It seemed like Jiang Su was seeing for the first time the heart, harder than a rock, hidden beneath her frail exterior.
In his view, although Lin Qingwan was his biological daughter, she was not raised by the Prime Minister's family and had lived outside with a maid for fifteen years. She could not be considered a useless pawn, but she was not of much use either.
But the timing of her return was too perfect. King Jing had seen all kinds of women, yet he was attracted to the frostbite on the back of her hand.
From beginning to end, Jiang Su knew what Prince Jing was planning, and he hid behind the scenes and went along with it.
This not only thwarted Prince Jing's revenge but also appeased him by using Jiang Mingting, successfully protected the Prime Minister's residence, and provided a plausible reason for later joining the Crown Prince's cause.
It was well worth it to exchange her life for it. But he didn't expect that Lin Qingwan would be rescued by the Crown Prince's men, and that Consort Ning would even summon her to the palace.
Jiang Su wasn't afraid of her; he just felt she was difficult to control.
Lin Qingwan stared at him intently, patiently waiting for her father to make a decision. Jiang Su's gaze remained deep and somber, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
He said, "You have already ruined Yan Wan's marriage. If everyone finds out now that she is not the Prime Minister's biological daughter, not only will she not agree, but your mother will also not agree."
Lin Qingwan immediately replied, "That's Father's business."
Jiang Su added, "Isn't it good now? Nobody denies that you are a daughter of the Jiang family."
Lin Qingwan said, word by word, "But she's taking up my spot."
She didn't want to argue with Jiang Su about this, so she said directly, "I don't think this is excessive. I just want to get back what I'm entitled to."
"In other words, I risked my life to save the Prime Minister's mansion, can't I even make one request?"
Jiang Su stared at her for a long time, then his gaze softened. "Okay."
Lin Qingwan added, "I also want Young Master Jiang to apologize to Guard Tong and Mr. Ruan."
Jiang Su's eyelids twitched. "Guard Tong is the Crown Prince's personal guard. Ah Lin was indeed impulsive and should apologize."
“But Ruan Tinghuai…” he paused, “ruining your reputation is indeed a crime deserving of death.”
Lin Qingwan wasn't in a hurry. She picked up her teacup with her newly bandaged right hand and took a sip. "Then Father can tell the Imperial Concubine that Qingwan has eloped with a lowly merchant."
She was very nervous and anxious, so it was perfectly reasonable for her to hold the tea with her injured hand, even if people could see that she was trembling.
Jiang Su's sharp gaze descended like a cage, locking her in. "The Prime Minister's residence is your support, and the Jiang family is the foundation that can help you go far. It is not a wise move to cause trouble for an outsider and your family."
Lin Qingwan said, "I only remember my father personally sending me into the abyss of demons."
"On the contrary, it was the merchants and guards whom you called lowly who saved me from death."
"A drop of water in need is a spring of water in return. I learned this from you and my mother."
Otherwise, why should Jiang Yanwan be allowed to be a pampered young lady for fifteen years!
Jiang Su stood with his hands behind his back; no one had been able to make him lose in all these years.
He had already made his decision before coming to her, so Lin Qingwan had to go back.
After a cup of tea.
Mu Xue helped Lin Qingwan pack her things, while outside, Jiang Su's reprimand of Jiang Zhenlin never stopped, mixed with Jiang Zhenlin's explanations and resentment.
"Father, are you out of your mind! Why should I apologize to that man surnamed Ruan? I've already shown him mercy by not killing him!"
Who does he think he is!
Jiang Zhenlin blushed and his ears burned as he cursed, "Is Lin Qingwan out of her mind?!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he received a solid slap from his father, and the courtyard fell silent.
Although Lin loved her son dearly, she never disobeyed her husband in public, which was why Jiang Zhenlin was afraid of his father.
Mu Xue froze, and only after hearing the Prime Minister scold her a few more times did the young master stop arguing.
Now that we're back at the Prime Minister's residence, the young master will definitely take out all his anger on the young lady again.
Just thinking about it makes me feel sorry for the young lady.
Lin Qingwan came out of the house. Ruan Tinghuai, who was already sober, said urgently, "Qingwan, don't go with them."
Tong Di was a step too slow and had no choice but to stand still.
Ruan Tinghuai saw that her hands were wrapped in snow-white gauze and dared not go any further.
Qingwan clearly agreed to consider it. If the people from the Prime Minister's residence didn't pressure her, and if she had a little more time to sever ties with her blood relatives, he was confident he could take her away!
Ruan Tinghuai's eyes were red, and she hated herself for being powerless. "Qingwan, please, don't go back."
Lin Qingwan's heart ached at his sorrowful appearance, as if a door was slowly closing, gradually shutting out the light.
Her voice was a little hoarse, "Sir, we are from two different worlds."
He was once a man of great learning, but she was only familiar with the small town of Shuiyuan. Her attempt to escape failed, and she was branded as someone who had eloped.
Now that he has achieved success in his career, and she is trapped by the bloodline of the Prime Minister's mansion, before she can even escape, someone has already threatened to kill him.
Lin Qingwan smiled bitterly. How could she be tempted? She had even thought about leaving with her husband more than once.
"Don't come back once you leave the capital."
Her words were like a knife to Ruan Tinghuai's heart.
*
The carriage stopped in front of the Prime Minister's residence, where the eunuchs sent by Consort Ning had been waiting for a long time.
Jiang Su and Lin Shi exchanged a glance, neither of them feeling at ease.
The Imperial Concubine didn't give them any time to prepare. She had originally intended to give Lin Qingwan a few instructions, but now it seemed she only had time to change her clothes.
Lin Qingwan changed her clothes in the Orchid Garden.
When Rong Ma saw the horrific scars on her body, her eyes immediately reddened, and she gritted her teeth to keep from screaming.
Lin saw it too, her face filled with disbelief, "How could this be!"
Lin Qingwan calmly finished dressing. "Prince Jing has a rattan whip covered with thin blades."
"He liked to use that thing to beat people until they were covered in blood."
Lin felt a wave of dizziness, and for the first time, she looked at Lin Qingwan with heartache and anxiety.
Lin Qingwan paused for a moment, then silently lowered her eyes.
It wasn't until she stepped out of the room that Lin found her voice, "Qingwan!"
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