After the verdict was announced, Yin Zhihua said, "Lin Shikang came from a poor family, and it was extremely difficult for him to achieve the third-highest rank in the imperial examination. As his family and relatives, you should help him build a good reputation, instead of using his name to bully the weak and bring shame upon him."
In their feud with Yang Cui, everyone knew who was right and who was wrong. Yin Zhihua's words were actually a reminder to the Lin family not to make things difficult for Yang Cui anymore, otherwise Lin Shikang would be the one to suffer in the end.
Although the Lin family wasn't completely crushed this time, the outcome is still pretty good. At least Yang Cui can have a long period of peace and quiet, and the Lin family is unlikely to cause her any more trouble at this critical juncture.
Lin Mingcai's act of bribing the yamen runners to tamper with the water was already a crime. Now that the most dangerous person in the Lin family is in jail, he shouldn't have time to retaliate against me in the short term. As for the future... if he doesn't continue to cause me trouble, then so be it. Otherwise, I'll always find a way to kill him.
Lin Shih-kang is the Lin family's reliance. As long as Lin Shih-kang is crippled, the Lin family will be free of threats. So, the next step depends on the Zan family's abilities. My letter should have been sent to Zan Wen-hao by now.
Upon hearing that Lin Mingcai was going to jail, Lin Niu became frantic. What would happen to her grandchildren if her son went to jail?
Chief Lin was also angry. He still wanted to protect Lin Shikang, so that Lin Shikang could lead his descendants to prosperity. But now that Lin Mingcai was in jail, the impact was huge.
Immediately afterwards, Zhou Daqing walked to the front of the hall and knelt respectfully in front of Yin Zhihua: "Sir, I am Zhou Daqing, formerly the village chief of Ji'an Village. Now, on behalf of our Zhou clan, I request that you divide Ji'an Village into Lin'an Village and Zhou'an Village."
As soon as Zhou Daqing finished speaking, the crowd erupted in uproar.
Yin Zhihua was stunned and quite surprised: "You want to divide the village?"
“Yes, we commoners want to split up our villages,” Zhou Daqing said firmly. “Our entire Zhou clan does not want to live in the same village as the Lin clan.”
The Lin family members' faces were ashen as they glared at Zhou Daqing with resentment.
Ignoring the resentful glares from the Lin family, Zhou Daqing continued, "Our clan still has dozens of fine young men and women who are to be married. Please, sir, consider their youth and agree to separate villages. If they continue to live here, we fear that no one will be willing to marry into our family in the future. After all, everyone worries that the people of Ji'an Village might be as ungrateful and ruthless as the Lin family. Please grant our request, sir."
"It seems the Lin family really isn't a good family, otherwise why would the entire clan want to be separated from them?"
"Logically speaking, if there is an official around, the whole village will fawn over him and wish they could be as close as possible to him. This is the first time I've seen someone ask to stay away from him like this."
"I just don't know whether that third-ranked scholar knew about these things or not."
"I think it was probably his doing. There's a saying that goes, 'The most treacherous people are often scholars.'"
"That makes sense, that makes sense..."
The public is discussing it extensively.
Chief Lin was furious. His cloudy eyes glared at him, and his dark finger trembled as he pointed at Zhou Daqing: "Zhou Daqing, you...you..."
Subsequently, Chief Lin fainted due to a sudden surge of anger.
"Grandpa (Dad)!"
The Lin family was thrown into chaos once again.
Yin Zhihua slammed his gavel and said, "If you want to divide it, then divide it. I hereby grant your permission."
"Thank you so much, sir!" Zhou Daqing kowtowed loudly in gratitude.
So what if Lin Rongguang became the village chief? He still can't control himself. If the county magistrate hadn't been there, Zhou Daqing would have burst out laughing three times.
Because Zhou Daqing proposed dividing the village in court, the Lin family was once again thrust into the spotlight. The people were even less likely to trust them, and the Lin family's future was essentially over.
Yang Cui received ten taels of silver as compensation before leaving the yamen.
The lawsuit is temporarily over.
However, the topic remains popular, and people can still be heard discussing it, with people occasionally glancing back at Yang Cui.
Yang Cui let out a long sigh of relief; now she could focus on her career.
"Xiao Cui." An Dafu called out when he saw Yang Cui come out.
Village Chief An, An Dafu's family, and Village Chief Zhou's family all came over.
Er Ya, San Ya, and Yuan Qiu rushed over. San Ya looked up and asked, "Mom, will Grandma and the others stop bothering us?"
"Yes, they won't come." At least they'll lie low for a while.
"That's great!" Sanya was overjoyed.
Yuan Qiu grabbed Yang Cui's hand: "Godmother, does your finger hurt? Let me blow on it for you." Yuan Qiu blew on the wound on Yang Cui's finger a few times.
"Good girl, after you blew on it twice, it really doesn't hurt anymore."
Yuan Qiu thought he had really helped Yang Cui, and grinned foolishly.
An Dafu also felt relieved and said, "It's finally over. You three can live a peaceful life from now on."
Zhou Daqing was in a good mood. He came out of the government office with a smile on his face: "I've already talked to the household registration office. The villages will be divided tomorrow. Xiao Cui, do you want to move back? The Lin family shouldn't cause you any more trouble. You can just join our Zhou'an Village then."
Upon hearing this, Village Chief An became somewhat anxious, worried that if Yang Cui returned to Ji'an Village—or rather, Zhou'an Village—Anjia Village would no longer have a chance to make money.
He looked at Yang Cui with some anxiety.
Yang Cui said, "I probably won't go back to stay here. We won a great victory this time, thanks to everyone's help. Let's have a meal together the day after tomorrow. I'll invite Manager Yu to join us."
"Okay, the day after tomorrow."
Afterwards, Yang Cui went to the Star Gazing Tower to meet with Manager Yu, who readily agreed.
Yang Cui then took her three children and the An family to the grain and oil shop for a big shopping spree. They bought a lot of millet, rice, cooking oil, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, and so on. They also went to Washi to buy two chickens, two black carp, and some bean products to entertain guests the day after tomorrow.
Of course, Yang Cui also bought two strings of candied hawthorns for the three children and An Xiaohu to share.
With the matter resolved, everyone looked happy and relaxed.
However, the atmosphere at the Lin family home was not so pleasant.
After the Lin clan chief fainted, Lin Mingfa immediately carried him to the clinic. Now, who in Wan'an County didn't know they were from the Lin family? People pointed and whispered about them all the way. Fan was furious and started arguing with the people at the clinic, almost getting into a fight. The other party even said they would take Fan to the government.
It was only after Lin Mingfa's wife, Lin Chenshi, kept apologizing to the other party that they finally stopped.
"Auntie, can you please shut up?" Lin Chenshi yelled at Fan Shi in an annoyed tone. "Didn't you see that Grandpa fainted? Do you think our Lin family isn't shameful enough already!"
"How dare you speak like that? Don't you have any sense of propriety?" Madam Fan scolded. "Can you blame me for this disgrace? Blame that bitch Yang Cui! She made Uncle Clan Chief faint, Mingcai went to jail, and I don't even know if it will affect Shikang. That bitch, I curse her to choke to death while drinking water, choke to death while eating, and fall to her death while walking!"
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