Chapter 13 Impersonating a Husband "My wife! I've been looking everywhere for you!"...
Upon hearing that her uncle had arrived, Lin Zhi turned pale with fright. Ignoring the sharp pain in her scalp, she grabbed her hair and tried to run away. Her clothes were thin in the summer heat, and Pei Lang frowned, quickly pressing her down before his own clothes were completely ripped open. "Doesn't it hurt? Shh, don't make a sound."
If someone were to see you dressed so disheveled, even if nothing happened, it would be difficult to explain yourself.
Lin Zhi heard her uncle's steady footsteps approaching slowly. She knew that even if she tore off her hair, it would be useless. She shrank back in despair, but when she turned her head, she caught a glimpse of Pei Lang's smooth collarbone and chest, where she could vaguely see the cleavage of his strong body.
She involuntarily gasped, feeling as if her face was on fire.
When Pei's father entered the room and didn't see anyone, he looked around in confusion. "Son, your leg ailment hasn't healed yet, why aren't you lying down and resting? It's so uncomfortable sitting here like this."
Pei Lang lowered his eyes and stared at the top of the girl's dark hair, which had been exposed by tearing open his clothes, and watched her curl up against him like a kitten.
He calmly said, "Father, I just woke up and my legs are a little numb, so I can't move easily. I need to rest for a while. Please forgive me."
Pei's father naturally didn't hold it against his son. After responding, he sat down on a wide chair not far away and said, "It's alright, you can rest. But I have something important to discuss with you today."
Upon hearing that it was a highly confidential matter, Lin Zhi nervously gripped Pei Lang's sleeve. He didn't seem to mind too much, but simply covered Lin Zhi's ears with his hand.
"Father, please speak."
"Sigh, it's all because your second brother sent a message back from the border. You've probably seen it too. He says he wants to marry your cousin Lin Zhi. What do you think, son?"
Upon hearing this, Pei Lang raised an eyebrow, but released his large hand from Lin Zhi's ears, intentionally letting her hear as well.
"This is a matter that I shouldn't get involved in. Does Father think that's inappropriate?"
Pei's father snorted: "Although the Lin family is Shaowan's maternal family, they don't even have an official position. They can barely be considered a scholarly family. But Lin Zhi is just a collateral branch of the Lin family and lost her parents early. How can she be worthy of Mingli?"
"Your brother must have been bewitched by some kind of magic potion. He swore in his letter that he would marry no one but her! He's really trying to drive his father crazy!"
Feeling the stiffness in the person in his arms, Pei Lang tightened his arms around her slightly, but his tone remained calm, "Cousin Azhi is gentle and kind, and perhaps she and my brother would be a good match. They grew up together and were childhood sweethearts, so why should Father be so concerned?"
These words were spoken to both her father and Lin Zhi.
Upon hearing this, Pei's father slammed his fist on the table: "You make it sound so simple. If it were just a concubine, I might not refuse for the sake of my wife. But your brother actually said he wants her to be his legal wife. Isn't that just making us a laughingstock!"
"Back then, the Pei and Lin families had a good relationship, so Shao Wan could only enter the Pei family as a concubine. Now that Old Master Lin is gone, what right does Lin Zhi have to be the young mistress of the Pei family?"
When the old story was brought up, a dark glint flashed in Pei Lang's eyes as he turned his back to his father, but it disappeared quickly and went unnoticed.
Pei Lang glanced at Lin Zhi, who was lying on him without any reaction, and said in a deep voice, "Father, I'm tired. Mingli hasn't returned yet either. Let's discuss this matter later."
Only then did Pei's father realize the mistake he had made. He hesitated, wanting to explain, but in the end, he could only let out a deep sigh: "Lang'er, I will always feel guilty towards your mother, alas..."
Pei Lang turned his head slightly and caught a glimpse of his father's graying temples and slightly hunched back out of the corner of his eye. Only after hearing the door close did Lin Zhi peek out from his embrace in a muffled voice: "Cousin, can you let me go?"
Somewhat dazed, Pei Lang looked down and realized that Lin Zhi had already removed the small hairpin, letting a strand of long hair fall down beside her ear and slipping away from his chest.
Lin Zhi panicked just now and forgot that this was still possible.
Even though her eyes were slightly lowered, Pei Lang could still tell that she was feeling down. After all, she had to hear her father's words clearly. Such belittling and contempt would be unbearable for anyone.
Suppressing the interest in his eyes, Pei Lang still kindly advised, "Don't take what Father said to heart. He's just worried that Mingli is reckless."
"There is still room for maneuver in the future."
Pei Lang's usually cold voice softened slightly, but Lin Zhi only showed a smile that was more like a grimace, pursed her lips and nodded to him: "Thank you for your understanding, cousin. Then I'll go back first."
"etc."
Lin Zhi paused in her steps as she was about to leave, but she watched as Pei Lang got up from his wheelchair, walked up to her with his collar slightly open, and reached out his hand to her.
Lin Zhi's red lips parted slightly, still surprised by Pei Lang's legs, but she didn't expect that warm and dry hand to lift her loose hair and put the hairpin back in.
"Cousin, your leg..."
Pei Lang lowered his hand with perfect ease: "I told you it was just a minor injury, you're making a mountain out of a molehill."
Pei Lang then turned to open the door, staring at Lin Zhi for a long time without making a move.
After everyone left, Pei Lang's expression darkened and changed. "Xingyun, get out here."
In the blink of an eye, Xingyun hurriedly landed on the roof: "Young master, what are your orders?"
"I didn't say no one is allowed to disturb me. How did my father get here?"
Xingyun scratched his head in distress, his expression conflicted: "Young Master, it was Miss Lanxin who said that Master has something important to discuss with you, and I dare not stop Lord Pei."
Lanxin...
A hint of gloom crossed Pei Lang's eyes, and he told Xingyun to bring the person over.
"etc."
Xingyun stopped and turned to wait for Pei Lang to speak: "There's no need to go. Put this matter aside for now. How's the investigation into the Lin family's past going?"
Their young master has always been decisive and efficient, and now it seems that Lan Xin is indeed not simple. However, Xingyun did not dare to say this out loud, but only bowed respectfully: "Jifeng has already sent a message back to the manor, saying that he found out that before Madam Lin got married, she seemed to have been on good terms with a schoolteacher."
"That gentleman had already gone to the Lin family to propose marriage, but he was thrown out by the old master of the Lin family. He died of illness not long after. Later, Madam Lin entered the Pei family and became a concubine."
Pei Lang stood tall and elegant in front of the door, scrutinizing his expression: "Say the important things."
Pei Lang's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. Xingyun's heart tightened; he understood that his young master wanted evidence, but he could only steel himself and reply, "This... the Lin family is very tight-lipped about this matter, and Jifeng hasn't been able to obtain any concrete evidence..."
Seeing Pei Lang's gloomy expression, Xingyun quickly spoke up again: "But he found out that there was another person who knew the inside story of this matter back then, namely Miss Biao's birth mother, Hu Yu."
"Hu Yu was once a famous embroiderer in Jiangnan. She made the wedding dress for Madam Lin's concubine. Even in the capital, few people could have such skills."
"From engagement to marriage, it's only been two months. The wedding attire takes much longer to prepare, so I dare to suggest that the wedding attire might hold the answer you seek, sir."
Hearing this, Pei Lang slowly walked down the steps: "You mean, that wedding dress might have been made by Hu Yu for Lin Shaowan and that schoolteacher?"
Xingyun remained noncommittal, daring not to make any rash judgments.
After a long silence, Pei Lang finally spoke in a hoarse voice: "I saw that wedding dress once when I was young. It was indeed exquisitely made, but it was in Lin Shaowan's dowry warehouse. It will be difficult to get it."
"That's enough, you can leave now."
After Pei Lang left, Xingyun finally let out a heavy sigh. For so many years, whenever the late Madam was mentioned, the young master would become terribly gloomy, and even though he had been by the young master's side for many years, he still couldn't get used to it.
Chuntao and Xiaying huddled together on the stone bench, whispering, "What's wrong with Miss? She's locked herself in her room ever since she came back from the young master's place. It's been two days, why hasn't she asked us to serve her?"
Xia Ying was also troubled. In the past, the young lady doted on them and did not allow them to do rough work, but these days she has not even asked them to serve tea, water, or cakes.
"I noticed the other day that Miss's silk thread was almost used up. Is it because Miss has a lot of schoolwork and hasn't been able to embroider for too long?"
Chuntao and the other woman exchanged a glance, seeing approval in each other's eyes: "Very likely, why don't we ask Miss to go out for a walk?"
The two maids discussed it and then went to knock on the door: "Miss, would you like to rest your eyes?"
Hearing the noise, Lin Zhi nodded in surprise and rubbed her aching temples, asking, "What is it?"
Chun Tao hesitated for a moment, then said, "I heard from the servant that the Yunsifang store that Miss frequents has received new silk thread. I was thinking of accompanying you to take a look."
"The colors of the silk thread are all gone after I embroidered the Guanyin picture for the lady last time."
Lin Zhi glanced at the silk thread rack, which was indeed quite empty. She sighed softly, still feeling a lingering fear about what happened to Lu Jue last time: "Has there been any news from the Marquis's residence recently?"
Xia Ying quickly said, "I heard that Young Master Lu went up the mountain to offer incense, Miss, don't worry!"
Seeing the expectant looks in the two little girls' eyes, Lin Zhi had no choice but to force a smile and agree.
"The Dali Temple is investigating a case; bystanders, please leave!"
The carriage suddenly stopped, and Lin Zhi swayed but was steadied. "Miss, are you alright?"
Lin Zhi shook her head, her face slightly pale: "It's alright... Is this a case being investigated by the Dali Temple?"
Peeking through the small window from behind the curtain, they saw a neatly arranged column of imperial guards heading towards the other side of the long street; it looked like quite a large force. Fortunately, Lin Zhi and the others were heading in another direction, so they weren't late.
Upon noticing the rare gradient-colored silk thread, Lin Zhi's eyes lit up, but before she could reach out, it was snatched from her hand. "Miss... this is your favorite silk thread!"
Lin Zhi frowned and turned her head to look. She saw the silk thread being handed to a richly dressed woman. Upon closer inspection, the woman was covered in rare jewelry, and even the bracelet on her wrist was clearly not an ordinary item.
Seeing her extraordinary bearing, Lin Zhi knew she was from a wealthy family and refrained from arguing. Seeing that she was being ignored, Xiao Wen became even more annoyed: "You're so boring! Don't you have any temper at all?"
Lin Zhi just smiled and didn't say anything more, which made Xiao Wen seem a bit aggressive.
But before she could even finish a short while, Lin Zhi heard a thud as something was knocked to the ground. Turning around, she saw a somewhat familiar figure. The tall man seemed to have been seen at the Pei residence before. Was he... Pei Lang's friend?
Lin Zhi frowned slightly, thinking she had misremembered, but to her surprise, as the man picked up the things from the ground, the servant behind him pushed several customers standing at the door and chased them out.
The vicious fugitive escaped from Dali Temple prison. Xie Zheng led his men to track him down to this embroidery shop. They only knew that the man had run into the inner room of the shop, but he was afraid of alerting him. Just as he was frowning with worry, a plan suddenly came to mind.
"My wife! I've been searching so hard for you! Have you found the silk thread yet?"
Lin Zhi watched as the man walked towards her with a smile on his handsome face and a familiar tone, and she couldn't help but widen her almond-shaped eyes.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Thank you for clicking and liking, and thank you for saving this post!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
