“Hu’s second son is disabled and can’t even do housework, let alone enter officialdom.” Jiang Su’s voice sounded unhappy.
Lin said, "Although the Hu family has declined, they are still a family of integrity, proud and arrogant. Otherwise, how could they not look down on Qingwan?"
Lin hesitated several times as she spoke, but seeing Jiang Su frown and shake his head, she said helplessly, "My husband doesn't know, but Cheng Min mentioned in her letter that Qingwan eloped with a schoolteacher a year ago!"
Jiang Su's expression immediately turned serious. "These words should not be spoken carelessly."
"Cheng Min would never lie to me! Qingwan was covered in injuries; she was deceived by that man, beaten, and I don't know how she managed to escape! I don't know..."
She didn't continue, but even Jiang Zhenlin, who was slow to react, understood what his mother meant.
Lin Qingwan was also surprised. When she came over, she wondered what her father had suddenly summoned her for. It turned out that her mother had been busy arranging the marriage, and it sounded like a good family.
No wonder her mother ignored her injuries several times and even blamed her for the trouble that followed. It turned out that Cheng had already come up with a reason.
A cup of poison took her life, and a letter made her remaining time a living hell.
They really weren't giving her any way out.
Her heart was already shattered into pieces, yet she could still grind it back and forth on the pieces of flesh, and each time she felt the pain grow stronger.
Jiang Zhenlin stared at Lin Qingwan, a complex mix of emotions flashing in his eyes. You could almost hear him grinding his teeth. After a long pause, he finally managed to utter, "Shameless!"
As he guessed, she had deliberately shown the injury on her arm last time in order to frame her sister's birth mother.
"His intentions are despicable." Jiang Zhenlin was filled with hatred. "You deserve to be beaten!"
That wasn't enough. He deliberately kept some distance from Lin Qingwan and said through gritted teeth, "It's filthy."
Lin Qingwan's eyes trembled, and she clenched her fists tightly to suppress the unbearable emotions in her heart.
Inside the room, Jiang Su continued, "Madam, Qingwan is not a fool. There may be other hidden reasons behind this matter. It is really inappropriate to conclude that Qingwan eloped with someone based solely on Cheng Min's one-sided account."
Lin Qingwan's heart skipped a beat, and a look of disbelief rose in her eyes as she stared at the door.
"This matter must never be mentioned again. Qingwan is, after all, our blood."
Jiang Su rarely showed such emotion, and Lin Shi was also moved by him. Her throat tightened, and her eyes reddened. "She is outstanding in appearance, but she is very stubborn. She is definitely not a good wife. Even if she marries outside, she will still be treated well because of the Jiang family's wealth."
"I'm doing this for her own good."
Jiang Su patted his wife on the shoulder, "There's no rush. Let's talk about it after the New Year. The Hu family is really lacking. After the imperial examinations are over, I'll see if there are any more suitable candidates among the new examinees."
Madam Lin still felt it was inappropriate, "When we pay New Year's visits, I'll have my cousin bring Hu Erlang over so my husband can take a look at him?"
Whether Jiang Su agreed or not, no one outside could hear.
Soon, Madam Lin came out of the study. She was happy to see her son, but when she saw Lin Qingwan was also there, her expression paused for a moment. She guessed that they had all heard what they had just said.
On second thought, what difference would it make if I heard it?
“Mother.” Jiang Zhenlin’s expression was still somewhat unnatural.
Madam Lin said, "You're not young anymore, don't act impulsively. Talk to your father properly later, okay?"
Seeing that her son's clothes were a little crooked, Madam Lin personally straightened them for him and patted his chest twice to comfort him, her eyes full of tenderness.
Jiang Zhenlin nodded absentmindedly.
As Madam Lin descended the steps, Lin Qingwan calmly bowed and said, "Mother."
Lin gave a soft "hmm" and left.
Lin Qingwan gave a self-deprecating smile. Her heart was pounding. She thought her mother would say something, after all, it was for her own good. She was looking for a husband for her, so she should at least ask for her opinion. But nothing came of it.
"Qingwan is here too." Jiang Su saw her inside the house and spoke first, "Then come in with Zhenlin."
The study was filled with some kind of incense, which smelled somewhat bitter.
Jiang Zhenlin was even more reserved than Lin Qingwan.
Jiang Su asked him directly, "Tell me, what did you do wrong when you were punished last time?"
Jiang Zhenlin's skin tightened. "I shouldn't have panicked and caused such a commotion in the mansion."
Jiang Su tapped a single finger on the desk, the dull thud startling Jiang Zhenlin into a deep thought. "Anything else?"
Jiang Zhenlin was taken aback. "There's more?"
As soon as he said it, he shrugged and said, "No, that's all."
Jiang Su knew his son's character perfectly well and didn't expect him to understand. He sighed softly, "Qingwan is your older sister. Like you, she is my and your mother's biological daughter. She has been away for fifteen years and her upbringing is different from yours, so it's inevitable that there will be clashes between you."
"You're a stubborn brat, always spouting nonsense. You yourself told me, how many times have you pointed your finger at her and cursed her since she returned home?"
Lin Qingwan felt a mix of emotions, and couldn't help but look up at Jiang Su. She finally saw that when he met her gaze, he deliberately let go of his seriousness, and his deep, bright eyes became clear.
It felt like a dream.
But Lin Qingwan's life had never seen such a warm dream. She couldn't believe it, but she couldn't ignore her heart beating again.
Jiang Zhenlin was speechless. Jiang Su continued, "I don't care how you mess around outside. But can't you use your brain? Using your words against your own blood relatives? You might as well go back to the countryside and stop bringing shame to the Jiang family."
Jiang Zhenlin knew his father always kept his word, so he quickly said, "I was wrong. I won't do it again."
Jiang Su coldly retorted, "You want a next time?"
Jiang Zhenlin waved his hands repeatedly like a mouse seeing a cat, "No, no. Father, please calm down, I know I was wrong."
"Alright, alright, get lost."
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