17 A Good Man

Surrounded by water on all sides, and with insects and beasts hidden away in the depths of winter, Wuzhou Ferry was exceptionally quiet.

Lin Yun’s mind was occupied with thoughts. Her body, still weak from a recent illness, coupled with the exhausting travel of the day, meant she fell asleep before she could even clear her head.

When she woke, Nanny Yuan and two maids were already waiting by her side to help her rise. Ruyi helped Lin Yun up, saying, "Miss, you must pay your respects to the Old Madam this morning. We cannot be late."

Amidst the hurried bustle, Lin Yun rushed to Hongya Pavilion. It was not yet the hour of the dragon when they arrived, and the nanny at the door went inside to announce her arrival.

Lin Yun buried her face into the fur collar of her cloak, exhaling to warm her hands. As the white mist dissipated, she reached out by habit to adjust her spectacles, but her hand met only air. She realized, with a slow, dull awareness, that she was no longer nearsighted. Without glasses, there would be no fog to obscure her vision in the winter chill. The days were growing colder; the Winter Solstice was only a few days away.

After a moment’s wait, the nanny did not lift the curtain to let them in. Instead, she said with a polite, vacant smile, "The Old Madam has not been feeling well these past few days and is not receiving visitors. You need not come for your morning and evening greetings in the garden, Second Miss. Spend more time with your mother and enjoy yourself in the estate."

Lin Yun was indifferent to this. After a few courteous remarks, she turned to leave, but the expressions of Nanny Yuan and the two maids darkened.

Ruyi muttered under her breath, "One after another, they refuse to see her. I wonder what they are all thinking."

Nanny Yuan cautioned her, "Mind your tongue. Our young lady will do what is expected of her, so that no fault can be laid at her feet."

If no fault could be found with Lin Yun, then it would be clear who was to blame. Since Lady Song had sent a maid to notify Lin Yun yesterday that she need not attend morning and evening greetings, and now the Old Madam had followed suit, Lin Yun felt no particular emotion other than a sense of relief. After all, she was not a true ancient; she did not consider daily greetings to be a virtue and was quite happy to be left alone.

Even though she had been turned away by the Old Madam, Lin Yun did not return to Wuzhou Ferry immediately. Instead, she headed to Lin Qitang’s Shaohai Hall. She had inquired with the steward of the Lin estate the day before and learned that the farmlands were under the management of the eldest daughter, Lin Qitang.

"The Old Madam is advanced in age, and the Madam is preoccupied with calligraphy and painting, so the duty of managing the household naturally falls to the Eldest Miss."

In their speech, the servants of the Lin estate held Lin Qitang in high regard. Even Ruyi remarked, "The Eldest Miss of the Lin family is quite famous in the Imperial City. As a woman, she conducts business better than most men, and she is exceptionally talented. It is not just the men who admire her; we women do as well."

When they arrived at Shaohai Hall, they were not met with a closed door. Lin Qitang’s maid, Banban, welcomed them in and immediately served a cup of hot tea. "The Eldest Miss thought you might come today and asked us to prepare everything in advance, so as not to neglect the Second Miss."

Lin Yun dared not drink the tea, having learned a painful lesson from past experience. She merely held the cup, and upon finding the bottom intact, let out a sigh of relief. She knew she was being overly cautious, but she could not assume everyone was as deranged and reckless as Lady Li. Furthermore, now that she had recovered and had Nanny Yuan, sent by the Empress Dowager, by her side, any sudden death would clearly point to foul play.

Logically, Lin Yun should have been at ease, yet she felt certain there were others in the Lin household who did not want her to live. If Lady Li was not insane, it must be because someone was backing her.

Seeing that the Second Miss had not touched her tea and had set it on a side table, Banban thought nothing of it. She took a hand warmer from the side and handed it to her. "It is truly cold outside, Second Miss. Take this to warm your hands."

Lin Yun followed Banban deeper into the house, holding the hand warmer. Banban explained, "The Eldest Miss originally intended to receive you in the main hall, but having only just recovered from her own illness, she feared the cold draft and chose to meet you in her bedroom. I hope the Second Miss will not take offense."

Lin Yun quickly shook her head. "My cousin is very thoughtful. I should be the one apologizing for the intrusion."

Upon entering Lin Qitang’s chamber, Lin Yun felt that her cousin was indeed ill. The windows were tightly shut, and the room was filled with the scent of medicine, mingled with a faint, elegant fragrance. The charcoal fire burned brightly, making the room quite warm.

Lin Qitang wore a pale blue dress, her hair loosely pinned up without much adornment. Her face and lips were pale. Even in such a casual and sickly state, she maintained a sense of rectitude. She sat upright in a circular chair, her features delicate but aloof. Only upon seeing Lin Yun did her expression soften, and she offered a faint smile. "I had hoped to dress properly, but my maid and nanny would not allow me to exert myself. I must apologize for receiving you like this."

Regardless of her inner thoughts, as long as others treated her with courtesy and had committed no overt wrong, Lin Yun maintained a sense of goodwill. She bowed her head in gratitude. "You have been more than considerate, cousin. It is I who am disturbing you."

"Have you fared well all these years?"

Hearing this, Lin Yun looked up in surprise, meeting Lin Qitang’s gaze directly. Lin Qitang had lost her smile and her lips were pressed thin; clearly, this topic was not an easy one for her.

To Lin Yun’s surprise, Lin Qitang was the first person in the Lin family to ask about her past. Lin Yun found it somewhat ironic: the Marquis of Ningyuan was too busy with official business to spare her a glance, Lady Song was indifferent, the Old Madam refused to see her, yet this cousin, for whom she had felt no initial affinity, was the one to ask.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lin Yun saw a stack of books on a small table. The top one was *Collected Commentaries on the Four Books*, its pages slightly bulging as if frequently read. Lin Yun had a good memory; it seemed Lady Song had mentioned this book yesterday. Lin Qitang and Lady Song likely had much in common.

Lin Yun studied Lin Qitang closely. In just one meeting, she realized that this cousin was well-versed in etiquette, literature, reason, and the art of wealth. Lin Qitang had been raised well by the Lin family. Lin Yun should have been glad that at least one person in the Lin family appeared decent, yet she could not help but feel a pang of sorrow—sorrow for the original owner of her body, whom she had only known for two hours.

The original Lin Yun had also been sensible, but in a completely different way—a sensibility born of hardship, laced with timidity and insecurity. In contrast, Lin Qitang was poised and radiant, asking her how she had fared.

Lin Yun could not help but touch the calluses on her palms—or rather, the original owner’s calluses. How had she fared? She had been abandoned after a cold calculation of interests, lived her life in lies, and struggled to support her family under the burden of debt.

Lin Yun was momentarily at a loss for words, but finally, she heard herself answer briefly, "I was adopted by a wealthy family in the countryside when I was young. Later, after a flood, I moved to Hangzhou. Recently, my adoptive mother passed away, and upon learning the truth of my origins, I came to the capital."

Lin Yun thought that the original owner would not have wanted to leave behind an image of bitter resentment; at the very last moment of her life, she had only asked Lin Yun to watch the osmanthus flowers bloom in the courtyard. The facts were heavy enough; there was no need to add more.

Lin Qitang had not expected the Second Sister from outside to have such a character—resilient and without self-pity. She could not suppress a cough and, after catching her breath, said, "Our situation, though brought about by our elders, was not my choice. However, I have certainly benefited much and owe you a great deal. You have just returned and must be facing many difficulties. If you need any help, do not hesitate to ask."

Noticing that Lin Yun was staring at the *Collected Commentaries on the Four Books*, Lin Qitang reached out and handed it to her. "This book is about Neo-Confucianism. I cannot say I am an expert, but if you are interested, take it. If you do not understand something, come to me. I may not have all the answers, but I can try."

Lin Yun took the book, then shook her head and placed it back. "Reading is not my strength. Besides, this book shows signs of heavy use, and you clearly cherish it. I will not take what you love. However, there is indeed something I would like your help with."

Lin Yun then described the "Nine-Wheat Method" in detail, explaining how it could allow for an extra harvest of wheat by planting in the spring and harvesting in the summer. She asked if Lin Qitang would consider applying this to the Lin farmlands.

Lin Yun had spent the previous night pondering this. If the method was difficult to promote in the village, she would start with the Lin family. Even if she couldn't convince the villagers this year, if the Lin family succeeded, the method would cease to be her "empty talk." If they encountered a situation where they could not plant wheat due to the flood season next year, the Nine-Wheat Method would have earned the villagers' trust and could be put to use.

After all these days, Lin Yun had no expectations for the Lin family; they offered no emotional value, so she could only focus on practical utility.

Lin Qitang did not immediately agree. Instead, she asked Lin Yun to explain why soaking the seeds in cold water for nine days would cause them to sprout earlier. Lin Yun was not afraid of people asking questions; she was only afraid of people who were indifferent and dismissed her outright.

"The essence of the Nine-Wheat Method is vernalization. By using low-temperature water treatment, we simulate the natural vernalization process, stimulating the expression of key genes and increasing the gibberellin content in the seeds..."

Lin Yun spoke like a pedantic scholar eager to spill out all her knowledge, terrified that others would not believe she had genuine talent. Lin Qitang naturally did not understand the technicalities, but she knew that Lin Yun was not speaking nonsense; there was a logic to it, and that was enough.

"My uncle divided my father's farmlands among me, and my mother also left me a significant amount. These are things I can decide on my own, and we can follow your method. But for the other lands of the Lin family, I cannot make the decision alone. You will need to convince the Madam and the Old Madam. However, once I am feeling better, I can accompany you in a day or two."

Lin Yun had not expected Lin Qitang to be so straightforward. Although she hadn't agreed immediately, she had offered the greatest support within her power. Lin Yun offered her first genuine smile since arriving at Shaohai Hall. "Thank you. I will not mess this up; the wheat will grow."

Lin Qitang’s expression remained calm. She said in a faint tone, "Do not put too much pressure on yourself. If this succeeds, it is your achievement; if it fails, no one will blame you. The Marquis of Ningyuan’s estate should support you, just as they supported me. When I began doing business, I didn't always make a profit, but the family always provided a safety net."

When Lin Yun left Shaohai Hall, she was still marveling that Lin Qitang was better than she could have imagined. She realized that her suspicion of Lin Qitang faking illness had been a case of judging a noble person by a petty standard.

Even Nanny Yuan remarked, "The Eldest Miss seems to be a good person, though it takes time to truly know someone's heart."

Lin Yun found it strange that Lin Qitang was so out of place in the Marquis of Ningyuan’s estate; perhaps it was a case of "a good sprout from a bad bamboo." Yet, upon reflection, the former Marquis and his wife had been people of integrity who cared for the world; perhaps Lin Qitang was simply following in her parents' footsteps.

***

After Lin Yun left, Shaohai Hall lost its liveliness and returned to peace. Lin Qitang asked Banban, "She is a good girl, isn't she? Compared to Lin Qingzhao, she is truly delightful."

Banban nodded. "Eldest Miss, you should rest. Even if you were strong in the past, you have had a severe bout of the cold, and you must take care of yourself."

Indeed, Lin Qitang’s illness had been fierce. But apart from Lin Qitang, no one knew it wasn't just a cold. She was ill because of a few words her grandmother had muttered in her sleep. She had a strong constitution, yet she hadn't recovered for so long because every time she closed her eyes, she heard those words—words that shook her soul and filled her with dread.

"How is the errand with Lu Jin going?"

Lu Jin was a former steward under the late Lady Lu. Lady Lu had been kind to him, and after her death, he had followed Lin Qitang. He was her most trusted and capable subordinate. Banban didn't know what had come over her mistress these days. Being so ill, she still had Lu Jin searching for the subordinates of the former Marquis who had fought in the Battle of Yangcheng, claiming she kept dreaming of her father and needed to know the truth of the battle. The Eldest Miss had previously been tight-lipped about Yangcheng because of her parents' deaths.

"Lu Jin is still searching; there is no news yet. Miss, please rest well. If there is any word, I will notify you immediately."

It had only been five days; finding someone was not that easy. The mistress surely knew this, yet she was so anxious; it was unlike her.

Lin Qitang nodded, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep. Watching the furrow in her mistress's brow in her sleep, Banban sighed and went to light some soothing incense. The Eldest Miss had not been sleeping soundly these past few days; perhaps she truly was dreaming of Yangcheng.