"Madam, you are too polite. Sister Yuk and I are good sisters; you needn’t be so formal with me," Lin Yuan said with a smile as she nodded to her. "If Madam does not mind, just call me Lin Yuan."
Lady Jin was quite fond of Lin Yuan’s sense of propriety and spoke even more warmly: "Well, since you and Yukyuk are such good sisters, you should no longer call me Madam either, just like Yukyuk does, call me Aunt."
Ah, this was indeed a great honor.
Lin Yuan chuckled inwardly. Lady Jin’s tactics in winning people over were indeed formidable; Lin Yuan had merely made a polite remark, and here Lady Jin had taken it quite literally.
However, Lin Yuan was always open to useful things or people; after all, it was only a matter of address and didn’t cost her anything.
"Yes, Aunt," Lin Yuan sweetly addressed her, pleasing Lady Jin even more.
Standing behind Lady Jin, Mother Li’s lips twitched involuntarily. This Little Disaster Star truly was blessed—how did she manage to get related to the Madam County Magistrate!
Mother Li couldn’t help but curse her own foolish niece in her heart. If only she had known Lin Yuan was so capable, she would never have let Lin Siyu, that troublemaker, step foot in the Li Mansion but could have brought in this Little Disaster Star instead. Looking at how happily she was smiling with Madam just now, she would surely be united with Madam, and then Mother Li would not have been scolded by Madam because of Lin Siyu’s mess.
Regardless of what Mother Li was thinking, Lin Yuan didn’t care. After all, she had no affection for Li Feng’e’s aunt, especially since she remembered that it was this old woman who had egged on the Li couple to try to sell her and Xiao Linshuang.
Therefore, Lin Yuan pretended not to notice the flattering looks Mother Li kept casting her way, leaving Mother Li feeling so aggrieved that it pained her.
Lady Jin then brought up the matter of the wheelchair from last time and couldn’t help but apologize again.
Lin Yuan’s eyes darted about as she smiled and said, "Aunt, about that incident last time, actually, the one who was really wronged wasn’t me or my fellow villager brother, but Sister Yuk."
Lady Jin was certainly aware that Old Lady Jin had wronged Jin Yuyu, but considering the reason she invited Lin Yuan over today, she naturally had to apologize to Lin Yuan first.
"Yes, Yukyuk was indeed wronged in that incident," Lady Jin sighed. "That child is also too stubborn. If only she would have spoken up for herself, she wouldn’t have made the Old Lady so angry."
Lin Yuan took a sip of her tea and lowered her eyes. It’s not that Jin Yuyu hadn’t defended herself; even if she had, how many people would have believed her? Besides, she was the direct granddaughter of Old Lady Jin, and the fact that she could be misunderstood was what was truly disheartening.
Seeing that Lin Yuan didn’t respond, Lady Jin thought she might not wish to involve herself in the Jin family’s internal affairs, so she did not pursue the topic and simply asked casually, "Yuanyuan, since you and Yukyuk are such good sisters, she must talk to you about everything, right?"
Lin Yuan blinked, unsure what Lady Jin was trying to pry out of her this time, but she nodded nonetheless: "Pretty much, yes, just some little girly things."
"Has Yukyuk ever spoken to you about her marital arrangements?"
Lin Yuan was startled. Marital arrangements? Was it about Jin Yuyu and Li Chengzhi’s matter?
To tell the truth, it had been mentioned, though only in a word or two, and Lin Yuan could sense Jin Yuyu’s dissatisfaction with the engagement.
But she couldn’t just say that. After all, Lady Jin had initiated this marital arrangement herself. If Lin Yuan revealed that Jin Yuyu was unhappy with it, wouldn’t that be slapping Lady Jin in the face?
Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Are you talking about Sister Yuk and Young Master Li’s matter? Sister Yuk did mention it once."
"Oh? What did she say?" Lady Jin’s eyes brightened. Although she and Old Lady Jin had settled the matter, Jin Yuyu would eventually become part of her household. If her niece resented her because of this arrangement, it would defeat her purpose.
Lin Yuan hid the sly smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, and with a brimming smile, she said, "What could she say? She was satisfied, of course! Sister Yuk said that this marital arrangement was chosen by both you and Old Lady Jin for her. Aside from her parents, you two are the closest people to her; naturally, you wouldn’t harm her. Sister Yuk spoke so many good words about you and Old Lady Jin in front of me that I was almost jealous she has such a wonderful aunt like you!"
Lin Yuan’s words hit the spot for Lady Jin, who nodded in satisfaction, thinking to herself that despite Yukyuk’s aloof nature, she was, after all, a close niece who would surely understand her good intentions.
"However, what?" Lady Jin had only just felt happy, but when she heard Lin Yuan suddenly change her tone, her heart skipped a beat.
Seeing that Lady Jin took the bait, Lin Yuan inwardly gloated, sighed with feigned concern, and said, "Actually, it’s nothing much. I don’t know if Sister Yuk has realized it herself, but in any case, I am somewhat worried about her."
Lady Jin’s sharp eyes were fixed on Lin Yuan: "Yuanyuan, as her good sister who always looks out for her, having you is Yukyuk’s good fortune."
Lin Yuan chuckled to herself. Lady Jin really knew how to keep her composure, clearly desperate to know, yet she still refused to ask what Lin Yuan was worried about.
"Ah, you’re right, Aunt. Since Sister Yuk doesn’t pay attention, it’s up to me, her sister, to worry for her."
With her brows slightly furrowed, Lin Yuan finally spoke up when Lady Jin was so anxious that even the corner of her mouth began twitching, "Aunt, as you know, Sister Yuk is too strong-willed and cold by nature. Moreover, she is now wholly focused on the vinegar shop’s business and doesn’t have the slightest inclination for romance. Ah, Aunt, just think, it’s lucky that she’s engaged to Young Master Li and fortunate to have you as her mother-in-law. If it had been another man or mother-in-law, they might have already taken issue with Sister Yuk."