The carriage stopped in front of Yang Cui's house. Lin Shikang got off the carriage and found that the doors and windows of the house were locked.
"The third-ranked scholar is back! But you've come to the wrong place; this isn't your home anymore," said Zhou Zhuangshi of the Zhou family when she saw Lin Shikang lingering in front of Yang Cui's house.
“Aunt Zhuang, what are you saying? How can this not be my home? No matter what, I will always be a member of Ji’an Village. This is my hometown.”
Those unaware of the situation might have thought Lin Shikang was a kind and loyal man, but Zhou Zhuangshi, being a member of the Zhou family, knew the Lin family and the matter between Lin Shikang and Yang Cui best, so she didn't take Lin Shikang's words seriously at all.
She laughed dismissively, "This house belongs to Xiao Cui now, and the deed is in her name. You're her ex-husband, so you say this is your home?"
Lin Shih-kang choked.
Then Zhou Zhuangshi added, "And there is no Ji'an Village anymore. Now... your side is Lin'an Village, and our side is Zhou'an Village. The land where Yang Cui's house is located also belongs to our Zhou'an Village."
"They've really split the villages?"
In the capital, while the Zan family was spreading rumors about the Lin family and Yang Cui, they also spread the news about the division of Linzhou Village. They said that the Lin family, relying on the fact that they had produced a third-place scholar, had been oppressing and humiliating the villagers in every way, ultimately forcing the entire clan to choose to divide the village even at the cost of their lives.
Lin Shih-kang thought it was an exaggeration, but he never expected that the villages would actually be divided.
"Shikang, Shikang." Madam Fan had already jogged over, calling Lin Shikang's name from afar.
A large group of Lin clan members followed behind her, all of whom had heard that Lin Shikang had returned and came to see the handsome scholar.
Many people from Zhou'an Village also came out to watch the excitement. Zhou Daqing sneered in the crowd, thinking to himself: This is going to be interesting.
"Shikang, you're finally back! If you hadn't come back, that bitch Yang Cui would have killed me! My life is so miserable!" Fan Shi tearfully accused Yang Cui of her crimes.
"Mother, please don't cry."
Lin Sanjin said, "Fan, don't cry. Shikang must have had a hard journey. Let him go back and get some rest."
"Yes, yes, come on, son, let me kill a chicken and a duck for you to nourish your body." Madam Fan wiped away her tears and grabbed her beloved son's arm.
The Lin clan members, who had been dejected, suddenly perked up and were full of hope when they saw Lin Shikang returning in a carriage.
"Mother, where are you living now?"
“Didn’t that bitch Yang Cui take our house away? I lived in the ancestral hall with Daya for a while. Later, the clan pooled their money to build two rooms for us right next to the old clan chief’s place. One big room was reserved for you, and I slept in the small one with Daya.”
Speaking of the clan chief, Lin Shikang looked around and asked, "Mother, where is Grandpa Clan Chief?"
"Waaaaah... Shikang, you must avenge your clan chief grandfather!" Lin Niu cried, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Auntie, what happened?"
Lin Sanjin looked worried and said, "Niu Shi, don't embarrass yourself here. Shikang, let's go back and talk."
Lin Shih-kang had a bad feeling.
Lin Sanjin instructed his wife, Lin Heshi, "Hurry up and cook a meal to welcome Shikang back."
Lin He's wife immediately took her daughter-in-law back home. Other members of the Lin family also took out eggs, chickens, ducks, and other food from their homes and sent them to Lin Sanjin's house, saying it was to give the third-ranked scholar an extra meal.
Before we even started cooking, the kitchen was already overflowing with the supplies we received.
Lin Heshi couldn't stop smiling. Lin Shikang was eating at her place, and even if she secretly hid some of these good things, no one would know.
Lin Sanjin led Lin Shikang directly to the ancestral hall, where the Lin Niu family, Lin Sanjin, Lin Qi, and Fan Shi were all present.
"Third Grandfather, what exactly happened? The clan chief..."
"He's dead."
"What?!" Lin Shikang was utterly shocked!
Lin Niu cried out, "He was killed by Yang Cui. That bitch deserves to die a horrible death! She killed my father-in-law, put Mingcai in jail, and prevented Mingfu from going to school. She ruined the reputation of our Lin family, and many of our children have been jilted. You must get justice for us!"
"Mingcai is still in jail?" Lin Shikang was shocked again!
Lin Sanjin sighed and said, "Shikang, let me tell you about this from the beginning..."
Lin Sanjin told Lin Shikang everything that had happened between Yang Cui and their Lin family.
Lin Shikang was increasingly shocked as he listened, finding it hard to believe that Yang Cui was so amazing!
Is this really Yang Cui?
In his memory, Yang Cui was an illiterate, quiet, ignorant woman who only knew how to bury herself in her work!
But judging from all these incidents, is Yang Cui really an ignorant village woman?
Lin Shikang suddenly wanted to see Yang Cui.
Lin Qi added, "Ever since she woke up from the dive, her personality has changed drastically, and now we dare not provoke her anymore."
Lin Shikang was shocked by Yang Cui's transformation and abilities, but he was even more shocked that the so-called rumors in the capital were not rumors at all, but were actually true!
The imperial envoy investigating has probably already arrived in Wan'an County. Investigating these matters would be a piece of cake. Once the matter reaches the emperor's ears, my future will likely be...
Lin Shikang was extremely angry and terrified. He had always known that his mother was not a reasonable person, but he never expected that Lin Rongguang, the clan leader, would be so reckless!
Back then, Lin Shikang sent a letter and silver notes by express messenger. In the letter, he repeatedly instructed that Yang Cui be bribed with money so that she would take the initiative to propose a divorce, so as to avoid getting into trouble for him. However, he did not expect that his mother would hold him back, his clansmen would hold him back, and even the clan chief would hold him back!
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