"Don't worry, madam, Father will definitely not let those people get away with it."
[That's just talk; I don't believe it. He's barely able to take care of himself, how could he possibly care about me?]
“I know of Master’s abilities. I’ve heard from outsiders that Lord Lin is a man of great talent, skilled in both literature and martial arts. I naturally believe in him.” Shen Ajiao spoke sincerely, not afraid that Daiyu wouldn’t believe her. Her main point was to portray herself as gentle, virtuous, kind, and generous.
"Believe him? Believe a complete idiot!"
I'd rather believe I'll outlive him than believe him.
Lin Daiyu: If it weren't for the little devil above your head and the words in your heart, I almost would have believed it.
Father is in danger…
"You flatter me, madam. There are many things I haven't been able to take care of. Please understand, madam. I will definitely correct my mistakes and do better."
Lin Daiyu: Father, this is all I can do for you. Your new wife doesn't believe you, and there's nothing I can do. Good luck to you.
Lin Ruhai, what have you done to deserve such a considerate and thoughtful daughter!
[You can't even protect this, and you still have the nerve to ask me to believe you?]
Lin Ruhai, who was working in his study, sneezed violently. Who was talking about me behind my back?
The thought that it might be his new wife made him instantly dejected.
"Where are the people sent to the capital?"
"My lord, this is an urgent message, delivered over 800 li. It should reach the capital tonight."
Lin Ruhai nodded after hearing his subordinate's words and was about to get up to see Chen Ajiao when he heard a servant say, "Sir, Mr. Jia requests an audience."
Lin Ruhai frowned. What was he doing here? Hadn't he already found a new job?
A moment later, a servant brought Jia Yucun in.
"Greetings to Your Excellency."
"What brings you here today, Mr. Jia?"
Jia Yucun wondered to himself, "Why is Lord Lin so stern today? His usual gentle and warm demeanor is nowhere to be seen. Could it be because of his new wife that he's become so cautious?"
"Does my lord still remember what I was instructed to do a few days ago?"
Lin Ruhai couldn't stand Jia Yucun's scheming and greedy look, but he still had to deal with him first, "Oh, it's about my daughter's trip to the capital."
"Mr. Jia, as you know, I'm currently trying to improve my daughter's health, and the recovery period is uncertain."
Jia Yucun's heart skipped a beat. "Uncertain?" he wondered. "What does that mean? Is he not going? Or does he not have a letter of recommendation?"
"Oh, I see. But I followed my elders' instructions and already said goodbye to my relatives and friends, and packed my bags. This..."
Lin Ruhai sneered inwardly. Knowing that you were going to escort my daughter to the capital, I would have thought you were in a hurry to go to the capital to curry favor!
"Then I won't stop you, sir. I'll make other plans for my daughter's studies." With that, she ordered someone to bring fifty taels of silver and gave it to Jia Yucun as part of his plans for going to the capital.
Jia Yucun was stunned for a long time, unsure whether to accept the letter or not. Seeing that Lin Ruhai remained silent about the recommendation letter, he felt annoyed and secretly resentful.
But for the sake of his future, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and say it.
"Then, sir, what about the recommendation letter we discussed last time?"
“Mr. Jia, you don’t know this, but recently the higher-ups have been cracking down hard. Since you’re not in that position, this matter is going to be difficult.”
Upon hearing this, Jia Yucun thought, "So, Lin Ruhai, you promised me but you didn't keep your word. Do you think I'm easy to bully?"
"Then could you please help me write a letter, so that I might also have a chance?"
Lin Ruhai: Writing a letter is impossible.
"Sir, you are trying to put me in an unjust position," Lin Ruhai sighed.
“I could have simply ignored you, sir, but given our years of friendship, I decided to inform you. But you… no matter who I write to, it would only implicate them in your unrighteousness.”
Lin Ruhai: Do you understand what I'm saying? Hurry up and leave. I didn't write the letter so as not to implicate others. We've had a friendship for many years, and I hope you won't implicate me either.
Jia Yucun, who had served as an official for a year or two, understood the meaning behind Lin Ruhai's words. His face flushed red and then turned pale. He quickly stood up, bowed, and said that he did not mean that. He asked Lin Ruhai not to misunderstand and that since Lin Ruhai had not given any instructions, he would take his leave first.
Seeing that Jia Yucun was sensible, Lin Ruhai gave him another fifty taels of silver. Then, he sent a letter to the capital to investigate Jia Yucun and block his career.
Jia Yucun was furious and embarrassed. Not only had he failed to obtain the letter of recommendation, but his job as a tutor had also been cancelled. He had also bid farewell to all his relatives and friends. There was no point in staying any longer; it would only cause him more trouble. With a determined look, he took his luggage and money, rented a small boat, and headed towards the capital.
When Lin Ruhai heard that Jia Yucun had gone to the capital, a smile flashed in his eyes. He decided to let Jia Yucun get arrogant for a while.
When Shen Ajiao drank the honey jasmine tea brewed by Daiyu, she felt completely satisfied, as if her internal organs were all at ease. Only then did she remember to ask, "What kind of poison did I take? Why was I the only one out of the three of us to take the poison?"
A hint of apology flashed in Lin Daiyu's eyes, "The poison was in that plate of pork knuckle."
Shen Ajiao suddenly realized, no wonder! Lin Daiyu has a weak stomach and can only eat so much at all; she can't touch anything greasy for now. Lin Ruhai doesn't eat those things either. That braised pork knuckle was specially prepared for Shen Ajiao, so…
Shen Ajiao frowned. To be able to analyze the three of them's diet and habits in such a short time was no small feat.
Poisoning me would do Lin Ruhai no good whatsoever; on the contrary, it would give others leverage against me.
Lin Ruiru, who was about to enter the house, burst into tears: "Madam, have you finally come to your senses?"
[If it wasn't Lin Ruhai who did it, then it was someone close to Lin Ruhai who did it!]
Lin Ruhai: Does your wife have a target now?
[That bastard Lin Ruhai, keeping a spy by his side, ha, he'll poison you sooner or later!]
Lin Ruhai: ...Thank you!
Lin Daiyu quickly explained, "Father interrogated them last night, but the person who poisoned them committed suicide by taking poison. The person behind it still needs to be investigated..."
"Yes, I believe the master will find the real culprit."
[Hmph, he dares not fail to find it, this concerns his life and death. Today he dares to poison me, tomorrow it will be Lin Baobao, and the day after tomorrow it will be him.]
[This ending is a tragic one!]
Lin Ruhai: The whole family died.
However, what Shen Ajiao said makes sense. Today it is her, but tomorrow it may be him and Yu'er. We must not sit idly by and wait for death. They dare to touch my family. Don't they want me to give up investigating the loopholes in the salt tax?
Since everyone is so free, why don't we find something to do together? He wants to see how long those people on his list can hold out!
Of course, Shen Ajiao had no idea that her heartfelt words had been overheard by the father and daughter. Not only did Lin Ruhai get busy, but Lin Daiyu was also greatly inspired and busied herself in her own courtyard.
She hadn't noticed it at first, but when she inadvertently saw that the maids who came in in the morning were different from those who came in the evening, and that the familiar maids from the morning had all disappeared, Shen Ajiao realized that something was wrong. Even the maids and servants who accompanied Daiyu were different each time.
Shen Ajiao couldn't help but sigh, "Look, smart people are indeed smart. It's just that their eyes, which were previously blinded, have now had their blindfolds torn off, and the world will become clear."
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