Chapter 628: Chapter 626: Undercurrents Surging
Later, Lin Wanwan sent a card and paid a visit to Empress Xiao once, gifting her with peonies bought in the modern age, which indeed pleased her greatly.
Itâs hard for a flower lover to resist new varieties, especially when these are among the four famous peony breeds passed down through thousands of years.
Apart from this social interaction, Lin Wanwan continuously received banquet invitations from various madams and ladies who attended the spring festival on that day, feeling somewhat exhausted but unable to refuse.
Ah, such social engagements are much more tiring than memorizing medical books or practicing martial arts for Lin Wanwan; itâs mentally and spiritually draining!
Fortunately, sheâs living in an estate outside the city, otherwise, the social commitments would be even more demanding.
On this day, Aunt Xiao brought a few daughters from the Pang Family over for a visit, and Lin Wanwan prepared a good feast to entertain them.
However, Lin Wanwan refused Aunt Xiaoâs request to accompany her to the Duke Song Mansion to visit her nominal future mother-in-law, Ms. Wu, which ultimately led to an unjoyful parting.
For Lin Wanwan, who has no requests from Aunt Xiao, of course, she wouldnât agree to the request due to some "blood kinship".
In fact, Lin Wanwan doesnât care about this relative, Aunt Xiao, at all. Let alone that sheâs an impostor, even if she were a real aunt, what kinship could possibly exist after more than twenty years of not interacting.
It was just that after Aunt Xiao angrily left Lin Wanwanâs estate that day, a few days later, she turned cheek and wrote a letter again as if nothing happened, inviting Lin Wanwan to go to a temple with her to offer incense.
Lin Wanwan does not have faith in Buddhism and has little interest in offering incense.
But considering the other party is an elder, she couldnât completely ignore her face; having refused her once, rejecting further would risk her speaking ill of Lin Wanwan everywhere, ruining her reputation.
After all, this is a society that respects teachers and elders, where elders have a natural control over juniors.
Since Lin Wanwan is in Changâan, she still needs to adapt to local customs.
Aunt Xiao is not much of a concern, but since Empress Zhangsun had recently assigned her a ceremonial female official, if rumors spread, it would be a slap to the Zhangsun family, with unpredictable consequences.
So after much consideration, Lin Wanwan agreed to Aunt Xiaoâs invitation.
The temples in Great Tang are quite different from those in later periods, not just places to worship Buddha but also serving multiple functions like hospitals, bathhouses, kindergartens, elementary schools, hotels, social venues, etc.
It might be worth visiting to see the temples in Changâan City.
In Great Tang, aside from Aunt Xiao causing Lin Wanwan some distress, Li Tai also approached her about the matter of alcohol, which Lin Wanwan avoided.
Although Elder Sun supported the credit for the alcohol formula, allowing her to brew wine at ease, Lin Wanwan did not want to be too high-profile.
Right now money is enough, modest wealth brings peace, in a place like Changâan City, being too wealthy is dangerous, as she is not Xiao Chongâs real wife and canât leverage much of the Lanling Xiao familyâs influence.
In modern times, Lin Wanwan feels much more comfortable, as overall society is more relaxed.
She follows her mentor to copy prescriptions and learn medicine, with any doubts, she can consult Mentor Liang of the modern age or seek Elder Sun back in Great Tang.
Under the guidance of two renowned physicians, Lin Wanwanâs medical skills are advancing rapidly.
The electronic version of that box of medical books has been made public, showcasing the private museum inherited by Lu Shouyue from his grandfather, greatly enhancing his reputation in the fields of traditional Chinese medicine and antiques.
Since Lin Wanwan does not want to be too high-profile, she has not publicly disclosed her identity as the donor.
What is a hot potato to Lin Wanwan is not difficult for Lu Shouyue to handle, thanks to his unconventional approach.
Mentor Liang is very curious about the batch of ancient medical books preserved so well, especially making a trip back to Yongcheng with Lin Wanwan to personally visit the museum where the ancient medical books are displayed in glass cabinets.
"Wanwan, see how wise our forefathers were." Mentor Liang observed the originals of these ancient medical books and couldnât help but sigh, "There are many ancient prescriptions here that have been lost, their emergence this time is truly a great blessing for our traditional medicine community! Young Lu is quite good! The philanthropic donor who donated these ancient books is truly virtuous, we should learn from them."
"Teacher is right!" Seeing Mentor Liangâs excited look, Lin Wanwan secretly rejoices in her heart, as Teacher Lu gets praised in passing, yet she is hiding her achievements and name!
Because Lin Wanwan has taken Mentor Liang as a teacher, Lu Shouyue also became familiar with him.
Although he doesnât know Lu Xingjianâs identity as the only son, he has seen his wealth.
After all, ever since Lu Shouyue had a minor car accident, coupled with the incident of a Hong Kong socialite being murdered, he has always had bodyguards accompanying him, traveling with at least two luxury cars, which clearly indicates heâs not an ordinary wealthy person.
Recently, Lin Wanwan also feels that Lu Shouyue is somewhat strange; heâs already spent many days without leaving the Ancient City, whereas before, he often flew around for business, his business territory mainly around the Yangtze River Delta.
When Lin Wanwan learned that Lu Shouyue, without making a sound, had opened a branch of Buzhou Studio in the Ancient City, she felt both surprised and that it made sense.
For Lu Shouyue, whose wealth could last dozens of lifetimes, investing anywhere is not surprising, money generating money is always easier than creating something from nothing.
Staying in the Ancient City for so long this year, simply lecturing at Ancient Capital University cannot satisfy his ambition.
Living a constantly smooth life, Lin Wanwan has not noticed Lu Shouyueâs changes, but Lu Shouyue has been secretly observing Lin Wanwan all along.
The peonies that Lin Wanwan bought saying she would gift someone, had vanished mysteriously after being brought into her courtyard!
Lu Shouyue casually mentioned it, and Lin Wanwan just said that she had already given them away.
She hadnât thought that Lu Shouyue was always keeping an eye on that pot of peonies.
Since having this suspicion about Lin Wanwan, the more Lu Shouyue observes, the more doubts he sees.
Lin Wanwanâs abnormalities are already evident on the surface, yet Lu Shouyue pretends to be ignorant and doesnât break it.
Heâs read many books on time travel, from science fiction to fantasy, serious analysis to pure imagination, all sorts.
The edge of science is mysticism, just like how ancient people who did not understand physics and chemistry viewed physical and chemical phenomena as mystical.
Time travel, perhaps itâs something modern civilization cannot explain for now, belonging to the future civilization.
Originally, Lu Shouyue intended to secretly arrange personnel to protect Lin Wanwan, as one of the most vicious tomb robbers from the group plotting against her last time had escaped.
But now, having guessed Lin Wanwan has a big secret, he instead chooses not to follow her secretly.
Given Lin Wanwanâs carefree personality, heâs afraid sheâd slip up in front of outsiders, which would be disastrous.
So recently, he has delegated work to his subordinates, leaving only tasks that require his personal input; other tasks are postponed.
Right now, he wants to ensure Lin Wanwanâs safety, not daring to leave her until that fugitive is caught.
Tomb robbers accustomed to living underground are more contemptuous of life than ordinary people, making them more dangerous.
This intense action may drive that remaining person to desperate measures.
In fact, Lu Shouyueâs caution is essential, were it not for his protection nearby, preventing that person from finding an opportunity, Lin Wanwan indeed might have encountered danger.