Lizi glanced at her young lady with worry. She hadn't even had a chance to tell her what she had learned yesterday.
Lin Yanxi caught the probing look in the female tutor's eyes. Why would she suddenly be suspicious about yesterday's events?
To dispel her doubts, Lin Yanxi calmly said, "Female tutor, please proceed."
The female tutor turned serious and asked, "For any woman, the first lesson is self-cultivation, and the method of self-cultivation lies in purity and chastity. What does this mean?"
Lizi hadn't fully understood these things after a whole day of learning yesterday. Moreover, her young lady had sneaked out for a day. She hung her head, already resigned to being scolded.
Lin Yanxi curled her lips and calmly replied, "All women must first learn to conduct themselves and establish their character. The foundation of self-cultivation lies in... purity and chastity."
She couldn't fully agree with this viewpoint. Fortunately, she had read the Four Books for Women in her previous life out of boredom. At that time, she was foolish, and no one had guided her.
The female tutor asked a few more questions, and Lin Yanxi answered them all fluently. She nodded with satisfaction, her doubts dispelled.
"Second Young Lady is intelligent and eager to learn, having mastered yesterday's knowledge very well."
Lin Yanxi followed the female tutor and said, "However, I believe that in times of turmoil, while chastity is important, it should not be the sole standard for judging a woman."
"Women should not be confined to merely assisting their husbands and educating their children. They should learn skills to protect themselves and be able to support themselves when they have no husband."
The female tutor was rendered speechless by her words, her face showing embarrassment. Within half a day, she ran to Jiang Wan and resigned from her position as a female tutor.
Lin Yanxi was punished by kneeling on the ground, her slender, fair hands held high above her head.
Jiang Wan, holding a ruler, struck Lin Yanxi's back with it. "You only managed half a day before you angered the female tutor?"
She controlled the force, not intending to hurt Lin Yanxi, but merely to frighten her.
"This female tutor is the best in the entire city. Many esteemed families pay heavily to invite her. You unfilial child."
Lin Yanxi mumbled rebelliously, "Then it's perfect. I've made way for the young ladies of other families to learn how to assist their husbands and educate their children."
"And what if you assist your husband and educate your children? Do you look down on women in the inner chambers? Do you know that being a wife and a mother is the most basic role for a woman? Being a good wife and mother is equally worthy of respect."
Lin Yanxi's raised hands began to tremble within moments. "I don't look down on them. Everyone has value, but I just don't want to be that kind of woman."
"Then what kind of young lady do you want to be?"
"If I tell you, Mother, will you promise not to hit me?"
Jiang Wan fell silent for a moment and nodded in assent.
Lin Yanxi glanced at her mother's expression, lowered her hands, and rubbed her sore shoulders. "I want to become a powerful talisman master like my maternal grandfather, capable of protecting the Grand Tutor's Estate and the Jiang clan."
She tried to make her mother understand that she wasn't someone who only caused trouble and skipped school.
Jiang Wan seemed surprised by her words. Her expression froze on her face, and her body swayed almost imperceptibly. Her grip loosened, and the ruler clattered to the floor.
When she came to her senses, her eyes were filled with complex emotions. She gazed at Lin Yanxi kneeling on the ground, not in anger, nor with a reprimand, but with unspeakable worry and sorrow in her eyes.
If not for those prophecies, Lin Yanxi would have been the daughter she was most proud of.
She sighed deeply and said in a low voice, "Zhaozhao, promise your mother, just be an ordinary person. You can't be a talisman master. You should be like... like your half-sister."
Jiang Wan spoke carelessly. In fact, through their interactions in the past few days, she had realized that Lin Yuan was not a kind person either. She meant that she hoped Lin Yanxi would be as gentle and quiet as Lin Yuan, and enjoy playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
In short, she hoped Lin Yanxi would be an ordinary deep-dwelling lady, not always thinking about studying to be a talisman master and putting herself in danger.
"Mother..." Lin Yanxi's eyes welled up with tears, and she softly called out in a wronged tone.
For the first time, Jiang Wan pulled Lin Yanxi into her embrace, holding her and trembling with tears.
Oh, Zhaozhao, Mother only wishes for you to be the most ordinary little girl in this world. Don't venture into danger, don't be bullied, have enough to eat, and wear warm clothes. Even if you live a dull and boring life in the inner chambers, as long as you are safe and happy, it is enough.
Lin Yanxi let her hold her, but her heart sank to the bottom.
Why would her mother never believe in her own abilities? She could become a talisman master and protect those she wanted to protect.
In her mother's eyes, was she always inferior to her half-sister? Even after her half-sister had done so many outrageous things, was she still much better than her?
A group of servants carried several large chests, following a man and a woman as they entered the main hall.
"Oh, what play is this?"
The person speaking was Lin Ze's eldest son, Lin Shibai, born to Concubine Xu. He and Lin Yuan were siblings from the same father and mother.
Jiang Wan's expression stiffened, clearly not expecting Lin Shibai to return so suddenly. Beside him was a woman dressed in a slightly rustic and vulgar manner.
As the eldest son, Lin Shibai had been serving as a local prefect in Anbei. That woman was likely his official wife whom he had just married in Anbei, Zhao Yinyin.
Zhao Yinyin excitedly rushed into the main hall, picked up a glass bottle, and weighed it in her hand. "Is this glass bottle from Dongyang? The craftsmanship, the material, tsk tsk. Husband, the capital is indeed full of good things."
Lin Shibai glared at her with disdain, secretly cursing, "She's so uncivilized."
He turned his body away, ignoring her.
Jiang Wan gently dabbed the tears from her eyes and straightened her clothes. "Shibai, why have you returned?"
Lin Shibai snorted and retorted, "Does Mother not want me to return?"
He glanced coldly at Lin Yanxi and said, "If I don't return, I fear there will be no place for my second branch in this estate."
Jiang Wan chuckled rather than getting angry and asked, "Is Shibai implying that I, the mistress, have been unfair in my duties?"
Lin Shibai directly ignored Jiang Wan's words and focused his gaze on Lin Yanxi. "I heard that Second Sister's mind has recovered? Why is she kneeling in the main hall as soon as her mind has recovered?"
Lin Yanxi glanced at him but said nothing.
She had few memories of Lin Shibai. In her previous life, he had been a local official in Anbei. Their father had tried many ways to transfer him to the capital, but unfortunately, her brother was a disappointment. After only a few days in the capital, he caused trouble for the Grand Tutor's Estate.
Then he was sent back to Anbei and never returned until the Grand Tutor's Estate was annihilated, dying in Anbei.
It should have been four or five years later that he was transferred back to the capital. Why had he returned now?
Jiang Wan turned to Lin Yanxi and said, "Zhaozhao, aren't you going to get up and greet your elder brother?"
Yugu quickly stepped forward to help Lin Yanxi up. Her bright eyes curved into a smile. "Greetings, Elder Brother, Sister-in-law."
Zhao Yinyin glanced at her and said sarcastically, "The young ladies in the capital have such tender skin. Unlike us in the cold and harsh Anbei. Alas, it's not as if the family cares about helping us much."
Jiang Wan's face turned awkward. Seeing her mother's displeased expression, Lin Yanxi couldn't bear to see her embarrassed and quickly interjected, "Then Sister-in-law, you might not know, but the management of this estate has always been handled by Aunt Xu."
"The affairs of the estate are very busy. Aunt Xu must have been momentarily preoccupied. Sister-in-law, please don't be angry."
Zhao Yinyin stopped looking at her and muttered, "Hmph, your sister is indeed quite sharp-tongued."
As they were speaking, Concubine Xu, along with Lin Yuan, came from the side house. Before she even entered the main hall, her crying could be heard.
"Shibai, Shibai..."
"Shibai is back, my Shibai, Mother's life is so bitter."
Concubine Xu wore a plain colored long dress, with no jewelry on her person, her face unadorned, and not even any lip rouge.
Lin Yanxi couldn't help but chuckle. Her words sounded like wailing at a funeral.
Jiang Wan stood beside Lin Yanxi and quietly placed her hand on Lin Yanxi's lower back, pinching her.
"Hiss—" Just as Lin Yanxi was about to cry out, she was silenced by Jiang Wan's sharp gaze and obediently stood there, not daring to make another sound.
"Mother, why is your complexion so pale?" Lin Shibai noticed Concubine Xu's changed appearance at a glance. When he had not yet left the estate, Concubine Xu was adorned with gold jewelry and jade hairpins, changing her complete sets of ornaments daily.
Hearing his question, Concubine Xu acted as if she had suffered a great injustice. "Oh, when you are not in the estate, everyone looks down on your mother, and life is difficult."
"Your father wants to... send Mother back to the countryside. I fear that the two of us will be separated again. What a pity that my son has just returned... never mind, I won't say anymore."
She wiped her tears while secretly glancing at Jiang Wan and Lin Shibai's expressions.
Lin Shibai embraced Concubine Xu and comforted her. "Mother, it's alright. With me here, you and sister will not go anywhere. You will stay right here in this estate. I'll see who dares to drive you away."
After saying that, he glared angrily at Jiang Wan and Lin Yanxi.
Lin Yanxi stood behind Jiang Wan, her clear eyes blinking. Watching the family drama unfold, she felt nothing, and even wanted to laugh.
She finally understood why Lin Shibai had returned to the capital so much earlier than expected. He was here to support Concubine Xu and Lin Yuan.
Lin Ze cherished his only son greatly.
Lin Shibai's gaze fell sinisterly on Lin Yanxi. "It seems Second Sister has been living quite well in the estate recently."
Lin Yanxi smiled faintly, her delicate face lifting as if she didn't understand the hidden meaning in his words. Her watery eyes met Lin Shibai's gaze. "Thanks to Brother, I'm living quite well."
Lin Shibai clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Fortune turns, Second Sister should not be too smug."
She remained silent, her eyes concealing a chill. Indeed, fortune turns. It had already turned in her previous life.
Lin Shibai deliberately provoked her. "Second Sister, shouldn't the authority of managing the household be handed over now?"
Seeing someone supporting her, Concubine Xu, who had been well-behaved for two days, started causing trouble again. "Yes, Shibai is the eldest son and the young lord of the estate. You should also return the power of household management to Yinyin."
Lin Yanxi calmly observed Concubine Xu. She wanted the authority of managing the household but dared not ask for it directly, deliberately using Zhao Yinyin as a smokescreen. She had learned to be a bit smarter after the last incident, but not much.
Zhao Yinyin's eyes lit up at the prospect of gaining the authority of managing the household as soon as she arrived at the Grand Tutor's Estate. "Yes, Second Sister, you are just a young girl. This matter of managing the household should be left to Sister-in-law to handle."
Lin Yanxi sneered. Zhao Yinyin was being used as a pawn without realizing it.
She took out the golden tablet for managing the household from her sleeve. This tablet was made of pure gold, with a white jade pendant.
Zhao Yinyin's eyes went straight to the tablet. Although her family was a prominent one in Anbei and had accumulated wealth over generations as merchants, they couldn't compare to the capital. She hadn't seen many truly good things.
Her eyes gleamed with greed, and she was already calculating. If the authority of managing the household truly fell into her hands, wouldn't the wealth of the Grand Tutor's Estate be hers to squander? She could establish herself properly in the capital with properties and shops under her name.
Her future life would be secure, and she would never have to return to the cold and harsh land of Anbei.
Lin Yanxi deliberately dangled the golden tablet in front of Zhao Yinyin, then put it back into her sleeve. "Aunt Xu, your words seem mistaken. The authority of managing the household has always belonged to the official wife. Why speak of returning it?"
"As for Sister-in-law..." she paused, then smiled and continued, "You'll have to ask Father."
Lin Yanxi remembered that when the Lin family was annihilated in her previous life, Lin Shibai, in order to save his wife and son's lives, stated that he and Zhao Yinyin had no marriage contract, and Zhao Yinyin had not been entered into the family genealogy.
This barely saved Zhao Yinyin's life. Their child, however, could not escape.
Zhao Yinyin's expression changed upon hearing Lin Yanxi's words, and she suddenly looked at Lin Shibai.