âThis child, why is she so clueless!â
Second Aunt Lin covered her heart, anger not yet dissipated: âA twelve-year-old girl should be more sensible by nowâ¦.â
âYoung Master Four has returned.â
Maid Qinghe lifted the door curtain, interrupting her words.
Lin Jinyun had just turned sixteen and was going to the army for training. He returned from the countryside before leaving to bid farewell to his relatives.
Feng Yi accompanied him back. They entered the mansion together and returned to their respective courtyards.
âBrother Yun is back?â
Upon hearing that her son had returned, Second Aunt Lin instantly forgot about Xue Baozhu and her heartache. She happily got up from her chair and went to greet him personally.@@novelbin@@
âMother.â
As Lin Jinyun entered the courtyard and saw his mother coming out, he quickened his pace and went up to support her.
âBrother Yun, how long can you stay at home this time?â
Second Aunt Lin was overjoyed to see her son but couldnât help thinking about him leaving for the military. Her eyes turned red.
âTwo or three days, maybe.â
Lin Jinyun supported his motherâs arm and they entered the room together.
âYoung Master Four.â
Second Aunt Linâs concubine stood in place, nervously smiling and saluting Lin Jinyun.
âYou go ahead, take twenty taels of silver from the accounting room and give it to Chenâs wife. Tell her to take it back as a reward.â
Upon seeing her, Second Aunt Lin thought about Xue Baozhu and became upset: âYou should also go with her and warn that girl to behave herself in the countryside. If she doesnât behave, send her to the nunnery to accompany her wicked cousin, and never come out again in this lifetime.â
âYes, Iâll go right now.â
The concubine, having received permission, breathed a sigh of relief and smiled nervously as she left the room.
Lin Jinyun helped his mother sit down, his eyes flicked to the retreating woman, and he let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
**
During their noon break, Princess Huimin became interested in going to the Martial Arts Arena with Lin Qingluo to see the fierce beast kept in the Leopard House.
Upon hearing the words âfierce beast,â Lin Qingluo imagined Leibaoâs clumsy steps and jiggling fat. She couldnât help but joke and smile.
He Biqiu and Li Mulin had never seen a real snow leopard before. Upon hearing about it, they were immediately intrigued and showed eager expressions.
âAlright, there are fewer people in the Martial Arts Arena at noon, so we can take a shortcut through the back garden.â
Lin Qingluo couldnât bear to dampen their spirits of the three newly acquainted sisters. She smiled and agreed.
âYay, weâre going out to have some fun!â
Princess Huimin got her wish and dashed out like a breeze, cheering loudly in the courtyard.
âGreat! Finally, we can go to the Martial Arts Arena and have a good time. I canât stand being cooped up any longer.â
Li Mulin also jumped up from her chair and followed suit, running out.
âOoh, weâre going to see the snow leopard!â
He Biqiu followed closely, like a happy little sparrow, hopping her way down the steps.
âGo west, follow the path on the left, and keep going until you get there.â
Lin Qingluo walked out of the pavilion with a smile in her eyes.
âOkay.â
The three young ladies agreed in unison, cheerfully running down the left path.
*
Leopard House.
In the warm spring sunshine, Leibao comfortably stretched his limbs and lay asleep under the shade of a tree. His plump belly heaved up and down with his snores.
Hunao poked a small head out of the low bushes, peering into the Leopard House from across the fence.
According to his observations over the past few days, noon was when Leibao slept the soundest.
Sneaking in, grabbing a piece of meat and bone without alerting him should be easy.