Chapter 098
Chapter 98: Bring Out the Evidence
The uproar was so big that Xia Meng Yan’s people did not even need to ask around: they quickly learned what had happened.
Eldest Master was badly hurt this time and could not handle many affairs, so Second Master Qian took it upon himself to help. He did not expect Third Master Zhou to be there too. Hot-tempered by nature, Second Master Qian thought the other man was stealing his work and struck first; Third Master Zhou refused to back down, and the two of them ended up injured.
After hearing Chun Yue’s report, Nanny Song frowned and said: “I did not expect the Lin family to be this unsettled. We just arrived and something like this already happened. Will people start to gossip?”
Maybe that would not have mattered before the big miss came, but outsiders think differently. After all, the big miss came to the Lin family with a pregnant belly. If a bad reputation sticks to her, it will put the two elders in a very hard spot.
Xia Meng Yan understood Nanny Song’s worry. [If all that comes out is gossip, I am not afraid. What worries me is the hidden hand in the dark.]
She gave a short order: “Send people to keep an eye on that side.”
She did not plan to meddle in the Lin family’s internal strife, but if the Huo family was secretly stirring trouble, she would not show mercy.
Even so, this was tricky. If even her maternal grandfather could not find the truth, it meant the matter was thorny.
She had thought the affair had nothing to do with her, but then the old madam’s nanny came to invite her over.
Walking along the bluestone path, careful on the cobbles already half covered with grass, Xia Meng Yan asked the nanny: “Nanny, Grandmother asked me to come. Is there something wrong?”
Knowing the old madam wanted Cousin Miss informed in advance, the nanny spoke plainly: “Eldest Master must rest and heal. After discussing with Old Master, they want to find a helper. Second Master Qian and Third Master Zhou both want to help. Old Master has not decided and would like Cousin Miss to come listen.”
Xia Meng Yan did not understand why her grandparents needed her there for this. By rights, they could decide such things on their own. She nodded and said: “Thank you, nanny.”
Nanny Song glanced at Chun Yue. Catching the hint, Chun Yue slipped a pouch into the nanny’s hand while the big miss walked ahead.
The nanny accepted it smoothly and nodded her thanks.
When Xia Meng Yan reached the front courtyard, it was full of people. Everyone there was a junior of the Lin family.
Someone blurted the moment they saw her: “Why is she here?”
Lin Qing Wan shot back without hesitation: “Cousin is also part of the Lin family, why can’t she come?”
The person stammered: “Sister, I did not mean that?”
Lin Qing Wan snapped with open disdain: “Be quiet. What right does a concubine-born have to speak?” At the words concubine-born, the girl bit her lip and cried softly.
Lin Qing Wan hurried to Xia Meng Yan’s side and carefully supported her, saying: “Cousin, go in and talk to them, please. They are acting out of line. Grandfather is almost faint with anger.”
Xia Meng Yan patted her hand with a smile and said: “I will try my best.” [In a courtyard packed with Lin family people, what am I, really?]
Matriarch Lin saw Xia Meng Yan enter and beckoned: “Yan’er, come sit with me.”
Noticing her grandmother’s displeasure and the worry between her brows, Xia Meng Yan quickened her steps and asked: “Grandmother, are you feeling unwell?”
Standing in the doorway like she finally had support, Lin Qing Wan pointed at Second Master Qian and Third Master Zhou and said: “It is the two of them. They are giving Grandmother a headache.”
Second Master Qian snorted at Third Master Zhou and said: “Qing Wan, open your eyes. Your Third Uncle has bad intentions. I did nothing.”
Lin Qing Wan was Madam Jia’s darling and had little sense. If she decided to hate someone, the whole Lin family would have no peace.
Second Madam sighed and chimed in: “It is just right that Meng Yan came. Help us judge. Your Second Uncle only went to help. Your Third Uncle accused us of having other motives. That is hurtful. Your Second Uncle is straightforward, that is why he raised his hand.”
Third Madam retorted, her eyes reddening as she spoke: “Second Sister-in-law, how can you talk nonsense in front of Father and Mother? It was Second Brother who said our third branch had wicked intentions.” She added, voice shaking: “Who in the Lin family does not know Third Master is a rigid man who closes himself up in the account room every day fiddling with an abacus and does not understand social dealings? How did we become the ones with ulterior motives in your mouths?”
Second Madam sniffed: “Third Sister-in-law, you should change that habit of crying at every turn. It is not true that whoever cries is in the right.” Seeing her cry made Second Madam think of the concubines in the second branch’s back courtyard. Though Third Madam was a main wife, she behaved like a concubine.
Watching the two branches quarrel while her grandfather and grandmother both looked grim, Xia Meng Yan pressed her brows and said: “Since you asked me to come, I will listen. If I say anything improper, Grandfather and Grandmother can correct me.”
[These people know the two elders have soft hearts, so they jump higher and higher. Not one of them is easy to deal with.]
Second Master Qian agreed at once: “Of course. Meng Yan just arrived, so she will be the most fair.”
Third Master Zhou nodded and said: “We are all family. Meng Yan, speak boldly.”
Matriarch Lin knew her granddaughter was speaking up for her, so she did not stop her. There were things the elders could not say, but if Yan’er said them, it would be different.
Matriarch Lin looked toward Old Master Lin. He nodded.
She declared: “In that case, Yan’er will take the lead in today’s matter.”
Madam Jia had been on the side enjoying the fight between the two branches, but when she heard that Xia Meng Yan would take charge, she was very displeased. Matters of the first branch should be decided by her. How did it become Xia Meng Yan’s turn to speak? Whatever little goodwill she had felt was gone again.
She started to object: “Mother, Meng Yan is still young, how can she—”
Matriarch Lin cut her off and said: “We are still here. What are you afraid of?” The displeasure in her eyes was plain to all.
Second Madam smiled and said: “We listen to Mother.”
Madam Jia rolled her eyes at her. [Go on, flatter her. Qian Heng still looks down on you and has taken three or four concubines.]
Old Master Lin added in a steady voice: “Yan’er, speak as you wish. If anything is out of place, your grandmother and I will help you.” He also wanted to see his granddaughter’s ability. His daughter had written that Yan’er had changed. He had doubts, but he trusted his own daughter.
With the two elders’ support, Xia Meng Yan rose and bowed to everyone, saying: “Let me be blunt first. If Yan’er says anything improper, I ask my uncles and aunts not to take offense.”
Seeing no one object, she went straight to the point: “Eldest Uncle’s injury is strange. Instead of doubting each other, we should see who can find the culprit.”
At these words, Madam Jia sneered in her heart. [I thought she had some new trick. She is just tossing the problem to everyone else.]
Third Madam smiled gently and said: “That is one way. But many people saw the horse go mad that day, and the coachman stayed in front of the carriage the whole time without leaving. How can we investigate?”
Smiling, Xia Meng Yan looked at Second Madam and asked: “Second Aunt, do you think the same?”
Second Madam was straightforward but not foolish. After thinking a moment, she said: “This matter can be simple or complicated. If the coachman never left the carriage, there are only two possibilities: either something is wrong with the coachman, or someone carrying a drug got near the carriage. But either way, two days have passed. It will be very hard to find clues.”
Second Master Qian nodded with satisfaction. The woman he valued had clear analysis. He said: “The coachman is an old servant of Lin manor. He would not betray Lin manor. That leaves only the other possibility.” He looked up toward the elders and said: “Godfather, I am willing to pursue the matter and avenge Eldest Brother.”
Third Master Zhou spoke calmly, worry in his eyes: “There is no need for Second Brother to worry about it. I have already sent people to investigate. Many people passed in front of the carriage that day. If we question each one, we will offend a lot of people. Eldest Brother is grievously hurt. This is a weak time for the Lin family. Bringing unnecessary trouble now would be a loss.”
Second Master Qian seized on that and said loudly: “I knew you had bad intentions. Stopping the investigation means you are guilty.” He turned to the elders and said: “Father, this matter cannot be separated from Third Brother.”
A sly light flashed in Xia Meng Yan’s eyes as she said: “Since you both think the other is suspicious, then whoever finds the evidence will become Eldest Uncle’s assistant.”
Everyone in the main hall was stunned.