Chapter 151: Xia Hua's Subtle Thoughts

Zhao Mama left without a trace of emotion. Lin Miaomiao glanced briefly in the direction where Zhao Mama and Xia Hua had gone.

After a long silence, Lin Miaomiao sighed and said to Qiuhua behind her, “Go and summon the prince.”

Having spoken, Lin Miaomiao cast a glance at Yuan Lin.

Turning to Lin Langze and Jiang Luohan, she said, “I have a suspicion about my body…”

Lin Langze heard her and replied calmly, “Actually, sister, there’s nothing wrong with your body; it’s just that Xia Hua is feeling guilty for her own misdeeds.”

Yuan Lin, feeling a bit embarrassed, scratched her head and admitted to Lin Miaomiao, “Lately, I noticed Xia Hua going out frequently.”

“When you and cousin were busy, you didn’t pay attention to the servants around you, did you?”

“One day, I saw Xia Hua outside Pavilion One. I greeted her, but she looked very nervous.”

“I caught a glimpse of the medicine she was carrying, and she quickly explained it was for your illness, saying she was sent to buy it.”

“After she said that, you and cousin left for Li Family Village, so I asked Doctor Xiao Lin about your condition.”

“But it turned out Doctor Xiao Lin didn’t know anything about your health, so I just put it aside, thinking it was something that would eventually come to light.”

Lin Miaomiao nodded thoughtfully at Yuan Lin’s words. At that moment, Li Yanhe arrived at the pavilion, guided by Qiuhua.

Though Li Yanhe hadn’t heard the full story, having grown up in the depths of the palace and witnessed its intrigues, he could tell that Xia Hua’s actions were far from innocent.

Soon, Zhao Mama returned with servants, forcefully bringing Xia Hua along. Lin Miaomiao frowned when she saw the bundle of medicine in Zhao Mama’s hand.

Zhao Mama handed the medicine to Lin Langze and coldly accused Xia Hua, “You dared to poison the lady? Such audacity.”

Lin Miaomiao glanced at Xia Hua, then at Zhao Mama, sighed, and said, “There’s no need to scold her; she will be leaving soon.”

Hearing this, Li Yanhe sighed and said to those behind him, “Take her away to be sold!”

Lin Miaomiao turned to him slowly and said, “Selling her off is too harsh; after all, she’s still human.”

“Expel her from the mansion. From now on, she is no longer one of us.”

As Lin Miaomiao turned to leave, Xia Hua, wild-eyed, shouted at Li Yanhe, “My lord, I’ve been here since childhood, serving you all my life.”

“How am I any less than that merchant’s wife, who goes out daily and meets strange men?”

“If an ordinary woman did this, her husband would have despised her long ago. Such a woman is simply…”

Her words were cut off as the servants clamped her mouth shut. Jiahua stared stubbornly in the direction Lin Miaomiao had left, unwilling to accept her fate.

Back in the study, Lin Miaomiao glanced at Li Yanhe, a bitter smile tracing her lips. She said softly, “I never imagined someone could be so heartless. Clearly, they don’t love you, yet they commit the most terrifying acts imaginable.”

Li Yanhe sighed and replied gently, “It’s not entirely incomprehensible.”

Lin Miaomiao looked up sharply, and Li Yanhe continued, “There’s something you must understand.”

“Xia Hua was sold into servitude at a young age. The steward of the mansion took pity on her and brought her in.”

“She did grow up in that mansion. Do you think she would willingly endure a lifetime as a servant?”

Xia Hua’s ambitions far exceeded her abilities, which led to the predicament she now faced.

After a long pause, Lin Miaomiao sighed deeply and said to Li Yanhe, “A woman like me—do you find me tiresome as well?”

Li Yanhe shook his head, pulling Lin Miaomiao into an embrace. “Why would I dislike you?”

“Because you are capable, always bringing new ideas and ways to do things. You bring new civilization and new methods.”

After saying this, he gently patted her head and asked, “Do you want to come with me to see how things are in the northern desert now?”

Lin Miaomiao knew he was trying to change the subject to help her unwind.

Yuan Lin and Lin Langze sat in the pavilion. Yuan Lin, usually carefree, blushed deeply as she looked at the handsome Lin Langze.

Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe settled into a carriage. The bumpy ride was slow, but through the window, Lin Miaomiao could see the northern desert transforming daily.

Though the authorities paid little attention to the roads, the villagers diligently filled in the potholes themselves.

Lin Miaomiao exchanged a glance with Li Yanhe, who smiled and said, “Every village now has factories.”

“Some villagers farm, others work in the factories. Everyone has a role, and life grows more hopeful by the day.”

They observed the changes in each village along the way. On the return journey, the once lawless villagers no longer threatened travelers.

Lin Miaomiao noticed the comings and goings in each village; those with ox carts even earned extra income.

They climbed a nearby hill, and from the summit, Lin Miaomiao saw the area beginning to thrive with life.

She took a deep breath, pointed toward the distance, and said slowly to Li Yanhe, “Life is long, and we will meet many different people and face many different things.”

“Why be bound by others’ judgments? If we stride forward boldly, we will find new rewards.”

“There are so many people in this world, yet few leave their names in the annals of history.”

“It’s not that those who don’t appear in the records never achieved anything, but that so few are remembered.”

Looking at the busy villages below, where people labored simply to survive, Lin Miaomiao turned to Li Yanhe seriously.

“I think the greatest thing I’ve done in my life is everything happening right now.”

Li Yanhe smiled, shaking his head softly. “Yes, it’s good for us to do what we can for these people.”

They embraced on the hillside. Just then, voices drifted up from below.

As they descended, the villagers paid no mind.

After some time, Mrs. Hu suddenly looked toward the direction Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe had left.

She had been talking to fellow villagers and hadn’t noticed them earlier, but now she realized the figures resembled the woman who had recently stayed in her village for a few days.

Though a simple village woman, Mrs. Hu had some insight. She knew Lin Miaomiao’s identity was not ordinary.

She regretted her earlier behavior but had no chance to apologize.

Mrs. Hu hurried after Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe. Just as Li Yanhe helped Lin Miaomiao into the carriage, someone knelt at their feet.

“Two esteemed guests, I am Mrs. Hu from Li Family Village. I hope you can forgive my past misdeeds. I am but a simple village woman who understands little, but I wish…”

Kneeling and bowing her head, Mrs. Hu looked up and caught Lin Miaomiao’s gentle smile.

“Mrs. Hu, don’t take it to heart. These things are trifles, and I hold no grudge,” Lin Miaomiao said kindly.

With that, Li Yanhe helped Mrs. Hu to her feet, and together they boarded the carriage and left.

Mrs. Hu had lived her whole life in Li Family Village, never seeing the wider world or meeting great figures.

But she knew that those dressed in fine silks and wearing embroidered shoes must be rich or noble.

Though Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe wore no luxurious clothes or silk shoes, they carried an unmistakable aura.

Mrs. Hu stood and watched the carriage disappear from sight.

She knew that in her old age, when recalling these events, she would realize just how narrow-minded she had been.

Back at the mansion, Lin Miaomiao’s outlook had shifted.

Yuan Lin and Lin Langze still sat in the pavilion, while Jiang Luohan sat nearby, drinking tea with a look of disdain.

Lin Miaomiao pursed her lips and teased, “The more I see you two, the more I think you have something going on. But I won’t say what.”

Yuan Lin blushed, looking up at Lin Miaomiao shyly. “Sister-in-law, why are you teasing me?”

Her face flushed red, and Lin Langze scratched his head awkwardly. “Sister, you’re back?”

Lin Miaomiao’s brow furrowed, and she said slowly, “This is my home. Why shouldn’t I be back?”

After saying this, she shot Lin Langze a sharp look and then addressed both him and Yuan Lin.

“If you like each other, spend more time together. What’s the use of being shy?”

“If it feels right, be together. If not, then forget it. But you have to try first.”

She then glanced at Jiang Luohan, still sitting there. “At your age, and still no wife?”

Jiang Luohan laughed aloud and replied, “I just haven’t met the right one.”

Lin Miaomiao was speechless.

The courtyard was filled with laughter and chatter. At that moment, Lin Langluan, who had been laboring tirelessly outside, finally returned.

Seeing everyone so relaxed, he grumbled to Lin Miaomiao, “Sister, you all live so comfortably at home. I suddenly don’t want to work at the factory every day anymore.”

Lin Miaomiao’s smile froze for a moment, then she patted Lin Langluan on the shoulder. “Work hard, and I’ll find you a wife.”

Lin Langluan shook his head and replied slowly, “I’ll work hard, and you can give me a nephew.”