Chapter 14: Lin Yue’s Subtle Breakthrough

The next morning, as usual, Lin Yuejiao paid her respects to the matriarch. Except for Lin Qingxu, who was nursing an injury, and Lin Qingsheng, who was absent, everyone else was present. Lin Xueshu’s face was swollen and red, clearly marked with a palm print.

The matriarch’s face brightened the moment she saw Lin Yuejiao. “Yuejiao, the pastries you sent yesterday—I especially liked them. After eating them, my sleep was much more peaceful. You are so thoughtful.”

“I’m glad Grandmother likes them,” Lin Yuejiao replied with a gentle smile.

The matriarch took her hand and said, “Come, sit by me. Baking those pastries yesterday must have been tiring. Does the heir like them?”

Pastries being sent out from the Lin residence was no small matter, so the matriarch had to be aware of it.

“Not tiring at all. Whether the heir likes them or not, I don’t really know,” Lin Yuejiao said, sitting beside her and smiling faintly.

The matriarch chuckled. “You’re modest. By the way, three days from now is the Xinzhou Literary Gathering. Prepare yourself and go with Liu’er. I had originally arranged some splendid clothes for you, but nothing compares to the divine fairy Nizhuang immortal dress the heir gave you. Wear that on the day—it’s sure to please him.”

Lin Yuejiao felt helpless. It seemed the matriarch had misunderstood the relationship between Rong Yu and herself.

“Grandmother, I intend the same,” Lin Yuejiao said with a smile.

The matriarch’s fondness for Lin Yuejiao was growing by the day.

Lin Qingliu and Lin Yuejiao were warmly affectionate. “Little sister Yuejiao will surely shine at the Xinzhou Literary Gathering. Everyone in Xinzhou will know that the Lin family has such a stunning beauty among its daughters.”

“Liu sister flatters me. You are the most beautiful lady in Xinzhou; naturally, I cannot compare,” Lin Yuejiao replied with a gentle smile.

Their eyes met—Lin Qingliu’s face was calm, but Lin Yuejiao knew she was seething with hatred inside, forced to wear a gentle smile.

Lin Yuejiao felt the same way.

The hatred accumulated from past lives was enough to wish Lin Qingliu dead on the spot, yet they both smiled without flaw.

“You’re too modest, little sister Yuejiao,” Lin Qingliu said, then changed the subject, “Grandmother, Sheng’er’s injury is severe. She won’t be able to attend the Xinzhou Literary Gathering. Why not let me take Shu’er instead?”

Before the matriarch could respond, Yi Hanbing interrupted sharply, “A concubine’s daughter is hardly qualified to attend such a literary gathering!”

“Indeed, Shu’er isn’t qualified. I heard Grandmother plans to wed Shu’er to the Liu family of Nanzhou. That’s a good match, but it can’t compare to the talented youths of Xinzhou. During this literary gathering, Shu’er also knows some poetry—perhaps she’ll catch the eye of a fine young scholar. Marrying the Liu family then would be such a loss,” Lin Qingliu, skilled at reading the matriarch’s thoughts, bowed slightly and said, “I think we should give Shu’er a chance. If she has the talent to shine and attract a noble suitor, that’s her blessing. If not, she should accept her fate, marry the Liu family quietly, and stop embarrassing the Lin family with such airs.”

The matriarch had yet to reply, but Lin Yuejiao already knew Lin Qingliu’s words had swayed her. Lin Xueshu was allowed to attend the Xinzhou Literary Gathering.

Yi Hanbing grew anxious, fearing Lin Xueshu would escape this ordeal, and was about to say something when the matriarch spoke, “Shu’er is beautiful, sensible, and talented. It’s a pity she’s only a concubine’s daughter; otherwise, I would never have chosen the Liu family for her.”

“Grandmother, Shu’er knows you mean well. I earnestly request to attend the Xinzhou Literary Gathering,” Lin Xueshu immediately knelt and kowtowed.

The matriarch said, “Very well. This time, I specially permit you to go with your two elder sisters. Hanbing, where is your Lan’er girl?”

There were only two concubine daughters in the Lin household: Lin Xueshu from the first branch and Lin Xuelan from the second.

“Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. That useless girl caught a cold yesterday and has fallen ill,” Yi Hanbing said expressionlessly. She never liked concubine daughters.

The matriarch frowned. “I was going to give her a chance to see the world. Since she doesn’t have that fortune, so be it. It seems no one from the second branch can attend this literary gathering.”

“Grandmother, how can Xu’er miss it?” Yi Hanbing quickly interjected.

Qian Yaoxian sneered, “Second young lady is bedridden nursing her injury. How can she possibly go? Will you carry her?”

“Compared to Lin Qingsheng, Xu’er is missing twenty lashes less, and with the ancestral golden wound ointment I used, she might stand up by then. Everyone knows this literary gathering is precisely for the selection at Chaohuang Academy. They have to size up the competition,” Yi Hanbing said sharply. “As for Sheng’er, the heir despises her, and her talents are mediocre. She won’t get into Chaohuang Academy anyway, so whether she attends or not is irrelevant. Xu’er intends to enter Chaohuang Academy; Grandmother, she must attend the gathering.”

Qian Yaoxian’s face darkened with anger, but the matriarch nodded. “Indeed. If Xu’er can stand, then let her go. Qiu Gu, bring the court’s secret warm jade ointment from my chambers to Xu’er.”

The warm jade ointment was a rare treasure given to the matriarch by relatives of the Lin family in the capital, who had earned the emperor’s favor. The matriarch had only a small amount but was willing to give it, showing how important the Chaohuang Academy selection was to her.

Lin Xueshu finally seized a chance to avoid being wed to the Liu family, her eyes bright and hands eager to shine at the Xinzhou Literary Gathering.

Lin Yuejiao, however, grew concerned upon hearing that Lin Xuelan had suddenly fallen ill.

Three days passed quickly. The Xinzhou Literary Gathering was underway.

The Chaohuang Academy selection had yet to begin, but daughters of noble families across Xinzhou all wished to appear before the chief examiner, Rong Yu.

The event was hosted by the local Confucian scholar Si Tingshen, held at the Si family’s estate in Xinzhou.

Today, Lin Yuejiao wore a silver-white divine fairy Nizhuang immortal dress. Her black hair was half-up, tied with silver-white ribbons, with two silver carved hairpins in her bun and a pair of silver chain earrings. Her white robe was purer than snow, flowing like a goddess descended to earth, stunningly beautiful.

Beside her was Lin Qingliu, dressed in a magnificent peony-and-brocade long skirt, specially made for the occasion, paired with elegant and dignified jewelry, graceful and refined.

Lin Qingliu’s beauty was stately; Lin Yuejiao’s was breathtaking.

Both were beautiful, but walking side by side, one was common beauty, the other celestial.

“Who is that young lady? I’ve never seen her before.”

“Yeah, isn’t that Lin Qingliu, the Lin family’s eldest miss? I didn’t expect there to be a woman more beautiful than her in Xinzhou.”

The surrounding noble sons and scholars whispered among themselves. Lin Qingliu’s heart sank a little upon hearing the murmurs.

Just as Lin Yuejiao’s party reached the entrance of the main hall, a refined and scholarly young noble approached—it was the host, Si Chengyu, smiling as he clasped his fists in greeting to the Lin ladies. “Ladies, today’s Xinzhou Literary Gathering is to make friends through literature. There is a rule: without talent, no entry. First, you must match couplets; then declare your family name. If you fail, I’m afraid you cannot enter.”

Lin Yuejiao was used to such rules at literary gatherings.

“Bring the couplets for the ladies,” Si Chengyu waved his hand, and a young servant presented a tray bearing the couplets.

Lin Yuejiao instinctively felt that the couplets meant for her would be troublesome. Lin Qingliu, calm as ever, reached to lift the first couplet, but before her hand touched the paper, another hand snatched it up—that was Lin Yuejiao.

“Sister Liu, as the elder sister, you should go first. But this is my first literary gathering, and I’m a bit nervous. You’re the foremost talent of Xinzhou; after your answer shines like jewels, I wouldn’t dare compete. Please allow me to go first and set the stage for you,” Lin Yuejiao said, clutching the couplets and smiling, gently pushing Lin Qingliu aside with an air of modesty.

Before Lin Qingliu could refuse, one of the gathered scholars called out, “So you’re Lin Qingliu’s younger sister. Don’t be nervous. This is the entry couplet; it’s usually not difficult.”

“Yes, yes, young lady, please proceed,” another said.

Just as Lin Qingliu was about to refuse again, Lin Yuejiao smiled and unfolded the couplets, her voice pure as pearls, “Then I shall humbly present my poor effort. The first line is: ‘The moon above is full; the moon on earth is half; month upon month, the full moon meets the half moon.’”

The phrase “The moon above is full; the moon on earth is half” refers to the full moon in the sky coinciding with the fifteenth day of each month on earth.

“Month upon month, the full moon meets the half moon.”

One moon above is full; the month on earth is halfway through—an elegant and charming contrast.

Lin Qingliu frowned. She had some ideas, as she had discussed this couplet with Si Chengyu before and already had inspiration.

But before she could think of a response, Lin Yuejiao smiled, “My second line is: ‘Tonight is the year’s end; tomorrow is the year’s start; year upon year, the year’s end joins the year’s start.’”

The lines were perfectly matched, demonstrating quick wit.

The crowd was captivated.