Today is Winter Solstice, I forgot to wish everyone a happy holiday, so I'm adding an extra chapter to wish everyone a happy Winter Solstice!

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  "Wait a moment, Aunt Gui. I have something to ask you. What have the Fourth Young Miss and the others been up to lately?" Lin Jin-yu called out gently to Aunt Gui, who had just come out of the Tao residence after paying her respects.

  "Back to the third girl's words. The fourth girl is now either copying women's warnings, practicing calligraphy and reading books, or doing needlework and serving tea." Gu Yiniang was extremely conflicted in her heart, and she couldn't help but want to tell Lin Jinyu about Lin Jiren and Huang Niang's affair. It wasn't that she was afraid of being implicated if the truth came out later, but rather that she intuitively felt that something wasn't right. Could it be a trap set by Huang Niang?

  Lin Jinyan smiled and stared at Gui's mother: "Her temperament has always been calm, also a bit dull. If there is anything that can't disturb the lady, you can come to me at any time. I am her own sister, and I still count as being able to keep my cool, of course I will go all out to protect her."

  "No. If there was, I would have told Third Miss already." Gu Mama hesitated for a long time and finally gave up on telling Lin Jin about it. Fourth Miss had just said that whoever gossiped would be chased out, how could she, the gatekeeper, do such a thief-like thing? When it really couldn't be done anymore, it wouldn't be too late to say anything then.

  Lin Jin's eyes saw off Gui's mother-in-law, her slender eyebrows slightly furrowed, deep in thought for a long time, and then she let out a soft sigh, washed her hands, and went to the small kitchen to personally make some small pastries for Tao Shi.

  Half a month later, Lin Jinrong's confinement period was over and she was free. When the hundred copies of "Nu Jie" that she had handwritten were neatly stacked in front of Old Master Lin, he smiled: "The handwriting is not bad. Remember to be diligent and keep your place, and family harmony will bring prosperity."

  Lin Jinrong nodded in agreement. She stole a glance at Lin Shenzhi, who was sitting on the chair with his head buried in writing, his small body kneeling on the chair, and he was extremely focused on writing on the desk by the window, one stroke at a time. Just wondering how Lin Shenzhi suddenly became so steady, she saw Old Man Lin stroking his beard and smiling: "Little Seventh was too mischievous, it took him many days to calm down."

  The old master believed that jade must be carved to become a useful vessel, and he was able to make the naturally mischievous Lin Shenzhi into this state in just one month. He must have used both kindness and severity, putting in a lot of effort. Looking at Lin Shenzhi's small body and slightly furrowed eyebrows, Lin Jinrong felt a pang of sadness in her heart. Other children didn't start their education until they were seven years old, but he had already started on this path, having his natural personality suppressed. However, she couldn't stay in the Lin household forever, and some things daughters just can't replace sons for. Lin Shenzhi had to grow up quickly, he had to become accomplished.

  At this thought, Lin Jianrong's eyes became resolute again, and he smiled at the old man: "I'm sure Seventh Brother must have spent a lot of his grandfather's heart blood."

  The old man smiled, full of grandeur: "The prosperity of our Lin family should not be buried in my hands."

  Lin Jinrong bowed and bid farewell. As she walked to the door, she turned her head again to look at Lin Shen, but saw that Lin Shen's pair of black grape-like eyes mischievously gazed at her, a small pink tongue quickly darted out of his mouth and then quickly retracted. He had actually made a ghostly face at her while pretending to be calm and composed in front of the old master.

  It's great, innocence still exists. They are all growing up. Lin Jiran looked up at the azure sky and smiled silently, after smiling enough, he turned his head to look at Lizi who had a joyful expression on her face: "Let's go, we'll hurry to pay our respects to the old lady and then take a look at where Madam went."

  "Has Fourth Miss arrived?" Qing Li smiled and raised the curtain for Lin Jin Rong, saying in a low voice: "Today Old Madam's mood is not bad."

  Lin Jinyong smiled and glanced at Qingli, what a crystal-hearted person she was, no wonder she had good relationships with others. Qingli smiled knowingly at her and turned around to shout loudly: "Old lady, Fourth Miss has come to pay her respects to you."

  Mrs. Lin was being teased by Lin Wu and had laughed to tears, but upon hearing this, she collected her smile, pinched her handkerchief and gently pressed the corners of her eyes, saying lightly: "Let her in." It wasn't that she still held a grudge against Lin Jianrong, or that she wanted to make things difficult on purpose. It was just that in this inner courtyard, her dignity as the first lady would not tolerate any challenge.

  Lin Jinrong went through the motions of greeting and asking after everyone's well-being, then sat down quietly, her demeanor as calm and collected as ever, her etiquette impeccable, as if she hadn't just been released from house arrest.

  Such behavior, Lin Lao Tai couldn't say what was unsatisfactory, but indeed she didn't like it. The twins were as sweet as honey, knowing how to coax and flatter her, making her happy in various ways. Lin Wu was also quite lovely and likable, lively and generous. In comparison, the Lin Jian Rong sisters were too dull, not only did they not like to come near her, but they also didn't know how to make people like them, stubbornly refusing to budge. Even when she tried to teach them a thing or two, they would remain silent and unresponsive, as if someone was deliberately picking on them and making things difficult for them. Forget it, what good daughters could such a mother produce? It's already not bad that they're not like the Tao family's daughter who doesn't know how to read the situation and makes a big fuss. A person's nature is hard to change, as long as they don't go overboard, once they get married, it'll be out of sight, out of mind.

  Lin old lady also felt a bit relieved and said lightly: "Just came back from your grandfather's place?"

  Lin Jinyong's body leaned forward slightly, showing a junior's attentive and respectful demeanor: "Yes. Grandfather told his granddaughter to be more filial towards her grandmother. How has Grandmother been doing lately?"

  Mrs. Lin murmured vaguely and instructed Lin Jirong a few words, answering some trivial matters of her daily life at home, and also asked about Lin Jirong's daily life. Every sentence of the conversation between the two was concerned with each other, but it sounded awkward and polite like outsiders.

  Lin Wu stood by, holding her cheek and listening with a pair of eyes smiling like a crescent moon. After the two people's pleasantries came to an end, she inserted herself into the conversation: "Fourth sister hasn't gone to see Third Aunt since she came out, has she?"

  "Yes, I plan to pay my respects to my grandparents first and then go pay my respects to my parents." Lin Jinrong glanced at Lin Wu, who smiled kindly back at her, as if saying, "Don't worry, I'm here for you, I'll help you."

  Lin Jinrong smiled slightly and withdrew her gaze. To take something, one must first give it, Lin Wu didn't know what else she wanted him to do for her again.

  Old Lady Lin heard Lin Wu's words and indeed said, "Alright, Fourth Sister has not seen your parents for a long time either. As a child, one must absolutely not neglect filial piety, go then."

  Lin Jinrong then took advantage of the situation and bid farewell, happily going to see the Tao family.

  As soon as Lin Jianrong's footsteps faded away, Lin Wu slipped to Lin Lao Tai's side and sat down on the purple sandalwood footstool, gently massaging her calf. He smiled and said: "When I saw Fourth Sister just now, I suddenly remembered that day when Cloud Cousin heard her play the sheng, she really liked it and tried every means to learn from her. Fourth Sister refused her in front of everyone, which made Cloud Cousin very sad and embarrassed. I advised her not to be too hard on herself. I knew Fourth Sister was unhappy about being confined at home back then, but she couldn't be so willful either. After all, Cloud Cousin is a guest, and it wouldn't hurt to speak nicely to her. Now that I see Fourth Sister's mood has improved, I hope in the future she can get along with Sixth and Seventh Sisters harmoniously, and I'll have fewer worries."

  The old lady hung her eyes and didn't say a word, looking as if she had fallen asleep.

  Green pear hurriedly smiled and went forward to support the old lady: "Fifth Miss, it seems like the old lady is having another dizzy spell. Why don't you go out for some fresh air first and then come back?"

  Lin Wubai arranged Lin Jinyong behind her back, trying to elevate her own family. Unexpectedly, she got such a reaction from Old Lady Lin, and couldn't help but feel embarrassed, with a hint of shame on her face, she stood up and made way, just about to avoid her, when suddenly she heard the old lady say in a low voice: "When you have nothing better to do, take your eighth sister out to play more often. She's young, and as a concubine-born daughter, she's timid. As an older sister, you should show some concern, otherwise people will see her and think she's not even a lady from the Lin family, but rather some little servant girl from who-knows-where."

  This remark not only struck Lin Wu, but also simultaneously struck Madame Zhou. Lin Wu's face suddenly turned red as if dripping with blood, and he humbly responded with a "yes", covering his face with his sleeve, and hastily retreated like a fleeing person.

  Old Lady Lin drooped her eyelids and hummed, "Not a single one is at ease. I thought she was generous just now, but then she showed her petty side again. Can she just shrug off the responsibility for what happened that day? She's also an ignorant person who doesn't understand the bigger picture and is never satisfied."

  Lin Wuna's thoughts are simply the same as Sima Zhao's, and everyone knows that. By stepping on Lin Jianrong who was in front of her, shouldn't it be her turn to marry into the Lu family? The so-called "small-mindedness" is just Lin Wuna manipulating others and not being good enough at plotting yet. Qingli's face had a perfectly timed smile as she carefully massaged Old Lady Lin's shoulders, softly saying: "The young ladies are still young. Even the stars in the sky are competing to shine in front of the moon, the young ladies just miss Grandma's love too much."

  The Lin family's daughters are stars, and Old Lady Lin is naturally the moon. Qing Li's words made Old Lady Lin smile with a face full of wrinkles, and she gently patted Qing Li's hand, saying: "You're still the one with the sweetest mouth." After closing her eyes for a moment, she suddenly said: "These four girls must have listened to their useless mother's words and are intentionally keeping their distance from Lu Xian and Yun'er. She's also foolish and short-sighted." Although Lu Er is an unlikable dullard, he actually has some talent, and Lin Yu Zhen has not allowed any maidservants near him in order to avoid confusing his thoughts, only having young men serve him. In reality, he may not be inferior to Wu Xiang after all.

  The Taos and Lin Yuzhen have been at odds for many years, which is a well-known fact in the Lin family. The old lady's remarks may not necessarily be sincere towards Fourth Miss, but everyone thinks it's a good thing, and suddenly someone doesn't take it seriously, others can't help but say a few words to prove their own cleverness and that person's foolishness. Qingli dare not respond, she just lowers her head and busies herself even more intently.

  "Mother, I'm here." Lin Jin Rong had just entered the Tao family's courtyard when he smiled and shouted out loud. He hurried to the front door in three strides, and the curtain was lifted up by someone on time. The person softly called out: "Fourth Miss". It turned out to be Huang Yiniang. Huang Yiniang wore a light green jacket with a dark green skirt, her hair styled in a simple bun with only one silver pin inserted, looking very plain, but her face was full of warm smiles.

  Lin Jinrong stopped suddenly, looking up at Huang Niang with a puzzled expression. In half a month, Huang Niang had already mixed into the Tao family's house? Cooperating with Huang Niang was one thing, but she didn't want Huang Niang to cause trouble for the Tao family, and being obedient was another matter, but she hadn't asked Huang Niang to be so diligent in front of the Tao family at this time.