doctor Chang?"
"I get it—it’s that bastard again!"
"How shameless! He’s pulling the same old trick again!" Lin Qinghuan clenched her teeth in fury, foolishly trying to analyze the situation.
"It must be Ning Que who spoke ill of us to Doctor Chang. He’s using Grandfather’s illness as leverage. He wants to force Second Sister to beg for forgiveness. Despicable!"
Lin Xianhong frowned, the color in her face returning from rage. She knew how close Chang Baicao was with Ning Que. Now that she thought about it, this must be the reason. Ning Que was truly a shameless man! He would do anything to get what he wanted.
Back during the battle at Yumenguan, Prince Ning had died in combat. It was later discovered that the marching orders had been leaked—and the Lin family was dragged down by it. Gu Yuan once confided in her that the entire thing was orchestrated by Ning Que. It was he who falsely accused the Lin family and used a Royal Pardon Medallion to escape execution. His real goal was to possess Lin Xianhong.
This was all too familiar.
"Shameless!"
"I’m going to confront him right now!"
Lin Qinghuan couldn’t care less. Her face was full of anger. She always despised Ning Que’s behavior, thinking of him as a spoiled, useless scoundrel living off his ancestors’ glory. And now he was using her grandfather’s life to threaten them?
Was that even love?
No, that was pure insanity!
Disgusting!
"Calm down. Doctor Chang is still my master. I’m also his only personal disciple," Lin Xianhong said calmly, lifting her sleeve. "As long as I go talk to him properly, I believe he’ll change his mind."
"Right, right, that’s true," Lin Jiang quickly nodded. "Xianhong is now a favored courtier beside the Empress Dowager, receiving gifts every few days. Xianhong, your sister’s wedding to the Jiang family is coming soon. Last night, the Jiang patriarch asked me again about the dowry preparations. What do you think..."
"Wasn’t my dowry supposed to be arranged by that bastard?"
"We don’t need to beg him."
"I’m not begging him either," Lin Qinghuan pouted and said softly, "I think he’s just trying to use this to threaten us. But now that I have Second Sister, I don’t even want to look at him. Besides, Second Sister saved General Gu Yuan—I believe the Gu family will help us."
"Mm." When Gu Yuan was mentioned, Lin Xianhong looked a bit shy.
"Master, Master!"
"What is it?"
"The steward from Prince Ning’s Mansion has arrived!"
"Oh?" Lin Jiang immediately grinned. "I knew it. That boy Ning Que couldn’t bear to part with Xianhong. Look, now he’s sent his steward to apologize. If they don’t prepare the dowry properly, Xianhong, don’t go back."
"I know." Lin Xianhong nodded along. She looked toward the entrance with mockery in her eyes.
She believed she had Ning Que wrapped around her finger.
Yesterday he said he’d repudiate her. And today? He’s already come to admit fault.