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Fengxin County.

Recently, right across the Lin’s Pastry Shop in the county town, a new Li’s Pastry Shop opened its doors.

Li’s Pastry Shop quickly became a hit. Though they didn’t sell a wide variety of pastries, each type was exceptionally delicious, drawing in crowds daily.

An attendant stepped out of the shop, calling out loudly, “New today, mini cakes! Welcome everyone to have a taste.”

Mini cakes?

The novel offering attracted many, including customers who had initially headed for Lin’s Pastry Shop but now turned on their heels…

This scene infuriated Old Mastery Lin, who was watching from the second floor of his shop, his beard bristling with anger. “Had I known Li Tingzhao would be so ungrateful, I would never have taken him in,” he fumed.

The servants behind him bowed their heads, trying to become as inconspicuous as possible.

Despite his anger, Old Master Lin felt powerless. Li Tingzhao, now a powerful lord, had resources and influence at his disposal, while the Lins were merely a local family, unable to stand against him.

With a flick of his sleeve, Old Master Lin turned and left the shop.

He made his way through the streets to the county magistrate’s back door and asked the gatekeeper, “Is the magistrate available now?”

Having been instructed beforehand, the gatekeeper shook his head, “The magistrate is very busy these days and has no time for visitors. Please return another time, Old Master Lin.”

It was clear to Old Master Lin. The magistrate had been bought by Li Tingzhao. Anger distorted his face, but there was nothing he could do but leave.

However, instead of going home, he went straight to Li Tingzhao’s residence.

Li Tingzhao, hearing of Old Master Lin’s arrival, did not turn him away but had him courteously shown to the guest room and served tea.

Old Master Lin, seething with repressed anger, forwent pleasantries and went straight to the point, “What is the meaning of this, Lord Li?”

Pretending ignorance, Li Tingzhao responded, “What do you mean? I’m not quite following.”

Back when Old Madam Lin had treated him with feigned kindness, Old Master Lin had turned a blind eye. Now, it was time for him to taste his own medicine.

Burning with rage yet trying to maintain composure, Old master Lin pressed, “What offense has my family given you to warrant this treatment?”

Li Tingzhao sneered inwardly, “You should ask your wife that question.”

Feeling guilty, Old Master Lin argued, “Even if my family was at fault, haven’t we raised you for twenty years? Shouldn’t you show some gratitude rather than treat the Lin family this way?”

Li Tingzhao’s expression darkened, “Are you truly unaware, or are you pretending not to understand?”

Old Master Lin didn’t dare to look directly at him. He lowered his gaze slightly and pretended to be innocent and puzzled. “Please enlighten me, Master Li.”

Li Tingzhao, his face clouded with resentment, wished he could make Old Master Lin endure all the suffering he had experienced, “Ask your wife. She knows far better than I do.”

Realizing that everything was out in the open, Old Master Lin felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles. He stood up to leave, “I shall take my leave, my lord.”

Li Tingzhao watched Old Master Lin’s retreating figure with a sinister gaze. If he couldn’t bear this much, what would happen when the Lin family faced ruin? Would they all seek death?

Old Master Lin stormed back home, slapping Old Madam Lin across the face as soon as he saw her, “Look at the mess you’ve made!”

Old Master Lin, stunned by the slap, looked at him in disbelief.

Grabbing a teacup, Old Master Lin smashed it onto the floor, but even that did little to quell his fury. “Li Tingzhao is out to destroy our family. Are you happy now?” he yelled.

Crying, Old Madam Lin replied, “I didn’t know it would come to this… At first, I thought…”

“At first, you thought…” Old Master Lin was livid, his anger reaching its peak. “Having him around wouldn’t have hurt the Lin family. Why did you have to treat him that way?”

She had suspected Li Tingzhao was Old Master Lin’s illegitimate son and had thus plotted against him. Had she known he was a lost prince, she would have revered him like an ancestor. But regrets were useless now.

Old Master Lin was so angry he could have killed her. They had a money tree at home, yet Old Madam Lin, with her short-sightedness, turned him into a deadly weapon against them. “This disaster upon the Lin family is all because of you, a harbinger of doom…”

Old Madam Lin had never been insulted like this before and was too shocked to respond.

After venting his anger, Old Master Lin left her courtyard.

Old Madam Lin collapsed onto a chair, her thoughts a mix of regret, helplessness, and rage as she watched Old Master Lin walk away. She swore not to let Li Tingzhao off for humiliating her like this!

In the capital, at the Bao residence.

Upon returning home, Bao Yunhong immediately went to see her mother, making a funny face to cheer up Madam Bao, “Mother.”

She was the third daughter of the Bao family’s main branch, and her mother was Madam Bao.

Madam Bao, a plain-looking middle-aged beauty with a love for herbs, managed a garden full of medicinal plants in their backyard.

Seeing her slightly emaciated daughter, she said with concern, “You’re finally back. Is Bingyi okay now?”

Bao Yunhong smiled playfully, “He’s fine now, all thanks to Qingzhi. She cured him in no time.”

Madam Bao breathed a sigh of relief. If Yunhong’s fiance had died before their marriage, the gossip would have been unbearable. “That’s good to hear.”

Bao Yunhong added, “Mother, I’ve brought back something nice. Do you want to see it?”

“That reminds me,” Madam Bao said. “The Empress Dowager gifted us some tissue paper, which I find incredibly useful. I heard it’s made by Qingzhi’s family. Did you get any?”

Bao Yunhong laughed, surprised her mother knew about the tissue paper. “I did, but it wasn’t me who bought it. Bingyi did, and he shared half with me.”

Madam Bao, fond of the tissue paper, quickly said, “Then take me to see it. Your sisters-in-law like it too. Share some with them later, understood?”

“Understood, Mother,” Bao Yunhong replied, thinking it over. “Mother, how about I write to my cousin to buy more? We wouldn’t want to run out.”

“That’s a great idea. Write the letter quickly. We’d be at a loss without it,” Madam Bao said, having experienced the convenience of tissue paper.

“Will do, Mother. I’ll write it now,” Bao Yunhong said.

The same enthusiasm for tissue paper was found in Wu Bingyi’s household as well, with everyone appreciating its utility and becoming fond of it after use.

At the residence of the National General.

” What are you planning to do now?” Tang Jinghong handed Lu Lizhang’s jade token, which commanded hidden forces, to Lu Yichen.

Lu Yichen, holding the jade token, showed little change in expression. “I’ll go see Yaqing first, then take over Lu Lizhang’s forces.”

Tang Jinghong advised, “Then be careful.”

Lu Yichen nodded, “Thanks. By the way, are you heading to the border soon?”

“Yes, in the next couple of days,” Tang Jinghong replied. “I’ll be back just before the New Year. Come to my place then, we’ll celebrate together.”

Lu Yichen’s face broke into a light smile, “That sounds great.”

“I’ll be waiting for you then.”

“Alright.” With a swift movement, Lu Yichen disappeared from the window, leaving no trace behind.

Tang Jinghong looked down, continuing with his paperwork.