Wang Shi was greatly shocked. She stepped forward to cover Lin Dongling's mouth, tears streaming down her face as she scolded, "Have you lost your mind? What nonsense are you speaking! You foolish girl, Mother knows you must have been confused just now..."
Lin Dongling brushed Wang Shi's hand away and shouted, "He's not like that! Not like that at all! He... he loves me, but our family status is too high. He feared he couldn't match it and wanted to break up with me... It was me! I was the one who clung to him desperately, begging him to find a way. That's when he suggested having someone pretend to be a bandit to kidnap me for one night, then he would rescue me and return me to the mansion—all so he could marry me, just like in The Romance of the Western Chamber... He's a good man, truly devoted to me..." She broke down into choked sobs.
Lin Zhaoxiang's face turned ashen. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh after a long moment.
Wang Shi was dumbfounded. Never eloquent to begin with, she was now utterly panicked. Stumbling forward, she crawled to Lin Zhaoxiang's feet and kowtowed repeatedly, weeping bitterly: "Old Master, Ling Jie'er is just young and confused... She's a simple-minded child deceived by a villain. I beg you, please spare her, forgive her this once!"
Lin Jinting also knelt down, tears in his eyes: "My sister has been blinded by foolishness. I beg Grandfather to forgive her this time considering her youth. Elder Brother already punished her severely, and she knows she was wrong." After speaking, he cast a pleading look toward Lin Jinlou.
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow slightly. If Xianglan had returned unharmed and his dozen subordinates hadn't died, he might have pleaded for Lin Dongling too. But now he simply pretended not to see the look and said to Lin Zhaoxiang: "Du Bin and his gang killed over ten of my men. Unexpectedly, my concubine Xianglan managed to escape from the house with my mother and the others, then heroically rushed to the Bell Tower to sound the alarm, summoning nearby guards. He must have encountered the people who kidnapped Second Aunt while fleeing. Seeing pursuers approaching, he simply pretended to be loyal. But knowing the truth would eventually come out, he fled..."
Before he could finish, someone at the doorway said: "Oh my! What's going on here? It's not even New Year, yet everyone's kneeling and kowtowing." Lin Changmin walked in drunkenly as he spoke. Of medium height and slightly plump, he had a round face and dark complexion. He wore a semi-new tapestry silk ink splatter straight robe with a matching belt, showing no extravagance. He had been drinking with colleagues in the pleasure quarters, thoroughly enjoying himself, when the family sent for him. Stopped by the steward at the entrance, he had come directly to the Old Master's courtyard without changing clothes or freshening up.
Looking down and seeing Lin Dongling half-sitting on the floor, hair disheveled, face bruised purple, blood under her nose, and lips swollen beyond recognition—a truly pitiful sight—Lin Changmin was so startled that half his drunkenness vanished. He jumped up exclaiming: "My child! How did you end up like this! Who hurt you? I'll tear them to pieces!"
Lin Dongling, already full of self-pity, opened her mouth to wail upon hearing this.
Lin Zhaoxiang said coldly: "To raise children without teaching them is the father's fault. Come here and kneel before me!"Lin Dongling immediately stifled her sobs. Lin Changmin, who was always observant of others' expressions, glanced at Wang Shi's tear-streaked face and his father's furious countenance, realizing that Lin Dongling had likely caused trouble. He secretly cursed his daughter's troublesome nature but forced a smile as he knelt down, saying: "Father, please don't be angry. Getting upset during the year-end season might harm your health, which would be our fault as your descendants." Then he looked at Lin Dongling and asked, "Has Ling'er been mischievous again and upset you, Father?"
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow slightly. His second uncle might not excel at anything else, but he certainly possessed a silver tongue.
Lin Zhaoxiang let out a long sigh and said slowly: "This goes far beyond mere 'mischief'." He couldn't continue, sighed again heavily, closed his eyes, and took several deep, labored breaths.
Lin Changmin rolled his eyes and noticed Xue Zhan lifting the curtain to serve tea. He quickly stood up, took the tea from her, waved Xue Zhan away, opened the lid to check the color, and carefully presented it with a warm, smiling face: "Father, this is ginseng tea to calm your nerves. Please have a sip to moisten your throat..."
Lin Zhaoxiang suddenly opened his eyes, snatched the tea bowl from Lin Changmin's hands and threw it to the ground. Pointing at Lin Dongling, he sternly declared: "A young lady from a respectable family, lacking in virtue, actually engaging in an illicit affair with a guard—this is shameless and immoral! Being deceived into spreading pox within the mansion, endangering the lives of parents and relatives, causing seven or eight deaths—this is malicious and vicious! Luring her mother, aunt, and sister to a temple, nearly causing their deaths, and resulting in the loss of over a dozen guards' lives—this is unfilial and inhuman! Our family's misfortune has produced such a rebellious, beastly daughter. The Lin Family was almost destroyed by your hands!"
Each word cut like a knife, enough to make Lin Dongling consider taking her own life. She was stunned. She had thought Du Bin's night attack on the temple was for their secret affair, never imagining these hidden details. Though initially frightened upon hearing them, she had consoled herself that since everyone had returned safely, her grandfather wouldn't be too angry—at most, he would cane her, confine her, or make her kneel in punishment as before. She never expected Lin Zhaoxiang to unleash such thunderous fury.
Wang Shi couldn't hold back her tears, desperately covering her mouth with a handkerchief.
Lin Changmin was dumbfounded, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He repeatedly exclaimed: "What's going on? How could this be? Could there be a mistake?" Looking around and seeing Wang Shi and Lin Jinting kowtowing continuously while Lin Dongling looked utterly defeated, he understood the situation. His heart sank, but he forced another smile: "Ling'er is still young... She's always been a filial and sensible child. She must have been deceived... Or perhaps there's some misunderstanding?"
Lin Zhaoxiang's face was ashen: "What misunderstanding could there be at this point? We have both witnesses and evidence."
"But... but she shouldn't have been beaten like this. She's about to be engaged, soon to be with Marquis Yongchang..."
Lin Zhaoxiang flew into a rage, slamming the table and raising his voice: "Marquis Yongchang? How dare you mention Marquis Yongchang? A dignified young lady behaving so disgracefully—I'm utterly humiliated! How could we possibly marry such damaged goods to a marquis's household? Not only will the marriage not happen, we'll likely make enemies instead!"Lin Changmin was greatly alarmed and hurriedly said, "How can this be? The official matchmaker will be coming in a few days, and the marriage alliance with Marquis Yongchang is already set in stone... Father, Marquis Yongchang holds a high position and great power, and enjoys imperial favor. If we form a marriage alliance with him, the benefits are too numerous to count. This marriage is too grand an opportunity to miss. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. Lou'er, Lou'er, you know best about Marquis Yongchang's capabilities. Tell me, isn't what your second uncle said correct?"
Lin Jinlou remained expressionless, not even glancing at Lin Changmin, and didn't move a muscle.
Lin Changmin knelt down, shaking Lin Zhaoxiang's leg as he pleaded, "Father, even if Ling'er has countless faults, she is still a descendant of our Lin Family. Since she has already made a mistake, she should be allowed to atone for it through good deeds. She... she is still an extremely clever child. I will properly teach her from now on."
Lin Jinlou curled his lips into a mocking smile. Lin Zhaoxiang closed his eyes, his face turning bluish-purple. Seeing that the situation was turning bad, Lin Changmin gritted his teeth and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Although I don't know the full details of what happened, I understand that Ling'er has committed a grave mistake. It's all because she was foolish and misled by wicked people. Though I was unaware, I cannot escape responsibility. But as the saying goes, 'family troubles should not be aired in public.Ling acted recklessly in a moment of confusion and committed this unfilial deed, but after all, she is just an inexperienced child. Father, you are the wisest. Whether through beating or punishment, whatever Ling'er receives is what she deserves. By disciplining her, you are helping her learn her lesson. Why bother holding a grudge against a junior like her? Now that this has happened, fortunately no outsiders know about it. As the saying goes, 'family shame should not be made public.' We should continue to keep this matter under wraps. Ling'er is still my flesh and blood, and she is about to marry gloriously, bringing another distinguished son-in-law to the Lin Family. I must beg Father to take pains and efforts to protect her." As he spoke, he continued kowtowing without cease.
This speech truly made Lin Jinlou view him in a new light. He hadn't expected his idle, boastful second uncle to have developed such eloquent and sophisticated rhetoric—not only reasonable and sensible but also comforting to hear. Between the lines, he was still trying to protect Lin Dongling.
Wang Shi and others were still pleading for mercy. Hearing this, they quickly followed suit, kowtowing and saying, "Yes, yes! We beg Father to show mercy and spare her!"
Lin Zhaoxiang's gaze slowly swept over everyone, his face expressionless as he said, "It is the family's misfortune to have produced such an unfilial daughter. This is my fault for not maintaining strict control over the household. If she is not punished, it will be difficult to uphold justice, and the Lin Family will surely decline in the future!"
Then he looked down at Lin Changmin and said, "You waste your days without attending to proper business, only knowing how to wander and socialize outside, never thinking of returning home. You raise your children without educating them. From today onward, the family allowance will give you only ten taels of silver per month. If that is not enough, use your official salary! If I find out that you have done something disgraceful because you lack money, don't blame me for enforcing family discipline."Lin Changmin was greatly alarmed. Unlike the prosperous eldest branch, he held a nominal position with no extra income, relying entirely on the family's silver for expenses. Otherwise, his meager salary wouldn't even cover a single night of extravagant spending. Originally, Lin Changmin had always disliked Wang Shi. Although Wang Shi had eyes like autumn water and fair, plump skin—making her quite a beauty—and though the two had once been deeply attached, she possessed a muddled mind, often acting erratically and lacking the subtlety to understand others' intentions. After she made several mistakes that displeased him, their relationship soured. With his official career stagnant and no skill in managing assets, Lin Changmin began eyeing Wang Shi's dowry whenever he needed silver, leading to frequent quarrels until they became outright enemies. Lin Changmin then sought out several women outside—all widows who had lost their husbands but possessed substantial silver. Though Lin Changmin was ordinary in appearance, he was eloquent and skilled in sweet talk. Combined with his prestigious family background and some charm, these women believed they had found lifelong support and attached themselves to him, willingly providing him with silver. Thus, even though he had taken two or three beautiful concubines, he spent his days running outside, rarely returning home.
Just as Lin Changmin was about to plead for mercy, he heard Lin Zhaoxiang say to Wang Shi, "Ling has become like this entirely because you usually fail to distinguish right from wrong and have indulged and spoiled her relentlessly. Do you admit this?"
Wang Shi sobbed and choked, unable to speak.
Lin Zhaoxiang's expression darkened. Although his second daughter-in-law was somewhat muddle-headed, she was also gentle and kind-hearted. Lin Changmin had never treated her well, and truth be told, she had endured some hardship as a daughter-in-law in the Lin Family. Softening at heart, he sighed and said, "From today onward, Ting Ge'er will move to my courtyard to live with Yuan Ge'er. I will personally supervise him so he can focus on his studies behind closed doors."
Wang Shi's knees went weak. She understood that the Old Master was ultimately displeased with her and would no longer allow her son to stay with her.
The room fell silent, with people kneeling densely on the floor. Lin Zhaoxiang gazed at Lin Dongling for a long time, filled with anger, disappointment, and sorrow. This was the little granddaughter he had once held in his arms. Though she had a willful temper, she had also been straightforward and warm-hearted. Now she had become like this...
Lin Zhaoxiang's throat moved, and he said hoarsely, "Tomorrow morning, we will announce the funeral, saying that the Lin Family's third young lady died suddenly during the night. Due to her young age, the funeral will not be grand."
As his words fell, the room became as silent as a graveyard.
Suddenly, Wang Shi screamed, "No! No!" She crawled to Lin Zhaoxiang's feet, crying until her whole body convulsed, and begged, "Father! Father! I beg you! Spare Ling! I am willing to take her place!"
Lin Zhaoxiang said woodenly, "Second Son is right. After all, she is a descendant of the Lin Family. I naturally cannot let her die. Send her to the Manor first. Later, she can change her name and marry. The Lin Family will provide her with a dowry."
Lin Changmin forced a smile and said, "Father has always been wise. Even if Ling Jie'er has countless faults, the brutal beating on her face has already humiliated her enough. I beg you to give her a way out..."
Lin Zhaoxiang said sharply, "Prepare the carriage and horses! Later, have her sent out quietly!" He stood up leaning on his cane, said to Lin Dongxiu, "Fourth Girl, come with me," then glanced at Lin Jinlou and added, "Lou, you come too." With that, he slowly walked back to his room.Wang Shi wept and screamed, scrambling on her hands and knees to clutch at Lin Zhaoxiang's robe. Lin Zhaoxiang turned his head and said coldly, "Enough! There is no room for reversal in this matter. If she continues making a scene, just give her a cup of poisoned wine or shave her head and send her off to be a nun!"
Wang Shi immediately withdrew her hand, hiccupping incessantly as she cried until she was breathless. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted dead away.
Lin Dongling had already become stupefied, staring blankly with tears streaming down like rolling melons.
Lin Jinlou felt as if all his strength had been drained, dragging his leaden legs as he followed behind his grandfather. Suddenly, he heard a heart-wrenching wail from behind. Lin Dongling screamed hoarsely, "No! I won't! I won't leave the Lin Family! I won't leave the Lin Family!" The cry was truly too agonizing. Lin Zhaoxiang's steps faltered slightly, but he entered the inner chamber without looking back.
Lin Jinlou stepped forward to support Lin Zhaoxiang as he sat in the rattan rocking chair, then personally brewed fragrant tea using Lin Zhaoxiang's customary Xishi breast-shaped teapot and presented it to him. Lin Dongxiu trembled like a sieve, kneeling before Lin Zhaoxiang the moment she entered the room.
Lin Zhaoxiang took the Xishi teapot in his hand, drank directly from the spout, closed his eyes, leaned back in the rattan chair and let out another long sigh. After quite a while, he finally said leisurely, "Fourth girl, why didn't you tell your mother about Third girl's disgraceful behavior?"
Lin Dongxiu had been scared half to death by Lin Zhaoxiang's ruthless handling of Lin Dongling's case. From now on, Lin Dongling would be struck from the Lin Family records, and she feared that a mourning tent would be erected outside the gates in a few days. From this day forward, she would no longer be the legitimate young lady of the Lin Family. In the future, she wouldn't even be able to secure a marriage into a moderately respectable family. If her parents and brothers still cared for her, she might receive some family protection, otherwise... Lin Dongxiu shuddered.
Thank you Ning Ruoying for the sachet, qian20051978 for three Peace Talismans, damima for two Peace Talismans, Moonlight Orchid, Junxi812, Real Falsehood, and Wildman lyg for the Peace Talismans. Also thank you everyone for the pink votes^_^
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