Chapter 116
Chapter 116: Can’t Make Sense of It
After sending the Qiao Family father and daughter away, Old Master Lin did not feel happy; he felt guilty as he said to Yan’er: “You are so considerate. How can I face your mother?”
Xia Meng Yan had agreed to the Zheng Family’s terms so quickly only for the Lin Family’s sake. With Xia Ping Yuan’s rank today, if he wanted to trouble the Zheng Family, they might be executed before leaving Man Lin City. Yet Xia Meng Yan still swallowed her grievance and said yes.
She sat beside Old Master Lin and leaned on his shoulder like a daughter. Her mother thrives in the capital because her maternal grandfather has favored her for years. She could afford to offend Prefect Zheng, but the Lin Family’s roots are in Man Lin City, and she could not be selfish.
Smiling, she teased to lighten him: “It seems my plan worked. Maternal Grandfather, you’re feeling guilty now, so you will pamper me even more in the future, right? Am I your one and only favorite, even more than Mother?”
Old Master Lin had been steeped in guilt, but at her playful words he could not help laughing as he replied: “Yes. Not only me, your grandmother too. You are the apple of our eye. Even your mother cannot compare.”
Whether the Lin Family relied on the Xia Family’s protection, Old Master Lin knew the truth. Xia Ping Yuan was a soft-hearted man with a hard mouth; the Lin Family seldom asked for help, but whenever they did, he did his best and left no trace, so no one could find a flaw. Because of that, many in the household believed Xia Ping Yuan’s rise came from the Lin Family paving the road with money. Now his maternal granddaughter had come and, in one stroke, secured a three-year salt license for the Lin Family. Such quick wits were rare in the entire clan.
Old Master Lin said in a tone that sounded like a simple comment but was really a question: “Still, it surprised me that Prefect Zheng could bring out a salt license.”
Xia Meng Yan did not hide anything. Her gaze fell to the jade pendant at his waist as she explained: she had spread rumors not only to clear the Lin Family’s name but to force Prefect Zheng to show real sincerity. A prefect’s power is great, but the benefits that can be handed to merchants are very few. In her plan, even if it wasn’t a salt license, there would have been something else strong enough to make the Lin Family hesitate. “Prefect Zheng threw out a salt license right away so we had no reason to refuse,” she said. “Maternal Grandfather, do not feel burdened. I am not wronged. I have been sheltered by the Lin Family for many years. It is right that I repay a little.”
Seeing she did not wish to say more, Old Master Lin stopped asking. He stroked her back and shifted the topic: “Divine Physician Luo has written. He will arrive in two days. During this time, you will handle your uncle’s official business.”
Xia Meng Yan straightened, puzzled as she asked: “Weren’t we only helping?”
“Your elder uncle needs to rest and should not divide his mind,” Old Master Lin said with a yawn. “Do not worry, you will have help.” Then, half to himself, he muttered, “Old bones cannot stand much tossing about. The Lin Family is beset within and without. I do not know if these old bones can carry it through.”
[Grandfather is digging a pit for me.] She fell silent, then thought, [Forget it. I won’t be staying in the Lin Family much longer anyway.]
Second Madam knew her natal family would come today, so she had people watching the front yard early. Yet even after her father left, no one called her over. She felt anxious and had nowhere to let it out.
When Second Master Qian came back, he found her pacing the room. Because of the Qiao Shan matter, the couple had been cold to each other for a long time.
She rushed to ask as soon as he entered: “Husband, did Adoptive Father look for you?”
He shook off her hand, went straight to the armchair, lifted the cup, and, finding the tea cold, threw it down hard: “I work outside all day. I come home and cannot even get a cup of hot tea. What use are you?”
Second Madam jolted, then recovered quickly. She knew he was still angry about Qiao Shan, so she said, “My mind was unsettled because Father and Adoptive Father met today. I was careless. I will change the tea right now,” and she signaled her trusted maid at the door.
The maid soon brought hot tea. Others came behind to clean the broken shards.
After a sip, Second Master Qian said impatiently: “It is about Zheng Minglan. It has nothing to do with us. Stop worrying.”
She frowned and pressed on: “Husband, you do not see it. If Father can settle this, the Zheng Family will owe the Qiao Family a favor.” [He is usually smart. Why is he muddle-headed now?]
Of course he understood, but seeing Madam Qiao so eager, he spoke with disdain: “Your father settle it? As the legitimate daughter, do you not know your Qiao Family’s strength? The Zheng Family is in the wrong. If they do not give real benefits, not just the Qiao Family, even the heavenly king could not make it work.”
“You are saying the Zheng Family gave the Lin Family benefits?” Second Madam knit her brows. “The Lin Family is rich. Adoptive Father would not care for money or a shop.”
At that, Second Master Qian suddenly thought of something and jumped to his feet: “Oh no. How did I forget the real matter?” [How did I forget the real matter?]
“What real matter?” she asked, hurrying after him as he strode toward the front yard.
At the second gate, they ran into Third Master Zhou and his wife. Third Master Zhou asked mildly, “Second Brother, did you hear as well?”
“Hear what?” said Second Master Qian.
“This time Meng Yan rendered great service. Adoptive Father plans to make her the second shopkeeper,” Third Master Zhou said. He wore a sky-blue robe that rippled faintly in the sunlight; his eyes were calm, his tone even.
Second Master Qian’s face changed at once. “Meng Yan is pregnant and due in three months. How can she work herself like that?”
Third Master Zhou’s voice dropped: “It is my fault. I failed to catch the one who hurt Eldest Brother. Meng Yan is clever. She saved the Lin Family a lot of loss this time. It makes sense that Adoptive Father and Eldest Brother hand business to her.”
“Nonsense,” snapped Second Master Qian, growing angrier the more he spoke. “A woman should manage the inner household, not squeeze into a crowd of men.”
Sighing, Third Master Zhou followed him in.
Old Master Lin was instructing the steward: hand part of the Eldest Master’s work to Xia Meng Yan now; once she was familiar, give her the rest. The steward wrote everything down and named a few people.
Old Master Lin nodded: “Yes. They are old Lin Family hands, experienced. With them at Yan’er’s side, I am at ease. And you, do not sit idle. Put a reliable person to watch over Yan’er’s courtyard. Keep those blind fools from hanging around her.”
The steward had served Old Master Lin for years, then the Eldest Master. He knew the meaning: [This is to make an example of someone.] He wondered silently, [Which short-sighted fool will run into it first?] Aloud he said, “Please be at ease. The people in Cousin Miss Yan’er’s courtyard were chosen by me. They are quick, steady, and tight-lipped. There are patrols outside as well. If anything happens, you will know at once.”
“I adoptive father,” called a voice at the door. Second Master Qian and Third Master Zhou came in. Second Madam and Third Madam did not dare enter and waited outside.
“Why are you two here?” Old Master Lin set down the book and moved to the soft couch.
Unable to keep it in, Second Master Qian blurted about Xia Meng Yan: “People are saying Eldest Brother wants Meng Yan to be second shopkeeper. Isn’t that nonsense?”
Old Master Lin took a sip of tea, not looking at them as he said coolly: “It is true. But this is the Lin Family. Anything can happen.”
Second Master Qian pushed on, half testing, half stubborn: “Adoptive Father, Eldest Brother manages thirty shops and the Lin Family’s entire ledgers. How can we let an outsider touch that?”
Old Master Lin’s eyes narrowed, a chill passing through them: “You think Yan’er is an outsider?”
Second Master Qian knew at once he had misspoken. Xia Meng Yan carried half the Lin Family’s blood, while he was only an adopted son brought into the Lin Family. The difference was clear. “Adoptive Father, I…”
Old Master Lin ignored his explanation and looked at Third Master Zhou: “Do you think so as well?”