Chapter 17: The Lin Family Sisters-in-Law

“Mother, it’s all in the past now.”

Feng Mobing, widow of Lin Xuan, gently patted the hand of the elderly matriarch. “When the two princesses escaped the palace, Brother Xuan, as the general on duty that night, had the responsibility to retrieve and protect Her Highness. No one wishes to speak of what happened afterward. What matters most now is living in the present.”

The old matriarch’s eyes reddened. She withdrew her hand from Feng Mobing’s and turned her head away, saying no more.

The young master and his wife offered a faint greeting to Cheng Xueyang, instructing their children to refer to Princess Xuanyun with respect. After that, they fell silent, pretending Cheng Xueyang did not exist.

Only Feng Mobing remained warm and cordial, rising to pull out a chair for Cheng Xueyang to sit.

Cheng Xueyang had only received the invitation today, and the seating arrangements had been made in advance. She did not believe the Dowager Princess of Shou had deliberately placed her there; rather, someone must have asked the Dowager Princess to do so.

Cheng Xueyang looked at Feng Mobing. Approaching forty, Feng had maintained her figure well, graceful and supple, with charming peach blossom eyes that spoke of passion. Everyone once said she wouldn’t remain a widow, that she would run off.

Yet Feng Mobing stayed and managed the Lin household with meticulous care.

Still, the Lin family was in decline, a situation no one woman could reverse alone.

The sole official in the Lin family, the aged Grand Tutor, was nearing retirement. The second young master was mediocre and unfit for officialdom; his business ventures often ended in losses. The second madam was extravagant, and with so many mouths to feed, when the Dowager Princess of Shou was to celebrate a grand birthday, could they arrive empty-handed? The birthday gifts could not be meager lest they lose face—another hefty expense.

Though the Dowager Princess received annual subsidies, this year they had clearly reduced, perhaps fearing displeasure from the Prince of Shou due to excessive support.

At this moment, Feng Mobing caught sight of Cheng Xueyang.

She sighed heavily, her face clouded with worry. “Though Brother Xuan has no regrets, our family has suffered greatly. This capital city, where every inch of land costs a fortune, burns through money. The matriarch’s life-preserving pills must be purchased again next month; those are counted individually and costly. The children haven’t had new clothes for the year’s end. I alone must care for the elderly and raise the young, without a man’s support—it is truly difficult.”

As she spoke, Feng Mobing glanced at Cheng Xueyang with cautious hope, silently pleading for assistance.

And that person was indeed Cheng Xueyang.

Lin Xuan’s fate was inextricably linked to the two sisters Cheng Qingyi and Cheng Xueyang; they owed a debt to the Lin family. Now that the Lin household faced financial crisis, Cheng Xueyang ought to provide funds, to make amends.

Though the old matriarch disliked Cheng Xueyang, she acknowledged the daughter-in-law’s reasoning. Had Brother Xuan lived, the Lin family would never have fallen to such depths.

All the family furtively watched Cheng Xueyang’s reaction.

Only the young lad silently slammed down his chopsticks and left.

Feng Mobing frowned. “That child is spoiled at home. Princess Xuanyun, please forgive him.”

“I don’t mind.”

Cheng Xueyang shook her head gently. “I have just returned to the capital, and the princess’s residence was ransacked. I too am troubled by the year-end expenses.”

Feng Mobing’s expression faltered—this was a refusal to provide money.

The second madam smiled darkly. “This is strange indeed. Such a bold thief dared break into the princess’s residence.”

The old matriarch’s face grew even sourer.

Feng Mobing continued with a forced smile, “Princess Xuanyun is joking. Even if the grand residence was burgled, it’s but a drop in the bucket.”

“Though it’s a bit embarrassing to say, since fate has brought us together, I shamelessly ask Her Highness on behalf of the children for a gift to mark our meeting. Five children in total, including the rebellious one who just left—five hundred taels.”

Such a brazen request for money was rare; the uninformed might think they were engaging in human trafficking.

The second madam said, “Sister-in-law, don’t trouble Princess Xuanyun. Though Princess Yunxiang once rewarded the children a hundred taels each for being adorable, Princess Xuanyun has no funds. Living away from the capital, eating, drinking, sleeping—none of it comes free. Even if the princess’s residence were a mountain of gold, it would be emptied. There are differences among princesses.”

“Second sister-in-law, I don’t agree. What difference? Both are princesses. Princess Xuanyun was favored in her youth; His Majesty gifted her countless treasures—things enough to last ten lifetimes. Five hundred taels is but a trifle to her; she wouldn’t even frown.”

“So then, we thank Princess Xuanyun for her generosity.”

The sisters-in-law volleyed words back and forth, effectively cornering Cheng Xueyang on the raised platform. Once up there, it was not so easy to come down.

Princess Yunxiang had given gifts—did Princess Xuanyun owe no response?

No gift meant she was even less than Princess Yunxiang.

They knew well that even among imperial relatives, there was a culture of rivalry—who was more favored, who was wealthier; everything was a contest.

Princess Xuanyun had been cast out for five long years. Now that she was finally back in the capital, to uphold her dignity and reclaim her position, she would definitely put on a brave front.

Taking money from Princess Xuanyun was no sin to them; it was owed to the Lin family. This time five hundred taels, next time a thousand—endless demands.

Cheng Xueyang sat upright amid the clamor, but her mind echoed with another conversation.

“Lin Xuan, I beg you, for all the years we have known each other since childhood, let me see him. My time is short. After I die, you may take my body back, still able to exchange it for wealth and high office.”

“No. The north is too far. The marriage convoy leaves tomorrow. If we wait until you die to transport the body back, it will have rotted. Chu will not accept it.”

“I have a way to slow the poison’s spread. I won’t die before seeing Zhao Hui. I’m not ready to die. I haven’t confessed my heart to him. But if you insist on taking us back now, I promise you will only receive a broken corpse.”

“Wuwu—so scary, elder sister, Brother Lin Xuan, what are you talking about? I don’t understand a word!”

Cheng Xueyang clenched her fists slowly; her breathing grew rapid.

Did the Dowager Princess of Shou dislike her and constantly target her?

Did the Lin family blame her, seeking to squeeze money from her to prop up their empty shell?

Everyone said Princess Xuanyun had recklessly fled the palace, causing Lin Xuan’s death during the pursuit, but who truly knew who had harmed her elder sister?

No—no one would know. The one responsible would never allow the truth to survive.

Only she knew the truth.

“Xiao Xue, I shouldn’t have involved you, shouldn’t have let you learn such cruel truths so early. But I had no choice. By the time I realized, the poisoned wine was already drunk. I couldn’t leave the palace alone. I didn’t want to arrange a shadow burial for the late Crown Prince of Chu. I wanted to see him once more—even just a glance.”