Plans for Restoration

After saying all this, she summarized, "...Everything I do is for you. I have suffered so much, and no matter how lowly I am now, it doesn't matter, as long as one day you ascend the throne again. Then everything I've done will be worth it. Even if I die in the future, I will have the face to meet our parents in the yellow springs."

Even though Lin Xingcheng had heard these words countless times and could even recite them backward, hearing Lin Rulan say them once more still prevented his heart from being calm.

After all, this person was his elder sister. Years ago, on the path of escape, the two siblings had relied on each other. It was indeed to avoid the pursuit from all sides that his elder sister had changed her name and surname, willingly becoming a concubine for Xue Boping. Her only request was that wherever she was, her brother must be there too.

"Yes, I have remembered Elder Sister's words."

Compared to his excessive calmness just now, there was finally a slight ripple in Lin Xingcheng's response this time.

Lin Rulan was quite satisfied with this performance, so her voice gradually softened as she told him to study well.

"...Although Father still has some loyal subordinates willing to continue following us, unfortunately, our strength is thin and cannot compete with Ling Hongguang. Therefore, we must prepare two plans."

"You are a smart person. Last year, you took the triple first in the Child Examination, which shows your academic talent is excellent. Next year is the Provincial Examination; you must pass as a Juren. For the following Metropolitan and Palace Examinations, you must also pass without a single mistake. Once you enter the official path, I will naturally contact Father's former subordinates so that your career will meet no obstacles. When you become a powerful official and can get close to Ling Hongguang, the rest will be easy."

Did she want him to become another Dan Huahui?

Lin Xingcheng gave a somewhat self-mocking smile, but the expression on his face remained as respectful as before. "Yes, I understand."

*

Early the next morning, Xue Qingning was awakened by the sound of rain.

She tilted her head on the soft pink silk pillow embroidered with orchids and butterflies, hearing the rapid sound of rain outside the window falling on the leaves and roof tiles.

It seemed there would be no moon-watching tonight.

Xue Qingning thought a bit irritably, staying in the warm blankets for a while longer before lazily getting up.

Last night, Lu Dan had already prepared the clothes she needed to wear today, folded neatly at the head of her bed. It was a short jacket made of pink-purple satin embroidered with plum, orchid, and chrysanthemum blossoms, and a skirt made of light blue thin silk—both were new clothes tailored for this autumn. Due to the unusually hot autumn weather this year, this outfit was being worn for the first time today.

Just as Xue Qingning finished dressing, Lu Dan happened to lift the soft silk curtain hanging over the green gauze cabinet to see if she was awake.

Seeing that she had already dressed herself, she smiled and said, "Is the Young Lady awake? Why didn't you call me to serve you?"

After speaking, she turned to tell Xiao Tao to bring water in, while she entered the room to busy herself with making the bed and folding the blankets.

Xue Qingning heard the sound of people talking outside, pricked up her ears to listen for a moment, and asked, "Has Eldest Sister arrived?"