Chapter 40 Suicide

As the Minister of Personnel, Xiao Su was in charge of the transfer, dismissal and supervision of all officials. Having held a high position for a long time, he had accumulated considerable prestige. At this moment, he had just finished his shift, and his official robes were neatly worn. When he turned cold, even the young boys would tremble in fear.

Lin Chuanxu was never afraid of his father or mother, but he was terrified of his uncle.

The way the other person looked at him always made him feel like they were looking at trash. But his uncle was the most powerful elder he knew, and his word was law. His father and mother respected him.

He once thought that the biggest obstacle to marrying his cousin Yuyao was this uncle.

Unexpectedly, this obstacle has now become his lifeline.

"Uncle is right. My relationship with my cousin Yuyao is completely innocent, and heaven and earth can bear witness!"

Although Lin Chuanxu was forced to kneel on the ground, he didn't miss a single word he was supposed to say.

"I was immature before and said I wanted to marry my cousin Yuyao, but those were just words spoken in my youthful ignorance. They shouldn't be taken seriously, right, Uncle?!"

Lin Kuangzheng stood to the side, still bowing to Xiao Su, his forehead throbbing. This unfilial son had never given him a moment's peace.

After something like that happened, they should definitely show some respect and seek the other party's forgiveness, but this brat still has the audacity to say such things.

He's already in his fifties, yet he never imagined that at this age he'd still have to bend over and smile obsequiously at others.

"Lord Xiao, we have come here sincerely to apologize."

Xiao Su let out a chuckle from his throat:

"We dare not accept such a crime from Chief Minister Lin. It was just the children playing around. Please take your son home quickly."

Yuyao is only fourteen this year, and she will not be of marriageable age until after the New Year. He would never let his precious daughter be engaged so early, especially to such a good-for-nothing nephew!

To be honest, he looked down on every member of the Lin family. His maternal uncle was unambitious and content with mediocrity, his second wife, Wang, was vain, materialistic, and outspoken, his eldest nephew was an official sent to a remote area with mediocre achievements, and his youngest nephew disliked studying and spent his days fooling around with cats and dogs...

In fact, he had long been tired of even his wife, Lin Hui, his wife of more than 20 years.

The initial passion and affection have long since been worn away by the daily grind and trivialities, leaving only boredom and a sense of dullness.

Over the years, the only thing he felt sorry for was Yu Yao, but even so, Yu Yao was not someone the Lin family could even dream of.

"Lord Xiao—"

Lin Kuangzheng moved his lips, but said nothing more.

The letter had already earnestly expressed what needed to be said, but the other party remained silent, which was enough to reveal their thoughts.

The reason he brought Lin Chuanxu here in such a grand manner today was simply to confirm whether Xiao Su had made up his mind.

The two of them served as officials in the imperial court and were also relatives of the brother-in-law and sister-in-law. If they fell out, it would only make them a laughing stock in the eyes of outsiders.

"No need to say more, Chief Instructor Lin. I'll pretend you were never here today. You don't need to care about those unfounded rumors. They'll dissipate naturally over time."

"I have official business to attend to, so I'll have to keep you company for now."

After Xiao Su finished speaking, he instructed the steward and servants to see the guest out, without giving Lin Chuanxu, who was kneeling on the ground with a happy expression, a second glance.

As the Lin family father and son left the Xiao residence, Lin Chuanxu was still feeling fortunate.

"Thank goodness, my uncle didn't allow me to marry my cousin Yuyao!"

He was a bit playful, but he wasn't stupid. He didn't dare to mess with either of his two cousins ​​now and just wanted to get as far away from them as possible; his life was more important.

Lin Kuangzheng stood at the side gate of the Xiao family's residence, remaining silent for a while.

He looked at his youngest son, who had grown to be as tall as him, and suddenly pulled out the bramble he had brought and lashed him out hard.

"Smack—"

The thorns whistled through the air and struck Lin Chuanxu squarely on the back with a dull thud.

"ah--"

Caught off guard, Lin Chuanxu was whipped to the ground by the thorns, crawling a few steps in a disheveled state, fearing another thorn would come at him.

His face contorted in pain, but he couldn't reach his back. Tears welled in his eyes as he questioned:

"My dear father, why did you hit me?!"

Lin Kuangzheng was so angry that his hands were trembling:

"You brainless, unfilial son, are you still grinning like an idiot? People only said that because they look down on you. Don't you have any shame?!"

He raised his hand, ready to strike again.

Lin Chuanxu was so frightened that he scrambled a few steps to try and dodge, but the pain in his back made him grimace and slow his movements, and another solid blow came down on him.

"Dad, isn't it normal that my uncle looks down on me? There aren't many people who would even look up to me anyway!"

He shouted in despair.

The servants of the Xiao family lowered their heads, suppressing their laughter, and could only pretend that they hadn't seen or heard anything.

Lin Kuangzheng threw away the bramble and closed his eyes wearily.

He dedicated his life to teaching and nurturing students, but he never imagined that his youngest son would be so unreliable.

Xiao Su changed into his official robes, and his wife was wiping his face. A servant came to report that Lin Kuang was beating his son at the side gate, and their conversation reached the couple's ears without missing a word.

"My brother is really something. No matter what, you shouldn't beat your son like that. What if you hurt him?"

Madam Xiao handed a clean towel to the maid and then personally served hot tea to Xiao Su.

Xiao Su straightened his sleeves and said sternly:

"I don't even want to talk about your nephew from your mother's side. How dare he spout such nonsense about wanting to marry Yuyao?! I think Yuyao's reputation was ruined by him!"

"If it weren't for saving face for you, and the fact that they just came to apologize with thorns on their backs, I would have really wanted to slap them a couple of times."

Madam Xiao took back the teacup she had handed over, and Xiao Su's outstretched hand found nothing.

He looked over in confusion, only to see that Madam Xiao's expression was somewhat displeased.

Having lived with her for over twenty years, Xiao Su immediately realized that what he had just said was a bit harsh.

He took the teacup, took a sip, and frowned, saying:

"I'm just feeling sorry for Yuyao. Don't you also dislike your nephew from your maternal family? I didn't say anything in front of them just now!"

That makes sense. Madam Xiao also knows that Lin Chuanxu is not ambitious and is not a good match for Yuyao.

But he was still her own nephew after all, so Xiao Su's words were practically a slap in the face to her.

Madam Xiao looked at the densely packed account books on the table, sighed, pinched the bridge of her nose, and said to Xiao Su:

“Yuyao woke up this morning and was threatening to commit suicide. I finally managed to calm her down, but now she’s throwing a tantrum again. Go and check on her, I’m a little tired.”

Once, twice, three or four times, anyone would get tired, let alone Madam Xiao who has been taking care of Xiao Yuyao without taking off her clothes for the past few days, which has been both mentally and physically exhausting.

It's the beginning of the quarter now, and with all the household expenses, social obligations, and revenue from the estates and shops, there's a mountain of things to do, leaving her utterly overwhelmed.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Su's expression changed, and he stood up:

"Yuyao is feeling down right now. Who's been upsetting her again?"

He thought of something and asked again:

"It's that rebellious daughter Xiao Yuxuan again?!"

Madam Xiao slammed the account book shut, a strange look in her eyes:

"Master, why do you always blame Yuxuan? Don't forget, she is our daughter!"