Chapter 56 Brainwashing
Lin Changning really didn't know where Lin Changqing got the confidence to challenge her.
“Third cousin, I am an official, you are a commoner, I am the victim, you are the murderer’s close relative. In terms of power, you are merely a student, and now you’re not even a scholar, while I am now a centurion in the army, valued by my superiors, and have a promising future.”
Logically speaking, your father ruined my family, and I punished him according to the law. His death was deserved, yet you threaten me, the aggrieved party? My third cousin has studied for over ten years and can write beautiful articles; surely he doesn't understand the principle of "a life for a life"?
Lin Changqing broke through his defenses, his expression crazed as he roared, "Shut up! Even if my father was wrong, he didn't really intend to kill my uncle; he just switched the spot. He doesn't deserve to die! But you clearly want to wipe out my family!"
Lin Changning sneered: "Third cousin doesn't seem to be unreasonable, but on the surface he appears refined and elegant, but inside he's just like Second Uncle, completely rotten! He's a hypocrite, utterly deceitful!"
Lin Changqing, looking frantic and enraged, limped forward to tear at Lin Changning, but he was no match for Lin Changning. Lin Changning restrained Lin Changqing with one hand and tied his hands behind his back: "Third cousin, you seem to be too grief-stricken to think clearly. I'll take you to sober up!"
He then held Lin Changqing down tightly and led him to the riverbank. Once there, he released his grip and kicked Lin Changqing into the river. He then stood on the bank and watched Lin Changqing struggle in the turbulent water.
"Are you more awake now, Third Cousin? If you're still not awake, soak in the river a little longer and wash away the filthy thoughts that shouldn't be in your head."
A white figure bobbed and sank in the river. The icy water filled Lin Changqing's nostrils and mouth, compressing the air in his lungs. His flailing hands made him sink faster, and his struggles grew weaker. Lin Changning stood calmly on the riverbank, watching as the figure was about to be submerged...
The sounds of men making noise came from not far away. Lin Changning snapped out of his daze, suppressed the murderous intent in his heart, jumped into the river, and pulled the person out.
A group of people walked over and stopped in their tracks when they saw two people walking out from the riverbank: "This is... Liu Lang?"
Lin Changning, supporting Lin Changqing, said weakly, "Uncle, Grandpa, come quickly and lend a hand! My third cousin has fallen into the water!!"
Three or five villagers gathered around and hurriedly took Lin Changqing from Lin Changning's hands.
"Oh dear, how did you end up in the water?"
“His father, Erniu, just passed away. Could it be that he's thinking of doing something rash?”
"Foolish, all thanks to Liu Lang."
The clan elder patted Lin Changning on the back: "Sixth Brother is righteous. His family treated you like that, yet you were still willing to save Third Brother's life. You are truly righteous!"
Lin Changning shook his head: "I never expected it to be my third brother."
A man comforted him, saying, "Sixth Brother is soaked through. Go back and change your clothes quickly. We'll take Third Brother to his house; it might be inconvenient for you to go there yourself."
Lin Changning glanced at Lin Changqing, who was limp but still breathing, and nodded, secretly thinking it was a pity.
"Thank you all, I'll head home now."
When they got home, Mrs. Chang saw her daughter was soaking wet and hurriedly went to get a blanket and clean clothes: "Oh dear, what happened? Hurry up and come inside to change your clothes and get into bed to warm up!"
Lin Changning unbuttoned his outer robe, shook his head, and said without batting an eye, "My third cousin jumped into the river, and I pulled him out. It's not cold now, Mother, don't bother. I'll just go back inside and change my clothes."
Madam Chang came out with a dry cloth: "Quickly, wring your hair dry first, don't catch a cold again. That plague-ridden Sanlang should just die, he's dragging my son down with him. What will happen if he catches a cold?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Changning felt slightly guilty and retreated to her room, saying, "I'm going to change my clothes, Mother."
Lin Changning, having changed into clean clothes, was about to wash up and go to bed when Wang Shi rushed back from outside: "Sixth Brother, don't sleep. Your sister-in-law went to Uncle's house to get medicine for a cold. Your second sister-in-law has already started brewing it. Drink the medicine before you go to sleep."
Hearing the commotion, the whole family gathered around. Madam Niu helped Lin Changsi over to offer her condolences. After Lin Changsi took his medicine, Madam Niu finally managed to persuade the family to leave. In the end, Madam Chang looked at her daughter and asked, "What did Sanlang say to you? Why did he jump into the water all of a sudden?"
Lin Changning looked at the closed doors and windows, rubbed his nose, and said somewhat guiltily, "My third cousin threatened me, and in a fit of anger, I threw the person into the river. Then people came and I pulled the person out."
Suddenly, Madam Chang covered her daughter's mouth: "Nonsense! Murder is punishable by death. Who is he? Is he worth your time? Where is he?"
Lin Changning leaned against his mother's chest and said with a hint of regret, "The clan elders helped him back. It's alright, Mother. No one saw him yesterday, and I pulled him out of the water. The clan elders were all witnesses. He'll be fine."
Madam Chang sighed, stroking her daughter's hair and speaking softly, "Ning'er, don't do such things again. I know you're resentful, but now that your second uncle is dead and Sanlang's reputation is ruined, all I hope for is that our family can be alright. It's not worth sacrificing yourself for those rotten people in their family."
Lin Changning gave a muffled "I understand, Mother. I won't hold it against them if they don't bother me anymore."
Madam Chang helped her daughter lie down: "Go to sleep, Mother will stay with you."
Lin Changning shook her head: "It's getting late, Mother, you should go to sleep too."
Madam Chang patted her daughter, her eyes reddening: "You'll be leaving again tomorrow. I'm reluctant to part with you. I'll sit here and look at you a little longer. Go to sleep. I'll be leaving soon."
After Lin Changning fell into a deep sleep, Madam Chang stroked her daughter's cheek, her reluctance turning into strength. She wiped away her tears with her sleeve and went out to her room.
Lin Changning slept soundly through the night and woke up at dawn. Perhaps because he had taken medicine after swimming yesterday, he felt no discomfort and even felt more energetic than the day before.
After getting dressed and having breakfast, Wan Jin and the others packed their belongings and it was time to leave. The group met up, led their horses, and headed towards the village entrance, where their families accompanied them.
Upon learning of Lin Changning's departure today, several clan elders rose early to see him off at the village entrance. After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Changning mounted his horse. Er Ya and San Ya stared wide-eyed at Lin Changning as he sat on the horse, blinking rapidly. Er Ya tugged at Lin Changning's casual clothes and asked, "Uncle, when will you come back next time?"
Sanya was shy, but she also looked at Lin Changning longingly from Niu Shi's arms.
Lin Changning bent down and hugged Er Ya into his arms, smiling as he said, "Uncle will be back when Er Ya's daddy's leg is healed. Next time I come back, I'll bring Er Ya some delicious pastries, okay?"
Er Ya nodded obediently and replied, "Okay, then Uncle should come back to see Er Ya soon. Er Ya and San Ya will miss you."
Upon hearing this, the villagers all laughed along. Amidst the harmonious atmosphere at the village entrance, a figure suddenly darted out, wielding a kitchen knife, ready to slash at Lin Changning.
Wan Jin and his guards, all border soldiers, sensed something was wrong and immediately dismounted, pinning the man down. They held four long swords to the man's neck and forced him to lie face down on the yellow earth at the village entrance.
Surrounded by villagers, Lin Changning naturally saw the newcomer and raised an eyebrow, coldly demanding, "Who are you? Are you trying to assassinate me with a knife?"
Lin Changxiao, pinned to the ground, stared intently at Lin Changning with a venomous gaze: "Lin Changping! You deserve to die! You killed my father, ruined my brother's career, and even tried to push him into the water to drown him!! You deserve to die!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
