Chapter 137

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=1363950 This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com

"Mom, who's the lady in Grandpa's study? Is it Grandma?" Zuo Qinghuan asked Lin Jingxian coquettishly. There used to be one in Qin Zheng's study, and one in Qin Wanshu's study too. But after she asked Qin Wanshu not to hang it, she obediently put it away. Still, Zuo Qinghuan was curious about who the lady in the painting was. Lin Jingxian shook her head, saying the person in the painting wasn't her mother-in-law.

"They say the original model for that painting was Lin Zhang." Wanshu also copied one. She thought it looked nice and showed it to her mother, who exclaimed that the person in the painting resembled Lin Zhang back in the day.

"Who's Lin Zhang? Is she related to the Lin family?" Qin Wanshu became curious.

"That Lin Zhang is from the Lin family in Dongtai, not related to our Lin family in Xitai. The Lin family in Dongtai used to be even more prestigious than our Lin family and the Qin family. It's said that they always produced exceptional individuals, but their descendants dwindled, and their family's fortunes declined. By the time of Lin Zhang, there was only a lonely daughter left, and their family was somewhat impoverished. Nevertheless, they had a scholarly background. Lin Zhang was exceptionally talented, charming, and had an extraordinary demeanor, like a true immortal. She first married Zhao Yan, but later followed her husband's family to move far away. However, it's said that Zhao Yan passed away young, and due to the pressures of the times, Lin Zhang was forced to remarry. Who she remarried is unknown, especially in such turbulent times when one's own safety is uncertain, let alone having the leisure to care about others. Lin Jingxian only heard her mother mention it once or twice."

"Was Lin Zhang truly that extraordinary?" Zuo Qinghuan felt that the name Lin Zhang sounded familiar, but she couldn't recall where she had heard it before.

"Mm, Wanshu's grandmother only saw Lin Zhang once and said she was a woman unforgettable after just one encounter, elegant as jade, clear as water, and extraordinary like an immortal. It's a pity she was born in turbulent times. My mother has never given such high praise to anyone, so you can imagine how remarkable Lin Zhang was back then." Since the painting was displayed in the study, it was undoubtedly admired by someone.

"I've never heard of any interaction between your grandfather and Lin Zhang." Lin Jingxian wasn't clear about the specifics, and these were all old matters. If it weren't for that time when her mother saw Wanshu's copy of the painting and sighed a few words, who would remember Lin Zhang?

Qin Zheng also saw Lin Zhang only once, but that encounter was enough to astonish him for a lifetime, and it wasn't astonishment over her appearance. Even now, Qin Zheng could recall that glimpse with profound regret, wishing he had met her before she married. There was no interaction between Qin Zheng and Lin Zhang; it was merely a one-sided admiration from Qin Zheng.

"Qin Wanshu!" Zuo Qinghuan suddenly exclaimed from her bed.

"What's wrong?" Qin Wanshu, who had just closed her eyes, was startled by Zuo Qinghuan's sudden exclamation.

"It seems like Lin Zhang is my grandmother. My mother mentioned my grandmother once when I was a child, but I didn't pay much attention to it. Now, after trying hard to remember, I realize my grandmother's name was indeed Lin Zhang, and that jade bracelet was left to my mother by Lin Zhang." Zuo Qinghuan said excitedly.

Qin Wanshu looked at Zuo Qinghuan with astonishment. She had investigated Zuo Qinghuan's background before, and it was almost up to Zuo Yan. However, she really didn't know much about Zuo Yan's origins.

The woman she and her grandfather had displayed for so long turned out to be Zuo Qinghuan's grandmother. Somehow, it seemed destined that they would be connected.

"I find it hard to imagine how someone like Lin Zhang could have a daughter like my mother," Zuo Qinghuan sighed.

"Mothers and daughters are independent individuals, not necessarily alike," Qin Wanshu said, lifting her jade bracelet. Ever since Zuo Qinghuan gave it to her, she had been wearing it on her wrist. She realized that her connection with Zuo Qinghuan was somehow guided by Lin Zhang.

"Do you think Grandpa might have secretly admired my grandmother and raised you to resemble her?" Zuo Qinghuan asked whimsically.

Qin Wanshu thought for a moment, realizing there might be some truth to it.

"We really have a connection, Qin Wanshu," Zuo Qinghuan sighed.

“Mm," Qin Wanshu said, reaching out to embrace Zuo Qinghuan, who was still excited, and reminding her to go to sleep.