The matter is temporarily resolved.
The Lin clan members hurriedly carried Lin Shikang to the clinic. Lin Shikang struggled to stay awake, his eyes scanning back and forth among the onlookers. His gaze finally settled on a middle-aged man. Upon seeing him, Lin Shikang finally felt relieved and fainted.
Yin Zhihua wanted to get closer to Dao Ba, but when he remembered that Dao Ba had said his identity should be kept secret, he stopped and wondered whether he should give the money he had received yesterday to Dao Ba as a gift.
Yang Cui followed the child out of the courtroom, where she could still hear many people talking. Because Lin Shikang had "sincerely" apologized, the amount of criticism against him had decreased, and there was more sympathy than condemnation.
"Why did he put on such a show today?" Yang Cui was puzzled and couldn't help but ask Cen Xiao.
Cen Xiao said, "He was putting on an act for the imperial envoy."
Yang Cui looked shocked: "Imperial Envoy?"
"The Zan family spread the word in the capital, and with the Wang family's influence, it became a major event concerning the reputation of scholars throughout the land. As a result, the emperor sent an imperial envoy to investigate the matter."
Upon hearing this, Yang Cui immediately understood.
The imperial envoy must have already arrived here, and it's too late to silence the gossip. So his apology, seemingly a sign that he has bowed his head and admitted his mistake, actually earns him a reputation for being responsible and accountable. It also serves as an opportunity to tell the imperial envoy that his clansmen were responsible for the incident, and that he was implicated.
This tactic of putting oneself in a desperate situation to survive was indeed cleverly employed.
"In your opinion, can Lin Shikang still hold office?"
"You don't want him to become an official?"
"The Lin family is now either dead or in jail, not to mention their reputation is ruined. Lin Shikang just bowed his head and apologized in public, and was beaten thirty times and almost lost his life. It's impossible that he doesn't harbor resentment. He looks gentle and refined, but he actually holds grudges. If he becomes an official, it won't be a good thing for me."
"Then let him not be the one."
Cen Xiao spoke very casually.
Yang Cui was taken aback for a moment, looked at him, and smiled faintly: "You can do it?"
"You can do it if you want to."
Yang Cuiyan looked at him with a smile: "Then how can I repay you?"
Seeing her smiling face, Cen Xiao smiled and couldn't help but reach out and pat her head: "What do you think?"
Yang Cui was a little stunned. Why did she find his smile and his head pat so alluring?
Equally stunned was Chen Shaoyun, who was standing not far away. The cold-faced General Cen Xiao even had a smile in his eyes when looking at a woman!
Ah, interesting, interesting!
...
Lin Shikang, who was in the clinic, had fallen into a coma and developed a high fever in the afternoon. Lin Sanjin, Lin Qi and others were very worried, and Fan Shi's tears fell like beads from a broken string.
The medical resources in this small town were ultimately limited, and Lin Shikang's high fever persisted. Madam Fan sat by Lin Shikang's bedside, wailing and crying, "My son, my son."
"Aunt Fan."
Just as Madam Fan was crying her heart out, a woman's voice rang out, as clear as a nightingale's song.
Madam Fan looked up and examined the woman. She saw that the woman was wearing a light-colored dress and a white jade hairpin with orchids in her hair. She walked gracefully with a pretty maid following behind her.
"Who are you?" Fan asked.
"I am Meng Ruyan, an old friend of Lin Tanhua." With that, Meng Ruyan presented a white porcelain bottle. "This contains the Rejuvenation Pill from Jirenfang in the capital. Please give it to Lin Tanhua quickly."
Meng Ruyan's eyes remained fixed on Lin Shikang. Seeing his battered back, Meng Ruyan felt as if her heart was being torn apart, and her eyes filled with tears.
Before Madam Fan could react, Meng Ruyan had already given the medicine to the doctor at the clinic. The doctor opened the bottle, took a sniff, and exclaimed excitedly, "It's medicine from Jirenfang, no doubt about it!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Sanjin's face lit up with joy: "Doctor, is there any hope for Shikang?"
"This medicine is remarkably effective for fever caused by external injuries. Lin Tanhua will definitely be fine, otherwise it would be a waste of the five taels of silver per pill."
"Five taels of silver per piece?" Fan and Lin exclaimed in surprise.
Five taels of silver was their family's annual expenses, but Meng Ruyan's spending amounted to several years' worth of other people's expenses, leaving the Lin family speechless.
Fan Shi, Lin Sanjin, and the others had to re-evaluate Meng Ruyan. This girl's clothes, mannerisms, and behavior clearly indicated that she was no ordinary person. Furthermore, the way Meng Ruyan looked at Lin Shikang was full of heartache—a look that was not something an ordinary person would have!
"Girl, thank you so much. You are a great benefactor to our whole family."
Fan's dark hands affectionately grasped Meng Ruyan's, and Meng Ruyan showed no disgust. Instead, she comforted Fan, "Aunt Fan, don't be too sad. The world... Lin Tanhua has suffered and needs someone to take care of him. Please take good care of yourself."
After saying that, Meng Ruyan handed a purse to Madam Fan. Madam Fan glanced at it and figured there must be at least twenty taels of silver inside.
"Aunt Fan, Lin Tanhua was kind to me in the past. This is a small token of my appreciation. Please buy some good things to nourish your and Lin Tanhua's bodies."
"This...this...how can I accept this?" Although she said she didn't want it, Fan Shi actually held onto the money tightly, afraid that Meng Ruyan would change her mind and take it back.
“Auntie, please accept this. I felt an instant connection with you the moment I saw you. Consider it a gift from your junior to you.”
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Once Shikang recovers, I'll have him thank you properly."
"Then I'll head back now, and I'll come see you again tomorrow."
"Then I'll see you out." Madam Fan escorted Meng Ruyan out of the clinic.
Before leaving, Meng Ruyan gave Lin Shikang a tender look.
After leaving the clinic, Meng Ruyan's maid, Cuizhi, complained, "Miss, that old lady is really greedy."
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