Chapter 013: Divorce the Concubine

Chapter 013: Divorce the Concubine

Amidst the swirling incense, the emperor lifted his gaze, "Is Lin Yi, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, present?"

Lin Yi stepped forward, lifting his robe to bow before the emperor. "Your humble servant is here."

The emperor yawned lazily, tapping his temple with his fingertip as he addressed Lin Yi:

"Is what the Inspector Shi said true? Do you have a mistress outside?"

Lin Yi firmly denied it, explaining that in the past, to honor his late teacher, he had taken his teacher's daughter, Lady Wen, as a concubine. The daughter born from this union was a legitimate child, and there was no question of having a mistress.

Inspector Shi sneered, "The matter of the mistress is not baseless. Yesterday at the flower-viewing banquet, Miss Lin herself admitted it in front of everyone. How does Lord Lin explain this?"

The Wang family and the Changqing Hou Mansion doted on Lin Baozhen like a precious gem. Lin Yi had tried to manage her affairs early on but found it too troublesome and eventually gave up. He was already displeased with Lin Baozhen chasing after Xie Jingzhi, and now she had caused such a scandal.

If Lin Baozhen were here, Lin Yi would have wanted to kill her with his own sword. Facing Inspector Shi's questioning, he remained composed:

"Your humble servant has failed to discipline his daughter. My eldest daughter speaks and acts impulsively. She must have heard some rumors and drawn a false conclusion. Your Majesty, as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, I follow Confucian teachings and act with integrity. The documents for taking Lady Wen as a concubine are complete and can be verified."

Lin Yi had meticulously prepared all the necessary documents. When Wen Hui's father was on his deathbed, he signed the concubine-taking papers. The witnesses at the initial ceremony were all his people, ensuring all evidence was in place.

From the beginning, Lin Yi had thought through everything carefully, leaving no room for suspicion.

The emperor grew tired of these scholarly debates and was about to speak when a light laugh interrupted him.

Everyone turned to see who had laughed, including the emperor. The person laughing was none other than Fu Bin, the chief eunuch.

The court officials looked at Fu Bin intently, while others glanced at Lin Yi. The matter of the mistress had caught Fu Bin's attention, suggesting deeper political implications.

Even the emperor showed interest, knowing that if Fu Bin spoke, there might be more to the story.

If possible, Fu Bin didn't want to get involved, but his nephew had brought a woman to him last night seeking help.

To understand last night's events, one must start with Lady Wang. She approached Wen Hui, offering to make Lin Yingxue a legitimate daughter if Wen Hui disappeared.

How could one disappear quickly? By ending one's life.

Wen Hui chose to hang herself, but fortunately, Old Lady Ou, concerned about Lin Yingxue, went to talk to Wen Hui and discovered her attempt. They saved Wen Hui just in time. To avoid alarming Lin Yi, Old Lady Ou sent Ye Zi to seek an audience with Lin Yingxue at Princess Mingrui's residence.

Princess Mingrui immediately wrote to Fu Jiaze. Previously, Wen Hui's situation was unrelated to Fu Jiaze, but since he intended to marry Lin Yingxue, it became his concern.

After a private conversation with Lin Yingxue, Fu Bin realized his nephew still preferred the second Miss Lin over the first. With no principles left, Fu Bin decided to support his nephew, leading to his laughter during the morning court session.

The emperor smiled and asked, "Fu Bin, what do you think?"

"I dare not offer an opinion, but I find something strange about what Lord Lin said."

The emperor responded, "What is strange? Ask Lord Lin directly."

"Yes," Fu Bin replied, stepping down from the dais to face Lin Yi.

Lin Yi, facing the short but formidable Fu Bin, tensed up.

Dealing with the Changqing Hou Mansion was manageable, but with Fu Bin involved, things became complicated. Lin Yi focused all his attention.

Fu Bin's voice was gentle: "I heard Lord Lin mention that Lady Wen is your teacher's daughter?"

"Yes," Lin Yi replied tersely, wary of revealing too much.

"Old Master Wen was a scholar, capable of teaching someone like Lord Lin. Surely, he must have been a man of high moral character."

Lin Yi nodded in agreement.

Fu Bin continued, "Given his high morals and intellect, how could he willingly let his daughter become a concubine?"

Old Master Wen indeed did not want it, but Lin Yi said, "My teacher's intentions were unknown to me. At the time, I held a position and my household was peaceful. Perhaps he wanted to give his daughter a home. Eunuch Fu, parents must sign the concubine-taking document. My document has my teacher's signature."

Fu Bin returned to the emperor's side, saying, "Your Majesty, although I am not well-read, I know scholars have a sense of dignity. Our officials are men of integrity. Even on their deathbeds, they would not want their daughters to be mistresses but would seek good marriages for them. Could it be that Old Master Wen, being ill, entrusted his daughter to Lord Lin, who claimed to be unmarried?"

Lin Yi's eyes widened. How did Fu Bin know the details?

"Nonsense!" Lin Yi exclaimed, "Eunuch Fu, I respect you, but you cannot make such accusations!"

Everyone knew Fu Bin controlled the Jinyiwei. Perhaps they uncovered the truth, but even if they did, there was no proof.

Regaining composure, Lin Yi bowed to the emperor, "Please, Your Majesty, investigate. Eunuch Fu's claims are malicious speculations. My teacher may have initially wanted his daughter to be a wife, but changed his mind. The document is genuine, with his signature and seal, verifiable against his previous writings."

The emperor smiled at Fu Bin, "You've made Lord Lin anxious. Such speculation is unwarranted."

Fu Bin bowed, "Your Majesty, I have reason to speculate. My adopted son investigated and found that Lord Lin claimed to be unmarried, convincing Old Master Wen to entrust his daughter. Lady Wen believed she was his wife until years later, when Lord Lin revealed he already had a wife. Deceiving a virtuous lady into becoming a mistress is unbecoming of a scholar. Inspector Shi, don't you agree?"

Inspector Shi, who initiated the matter, never expected it to escalate so seriously. His original goal was merely to have Lin Yi divorce his concubine.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Inspector Shi hastily said, "Whether Lord Lin deceived a lady or not, I do not know. But given the turmoil caused by Lady Wen, perhaps Lord Lin should issue a divorce decree to restore peace in his household."

Lin Yi sneered inwardly. Inspector Shi was clearly working for the Changqing Hou Mansion, aiming to expel Wen Hui.

Unexpectedly, Fu Bin also smiled, "Your Majesty, I agree with Inspector Shi. Give Lady Wen some money and let Lord Lin divorce her."

Lin Yi refused, knowing that if he agreed, Wen Hui would become a stranger. He vowed to care for Wen Hui for life, maintaining only one wife and one concubine, never taking another.