CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 285: LETTER FROM XIAO RONGHUA

After returning home, Lin Wanwan went to the Lin Clan Leader’s house to detail the previous attack, mainly to remind the clan members to be cautious.

After all, aside from the Wang family, the other hidden foes were still lurking, and now the Yu Family had become an enemy too.

Who knows if they might come after her if they fail to deal with Xiao Chong, or perhaps target a softer one—the Lin Family Manor’s clan members?

Therefore, Lin Wanwan decided to recount the entire incident to the Lin Clan Leader to mentally prepare him.

After all, the clan members were about to go to sea, and once the ship was on the vast ocean, all legal restraints were gone, making it perilous.

The Lin Clan Leader was shocked upon learning that Lin Wanwan had been attacked after delivering Lin Juhua’s baby and got trapped on the mountain overnight. He immediately summoned the militia for a meeting, deciding from then on, Lin Wanwan must be accompanied by protection when traveling.

Lin Wanwan was concerned about this from the start, feeling it would be inconvenient for someone like her who needed to make small, secretive moves often, if she was followed by a large group everywhere she went.

"Uncle Clan Leader, there’s really no need for that. With Kunlun and a maid accompanying me, it’s sufficient. Kunlun is incredibly strong, it’s not a problem. I’m not used to too many people, besides everyone is busy."

"One cannot be careless."

Seeing that Lin Wanwan was unpersuaded, the Lin Clan Leader changed his approach: "Wanwan, I see that those two under your Xiao Family cousin’s command have some martial skills. There’s a big difference between brute force and skilled brute force. Why not talk to her and have Kunlun and a few newly acquired Kunlun slaves learn from them?"

Lin Wanwan stroked her chin thoughtfully and said, "That makes sense too."

Returning home, Lin Wanwan found Xiao Yixun who was busy playing with numbers in the house. After mentioning this matter, Yixun immediately agreed to it.

For Xiao Yixun, this was a trivial matter since she was teaching anyway, so it didn’t matter much.

The decision was made. Lin Wanwan thought that teaching one or teaching a group was the same, so she included the newly purchased Kunlun slaves for the shop along with Sun Chuyao in the arrangement.

The Kunlun slaves didn’t complain, since they were used to doing dirty and heavy work, now it was just training in martial arts, which wasn’t much of a burden!

Many nobles used them as human sedan carriers, customizing a special sedan chair for them to carry their masters on their backs.

What Lin Wanwan asked them to do was much lighter, like driving her carriage or watching the house, even farming was just accompanying her, truly a breeze.

That afternoon, a boatman arrived at the small dock to deliver a letter.

It was from Xiao Ronghua. After obtaining the secret manual of double-sided embroidery from Lin Wanwan, she embroidered a double-sided piece and, being quite pleased with it, sent it to Lin Wanwan along with a letter.

Dear Cousin Wanwan,

Though we parted not long ago, I feel like it’s been ages and I often dream of returning. Thanks to your gift of the double-sided embroidery manual, I have now completed a delicate painting and humbly invite your insightful critique.

My apologies for the rushed letter, wishing you well!

Sincerely, your cousin Xiao Ronghua.

After reading the letter, Lin Wanwan placed it in a small drawer specifically designed for receiving letters under her desk, then unfolded the unframed double-sided embroidery to admire it.

On a plain white silk fabric, a peony was embroidered with mulberry silk, the colors vibrant and rich, full of a lively and bustling atmosphere. The balanced blank spaces added highlights to the painting, making the petals appear plump and moist.

The front and back were exactly the same in outline and design, exquisitely perfect, with composition and color both just right, leaving lingering charm.

It was evident that the person who embroidered this had solid artistic skills, far beyond the capability of an ordinary embroideress without artistic cultivation.

Lin Wanwan couldn’t help but marvel at her cousin’s genuine love for needlework, as such skill surely required considerable effort over time.

This was not a strict requirement for a noble family’s eldest daughter. After all, embroidery was just icing on the cake; later, there would be embroideresses. The eldest daughter destined to be the mistress would likely learn more about managing the family’s daily needs.

Seeing this artwork was like seeing Ronghua herself, making Lin Wanwan increasingly fond of her intelligent cousin.

It’s a pity that ancient transportation was inconvenient; it takes a whole day by boat to get to Qiantang. Otherwise, she would surely visit often, as this cousin was a true genteel lady.

Upon seeing this embroidery, Lin Wanwan immediately thought of the newly acquired boxwood in the storehouse, perfect for crafting a display stand.

While admiring the double-sided embroidery, Qingyu excitedly ran in: "Mother, what are you looking at? Show me too."

Her little hands, blackened from play, reached over, prompting Lin Wanwan to quickly catch her hand and laugh, "Look at your hands, so dirty! Go wash and dry them first, and then I’ll show you something good. This is your Aunt Ronghua’s masterpiece, the result of countless days and nights, not something to be stained."

Qingyu gave an "Oh" and quickly ran off to the washroom to wash her hands.

After satisfying the little one’s curiosity, Lin Wanwan could finally compose her reply to Xiao Ronghua.

Having established correspondence with a few noble ladies in town, Lin Wanwan had become someone who frequently received letters.

She had mastered the letter format and phrasing used among peers in the Great Tang.

At the end of her letter, she inquired about the well-being of her grandmother, uncle, aunt, and several cousins.

She also planned to send a small basket of seasonal cherries, with each member of the Xiao Family receiving about five or six each.

It’s not that Lin Wanwan was stingy, but this fruit was a popular luxury item among high society in the Great Tang, quite rare. Even Xiao Chong couldn’t easily obtain it, sending too much would lose its charm.

In addition to cherries, Lin Wanwan planned to purchase better-colored mulberry silk threads from the modern times to send to Xiao Ronghua for embroidery.

After finishing the letter, Lin Wanwan heard Qingyu’s cheery voice in the yard: "Mother, mother, come out, such beautiful clouds, like they’re on fire!"

Lin Wanwan put down her pen and followed the voice outside, where the western sky was painted red with the setting sun, turning their faces rosy.

"So beautiful!" Lin Wanwan sighed softly.

Yun Shang and several maids standing behind them laughed and said, "It’s been a long time since we’ve seen such beautiful clouds. Mistress, would you like to walk by the sea? The fiery clouds must be even more beautiful from there."

Lin Wanwan readily agreed: "Sure, since there’s nothing else to do, let’s go for a walk."

She immediately took Qingyu’s little hand and walked toward the beach in front of the manor.

In the evening, Lin Family Manor’s chimneys smoked gently, and they greeted clan members along the way.

Qingyu proudly sat on a little pony, holding the reins with great excitement. Beside the pony, an elephant vied for attention, frequently nudging Qingyu’s legs with its trunk, followed by the neatly lined-up army of chickens, ducks, geese, and sheep.

Qingyu would occasionally look back at her animal troop, quickly correcting anyone who strayed.

In the sky, a gyrfalcon soared with a loud cry, asserting its presence.