Chapter 4: Returning Home

“Miss, wake up quickly! If you keep sleeping, it will be too late to return home,” Chun Tao tugged at Lin Luoluo’s hand to pull her up.

“Oh! My dear Chun Tao, let me sleep a little longer! I’m really so sleepy,” Lin Luoluo clung to her blanket and refused to let go.

“Miss, have you forgotten that today is the day you return home? The second miss and the eldest young master will be sad if you don’t come back after such a long time.”

“Okay, Chun Tao, I know. I’ll get up right away, just let me lie down for one more minute,” Lin Luoluo whined.

“Alright! Then I’ll have someone prepare the meal first,” Chun Tao said before leaving.

After lying down for a while, Lin Luoluo sat up, feeling like her whole body was falling apart, every part aching. She silently cursed Chu Chenyu in her heart.

Just as Lin Luoluo was about to get dressed, Chu Chenyu entered with a maid, holding a bowl from a tray and handing it to Lin Luoluo.

“Drink this,” Chu Chenyu said in a commanding tone.

“What is it?”

“Contraceptive soup.”

“You… why?” Lin Luoluo was shocked.

“My child can only be born to the one I love.”

At that moment, Chu Chenyu appeared so cold, his words piercing Lin Luoluo’s heart like a sharp sword.

Lin Luoluo felt a momentary pain in her heart.

“As you wish!” She thought of it as just being bitten by a dog earlier, and from that moment, her heart turned completely cold.

“Don’t forget to bring back some things; otherwise, your family…” Chu Chenyu pinched Lin Luoluo’s little face.

“I understand.”

Chu Chenyu released her and left with a flick of his sleeve.

‘Chu Chenyu, I won’t let you control me forever,’ Lin Luoluo vowed silently in her heart.

After finishing her meal, Lin Luoluo returned to the General’s Mansion with Chun Tao.

Along the way, Lin Luoluo noticed Chun Tao looking hesitant and couldn’t help but speak up.

“Chun Tao, if you have something to say, just say it.”

“Miss, the prince… I’m worried that if you return to the palace alone, it will be even more difficult for you in the future.”

“It’s fine. Your lady has her own plans. I wonder if you would be willing to continue following me, Chun Tao.”

“I’ll follow you for life, wherever you go, I’ll go!” Chun Tao replied firmly, looking at Lin Luoluo.

At the entrance of the General’s Mansion, two children stood by the road, anxiously looking down the street, their eyes filled with hope.

“Second sister, why hasn’t the eldest sister returned? Has she forgotten about us?” Lin Zirui asked Lin Wanwan with red-rimmed eyes.

“Don’t worry! Even if the eldest sister forgets, there’s still Chun Tao!” Lin Wanwan comforted him, patting his head.

“Right, it must be that the eldest sister is sleeping in again,” Lin Zirui said with conviction.

Around the corner, a middle-aged man in his thirties hurriedly approached.

“Second sister, it’s Uncle Zhong returning! The eldest sister must be coming soon,” Lin Zirui exclaimed excitedly.

“Uncle Zhong, have you arrived?” Lin Zhong, panting and wiping the sweat from his forehead, saw the second miss step forward to ask.

“The carriage from the palace is just up ahead, it will arrive soon,” Lin Zhong replied, catching his breath.

“They’re coming, they’re coming! I see the carriage!” Lin Zirui happily pulled Lin Wanwan and jumped up.

The carriage stopped in front of them, and Chun Tao helped Lin Luoluo down.

Before Lin Luoluo could see clearly, two small figures flew over and hugged her. Fortunately, Chun Tao was there to support her; otherwise, Lin Luoluo would have been knocked to the ground by the two little projectiles.

“Eldest sister, you finally came back! Zirui missed you so much!”

“Wanwan missed you too! Uncle Zhong said the palace will be your home from now on, and you’ll have to live there every day, so we won’t be able to see you every day.”

Listening to their choked voices, Lin Luoluo felt a pang in her heart. They were just children, having lost their parents, and in their hearts, the eldest sister, who was not fully mature, was the only adult, the only presence that could give them peace of mind.

Lin Luoluo rubbed their heads.

“I’m back.”

“Eldest young master, second miss, the eldest sister must be tired as well. Let’s talk inside!” Lin Zhong stepped forward.

Hearing his words, Lin Luoluo nodded and led the siblings into the mansion.

Lin Zhong touched his head suspiciously, feeling that the eldest sister seemed a bit different somehow.

“Uncle Zhong, thank you for your hard work during this time,” Lin Luoluo said as she sat in the main seat and took a sip of tea.

“Eldest sister, you?” Lin Zhong’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Yes, I’m fine now,” Lin Luoluo nodded.

“Good, good, good. Lord and Lady will surely feel comforted from above,” Lin Zhong wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.

“Eldest sister, are you really better?” the two asked in unison.

Seeing them staring with round eyes, looking at her with hope, Lin Luoluo nodded.

“Eldest sister, will you still fight with Zirui over toys and food?” Lin Zirui asked tentatively upon seeing her nod.

“Eldest sister, will you still play in the mud and get all dirty?” Lin Wanwan asked, recalling how the old eldest sister always ended up muddy and dirty.

“You little brat,” Lin Luoluo lightly tapped Lin Zirui’s head, then switched to rubbing Lin Wanwan’s head.

“I won’t anymore,” she answered them with a smile.

“Ah~ Eldest sister, you’re biased towards second sister,” Lin Zirui cried out, holding his head.

“Girls are meant to be pampered. Can a little rascal like you compare?” Lin Luoluo pinched his little nose.

“You two sit down; I have some matters to discuss with Uncle Zhong.”

“Uncle Zhong, how many people are still in the mansion?”

“Replying to the eldest sister, besides the three of the little ones and eleven guards, everyone else has been dismissed.”

“Okay, how many assets are left in the mansion?” Lin Luoluo nodded and asked again.

“There are still two farms and several shops outside, but only two thousand taels of silver are left in the mansion; everything else is imperial gifts.”

“Good, I understand. Please gather those eleven guards.”

“Yes,” Lin Zhong stepped back and went out.

Before long, Lin Zhong returned with them.

“Subordinates Lin Da, Lin Yi, Lin Er… Lin Shi greet the eldest sister.” The eleven men cupped their fists in salute, having learned from Uncle Zhong about the eldest sister regaining her senses.

“Why have you stayed?” Lin Luoluo stood up and scanned them before asking.

“Replying to the eldest sister, we are orphans taken in by the general in the past, and we vow to live and die with the General’s Mansion.”

“Live and die with the General’s Mansion,” everyone echoed Lin Da’s words in unison.

“Then I will give you another chance. We will leave the capital for our southern hometown to settle down. After that, I cannot guarantee anything for you. If you wish to leave, I will have Uncle Zhong give each of you fifty taels of silver, and you will have two minutes to consider.”

Everyone looked at each other, then turned to their leader. Seeing them all looking at him, Lin Da stepped forward, cupping his fists and kneeling on one knee.

“Lin Da is willing to stay and advance or retreat with the General’s Mansion.”

“Lin Yi is also willing to stay and advance or retreat with the General’s Mansion.”

“Lin Er…”

“Lin Shi…”

“…”

“Lin Shi is willing to stay and advance or retreat with the General’s Mansion.”

In the end, the last few chose to stay.

“You will not regret today’s choice. Tomorrow, I will give you a surprise. Now, you may leave!” Lin Luoluo waved her hand.

“Yes!”

After the eleven left, Lin Zhong couldn’t wait to ask,

“Eldest sister, are you planning to go south with us? But will the prince agree?”

Hearing Uncle Zhong mention Chu Chenyu, Lin Luoluo’s expression darkened.

“We’ll discuss this matter tomorrow. I need to go see Ziyu first.”