Chapter 141: An Inexplicable Reason

Chapter 141: An Inexplicable Reason

"Miss Lin was bullied. Miss Lin, the second young mistress, led a group of people to insult Miss Lin in the temple."

The incident had caused quite a stir, even Afu had heard about it.

He dared not keep it from the prince.

Qi Lingheng, who hadn’t left the Ci'en Temple, asked with a furrowed brow, "Did the Lin family matriarch just watch her daughter stir up trouble?"

He had never seen such poorly raised noble ladies.

Afu reported, "The matriarch quickly dispersed the onlookers and took her own daughter away, leaving Miss Lin and Xi Ruo unattended."

"What do you mean 'unattended'?"

Qi Lingheng spoke with a cold voice.

Afu explained, "...she was left in the temple. The young lady prayed for another divination before finally boarding the Lin family carriage."

Qi Lingheng smiled faintly, "The Lin family really treats her so well!"

His gaze was icy, making Afu fearful.

"Your Highness, where are you headed?"

"To visit the Zhao family, to see my uncle."

Afu felt relieved and said, "I was worried you were planning to go to the Lin residence yourself..." That would compromise the young lady's status!

"I am not that impulsive."

Letting his uncle handle the Lin family would trouble Lin Huabin just the same.

Qi Lingheng quickly left, accompanied by his guards.

As Afu followed, Qi Lingheng said, "You need not come with me."

"Then, what should I..."

"Go and find the person I asked you to look for."

Qi Lingheng and Afu took separate paths.

Having interacted with Lin Yunwan a few times, he knew her character well. She disliked self-pity and lamenting to others. When faced with trouble, she preferred waiting until she was certain of victory before striking decisively.

"I shall assist you completely."

She always worried about owing him, as if his doing too much would make it hard for her to accept. The fact that she was willing to seek his help was a good sign. He could take his time.

"Uncle, someone has been bullying your daughter."

When Qi Lingheng arrived at the Zhao residence, his uncle was playing with a parrot in the corridor.

"Didn't the prefect go with you to Ci'en Temple? Why did you come here instead?"

Qi Lingheng replied, "I found him too chatty, so I sent him away and wandered around before coming back."

The uncle and nephew sat down together, and a maid came in to serve tea.

Zhao Jingyi waved the maid away and after a long pause, slammed the table and demanded, "Who is bullying my daughter!"

"How come I didn't know about this?"

He hadn't heard anything about it!

Qi Lingheng smiled and said, "Uncle, have you forgotten? You have a beloved daughter in the Lin family."

Zhao Jingyi, startled, replied, "Oh, right. Is she not doing well in the Lin household? Who's been bullying her?"

Qi Lingheng explained, "I just happened to encounter the situation in Ci'en Temple."

He narrated the events that transpired in the temple.

Zhao Jingyi, frowning deeply, cursed, "This Lin Huabin! I thought he was a righteous man in the official circles, which is why I entrusted your entrusted person to him as a daughter. And I even gave him half a distillery..."

Along with some promises that couldn't be measured in silver.

"How dare he neglect her so!"

Qi Lingheng calmly stated, "There are many good people in the official circles. Being a good official doesn't necessarily mean being a good father."

Zhao Jingyi felt embarrassed.

Although he was an uncle, he never flaunted his status in front of his own nephews.

This is why the younger generation is so fond of him.

Otherwise, why would a nephew entrust the daughter of a deceased friend to his care?

This time, he failed to find a good father for his "daughter."

Zhao Jingyi declared, "I'll go find him right now!"

He took a step, then paused, feeling something was amiss.

"Your Highness, didn’t you say she was just the daughter of a deceased friend with nowhere to go? Why are you so concerned?"

Qi Lingheng replied, "Uncle, it's not just about a young lady. It's about your reputation."

Zhao Jingyi, confused, asked, "What do you mean?"

Qi Lingheng spoke calmly, "Lin Huabin shows one face to you and another behind your back. Do you think he respects you?"

"Disrespecting you is disrespecting me."

"The young lady's issue is trivial, but your dignity, my dignity..."

Zhao Jingyi was fuming.

He frowned and said, "He's really not taking me seriously!"

In Jiangqian, he only holds a nominal post. His siblings back him up at home while he mainly looks after the family estate, enjoying gardening and bird-keeping, leaving household affairs to his wife.

He was aware that some people looked down on him behind his back.

But why should Lin Huabin disrespect him! He had been nothing but good and trusting towards Lin Huabin!

How dare Lin Huabin betray his trust!

Zhao Jingyi slammed the table and exclaimed, "I'll make him treat my daughter better!"

"If that scoundrel dares to mistreat my daughter, I'll take her back and make him pay for everything!"

Qi Linghen advised, "Uncle, there's no need for this. We've been friends for many years; let's not fall out over such a small matter."

"Your daughter's reputation can't withstand much more. If she's living well, then let it be."

"You make a good point!"

Zhao Jingyi left still fuming. Though not breaking ties with Lin Huabin, a warning was necessary.

Qi Linghen left the Zhao residence with a smirk on his lips.

With his uncle's temperament, he was no match for Lin Huabin.

But the rash have their ways, and in disputes between scholars and soldiers, reason often fails.

At the Lin residence.

"Why were you arguing with her outside? If your father hears, he'll scold you again."

Zheng Shi was genuinely angry.

Lin Yunjiao pouted, "She wouldn't even give me a single incense stick. She owes me!"

Zheng Shi frowned, "What's more important, a stick of incense or the reputation of the Lin family, your father's reputation?"

Lin Yunjiao huffed and then cooed to Zheng Shi, "Mother, I won’t do it again."

"After all, my sister's reputation is already tarnished."

"If the royal residence really favored a Lin family daughter, they wouldn't reject her just because she's my sister, especially given her better reputation."

Madam Zheng asked, "How am I supposed to explain this to your father?"

Lin Yunjiao pleaded with Madam Zheng, "Mother, isn't father always listening to you? Please, speak on my behalf, and he won't be angry with me."

Madam Zheng was somewhat worried. The old lady had been overreaching lately, and the master was very fond of that girl.

She feared another issue might arise. Wouldn't it be better to address it proactively so the master wouldn’t be upset?

Waiting for her husband to return home, Madam Zheng mentioned to Lin Huabin, "…My lord, alas, today during our temple visit, we didn’t encounter the prince, and Yunjiao failed to get a good divination stick, leading to some minor verbal disputes."

Lin Huabin's face darkened, "What happened?"

Madam Zheng said, "It’s not all Yunjiao’s fault. Yunwan, as an elder sister, showed no willingness to accommodate her own younger sister."

She spoke softly, "It's nothing serious, my lord. Please don’t worry about it."

Hearing it wasn't a major issue, Lin Huabin decided not to delve further.

Tired from the day, he just wanted to rest for a while.

"Help me change."

"Yes."

Before Lin Huabin could change out of his clothes, someone outside announced, "Master, Lord Zhao is here."

"Lord Zhao Jingyi?"

"Yes."

Lin Huabin quickly dressed and hurried to meet Zhao Jingyi.

Zhao Jingyi’s visits were always for good reasons. What could it be this time?