The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1014: Chapter 991: Glory Amidst Chaos 59

Lin Lianshuang came to the Southern Yi firstly because she heard about the events here, knowing that Mr. Xiao swiftly quelled the rebellion and governed the area to prosperity. Although there were many garrisoned troops in Nanyi Prefecture, the civilians were not harmed at all.

The second reason was that Lin Lianshuang was pressured by the Li family.

This Li family was naturally the family of Noble Princess Consort Li.

Noble Princess Consort Li’s brother now holds office in Jiangnan; his wife passed away last year, and after completing the mourning, he wishes to marry Lin Lianshuang.

That Mr. Li had long heard of Lin Lianshuang’s talent and was wholeheartedly admiring, wanting to appoint her as his wife.

But Lin Lianshuang was unwilling.

Lin Lianshuang actually didn’t want to get married.

After her fiancé passed away, if she hadn’t chosen to remain a widow, her own father couldn’t have forced her due to her nature.

She truly didn’t wish to marry, didn’t want to be confined to the backyard all her life, so she let her father make a fuss.

She used some clever tricks at her husband’s home, had a falling out with the in-laws, and moved out; for convenience, she even became a Taoist nun.

She lived quite well as a Taoist nun, with peace and freedom, unwilling to return to the competitive backyard of an official family, so she firmly rejected Mr. Li’s proposal.

However, she never expected that Mr. Li wouldn’t be a magnanimous person. His one intention was to marry Lin Lianshuang, and even if she refused, he would find a way to make her agree.

He coerced and bribed her, and even thought of asking Noble Princess Consort Li to have Emperor Jingqing issue an imperial edict for marriage; Lin Lianshuang was cornered and thus left Jiangnan for Southern Yi.

Lin Lianshuang could see that Mr. Xiao of Nanyi Prefecture was a formidable leader, and on his territory, the Li family could do nothing to her.

Besides, when chaos descends upon the world, only the area of Nanyi Prefecture remains peaceful and tranquil, so she came over.

Of course, Lin Lianshuang endured quite a bit on this journey, but she was too smart and always managed to turn danger into safety.

After eating lotus seeds, Lin Lianshuang grabbed some melon seeds and began to nibble: ”Naturally, I did not wear women’s clothes on this journey, I disguised myself as a man.”

Xiao Yin listened as Lin Lianshuang recounted her experiences along the way, how she used strategies to evade robbers and bandits, how she persuaded merchant teams to accompany her; it all seemed particularly intriguing, and she was impressed by Lin Lianshuang’s cleverness.

”So you won’t return to Jiangnan?”

Xiao Yin asked Lin Lianshuang.

Lin Lianshuang smiled: ”No, returning holds no meaning, and with impending chaos in the world, I perceive everywhere to be chaotic save for Southern Yi; as a feeble woman, I fear my only refuge is Southern Yi.”

She smiled at Xiao Yin: ”I just took a stroll, and Nanyi Prefecture is indeed well-governed; commerce is thriving, and the people live peacefully. Despite outer turmoil, it hasn’t affected this place one bit; it appears Mr. Xiao is truly extraordinary.”

Xiao Yin nodded vigorously: ”Indeed, you saw those roads, didn’t you? They’re all paved with mortar, smooth and flat; whether walking or riding, the surface is stable, and even in rain or snow, the roads don’t get muddy. Also, you should visit the counties and villages below; they’re particularly clean too. The Prefecture City has already built roads leading to each county, and the roads for Ningyang Prefecture and Xifeng Prefecture have been completed too. By spring, more will lead to other prefectures.”

Lin Lianshuang pondered for a moment: ”Indeed, Mr. Xiao is ambitious; without moving the troops, he’s already swayed the people’s hearts, fully prepared, truly subjugating the enemy without a fight.”

Xiao Hui was momentarily stunned.

But Xiao Yin’s eyes flashed slightly.

”Ladies, may I request an introduction to Third Madam Xiao?”

Lin Lianshuang finished the melon seeds and bowed slightly.

”You?” Xiao Yin pointed at Lin Lianshuang with surprise: ”Do you know who we are?”

”Your words just now helped me deduce.” Lin Lianshuang smiled: ”Both of you are named Xiao and know the Southern Yi Prefecture thoroughly; I suppose, besides Mr. Xiao’s daughters, there are no others.”

Anning headed out with the group in the afternoon.

She took a carriage to East Street.

On East Street, there stood a seemingly dilapidated courtyard exteriorly; Anning had the carriage halt at the courtyard entrance. She alighted to knock on the door.

”Coming, coming.”

Soon, an elderly woman of about sixty dashed over to open the door.

Once open, the elderly woman saw Anning and quickly smiled to usher her inside: ”Madam, please come in.”

Anning walked inside with a smile.

In the room, several children were running about. The elderly woman handed them some dried fruits to play outside, then hurriedly wiped the tables and chairs, inviting Anning to sit.

Once seated, Anning asked the elderly woman: ”Has everything been prepared?”

The elderly woman nodded: ”Madam, everything is ready, and the items are complete.”

”That’s good.” Anning took out some silver with a smile: ”Take this to buy some things, and within days, I’ll arrange employment for your grandchildren in my manor.”

The old woman immediately beamed: ”Madam, rest assured; this old servant will do precisely as directed...”

”No, this old servant will expose the truth, unmask those two old schemes.”

”I have absolute trust in you.”

Anning smiled and stood up: ”Tomorrow morning, you should come to my manor.”

She examined the elderly woman’s attire: ”This won’t do; you must change your clothes. Think about how a beggar dresses and appears; just mimic that way.”

The elderly woman nodded vigorously: ”This old servant understands.”

As Anning walked out, she continued to remind: ”Treat that matter as if it’s real; even if it’s mere theater, it must become reality, no longer a facade.”

The elderly woman cheerfully escorted Anning to the door.

Having seen Anning off, she returned inside and collapsed onto a chair.

Her back was soaked in cold sweat.

”Master, Old Madam, you can’t blame this old servant; I’m left without options. This old servant has aged, and if death comes, so be it, but there are grandchildren to raise, hoping they’ll have a bright future.”

Anning strolled a bit more outside before returning home.

Back at home, she summoned Xiao Hui.

Xiao Hui came accompanied by Xiao Yin.

Seeing them arrive together, Anning asked with a smile: ”What, do you intend to introduce someone to me?”

Both weren’t surprised; others might not grasp Anning’s thoughts, yet Anning could discern others’ intentions with precision, especially theirs.

Xiao Yin sat down, took a sip of water, and remarked: ”It’s Lin Lianshuang.”

”It’s her indeed.”

Anning contemplated briefly: ”Not these two days; I have matters to attend to. Tomorrow, have Miss Lin at our manor; I’ll meet her in a few days.”

”We’ll invite her tomorrow, then.”

Xiao Hui queried.

Anning reconsidered: ”Actually, today is better; a young woman lodging at an inn outside is inconvenient, and since night hasn’t fallen yet, I’ll accompany you to fetch her.”

Anning instructed Chun Xing to call Xiao Fu: ”Fufu, prepare Linglang Courtyard; we expect a guest tonight.”

Without questioning whom, Xiao Fu had a few maids open the storeroom and summoned coarse maids to clean the courtyard. Once cleaned, she personally led the room setup.

Anning had the steward arrange the carriage; she, together with Xiao Hui and Xiao Yin, went to the inn.

Upon Anning’s arrival, Lin Lianshuang was quite surprised.

She hadn’t anticipated Third Madam Xiao arriving so promptly.

Lin Lianshuang had thought the Xiao family might send someone to invite her as a guest at the manor tomorrow, never expecting it would be Third Madam herself, nor at twilight.

Anning followed Lin Lianshuang to her guest room, entering straight to the point: ”Knowing that Miss Lin is here in Southern Yi, naturally I’d promptly invite you. I hope Miss Lin would honor us by stepping into my humble abode for a conversation.”

Lin Lianshuang wasn’t a pretentious person; she came to Southern Yi intending to accomplish something and responded with a smile and a bow: ”It’s my desire, yet dare not request it.”

She indeed had little with her, just some changes of clothing and several taels of silver, nothing else.

She bundled her clothes and pocketed the silver, following Anning directly.

Anning found Lin Lianshuang quite interesting indeed; her mannerisms were unlike those of a boudoir woman but rather exhibited some chivalrous spirit.