Reason Falls on Deaf Ears

"Miss Lin has been bullied. Second Miss is leading a group of people in the Main Buddha Hall to insult Miss Lin."

The matter caused quite a stir, and even A Fu heard about it.

He dared not fail to tell the Prince.

Qi Lingheng hadn't even left Ci'en Temple when he frowned and asked, "The Lin family's Madam just stood by and watched her daughter cause trouble outside?"

He had never seen such a well-mannered noblewoman before.

A Fu said, "Madam quickly chased away the onlookers, took her own daughter away, and left Miss Lin and Xiruo unattended."

What do you mean by "abandoning it"?

Qi Lingheng's voice was cold.

A Fu said, "... She stayed in the Main Buddha Hall, and then went to draw lots before getting into the Lin Residence's carriage."

Qi Lingheng smiled faintly, "The Lin Residence is really too good to her!"

His eyes were very cold, and A Fu was afraid.

"Your Prince, where are you going?"

"Go find the Zhao family, find your maternal uncle."

A Fu was relieved. He said, "This servant thought you were going to the Lin Residence in person... Wouldn't that ruin the young lady's status!"

"I am not that impulsive."

If his maternal uncle causes trouble for the Lin family, Lin Huabin won't have an easy time either.

Qi Lingheng strode out and left with his guards.

A Fu followed, Qi Lingheng said, "You don't need to come along."

"That, that servant girl..."

"Go find the person I told you to find now."

Qi Lingheng and A Fu split up and went their separate ways.

He had dealt with Lin Yunwan several times and knew her personality. She didn't like to wallow in self-pity or complain to others. When she encountered trouble, she preferred to wait until she was completely confident before striking decisively.

I will help you to be completely safe.

She was always worried about owing him, as if doing too much would be unacceptable to her. It was good that she was already willing to ask him for help; he could take his time.

"Maternal uncle, someone is bullying your daughter."

When Qi Lingheng arrived at the Zhao family's house, his maternal uncle was playing with the parrot under the eaves.

"Didn't the Prefect go to Ci'en Temple with you? How did you end up here?"

Qi Lingheng said, "I thought he was too long-winded, so I sent him away and wandered around for a bit before coming back."

The uncle and nephew went inside and sat down together, and a maid came in to serve tea.

Zhao Jingyi waved for the maid to leave, and after a long pause, he slammed his hand on the table and asked, "Who bullied my daughter!"

How come I didn't know?

He hadn't heard about it!

Qi Lingheng laughed and said, "Maternal uncle, have you forgotten? You have a beloved daughter in the Lin Residence."

Zhao Jingyi was taken aback and said, "Yes. Is she having a hard time at the Lin Residence? Who's bullying her?"

Qi Lingheng then said, "I also happened to bump into them at Ci'en Temple."

They talked about what happened at Ci'en Temple.

Zhao Jingyi frowned as he listened, cursing, "That Lin Huabin! I heard he's a very benevolent official, which is why I gave him the person you entrusted to me as my daughter. I even gave him half a winery..."

And some promises that cannot be measured in silver.

"How dare he be so perfunctory!"

Qi Lingheng said calmly, "There are many good people in officialdom. Being a good official doesn't equate to being a good father."

Zhao Jingyi was very embarrassed.

Although he is the maternal uncle, he never acts like maternal uncle in front of his nephews and nieces.

Therefore, the younger generation is very close to him.

Otherwise, why would my nephew entrust his old friend's daughter to his care?

This time, it was because he failed to find a good father for his "daughter".

Zhao Jingyi said, "I'll go find him right now!"

I took one step and then realized something was wrong.

"Your Prince, didn't you say she was just the daughter of an old friend with nowhere to go? Why are you so concerned?"

Qi Lingheng said, "Maternal uncle, I'm not concerned about a girl. I'm concerned about your reputation."

Zhao Jingyi confused. "What do you mean?"

Qi Lingheng said in a calm tone, "Lin Huabin is two-faced, saying one thing to your maternal uncle and another behind your back. Do you think he respects you?"

"To disregard you, maternal uncle, is to disregard me, the King."

"That girl's matter is insignificant, but maternal uncle, it's about your reputation, and my reputation..."

Zhao Jingyi was furious.

He frowned and said, "He really doesn't respect me at all!"

He only held a sinecure in Jiangqian. His older siblings supported him at home, and he mainly looked after the old house. He enjoyed growing flowers and playing with birds, while his wife took care of the household chores.

He also knew that some people looked down on him behind his back.

But why should Lin Huabin look down on him? He was really good to Lin Huabin and trusted him completely!

How dare Lin Huabin betray his trust!

Zhao Jingyi slammed his fist on the table and said, "I'll make him treat my daughter better!"

"That bastard! If he dares to bully my daughter, I'll take her back and make him spit everything out!"

Qi Lingheng advised, "Maternal uncle, there's no need for that. We've been friends for years; there's no need to fall out over something like this."

"Your daughter's reputation can't withstand any more damage. If she's doing well, then so be it."

You're right!

Zhao Jingyi still stormed off in a huff. Although he didn't need to fall out with Lin Huabin, he still needed to give him a warning.

Qi Lingheng left the Zhao family with a slight smile on his lips.

Given his personality, his maternal uncle wouldn't be able to handle Lin Huabin.

However, even the most reckless have their ways; when a scholar encounters a soldier, reason is useless.

The Lin Residence.

"Why were you arguing with her outside? If your dad finds out, he'll give you another scolding."

Zheng Shi was really angry.

Lin Yunjiao pouted and said, "It's her fault for not giving me a single ticket. She owes me one!"

Zheng Shi frowned. "Is a single lot more important, or the reputation of the Lin Residence, or your father's reputation?"

Lin Yunjiao snort and pleaded with Zheng Shi, "Mother, I won't do that again."

Anyway, my sister's reputation is ruined.

If the Prince's mansion truly favored the Lin Residence's daughter, they wouldn't have refused to marry her simply because she was the younger sister, given her superior reputation.

Zheng Shi said, "How am I supposed to explain this to your father?"

Lin Yunjiao pleaded with Zheng Shi, "Mother, isn't Father the one who listens to you the most? If you put in a good word for me, he won't blame me."

Zheng Shi was a little worried. The Old Madam had been interfering too much lately, and the master doted on that girl.

It seems something bad is about to happen again. Perhaps she should bring it up first; then the master won't be angry anymore?

While waiting for her husband to return home, Zheng Shi said to Lin Huabin, "... Master, alas, we went out to offer incense today, but no one saw the Prince. Yun Jiao didn't get a good fortune slip and also got into some gossip."

Lin Huabin's expression darkened. "What happened?"

Zheng Shi said, "That can't be entirely blamed on Yun Jiao. Yun Wan is the older sister, and she's not willing to be considerate of her own younger sister at all."

She said softly, "It's nothing serious, sir, please don't worry about it."

Hearing that it wasn't anything serious, Lin Huabin stopped worrying about it.

After a long day, all he wanted to do was rest.

"Help me change my clothes."

"Yes."

Lin Huabin hadn't even changed out of his clothes when someone outside announced, "Master, Lord Zhao has arrived."

"Lord Zhao Jingyi?"

"Yes."

Lin Huabin quickly got dressed and rushed over to see Zhao Jingyi.

Every time Zhao Jingyi contacts him, it's for something good. What good thing could it be this time?