Lin Wu hummed twice, but didn't say anything, and only pulled Lin Jianrong to point at the back of the twin sisters in front, saying in a low voice: "I'll tell you a secret about the two of them. It's about Er Ge of the Lu family."

  What can be done? It's just a matter of currying favor. Lin Jianrong shook his head: "Hurry up, or we'll fall behind." With that, he quickened his pace and left Lin Wu behind.

  Lin Wu knew Lin Jianrong's temperament, knowing that she didn't talk much and didn't like to provoke trouble. Seeing the situation, she didn't get angry, but instead had a few thoughts of forming an alliance with her - after all, it was better than being taken advantage of by Lin Si, not to mention the twins. Moreover, who knew who would end up dead? So she took a step forward and chased after them: "Fourth sister, let's go together." Then she just held onto Lin Jianrong's arm and acted coquettishly.

  The guests arrived at the main hall, where Old Master Lin and Old Lady Lin took their seats. Then, led by the eldest son of the Lin family, Lin Rumin, all the brothers and sisters, as well as the men and women from each branch of the family, came forward in order of seniority to pay their respects and wish them a happy birthday.

  When it was the turn of the granddaughters, the Lin family girls all put away their own little thoughts and brought out their best spirits. Each one was more gentle and refined than the last, with every move precise and proper. When they withdrew, they also supported each other, showing deep sisterly affection. Only Lin Wu paid special attention to not letting her newly changed shoes get dirty again.

  The twins were in no mood to care about Lin Wu, their minds were all searching for Lu Xian. The other men of the Lu family could just enter and eat without participating in the birthday ceremony, but Lu Xian was like Lu Yun, who had to pay respects to the old lady as a grandson. However, after searching the entire hall, Lu Xian was nowhere to be found, and Lin Yu Zhen and Lu Yun were also getting anxious, constantly looking towards the entrance.

  Lin Liu said in a low voice: "Seventh sister, why isn't anyone here?"

  Lin Qidong looked around: "How did I know?"

  Lin Liu: "I wonder if he's out playing somewhere and forgot the time?" Then, looking at Lin Yuzhen with concern: "Look, Aunt is getting angry. If we don't go soon, I'm afraid we'll be punished." Lu Duan's embarrassing identity was well-known to everyone, but she didn't look down on him because of it. Instead, she felt even more sympathy and worry for him.

  Lin Qi made a few vigorous fanning motions with her fan: "That detestable Wu Xiang, what's he doing coming over here to stir up trouble when we were having such a good time playing with Second Brother? If he gets Second Brother scolded by Auntie, just watch me not let him off!" She had an air of completely treating Lu Xian and Wu Xiang as if they weren't outsiders.

  Lin Wu saw the two of them acting as if no one was around, just like they were very close and familiar with Wu Xiang and Lu Duan. She couldn't help but fan herself gently and say coolly: "The two sisters are being unreasonable to blame Wu Erge! He's a man, not young anymore, he has his own ambitions. Anyone who wants to make progress would want to study with Wu Erge, how can they always play with sisters? Wouldn't that make them become idle and lacking in ambition?"

  Lin Qi slapped the palm fan into her hand with a "slap" and glanced at Lin Wu sideways, saying sarcastically: "Really? So it turns out that Fifth Sister was also trying to make a move in front of people earlier. Does Fifth Sister plan to take the imperial examination with her brothers next year?"

  Lin Liu covered her mouth with a silk fan and giggled, poking Lin Qi: "Seventh sister don't talk nonsense, be careful someone has a small heart and will cry again, and after the matter is over, they'll go to their mother or brother to tattle, I'm afraid of being scolded by father."

  Lin Qi shrank his shoulders and shook: "I'm also very scared..."

  Lin Wu was so angry that his teeth itched, but he couldn't think of a comeback. A good man doesn't take advantage of the situation, so he raised his chin and said, "I'm not going to stoop to your level!" Then he pulled Lin Jianrong aside and whispered, "Fourth sister, you said you saw Lu's second brother in the garden earlier, where were they?" His plan was to secretly send someone to call Lu Xian, to help Lin Yuzhen and Lu Xian get out of this predicament and gain an advantage.

  Lin Jinyong pretended to think: "Let me think?" Although the relationship between husband and wife was not good, she still understood that Lu Xian had a bit of a temper, he was someone who would not easily admit defeat. When playing chess, if he didn't win against others, he would keep pestering them until they were exhausted and lost to him before he would stop. In other words, beneath his refined exterior lay a stubborn streak. And Wu Xiang, having risen to fame at a young age, was arrogant and looked down on others, how could he easily admit defeat? If it weren't for her timely intervention earlier, perhaps they would have given up by now. But with her words, they were determined to fight to the death, to clearly distinguish between winner and loser, and had completely forgotten about the birthday celebration.

  This was also what she had expected as an ending.

  It can be seen that if Lu Xuan didn't come to kowtow and celebrate Lin Lao Tai's birthday today, Lin Yu Zhen would feel extremely humiliated and angry, thinking that Lu Xuan was intentionally making things difficult for her. Even if she wouldn't confront Lu Xuan in public, she would definitely take revenge on him later, and although Lu Xuan might not show it on the surface, he would secretly hold a grudge... Hehe, it's going to be very interesting.

  As Lin Yuzhen's face grew increasingly gloomy, Lin Jirong calmly stroked his temples and turned to look at Lin Wu, who was getting anxious: "I remember now, I met them near Fenglin. They said something about playing chess back then. As for where they went, I have no idea."

  Lin Wuyan's eyes showed a hint of joy: "That must be the case, they're playing chess in the pavilion behind Maple Forest. Quick, Xiao Er, hurry up and call for someone."

  Lin Jian looked at the letter with a calm and indifferent expression as it went up in flames, then glanced over it lightly, looking at the first line.

  Lin Yuzhen forced a smile, her face slightly red as she quietly explained to Old Master Lin and the others. Then, Lu Yun seriously gave Old Mistress Lin two head knocks, smiling as he said: "Brother isn't feeling well, so I'm representing him in asking our granddaughter to kowtow to Grandmother on his behalf. Wishing Grandmother good health, happiness, and a long life filled with blessings."

  Mrs. Lin smiled brightly: "Good, well-behaved." Then she gave two red envelopes, specifically stating that one was for Lu Xuan.

  Lin Yuzhen let out a sigh of relief and whispered to the people around her: "Once you find Second Young Master, just let him go home directly, don't come back and embarrass me again!"

  Lin Jinyong sat far away, although she couldn't hear what was being said over there, but relying on her understanding, she just looked and knew what Lin Yuzhen had in mind. She bit Lin Wu's ear and whispered: "I remember that from here to Fenglin, there is a shortcut - the south wall has an angled door, it's just not locked every day."

  Lin Wu didn't know what was going on, but he thought that it would be best to find Lu Xian and bring him back here as soon as possible. The sooner the better. He said: "Fourth sister, let's go together to find someone to open the door?"

  Lin Jinyong shook his head: "I don't dare to wander around. However, if someone asks, I can cover for you in a short period of time."

  Lin Wu's eyes sparkled as she glanced at Lin Jianrong, a bright smile spreading across her face: "I'll remember your kindness." As the mistress of the house, Zhou Shi had some dignity to uphold; why would she need to run this errand herself? She could just slip out and find some servant girl to do it for her.

  Lin Jinrong lowered her eyelids, watching the powder blue hem of Lin Wufang's skirt disappear quickly from her sight, and for a moment she couldn't help but feel a little dazed. Should she or shouldn't she? It was all right to plot against Lu Xian, but should she also plot to let one of her three sisters marry him in her place?

  Although she had made two assumptions before, repeatedly telling herself that this matter could be done and had reason to do it, as long as she didn't marry, one of her three sisters would definitely get married, they were all smarter than her, her parents were more capable than her, and they wouldn't end up living a miserable life like hers. But one thought still emerged uncontrollably - what if they ended up with the same miserable outcome as her in the end?

  Although she knew it was completely possible to end in tragedy, she still went ahead and facilitated the matter with her own hands. What difference is there between her and those ruthless people who don't know morality or family ties?! The feelings between her and her three sisters-in-law were not deep, but they didn't have any deep-seated hatred that would lead to killing each other either. Lin Jin's heart was conflicted, the tip of her tongue throbbed with pain from being bitten, her hand holding the fan handle loosened and tightened repeatedly. After a long time, she finally let out a sigh and decided to take action.

  At this time, everyone had finished paying their respects in batches and had all taken their seats. The women stayed here to entertain the female guests, while the men went outside to wait for the male guests. Lu Yun was supposed to sit at the same table as Lin's sisters, and the sisters sat down in order of age. Lin Liu and Lin Qi noticed that Lin Wu and Xiner were nowhere to be seen, exchanged a glance, leaned over, and asked Lin Jianrong: "Fourth sister, do you know where Fifth sister went?"

  Lin Jinyong said calmly: "I know, she's just going to the restroom."

  The twins didn't believe it but also didn't want to say anything clearly, so they just smiled and said: "Fifth sister has a lot of things going on."

  Lin Jinyong smiled slightly and neither confirmed nor denied it.

  Lin Liu smiled: "Fourth sister, have you seen Lu's second brother?"

  Lin Jianrong still replied calmly: "I've seen it."

  The twins exchanged another glance, and it was clear that among them, one must marry Lu Xuan. Lin Jinrong was the eldest, so her chances were not small. Lin Qi suddenly asked, "What is he doing? Have you talked to him?"

  He calmly said: "He and Wu Erge are together, I didn't talk to him, only talked with Wu Erge."

  Lin Liu smiled: "Wu Erge and Fourth Sister have always gotten along well. I remember, his aunt is Fourth Sister's aunt, right?"

  Lin Jianrong did not express approval or disapproval.

  Lin Jinyan, however, was not used to it and pointed at Lu Yun who was curiously watching her sisters whispering to each other. She sank her face and put on a sisterly air, saying in a deep voice: "What are you guys talking about? You're getting older, so you should pay attention to the occasion when speaking. Don't let people say that Lin's daughters have no rules."

  Lin San and Lin Si, the twin sisters, were both wooden and uninteresting, yet somehow made it impossible for others to question them. The twins almost simultaneously touched their own noses, revealing a face of boredom. Lin Jianrong smiled slightly and secretly hugged Lin Jianyin's arm.

  Lin Wu hurried in before the banquet started, smiling with curved eyebrows as he sat next to Lin Jianrong, and whispered: "It's done. Later, let him come and thank us, think about what gift you want from him?"

  ——*——*——*——

  The text is already slow, for three reasons: Firstly, I was busy with work at the end of the year; Secondly, my body has been poor, and I have been alternating between fever and chills every few days, insomnia is a common occurrence, and my endocrine system is also out of balance, so I often go to the hospital for treatment; Thirdly, the new book has a cycle, although the outline was determined early on, but I want to refine it, in addition to constantly improving and enriching the outline, every chapter's details need to be revised countless times, so the progress is naturally slow. Please forgive me.

  Participating in PK is to increase popularity, so I still ask everyone for pink votes, PK votes and recommendation votes. I don't ask for first place, just hoping to be on the top ten list is very satisfying. Everyone can do as they please, after all, I am very grateful for your support, heartfelt thanks to everyone.

  Besides, winter has arrived, everyone should take care of themselves, pay attention to the wind and temperature, your body is your own, when you're sick, no one can bear the pain for you, really.

  The author has completed five books and is offering a VIP fast pass:

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