After refusing marriage, she was pampered by the prince who acted as a shield.

Chapter 88: Unwelcome Guests

Several friends with similar interests couldn't help but stand up, hoping to get a better look.

But just as their eyes were about to pop out, Lin Lezheng reached out and put it away, then had someone put it directly into the study.

“You’re a thoughtful child. This master’s paintings are all given to those who are destined to receive them. You can hardly find any genuine works.”

"It was just a coincidence that my daughter came along. As long as her father is happy, that's all that matters."

"Lord Yue, we haven't even had a chance to see it properly before you've put it away. Why don't we enjoy it together another day?"

"That's natural."

Upon receiving Lin Lezheng's response, the group smiled and couldn't help but glance at Lin Ruqin beside them.

After all, if her younger sister could produce such a nice item, she, as the eldest sister, would be laughed at if she couldn't.

What did Qinqin prepare?

"Father, what I have prepared is not a painting, but it is something you would like."

Lin Ruqin glanced at the maid not far away and immediately nodded, signaling her to bring the items forward.

Looking at the small box, everyone was somewhat disappointed, but their faces were still full of smiles.

Unaware of this, Lin Ruqin opened it directly, revealing a rare talisman inside, resembling a mother-daughter clasp.

Although it is a jade carving, both the color and the carving are somewhat rough.

"This was carved by the daughter herself for her father, hoping only that he would be safe and live a long life."

"A good meaning!"

Lin Lezheng nodded, then covered it up and had someone put it away.

Although both were hidden away, Lin Ruqin could still clearly sense a slight difference, and her delicate brows furrowed.

"What's wrong with you, sister? Why won't you sit down? Is there something else you want to show Father?"

"I've also prepared a song, hoping to liven things up for everyone."

Upon hearing this, Lin Lezheng smiled again and waved for someone to immediately set up Lin Rusi's guqin.

But just as Lin Ruqin was about to perform, a sound suddenly came from outside.

Why didn't you invite us to your birthday celebration? Is it because you feel guilty and don't want to meet us?

Sun Youshan frowned even more as he watched Lin Ruqin walk up to him as if she were being forced into it, and his gaze suddenly fell on Lin Lezheng beside him.

Upon hearing that familiar voice, he turned his head and his brows furrowed.

He glanced around and looked to the other side, wanting to ask who had invited the other person, when he saw a large group of people following behind Sun Youshan.

His aggressive demeanor made it seem as if he had come to question why his daughter had died in the Lin family mansion.

Lin Le frowned when he saw the other person's expression, but he restrained himself once again in order to save face.

"What are you saying? It's my birthday, how could I ask you to come all this way?"

"That sounds nice, but otherwise..."

Not wanting people to dredge up old grievances, Lin Lezheng could only instruct his servants to prepare more seats so that the four members of his family could have a place to sit.

But since the number of people was already calculated, the sudden addition of a few more people naturally made it feel a bit crowded.

Lin Rusi couldn't help but frown, but she didn't lash out on the spot. Instead, she tried to pull her mother away so that no one could say anything.

Fortunately, Lin Ruqin also noticed her father's dissatisfaction and immediately went forward to greet her maternal grandfather's family.

"Didn't you say you were going to perform? Don't embarrass the Sun family."

"Yes, Qinqin would never do anything impolite."

Knowing she couldn't escape, she could only step forward again and gently vibrate her fingers on the strings, quickly producing a melodious sound.

Knowing that the other party had this advantage, Lin Rusi was not prepared to bite the bullet and try it anyway, and instead continued to avoid the Sun family's gaze.

"Mother, you've worked so hard these past few days. Try this."

"Father, Mother specially asked the kitchen to cook this two days ago, and it tastes just right now."

Lin Le looked at the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall in front of him, a smile once again appearing on his lips, and reached out to hold Si Yu's hand.

But once the song ended, he put it down.

It wasn't that she didn't love him, but rather that she was worried the Sun family would make things difficult for her.

"Well, this 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' piece must have been practiced for quite some time?"

"My daughter has been practicing all along, and seeing how satisfied her father is today, she knows that her past efforts have not been in vain."

Lin Le nodded and then had her sit next to Sun Youshan to entertain the group of uninvited guests.

But to everyone's surprise, Lin Ruqin had just sat down when Sun Youshan's voice came from next to her.

"Qinqin has already performed, so Lin Rusi didn't prepare anything?"

"This……"

Lin Rusi noticed that her mother wanted to explain herself, so she stood up, pouted at the person, and then looked up at her.

“I was indeed unprepared, but Father shouldn’t be disappointed, right?”

"That's true. After all, Sisi helped prepare this banquet and also prepared the painting for me. She didn't have much energy to prepare anything else."

After all, she had gained a lot of face in front of her fellow enthusiasts, and with Li Jingyang backing her up, Lin Lezheng naturally wouldn't let her put herself in a dilemma.

Lin Rusi smiled slightly at her father's cooperation, and then quietly let her mother pour her wine.

"Sir, please have some wine. This is your favorite pear blossom wine."

"Oh, this is not a wine available in this season."

Si Yu smiled slightly and raised her hand to pour the wine, which smelled of pear blossoms, back into the glass.

Just when Lin Le was about to drink a glass and prepare to toast the others, he heard another cold snort.

Helplessly, I looked in the direction of the voice and found it was Sun Youshan.

"I wonder what my father-in-law is dissatisfied with?"

"There are many things I'm dissatisfied with."

Unexpectedly, he was so impolite. Lin Le frowned slightly, but instead of asking any more questions, he pulled Si Yu behind him.

She noticed this protective gesture, a slight smile playing on her lips, and subtly slipped her hand into that large palm.

"They truly lack any sense of propriety, righteousness, or shame!"

"father in law."

But Lin Lezheng's voice did not stop the other party from speaking.

"If my daughter hadn't died in your mansion, would she have had the chance to become a lady?"

"Master, I know that Master Sun is not happy with me. Why don't I go down first and let Sisi entertain the guests here?"

Hearing this show of weakness, Lin Lezheng gripped that hand even tighter, preventing the other person from leaving.

"Did I say something wrong? She bullied my daughter behind your back and ended up driving her to her death!"

"Father-in-law, don't talk nonsense. There's nothing like that between them."

"You really are intoxicated by the fragrance of beautiful women, and you don't know who is telling the truth."

Lin Lezheng's face turned even uglier. He raised his hand to slam the table, but Si Yu grabbed his arm again.

Looking to the side following the force of the movement, he found many people watching him with amusement, and could only let out a soft cough.