Chapter 2: Self slapping

"Little Seven is back. Remember that day when you insisted on arguing with your sister, and she accidentally pushed you into the water?" Lin Xiyu spoke in a soft voice, not even looking at Lin Jinhuai.

Lin Jinhuai looked at her. Although she was the eldest daughter of the main family, she had learned the art of hiding her true feelings from the Madam. It was these traits that had led to her tragic fate in her previous life.

"Big sister, have you ever thought that being kind to others will lead to kindness in return?" Lin Jinhuai said calmly.

Lin Xiyu didn't understand why she suddenly brought this up and wasn't interested. She quickly looked back at the approaching person and said, "Little Seven said that."

Lin Jinhuai followed her gaze and saw the wife of the Imperial Censor. Instantly, she understood that in her previous life, Lin Xiyu had married the eldest son of the Wang family, and now it was probably time for the two families to discuss the marriage proposal.

Realizing this, Lin Jinhuai lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Since big sister understands, I won't say much more."

Seeing her sister's unexpected response, Lin Xiyu bit her lip in frustration but quickly grabbed Lin Jinhuai's hand and said softly, "Little Seven, if you're still angry, feel free to take it out on me." With that, she tried to slap Lin Jinhuai's face with her hand.

Lin Jinhuai's eyes flashed, and with all her strength, she delivered a slap that made Lin Xiyu stagger back two steps, almost falling over, and causing her hairpin to become crooked. This slap was the interest on the debt from their past life.

Confused by the sudden turn of events, Lin Xiyu was just about to react when the other ladies approached.

The Madam saw the red handprint on Lin Xiyu's face and was furious, but she restrained herself due to the presence of the Imperial Censor's wife. However, Lin Jinhuai, with red eyes and a trembling voice, said, "Big sister, why did you use so much force?"

Everyone had heard that it was Lin Xiyu who had asked Lin Jinhuai to slap her, and she had grabbed Lin Jinhuai's hand and hit herself.

Just as Lin Xiyu was about to lose her temper, she was glared at by the Madam, and she managed to force a smile. But before she could speak, Lin Jinhuai interjected, "Big sister, there's no need to be too concerned about this. It's not the first or second time, and I'm used to it. I won't take it to heart."

The Imperial Censor's wife was taken aback. Not the first or second time? That meant it wasn't an accident, but deliberate.

Lin Xiyu was flustered, and her headpiece trembled as she spoke, "When have I repeatedly pushed you into the water? It was clearly just this one time."

"Pushed me into the water? Didn't big sister say it was an accidental bump?" Lin Jinhuai looked puzzled before adding, "I know big sister was just teasing me, but I don't like this kind of joke. Please don't do it again."

The Imperial Censor's wife, with a hint of malice in her eyes, quickly pulled Lin Xiyu behind her and smiled at the wife of the Imperial Censor, "Jinhua has always liked to joke around. Madam Wang, it's getting late. Let me escort you back to your residence."

The Imperial Censor's wife had her own thoughts, and Lin Jinhuai had always been rumored to be timid and cowardly. Who would believe that she liked to joke around? She politely smiled at the Madam and then turned to Lin Jinhuai, saying, "Jinhua, when you have time, come and visit the Imperial Censor's residence. My daughter is about the same age as you and can keep you company."

Ignoring the Imperial Censor's wife's words, Lin Jinhuai nodded. Even if the Imperial Censor's wife hadn't said anything, she would have gone. The Imperial Censor was a rare honest man, and with his current abilities, it was not impossible for him to crush those wolves from her previous life.

After the Imperial Censor's wife left, Lin Xiyu immediately began to scold Lin Jinhuai, "Jinhua, have you taken the wrong medicine today?"

Lin Jinhuai knew it wasn't the time to confront them, so she hesitantly said, "Big sister, did I say something wrong? Should I go and explain to Madam Wang now?"

"No need, no need!" Lin Xiyu quickly stopped her, afraid that she might say something that would ruin her marriage with the Imperial Censor's residence. She frowned and glared at Lin Jinhuai, "Since I'm your sister, I won't hold it against you. But next time you go to the Imperial Censor's residence, you must let me know!"

Lin Jinhuai released her tightly clenched hand and nodded, "Big sister, rest assured, I will always listen to you from now on."

Seeing her agree to everything as before, Lin Xiyu's anger subsided, and she snorted before turning and leaving.

Once she was gone, Lin Jinhuai's eyes suddenly turned cold, and when the maid Bai Lan saw this, she was so frightened that she froze in place. That look, she had only seen it in the eyes of the master who had seen countless battles and killings, such intense killing intent and hatred, as if it had come from hell itself.

Seeing someone, Lin Jinhuai quickly regained her composure and looked calmly at Bai Lan, "Prepare something sharp that can harm someone."

"What do you need it for?"

"I need it to protect myself." Lin Jinhuai looked at Bai Lan, the loyal and steady maid who had been wronged and driven to suicide by the main family in her previous life, and felt a surge of bitterness in her heart.

Bai Lan, seeing her young mistress suddenly burst into tears, thought it was because of the loss of her mother and hurried forward, choking with emotion, "Don't worry, even if I die, I will protect you."

Lin Jinhuai's cold heart was warmed by Bai Lan's words, and she wiped away her tears, resolutely saying, "I won't let any of you die, absolutely not!" The sins of her past life would not be repeated on her, Lin Jinhuai!