The news that the princess had punished several of the head kitchen maids left everyone in the backyard of the palace somewhat bewildered.
Wasn't it said that Consort Lin was the one who harmed the Third Prince? How come Consort Lin has not been convicted or even punished to this day? And now the Princess is even standing up for Consort Lin.
If this matter has nothing to do with Consort Lin, why have all the other courtyards been unsealed long ago, but Consort Lin's courtyard is still sealed off, and Consort Lin is still under house arrest?
Not only were the people in the manor baffled, but even Jin, who had heard the news, was completely confused.
But soon, she lost interest in worrying about Lin Yuqiao.
In this beautiful April, the main branch of the Marquis's mansion was shrouded in gloom. The heir apparent, Lin Yuqi's last hope, the Crown Prince, had been deposed.
Since being appointed crown prince at the age of seven, Liu Lang has been the crown prince for nearly twenty years.
Although his reputation both in and out of the court has been declining over the years, there are rumors every year that he will be deposed. People have even been secretly speculating about whether the next crown prince will be the Prince of Huaiyang, the Prince of Luyang, or the Prince of Xinyang born to the imperial concubine.
But the crown prince remained firmly in that position year after year. Especially in the last two years, Emperor Jianwu's health deteriorated significantly, and the Qin Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles. Everyone thought that in order to stabilize the situation, Emperor Jianwu would not change the crown prince.
No one expected that the dethronement of the crown prince would come so swiftly and violently.
Before anyone could react, Emperor Jianwu announced the Crown Prince's removal from office at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and issued an edict stripping him of his title and confining him to a lifelong residence. Even many of the former officials of the Eastern Palace were dismissed for their crimes, and Feng Jin and others were imprisoned.
Lin Yucheng was in Lin Yuqi's study, looking at his elder brother at the head of the table, whose face was sallow and whose figure was thin, and he didn't know what to feel.
Even if you lose, you can't lose face. Looking at the now spirited Lin Yucheng, Lin Yuqi tried her best to straighten her back and maintain her momentum.
Lin Yucheng's gaze was too calm, which suddenly made Lin Yuqi feel a sense of panic. Therefore, she said with a bit of bluster, "You're so smug now! You think that by pulling me down, you can get the Marquis's mansion in the future? Hmph, Father will not agree!"
With a sigh, Lin Yucheng felt that his older brother hadn't improved at all over the years; he was still the same boy who thought that delaying his college entrance exam by three years would change everything.
"Whether you believe it or not, I have never coveted your things. The Marquis's mansion, the heir apparent, I have never even looked at them."
Lin Yucheng said with a hint of pride.
Now his goal is to enter the cabinet, and not inheriting the marquis's mansion is actually a better path for him.
Previously, he only wanted to perform better so as to prove to everyone that he was no worse than Lin Yuqi.
Lin Yuqi didn't believe a word Lin Yucheng said. She had always regarded her younger brother as her greatest rival in life.
From the moment he was born, Lin Yuqi had a feeling that he would take away everything she had.
Compared to Lin Yucheng, who had a loving mother and a lively family with younger siblings, Lin Yuqi had nothing but the position of heir apparent and the love of her father and grandmother.
The less you have, the tighter you hold on to it, for fear of losing it.
"What are you doing here now! Just to show off? Do you think that just because the Crown Prince is deposed, the Prince of Huaiyang can take that position? You're dreaming! What about the Prince of Luyang and the Prince of Xinyang!"
“I came to see my elder brother because I have something to say. As for other matters, how can we, as subjects, comment on royal affairs?”
Setting down his teacup, Lin Yucheng glanced at Lin Yuqi and sighed inwardly. What he was about to say wasn't easy either.
“Brother, you have children now, how can you still be so ignorant? Do you think that after doing such a thing, you can just wait to inherit the Marquis’s mansion? Even if the Marquis’s mansion is implicated because of you, whether it will still exist is another matter. If you and your sister-in-law don’t want to implicate the Marquis’s mansion, you should end your own lives first. Who knows, maybe the Prince of Huaiyang will give Xing’er a chance to live because of me and my concubine.”
Upon hearing Lin Yucheng's words, Lin Yuqi felt as if a calm lake had been disturbed, and all the deepest worries hidden in her heart exploded.
The thought of ending her own life was so shocking that Lin Yuqi suddenly threw down the cup in her hand, her face pale and her body trembling uncontrollably, but she still refused to admit defeat and looked at him sternly.
I don't know what you're talking about!
"Brother knows perfectly well what I'm saying. Do you really think you can easily pin the things you and your sister-in-law did on me and my third sister? Right now, it's just that the Prince of Huaiyang is giving the Marquis's mansion some face. Sooner or later, this debt will be settled."
When Lin Yucheng first heard the truth about the Third Young Master's death from the Prince of Huaiyang, he was utterly astonished. His elder brother, a man with children, had only grown bolder over the years, without using his brain at all?
The coldness in Liu Heng's words made Lin Yucheng's heart skip a beat. The trouble his older brother had caused this time was no ordinary one.
"Brother, I'm sincerely advising you. The current trouble is beyond what Father can handle for you, and you've even dragged him down with you. You're almost thirty; you can't always rely on Father. Running away won't help; you have to face your responsibilities."
Even before hearing about Lin Yucheng and Lin Yuqiao's troubles, Lin Yuqi already knew something was wrong. He was initially just resentful, not wanting to see himself stripped of his official position while Lin Yucheng's career flourished.
As a result, things escalated to the point that he could no longer control the situation. Although the Prince of Huaiyang's mansion remained completely silent for the time being, he was constantly uneasy. Several times he wanted to tell his father, but he was afraid of enduring his father's disappointed gaze and reproach.
He could only console himself that with Lin Yucheng and Lin Yuqiao around, the Prince of Huaiyang wouldn't know the truth. Even if he did, he still had the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had ordered him to do this, and the Crown Prince wouldn't abandon him.
But now the crown prince has also been deposed, his last hope has been dashed, and his self-comforting mental shield has now been shattered by Lin Yucheng.
"This was done by your sister-in-law, yes, it was all done by Jin Shi, it has nothing to do with me. Second brother, second brother, I know you won't abandon me, but for the sake of brotherhood, Father is already old, can you bear to let him be sad because of me again?"
Lin Yuqi broke down, suddenly trembling as she staggered to her feet, grabbed Lin Yucheng's hand, and looked at him with hope in her eyes as if she were looking at a savior.
Looking at him, Lin Yucheng felt a pang of pity. Lin Yuqi had always been aloof and disdainful of him, as if she looked down on being associated with him. This current demeanor made him feel somewhat uneasy.
"Brother, I can't help you, and nobody can help you. Sister-in-law, you won't survive either. When you plotted to harm the prince's heir, didn't you think about the disaster that would follow? People have to learn to face reality. Good or bad, you have to accept it."
He spent half his life selfishly living in his own world, refusing to accept reality, which ultimately led him to this state.
Lin Yucheng glanced at Lin Yuqi one last time before getting up and leaving.
The moment he closed the door, he heard Lin Yuqi sobbing.
Thinking of Chen Lianghou on the way, Lin Yucheng felt a bit uneasy. Not wanting to face him for the time being, he turned around and went back to his courtyard.
"Father, this was given to me by Grandmother, isn't it pretty?"
As soon as Lin Yucheng entered the courtyard, his youngest daughter, Daowu, jumped over, hugged his waist, and showed off the jade hairpin inlaid with pearls she was wearing.
“It looks good. Our Wu’er looks good in anything.”
Holding his youngest daughter, Lin Yucheng pressed his face against hers, and his somewhat gloomy mood gradually calmed down.
"Just keep spoiling her."
Mrs. He looked up from the account book, glanced at the father and daughter with similar smiles, and said coquettishly.
They have been married for many years, and there has never been anyone else between them. They have had several children, but their feelings for each other have only grown stronger.
Is everything ready?
Holding the child, Lin Yucheng walked over and sat opposite Mrs. He. He saw the account book and asked her questions.
"Don't worry, I've already arranged for my sister-in-law to find a house that's in a good location and has plenty of space."
"Yes, I trust Jia'er to do things."
Upon hearing the word "Jia'er," Madam He blushed slightly and glared at Lin Yucheng.
That night, Daowu was taken away by her wet nurse. Lin Yucheng gazed at the dark night outside the window, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
Now that the crown prince has been deposed, the struggle for succession among the princes has become incredibly intense and uncontrollable.
Every day at court, ministers would submit memorials urging the establishment of a new crown prince for the sake of national stability, nominating several people such as the Prince of Huaiyang and the Prince of Luyang. Even the Prince of Fenyang, who had always appeared to be indifferent to worldly affairs, was nominated.
The crown prince fell too quickly, catching everyone off guard.
The tough battle is about to begin. In terms of preparation, Lin Yucheng believes that no one is better prepared than the Prince of Huaiyang. Over the years, the Prince of Huaiyang has been accumulating strength and is looking forward to achieving victory in one decisive battle.
Once the Prince of Huaiyang ascends to the position of Crown Prince, the fate of the Marquis of Chenliang's family will be unpredictable.
Although he advised Lin Yuqi to end her own life today, he was actually 70% certain that Lin Yuqi would not do so, but would try her best to avoid trouble.
But now that things have come to this, he has no choice. Remembering the preparations he had made long ago at the suggestion of the Prince of Huaiyang, Lin Yucheng sighed.
On the other side, Lin Yuqi, drunk, came out of the study and entered the Jin family's courtyard.
As soon as she entered the room, Lin Yuqi grabbed Jin, who was doing needlework, and slapped her across the face.
"It's all your fault! It's all your fault, you heartless bastard! You came up with the idea to drag the second son into this mess, and now I'm going to be dragged down with you and die! You vicious woman!"
Jin was stunned by the blow, the needle digging deep into her palm. When she came to her senses, her cheek was swollen, and one ear was ringing loudly.
With a scream of "Ah!", Jin rushed out of the house with her hair disheveled, only to be caught up by the already crazed Lin Yuqi, who continued to beat her in the yard.
Lin Yuqi's eyes were bloodshot, her face was contorted, and she reeked of alcohol. The old woman and maids who dared to step forward to stop her were kicked away and could only kneel tremblingly to the side, pleading with her.
"Mother! Don't hit my mother!"
Xingge'er, who had run over to see his mother, was shocked to see this scene as soon as he entered the door. He ran over and hugged Lin Yuqi's leg to stop her.
Grabbing Xing Ge'er's collar with both hands, Lin Yuqi half-lifted him up and then forcefully threw him aside.
"Xing-ge'er!"
Seeing this, Jin screamed and rushed over to hug Xing Ge'er, but Lin Yuqi continued to pull her hair and slap her.
When Chen Lianghou and Li Shi heard the commotion and rushed over, Jin Shi's face was swollen and purple from the beating, and there was blood on her lips and nose. Xing Ge'er was crying so hard that he was speechless.
"Are you all dead? Can't you stop me?!"
Chen Lianghou was furious as he ordered several servants to grab Lin Yuqi, who was still waving her hands, around the waist. He looked at the mess in front of him.
"He's trying to kill me! I can't live like this anymore!"
Upon seeing Chen Lianghou arrive, Jin felt as if she had found her pillar of support. She collapsed to the ground, hugged her child, and burst into tears.
Jin's appearance was so pitiful that Li couldn't bear to look at her anymore. She had several nannies drag Jin and Xing'er into the house and called a doctor.
Chen Lianghou then had Lin Yuqi dragged into his study.
Look at yourself now!
Chen Lianghou splashed a pot of cold tea on Lin Yuqi's face. Looking at his pathetic state, Chen Lianghou's face was full of disappointment and frustration.
Lin Yuqi came to her senses and saw Chen Lianghou, whose face was ashen and whose temples were throbbing. She suddenly knelt at his feet and cried.
He was really, really scared!
"Father, I don't want to die! Save me! Save me!"
After listening to Lin Yuqi's fragmented account of the entire incident, Chen Lianghou was shocked and then, overcome with anger, slapped him across the face.
"You wicked child! How could you do such a thing!"
Originally, Marquis Chen Liang disagreed with Lin Yuqi following the Crown Prince. The lessons he learned in his youth were too profound and tragic, which made him instinctively resistant to joining the Crown Prince.
Seeking favor with the crown prince and working for him is inherently a political gamble, like betting on one's future; even the most certain outcome can result in loss. It's safer and less stressful to remain a loyal and obedient minister.
But Lin Yuqi wouldn't listen to him and, through Feng Jin's introduction, continued to mingle in the Eastern Palace.
It wasn't until the lawsuit that Lin Yuqi was finally released from the turmoil, though she was stripped of her official position, that Chen Lianghou breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he had painstakingly nurtured Lin Yuqi for half his life and devoted himself to her education, her performance was ultimately unsatisfactory, leaving him deeply disappointed.
Lin Yuqi is weak-willed and not particularly capable, but Chen Lianghou still holds onto hope for him and makes plans for him in every way, considering that he is the only child of his and his wife.
Let him be dismissed from office; after all, he's still the heir apparent, and at most, he won't get involved in court affairs. As for the pressure from the clan, Marquis Chen Liang has already shouldered it, intending to continue the model he and the Second Master have established in Lin Yuqi's generation.
Lin Yucheng's ambition was too great, and he was also shrewd and capable. He wasn't like the Second Master, who was willing to be subordinate to others, so Chen Lianghou was helpless. Not only could Lin Yuqi not control him, but now he couldn't control him either.
Faced with the current situation, Marquis Chen Liang is already considering that, in order to maintain peace between the Marquis's mansion and the clan, Lin Yuqi's generation may only be able to inherit the title and not become the clan leader.
The clan leadership was handed over to Lin Yucheng's branch, with the hope that he could get along well with Lin Yuqi for the sake of the overall situation and the interests of the Marquis's Mansion, so that they could complement each other.
But now, Lin Yuqi has caused a huge mess, disrupting his plans and potentially even implicating the entire Marquis's mansion.
"It's all the Kim family's fault, it's all the Kim family's fault. She made me do it."
Lin Yuqi clung to Chen Lianghou's leg and cried bitterly. After being thrown away, she crawled back to him.
Struggling to steady himself by holding onto the edge of the table, Chen Lianghou felt utterly helpless. Where exactly did he go wrong? How could he have gone to such lengths to produce such a person?
Over the years, he has devoted all his care and energy to Lin Yuqi, but Lin Yuqi has become like this.
"You still show no remorse."
Even now, Lin Yuqi is still blaming the Jin family. He doesn't really think he was wrong; he only regrets it because he can't bear the consequences.
"Get out."
Chen Lianghou was so angry that his hands and feet went numb, and he felt that everything in front of him was blurry and swaying. He was very annoyed by Lin Yuqi's crying, and his lips moved.
"Father? What did you say?"
Not having heard Chen Lianghou's words clearly, Lin Yuqi crawled over on both feet, raised her tear-streaked face, and asked hopefully, hoping that her father could come up with a way to save her.
"roll!"
With a furious roar, Chen Lianghou, feeling extremely frustrated, kicked Lin Yuqi away again.
After sitting quietly in the study for a long time, Chen Lianghou finally called for someone to come in and bring Lin Yucheng over, his voice hoarse.
Even before he arrived, Lin Yucheng had heard about the trouble Lin Yuqi had caused, which made him even more contemptuous of his older brother.
"Father, did you call me?"
Upon entering, Lin Yucheng quietly bowed and stood to the left of Chen Lianghou.
"What does the Prince intend to do about your elder brother's matter?"
After considering his words carefully, Lin Yucheng cautiously said, "The Prince didn't tell me, but he knows about what my elder brother did and won't let him off the hook. In my opinion, if my elder brother and sister-in-law settle things first, the Prince might not pursue the matter with the Marquis's mansion."
"You beast! He's your older brother!"
Lin Yucheng's words infuriated Chen Lianghou, and his temples began to throb again.
Lin Yucheng sighed helplessly, knowing this would happen.
“He did such a thing to frame me and my third sister. Didn’t he ever think about the fact that he is the eldest brother?”
Looking around Chen Lianghou's study, Lin Yucheng recalled many years ago when he had nothing, Chen Lianghou had allowed him to postpone his exams by three years for the sake of his elder brother.
Would things change drastically if it were three years later? In truth, Chen Lianghou knew that this might not be the case, but he still followed Lin Yuqi's wishes.
Drowning a child is like killing a child.
It was Chen Lianghou's unintentional actions that gave Lin Yuqi confidence and made him feel secure, leading him to remain selfish and never grow as a person.
“Father, I know that in your heart, my elder brother is naturally incomparable to the rest of us. But now that he has caused such a disaster, you should make a decision as soon as possible. No one can save him, you know that. Even for the sake of Xing’er, you can no longer protect my elder brother.”
Lin Yucheng's words shattered Chen Lianghou's last remaining hope, causing him to collapse instantly.
Despite the disappointment and anger this son caused him, he couldn't help but try every possible way to find a way out for him.
After Lin Yucheng left, Chen Lianghou slowly got up.
In a secluded room separated by a screen, he touched the faded portrait, tears streaming down his face.
“Linlang…”
Only after the Crown Prince was deposed and the plan came to an end did Liu Heng go to Lin Yuqiao's courtyard again, where the restrictions on her courtyard had been lifted.
As a result, everyone in the mansion who had been watching also caught wind of the news and spread the word that Consort Lin had regained the emperor's favor.
If initially Lin Yuqiao harbored hatred, resentment, and grievances, and had a lot to ask Liu Heng, then over the course of time, she has gradually digested all of that.
Growth is about transforming oneself amidst one's own chaos and turmoil.
Halfway through drinking her bowl of sweet soup, Lin Yuqiao heard a greeting. Shortly after, Liu Heng entered the room.
"Your Highness, what brings you here? What a rare guest!"
After finishing the greeting, Lin Yuqiao couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark. Looking up at Liu Heng's thinner face, she felt a slight surprise.
It seems he's worse off than me, who's been unfairly blamed and confined to my home. In comparison, it's as if he's the one suffering.
He had once put his arm around Lin Yuqiao's waist, but she had pushed him away. Liu Heng couldn't help but touch the tip of his nose and smile wryly, "Qiaoqiao."
He had expected to be given the cold shoulder; that person was delicate and petty, and would inevitably be dissatisfied if wronged.
"Why do you address me so affectionately, Your Highness? It makes me feel quite uncomfortable. Please just call me Madam Lin."
Lin Yuqiao chuckled as she looked at Liu Heng, continuing to provoke him. Her eyebrows arched slightly, and her eyes sparkled with a captivating charm, her bright and beautiful features exuding endless allure, like a thorny rose, beautiful yet piercing.
"Qiaoqiao, I know you've been wronged."
Liu Heng conceded, but Lin Yuqiao was even more eager to pounce forward.
"Is that so? Even a venomous woman like me has moments of being wronged?"
"Qiaoqiao, don't do this."
After trying to soothe her for a while without success, Liu Heng couldn't help but feel exhausted. He simply sat to the side, watching her helplessly.
This must be his bottom line and the tolerance he's willing to show her, right?
Feeling a little disheartened, Lin Yuqiao didn't dare to continue acting up and sat down with him.
"Is that all you're unhappy about? Ziping, you keep saying you like me, but you've forgotten all that when it comes down to it! When you're not around, everyone treats me like a murderer, even the kitchen nanny in the manor looks down on me!"
As she spoke, Lin Yuqiao was about to burst into tears. Pouting, she looked at Liu Heng with teary eyes, stretched out her arms, and said haughtily, "Why aren't you coming to hug me?"
Liu Heng finally pulled her into his arms and gently wiped away the tears that had fallen from her eyelashes with his fingers.
His chin rested against the top of her head, and inhaling her warm, sweet scent, Liu Heng felt a slight relief from his recent weariness. He thought to himself, "When did I ever say I liked her?"
This person is shameless; he likes to talk to himself and make himself look good.
"Didn't the princess deal with them for you? Who else dares to look down on you?"
Hearing Liu Heng's words, Lin Yuqiao, who was in his arms, was displeased. Was it really enough to just punish him by deducting half a year's salary?
Not daring to bite him directly, Lin Yuqiao bit down on the fabric of Liu Heng's shirt, grinding her teeth fiercely for a while. Afterwards, she rubbed against Liu Heng's chest, saying, "I'm just unhappy!"
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