On the day of the Guanlian Festival, Lin Ting got up early to dress up.
She had an appointment with Duan Xinning today and couldn’t let her wait.
The consequence of waking up early was constant yawning and lingering drowsiness.
Lin Ting sat motionless in front of the mirror with her eyes closed, allowing the servants to apply makeup and arrange her hair.
She could even fall asleep while sitting.
Her head suddenly tilted to the side and was caught by Tao Zhu.
Tao Zhu found it both funny and frustrating.
Last night, Lin Ting had insisted on doing accounting work at her desk until late at night despite being advised to rest.
She had only gone to bed at the Hour of the Ox (1–3 a.m.) and woke up before dawn.
It was no wonder she was exhausted.
“Seventh Young Lady, wake up,” Tao Zhu whispered, gently rousing Lin Ting.
She reached for a lotus-patterned ruqun dress on the table.
This was a brand-new outfit made just last month under the personal instruction of Madam Li.
Madam Li was always willing to spend money on her only daughter.
Lin Ting never lacked fine clothing, accessories, or anything else she needed.
If possible, her mother always chose the best.
Tao Zhu carefully examined the lotus-themed ruqun.
The fabric was soft as clouds, with delicate pink and white lotus flowers embroidered on it, adorned with tiny pearls.
The layered skirt flared out slightly, resembling a blooming lotus.
Elegant yet noble, with a touch of youthful charm—it was perfect for her Seventh Young Lady.
In Tao Zhu’s eyes, Lin Ting deserved the best.
She signaled the other maids to spread out the dress carefully and beamed, “Seventh Young Lady, what do you think? Would you like to wear this today?”
Lin Ting looked up.
“Hmm?”
Afraid that Lin Ting might refuse and pick an older dress instead, Tao Zhu quickly added, “The Third Madam had this made especially for you.”
Still drowsy, Lin Ting barely glanced at it.
She understood what Tao Zhu was thinking, and since she was too lazy to go through her wardrobe, she simply nodded.
“Alright, I’ll wear this.”
The maids worked together to help Lin Ting change into her new dress and freshen up her makeup.
By the time they finished, daylight had fully arrived.
Lin Ting yawned as she left the Lin residence.
Just as she was about to board the carriage waiting at the front gate, Concubine Shen rushed out of the house, stopping her.
“Le Yun!”
Lin Ting turned back and saw Concubine Shen pulling along her thirteen-year-old son, with Lin Shu following anxiously behind them.
She observed them for a moment.
Concubine Shen, favored by the Third Master of the Lin family, was well-maintained and still charming.
Her face was slim and sharp, giving her a slightly stern look when she wasn’t smiling.
She wore a luxurious purple dress with an ornate gold hairpin, both of which looked expensive.
Unlike his mother, her son was chubby.
Because the Third Master valued sons over daughters and had only one son, he spoiled the boy excessively, never allowing anyone to scold or discipline him.
He was constantly indulged with the best food and treatment.
“Concubine Shen, do you need something?”
Lin Ting paused before stepping into the carriage.
Concubine Shen smiled awkwardly.
“The Third Madam and the Old Madam both went out today, and there’s only one carriage left in the household… Shan-ge’er needs to go meet his classmates from the academy.”
Her implication was clear—the main and second branches of the family had already used the other carriages, leaving none for their third branch.
Hearing this, Tao Zhu was furious.
Concubine Shen was taking advantage of the Third Madam’s absence to bully their Seventh Young Lady and was even bold enough to try and snatch her carriage.
Lin Shu’s ears turned red.
She tugged at Concubine Shen’s sleeve and whispered, “Mother…”
Concubine Shen shot her a glare and pushed her aside, scolding in a low voice, “Be quiet! Don’t side with outsiders.”
But when she faced Lin Ting again, she softened her expression.
“Le Yun, you know how hard it is for Shan-ge’er to study at the academy. He needs to maintain good relationships with his classmates.”
Lin Ting feigned ignorance.
“And?”
Concubine Shen stepped forward.
“Could you let Shan-ge’er use this carriage? He woke up late and is about to miss his appointment. If we send someone to rent a carriage now, he won’t make it in time.”
“How about this? I’ll have someone rent a carriage for you,” she suggested, reaching out to take Lin Ting’s hand.
However, Lin Ting dodged her touch, leaving her hand awkwardly suspended in midair before she withdrew it.
Lin Ting casually ran her fingers over the Lin family emblem engraved on the carriage.
“Concubine Shen.”
Thinking she had agreed, Concubine Shen quickly grabbed Shan-ge’er’s hand and moved toward the carriage.
Tao Zhu panicked.
“Seventh Young Lady!”
Before Concubine Shen could lift the curtain, Lin Ting firmly grasped her wrist, smiling.
“Shan-ge’er is in a hurry, but so am I. As you said, he woke up late. Who can he blame for that?”
Not expecting a rejection, Concubine Shen hurriedly protested, “But his classmates are waiting—”
Lin Ting let go of her hand, stepped onto the carriage stool, and boarded.
“I understand, but Third Miss Duan is waiting for me too. Tao Zhu, get on. It wouldn’t be right to keep her waiting.”
Concubine Shen still wanted to argue, but Lin Shu tugged at her again, whispering timidly, “Mother, the household rules clearly state that carriages must be reserved the night before. How can Shan-ge’er just take Seventh Sister’s?”
As Lin Ting lowered the curtain and the carriage pulled away, Concubine Shen was livid.
She jabbed a finger at Lin Shu’s forehead, scolding, “You useless thing! Why are you afraid of her?”
Grabbing Shan-ge’er’s hand, she stormed back inside, ordering a servant to rent a carriage immediately.
Lin Shu lowered her head, biting her lip to hold back tears, not daring to argue.
Meanwhile, inside the moving carriage, Lin Ting was completely unbothered by the earlier incident.
She leisurely ate candied fruit from a small dish on the low table and occasionally asked Tao Zhu, “How much longer until we reach Jiuyun Bridge?”
By the time they arrived at Jiuyun Bridge, Lin Ting was fully awake.
As soon as the carriage stopped, she didn’t bother using the stool—she simply jumped off.
Tao Zhu gasped in alarm.
“Seventh Young Lady, be careful!”
Her shout attracted the attention of the surrounding people, including Duan Ling.
He turned to look at Lin Ting, who had landed gracefully despite her bold jump.
A breeze lifted the powder-blue silk ribbon tied to her hair, letting it dance behind her.
A few stray locks brushed against her lightly powdered face.
As the wind passed, her stray hairs settled, revealing a flawless, jade-like face.
Her bright eyes held a playful glint, and a delicate butterfly bun adorned her head, decorated with a budding lotus flower—lively and beautiful.
The lotus-patterned ruqun swayed gently as she moved, her light blue shawl draping over her arms, and the pale blue sash at her waist blending seamlessly with the lotus-filled Lianxin Lake in the background.
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