Chapter Seven: The Knot in the Heart

—The Lin Family—

In the main house, the entire Lin family was gathered for dinner. With the addition of wild game, their meals had improved considerably.

“I wonder if Sanlang managed to get medicine for your father and Gou Dan,” Old Madam Lin said, her appetite dulled despite the food on the table, her thoughts preoccupied with her son’s errand.

“Your father’s medicine is not so hard to come by, but as for Gou Dan’s…” Mrs. Wu’s movements faltered at the mention, and a pang of sorrow tightened her heart. Her son had been frail since birth; every doctor they’d consulted insisted he needed the finest medicines—ginseng, ganoderma, and the like. But how could a humble farming family afford such luxuries? The thought left Mrs. Wu both guilty and heartbroken.

Eldest Lin fell silent as well. He had no particular talent for earning money, only working the fields and occasionally hunting in the mountains for a bit of extra cash. But what could those few coins buy? It was his second brother who, from time to time, sent money home that eased their most pressing needs.

An uneasy quiet settled over the household. Little Wolf and Ben Hai, sensing the mood, pressed closer to their mother, not daring to speak.

“Mother, Big Brother, I’m back—” At that moment, Lin Sanlang’s voice came from outside. Canghai, upon hearing his third uncle, dashed out, only to be disappointed when he didn’t immediately spot the familiar figure.

“I’ll go have a look,” Eldest Lin said, rising and stepping outside, where he found his brother unloading goods from a cart.

Every time his second brother returned, he always brought back a bounty. Once the goods were offloaded, the coachman took his leave, heading to the Meng family estate nearby.

Seeing the bundles and parcels, Old Madam Lin’s heart twisted—was her son being too extravagant with money? Just as she was about to scold him, Lin Sanlang anticipated her and quickly produced two large pouches of medicinal herbs.

“Mother, these are for Father and Gou Dan,” he said. Old Madam Lin took the medicine, inspecting it, only to turn and find several silver taels in her line of sight.

She shot her shameless son a glare.

Well, as long as there’s medicine and money, all is well.

—

“Sanlang, you must be hungry. Sit down and eat.” Sister-in-law Li spoke as she accepted the items he handed her.

“Thank you, Sister-in-law. I’ll put these away first and then come back to eat.” With his arms full, Lin Sanlang glanced at his belongings. Li didn’t seem to mind, but Mrs. Wu felt a twinge of discomfort—did the third branch have private savings? The family hadn’t even divided their property yet! When it came to interests, even close kin could turn against each other, let alone sisters-in-law.

“These are from Yun Niang’s second brother,” Lin Sanlang explained before heading to his room, his thoughts turning to Yun Niang and their daughter.

At his words, Mrs. Wu’s expression eased, while Old Madam Lin was not surprised; after all, the Meng brothers’ affection for Meng Yun was well known, and they had often helped the third branch privately.

With that, she took the medicine for her husband back to her room.

Watching her mother-in-law’s retreating figure, Li patted her son’s head, sighed, and took her own things inside.

—

In the West Wing—

“My sweet girl, give your mother a smile.” When Gou Dan had visited earlier and her daughter had smiled at him, Meng Yun felt a pang of jealousy. She loved holding her baby, delighting in her fair, chubby cheeks. The little one was always quiet, crying only when she needed something; otherwise, she would gaze around with her big, round eyes or kick her legs and stretch her arms. This was Meng Yun’s favorite time—holding and soothing her child.

Lin Sanlang entered, arms laden with parcels, to find his wife cuddling their daughter, coaxing a smile from her. The scene amused him.

“Why did you bring so much?” Meng Yun asked in surprise when she saw the stack of packages.

“My dear, let me put these away first. I’ll explain everything after I’ve eaten.” Lin Sanlang set the bundles down and came over to stroke his daughter’s cheek. The sight of her bright, shining eyes filled him with joy.

“Don’t touch her, your hands are dirty,” Meng Yun chided, briskly batting his hand away.

Lin Sanlang could only smile sheepishly.

“I’ll be right back.” He quickly leaned in and planted a kiss on his wife’s now even fairer, rosier cheek, thanks to her recent confinement.

“Oh, you’re impossible!” Meng Yun protested, gently pushing him away.

Lin Sanlang laughed and left the room.

Meng Yun, her cheeks still flushed, looked down to see her daughter gazing up at her with big, curious eyes, which only deepened her blush and filled her heart with sweetness.

After soothing her daughter to sleep, Lin Sanlang recounted everything that had happened that day. Meng Yun, in turn, spoke of the Meng family.

Seeing her mood sour at the mention of her family, Lin Sanlang chose his words carefully. “My love, there’s no lasting grudge between mother and daughter. I’m sure Madam Meng misses you dearly. It’s been two years—surely any anger has faded.”

“Hmph! Husband, is it so wrong to pursue love? Didn’t she forsake her own family for love once? Why must she oppose my choice?” Meng Yun leaned into Lin Sanlang’s arms, pouring out her feelings.

Looking down at his gentle, vulnerable wife, Lin Sanlang’s heart softened. “Perhaps Madam Meng loves you too much. As a daughter of the Bai family and the prime minister’s sister, she was doted on and never learned to cherish it. After you were born, she wanted nothing more than for you to marry well and live well. Having experienced the pain of leaving her loved ones, she feels all the more for her future grandchild, who would be without maternal grandparents’ love. That’s why she objected to us. But now, with our beloved little Fubao, it’s time to let go of the past.”

Meng Yun’s heart was in turmoil—she missed her parents and brothers dearly.

“My dear, after your confinement, we’ll go to see them. I’m sure they’ll adore Fubao when they meet her.” Seeing her inner struggle, Lin Sanlang reassured her. There was still plenty of time ahead.

Gazing at her husband’s gentle face, Meng Yun nodded. “All right.”

And so, the night passed peacefully.

But little did they know, a surprise awaited Meng Yun the very next day…