Lin Erluo and Lin Lian did not return home all night. The two elders of the Lin family finally sensed that something was wrong. They ran out to ask and learned that the two had been arrested by the county magistrate. Only then did they cry and run towards the county town.
"Impossible! How could Xiaolian rob with those bandits? She must have been framed!" The woman chasing behind was shocked.
"How did they get harmed by someone else? I think it was that slut who instigated my second son, otherwise why would they both have been arrested together?" Old Mrs. Lin apologized.
“My little Lian is so young, how could she possibly incite others?” the woman retorted.
"Enough, you two stop arguing! The most important thing now is to think about what to do. Let's go talk to the eldest brother quickly, maybe we can still save Er Luo!" Old Master Lin slammed his cane.
Not long after, the family arrived in the county town by oxcart and found the house that Boss Lin had rented.
"Eldest brother, you have to think of something! Your second brother has been arrested by the county government. They say he's been harming the people with those bandits! You're a scholar, and you often keep in touch with the county magistrate. Talk to him quickly. Our Erluo would never do such a thing!"
"Grandma Lin said in a panic."
The group arrived just as everyone was out for a stroll after breakfast. They heard the commotion at the Lin family's place and came over out of curiosity.
When Lin Laoda heard his mother's loud voice, he was almost furious. How could she just shout such things out like that? What if the other students and scholars heard her? Would he still be able to study with his son in the future?
"Mother, please don't panic. Tell me what happened," he said patiently.
Grandma Lin and Grandpa Lin quickly recounted what they had found out that morning, and both of them looked indignant after they finished.
"Boss, you need to think of something quickly! Our Erluo have definitely been framed!"
Lin Laoda rubbed his temples, somewhat speechless. Could such a thing be a fabrication?
Those bandits committed all sorts of atrocities, and the people in the nearby counties were all trembling with fear. Lin Erluo actually had the audacity to hang out with them!
How could he not know what kind of person his second brother was? He was the most cunning when they were young, always shifting the blame for whatever he did outside onto his third brother, making the youngest brother take the fall.
Even after growing up, Lin Erluo remained unchanged, stealing people's chickens, poisoning people's pigs, what hasn't he done? Could this guy have been slandered?
That's a joke!
"Father, Mother, please stop trying to excuse my second brother. The magistrate has already arrested him, so he must have evidence. The most important thing for us now is to distance ourselves from him, not to actively seek his help!"
Grandma Lin across from them was stunned. Wouldn't that mean the rest of Er Luo's life would be over?
"Think about it carefully. Hasn't our new magistrate done a lot? He's an honest official who can't tolerate any wrongdoing. If he knew I had a relationship with Lin Erluo, would he still treat me well in the future?"
"If the county magistrate doesn't like me, it means that the scholars in our desolate county won't treat me well. How can my son and I pass the imperial examinations and bring glory to our Lin family?"
"If I pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, I will at least be a county magistrate. If I can become the top scholar, I might even be able to stay in the capital and serve as an official. There's nothing I won't be able to do then."
Besides, your eldest daughter-in-law has connections in the capital, how could she not look out for me? With just a word, I can get that county magistrate to release my second brother!
Lin Laoda's words made Old Mrs. Lin and Old Mr. Lin hesitate.
That sounds quite reasonable, doesn't it?
"No, I must see my daughter. After that, when will that be?" the woman behind screamed.
In the past, she would always consult with her daughter about anything. Now that her daughter is in prison, she is filled with anxiety, fearing that others will discover that she has taken over someone else's identity.
If Lin Lian cannot be saved, she will never be able to sleep peacefully again.
"I need to send a letter to the capital and ask the Shen family for help!" She didn't care about anything else anymore.
"Nonsense! You haven't practiced calligraphy in so long, what are you going to use to write a letter?" Old Master Lin glared at him angrily.
"We should use this relationship wisely. If we let them interfere now, will they be able to help me get a position in the future?"
The woman's heart skipped a beat. How did her husband know that she was secretly practicing and imitating Shen Wanxin's handwriting?
Was her impersonation of someone else discovered long ago?
If her daughter were here now, she could definitely comfort her in time and explain the cause and effect to her, instead of her trembling here.
She felt more and more strongly that she should save her daughter first.
"Let's go with the eldest son's decision; his future is the most important!" Old Master Lin made the final decision.
Even if the second brother comes back, he won't be able to do anything. Instead, he'll just be a burden to the eldest brother. It's better to let that guy stay in prison!
"Old man..." Old Mrs. Lin was still uneasy. Was he really not going to save him?
"What are you going to offer? Do we have any money?" Old Master Lin said coldly.
Grandma Lin lowered her eyes and remained silent.
"Father, Mother, since you've decided to let them stay inside, don't make a fuss. Go back quickly, and don't let anyone find out." The eldest son of the Lin family began to urge them on.
Old Master Lin felt uncomfortable after hearing this. Did the eldest son really want to drive them back to the village?
But he quickly put the matter out of his mind; they would eventually move in anyway, and these were just minor issues.
"Old woman, let's go!" Old Master Lin said.
Grandma Lin followed behind, looking utterly dejected.
Then, as they opened the door to leave, they saw a group of constables standing outside.
"The government is handling a case!" Luo Yong walked in, holding a token.
"Ning Xiangqiao, you conspired with the Ning family to occupy Shen Wanxin's identity for nine years. Do you know your crime?"
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