NOVEL NEXT Chapter 70: The Great Power
Chapter 70: The Great Power
At the end of the third street, a simple yet dignified carriage slowly approached and stopped in front of the Lin family’s main gate.
The coachman jumped down from the carriage and placed a small stool beneath it.
Next, he reached out and lifted the curtain, holding it steady as if he were a curtain holder.
A middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and long mustache bent down and stepped out of the carriage, placing his foot on the small stool before walking down.
Following him, a middle-aged woman with her long hair piled high bent out of the carriage, lightly touched her foot to the stool, and stepped down.
Finally, a young and beautiful woman in the prime of her life emerged.
The middle-aged man was undoubtedly Lin Yue, the head of the Lin family. The middle-aged woman was Hua Rongjun, Lin Yue’s wife, and the young and beautiful woman was Lin Wan, the eldest daughter of the Lin family.
“Master, Madam, and Miss have returned.”
Upon receiving the news, the old butler, trembling with age, came out to greet them.
Lin Yue rushed forward to support the old butler, “Old Uncle Fu, didn’t I tell you not to come out to greet us every time? You’re getting older and need to rest more.”
The old butler chuckled, “When the master returns, how can I, as the butler, not come out to greet you?”
Hua Rongjun added, “Old Uncle Fu, your words make it seem like you’re criticizing us. You’ve watched our husband and three children grow up. We’ve always treated you as an elder, not a servant.”
The old butler waved his hand slightly, “The distinction between master and servant must be clear to maintain good family discipline.”
Lin Yue and Hua Rongjun were helpless and could not say anything.
Lin Wan asked, “Grandpa Fu, has my brother returned from Green Bamboo Town?”
The old butler smiled, “He’s back, and he brought a simple and honest young man with him. I thought he looked quite good, so I mentioned your situation to him. He’s staying in the west courtyard. You can go and meet him.”
Obviously, Lin Chengyu and Xiaoyu had not told the old butler about Xu Lian’s imprisonment in the dungeon. The old butler thought that Xu Lian was still in the west courtyard.
Lin Wan frowned, “Grandpa Fu, please stop worrying so much. I’m already 28 years old, how could I be suitable for a young man?”
The old butler said seriously, “I think it’s very suitable. You’ve been practicing martial arts since childhood, and even though you’re 28, you look like you’re 18. You could easily match up with a young man. It’s rare for someone from the countryside to sneak into Pingyang County. Country people are simple and honest, and they don’t care about your past. With a little effort and skill, this young man from the countryside will surely be obedient to you”.
Lin Yue and Hua Rongjun exchanged glances, both speechless.
As the old butler and the three of them entered the house, Lin Chengyu, having heard the news, ran out to greet them, “Father, Mother, Elder Sister, how was your cultivation in the spirit lodge on the first street?”
Lin Yue replied, “Your mother and I have been stuck at the Transformation Strength stage for many years without making any progress. However, your elder sister has made significant progress and has already broken through to the Bright Strength stage.”
Lin Chengyu smiled, “Congratulations to the Elder Sister.”
“Miss is truly impressive.”
Xiao Yu also came out, standing beside the young and beautiful Lin Wan, only reaching her shoulder height.
Lin Wan seemed to have a good relationship with her, smiling and reaching out to touch her spiral bun, “You should work hard too, don’t be lazy.”
Lin Yue asked Lin Chengyu, “How did things go with the Fang family in Green Bamboo Town?”
Lin Chengyu shook his head, “For some reason, the head of the Pei family said that they don’t need the Fang family’s help to secure the next town mayor position. The relationship between the two families has soured, and they have broken off their engagement. So I couldn’t help much and returned.”
Hua Rongjun said, “If the Pei family doesn’t appreciate the Fang family’s efforts, that’s the Fang family’s problem. You made the trip to Green Bamboo Town, and it was a tiring journey. Regardless of whether you helped or not, the Fist Manual that the Fang family contributed will not be returned.”
Lin Chengyu replied, “The Fang Family has already told me not to return it. The Fist Manual they gave us is a copy, and the original is still with the Fang family.”
Hua Rongjun remarked, “I could tell from the start that it was a copy.”
Lin Yue nodded, “That’s good. Both the Lin family and the Fang family can practice it, so we won’t owe the Fang family anything.”
After the old butler left, Xiao Yu tugged on Lin Chengyu’s sleeve, “Young Master, Master has returned. We can save Brother Xu Lian now.”
Lin Chengyu gestured for her to be patient and said to Lin Yue, “Father, a friend who returned with me from Green Bamboo Town is being held in the dungeon by Gu Yanming. I hope you can help me talk to the county magistrate.”
Lin Yue was puzzled, “Why is he in the dungeon?”
Xiao Yu chattered on, recounting the incident where Xu Lian had a conflict with Gu Yanming’s carriage.
Lin Yue thought for a moment, “It doesn’t sound like a big deal. I’ll go to the district magistrate later. With my influence, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Hua Rongjun looked suspicious, “The friend from Green Bamboo Town, could he be the young man that Old Uncle Fu mentioned?”
Lin Chengyu, unaware of what the old butler had said, replied, “This is his first time in Pingyang County. He doesn’t know the place and is staying with us. Old Uncle Fu arranged for him to stay in the west courtyard. Xiao Yu and I didn’t tell Old Uncle Fu that he was arrested, to avoid worrying him. Old Uncle Fu has always been concerned about the Lin family’s reputation, and I was afraid that he would go directly to Gu Yanming to demand Xu Lian’s release.”
Hua Rongjun was a bit displeased, “Old Uncle Fu just said that this young man from the countryside is simple and honest, and would be suitable for your elder sister to marry. He caused trouble on his first day in Pingyang County, such a person is not to be trusted”.
Marry into the family? Lin Chengyu was taken aback and laughed bitterly, “Old Uncle Fu is really in a hurry. He thinks that every man he sees is suitable for my elder sister. Xu Lian is not suitable. He’s only 17, younger than me, and he manages a mine in Green Bamboo Town, making him a prominent figure there. He also has several women in his household. How could he possibly marry into our family?”
Hua Rongjun was a bit surprised, “If Xu Lian lives so well in Green Bamboo Town, why did he sneak into Pingyang County?”
Lin Chengyu explained, “He didn’t sneak in. He came to Pingyang County openly by boat and should have a travel permit.”
Hua Rongjun thought for a moment, “In a remote place like Green Bamboo Town, not many people have the qualifications to obtain a travel permit. Besides the heads of the three major families, only the mysterious White Fox Quarry Patrol Inspector has one. Whose permit is Xu Lian using?”
Lin Chengyu replied, “I’m not sure, but it seems that the head of the Pei family has a good relationship with him and even arranged for his daughter to marry him. It’s possible that he used the permit of the head of the Pei family.”
Lin Yue said, “Regardless of why he came to Pingyang County, since he’s staying at our house, he is our guest. If he’s been arrested by Gu Yanming, we can’t just ignore it. We should help him out, as it’s not a big deal.”
Lin Chengyu agreed, “I think so too.”
The family rested and drank tea in the living room. Just as Lin Yue was about to go to see the county magistrate, a servant rushed in and said, “Master, the county magistrate has come to see you.”
How convenient. The family exchanged glances, all a little surprised.
If the county magistrate came in person, it must be for something important.
“Quick, invite him in!”
Lin Yue thought for a moment and decided to get up and go out to greet him.
Lin Chengyu also went out to greet the county magistrate.
Hua Rongjun and Lin Wan retreated to the inner hall behind the living room, as it was inappropriate for women to meet guests.
Shortly after, Lin Yue and Lin Chengyu welcomed the magistrate into the living room. After a few polite words, they took their seats.
The county magistrate was in no mood for formalities. He bowed respectfully and laughed bitterly, “Brother Lin, have I offended you in any way? If I have, please tell me and I will apologize.”
Lin Yue was taken aback, “Why would you say that, County Magistrate?”
Lin Chengyu, Hua Rongjun, and Lin Wan, who were in the inner hall, were also surprised and didn’t understand what the county magistrate meant.
Seeing that Lin Yue didn’t seem to be pretending, the county magistrate frowned, “If I haven’t offended you, Brother Lin, why did you invite a great power to punish me?”