After dealing with the most urgent matters at hand, five days had passed since Lin Wen and Li Ziyi had spoken about Li Ziyang and his wife. Lin Wen found some free time to visit his uncle Li Ziyang at the general’s residence, only to be informed that Li Ziyang and Dafeng had divorced three days prior. Li Ziyang had accepted a mission to search for someone in Jiangnan and left the capital in haste after finalizing the divorce, not even returning to the general’s residence—merely sending a message. Dafeng had also moved out of the residence the day before.
Lin Wen was stunned. “So, just two days after Second Uncle mentioned it, Uncle and Aunt divorced? How could it happen so quickly?”
“Ah, the sooner they divorced, the sooner they could be free,” Guo Jiayi sighed. “You don’t know how much your uncle suffered inside. If not for your second uncle and me sending people to keep an eye on them, who knows what might have happened? Now that they’re divorced, your uncle can focus entirely on finding your fifth cousin.”
Lin Wen nodded. “Going to Jiangnan is good. He’s already searched almost everywhere in the nearby provinces without finding any trace of her. If he weren’t allowed to look elsewhere, he might have gone mad.”
After chatting with Guo Jiayi for a while longer, Lin Wen took his leave. “Second Aunt, do you know where Aunt moved to? Though she’s changed a lot these past few years, when my siblings and I were young, she cared for us just as much as Uncle did. I’d like to see if she needs any help.”
Guo Jiayi sighed again. “Ah, after living for decades, she still hasn’t grasped life as clearly as you, a child. Your second uncle always tells me that once he retires in a few years, we’ll return to your grandparents’ side—not only to care for them but also to reunite with our siblings, enjoying both family bonds and the peaceful countryside life. I’m old now, tired of the daily social obligations, and just waiting for your uncle to retire so we can retreat to the countryside. But your aunt couldn’t see things the same way.”
After obtaining Dafeng’s address, Lin Wen rode toward her new home but was intercepted by Lin Meng halfway. Lin Meng informed him that circumstances had changed—Qi Biao needed him back to adjust their plans and promised to accompany him to visit Dafeng once things were settled.
The Marquis of Zhenwu was naturally suspicious. Though he entrusted his adopted sons with important tasks, he never fully trusted them, always sending additional spies to monitor their actions. Thus, he was well aware of every move they made outside. Shi Binhua was no exception. When the marquis learned that his favorite was indulging in pleasures outside, he was furious and immediately decided to send another adopted son to replace him in Duoling County, recalling Shi Binhua.
Qi Biao had already made arrangements in Duoling County. If Shi Binhua were truly recalled, most of their previous plans would be ruined. Moreover, Qi Biao had originally intended to use this opportunity to eliminate Shi Binhua and couldn’t let the marquis have his way. He sent Lin Meng to Li Ziyi’s residence to retrieve Lin Wen for discussion. By the time Lin Meng arrived, Lin Wen had already left, so Lin Meng followed the address Guo Jiayi had provided.
After finalizing their countermeasures, other matters kept them occupied. What was supposed to be a quick visit to Dafeng was repeatedly delayed. By the time Lin Wen and Lin Meng finally found time, ten days had passed. When they arrived at the small courtyard the Li family had bought for Dafeng, they found her sitting alone in the yard, her face gaunt and expression blank. They called out to her several times but received no response. Exchanging puzzled glances, they wondered what had happened.
“Have you two come to laugh at me?”
Dafeng’s sudden voice startled them. After a brief pause, Lin Meng’s face flushed with anger, and he opened his mouth to retort, but Lin Wen shook his head, stopping him. Lin Meng was reckless but formidable in combat, while Lin Wen was calm and resourceful—when together, Lin Meng always deferred to Lin Wen.
Stopping Lin Meng, Lin Wen smiled and replied, “Aunt, Elder Brother and I came to see how you’re doing. Is there anything we can help you with these days?”
Dafeng scoffed. “Come to see me? My own daughters won’t even visit me. When I went to see them, they avoided me like the plague. Do you two really have such good intentions? Or are you just here to see how miserable I’ve become?”
Lin Meng nearly spoke again, but Lin Wen anticipated it and cut in first. “Elder Brother, where are the candied dates we bought on the way? Did you forget them on the horse again? Go fetch them quickly.”
“Oh? Oh, I was in such a hurry to come in that I left them on the horse. I’ll get them now.”
Their exchange left Dafeng stunned. She loved candied dates, but since arriving in the capital, she had been too busy learning noble etiquette, accompanying Guo Jiayi to social events, and adapting to aristocratic life to indulge in her old preferences. After the divorce, facing constant rejection and disappointment, she had neglected herself even more. She never expected Li Ziyang’s nephews to still remember her fondness for them.
As Lin Meng left to retrieve the dates, Lin Wen bowed to Dafeng and apologized. “Aunt, please forgive Wen and Elder Brother for coming so late. You’ve always cared for the six of us siblings. No matter what happens, you’ll always be our elder. Please don’t say we’ve come to mock you again.”
“Blame? How could I blame anyone now?” Dafeng sighed. “In these past ten days, only Second Sister-in-law visited me twice. All those noblewomen who once flattered me now act as if they don’t know me. Even if they acknowledge me, they’re cold and distant. Those who once praised my cooking or my fashion sense now claim they never said such things. Even Rong avoids me like I’m a disease, and Hua never paid me any attention to begin with. Now I understand what your uncle meant—relying on the general’s name for glory is like a rootless duckweed. Without the general’s residence, I’m nothing.”
Once she started talking, the floodgates opened. Dafeng poured out all her frustrations from the past days, and Lin Wen listened quietly, occasionally responding. Lin Meng returned with a small basket of candied dates, placed it on the stone table, gestured to Lin Wen, and left again, returning shortly with a porcelain bottle.
When Dafeng finally paused, she realized she was parched. Aside from the dates and the bottle Lin Meng had brought, there was nothing else on the table—no water to drink.
As she stood to boil water, Lin Meng stopped her and handed her the bottle. “Aunt, have some water. I mixed this hawthorn honey drink myself at the shop across the street. Try it—does it taste as good as yours?”
Dafeng drank it all in one go and praised, “Delicious! The sweet and sour balance is perfect. When did Meng learn to do this?”
Lin Meng grinned foolishly while Lin Wen teased, “Of course it’s balanced—otherwise, how would he dare enter his room at night?”
Dafeng was surprised. “Meng’s wife is that strict? She dares to forbid her own husband from entering?”
Still grinning, Lin Meng replied, “Pregnant women rule all, pregnant women rule all.”
“Your wife is pregnant? Didn’t you just marry this spring? That’s quite the achievement—have you informed the family?” Dafeng’s mood had lightened, and her old cheerful demeanor began to resurface.
Lin Meng nodded eagerly. “Yes, I’ve sent word. Second Grandmother told me to obey my wife—nothing matters more than a pregnant woman.”
Dafeng felt a pang of nostalgia. “Back when I was pregnant, your grandparents told your uncle the same—that the pregnant woman comes first. Your uncle was filial and obedient, always yielding to me, which only made me more domineering. Ah, but it’s too late for regrets now. Meng, Wen, you two must treat your wives well.”
Lin Meng agreed repeatedly. Lin Wen glanced around and frowned. “Aunt, are you here alone? Don’t you even have a servant to fetch tea?”
Dafeng also frowned. “I brought over a dozen when I first moved out, but they were all so restless that I sent them back to the general’s residence. Just before you arrived, I was in a bad mood and dismissed the last two.”
Lin Wen asked, “Then what are your plans from now on?”
“Though I’ve been upset these days, I’ve still thought about it. Before marrying your uncle, I was known for my roast chicken. My family raised thousands of chickens every year, and I prepared them all myself to sell to restaurants. Your uncle gave me a considerable sum when we divorced. I want to restart my old business—I’m just not sure if my cooking will suit the capital’s tastes.”
“That’s easy to solve,” Lin Meng said. “I’ve got nothing better to do—I’ll take you to every restaurant in the capital to try their chicken. As an expert, you’ll figure out their recipes after tasting them. Then you can adjust your own methods to create a dish that’s uniquely yours but still appeals to the capital’s palate.”
“Elder Brother is right,” Lin Wen added. “With him accompanying you, Aunt, you can sample freely without worry.”
“But—” Dafeng hesitated. “It sounds good, but eating at restaurants is expensive.”
Lin Meng waved it off. “Don’t worry about the cost, Aunt. You won’t spend a single coin.” Since he was on assignment, moving between restaurants, he wouldn’t be paying out of pocket—Qi Biao would foot the bill.
When Guo Jiayi heard Dafeng planned to open a chicken shop, she offered to invest. Dafeng politely declined, only asking Guo Jiayi to visit occasionally. Guo Jiayi certainly didn’t need the meager profits from a small shop—Dafeng understood this was just her way of offering protection. While she wouldn’t refuse the shield of the general’s influence, she saw no need for Guo Jiayi to spend money. The general’s wife patronizing her shop would serve the same purpose.
Thus, every day, Lin Meng escorted Dafeng to various restaurants, always ordering chicken. At first, Lin Meng enjoyed the meals, but after a while, even the sight or mention of chicken made him nauseous. Yet, since his cover was accompanying Dafeng to sample the capital’s chicken dishes, he couldn’t back out now—he had no choice but to endure.
During discussions with Lin Wen and Lin Meng, Qi Biao—whether intentionally or not—often brought up chicken-related topics. Lin Wen played along seriously, and when Lin Meng tried to excuse himself, Qi Biao refused, leaving Lin Meng miserable and regretting his earlier teasing.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage