Looking at her elder brother's reaction, Lin Jiaojiao felt somewhat doubtful.
He learned that the tonic their father had sent was poisonous, yet he showed no suspicion towards her words or actions, and his reaction seemed quite indifferent.
Could it be...? A thought suddenly sprang into her mind, and she frowned as she asked, "Elder brother, aren't you shocked by this?"
After all, that was their own father, and how can she not feel cold knowing his calculations?
Facing her puzzled eyes, Lin Xingzhi just smiled gently and said, "Of course I trust you, little sister."
This statement made her pause for a moment, then a warmth spread throughout her chest.
Thinking about it carefully, there wasn't much to be doubtful about. In her impression, her elder brother had always been calm and never overly emotional about things, neither too happy nor too worried.
All his thoughts were hidden in his heart and never shown in his expression.
The only impulsive thing he had ever done was breaking into the Regent King's Mansion for her sake.
She wanted to tell her elder brother everything about her past life, but she felt that it was inappropriate, as many things had not happened in this life yet.
If she didn't explain well, it might even cause misunderstandings.
Besides, her elder brother was clever; he confirmed the decoction issue, so he must understand Lin Zhengyang's true nature, and he would also be more cautious and careful.
...
Night fell.
Today, Lin Jiaojiao hadn't done anything, since she was still grounded and couldn't even stroll the gardens.
At this moment, she was sitting by the window on a bamboo couch, looking out at the cold crescent moon and the withered pear tree branches.
Despite the cold wind stinging her face, she still showed no intention of closing the window.
She was waiting for Yan Sihan to return, knowing that once he came back, he would come to her Shuanghua Residence.
The name "Shuanghua Residence" sounded somewhat melancholy, but it also matched the artistic conception of this courtyard.
There were many pear trees in the courtyard, and even in spring, when pear blossoms bloomed and fell to the ground and rooftops, it seemed like winter snow.
This year's snow had yet to fall, and it would probably take half a month before the first snow of the year came.
"Madam, the Prince is here and has reached the courtyard gate!" Xuemei's voice sounded in her ear, and she only then came back to her senses and looked towards the doorway.
Xuemei also just came in from outside at this moment.
"I see." She hurriedly closed the window and, subconsciously adjusting her hairstyle, then got off the bamboo couch.
"Xuemei, do I look alright like this?" She looked down at her attire, as she was also intent on pleasing others.
Seeing this, Xuemei's face lit up with joy, and she was happy from the bottom of her heart for her mistress's change.
"Madam..." She thought about her adjectives and then said, "Madam is breathtakingly beautiful; the Prince will definitely not be able to take his eyes off you."
Without waiting, Yan Sihan had already reached the entrance, and Xuemei hurriedly paid her respects before leaving with a glance at Lin Jiaojiao.
At this moment, Yan Sihan was still dressed in court attire, wearing a black and gold python robe that exuded nobility, and even more, an awe-inspiring aura.
Combined with his cold, frosty face and those unfathomable eyes, he made people not dare to approach.
Before Yan Sihan could walk over to her, she had already taken the initiative to run to his side, daringly hugging his waist and resting her head against his chest.
Yan Sihan's body carried a biting cold air, likely due to coming in from outside, and he also carried the pleasant scent of plum blossoms.
As she looked up at him, she realized that he was gazing down at her, a slight ripple in his eyes, and the frost on his face seemed to have melted a little at that moment.
"Where have you been today, Yan Sihan? You're only coming back now." Asking this was partly because she wanted to know and partly to find a topic to ease the current atmosphere.
However, the man's eyes turned cold as she asked this question, and then he drew her waist closer in response.
His voice was cold and piercing, yet his actions were ambiguous, "Is it you who wants to know? Or someone else? Huh?"
Someone else?
Upon hearing this "someone else," she knew that Yan Sihan had misunderstood – in her past life, she had indeed inquired about Yan Sihan's whereabouts for Yan Nanchen.
But now... she genuinely didn't have that intention.