After refusing marriage, she was pampered by the prince who acted as a shield.

Chapter 26: A Strange Place

Realizing that her actions had startled Lin Ruqin, she quickly lowered her arms and explained in a panic, "Sister, don't misunderstand."

"I just wanted to see if you were alright."

As she spoke, she looked Lin Ruqin up and down with concern, her eyes filled with worry.

He also told her to be careful when walking in the future and not to fall, etc.

Lin Ruqin looked at Lin Rusi with utter bewilderment. Why didn't she take action?

In the past, Lin Rusi would have already raised her hand to hit her, but this time she not only didn't lay a hand on her, but was also concerned about her.

Seeing that Lin Ruqin didn't react for a while, Lin Rusi thought she was not feeling well, "Sister, are you really okay?"

She blinked and moved a little closer to Lin Ruqin.

Lin Ruqin felt a jolt, as if she had been electrocuted, and took a few steps back.

Lin Rusi stood there, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "I just wanted to see if you were feeling unwell, sister."

"No, I'm not feeling unwell."

Lin Ruqin frowned and said somewhat flusteredly, "I suddenly remembered that I have other things to do, so I'll have to go first."

Before Lin Rusi could speak, she turned and left without looking back, as if she were running away.

Looking at her retreating figure, Lin Rusi was completely baffled.

Even though the relationship between the two of them has improved, why is she still acting so scared?

Could it be that her expression was too fierce?

Lin Rusi rubbed her face, somewhat puzzled, but there was nothing strange about it.

Or is it that things are progressing too fast, making Lin Ruqin uncomfortable?

Lin Ru couldn't figure it out, so she asked Hongxiu.

"Hongxiu, do you find her scary?"

Hongxiu paused for a moment, then quickly glanced at Lin Rusi's face and shook her head. "Miss is a beauty of unparalleled grace, not frightening at all."

Lin Rusi rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "I'm not asking you to flatter me, just tell the truth."

"It's not scary."

"Miss, what's wrong with you?"

Lin Rusi has been acting very strangely for the past few days.

Perhaps Lin Rusi has other plans.

Thinking of this, Hongxiu's heart tightened, and she became even more wary of Lin Rusi.

"If I'm not scary, why does Lin Ruqin run away when she sees me?"

"I just wanted to say a few words of concern to her."

She sighed and looked genuinely concerned about Lin Ruqin.

As for whether it was genuine concern or not, Hongxiu couldn't tell either.

Her eyes darted around, and she walked to Lin Rusi's side, whispering a reminder: "Master, perhaps the eldest young lady isn't afraid of the second young lady."

"what is that?"

Lin Rusi frowned, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Is someone bullying her? Is she having a hard time?"

Hongxiu nodded, "Miss Chang's monthly salary has been reduced by the nanny, and she has to live frugally every day, barely making ends meet."

"I accidentally bumped into Miss again. I was worried that Miss would be angry, and I was also afraid that Miss would complain to the nanny, so I ran away."

Lin Rusi nodded, agreeing with Hongxiu's point.

Hongxiu glanced at Lin Rusi cautiously out of the corner of her eye, and asked hesitantly, "Miss, what are your plans?"

She gripped her knuckles tightly, her heart pounding, afraid that Lin Rusi would target Lin Ruqin again.

Unexpectedly, Lin Rusi did not intend to pursue the responsibility of Lin Ruqin for bumping into her. Instead, she wanted to take her to the accounting office to resolve the issue.

When Lin Rusi suddenly arrived at the accounting office, the clerks working there all bowed to her tremblingly, afraid of doing something wrong and displeasing her.

Seeing the fear and anxiety on the faces of her men, Lin Rusi felt a little guilty.

She has committed far too many sins in the past; we must change these people's preconceived notions about her.

"Where is Granny He?"

Lin Rusi looked around but couldn't find any trace of Granny He.

A young maidservant approached timidly and whispered, "Second Miss, what brings you to see Granny He?"

"This servant has already sent people to look for them."

Lin Rusi said amiably, "It's nothing, I have something to ask Granny He."

A short while later, Granny He came over with her head down and small, quick steps. "Second Miss."

Granny He frowned, looking tense and apprehensive.

Lin Rusi sighed. She wasn't some man-eating monster, so why were they all so afraid of her?

Lin Rusi stepped forward and gently took He Mama's hand.

"Granny, I just have a question I want to ask you."

"What's the problem?"

Lin Rusi cut to the chase: "I'm very curious why the nanny is withholding my sister's monthly allowance."

"Although it's already spring, the weather is still a bit chilly. My sister isn't well-off to begin with, and if she's cut back on her allowance, won't she be in a very difficult situation?"

Granny He frowned, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, somewhat frightened.

Lin Rusi stared intently at Granny He, her attitude hardening. "Granny He, you should give my sister the right amount of money. You can't keep withholding her money without reason."

"As long as the deducted money is paid back, this matter will be over."

"Miss, this...this isn't quite appropriate."

Granny He looked troubled, but more than that, she didn't understand. "Second Miss, there has been a constant withholding of funds over the years, why are you doing this now..."

"The past is the past, the present is the present. From now on, you are not allowed to deduct your sister's monthly allowance arbitrarily."

Granny He stood motionless, and Lin Rusi frowned. "Granny, what do you mean by this?"

Granny He approached Lin Rusi, lowered her voice, and whispered in a voice that could only be heard by the two of them, "Second Miss, this matter is Madam's intention."

"Without Madam's order, this servant dares not."

Si Yu has always disliked Lin Ruqin and couldn't tolerate her, so it's not surprising that he cuts off her monthly allowance.

But things are different now; Lin Rusi is determined to handle this matter.

“Granny He, even my mother has moments of confusion.”

"If there's really no way to make up for it, then I'll use my monthly allowance to cover the amount deducted from my sister's allowance."

Upon hearing Lin Rusi's words, Granny He's pupils constricted, and her gaze towards her held a hint of disbelief.

She even doubted her own ears. How could Lin Rusi, who had always disliked Lin Ruqin, say such a thing?

"Second Miss, are you... are you feeling unwell?"

Otherwise, how could he have said such shocking things?

Lin Rusi blinked and smiled at Granny He, "I'm fine."

"I will explain to my mother myself, so don't worry, Granny."

Granny He hesitated for a moment, but Lin Rusi's face darkened and her eyes turned cold.

Granny He shuddered and muttered, "This old servant should give the money that was withheld to the Second Miss."

After receiving the withheld monthly allowance, Lin Rusi handed it directly to Hongxiu.

Hongxiu froze, looking at Lin Rusi with a blank expression.

"Second Miss, this is..."

"Go and deliver it to my sister."

Hongxiu's eyes widened as she looked at the monthly allowance in her hand and then at Lin Rusi, as if she had seen a ghost.

Lin Rusi patted her shoulder and urged, "You don't want to see your sister freezing and suffering from the wind, do you?"

Red-sleeved Little Chicken Pecking Rice Worm nodded, took the money, and ran towards Warm Spring Pavilion.

Inside Nuanchun Pavilion.

Hongzhi and Hongxiu stood together, looking at each other, not daring to breathe.