Chapter 464: Chapter 462: Giving Red Envelope, Got into Trouble_1
 

Seeing the dark circles under her mother’s eyes, Lin Qingluo noticed that she was exhausted. She refrained from fueling their conversation further and instead urged her mother to rest.

“Your studies matter more, I am not tired.”

Ye Xue’e was consumed with concern for her daughter’s academic progress and stubbornly refused to rest.

“I’ve thought about my school situation. A delay of a year or two doesn’t matter.”

Lin Qingluo said casually with a smile, “There’s no harm in being registered at Mingshui Academy. I can participate in the County Exam directly after three years.”

“How can this be acceptable?”

Ye Xue’e knitted her eyebrows in disapproval, “You’re the Provincial Examination top scorer. So many eyes will be watching you. If you neglect your studies and fail the County Exam, wouldn’t that invite ridicule?”

“Mother, do you still not trust me?”

With a playful glint in her eyes, Lin Qingluo coaxed, snuggling up to her mother’s arm, “The level of the County Exam won’t pose a challenge to me.”

“Exactly, our bright Qingluo is so smart, how could she possibly fail the County Exam. No need for you to worry.”

Before Ye Xue’e could respond, the Duchess of Zhen found their conversation distasteful and impatiently interjected.

“Old Madam, my mother-in-law… ”

Caught off guard, Ye Xue’e blushed at the sudden reproach from the Duchess, her cheeks flushed with red.

“Grandmother, please don’t blame mother.”

With a wry smile, Lin Qingluo attempted to pacify both her mother and grandmother, “Mother is sincerely worried about my studies, she truly has my best interest at heart. I admit it’s my fault for being so playful and neglecting my studies.”

“If Qingluo doesn’t want to study then she doesn’t have to. Our ‘The Orb’ of Duke Zhen’s residence, even without formal schooling, still surpasses those uppity show-offs.”

Faced with her little granddaughter, the Duchess’s demeanor softened immediately and her old face, taut with wrinkles, broke out into a merry smile.

“Grandmother, if you praise me like this, I’ll become arrogant.”

A resigned smile came over Lin Qingluo, no wonder Lin Baozhu turned out the way she did, it was entirely the Duchess’s spoiling.

“Our Qingluo is perfect, no one can compare.”

Feeling elated at the compliment, the Duchess became even more excited and continued praising her.

“Huh.”

Witnessing this familiar scene unfold again, Ye Xue’e let out a disheartened sigh and firmly shut her mouth.

**

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the younger generation of the Lin Clan, led by Lin Jinzhou, made their rounds, visiting each courtyard to collect red packets.

Lin Qingluo was among them, happily trailing behind her older brothers. Her left hand held Little Twelve’s hand, her right hand was holding Little Thirteen’s, and she was going around paying respects to the elders.

The Old Master was elated, stroking his beard, and enthusiastically handed out red packets.

When it was Lin Qingluo’s turn, he gave her a double amount.

Lin Qingluo accepted the Old Master’s generosity graciously with a beaming smile and proceeded to stuff the red packets into her pocket-sized purse in front of her brothers.

The Duke and Duchess of Zhen sat upright, glowing with joy as they received their grandchildren’s New Year’s greetings and distributed red packets in order.

When it was Lin Qingluo’s turn, both husband and wife extended their hands at the same time, each wishing to pull their granddaughter to their side.

“Little Qingluo, Grandfather is giving you two big red packets.”

The Duke of Zhen moved swiftly, pulled his granddaughter to his side, and presented the red packets with a pleased smile.

“Hmph, just two? Grandmother is giving you double!”

The Duchess was not pleased and grabbed four red packets from the tray, flaunting them proudly, almost tossing them into the Duke’s face.

“Double? You’re brazen enough to boast about that?”

The Duke, without harboring any resentment, picked up six red packets and put them in his granddaughter’s hands: “Darling, Grandfather gives you eight.”

“Eight, what’s so great about that! Come here, Qingluo, Grandmother gives you sixteen, each one has a hundred taels of silver!”

The Duchess, not wanting to lose, picked a quarrel.

Lin Qingluo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

The other boys of the Lin Clan: “…”

Looking at the only one in their own hands, a small red packet containing ten taels of silver, they quietly lowered their heads.