Chapter 104
Chapter 104: Unfair
In the dark room, a cold voice gave the order: “Move the remaining goods out as soon as possible.”
A man frowned and whispered: “The Lin family doesn’t seem to care about this. And it is a whole boat of goods. It would be a pity to throw away so much silver.”
“Fool,” the person inside snapped, then said: “Right now the Lin family has not reacted. Do you plan to ship the goods only after they start checking?”
The man bowed his head and begged pardon, then said: “I will do it at once.”
“Wait,” the voice added, then said: “Do nothing for the next two days in case someone smart is watching.”
The man understood, vaulted the wall, and left.
Back at the courtyard, Madam Jia stormed straight to the Eldest Master to complain. He watched her righteous anger, and the hand turning the pages paused. [Yan’er framed Madam Jia? Is that even possible?]
He asked calmly, then said: “You said Yan’er’s maid found fake Snow Swallow Resin in our shop. Who is managing that shop now?”
“The second one,” Madam Jia answered. Seeing that the Eldest Master cared more about the shop than about her, she felt wronged, then said: “I did not expect Xia Meng Yan to be this kind of person. From now on, keep Qing Wan away from her so my girl won’t pick up the bad habits of the capital.”
If the Old Master and the Eldest Master both stood with her, then even with the Old Madam behind Xia Meng Yan, it would be useless.
The Eldest Master slowly closed the account book. From what Madam Jia implied: did Father shout at Mother? [Father yelling at Mother? Since they married, they never argued. This is the first time.]
He asked without hurry, then said: “After Yan’er fainted, who went to call Father and Mother?”
Madam Jia did not understand why he asked out-of-order questions, but she thought carefully, then said: “It seemed to be Chun Yue, the maid by Xia Meng Yan’s side.”
Hearing the name Chun Yue, a small smile flashed in the Eldest Master’s eyes. He set down the book and took Madam Jia’s hand, then said: “You were wronged today.”
Madam Jia’s face flushed at once, then she said: “I am not wronged, as long as Husband believes me.”
“I naturally believe you,” the Eldest Master said gently, then added: “As long as I am here, do not wrong yourself.”
Madam Jia’s eyes grew hot with tears. She nodded, then asked softly: “Husband, how are you feeling today?”
“Pretty good,” he answered. After he soothed Madam Jia and watched her leave, his face sank, then he called out: “Someone.”
Servants began to whisper that Xia Meng Yan had bad intentions. The Lin family gave her shelter, yet she did not know what was good for her and schemed against their business. Nanny Sun cracked melon seeds as she listened to the gossip, feeling pleased.
Even so, the main kitchen did not cut off Xia Meng Yan’s supplies. They simply stopped putting in the extra care they once did. After all, she had stirred up the two old ancestors into quarreling. A troublemaker like that did not deserve the best.
Chun Yue rushed back to the room in a huff. Seeing only Nanny Song inside, she could not help herself and complained, then said: “Miss, how long do you still have to endure this?”
Eating the fruit sent by Duan Yi Chen and hearing the house gossip, Xia Meng Yan felt calm and even a little amused, then said: “The other side has not moved yet. We wait a little longer.”
Chun Yue had served her for years. There was no way she could not recognize Snow Swallow Resin. That left only one possibility: someone inside the Lin family was selling fakes. Outsiders could not pull this off in a Lin family shop. It had to be one of their own.
To catch that person, they first had to confuse them: make the person think the Lin family did not care, and make it look like Xia Meng Yan was not truly valued. Even if she spoke up, the two elders would not believe her.
So she sent Chun Yue back early to leak the news to Nanny Sun. Because Nanny Sun held a grudge against her, she would add spice and pour it into Madam Jia’s ear. With Madam Jia’s impulsive temper, trouble would come to Xia Meng Yan at once. Now that the main branch was offended and the Old Master had also misunderstood her, the hidden hand would soon move to get those fake goods out.
Chun Yue still fumed, then said: “They went too far, saying you are ungrateful, evil, and act like a concubine. But you are catching a traitor for the Lin family.”
“It is fine,” Xia Meng Yan said with a slight smile, then added: “It is a good chance to see what kind of people the Lin family has.” [Adding flowers to brocade is easy. Offering charcoal in snow is rare.] Those who would still come close to her now, she would help in the future.
What she did not expect was that Lin Qing Wan believed her.
Lin Qing Wan stood timidly at the door, then asked: “Cousin, are you feeling better?” She looked as if she were the one who had done something wrong.
Xia Meng Yan beckoned her over to sit, then said: “I am already much better. If you come here, your maternal aunt will get angry.”
Lin Qing Wan sighed and said helplessly, then said: “You were wrong that day, but you have worked hard to make it right. You fell on purpose to protect yourself. I do not blame you.”
“You saw it?” Xia Meng Yan was surprised, then asked: “Why did you not stand up and tell everyone?”
Lin Qing Wan shook her head, then said: “At that time, if you did not protect yourself, you would only be shamed by Mother. Anyone would have done the same.”
Xia Meng Yan had not expected that the simple-looking Lin Qing Wan was this clear-eyed.
Lin Qing Wan lowered her voice, then said: “Do not believe the talk outside. Mother heard a rumor that you want to ruin the Lin family and then make Grandfather move the family business into your hands.”
Xia Meng Yan had heard many versions, but this was the first time she heard about transferring the family property. [Has the person behind this already made a move?]
She asked at once, then said: “Does Eldest Uncle know about this?”
Lin Qing Wan nodded. Speaking of it, she found it strange. Whenever there were rumors in the house, Father would always have the steward investigate and punish the source. This time, he did nothing.
Xia Meng Yan frowned. [Maternal Grandfather and Grandmother knowing my plan and playing along makes sense. But why would Eldest Uncle stand still? Did he guess my aim, or does he have other plans?]
Before she could think it through, noisy shouts rose outside the door.
“Xia Meng Yan, come out. You must explain yourself today.”
Xia Meng Yan and Lin Qing Wan shared a look. Second Madam? Why was she here?
With Lin Qing Wan supporting her, Xia Meng Yan walked out to see Second Madam standing in the yard with several older women.
Second Madam spoke sharply, then said: “Xia Meng Yan, speak plainly. You caused trouble at the shop under your Second Uncle’s management. Did you make a mistake, or did you do it on purpose? Do you really want to swallow the Lin family’s property?”
That morning, Second Madam had heard a rumor that Xia Meng Yan was using the second branch as a stepping stone to take over the family business. At first, she did not believe it. But when she went with people to pay respects to the Old Madam, she heard the Old Madam pitying how hard things were for Xia Meng Yan and planning to let her stay in the Lin family to manage the business. After that, it was hard not to believe.
Xia Meng Yan gave a bitter smile and pointed to her belly, then said: “Second maternal aunt, I came to the Lin family to have my child. I have no other plans.”
“You may not, but others might,” Second Madam shot back. She only wanted Xia Meng Yan to move out of Lin Manor. Since Xia Meng Yan came, the Lin family had not had a peaceful day.
Xia Meng Yan found it almost funny. She slowly stepped down the stairs, careful because she was far along, then said: “Second maternal aunt, is that not asking too much of me? I cannot control what other people think.”
[So someone is working behind my back, trying to make the second branch hate me too.]
Lin Qing Wan had long disliked the second branch. She snapped, then said: “What do you mean? Grandfather decides who gets the Lin family business. Even Second Master Qian has no right to meddle. What right do you have to say—”
“Qing Wan,” Xia Meng Yan cut her off, then said: “Qian Heng is the Lin family’s adopted son. The family has supported him for years. Scholars care a lot about face. And Second Uncle and Second Aunt have been with the Lin family for many years. They are already part of us.”
Second Madam’s anger faded a little at these words, then she said: “At least you understand.”
Lin Qing Wan still felt unhappy, but because Xia Meng Yan was pregnant, she held back for fear of upsetting her, then said: “You have your answer now. Please leave, or I will tell Grandfather.”
Hearing the name Old Master Lin, Second Madam clenched her handkerchief. She had not told Second Master before coming here. If things got big, she could not explain it. But since she had already made a scene, she could not slink off in shame. Her eyes turned and she sneered at Lin Qing Wan, then said: “Your mother was just wronged, and you stand here protecting your cousin. Does your mother know?”