Before the third day estimated by Su Qing, the sisters Lin Jingjing and Lin An’an proposed to return to Jizhou.
At first, Lin Xiaoyue was a bit skeptical, asking them repeatedly if they were sure.
Lin Jingjing said: "We originally agreed to co and accompany our big sister for a period of ti. Now that we’ve stayed and played, it’s ti to go ho."
It seems that my verbal threats to Lin Jingjing and Mr. Qi’s thods to Lin An’an have worked.
These two taking the initiative to leave was sothing Lin Xiaoyue was ntally prepared for, but she still felt guilty, "I am pregnant and it’s inconvenient, otherwise I would’ve taken you out to see around."
Lin Jingjing expressed deep understanding, "Given your condition, it’s better not to overexert yourself, otherwise if anything happens, my brother-in-law would bla us for not taking care of you."
Lin Xiaoyue smiled faintly, without responding.
Lin Jingjing added, "Yesterday, I took An An to the silver building to order three hairpins. The shopkeeper said they’d be ready in a few days; then I’ll take one, An An another, and the last one for our big sister. Consider it a little gift from us before leaving, and I hope you will accept it with a smile."
Lin Xiaoyue didn’t think much of it, "Sister Jing is very thoughtful."
——
On the evening when Lin Xiaoyue and the others were to collect the hairpins, Wen Wan happened to finish school and return from Hongwen Academy.
Sitting inside the carriage, she unintentionally saw Lin Xiaoyue and her two sisters heading toward the silver building, a bad premonition suddenly surged within her.
Given the tensions with the Su Family, Wen Wan had decided not to associate with Lin Xiaoyue to avoid causing trouble for Song Wei. But this premonition concerned her directly, she had no choice but to intervene.
Wen Wan imdiately instructed Uncle Lin to stop the car and told Song Yuanbao to stay put; she would return shortly.
Getting off, Wen Wan followed in the direction of Lin Xiaoyue and the others, without directly greeting them, she kept a steady pace behind.
The hairpins were Lin Jingjing’s idea, and upon entering the silver building, she went to find the shopkeeper imdiately.
Lin An’an and Lin Xiaoyue stood by the counter waiting.
"Big sister, you sit for a while, I think my sister will take so ti!" Lin An’an brought over a chair.
Having walked for such a long ti, Lin Xiaoyue was indeed a bit tired, she sat down carefully without speaking much.
Wen Wan stopped just before reaching the silver building, her mind revisiting the premonition she had felt earlier in the carriage—
Lin Xiaoyue seed to have been set up, wearing a poisoned accessory in her hair.
Since the poison was slow-acting, no one noticed.
Later, while Wen Wan was out with Jinbao, they ran into Lin Xiaoyue; she didn’t look well, and soon thereafter showed bleeding signs. Wen Wan couldn’t just stand by and watch, she imdiately took her to the clinic but failed to save the child.
Neither Lin Xiaoyue nor her husband said anything, but Su Xiang firmly accused Song Wei of instructing Wen Wan to harm his unborn nephew, filing charges with the Shuntian Prefecture Governnt Office, determined to put Song Wei behind bars.
Thinking of a re hairpin triggering such a chain of events, Wen Wan was chilled to the bone, secretly alard by the kind of people surrounding Lin Xiaoyue, who could cruelly target a pregnant woman with such venomous intent.
——
The three hairpins were identical in design, but to differentiate them, Lin Jingjing had the craftsman engrave three different characters at the end: Jing, An, and Yue.
Upon receiving them, Lin Jingjing returned to the main hall promptly.
Lin Xiaoyue and Lin An’an were still waiting.
Seeing her, Lin An’an hurriedly asked, "How is it? Are they done?"
Lin Jingjing raised the three small brocade boxes in her hand, "They’re finished."
After speaking, she handed one to Lin An’an and Lin Xiaoyue respectively, keeping one for herself, saying, "To distinguish, the hairpins have our nas engraved on them."
Lin Xiaoyue opened hers for a glance, the style of the hairpin was indeed exquisite, pleasing to the eye at first sight.
Lin Jingjing looked over, smiled, "Big sister, shall I help you put it on?"
Lin Xiaoyue intended to wait until she got ho, but Lin Jingjing already started, "See, An An and I have them on, they look great."
She spoke as she opened Lin Xiaoyue’s box, taking out the hairpin and gently securing it into her hair.
Like all young won who love jewelry, Lin Xiaoyue was no exception, brushing the hairpin instinctively after it was fastened.
Lin Jingjing quickly offered a bronze mirror, "Look, isn’t it beautiful?"
Lin Xiaoyue glanced at her reflection, feeling satisfied, she smiled brightly, "I quite like it, thank you."
Lin Jingjing curled her lips into a smile, "Glad you like it, big sister."
After a brief pause, she looked outside and said, "The day is getting late, we should head back!"
Lin Xiaoyue placed the bronze mirror on the counter, stood up with Lin Jingjing’s support, and after exchanging pleasantries with the shopkeeper, the three of them headed toward the silver building’s exit.
Seeing the three of them erge, Wen Wan feigned passing by, walked a few steps ahead, and then casually lifted her gaze, eting Lin Xiaoyue’s eyes.
Lin Xiaoyue hesitated, not speaking imdiately.
Instead, Wen Wan greeted with a smile, "What a coincidence, you’re here too?"
Lin Xiaoyue tugged at the corners of her mouth, "I accompanied my sisters to the silver building for jewelry, you?"
"I happened to have the ti, so I ca to shop." Wen Wan’s response was breezy, showing no signs of unease.
Lin Xiaoyue suspected nothing, "Then enjoy your shopping, the hour is late, we must be off."
Wen Wan t her gaze for a mont, then shifted her eyes to Lin Jingjing and Lin An’an, noting the identical new red-gold hairpins each wore, the design was particularly unique.
Wen Wan expressed curiosity, "These hairpins you have are custom-made, right? May I take a look?"
Even if not friends, Lin Xiaoyue wasn’t stingy, simply removing the hairpin from her hair and handed it to Wen Wan.
Wen Wan claid she feared sweating would tarnish the hairpin, so she wrapped her palm with a cloth before inspecting it closely. Soon, she noticed a small bump amidst the intricate patterns at the top of the hairpin.
She pressed gently.
Beside her, Lin Jingjing’s face changed instantly, quickly snatching the hairpin from Wen Wan’s hand, "What’s wrong with you? If you want to look, look, why are you touching it?"
Wen Wan raised a brow, looking up at Lin Jingjing.
Her eyes, unmistakably soft, yet carried a sharpness that seed to pierce through everything.
Lin Jingjing felt a tingle on her scalp under Wen Wan’s gaze.
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