NOVEL NEXT Chapter 71: Looking for Clues
Chapter 71: Looking for Clues
The Lin family invited a powerful figure to deal with the county magistrate?
In the living room, Lin Yue and his son Lin Chengyu were frozen in shock, while Hua Rongjun and Lin Wan, seated in the inner hall, were equally bewildered. No one understood what had happened.
The Lin family were cultivators with some minor influence in Pingyang County, but it was impossible to imagine them being connected to a figure of great power.
Besides, the Lin family had a reasonably friendly relationship with the county magistrate. Why would they target him?
Recently, Lin Yue, Hua Rongjun, and Lin Wan had been cultivating at the spiritual residence on First Street, while Lin Chengyu had just returned from Green Bamboo Town. The only connection they could think of with the county magistrate was an incident where their guest had clashed with Gu Yanming and had been imprisoned in the dungeon.
Could the “powerful figure” mentioned by the magistrate be Xu Lian?
This realization left the Lin family stunned. Could this rural mine overseer from Green Bamboo Town really be the person the magistrate was referring to as a powerful figure?
From the inner hall, Hua Rongjun couldn’t hold back and quickly stepped forward to ask the magistrate, “Your Excellency, could you be referring to the Lin family’s guest?
Lin Wan, a young and elegant woman, followed her mother out, equally curious.
The magistrate frowned and replied, “This official is unaware of the specifics of his relationship with your Lin family. All I know is that my son mentioned that a maid from your household showed him around the city and brought him daily meals in the dungeon. It’s evident that he has ties to your family. Have you received many guests lately?”
Lin Chengyu replied, “In the past few days, my father, mother, and eldest sister haven’t been home. We only had one guest who was only staying temporarily.”
“That must be Xu Lian,” Xiao Yu guessed, still confused. “But Xu Lian is just a rural man from Green Bamboo Town. How could he be a powerful figure?”
The living room fell into a stunned silence.
A rural man from Green Bamboo Town?
A powerful figure?
It was hard to connect the two.
Hua Rongjun pressed further, “Your Excellency, could there be a misunderstanding here?”
The magistrate hesitated, as if he was about to say something, but in the end, he held back.
He wanted to bring up the purple jade token the young man was carrying, but he refrained. That young man had identified himself as an undercover envoy sent by his superiors to investigate Pingyang County, and such matters couldn’t be publicized.
After a long silence, the magistrate sighed. “My son is a spoiled brat who has been coddled by the women of the household since childhood, and he’s become arrogant and reckless. This time, he truly offended someone with a significant background.
“Yesterday, my son went to the dungeon and was severely beaten. I personally invited the young man to my house that evening, held a banquet to apologize, and let my son apologize as well. The atmosphere seemed friendly, and I thought the matter was settled.
“But this morning I heard that the young man had returned to the dungeon.
“This is clearly a subtle warning signaling dissatisfaction.
“If he reports this incident to his superiors and exaggerates even slightly, I’ll be in serious trouble.”
The Lin family was speechless. They exchanged confused glances, not knowing what to say. Originally, they had planned to beg the magistrate to release the young man from the dungeon. Who would have thought that the one in need of rescue was the magistrate himself?
Lin Yue looked at the desperate expression on the magistrate’s face. “Your Excellency, are you asking the Lin family to mediate on your behalf?”
The magistrate slowly stood up and bowed deeply to Lin Yue. “Brother Lin, I am truly at my wit’s end. Please, for the sake of our long-standing friendship, lend me a hand and help me through this crisis. If the Lin family ever needs my help in the future, I will do everything in my power to repay this favor.”
“Your Excellency, please stand up. This is unnecessary,” Lin Yue hurriedly responded, stepping forward to support the magistrate by his arms.
After a moment’s thought, Lin Yue turned to Lin Chengyu. “Chengyu, this person has followed you to our house and has shown you a certain amount of trust. Why don’t you visit the dungeon and probe his thoughts? See if there’s anything in particular that he holds against the Magistrate. Once we understand his grievances, the magistrate can address them and resolve the issue.”
The magistrate immediately turned to Lin Chengyu and bowed slightly. “Young Master Lin, I would be very grateful for your help.”
Lin Chengyu hesitated. “Your Excellency, I only traveled with Xu Lian from Green Bamboo Town to the county and shared a drink with him. We don’t have much of a relationship, but I will do my best.”
“I have to deliver food to Brother Xu Lian later anyway. I’ll go too,” Xiao Yu volunteered enthusiastically.
The magistrate waved his hand. “There’s no need to bring food anymore. I wouldn’t dare let this man share the same meals as the common prisoners. I’ve already hired the best chef from Linjiang Tower to prepare his meals at the dungeon.”
The Lin family was silenced once again. A cook from Linjiang Tower sent to cook in the dungeon? This only deepened their curiosity. Who was this person who could force the county magistrate to do such a thing?
Understanding the magistrate’s urgency, the Lin family did not hesitate. Lin Chengyu immediately took Xiao Yu to the dungeon.
Meanwhile, the magistrate remained in the Lin family’s living room, planning to stay until he received news from Lin Chengyu.
In the courtyard, Hua Rongjun and Lin Wan, the female members of the family, excused themselves from the living room. After leaving, Hua Rongjun led Lin Wan into her private quarters.
There was a hint of doubt in Lin Wan’s beautiful eyes. “Mother, is there anything you want to discuss with me?”
Hua Rongjun didn’t speak right away. She guided Lin Wan to sit on the edge of the bed, held her hands and gazed at her intently. “Wan’er, how many years have you been living with us in your childhood home?”
Lin Wan paused, her expression dimming. “It’s been exactly ten years.”
Hua Rongjun spoke gently, her tone tinged with affection. “You and your siblings are all my children, but your circumstances couldn’t be more different.
“Chengyu is barely over twenty years old, but he is gifted in cultivation and is currently working towards the Bone Refinement stage. He has the potential to join the Yi Sect. I dare not rush his marriage and let him decide for himself.
“Your younger sister married into the Tong family as the wife of their heir. With the Tong family’s resources, her life has been smooth and worry-free, giving me little cause for concern.
“But you, my eldest daughter, are the one I worry about the most. You’ve lived here for ten years without a husband to take care of you.
“Among the wealthy men of the county, most would not mind that you were once married. But marrying below us and accepting a common man into our family would tarnish the Lin family’s reputation. The longer this drags on, the harder it will be. You’re already twenty-eight.
“This is the best time for a woman – your beauty and figure are at their peak. Yet, it’s also the most precarious stage. Time doesn’t favor anyone. Even we cultivators who age more slowly cannot escape the eventual decline of youth. I don’t want you to face a lonely future.
“As for the young man Fu Bo mentioned, you should seriously consider him.
“Do not underestimate Fu Bo. Although his eyesight has dimmed with age, his years of cultivation give him keen intuition. The moment that young man entered our home, Fu Bo most likely sensed his exceptional strength. That’s why he tried to set you up with him.
“From what has happened so far, this young man has an extraordinary background. If you form a bond with him, you’ll not only gain the companionship of a man, but also the means to support your cultivation.”
Lin Wan blushed deeply. “But someone as accomplished and well connected as him could have any woman he desires. Why would he choose someone like me, a woman with a past?”
Hua Rongjun chuckled softly and picked up a bronze mirror, placing it before her daughter. “Wan’er, you underestimate a man’s heart. With your beauty and grace, what man wouldn’t be moved?”
Lin Wan gazed into the mirror, entranced for a moment. Ever since returning to her maiden home, she had neglected her appearance, feeling disheartened. Now, she saw that she had shed her youthful immaturity and blossomed into a stunning woman.
Hua Rongjun put down the mirror and continued, “Given his strength and status, it’s unlikely that he would marry into our family. But if you became his woman, he wouldn’t refuse. Men don’t mind having more wives, especially one as beautiful as you.
“You wouldn’t have to compete for status or make any demands. You could stay here at the Lin residence as before. As long as he remembers your goodness, he’ll continue to care for you and visit you often.
“To put it bluntly, such a relationship would also benefit the Lin family.
“Although we have some influence in Pingyang County, the waters here run deep. Several powerful families hold sway, and we lack the strength to deal with shifts in the political tide. Aligning with someone of his caliber would ensure our family’s stability.”
Lin Wan hesitated, her face flushed, before replying softly, “For the Lin family, I’m willing.”
Hua Rongjun gazed at her daughter and said firmly, “Wan’er, you misunderstand me. The Lin family isn’t after profit at any cost. This is about your happiness. It must be your decision, your will. Any benefits to the family are secondary.”
Tears welled in Lin Wan’s eyes as she leaned into her mother’s embrace. “Thank you, Mother. I understand.”
Hua Rongjun held her close, stroking her daughter’s long dark hair gently. “No matter how old you get, you’ll always be my daughter, and I’ll always want the best for you.”
Mother and daughter exchanged heartfelt words for a while. It was only when Lin Wan smiled that Hua Rongjun finally felt reassured.