Chapter 17: The Three Mischievous Children

Lin Wanqing’s sweet words were irresistibly convincing. Lu’s mother, soft-hearted as she was, was completely taken in and held Lin Wanqing’s hands with great tenderness.

“My son, from now on, I am your true mother; no one shall ever bully you again.”

Seizing the moment, Lin Wanqing nestled into Lu’s mother’s embrace, purring, “Mother, you truly are the best mother under heaven.”

Lu’s mother was so charmed she was at a loss for words.

Beside them, Banxia and Zisu struggled to stifle their laughter.

Their young lady was truly remarkable—not only had she avoided any trouble, she had also coaxed the old madam into acting like a child.

Everyone else in Lu’s mother’s room was utterly dumbfounded.

Lin Wanqing didn’t linger too long in the embrace. “Mother, although we are as close as daughter and mother, customs must be observed. I have prepared several gifts for you; please see if you like them.”

Lu’s mother smiled so broadly her mouth nearly split. “I like them, I like them very much.”

Lin Wanqing was equally delighted. “Mother, you haven’t even seen them yet.”

Banxia quickly presented the gifts.

They were actually just the usual items a daughter-in-law would offer tea with, but Lin Wanqing’s smooth tongue made Lu’s mother believe these gifts were unparalleled treasures. Without hesitation, she put on one of the embroidered forehead cloths, disregarding the fact that the weather no longer required it.

Lin Wanqing went on with lavish praise, “Mother, you are truly beautiful. I was worried the forehead cloth might make you look older, but seeing you wear it, it only makes the cloth seem brighter and more vivid.”

Which woman wouldn’t love such flattery? Lu’s mother smiled until her face seemed to melt, then ordered Madam Chen, “Keep the gifts the lady has given me carefully; I will wear them often from now on.”

Madam Chen promptly nodded and had the maids take care of the items, her caution toward Lin Wanqing deepening by twofold.

This merchant’s daughter was truly skilled!

Not only had she avoided hardship, she had won over the old madam’s maids, sown discord between the old madam and the Fourth Young Miss, and dug a deep pit for the Fourth Young Miss.

Watching the old madam’s confused, lost expression, Madam Chen nearly ground her teeth to pieces.

The old madam was utterly bewildered!

Lin Wanqing paid no mind to what the servants thought. No matter how bold they were, they were always servants. One contract of servitude could hold them tightly in check.

No matter how unworthy the master, they were still the master.

As long as she controlled the highest-ranking person, what did the others matter?

“Mother, please let me meet the three children.”

Lu’s mother smiled. “Very well. Huixin, Qinian, Qian, come forward and pay respects to your mother.”

The three children had already recovered from their earlier emotions.

Lu Huixin, Lu Qinian, and Lu Qian stepped forward together.

A maid brought three cups of tea.

Lu Huixin took the lead, holding her cup as she knelt before Lin Wanqing. “Daughter Huixin pays respects to mother; please accept this tea.”

Lin Wanqing observed the General’s family’s eldest granddaughter—about ten years old, slight in build, with delicate features. She was at the age of changing teeth, so her expression was rather reserved and seemed well-behaved. Yet her beautiful eyes sparkled with a liveliness that was somewhat excessive.

In her previous life, Lin Qianyun had caused chaos at the general’s residence, and this little girl was half to blame.

This was no ordinary child.

Lin Wanqing smiled and took a sip of the tea.

The maid quickly took the cup away on a tray.

Lin Wanqing reached out to Banxia, who promptly handed over the prepared gifts.

“These are the Four Treasures of the Study I have prepared for you. Although girls cannot take the imperial exams, you should still study and practice calligraphy to cultivate yourself.”

Lu Huixin obediently accepted the gifts. “Thank you, mother. I also prepared a gift for you, a silk handkerchief I embroidered myself. The work is not fine; I hope you will not mind.”

Lin Wanqing smiled. “Let me see it.”

Lu Huixin’s maid immediately handed over the handkerchief.

Lin Wanqing took it and glanced at it, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Interesting.

This little girl was quite bold to dare to use a gift to mock her so openly.

The handkerchief was embroidered with a pheasant perched on a tree branch.

Still young and impatient despite her cleverness, Lu Huixin smiled and asked, “Mother, do you like this gift from your daughter?”

Lin Wanqing smiled and handed the handkerchief to Banxia. “If someone gave you such a gift, would you be pleased?”

Lu Huixin didn’t expect such a reaction and was momentarily unsure how to reply.

Lin Wanqing’s smile remained. “It’s a fine gift. Although a pheasant perched on a branch never becomes a phoenix, at least it has the ability to fly up there. It is a matter of pride to rely on your own merits to rise above. Mother hopes you will be like this pheasant, rising by your own ability, not by your background.”

Lu Huixin was so taken aback her face flushed red.

Lin Wanqing looked away from her and turned to the second son of the Lu family, Lu Qinian.

Lu Qinian was about seven or eight years old, sturdy and roughly the same height as Lu Huixin.

Lin Wanqing’s gaze softened with a touch of pity.

In her previous life, this boy had gone to the battlefield at fifteen to avenge his father and died in battle at eighteen. Before he died, he single-handedly beheaded the enemy general.

He was the youngest Lu family member to sacrifice himself for the country.

Lin Wanqing greatly respected such a hero, even though he was still a child.

That respect lasted only until he handed her his gift.

When Lin Wanqing looked at the frog glaring up at her from her hand, she felt goosebumps rise all over. It took her the strength of two lifetimes to restrain herself from throwing the frog away.

The maids gasped in fright.

Lu’s mother angrily slammed the table. “Lu Qinian! How dare you scare your mother like that!”

Lu Qinian wore an insolent expression. “She’s not my mother. Besides, gifts come from the heart. Whatever I give is my sincere intention.”

Lu’s mother was so furious she looked ready to stand and strike him.

Lin Wanqing smiled. “Mother, please calm down. Qinian is still a child; he surely likes this frog very much and thought to give me one.”

She placed the frog on the tray in Banxia’s hands. The frog sat there croaking incessantly, puffing its cheeks comically.

Lu Qinian laughed heartily, pointing at the frog.

Lin Wanqing smiled. “This is the first time I’ve received such an unusual gift. Compared to his, my gifts seem rather modest. Therefore, I plan to prepare a new gift at home. Would you be willing to wait one more day for me?”

Lu Qinian was uninterested in her gifts and turned away with a huff. “I don’t care.”

Lin Wanqing teased him. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid I’ll give you the same gift back?”

Lu Qinian immediately retorted, “Who’s afraid? I’ll wait! I want to see what kind of astonishing gift you can prepare!”

Lin Wanqing smiled. “You’ll know first thing in the morning.”

Then she turned her gaze to the youngest, Lu Qian.

This child appeared only four or five years old, extremely handsome with rosy lips and white teeth. If he weren’t dressed like a little gentleman, one might mistake him for a pretty little girl.

Who could have foreseen that this child, as delicate and charming as a little girl, would become the youngest first-rank minister of the current dynasty in a dozen years’ time?

The kind of troublemaker who would be utterly scandalous!