CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: ASSIGNED TO RETRIEVE THE ORPHANED GIRL

Lin Mengbo pulled Lin Mengjin aside and shook his head discreetly. They both believed that Lin Wanwan was Lin YouSi’s daughter, which meant that her maternal family was naturally the Xiao Family. There was no mistake about this, and there was no need to block them and risk offending the maternal family on Wanwan’s behalf.

What if Lin Wanwan was willing to acknowledge her relatives too? After all, the Xiao Family was a noble clan. If any relatives from her maternal family were still alive, it would be a joyous occasion for her, an opportunity to enter high society, far better than staying at their impoverished branch.

They couldn’t stop people from recognizing each other out of selfishness.

"Our Wanwan is at the clan school, please find her by yourself."

The crowd made way, Old Chen nodded slightly towards them, and the coachman tugged the reins, continuing to drive forward.

Finding the clan school was quite easy; in the rundown village, the clan school where Lin Wanwan studied stood out like a crane among chickens. The coachman didn’t need anyone to guide him; he found it easily.

At this moment, each child held a steamed meat bun in their hands, stepping into the autumn twilight, like birds flying out of their cages, they rushed out of the school gates.

Lin Tiezhu and his mischievous peers quickly noticed the stranger in the carriage, and with both caution and curiosity, they gathered around, with the ringleader Lin Tiezhu asking, "Who are you? What are you here for?"

Having been blocked by a group of fierce fishermen earlier, and now stopped by a group of boisterous kids, Old Chen was in a foul mood and snapped, "Go away, kids, mind your own business. Is this place a school?"

With a commanding presence, Lin Tiezhu stood firmly in front of the carriage, shouted, "State your intention or take not another step! Otherwise, we’ll toss your carriage into the sea!"

A descendant of fishermen, the fierce genes were engraved in his bones, even though he was only seven years old.

Old Chen was furious, smoke nearly rising from his head, but he dared not do anything to the children.

He could see that the villagers were quite fierce, and this group of children was well-clothed, looking nothing like poor kids. Being at someone else’s place, he naturally had to be cautious. Even a mighty dragon wouldn’t overpower a local serpent.

He begrudgingly replied, "I am the steward from Lin Wanwan’s maternal family."

Lin Tiezhu suddenly understood, nodded like a small adult, then nudged a little crab next to him, saying, "Go and tell Teacher Lin that someone claiming to be an old servant from her maternal family is here."

"Okay." The little crab dashed back into the school to report to Lin Wanwan.

"Old servant?!" Old Chen was exasperated. Damn it, I’m only thirty-two years old, right in my prime! That cheeky kid, what kind of eyesight is that? Can you even talk properly?!

Old Chen would never admit he was old. Only farmers and rough laborers would age early due to constant toil. As a steward of the Xiao Mansion, the days were easy, even though he was still a servant, but there were junior servants to serve him. Living to sixty was quite normal.

In the main hall, Lin Wanwan saw the little crab rushing in and was stunned upon hearing the news. In this era of slow travel, it had only been a few months, and her so-called maternal family had already found her? It was quite strange.

Oh well, since they were here, she would have to meet them.

Soon, the little crab ran out from the west side door, waving his hand and calling to Lin Tiezhu and the others.

Lin Tiezhu then directed the coach and coachman to turn, bypass the school’s walls, and enter through the west side door of Lin Wanwan’s home.

When they saw people alighting from the wheeled carriage and entering the courtyard, the group of children scattered like birds and beasts, taking their large buns back to share with their families.

Upon entering the courtyard, Old Chen was stunned by the imposing glazed wooden door right in front of him. As his eyes swiftly took in the scene, he was even more shocked to see the Glazed House adjoining the Agarwood Pavilion on the west side.

This, this, was there really a Dragon King’s Crystal Palace in this world?!

The granddaughter of the old lady was said to have wandered the countryside, but how was it that her small residence was more impressive than his master’s?

When Old Chen saw Lin Wanwan, dressed in magnificent silk, calmly observing him from the canopy bed, he dared not underestimate her further.

The saying goes, respect the clothes first, then the person. Lin Wanwan’s aura was stronger than that of their master.

It should be noted that their family, though claiming to be part of the Xiao Clan’s Imperial Uncle’s House, had long since separated.

Nowadays, they relied solely on ancestral properties and stores, with no particularly accomplished descendants, and no influential positions. Their greatest distinction was their surname.

Old Chen bent his waist to a ninety-degree angle under the corridor, made a long bow, and presented his calling card and gifts, stating his purpose.

Lin Wanwan glanced at the hairpin in the gift box, her expression calm, pondering silently.

Jinling Wujin? Isn’t that the same place as Xiao Chong’s family? After the Lanling Xiao Clan moved south of the Yangtze River, they lived in Jinling. It seems that my news was passed along from Xiao Chong’s side.

Indeed, they acknowledged me as a cousin, though a distant one, but the acknowledgment was made, so naturally, they would communicate with her maternal family.

Anyway, Lin Wanwan took a silent stance on her identity, letting the Tang people investigate and speculate on their own.

Having figured it out, Lin Wanwan lazily said, "Turns out I have a maternal grandmother. Go back and tell my maternal grandmother that I am living well in Lin Clan, and I don’t want to move. Jinling is too far, I won’t go there. I am already accustomed to the environment in Mao County, grew up here, and fear I might not adapt if I go somewhere else."

Old Chen quickly replied, "Misunderstanding, young lady, it’s all my fault for not explaining clearly. Our branch has now been separated and settled in Qiantang County, not far from here—a day’s journey by boat and you’re there. Our Xiao Mansion’s boat for the lady is docked at the east wharf of Wanghai Town."

Lin Wanwan pondered momentarily and said, "I understand, when the children have their winter break, I will personally visit my maternal grandmother. Hua Nong, lead them away and find a guest room for them to stay today."

"Yes."

Seeing this, Old Chen couldn’t say much more, and after performing a cross-handed bow, he retreated. He saw that this Lin Clan lady was quite assertive, having the demeanor of the matriarch.

"Mother, will you be traveling far?" Little Qingyu, playing nearby, asked.

"Yes, once school is on winter break, Mother will take you to Qiantang for a while, how about that? There’s a beautiful West Lake there."

Little Qingyu’s eyes lit up and he said, "Is it the same West Lake where the White Snake lady is?"

Lin Wanwan laughed, "Yes."

Regarding the Legend of White Snake, she had long turned it into a bedtime story for Little Qingyu, and the little one liked the White Snake lady more than Snow White. However, the Leifeng Pagoda wasn’t built by the West Lake yet, so the little one wouldn’t see it.

Not long after Old Chen was taken away, the Clan Leader of the Lin Clan got the news and came over with Lin Mengbo and others to visit, also to probe Lin Wanwan’s intentions. Although they wouldn’t stop Lin Wanwan, if she chose to stay, they would be happy.