Inlaid With Jade - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 
Qiqi 
 
Lin Yu did not expect to meet Li Heming outside the Wu Gate. Yingtianfu was so big, but she ran into him twice a few days, so unlucky. Although her heart was annoyed, she could not show it on her face, so she gently pursed her lips and nodded slightly, “Master Li.” 
  
An official who walked with Lin Jing in the distance had sharp eyes and saw Lin Yu. He raised his hand and pointed to her from afar, “Mr. Lin, is that your sister standing beside the carriage?” 
  
Lin Jing turned his head to look, and at first glance, he noticed Li Heming on the black horse in a flying fish suit before seeing Lin Yu, who was like a willow. 
  
When he saw this, he frowned fiercely. This surnamed Li could stand anywhere, so why was he standing before his little sister? Did he think that there were not enough unpleasant words in the capital?
  
Seeing this, Lin Jing immediately bid farewell to the officials traveling with him, striding towards Lin Yu and shouting, “Qiqi, come here!” 
  
Qiqi was Lin Yu’s nickname. When she was young, she left a table full of scriptures and writing materials untouched, turned around, and asked her nanny to carry her to the yard. She stretched out her hand to grab a handful of lush green sycamore leaves, so Father Lin called her Qiqi.

‘The grass and trees are lush, and the daughter is as beautiful as flowers; he hopes she will be safe and healthy.’
  
Lin Yu heard Lin Jing calling her, so she wanted to say goodbye to Li Heming. But before she could say anything, she heard Li Heming say flatly, “Qiqi?”
  
How could others casually call her nickname? Except for her parents, brother, and sister, no one else had ever called Lin Yu “Qiqi.” Lin Jing was also anxious momentarily, so he yelled this sentence on the street.
  
Lin Yu was startled suddenly, and her ears immediately reddened. She didn’t expect Li Heming to be so ignorant of etiquette. Ashamed and angry, she scolded without thinking, “Presumptuous!”
  
It seemed that the second lady of the Lin family never scolded a man outside the family. Her tone was stiff as if she were scolding a servant at home. But Li Heming was the Northern Imperial Guards Chief, who was in charge of the bloodstained imperial prison; it was always him who used a harsh tone toward the criminals, and few people in the capital dared to scold him harshly.
  
Since Li Heming became the Northern Imperial Guards Chief, countless officials have died at his hands. If you offend him and he catches you by mistake, a trip to the imperial prison would be considered a light punishment. The most terrifying thing is if he found your dirty secrets, you’d be beheaded.
  
After Lin Yu finished scolding him, she immediately realized this, and as if she regretted it, she lowered his eyes to avoid his cold gaze. Li Heming didn’t expect to be scolded mercilessly in the street just because he called her by nickname. He glanced at her and smiled coldly. Feeling uninterested, he pulled the reins and left directly.
  
Lin Jing quickly walked to Lin Yu, and Lin Yu called out, “Brother.” 
  
Lin Jing frowned and looked at Li Heming’s back, who was entering the palace. He indignantly said, “What did he say to you?” 
  
Lin Yu shook her head, “Nothing.” 
  
Lin Jing didn’t believe her, “Why did he bother you if he didn’t say anything?” 
  
“He did not say anything, but ……” Lin Yu worried: “He heard you call my nickname and repeated it for no reason. I was anxious and scolded him. I’m worried he would hold a grudge against me.”

Calling her by nickname was not a big mistake. Lin Yu scolded him because of the marriage withdrawal. However, Lin Jing was more indiscriminate than her and angrily said, “He called your nickname? How dare he! He’s not our family. How can she call your nickname!” 
  
Lin Yu was so anxious that she raised her hand to cover his mouth. “Brother! Keep your voice down. The capital is full of his ears.” 
  
When Lin Jing heard this, he frowned and glared. A vague voice came from Lin Yu’s palm: “What if he heard it? My Lin family has been innocent for generations. Why would I be afraid of him!”
  
Lin Yu was helpless: “There is no one in the capital, but what about the branches?”
  
Lin Jing froze and then stopped. Looking at his expression, he was still very dissatisfied with Li Heming’s behavior. 
  
Seeing that Lin Jing was quieter, she let go of her hand, but in her heart, she wondered if she should ask the servants to apologize and settle this matter once and for all. 
  
Lin Jing looked at her expression and knew what she was thinking. He said solemnly, “If you dare to stoop low in front of him over this matter, I’ll break your legs!” 
  
Lin Yu sighed, “You’re scaring me again. Apart from gods, when have I ever bowed down before anyone else? Brother, you’re looking down on me too much.” 
  
She has always been polite when doing things. Lin Jing glanced at her, not quite believing, but didn’t expose it. He stroked his sleeve and asked, “Don’t mention him. Why do you wait for me here today?” 
  
Lin Yu smiled embarrassedly, “I saw a hairpin in a jade store. The style is new, but I didn’t bring enough money.” 
  
Lin Jing raised his eyebrows, “I knew it. There’s no such thing as being solicitous.” 
  
Lin Yu smiled at him, “Brother, accompany me to buy it.” 
  
Lin Jing made a “hmm” sound, looked around, and asked, “Where is your maid? Are you going alone?” 
  
“Zelan went to help me stand in line to buy sugar cakes.” 
  
Hearing this, Lin Jing lifted the carriage curtain and looked inside. Seeing the mountains of snacks, he tsked. “No wonder there isn’t enough money.” 
  
However, Lin Jing didn’t like to carry money when he went to court, and he didn’t even take his purse. He felt around his body several times but didn’t find a single cent.
  
Lin Yu saw this and looked at him with some disappointment. Lin Jing helplessly spread his hands, “I can’t. I didn’t bring money.” 
  
Father Lin, whom the Emperor had dragged to discuss things, slowly exited from the Wu Gate when they were talking and walked toward them. “Why did you two not go home?” 
  
As soon as he finished asking, he saw his pair of filial child turn their heads to look at him, but that gaze only stopped for a moment on his face before moving downward, staring at the money bag on his waist. 
  
Lin Zhengqing: “……?”