The Lin is a prominent surname, being descendants of the Heavenly Sound Sect.
The Heavenly Sound Sect is the only martial arts faction among the Six Great Sects composed entirely of women, specialized in classical musical instruments.
The Musicians of Heavenly Sound, with strings that compose the five tones, can astonish gods and spirits alike!
Even though the Heavenly Sound Sect was annihilated in a battle three hundred years ago, fortunately, a part of its disciples managed to preserve their heritage until today.
There are many branches of the Lin Family; the Jiangcheng Lin Family doesn't rank within the top ten of Jiangcheng, but the Yunjing Lin Family is one of the top five prominent families in Yunjing and is also the authentic lineage of the Heavenly Sound Sect.
The Lin Family takes pride in giving birth to daughters, and all musical skills are passed down only to female descendants, not to males.
If daughters from the branches can pass the main family's assessment, that branch may return to the main family.
In Lin Huaijin's branch, only Lin Qin exhibited a very high proficiency in the Zither, which the Lin Family took very seriously.
"I'm not sure, but I'll tell you in advance, if you have any grievances, don't show them," Lin Woyu warned the siblings, "If you upset your grandmother and her health deteriorates, don't blame me for dealing with you."
Lin Yue muttered, "It's not us who upset grandma."
Lin Qin didn't say a word, but her heart was in turmoil, and she lost the desire to practice the Zither.
She didn't want to be associated with Ye Wanlan at all, feeling embarrassed every time her classmates in school made jokes about using Ye Wanlan as a stand-in.
Luckily, after Ye Wanlan returned to the Lin Family, she hadn't changed her surname, and not many people knew that Ye Wanlan was her cousin.
Lin Qin's expression was indifferent.
She did, however, want to see what Ye Wanlan, who hadn't returned for four years, was really up to this time.
**
Meanwhile, on the way to the Lin Family Old House.
Lin Huaijin was responsible for driving, while Khor Peiqing and Lin Wenli sat in the back row, leaving the co-driver's seat for Ye Wanlan.
The atmosphere in the car was tense.
While waiting at a red light, Lin Huaijin asked, "How did the consultation go?"
Ye Wanlan replied calmly, "He said I'm just experiencing some depression, but my inner world is very beautiful, with virtuous and upright character."
Lin Huaijin believed her, "That's good, be well-behaved when we get to the old house."
The people of the Lin Family all knew what Ye Wanlan had been up to in the past four years, and they had not invited her to any family banquets.
Ye Wanlan said softly, "It's been a long time since I've seen grandma, I wonder how her health is."
"Just don't piss your grandma off," Lin Huaijin sighed, "I also wish you have truly realized your mistakes and returned."
Thirty minutes later, all four arrived at the Lin Family's residence.
Lin Huaijin went to park the car, while Ye Wanlan followed Khor Peiqing and Lin Wenli into the hall.
The other two branches of the Lin Family were present, along with several cousins.
"Peiqing's here, come have a seat, come have a seat."
"Oh my, Wenli, Qinqin says you're quite popular at school, and your studies are going well, how do you do it?"
As Khor Peiqing and Lin Wenli took their seats, the Lin Family's gaze finally shifted patronizingly towards Ye Wanlan.
She was still dressed in her New National Style attire, her hair that was previously draped over her shoulders now pinned up with a wooden hairpin, revealing a fair and elongated neck, set off by a pair of jade earrings.
A moment of silence.
Everyone thought of the same phrase—
Unparalleled beauty.
Lin Yue murmured, "No wonder she could be Sheng Yunyi's stand-in, she's got some capital..."
Lin Woyu immediately hit him, "Shut up."
Lin Qin frowned slightly.
Although Ye Wanlan hadn't returned to the Lin Family in these four years, Lin Qin had occasionally seen her cousin in the market and knew she couldn't have possessed such an air.
On the main seat, Lin Weilan, who was resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened her eyes, which shone like torches, and she actually laughed, "Ah Lan is back."
"Grandma, I came in a hurry and didn't bring you anything nice," Ye Wanlan said, putting down the box of tea leaves she was carrying.
"People have arrived, and that is enough." Lin Weilan waved her over with a deeper smile, "Come here and let Grandma take a look; it has been a long time since I've seen you."
The scene caused a stir.
Lin Qingwen and his wife exchanged glances, their expressions shifting slightly.
Lin Yue couldn't help but say, "Mom, Ye Wanlan has done so many outrageous things, how can Grandma..."
Lin Woyu: "Shut up."
Lin Yue was somewhat annoyed, but he indeed dared not say anything more.
Lin Weilan was the head of the family, with absolute authority.
Ye Wanlan stepped forward and bent slightly.
"It's good you're back," Lin Weilan murmured, with crystals gathering in her eyes, "Grandma is very happy; it really hasn't been easy..."
Ye Wanlan's eyes flickered slightly.
"Ah Lan, sit by Grandma," Lin Weilan instructed, "It's getting late, everyone take your seats. Butler, you may serve the dishes."
Lin Weilan's favoritism made many people of the Lin Family quite uncomfortable.
Facing a table full of delicacies, Lin Qin lost her appetite and found it hard to swallow.
Lin Huaijin was also astonishingly surprised.
He believed he had already shown favoritism towards Ye Wanlan, or else he would not have agreed to let her move back in.
How could Lin Weilan be even more indiscriminate?
Madam Lin was equally perplexed: "What does the old lady mean by this?"
"How would I know?" Lin Qingwen shook his head, lowering his voice, "You don't need to worry about anything; Mother's favoritism is of no use, I won't be able to save my elder niece."
Madam Lin thought it over and felt relieved.
Lin Weilan suddenly asked, "I remember Ah Lan's birthday is coming up, what birthday gift would you like?"
The table fell silent once more.
Ye Wanlan said, "Grandma, how about giving me the small company Huiteng?"
Lin Weilan was taken aback, "Why did you think of that?"
Huiteng was a Lin Family company on the verge of bankruptcy, dabbling in the clothing industry, one that even she had almost forgotten.
Ye Wanlan spoke lightly, "I want to try managing a company."
She had never hidden her ambition.
Power and control, of course, she liked these.
The country is so beautiful, how could it not make one yearn for it?
In her life as Princess Yongning, her greatest regret was the goals that remained unaccomplished.
This life had caught her by surprise with sudden reincarnation, and many of her plans had not yet begun.
But now, it was not too late.
"Good, you have courage!" Lin Weilan burst out laughing, "If you want it, take it; do with it as you please."
This time, even Lin Huaijin was startled, "Mom, this is not appropriate—"
Lin Weilan looked at him.
Lin Huaijin swallowed the words "in accordance with the rules" back down.
"Ah Lan, stay at the old house tonight," Lin Weilan patted Ye Wanlan's hand, "In a while, Grandma will transfer Huiteng to your name."
"Thank you, Grandma," Ye Wanlan nodded, "I would like to check on your health."
"No need, it's just an old problem," Lin Weilan waved her hands, smiling, "It's enough for Grandma to see you've come back, and seeing you, my health has gotten quite a bit better."
Ye Wanlan, holding her arm, insisted in a tone that allowed no refusal, "Grandma, just a look."
Lin Weilan couldn't help but laugh and cry, "Alright, have a look, I'll indulge you."
"The old lady's health is under the care of a specialized therapist, and even if there really are any issues, we'll be there for her," Madam Lin said indifferently, eyeing Ye Wanlan, "Could you not use the tricks you play on men, on your grandmother, please?"