Hard-Hearted

You only had one chance, and you made the most of it.

Lin Yunwan spoke to Lingxiang, who was kneeling in front of her.

Lingxiang knew that the Eldest Miss wasn't joking with her, so she nodded and said, "This servant understands, this servant understands..."

"Let's go."

He took Xiruo out.

Someone was guarding the room, Lin Yunwan went to the innermost room on the far west side to see Qi Lingheng.

"Your Prince."

Qi Lingheng asked her directly, "Is the interrogation over? What are you planning to do?"

Lin Yunwan then shared her thoughts with Qi Lingheng.

"Take this to the authorities. No matter how prestigious the Lin family is, they can't cause trouble on your fiefdom."

"You've only just arrived in Jiangqian to assume your fiefdom, and a new broom sweeps clean. I don't think the head of the Lin family is that muddle-headed."

It was thanks to the favorable winds of Prince Huan's enfeoffment.

"And Old Madam Lin's birthday is just around the corner."

All the prominent families in Jiangqian would come to celebrate the Old Madam's birthday.

She didn't want to ruin the Old Madam's birthday celebration.

Qi Lingheng smiled faintly.

She knows how to consider others, but will the Lin family consider her feelings in return?

Lin Yunwan suddenly realized she had said too much, so she curtsied and said, "I'm so sorry to have troubled you to come all this way for me."

She did not hear Qi Lingheng's response.

After waiting a while, I heard him sigh and say, "... It's a bit troublesome."

Lin Yunwan was taken aback.

I felt even more guilty.

What kind of status does Prince have that he would personally take care of such a small matter for her, running around like this...?

"Miss Lin, doing things this way is too exhausting. Have you ever thought about taking an easier path?"

An easier route?

What is an easier path? Where is there an easier path for her to take?

Lin Yunwan frowned, feeling a little strange...

"Your Prince, it's time for you to go."

A Fu said from outside, "You are going to inspect the Jiangqian Guard Office tomorrow, so you need to meet with the Jiangqian Guard Commander and the Provincial Commander-in-Chief today."

Qi Lingheng and Lin Yunwan said, "We can't stay any longer."

He walked up to her and said, "I'll have A Fu handle your matter, but things don't always go smoothly. Sometimes you have to be a little more ruthless than others."

Xiruo Qi Lingheng had walked away before coming in to speak to Lin Yunwan, "Miss, shall we go back now?"

"Okay, let's go back."

Lin Yunwan went back to find Zheng Shi in a daze, and didn't have time to speak to Xiruo until she returned to the Lin Residence.

"Girl?"

Lin Yunwan snapped out of her daze and asked, "What's wrong?"

Xiruo brought over some tea and said, "You haven't said a word since you came back. Are you worried that Lingxiang's matter won't be resolved?"

Lin Yunwan smiled and shook her head.

Why would she worry about such a small thing? She said, "Lingxiang is in the Prince's hands; she won't fail."

"What time is it?"

"Late Shen time."

"When it gets dark, go and dig out what Lingxiang mentioned, and find a way to deliver it to her. Don't alert anyone tonight."

Xiruo nodded. "This servant understands."

After it got completely dark, Xiruo quietly went to the base of the wall of the Bixi Hall to dig for something. She was strong and found the leather bag that Lingxiang had mentioned in less than 15 minutes.

She quickly filled the hole with soil, then, carrying the leather bag, delivered the items to Lin Yunwan.

"Young lady, look!"

Lin Yunwan held up a candle and leaned closer.

Xiruo opened the leather bag, which contained several layers of things. So much time had passed that the contents were so worn that they were unrecognizable, but the prescription at the very back was still legible.

"Young lady, this is truly a prescription."

Lin Yunwan nodded. "She wasn't lying."

Xiruo said, "... More than ten years have passed. Even if Lingxiang wanted to lie, it would be difficult for her. I think what she said is probably the truth."

"Send it out tomorrow. Do you know how to send it?"

"I know. But I'm afraid I'll have to ask Nanny Zhao a lot of questions."

"You only need to go once. She might be unhappy, but she won't suspect anything."

But it's really inconvenient to Xiruo leave the manor all the time.

The Prince is right. She is now constrained in her actions, has no people of her own, and not much freedom. But the only way for a woman to be free is to get married and have children.

"Xiruo, wash your hands and blow out the lamp!"

The master and servant went to sleep together.

Lingxiang received the prescription as evidence and took it to the Jiangqian Prefecture to file a complaint against the Second Madam of the Lin Residence. However, she was in no hurry to hand over the prescription.

The people in the government office were startled when they received the complaint. "A complaint against Master Lin's Madam?"

He hurriedly handed it to the Prefect, saying, "That woman wants to sue the Madam of the Second Master of the Lin family. Please take a look."

The Prefect frowned as soon as he saw the petition.

He said matter-of-factly, "Copy it and send it to Lin Huabin."

How can matters concerning a large clan be spread around!

The Lin Residence Old Madam's birthday is just around the corner, and he doesn't want to offend the Lin family at this time.

"Yes."

The Prefect sent a trusted confidant, instructing him. "Go and speak with Lin Huabin personally, and let him decide how to handle the situation."

It happened more than a decade ago, and it's a family matter within the Lin family, so it's quite complicated to get it adjudicated.

Let's first see what the Lin family has to say.

Lin Huabin returned late today. By the time he met the people from the government office, it was already dark, so he invited them to talk in the study in the inner courtyard.

The two talked for half an hour, and Lin Huabin personally saw them off.

People came to the government office, and they came from the inner courtyard; Lin Yunwan had already heard the news.

Xiruo whispered, "Miss, it must be because of Lingxiang."

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "I wonder how Master will handle this."

Should we seek justice for Lingxiang outside the courtroom, or continue to cover it up?

The next day, when she went to pay her respects to Zheng Shi, she heard the couple arguing. Nanny Fan approached, looking rather displeased, and said, "Eldest Miss, the master is talking to the Madam. Let's skip the greetings today!"

Lin Yunwan took Xiruo back.

But as I was leaving, I vaguely heard Lin Huabin say, "I've written a complaint and I heard he has evidence. The Old Madam's birthday is coming up soon! I'll let bygones be bygones! Let's find her first!"

As soon as she left, the gates to the master Madam 'Courtyard were closed, forming an impenetrable wall to prevent the news from getting out.

Xiruo frowned and said, "Miss, it seems the master intends to dispose of Lingxiang privately..."

However, if handled privately, there is no fairness to speak of.

Lin Yunwan sneered, "Master really doesn't disappoint me."

But that's for the best, then she won't have any scruples and can be a little more ruthless.

"Xiruo, before the Old Madam's birthday, the Lin Residence will light three large incense sticks at Ci'en Temple. We'll ask Lingxiang to come to Ci'en Temple on that day so we can guide her to find the Old Madam."

At that point, there's no escaping it.

"Yes."

A Fu relayed Xiruo's words to Qi Lingheng verbatim.

Qi Lingheng smiled faintly, "Still not ruthless enough."

"A Fu, when the Old Madam of the Lin family went to offer incense, she escorted the person into the Main Buddha Hall."

It's not just about seeking justice when the Old Madam is burning incense and everyone is watching.

They also wanted to terrify Lin Huabin and his wife.