"Have you heard? Lin Tanhua is actually a gigolo! His lover's in-laws have sued him in court, demanding compensation!"
"Of course I've heard about it! If you ask me, Lin Shikang is a genius, hahaha... He's probably the first person in the world to encounter something like this."
"I must say, Lin Shikang is quite the ladies' man. His ex-wife, Yang, was a beauty, and that widow is still quite charming. I've also heard that Miss Wang from the capital is a woman who combines beauty and talent. Tsk tsk..."
"Do you think the death of Madam Ji's husband has anything to do with them?"
"Ji Shi died to prove his innocence; this matter must be a misunderstanding."
"There aren't that many misunderstandings in this world. You know, there's no smoke without fire."
"I don't think it's murder, but it's true that the Ji family spent their money. Otherwise, how could Lin's mother, a widow, afford to send him to school? Lin Shikang's calligraphy is so good; he couldn't have practiced it without good brushes, ink, and paper. Which of these things is cheap?"
"Wasn't it said that Lin Shih-kang's education was always supported by his ex-wife's family?"
“His ex-wife’s family gave him everything they had, but it was only a few dozen taels of silver. But Lin Shikang has been studying for at least twenty years. Putting aside everything else, his tuition alone would be over a hundred taels, not to mention the cost of writing materials and the expenses for taking the exam. Tell me, where did he get this money?”
...
On a painted boat by the river, a group of students from Nanshan University gathered together, discussing the matter of Lin Shikang and the Ji family.
They all transformed into professional financial advisors, calculating how much money Lin Shikang had spent on his studies and examinations over the years, and how much the Lin family had produced, in order to estimate how much money Lin Shikang had spent on the Ji family.
Chen Shaoyun and Meng Ruyan were in the next room and heard their conversation clearly.
Hearing everyone's discussion about Lin Shikang, Meng Ruyan wished she could rush out and speak up for him, but she couldn't do that because Chen Shaoyun was with her.
Chen Shaoyun had originally planned to return to Beijing two days ago, but he didn't expect to run into Meng Ruyan.
Meng Ruyan was talented and beautiful, and her voice was as melodious as a nightingale's song. Chen Shaoyun, who had seen countless women, was immediately attracted to her.
Therefore, I stayed in Wan'an County for a few more days.
Meng Ruyan poured Chen Shaoyun a cup of wine and said softly, "Lin Tanhua is really a man of great fame and fortune. Ever since he passed the imperial examination, the whole of Wan'an County has been talking about him. Scholars are sensitive about their reputation, so I guess he doesn't even dare to go out."
After Meng Ruyan finished speaking, Chen Shaoyun did not respond. Then she said, "In my opinion, this matter was most likely orchestrated by Lin Tanhua's ex-wife as revenge against him. What do you think, Young Master Chen?"
Chen Shaoyun laughed and said, "Miss Meng, you keep talking about other men in front of me. Aren't you afraid I'll get angry?" After saying that, Chen Shaoyun pulled Meng Ruyan into his arms.
Meng Ruyan blushed and said coquettishly, "Why is Young Master Chen so stingy? Ruyan was just curious. Seeing everyone discussing this matter, I wanted to chat with you for a bit."
In fact, Meng Ruyan was testing Chen Shaoyun's opinion on the matter and on Lin Shikang as a person, so that Lin Shikang could be mentally prepared and make corresponding countermeasures.
"Such a beautiful day and scenery, why spoil the mood by talking about other men?"
Chen Shaoyun carried Meng Ruyan directly to the bed...
After their lovemaking, Chen Shaoyun was satisfied. Wearing a loose-fitting thin shirt, he got up, poured himself a cup of tea, and said, "Pack up, I'll take you home."
A moment later, the two got into the carriage together, which stopped in front of Meng Ruyan's house.
"I'm going back to Beijing tomorrow, are you coming with me?" Chen Shaoyun asked before getting out of the car.
Meng Ruyan did not expect that Chen Shaoyun would be willing to take her to the capital. Given her background, even if she were to become Chen Shaoyun's concubine, it would still be a great honor for her.
"What? You don't want to?"
"How could Ruyan be unwilling? She just feels that she is not worthy of the young master."
Meng Ruyan was naturally unwilling to go. If she went to the capital, she would become Chen Shaoyun's concubine and be trapped in the inner quarters of the Chen family for the rest of her life. It would become a luxury for her and Lin Shikang to even see each other once in their lives.
Of course, Meng Ruyan wouldn't tell the truth. She said sweetly, "If you have Ruyan in your heart, young master, think of Ruyan more often in the future, and Ruyan will be satisfied."
This is already a rejection.
Chen Shaoyun was charming but not vulgar, and he would never force anyone to do something against their will.
Looking at Meng Ruyan, he lifted her chin and smiled, "Ruyan is so wonderful, I will naturally remember her."
He was always generous to the women he had been with. After saying that, Chen Shaoyun took out a few silver notes and said, "Take this money with you."
"Thank you, young master." Meng Ruyan didn't stand on ceremony.
After getting off the carriage, Meng Ruyan turned around and asked, "Young Master Chen, what time are you leaving tomorrow? I'll see you off."
"Miss Ruyan, it would be best if you didn't see me off, so as not to make me sad," Chen Shaoyun said. "It's getting late, let's go inside quickly."
"I wish Young Master Chen a safe journey and continued success."
As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage started moving.
At this moment, Chen Shaoyun's attendant complained in the wind, "Third Master, this Miss Meng is really not good, how dare she refuse! I think she is probably just playing hard to get, but luckily she didn't agree, otherwise the old lady would definitely blame her."
One of the Chen family rules is: No prostitutes are allowed to enter the house!
Playing hard to get?
Chen Shaoyun smiled, thinking that he had seen countless women, so how could he not tell whether a woman was sincere or just playing hard to get?
He was lustful, but he wasn't someone who only thought with his lower body and lacked common sense. The first time Meng Ruyan approached him, he knew she had ulterior motives. But since she was offering herself up, he figured he might as well take advantage of her. Besides, Meng Ruyan was talented and beautiful, so he wouldn't lose out.
Previously, he didn't know Meng Ruyan's purpose and only thought that some official had sent her to curry favor with him. Now it seems that Meng Ruyan must have a relationship with Lin Shikang, otherwise she wouldn't have come to test him.
It's quite interesting that a poor scholar who topped the imperial examinations has so many women protecting him.
...
Meng Ruyan wrote a letter overnight. In the letter, she first talked about the result of her test today, then about Chen Shaoyun's return to Beijing, and finally mentioned that Chen Shaoyun wanted to take her back to Beijing, but she refused because she deeply loved Lin Shikang.
The letter was delivered to Lin Shikang early the next morning.
Lin Shikang frowned after reading Meng Ruyan's letter, feeling uneasy because he didn't know Chen Shaoyun's attitude.
He knew he shouldn't blame Meng Ruyan, but he couldn't help blaming her in his heart. Why did she reject Chen Shaoyun? If she had stayed by Chen Shaoyun's side and become his favored concubine, she would have been able to get more help from such a powerful figure.
Now that Chen Shaoyun is gone, it's all too late.
Lin Shikang was replying to Meng Ruyan's letter when, just as he picked up his pen, a heart-wrenching, earth-shattering cry came from outside: "My son, you died so tragically! Waaah..."
Isn't that Lin Niu's voice?
What a terrible death! My son? Who died?
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