"Shiwen, all the pastries sold in this shop are delicious, do you want to go have a look?" When Jin Yuyu spoke to her younger brother, her tone was much softer than usual, which truly surprised Lin Yuan.
Jin Shiwen really wanted to go and nodded.
"Then why don’t you go in by yourself, okay? Sister has something to discuss with this sister here." Jin Yuyu stroked Jin Shiwen’s hair and straightened the buttons on his collar before smiling and pointing out the various enticing pastries inside, encouraging him to go in and buy something on his own.
Although Jin Shiwen was somewhat timid, upon hearing that his sister would be waiting for him at the entrance, he finally nodded. Reluctantly letting go of Jin Yuyu’s hand, he entered the shop, looking back three steps at a time.
Seeing Jin Shiwen go inside, Jin Yuyu glanced over the crowd gathered at the entrance and loudly called for Qinger, "Qinger, accompany the young master and pick out some tasty pastries for the old lady."
Having understood her young mistress’s expression, Qinger knowingly responded with a smile, "Yes, our old lady has taken quite a liking to Rice Flower Fragrance’s pastries nowadays. This servant will pick out a few extra varieties for the old lady."
Jin Yuyu nodded and hurriedly sent Qinger to follow Jin Shiwen inside. After all, it was their first time out, and she really did not feel at ease about her younger brother. With Qinger, the maid, there, she felt much more reassured.
Many people knew of Jin Yuyu’s identity, as she had also attended the shop’s opening day. Seeing that the Jin family’s matriarch favored these pastries and Jin Yuyu showing no signs of suspicion, a good number of people immediately followed them inside.
For Jin Yuyu’s timely aid, Lin Yuan was extremely grateful.
"So Sister Jin actually has a younger brother." Lin Yuan clearly knew that the Jin family’s main wife had only one legitimate daughter and no legitimate sons, but she did have a son born to a concubine. However, judging by the close relationship she had just seen with the boy, it did not seem like he was just a half-brother.
Jin Yuyu gave a bitter smile, "That is my half-brother, but, soon, he will become a legitimate son."
Having already regarded Lin Yuan as a friend, Jin Yuyu shared her situation, "Shiwen’s mother has been sick for many years, and the doctor says she won’t last much longer. Moreover, as you have seen, my mother never bore a son, and Lady Jin has a lot of complaints about her. Thus, my mother is planning to adopt Shiwen as her own legitimate son, so that the Jin family’s assets don’t fall into the hands of others. That way, I can also marry without worries."
Lin Yuan suddenly understood, but seeing the unease in Jin Yuyu’s expression when she mentioned marrying, she felt somewhat sorry for her.
"Sister Jin, are you really going to marry Li Chengzhi?" She really didn’t want Jin Yuyu to be with a degenerate like Li Chengzhi. Plus, she did not believe that Lady Jin, the head wife, was unaware of Li Chengzhi’s true nature, since she was Jin Yuyu’s maternal aunt. How could she push her own niece into a pit of fire?
Jin Yuyu smiled helplessly, "Although no specific date has been set, it most likely will happen. Auntie says, although Li Chengzhi’s character is poor, he is officially her adopted son and will have to listen to her. Therefore, even if I marry into their family, I won’t be mistreated. In fact, I also know that auntie just doesn’t want the power of Li Mansion to fall into another woman’s hands. If there were only Brother An and no Li Chengzhi, I think she would not have come up with such a plan."
Jin Yuyu’s words left Lin Yuan at a loss for words. Lady Jin’s actions were actually understandable in this era. After all, she was just a stepmother and did not have the authority of the original wife. Additionally, with her own son still young, there was no way she could compete with Li Chengzhi for anything.