“Aren’t you afraid if you push her too hard, she will become a retainer of the Empress?”

Long Tianyu certainly knew that Lin Mengya would never forgive people who acted arbitrarily.

However, he was worried that Shangguan Hui would become a tool of the Empress like Shangguan Qing.

“She? Impossible. Although Shangguan Hui is from the Shangguan family, she is much smarter. What’s the use of forcing my brother to marry her if he dislikes her? Besides, with my help, her chances of success will be greater. If she loses my support, she will never win my brother’s heart in her life.”

Shangguan Hui was a smart woman. Even if she had done something silly, she would correct it soon.

Lin Mengya chose Shangguan Hui because she was not as paranoid as the other members of the Shangguan family.

The people who could think sensibly would know how to get the most benefits. Lin Mengya was such a person, and so was Shangguan Hui.

“You are really a disaster for the Shangguan family. By the way, I heard the old lady of the Shangguan family will also go to the temple this time. My mother said that she has been tough since she was young. You have to be careful.”

Although Long Tianyu was one of the few male guests accompanying them, the old lady of the Shangguan family was the mother of the Empress.

So, as a junior, Lin Mengya couldn’t be too rude to the old lady.

“It seems the Empress really attaches great importance to this religious rite. She really does like to push herself forward and show off.”

Lin Mengya knew that herself was not that important. At least, the Empress would not go through the trouble of bringing all the female relatives of the principal officials to the ceremony, just to make trouble for her.

But what had happened that day had cast a shadow over Lin Mengya’s heart. What on earth had the Empress used to make her have such a weird reaction?

Lin Mengya had various speculations, but they had all been overturned by herself one by one. It seemed she could only roll with the punches.

While chatting, they returned to the mansion. Long Tianyu had specially ordered Lin Kui to keep the matter of the Jin family a secret. Later, Lin Mengya unexpectedly received a gift from the Jin family. Lin Mengya guessed they must feel sorry for not entertaining them well.

Although it was called a religious rite, in fact, it was just a tea party in which ladies from various families gathered together to talk about the household stuff and to get some fresh air.

Lin Mengya barely went to such gatherings because she did not have time. Moreover, she would become the focus of discussion as long as she attended.

Instead of letting people gossip about her, it was better to stay at home. Gradually, she had gained a reputation of being a loner. As for other things, there was not much loss.

After all, the ladies who could call the shots at home barely attended such boring gatherings of noble ladies.

Long Tianyu had been busy these few days. The Empress was going to make royal progress, and there would be a religious ritual related to the fortune of the country.

There must be no mistake at all. Fortunately, Long Qinghan was assisting him, and everything was going well.

On the contrary, Lin Mengya was relaxed now. Every day, she was either teasing the children or listening to the girls chatting, and she was enjoying herself.

“Princess, the lady of the Shangguan family wants to see you.”

The maid in charge of the doorkeepers sent Shangguan Hui’s visiting card to Lin Mengya respectfully.

Lin Mengya was feeding Lin Moyan with lotus soup. She just glanced at it and didn’t give any orders.

The maid did not dare to move, so she could only stand behind her with her head down.

Lin Mengya fed the sweet soup to Lin Moyan little by little. The little guy was eating happily with a smile. Lin Mengya didn’t stop until he no longer stared at the bowl in her hand.

“Lead her in, and I will see her in the drawing-room.”

Actually, Shangguan Hui had sent a person to Prince Yu’s Mansion the day after Lin Mengya had asked Lin Kui to send the invitation card to her.

But before the man could get in the gate, he had been driven away by the servants under Lin Mengya’s instruction.

By now, she had ignored Shangguan Hui for a long time. This time, she had made it very clear.

If Shangguan Hui wanted to cooperate with her, she had to be obedient. Otherwise, she had countless ways to let Shangguan Hui know that she was not Lin Mengya’s only choice.

The maid went to send the word to Shangguan Hui immediately. Lin Mengya asked Ms. Tian to take care of the two children, and then she walked to the drawing-room with the four girls.

Before entering, she saw that a vague figure was walking around worriedly at the door of the drawing-room.

As soon as the person saw Lin Mengya, she immediately walked towards her anxiously.

“Princess, you are—”

Shangguan Hui’s delicate face was overflowing with eagerness at this moment. She was wearing a bean-green dress. Although it was not expensive, it set off her slender figure, making her look like a willow branch trembling in the wind.

Lin Mengya glanced at her faintly and then walked into the room with the four maids. Shangguan Hui was still playing tricks. Did she think Lin Mengya was mentally retarded?

“Sit down, please. Look at you! You looked as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. What’s wrong? Have your family decided on another marriage for you?”

Lin Mengya took her seat, and one of her maids immediately gave her a cup of fragrant tea.

After having a sip, Lin Mengya asked the question slowly. Her words seemed as if she didn’t know what was going on. “No, it’s just… how could you be so careless? Now, everyone in my family knows that you have sent me an invitation card. If it reaches that person’s ears, I’m afraid that our relationship will…”

Shangguan Hui looked cowardly and frightened now. Showing weakness did make people feel pitiful for her.

No one else would expect that such a beautiful and weak woman turned out to be so vicious.

There was a perfect smirk at the corners of Lin Mengya’s lips. Since Shangguan Hui didn’t tell the truth, Lin Mengya would sit still and watched her acting quietly.

“Don’t get me wrong. I am not blaming you. It’s just… you know that person in the palace is busy with the praying business these days, so she may not have time to care about me, a small potato. I’m just afraid of getting you involved.”

Shangguan Hui turned the anxiety on her face into worry just right. She looked as if she was thinking about the interests of Lin Mengya, but there was a clear touch of inquiry hidden in her eyes.

If Lin Mengya hadn’t known her so well, maybe she would have been fooled by her.

“Oh, it’s okay. I went to the Jin family a few days ago. As you know, the Jin family had some connections with my family. Especially Miss Jin, she and my brother are also old acquaintances. We had an unexpectedly good chat, and I thought you and Miss Jin should also be congenial. So, I asked Lin Kui to send you an invitation card. I didn’t expect Lin Kui to be so ignorant. He almost got you into trouble.”

Lin Mengya said tactfully, and the mood in her soft eyes seemed to have never changed at all. But Shangguan Hui was shocked by the words.

She looked a little hesitant, but soon she adjusted her mentality.

“Really? What a pity! I have never met Miss Jin. I hope you can introduce me to her if there is any chance in the future.”

Lin Mengya carefully observed every move of Shangguan Hui with her eyes. She found that she didn’t show much disappointment or other emotions except for a little guilty conscience just now.

Could it be that her guess was wrong?

“Sure. But you have to wait for her to get better. Miss Jin is dogged by bad luck. If it weren’t for me, she would have died.”

Lin Mengya continued to test the water, but she found there was only somewhat surprise on Shangguan Hui’s face.

Except for her, who else would desperately hope Miss Jin to die?

“What happened? I didn’t go out of home recently, so I am uninformed of her news. However, I heard from my family that Miss Jin had never taken a single step out of the door for many years. How could she have an accident in her own home?”

Lin Mengya was a little confused. She kept staring at Shangguan Hui until the latter felt a little uncomfortable, and she then moved her eyes away.

“Didn’t you do it?”

Lin Mengya couldn’t help but ask. Shangguan Hui widened her eyes and hurriedly shook her head.

“How could I have the capability to do such a thing? I remember that my aunt took me to Jin Mansion unexpectedly the other day. But I didn’t see Miss Jin. Are you suspecting it is me that did it? I admit that I do have thought about getting rid of Miss Jin, but she had the accident before I could do anything. When you sent the invitation card to my home, I just thought you knew about my plan.”

Shangguan Hui also removed her disguise and said everything in her mind out. But Lin Mengya still looked at her with questioning eyes, and Shangguan Hui, who was a little scared, showed a weird smile.

In the end, she said in a low voice, “I… I just mentioned it secretly when the seniors of my family were chatting. But I promise I only mentioned her name. Lin Mengya, you have to believe me. Although I want to marry your brother, I would not murder people!”

Shangguan Hui was a little anxious, fearing that she would completely lose Lin Mengya’s trust.

In fact, that day, her family had been just chatting, talking about the unmarried young men of influential families in the capital. Naturally, Shangguan Hui had blurted it out when they had spoken of Lin Nansheng.

She was staying at home, but she had heard of all the gossips, big and small, in the capital.

But she hadn’t expected it to be so coincidental. Just after she had mentioned Miss Jin, she had had an accident. Those who had been chatting there that day were all her family. So, at least, that information shouldn’t be leaked out of the Shangguan family.

“When I was not in the capital, has the Empress ever summoned you?”

Lin Mengya suddenly realized that she seemed to have omitted something. Shangguan Hui’s dress today seemed a little more exquisite than before.

And even the hairpin in her hair was a rare piece of jewelry that only the ladies in the palace could wear. Shangguan Hui was just the daughter of a collateral branch of the Shangguan family. How could she get such jewelry?