The whole family died tragically? The eldest daughter is the most powerful in the capital after her

There were slight footsteps outside the door, and soon, Lin Huaixun walked in.

He lowered his head and walked hesitantly, as if he didn't know how to start the conversation.

Lin Shiyuan looked up and saw him, his face suddenly darkened, he flicked his sleeves coldly, stood up and walked out without saying a word.

Lin Huaixun's eyes were dim and his fists were clenched tightly, as if he had used up all his strength to prevent himself from catching up.

He gritted his teeth and said in a hoarse voice: "I know my father doesn't want to see me, and I don't dare to ask for his forgiveness. It's just that I'm really... really sorry for you."

Lin Ruoxue raised her eyes and glanced at him with a complicated expression, but said nothing.

Lin Ruoxuan pursed her lips slightly, her eyes stayed on Lin Huaixun for a moment, and finally said in a gentle tone: "Fourth brother, let's not talk about the past. As long as you start over, our family will gradually ease up."

Having said that, the resentment in her heart has not completely dissipated.

She knew that if the elders in the family were not still alive, many things would never be easily revealed.

At this time, brisk footsteps were heard outside the yard, and Lin Ruoqiao and Zhang Mo came hand in hand.

Lin Ruoqiao's face was filled with an unconcealed smile, and her voice was clear: "Zhang Shengren and I are coming in. We won't disturb you, will we?"

Zhang Mo nodded slightly, his eyes warm, "I was just chatting with Miss Seven in the yard, and when I heard that you were all here, I came to see you."

Qi Zeshen sat aside, his eyes flickered between Zhang Mo and Lin Huaixun, then he raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, Mr. Four, how about we men go out for a walk and give the sisters here some time to chat about family matters?"

Zhang Mo immediately understood and agreed with a smile: "That's exactly what I want. Sitting here all the time makes the girls feel constrained. The fourth young master and I can go out for a walk."

Lin Huaixun looked up at Zhang Mo, then glanced at Qi Zeshen. Although he was full of doubts, he finally nodded and followed the two out of the house.

When only the three sisters were left in the yard, Lin Ruoqiao blinked her eyes and said, "My fourth brother has been acting really strange lately. He goes out early in the morning and comes back after dark. When he gets home, he doesn't even go into his yard, but kneels in the ancestral hall until midnight. Mother is so worried that if he continues like this, his health will surely collapse."

Lin Ruoxue was using the tea lid to gently stir the tea leaves. When she heard this, she frowned and added some disdain to her voice: "What else can it be? This is just atonement. The fourth brother's incident has caused unrest in our Lin family. It's better for him to pretend to repent now than to show no repentance at all."

Lin Ruoxuan nodded, lowered her brows and took a sip of tea, her tone calm but with a certainty: "Big sister is right, fourth brother is kneeling in the ancestral hall, he should be repenting. Although mother is distressed, I think this is a good thing. He must realize that he has done wrong, otherwise, how can he start a new life in the future?"

Lin Ruoqiao pursed her lips, her eyes filled with worry. "But, he goes out early and comes back late every day, he really isn't messing around outside, right? I tried to test him a few times, but he refused to say much, just saying he was doing his own thing. I always feel... I always feel that he's doing this, which makes me even more worried."

Lin Ruoxue smiled slightly and patted Lin Ruoqiao gently: "Don't worry about it. No matter how confused the fourth child is, he will never make the same mistake again after learning such a big lesson this time. As long as mother asks the servants to take good care of him, we can wait and see what happens."

Changing the subject, Lin Ruoxuan asked softly, "Seventh sister, how is Zhang Mo doing? You said before that you get along well with him, do you still think he's a good match?"

Lin Ruoqiao's cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes were shy. "I think he is very good. Being with him makes me feel calm and comfortable. He is not like Song Zhennan, who is always so impatient and impulsive. Zhang Mo is more gentle, knows his limits, and respects my ideas. I like this feeling of a long-lasting relationship."

Lin Ruoxue raised her eyebrows and smiled: "So, you really plan to be with him?"

Lin Ruoqiao nodded: "I think so, he makes me feel at ease. All I want is a stable life and blessings from my family. And Zhang Mo can give all of these."

Seeing the happiness on her face, Lin Ruoxuan couldn't help but sigh softly: "Since you are satisfied, then of course we will support you, Seventh Sister, we hope you can live a happy life. As long as you feel that he can give you such a life, we sisters are happy for you."

On the first day Gu Nanyuan returned to Beijing, he did not return to the Gu family.

The sound of horse hooves on the long street gradually died down and went straight into the palace.

The sky in the capital was clear and the air was fresh during the day, and the atmosphere in the Golden Throne Hall was solemn and dignified.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, with a hint of fatigue between his brows, but his expression was slightly relaxed because of Gu Nanyuan's return.

After listening to Gu Nanyuan's report, he nodded after a moment's silence and said, "Thanks to your timely handling of the Changlin Coal Mine incident, more than a thousand lives were saved. I am very pleased."

Gu Nanyuan bowed respectfully and said in a calm tone, "I am unworthy of this task. Fortunately, thanks to your Majesty's wise instructions, I was able to complete the task and live up to your expectations."

The emperor nodded with satisfaction, then turned to the eunuch beside him and instructed: "Hold a celebration banquet in the palace tonight, not only to welcome Mr. Gu, but also to welcome Prince Lin and his wife. Invite all the princes and nobles to come and celebrate this event together."

Gu Nanyuan was slightly startled, but quickly regained his composure and responded in a low voice: "I obey your order."

The Gu family was busy throughout.

The maids in the mansion shuttled back and forth, sorting boxes and preparing clothes, and laughter and joy could be heard from the corridor from time to time.

In the hall, Lin Ruoxuan and the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo were sitting side by side on an embroidered cushion, looking through some gorgeous clothes.

"How about this one?" Lady Zhenguo gently stroked the brocade in her hand. A moon-white dress revealed an elegant glow in her hand.

"My mother has always had good taste, but I still like this pink one." Lin Ruoxuan lowered her head with a smile and pointed to the exquisite dress next to her. The soft pink color was low-key yet pretty.

She said softly, "Although this color is plain, it should be able to make it more lively if it is matched with other colors."

The wife of the Duke of Zhenguo looked at her and nodded slightly, her smile deepening unconsciously: "This dress really suits you. Young people should always be a little smart."

Before he finished speaking, there was a sound of muffled footsteps and Gu Nanyuan pushed the door open and walked in.

He was dressed in a dark robe, his brows still showing a hint of fatigue, but they were gentler now that he was back home.

"Mother, Ruoxuan." He nodded slightly, and his gaze lingered on Lin Ruoxuan for a moment.

Lin Ruoxuan looked up at him with surprise in her eyes: "You're back?"

She stood up, holding the pink dress and walked to him, "Is the business over?"

Gu Nanyuan nodded: "Everything has been arranged, we just need to have fun tonight."

The wife of the Duke of Zhenguo smiled and said, "It's rare for you to come back, so stay with your wife. Now that I have chosen the clothes, I will go back to the yard first."

After saying this, she told the maid beside her to take the clothes back, and left the hall with a relieved smile.