Chapter 21 Lin Shiyuan
Lin Shiyuan sat against the wall, his tall figure hidden in the dark cell like a silent mountain.
Even in such a terrible place, his dignity remained undiminished. From his expression and demeanor, one could not discern any sign of destitution; rather, he seemed to be merely a tourist.
For someone who has never feared death, what is a mere prison cell? Can punishment be more painful than being stabbed in the body?
But for Lin Shiyuan, seeing his sister safe and sound, with someone to take her in and a place to stay, put his mind at ease.
As the man watched his sister gesture, he imagined the woman's injury and his brow furrowed slightly.
Marrying a man like that would surely lead to a miserable life. Yet she's so kind, extending a helping hand to his sister...
But... she's an official's wife?
The man looked at the chicken leg in his hand, his eyes flickering slightly.
He had been escorted from Fenling to the capital for more than a month. During this time, apart from his sister, no one came to see him, and no one wanted to have anything to do with him.
But his case is still unresolved, and those people dare not place bets, not wanting to make the wrong bet.
But perhaps someone secretly places a bet, remembering this favor, so that when he returns to his official post, he can maintain the friendship; if he is unlucky and dies, then this person has suffered no loss.
Lin Shiyuan rubbed his younger sister's head and asked, "Do you know what that lady's name is? Whose wife is she?"
Although Lin Qiao helped Yao Qingling spread the news, she didn't ask for details because someone had taught her to say those words.
As a "guard," she only needed to obey orders and ask as few questions as possible.
The lady also said that if they met on the road, they should pretend not to know her.
Lin Qiao's heart was entirely devoted to her brother, and she had no time to think about anything else.
She shook her head: "I don't know. Her maid calls her Miss, but others call her Young Madam."
After saying that, he lowered his head and took a bite of the chicken leg, then used his other hand to lift his brother's wrist and tell him to eat as well.
The sound of chains clanging and jingling rang out.
Lin Qiao glanced at the iron chain and felt very sad, but she held back and swallowed her food in large gulps.
Lin Shiyuan gently tugged at the corner of his lips, softening the sharp lines of his face. He hummed in agreement and took a bite of food.
Lin Qiao thought of something and looked up at her brother: "Brother, how about I talk to that lady and see if she can help you?"
These ladies of the capital should be able to speak up, right?
Lin Shiyuan smiled and said, "That lady was bullied by her husband. Do you think she has any say in the matter? Qiao'er, don't cause trouble for others. Since you've taken on the role of a bodyguard, just do your job well."
He thought that as long as he could get out, he would definitely find that lady to repay her kindness.
Lin Qiao, however, had other plans.
How could she possibly ignore her brother and only care about her own well-being?
If her brother dies, she will have no family left.
Lin Qiao gave a vague reply and buried her head in her food.
Lin Shiyuan knew his younger sister well. His face darkened, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Qiao'er, don't do anything reckless."
Lin Qiao felt her brother's large hand change from a gentle caress to a slap, so she quickly covered her head with her hands and replied, "Yes, I understand, General Zhennan!"
The jailer came over to urge her on, and Lin Qiao seized the last moment to say a few words to her brother before leaving with the food box.
After Lin Qiao left, the jailer looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "General Lin, your case will likely have a result in the next few days."
As for whether the outcome was good or bad, the jailer didn't say.
Lin Shiyuan nodded slightly: "Thank you."
He didn't say another word, leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and slowly stroked the cold iron chain with his fingers.
When Lin Qiao returned to Tongluo Lane, Old Yu, the housekeeper, told her that the master had come by.
Lin Qiao blushed slightly, feeling embarrassed.
She took someone else's money and disappeared without a trace, making her worry that her master would abandon her.
"Did the master say anything?"
Butler Lao Yu said it was nothing, the master just came to check on the house.
Butler Yu chuckled and said, "It looks like the master will be moving in soon. Lin Qiao, you'd better hurry up and finish your business outside. Once the master is here, you won't be able to go out as you please, understand?"
Old Yu, the housekeeper, is nearly sixty, and Lin Qiao is eight years old. The old man and the young girl have become the guardians of this house. The old man has an innate affection for children, and he protected the child in front of Qing Ling.
Lin Qiao nodded, then clenched her little fist as she thought of her brother in prison: "Mm."
...
The invitations to the Spring Banquet were drafted by the Cui family and sent to the residences of various powerful figures in the capital.
On the day of the Spring Banquet, ladies from various noble families brought their sons and daughters to the banquet.
A carriage bearing the insignia of the Duke's mansion stopped at the entrance of the Duke's mansion. Everyone turned to look and saw the second young master of the Duke's mansion get off the carriage and then gently help his wife down.
The couple walked towards the door, their hands clasped together.
The second young master is handsome and refined; the young mistress possesses a striking beauty that is rare even in the capital.
One is gentle and refined, the other is heroic and beautiful; they look very well-matched, no wonder some people said they were a match made in heaven.
However, Zhan Xingzhuo caused so much trouble for Zhou Zhining, but now the couple seems to be doing just fine and their relationship is still so good.
With Yao Qingling, her feelings were much more complicated.
Three years ago, he, dressed in red, rode a tall horse and brought her to this mansion. At that time, she was shy, apprehensive about the unfamiliar world, and full of hope for the future.
It was him again, dressed in a blue robe, leading her out of this place, vowing never to return for another woman. At that time, she was confused and bewildered, but still optimistically believed that as long as the two of them were together, that was enough.
Two years later, they returned here, but everything had changed. She had also grown weary, and it took immense patience to hold onto his hand and not let go.
Yao Qingling smiled slightly, nodded to the ladies and young women, and stepped over the threshold to go inside.
Once she had crossed the threshold and was out of sight, she withdrew her hand.
Zhan Xingzhuo's hands were empty. He glanced at her and Qing Ling said, "It's a bit hot. Holding hands makes our hands sweat."
She pretended to wipe her hands with a handkerchief, trying to warm them.
Zhan Xingzhuo didn't say anything, and looked around with his hands behind his back.
Entering through the main gate, flower petals were scattered all the way to the garden, but the fragrance of flowers in the air did not become stronger despite the abundance of petals.
The fragrances are well-matched and smell refreshing and pleasant.
Looking at the flowers in the garden, he had seen the flowers of the Duke's mansion for twenty years and was very familiar with each one. But now, he saw many flowers he had never seen before.
The guests all praised the flowers for being beautiful and smelling wonderful.
He looked at Qingling, his eyes showing more appreciation and liking: "Did you do all of this?"
Qingling didn't want to take credit, so she said calmly, "I was with my sister-in-law."
She felt tired of acting in front of Zhan Xingzhuo, so she said, "My sister-in-law is receiving female guests in the inner courtyard, so I'll go help her. You can go with my brother to entertain the guests. Find out about the personalities and habits of those young men, so that Xingxiang won't suffer any grievances after she marries into the family."
As she spoke, her emotions became complicated again, and she gave Zhan Xingzhuo a deep look.
She inadvertently revealed what was on her mind.
If her aunt had inquired more about Zhan Xingzhuo and Zhou Zhining's situation back then, she wouldn't have agreed to marry them.
Zhan Xingzhuo failed to grasp the deeper meaning in Qing Ling's words.
He always thought he was good enough, and that Yao Qingling was not wronged by being with him; she was marrying up.
The man nodded and said, "Madam is right. My sister is not going to be mistreated after she gets married."
He bent down slightly, pinched Qingling's cheek, and casually straightened the hairpin in her hair: "Don't worry, Madam."
The couple appeared to be behaving intimately. Princess Deyang, seeing this from afar, nodded in satisfaction and turned to Cui, saying, "You see, as long as Zhou Zhining isn't around, they're doing just fine. Let's not disturb them; let's go somewhere else to talk."
Princess Deyang and her entourage left.
Yao Qingling took a step back after Zhan Xingzhuo's sudden intimacy.
She tried to hide, her heart pounding.
Zhan Xingzhuo finally noticed her unusual behavior and frowned slightly: "What's wrong?"
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