Chapter 32 — The Lin House Rewrites the Story
By the next day, the Lin residence had a new version of events.
Rumors arrived like birds:
Lin Jingran had always intended to marry me.
Lin Jingran had been “misled.”
The government assignment was “unfair.”
Teacher Shen had “taken advantage.”
Even the matchmaker reappeared, this time with a different face—softer, more flattering.
She arrived at our inn with a basket of expensive pastries and a smile sharp enough to cut.
“Madam Shen,” she said, bowing. “Congratulations to your husband.”
I stared at her. “Why are you here?”
She smiled. “To congratulate. And to” discuss.
“Discuss what?” I asked.
She set the pastries down. “Now that Teacher Shen has passed, his future is bright. The Lin house would like to be” supportive.
Supportive.
I laughed once.
The matchmaker“s smile wavered. ”Madam, don“t misunderstand. The Lin house respects talent.”
“Then respect it from a distance,” I said calmly.
Her eyes narrowed. “Madam, do you know what kind of pressure a scholar faces? Connections matter. Sponsorship matters. The Lin house could make your husband”s path smooth.
I didn’t look at the pastries.
I looked at her.
“Smooth paths,” I said softly, “are the same bait you offered before.”
The matchmaker’s smile tightened.
“You”re proud now,“ she said, voice sharpening. ”Be careful. Pride ruins women.
I leaned forward slightly.
“And greed ruins houses,” I replied.
Her eyes flashed.
Before she could speak again, Shen Yanci entered the room.
He paused, gaze taking in the basket, the matchmaker, my expression.
Then he said, calmly, “Please leave.”
The matchmaker lifted her chin. “Teacher Shen, I”m only
“Leave,” Shen Yanci repeated, voice still polite, but colder.
The matchmaker stared at him, surprised to find steel under gentleness.
Then she forced a smile. “Very well. I only hope you don”t regret rejecting kindness.
Shen Yanci’s gaze stayed steady.
“Kindness doesn”t bargain, he said quietly.
The matchmaker’s smile cracked.
She turned and left, footsteps sharp.
When the door closed, Shen Yanci exhaled slowly.
He looked at me.
“We should go home soon,” he said.
Home.
The word warmed my chest.
“Yes,” I said. “Let”s go.