Chapter 137
Chapter 137: Exposed
Matriarch Lin forced herself to stay calm. She told herself that Yan’er knew the rules. If she let a man dine openly with her, there had to be a reason. When she heard the man was Duan Yi Chen, her heart settled a little.
Her husband had told her earlier that the house next door had been rented out to someone of high status and that the servants must not disturb them. Hearing now that letters had been exchanged, she guessed the noble next door was Duan Yi Chen. She just had not expected that Duan Yi Chen would rather live in the servant rooms than in the big house next door.
Seeing Duan Yi Chen glance toward her husband, Matriarch Lin nudged him with her elbow.
Old Master Lin came back to himself and coughed before asking with a smile: “So it is Heir Apparent Duan. Is the house next door uncomfortable?”
Silence fell in the room for a beat.
Embarrassed, Xia Meng Yan curled her toes and swatted Duan Yi Chen as she muttered: “Is the house next door really so bad?”
He did not feel the sting. Instead, he remembered their roughhousing as children. Worried she might stumble, he steadied her and said: “All right, all right, my fault. There are reasons for it. Once things are settled, I will move next door.”
The three elders traded looks. [Duan Yi Chen and Yan’er are really this close?]
Old Master Lin had seen many big scenes. With such a great Buddha in his house, he would never drive him away. He asked plainly: “Heir Apparent Duan, did you run into some trouble?”
Duan Yi Chen’s eyes brightened; the question hit the mark. He said: “News of my leaving the Capital leaked. They know I am close to Yan’er and sent people to Man Lin City in secret. For Yan’er’s safety, my Shadow Guard put on my clothes and left Man Lin City, while I used Disguise Arts and hid in the Lin Manor.”
The three were shocked and worried: shocked that someone dared strike at Duan Yi Chen, worried for Yan’er’s safety.
The Eldest Master asked at once: “Was the fire at Cloud Mountain Temple set on purpose?”
The two elders stiffened and looked at their granddaughter.
Xia Meng Yan had not planned to hide it.
Duan Yi Chen helped her sit and, while serving dishes to her bowl, said: “Let me explain, and you eat first. Yan’er was frightened at Cloud Mountain Temple and needs to be nourished. I will tell the three of you everything.”
Xia Meng Yan held her spoon. Her gaze brushed over his long, clear-knuckled hand, and her heart wavered. [This is not the Capital. A short warmth like this might be enough to carry me through the rest of my life.]
Duan Yi Chen served food with natural ease, as if he had done it many times. He began: “To be honest, it all started because of me.”
He explained that Lord Zheng guessed he had come to Man Lin City, told his daughter to test Xia Meng Yan, then ordered the fire to force him to show himself, and even sent men to assault Lin Qing Wan. He stated the facts without leaning to either side and did not dodge responsibility because of who he was.
He said with a bow of his head: “Yan’er and your family’s eldest young lady were dragged in because of me. I apologize to the three of you. From now on I will be more careful and protect Yan’er well. As for the Zheng Family, things are steady for the moment. The Lin Family can use this chance to grow. When Yan’er and I leave, we will settle the Zheng Family.”
Old Master Lin and the Eldest Master exchanged a look but did not show joy. The Lin Family had acted modestly and kept a low profile for years, yet someone still fixed on them. A man without guilt still invites thieves when he holds a treasure. Their great business was like a slab of meat on the table; even if they did nothing, wolves would watch it.
Seeing their worry instead of excitement over the port, Duan Yi Chen’s opinion of the Lin Family rose.
He reassured them: “Old Master need not worry. Even if Man Lin City changes hands, the Lin Family will not suffer a loss. A twenty-year Salt License and the right to manage the port are a big prize. Do not waste Yan’er’s goodwill.”
Matriarch Lin slowly came out of her shock and sighed: “You came here to rest, yet you are helping the Lin Family with so much. In the end, the Lin Family still owes you and your mother.”
The Eldest Master let out a long breath. He had managed the Lin Family for years, yet he was not as effective as Yan’er had been in a single month.
Old Master Lin drew a deep breath. Clarity flashed in his old eyes as he said: “Yan’er could corner Lord Zheng because she used Heir Apparent Duan’s ties. The Lin Family repays kindness and enmity alike and will not forget a single benefactor. If Heir Apparent Duan ever needs help, send a man to our shop in the Capital and find the shopkeeper. He will assist you.”
Duan Yi Chen had not expected Old Master Lin to be so sharp. From a simple account, the old man had guessed Yan’er was borrowing the tiger’s might. No wonder the Lin Family was the richest in Man Lin City. He said with a smile: “Then thank you, Old Master Lin.”
Hearing Duan Yi Chen agree, Old Master Lin’s guess turned into certainty.
The Eldest Master’s gaze moved between Duan Yi Chen and Xia Meng Yan, but he stayed silent.
After Xia Meng Yan finished eating, Duan Yi Chen handed her tea to rinse her mouth. She thought nothing of it, but in the elders’ eyes it meant something else.
Matriarch Lin hesitated. Thinking of the Capital’s rumors, she both wanted Xia Meng Yan to marry Duan Yi Chen and feared the Eldest Princess would torment her. Maybe marrying an ordinary man would be more peaceful.
Old Master Lin had the same worries, but he looked further ahead. Marquis Xuan Ping had always been feared by Emperor Xuan Ming, so Duan Yi Chen’s marriage would not be easy. He and Yan’er seemed impossible, yet judging the situation, maybe they could fight for a chance. The Lin Family had been merchants for generations. If a grandson could become an official, changing their standing would not be impossible. Before, they lacked chances and backing. Now both had arrived. [If I miss this, I cannot face the Lin Family’s ancestors.]
Unaware of his thoughts, Xia Meng Yan stroked her belly and leaned against the pillow as she said: “The twenty years was only to fool Lord Zheng, Grandfather. This is a rare chance. Before he reacts, let’s make a few big profits.”
Old Master Lin brightened at once and said with spirit: “Good. You truly are one of our Lin Family. You need not worry about the business details. When it is done, you will get forty percent of the profits. Your real task now is to protect yourself and rest well.”
Matriarch Lin agreed at once: “Your grandfather is right. Your uncle’s leg is much better now. Hand those tiresome accounts to him later. You focus on the child.” She stroked Xia Meng Yan’s face with pity. Since arriving at the Lin Family, the girl had not rested well. She had almost died at Cloud Mountain Temple. Thinking of it still made her shiver.
Smiling with her eyes, Xia Meng Yan leaned against her grandmother’s shoulder and said playfully: “I will listen to Grandmother.”
When the serious talk ended, they turned to the Huo Family.
The Eldest Master said in a firm voice: “This matter was not done by the Huo Family.” He had heard from Old Master Lin that the Huo Family had planted people in the Lin Family, but with no proof he could not act rashly. The Lin Family had hundreds of people. Finding a hidden agent was not easy.
Xia Meng Yan thought for a moment and said: “For now, it looks like Zheng Ming Lan forced Duan Yi Chen to show himself. As for whether someone behind the scenes pushed her, we still need people to investigate.” The Huo Family’s plants were too well hidden. She had been in the Lin Family for over a month with no clues. [If not for Lin Ye Lan’s warning, I would have doubted myself.]
The Eldest Master nodded: “I will send trusted men to look into this. As for the hidden agent, since we cannot find them, we should lure the snake out of its hole.”
Everyone looked at him at once.
After a brief thought, the Eldest Master turned to Xia Meng Yan and said: “This plan may wrong you a little, Yan’er.”
Xia Meng Yan answered without flinching: “If we can catch the mole, a little wrong to me is nothing. Uncle, tell me.”