After refusing marriage, she was pampered by the prince who acted as a shield.

Chapter 27: That's not right

Lin Ruqin stared intently at the monthly allowance placed on the table, her brows furrowed into a deep frown.

After examining her for a while, she looked up at Hongxiu and asked, "Why did she suddenly become so kind as to help me get the deducted monthly pay?"

Hongxiu shook her head, feigning ignorance. "This servant is also unclear. After learning that Miss's monthly allowance had been withheld, the Second Miss went to the accounting office to demand the money without saying a word and warned Granny He not to do it again."

That's bizarre, absolutely bizarre.

Lin Ruqin couldn't figure it out, and she couldn't understand why Lin Rusi was suddenly taking such good care of her.

Has she really turned over a new leaf and started treating her well?

On second thought, it seemed impossible. A leopard can't change its spots. Who knows if her sudden change of heart might be hiding something else?

Things had taken an unexpected turn for the better.

"Hongxiu, do you think Lin Rusi has other ulterior motives?"

After thinking for a while, Hongxiu shook her head. "I have been following the Second Miss closely. Apart from her recent improvement in temperament, the Second Miss has not shown any other abnormalities."

"If there really is an intention..."

She paused for a moment before saying, "This servant can't see clearly either."

Lin Ruqin's gaze darkened slightly; Lin Rusi was becoming increasingly unpredictable.

In short, no matter how she changes, we must deal with her with utmost care.

Meanwhile, at the Peony Pavilion.

Lin Rusi lifted the warm curtain and smiled at Si Yu, who was sitting in the center, "Mother."

Si Yu was frowning when she saw Lin Rusi arrive. She couldn't wait to ask, "Rusi, what exactly happened?"

Granny He was standing beside Si Yu. Without even thinking, it was clear that she had told Si Yu about Lin Rusi helping Lin Ruqin get her monthly allowance.

Why are you helping that bitch Lin Ruqin?

“Mother, that’s my sister.”

Si Yu frowned deeply, raised her hand, and placed the back of her hand on Lin Rusi's forehead.

Then he pressed the back of his hand to his forehead, "I don't have a cold, so why are you starting to speak up for her?"

“Mother, I’m not taking her side.”

Lin Rusi sighed before saying, "My daughter had a nightmare one day."

"In my dream, my daughter was punished for treating her older sister badly."

As Lin Rusi spoke, she pretended to frown and feign fear.

“My daughter’s dream was so real that she decided to change her attitude toward her.”

"But that's just a dream. Sigh, I can't tolerate such a slut hanging around under my nose."

Lin Rusi held Si Yu's hand and gently advised, "Mother, if you're annoyed by her, just see her less often."

"Besides, even if we see her, we can just pretend we didn't and ignore her."

Si Yu glared at Lin Rusi, "I really don't know what you're thinking. I'll give it a try."

She has always doted on Lin Rusi.

Lin Rusi grinned and affectionately took Si Yu's arm. "Mother, I have a request."

Si Yu raised an eyebrow and gently pinched Lin Rusi's nose.

"You brat, you only get to kiss me when you need something from me."

"It's clear she's grown up and no longer sees me as her mother."

Lin Rusi explained in a serious tone, "What's going on?"

She hugged Si Yu's arm tightly, smiling sweetly, "In my heart, Mother will always be the most important."

Si Yu was very happy with Lin Rusi's coaxing, and she couldn't stop smiling. "Tell me, what do you want from me?"

Lin Rusi blinked and tentatively said, "I want Hongxiu to go to Nuanchun Pavilion to take care of my sister."

"what?"

Si Yu's expression suddenly changed, and her features contorted in distress.

She couldn't understand, "Why should Hongxiu be given to her?"

Lin Rusi knew that Si Yu couldn't understand, so she quickly explained, "Sister only has Hongzhi by her side, so she can't take care of her, can she?"

"Besides Hongxiu, I have several other maids."

"We don't need another Hongxiu."

Si Yu still couldn't understand, "Ru Si, why are you always thinking about that bitch?"

"It's one thing to not let me target her, but now they're even going to give her the maid."

"Have you been bewitched by her?"

Her expression was anxious, as if Lin Ruqin had truly cast a spell on Lin Rusi.

“Mother, it’s all baseless.”

"It's still because of that dream."

She pestered Si Yu relentlessly.

“Mother, everything has its cause and effect. My sister hasn’t done anything wrong. If we keep targeting her like this, we’ll get our comeuppance sooner or later.”

Si Yu didn't believe in karma or retribution at all; she just thought Lin Rusi was a bit superstitious.

"There is no such thing as cause and effect or retribution. People in this world are divided into different classes. If you want to live, you have to climb up."

“Mother, you’ve never had such a vivid and terrifying dream. I have my reasons for doing all this, so please agree, Mother.”

Unable to withstand Lin Rusi's persistent pestering, Si Yu reluctantly agreed.

She kept a straight face and snorted, "If Lin Ruqin weren't hanging around in front of me, I could refrain from targeting her for the sake of my precious daughter."

"If she displeases me, I won't listen to her even if you beg me."

Lin Rusi beamed with joy and threw herself into Si Yu's arms, rubbing against him incessantly.

"My mother is still the best to me!"

"It's good to know."

After Si Yu agreed, she handed the task over to Granny He.

Soon, the news that Hongxiu was to serve at Nuanchun Pavilion reached the ears of the people there. Before they could even be shocked, Granny He had already arrived with her men to inform them.

Lin Ruqin was startled and stood up abruptly. "Granny, is this true?"

Granny He glanced at Lin Ruqin with disdain and said sarcastically, "If it weren't for the Second Miss's magnanimity and her pleading with the Madam, she wouldn't have agreed to send Hongxiu here."

Hongxiu and Hongzhi were also stunned; neither of them expected things to develop in this direction.

Hongxiu wasn't entirely without the intention of coming to Nuanchun Pavilion to serve, but Lin Rusi simply couldn't tolerate Lin Ruqin.

If she knew that she was single-mindedly trying to serve Lin Ruqin, she would probably beat her up.

Unexpectedly, Lin Rusi now took the initiative to suggest sending her to Nuanchun Pavilion to serve her.

This should have been a good thing, but Hongxiu's heart was pounding.

After Granny He left, Lin Ruqin sat in the chair in a daze.

"How is this possible?"

What exactly is Lin Rusi planning?

First, he apologized to her, then helped her get the money, and finally gave Hongxiu to her to serve.

Did Lin Rusi discover that her relationship with Hongxiu had become closer?

No.

Lin Ruqin's expression became even more serious.

Given Lin Rusi's personality, if she discovers that Hongxiu is getting close to her,

She would definitely abuse Hongxiu in front of her.

But Lin Rusi didn't do that; instead, she sent the person over.

Lin Ruqin felt extremely uneasy, as she couldn't fathom Lin Rusi's thoughts at all.

Hongzhi swallowed hard, and after a long while asked, "Is Hongxiu really one of our Nuanchun Pavilion members?"

"Granny He has already told me to go back and pack my things."

"No, this matter is definitely not that simple."