But no matter how wronged Xiao Xianghua felt, she was not the head of the household. Today, when going to Ge Xian Temple to offer incense, the eldest brother and sister-in-law were the most respected, and Xiao Xianghua, being merely a daughter, could not represent the family’s opinions.
The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother; she could only swallow her grievances, take gifts and apologies with her sisters, and go with the sisters-in-law to apologize tearfully to the He and Lu families.
Back in her room, Xiao Xianghua could no longer feel the pain of her sprained foot, as her heart ached even more. The few young women beside her were weeping quietly. Only then did they fully understand their family’s social status and the harshness of the adult world.
After shedding tears for a while, Xiao Xianghua suddenly remembered something and wiped her eyes dry, then said hoarsely, "Sister-in-law, I have already put aside my injury to make amends today. Our cousin Wanwan shouldn’t be insulted , should she?"
Lady Yuan sighed and said, "She is different from you all. She is protected by an old immortal master who’s extraordinarily skilled. Even if the immortal is gone, she can still leave behind emergency medical books and connect with Immortal Sun, and she also has the grace of saving Xiao Zifang, the heir of the Xiao Family. Naturally, she does not need to wrong herself."
Xiao Xianghua breathed a sigh of relief at these words, and said no more.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Liwei suddenly said, "In that case, let’s not inform cousin Wanwan about today’s apology. After all, she was standing up for her elder sister, and this would seem like a slap in her face."
"Yes, yes, it should be so." Xiao Liwei immediately agreed.
No one objected, and the matter was pressed down, not to be mentioned again.
Lin Wanwan, accompanied by little Qingyu and a group of servants, bade farewell to Xiao Chong, Cao Xian, and Lu Zhao Lin. When she joined the Xiao family members, she did so with a joyful expression, not noticing anything unusual.
On the way back, because Xiao Xianghua’s leg was injured, she rode in the carriage while Lin Wanwan, filled with vigor and spirit, rode a horse (the Crimson Horse borrowed from Xiao Chong, who, along with Cao Xian and others, stayed on the mountain overnight).
The Crimson Horse was distinctive in its appearance and temperament, but it didn’t particularly reject Lin Wanwan.
For one, its owner personally led her onto the horse; secondly, Lin Wanwan secretly fed it an incredibly delicious fruit; thirdly, when Lin Wanwan pressed its neck, it couldn’t move at all, almost feeling like it would be snapped the next moment—the aura emitted by this young lady was truly fierce.
Little Qingyu saw his mother proudly riding the Crimson Horse, drooling with envy, crawled dejectedly over the carriage window, watching Lin Wanwan.
As Lu Ying’er passed by Lin Wanwan, she gave her a fierce look: "This is cousin’s Chasing Wind, how dare you ride it?"
Lin Wanwan shrugged and said, "Can’t I?"
Lu Ying’er bit her small silver teeth and cursed, "You fox spirit."
Lin Wanwan frowned, particularly sensitive to the term "fox spirit," as she had been wrongly accused with this term countless times since childhood, and immediately snorted coldly: "Please mind your words and maintain the dignity of a noble family lady. If you, an unmarried young lady, don’t care for dignity, I wouldn’t mind arguing with you on the road."
Lu Ying’er turned, the veil of her hat fluttering, and rode off angrily, leaving Lin Wanwan behind.
Lin Wanwan could tolerate this attitude, but the Crimson Horse could not!
How dare a mare challenge its speed? Doesn’t know how to spell "Chasing Wind," does it!
With a sharp neigh, Chasing Wind lifted all four hooves and galloped like the wind, causing chaos on Lin Wanwan’s back and even more panic and disorder among the Xiao family members behind her.
"Ah! Cousin, be careful!" Several young men of the Xiao family hurriedly spurred their horses to chase after, with Kun Lun running particularly fast.
Clearly needing half an hour of journey, it ended up taking less than a quarter of an hour thanks to the chase between Lin Wanwan and Lu Ying’er, reaching the city gate.
The horse Lu Ying’er was riding was also a relatively calm mare, although it was a good horse, how could it compare to the kind of prized horse like Chasing Wind that stands out in ten thousand? Of course, it was left far behind.
At the city gate, Chasing Wind slowed down triumphantly, tossing its head and spraying snot over nearby people and animals.
Lin Wanwan was almost falling apart from the shaking; holding tightly to Chasing Wind’s neck was the only reason she hadn’t fallen. But through this chase, her horse riding skills have improved significantly.
"You rotten temper, I really can’t believe you are Xiao Chong’s seemingly calm mount," Lin Wanwan sat upright, pulled the reins, and threatened Chasing Wind, "Ever heard of stewed horse meat? I’m quite good at cooking that dish!"
Chasing Wind unhappily sprayed snot to both sides again, but its pace had slowed to a walk.
Clearly, this creature could understand human speech, surprisingly sentient!
It is said that smart racehorses have the intelligence of an eight-year-old human child, and it seems true. Lin Wanwan admired, wondering if the Dawan horse given by Xiao Chong was as powerful as this Crimson Horse.
After entering the city gate, they continued to walk leisurely. Approaching the neighborhood gates, the Xiao family’s second sons finally caught up with her, relieved to see her unharmed.
Third cousin Xiao Jingkun couldn’t resist teaching her: "Cousin, it’s your first time learning to ride a horse, how can you be so reckless? And how could you borrow a horse from Brother Zifang? Though we are all from the Xiao Family, we are not from the same branch, and as Mencius said, men and women should not touch, which is a rule of propriety. Cousin, you’ve been too heedless."
"Hmm." Lin Wanwan glanced at him, reluctant to offer even a dismissive smile under the veil curtain of her hat.
Whether this third cousin was angry at her recklessness or because she didn’t hold back for Lu Ying’er, who could say? Anyway, Lin Wanwan was not inclined to act acquiescent.
As someone who wears the Space-Time Bracelet, does she need to pay heed to the moods of ancient maternal cousins? She visits when happy and bids goodbye otherwise. The Lin Family Manor pampers her from top to bottom!
Thinking thus, Lin Wanwan nudged the horse’s belly, the Crimson Horse immediately raised its hooves and bolted out, leaving Xiao Jingkun and others in the dust.
Xiao Jingkun was furious, pointing at Lin Wanwan’s receding figure and saying to his two cousins, "This is intolerable, so wild. A wild lady, nothing like a noble daughter!"
Eldest brother Xiao Jingfeng also shook his head silently but said nothing.
Besides the Xiao family people, the other families were also discussing Lin Wanwan, saying how remarkable this Lin lady from Mao County indeed is, daring to vie for the spotlight against the County Magistrate Lu’s daughter. No matter good or bad, Lin Wanwan’s name was soon notable within Qiantang’s upper society.
The noble carriages along the road were full of gossip and conversation. The most update n0vels are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱
"Heard Lin Wanwan treated He San Lady’s leg today, wonder what her intentions were."
"The intention to smooth things over, probably."
"He Miao’s leg broke, wonder if May’s wedding will be delayed because of it."
"Just a broken leg, it will heal in a hundred days, how could the wedding date be changed easily."
"Wonder if it will be a limp, if it is..."
"Shh, such words can’t be said thoughtlessly."