Chapter 93 "Meeting...meeting the parents-in-law?"...

Lin Yan turned and entered the mansion. As he passed through the courtyard, his cold and stern aura instantly crumbled, leaving only exhaustion and a surge of anger.

Lady Rongyang is like a toad on your foot—it doesn't bite, but it disgusts you! Even after being stripped bare, she still won't stop, resorting to such despicable tricks.

Lin Yan took a deep breath, suppressed his irritation, adjusted his expression, and then walked towards the inner courtyard.

Before even getting close to Lin Mo's embroidered tower, suppressed sobs could be heard coming from inside.

Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickened her pace.

Pushing open the door, I saw Lin Mo lying alone on the soft couch by the window, her shoulders heaving as she cried her heart out. Several maids were pacing anxiously around her, offering her handkerchiefs and whispering words of comfort, but to no avail.

"Mo'er," Lin Yan called out, her voice very soft.

Hearing her brother's voice, Lin Mo raised her tear-streaked face, her eyes red and swollen. Seeing Lin Yan, she felt even more aggrieved and burst into tears, crying even harder: "Brother! Waaah, I didn't do it! He's talking nonsense!"

When the maids saw Lin Yan arrive, they were as if they had seen a savior and quickly made way for him.

Lin Yan quickly went over and sat down on the edge of the tatami mat, gently patting his sister's back as he did when they were little: "Alright, alright, don't cry, don't cry. I know, I know. That bastard spews filth all over his mouth. Can you believe what he says? You can't take a dog's bark seriously."

He took the handkerchief from the maid and wiped Lin Mo's face: "Here, wipe your face, you've cried like a little kitten."

Lin Mo was amused by her brother's words, but couldn't help crying at the same time. Her expression was a little comical. She took the handkerchief to wipe her eyes and asked in a tearful voice, "Brother, have the people outside all left? What if they believed that scoundrel's words? Is my reputation ruined? How can I ever go out and face people again..."

"Let's all go, let's all go." Lin Yan said exaggeratedly, trying to dispel his sister's gloom. "When your brother takes action, one of us is worth two! I can expose that guy's true colors in just a few words. Everyone's eyes are sharp; they all know he's trying to scam us. Besides, your brother and your father are pillars of the government; who would dare to gossip about our Lin family?"

Lin Mo stopped crying completely, only sobbing twice, before asking, "Brother, who did this this time?"

Lin Yan told Lin Mo the truth about what happened on the Shangsi Festival. After listening, Lin Mo was both angry and amused. He had seen many normal people, and it was hard to understand to see something so abnormal.

"Don't worry, she won't get better," Lin Yan assured his sister.

After calming her sister down, Lin Yan finally felt parched. She downed a whole cup of cold tea, but her anger didn't subside so easily.

He returned to his courtyard, where Kim Gu was already waiting like a shadow.

"Has the person been sent over?" Lin Yan asked.

"Yes, the Prefect of the Capital personally took over, and I have already conveyed Your Excellency's intentions," Jin Jiu replied.

Lin Yan nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "Jin Jiu, I'll have to trouble you again."

"Please give your orders, sir."

“What a coincidence that happened today.” Lin Yan’s eyes were sharp. “My father went out on official business with officials from the Ministry of Revenue and won’t be back for quite some time. My mother only went out for a day to fulfill a vow with Wen Ke’s form. And just when I was not home, that rogue and the matchmaker arrived at the perfect time. The Lady of Rongyang must have sent people to keep an eye on our household day and night.”

He looked at Kim Gu: "Help me find out how many people she sent, where they are hiding to keep watch, and come back and tell me when you find out."

"Yes." Kim Gu accepted the order, but did not leave immediately.

Lin Yan raised an eyebrow: "Is there anything else?"

A rare hint of hesitation appeared on Jin Jiu's usually expressionless face, but he still spoke up, "My lord, should this matter... be reported to His Majesty?" After all, it involved Lin Yan.

Lin Yan waved his hand: "Tell His Majesty, there's no need to hide it." He had originally planned to wait for Jin Jiu to find out about the surveillance before going to the palace to complain to Xiao Che.

Jin Jiu bowed and said, "Understood." Then, his figure flashed and disappeared from the spot.

Kim Gu quickly headed straight for the palace.

This is no small matter, as it involves the women of Lord Lin's household, who are the apple of His Majesty's eye. Although Jin Jiu was assigned to Lord Lin, he is ultimately a member of the Golden Shadow Guard and His Majesty's man. Such a major matter must be brought to His Majesty's attention immediately.

Xiao Che had just finished reviewing a stack of memorials and was rubbing his temples to relieve his fatigue.

Upon hearing Jin Jiu's report, Xiao Che's face instantly darkened, his eyes filled with a chilling intent.

"Good, very good." Xiao Che's voice was as cold as ice. "I underestimated her courage."

Even after being stripped of all their power, they still dare to use such despicable means to disgust Lin Yan and threaten the women of the Lin family.

"Li Defu!" Xiao Che called out.

“This old servant is here.” Li Defu quickly stepped forward.

"Go, bring Jin Yi to me."

"yes."

Soon, Jin Yi appeared silently in the hall: "Your Majesty."

Xiao Che's face was ashen as he ordered, "Jin Jiu has already gone to investigate the surveillance personnel sent by the Rongyang Clan. You immediately take over the task and dig deep into the ground to find out every single spy hidden around the Lin residence. Find out who they are working for, who is in charge of them, how long they have been watching, and what messages they have passed on."

"I want to see if anyone else, besides her, has the guts to do something so outrageous."

"Yes!" Jin Yi's expression hardened, and he immediately accepted the order and left.

Xiao Che sat on the dragon throne, his fingertips tapping the table absently, making a dull sound.

He knew Lin Yan well; given Lin Yan's personality, after appeasing his family, he would most likely come to the palace to talk to him about this matter.

But he couldn't wait.

The thought of Lin Yan being blocked and yelled at at the gate of the mansion by those filthy people, and the grievances that Lin Yan's sister might have suffered, made Xiao Che feel an uncontrollable anger rising in his heart.

He suddenly stood up: "Li Defu, change your clothes, I want to leave the palace."

Li Defu was taken aback: "Your Majesty, are you going to..."

“Go to the Lin residence,” Xiao Che added. “No need to make a fuss.”

He needs to go and see for himself before he can feel at ease.

On the other side, Lin Yan had just finished instructing Jin Jiu and was pondering whether to go to the study to look at the accounts to calm down or simply lie down and wait for dinner when he heard a servant rush in to report: "Young master, a young master surnamed Xiao has arrived at the door. He says he is an old friend of yours. He seems to have an extraordinary bearing, so I dared not neglect him and have already invited him to the front hall."

Surname Xiao? An old friend?

Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat, and a thought flashed through her mind: Could it be? Xiao Che is here?

He quickly straightened his slightly wrinkled robes and strode towards the front hall.

As soon as I entered, I saw Xiao Che in casual clothes, standing in the hall with his hands behind his back, looking at a landscape painting on the wall. His posture was upright, and even though he was wearing casual clothes, his imposing aura could not be concealed.

Lin Yan quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Why are you here?"

Xiao Che turned around upon hearing the sound, his gaze sweeping over the man's face. Seeing that he was unharmed except for a trace of weariness and anger between his brows, Xiao Che's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

"I was worried, so I came to check." Xiao Che's voice was much gentler than when he was in the palace. "Has everything been settled at home?"

Lin Yan nodded: "Yes, Mo'er is alright, she was just a little frightened."

He led Xiao Che toward his own courtyard: "It's not convenient to talk here, let's go to my place."

The two entered Lin Yan's courtyard. Lin Yan dismissed all the servants and closed the door.

With no outsiders around, Lin Yan's suppressed anger and lingering fear finally surfaced. He let out a breath and slumped his shoulders: "Today was truly an undeserved disaster, that old woman..."

"I know everything." Xiao Che interrupted him, reached out and pulled him closer, and looked carefully into his eyes. "It's good that you didn't suffer any losses."

His fingertips were slightly cool as they brushed across Lin Yan's brow, as if trying to smooth out the wrinkles.

Lin Yan let him do as he pleased, and said in a muffled voice, "I didn't suffer any losses, but it was disgusting. I've already asked Jin Jiu to investigate the people she sent to spy on me."

"I will handle this matter well," Xiao Che said. "I have already sent Jin Yi to personally lead a team to investigate, and we will have results soon."

Lin Yan was taken aback and looked up at him: "You moved so fast?"

"If someone is tired of living, I will naturally grant her wish." Xiao Che's tone was calm, but his eyes were cold and sharp. "Don't worry, I will give you and the Lin family an explanation for this matter. I will never let her off easily."

Lin Yan certainly believed in Xiao Che's methods, but...

"I just don't understand why she would still court death when she's already in this situation. Doesn't she see the situation clearly? You're already dissatisfied with the royal family, isn't she just walking into a trap?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Che scoffed, his tone laced with mockery: "Some people are used to being high and mighty, and they're used to acting arrogantly because of their bloodline. They can't see the bigger picture. She'll only think that I don't care about family ties, and she'll never think that she's wrong. She's doing this partly to vent her anger, and partly out of wishful thinking. She thinks that I won't do anything to her because of this little fuss, and that I might even force your Lin family to swallow their anger so she can save some face."

This is a typical "if I'm not having a good time, neither should you" mentality.

Lin Yan was speechless: "You're out of your mind."

“She is quite ill.” Xiao Che nodded in agreement, then added, “However, her stepping forward herself has given me a pretext to purge these cancerous members of the imperial clan.”

Xiao Che didn't go into detail about how he planned to "clean up" the mess. He didn't want Lin Yan to know too much about the bloody and dark methods he used, fearing it would offend his ears or frighten him.

He simply looked at Lin Yan and assured him, "Hanzhang, don't worry, no one will dare to mess with the Lin family, or with your sister and parents. I will protect you. If anyone dares to lay a hand on you again, I will chop off their claws."

Looking into his earnest eyes, Lin Yan's frustration and anger gradually subsided.

He suddenly felt a bit teasing and tilted his head to look at Xiao Che: "Your Majesty, we haven't even had the wedding ceremony yet, and you're already treating my parents and sisters like your own? Aren't you making a bad deal?"

Xiao Che chuckled and reached out to pinch his cheek: "What? Can't I exercise my power a little in advance? Or are you unwilling to admit it?"

"I'll accept it!" Lin Yan laughed and dodged his hand. "How could I not accept such a good thing as getting the emperor as a backer for free?"

After a few playful exchanges, the atmosphere lightened considerably.

Xiao Che seemed to suddenly remember something, and his tone became natural yet solemn: "Speaking of which, it's time to find an opportunity to take you to pay your respects to Father Emperor and Mother Empress."

"Huh?" Lin Yan didn't react for a moment. "Meet...meet the parents-in-law?"

Xiao Che looked at his slightly widened eyes and softened his tone: "Yes, they should at least see who I've given my heart to."

Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks flushed.

This means taking him to meet his parents and gaining their approval.

Although those two elders have already...

But this sentiment is profound.

Lin Yan lowered her head and muttered softly, "...Oh."

Seeing Lin Yan's slightly red ears, Xiao Che's smile deepened, knowing that this matter had taken root in his mind. He said no more and instead said, "Leave the matter to me. Don't worry about that kind of person anymore. I came out in a hurry and haven't had dinner yet. Will you have something to eat with me?"

Lin Yan naturally agreed: "Okay, I'll have the kitchen make some of your favorite dishes."

"No need for trouble, simple is fine." Xiao Che pulled him back. "Let's eat in your courtyard, it'll be quiet."

The two smiled at each other, and the setting sun outside the window cast a warm glow on the room.

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Author's Note: Old Deng was driven to a frenzy and rage during today's meeting. To celebrate, I'm adding an extra chapter! [heart emoji]

(Just between you and me, the villain Wu Haimin in the previous story is a homophone of the old leader Deng's name.)