After Lin Yan unsealed the letter from Principal Gao, she learned who the Mr. Ye Xiu Yuan was looking for.
She had truly not expected that Ye Xiu Yuan had originally come to find her. It was just that Principal Gao had not told him any information about Qi Ming. So, he came to Shanghai prepared to find her through his own means.
In a way, he had found the right person by chance. However, Lin Yan had no intention of telling him that she was the Qi Ming he was looking for, at least not for now.
She did not intend to acknowledge this pen name, but the books still had to be sent to the capital.
Recently, she had secretly published a few more books, including textbooks and some academic papers and works. She planned to have someone she trusted send them to the capital after she left.
Since there was someone like Ye Xiu Yuan coming directly from the capital to find her, there would certainly be many others curious about her identity. She should add a few more layers of security to this identity of hers.
Putting aside Principal Gao's letter, Lin Yan took out stationery to write a reply to Principal Gao.
The next day, Lin Yan set off to return to her hometown. This time, besides bringing Zhang Ma, she also brought several bodyguards to ensure her safety.
Among these people were those hired by her father, Lin Fu, and others dispatched by Mr. Du.
Lin Fu had not yet realized the danger posed by Mr. Du, thinking that Mr. Du was ensuring Lin Yan's safety. As someone who could provide protection for his daughter, Lin Fu thought Mr. Du was quite a good person.
Lin Yan's family hometown was in a town in the south. The Lin family was a prominent gentry in the area, and the elder Mr. Lin was adept at managing affairs, so the Lin family was very wealthy.
By Lin Fu's generation, he had pursued a career in officialdom, so the family's industries were managed by his second brother's branch of the family. Lin Fu only received a portion of the profits.
As soon as Lin Yan arrived at the dock by boat, servants from the family were already waiting at the dock.
"Miss is back, Miss is back!" Amidst the servants' exclamations of joy, Lin Yan walked into the old mansion she had not returned to for many years.
Counting the time, she had not been back for about six or seven years. She should have returned after coming back from abroad, but she had been too busy.
Lin Yan first went to see her second uncle and second aunt, and then she saw the protagonist of the wedding.
"Sister, it's been a long time!" Lin Tong's complexion was somewhat pale, but he was refined and elegant, like a scholar.
He had been raised by the elder Mr. Lin. Before the age of twelve, he received a scholarly education, studying the Four Books and Five Classics. After twelve, he was sent to school to receive modern education.
Lin Tong, educated in this way, possessed the refined composure of an old-school scholar, but also the drive and ambition of a modern youth. It was a pity that he did not have the opportunity to study abroad, so his knowledge was still somewhat lacking.
"It has indeed been a long time. Brother Tong has reached the age to marry. After the wedding, Brother Tong will truly be an adult." Lin Yan teased her usually mature younger brother.
Her second uncle had many sons, but she only got along well with this younger brother.
"Sister is teasing me too." A blush crept onto Lin Tong's face.
"Father and I have prepared some wedding gifts for you, which have already been sent to your courtyard. I've also brought some books back for you."
"Thank you, Sister!" Upon hearing that Lin Yan had brought him books, Lin Tong's smile became much more genuine.
"I don't know the personality and preferences of my sister-in-law, so I prepared some gifts according to my own heart. I hope she won't mind."
"She will surely like the gifts Sister chose." When mentioning her, Lin Tong's gaze softened considerably.
This reassured Lin Yan. It seemed her father was right; Lin Tong was satisfied with this marriage himself.
Lin Yan and Lin Tong chatted further about his studies. Unintentionally, Lin Yan took his pulse.
From the moment she saw Lin Tong, she felt his health was not good. Upon taking his pulse, she discovered that Lin Tong had likely just recovered from a serious illness, but his body had been significantly weakened by it.
This wedding was probably related to his illness, as judging from his pulse, his illness had been extremely perilous.
"Brother Tong, I have some tonic pills. I'll bring you a few bottles later, and you should take one pill every day," Lin Yan said with some worry. "Your complexion doesn't look very good."
"When did Sister start preparing these medicines?"
"Take them, since they're for you. You must remember to take them."
Lin Yan did not explain the origin of the medicine to him. After all, she had not studied medicine, and if she said they were medicines she made, her family would likely be uneasy.
"Okay, I know Sister cares about my health, and I will eat them diligently," Lin Tong agreed to Lin Yan's words.
He had grown up with Lin Yan. Compared to his half-brothers, he had a better relationship with this older cousin.
On the wedding day, Lin Yan finally saw the beloved of her younger brother. She had been asked by Lin Tong to go to the bridal chamber to take care of the new bride.
This was an old-fashioned wedding, all according to traditional customs. The bride, with a red veil covering her face, waited in the bridal chamber for the groom to lift the veil.
Lin Yan stood beside Lin Tong, watching him lift the veil with anticipation. She also saw the shy, blushing face beneath the veil.
She was a very cute girl, likely only sixteen or seventeen years old, as her younger brother was only 19. The bride's makeup also made her look older than her actual age, making her appear a few years older. However, after Lin Tong went out to toast the guests, she washed off her makeup. Lin Yan had some food sent to her and then stayed in the bridal chamber with her.
"Sister, I've heard Brother Tong mention you. Thank you for the gift you sent me." She was poised and generous, lacking the shyness and reserve of a typical new bride.
"I'm glad you like it!" Lin Yan sat opposite her.
Lin Yan casually observed her new sister-in-law. Watching her nibble on the pastries on the table, Lin Yan seemed to understand why the little scholar of the family had taken a liking to her.
"Has Sister always been in Shanghai? What is it like there?" An Ran inquired curiously.
"Why don't you go and see for yourself?" Lin Yan poured her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her. "After your honeymoon with Brother Tong, have him take you to Shanghai for a visit."
"But Mother won't agree," An Ran whispered.
"Second Aunt will agree," Lin Yan said with certainty.
She was planning to take Lin Tong to Shanghai this time. She had already seen Second Aunt's illness. Although she appeared very frail, there was no serious problem.
She had already prepared some medicine for her Second Aunt. If she took it diligently, she would live longer than her second uncle.
Lin Tong had already been delayed for too long. She wanted him to see a broader world. Moreover, Lin Tong was already married, so Second Aunt could rest assured that he was leaving her side.
Lin Yan's intention to bring Lin Tong back also had her own considerations. Weren't those people always trying to use her marriage to gain her property and Lin Fu's connections?
If Brother Tong went there, they should realize that this plan of theirs would not succeed.