Chapter 58 It Was I Who Invited Lord Bai

Chapter 58: I Was the One Who Invited Lord Bai

"The Bright Mirror Bureau? What business do they have here?" Lin Cheng's face clouded with suspicion as he immediately rose and strode outside.

He’d never had dealings with the Bright Mirror Bureau, nor had his household been plagued by spirits. Why would they come unannounced?

Seeing his father leave, Lin Yi quickly followed. The others, no longer paying attention to Lin Sui, also hurried out of the room.

Before Lin Cheng could even exit the courtyard, Bai Xiuming, clad in a vermilion official robe with a long saber at his waist, stormed in with dozens of Bright Mirror Bureau guards, surrounding the entire courtyard.

Lin Cheng stopped in his tracks. He had long heard of the Bright Mirror Bureau's overbearing nature, but he never expected Bai Xiuming, just a fourth-rank official, to dare barge into the residence of a second-rank general. Even he felt a spark of anger.

"Lord Bai, what’s the meaning of this? Bringing armed men into my home uninvited?"

"We’re here to arrest rebels."

"Are you joking, Lord Bai?" Though certain he had committed no act of treason, Lin Cheng's heart tightened slightly at the word "rebels."

Had something happened in the military—something he didn’t know about—that dragged him into this?

But if it truly were a military matter, the Bright Mirror Bureau shouldn't be the ones involved.

Before he could piece it together, Bai Xiuming spoke again, "Perhaps General Lin should ask your daughter."

Lin Cheng stiffened, turning to look at Lin Ting, who cowered beside Huang Shi, her face blank and confused.

At that moment, Lin Sui stepped out of the house. "I was the one who invited Lord Bai."

"Lin Sui, have you gone mad? Are you trying to get us all killed?" Yao Shi shrieked, nearly lunging at Lin Sui had Lin Yi not held her back.

"Elder Sister, what exactly is going on?" Though confused, Lin Yi kept his cool.

"Ask... Uncle and Aunt Yao. Oh, and Second Sister—as the executor, you must know very well, don’t you?"

Yao Dingbang, whose name was mentioned, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes before quickly masking it. He forced a smile. "What nonsense is this, niece? You can’t just make up crimes and blame me because you resent us."

"Fabricated? Feeding the Lin family Zhan Grass for years, exploiting its unique properties to control them—did Uncle truly believe I’d report this to the Bright Mirror Bureau without evidence?"

At the mention of Zhan Grass, Yao Dingbang staggered. It’s over!

Yet he still stubbornly defended himself. "This is slander! I’d never do such a thing!"

"Could it be that your Lin family’s misdeeds have come to light, and you’re trying to shift the blame onto us?" Huang Shi glared furiously at Lin Sui, her voice shrill with rage.

Lin Sui brushed off their protests and turned to Lin Ting. "How were those Zhan Grass pills? Did you enjoy having everyone dote on you? Was that why you endured decades of swallowing those foul-smelling pills?"

"Lin Sui, what nonsense are you spouting?" Lin Ting refused to admit anything.

Lin Sui laughed. "Did you know? Long-term consumption of Zhan Grass shortens one’s lifespan. All the favoritism you enjoyed was bought with years of your life. You’ve taken it for over a decade—now you have less than ten years left."

Lin Ting went rigid, her eyes snapping to Huang Shi beside her. "You’re lying!"

"If you don’t believe me, the Bright Mirror Bureau officials are right here. They’ll tell you the truth."

Seeing Lin Sui’s unwavering confidence, Lin Ting was already seventy percent convinced.

The Bright Mirror Bureau members, who had been observing the Lin family drama, did not refute Lin Sui’s words, as if silently confirming her claims.

"Mother! Mother, say something!" Lin Ting suddenly whirled around, clutching Huang Shi’s arm in desperation, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You were the one who made me take those pills! You said they were good for my health! Say something!"

Huang Shi suddenly shook off Lin Ting's hand and turned to Bai Xiuming with a dry laugh, "Sir, don't listen to her wild talk. I gave her up for adoption to the Lin family years ago—she has no relation to us whatsoever. As for the medicine she took, I knew nothing about it."

"What did you say?" Lin Ting likely never imagined the last straw that would break her would come from her own mother.

"It was you who told me that Yao Shi used her power to take me from you. You had me take medicine since childhood to keep me by Yao Shi's side, to smooth Father's path. And now you claim we have no relation?"

"There is no relation. Don’t try to pin your own deeds on us." Huang Shi's thick-skinned beyond measure—even now, she refused to admit anything.

Lin Ting suddenly let out a bitter laugh, feeling like a complete joke.

"Sir, I have evidence," Lin Ting abruptly stopped laughing and addressed Bai Xiuming. "Ever since I was old enough to understand, I kept every note and letter she sent me through my maids. These are all proof."

"What? Why didn’t you destroy them?" Huang Shi finally snapped, shrieking in panic.

She had explicitly instructed Lin Ting each time to burn all their correspondence, ensuring no traces remained.

Lin Ting had always agreed—how could she have known Lin Ting would defy her in secret?

Lin Ting stared fixedly at her own brother, who avoided her gaze, and then at her birth father; all strength left her.

"Of course, it was to keep as mementos. Didn’t you say you missed me, Mother? I missed you too. So I followed your instructions, taking that foul medicine every day, making Yao Shi and Lin Heng obey my every word, completely replacing Lin Sui. Haven’t I done well? Didn’t you and Father always praise me in your letters?"

At that moment, Yao Dingbang suddenly fell to his knees with a loud thump. "Sir, I plead guilty! I was blinded by greed and resorted to improper means. I only used Lin Ting to gain some advantages from my brother-in-law. How would I dare harbor thoughts of treason? Please investigate thoroughly, Sir!"

Yao Dingbang knocked his head repeatedly, his forehead soon bruised and swollen.

Bai Xiuming watched as he was about to knock himself out before finally speaking, "Originally, I thought this was a small matter. But Miss Lin’s words have given me a new perspective."

"Wh-what?"

Lin Sui’s voice sounded from behind Yao Dingbang, "Uncle, my father is a second-rank general of the court, stationed at the Western Frontier, fighting foreign tribes for years. My elder brother now serves in the Imperial Guard, protecting His Majesty’s safety.

"Yet you instructed your daughter to drug them, making them secretly obey you. If not for treasonous intentions, why target them? Clearly, you sought to meddle with the border army at the Western Frontier and even harm His Majesty!"

"I did no such thing!" Yao Dingbang nearly leaped up, staring at Lin Sui with eyes that wanted to devour her.

He never imagined Lin Sui could be so vicious—she was actually accusing me of treason.

Lin Sui gazed down at Yao Dingbang from above, "Your actions have already proven your disloyalty to His Majesty."

"Sir, she only resents me and slanders me out of spite! This humble official merely sought to advance my position through them—and I haven’t even acted yet! You can investigate! I wouldn’t dare covet military power, nor would I ever harm His Majesty!"

Bai Xiuming lowered his gaze, his beautiful peach-blossom eyes filled with amusement. "Yet I find her reasoning quite compelling. Manipulating a border general? Heh. That's a capital offense."

"N-no! Sir, I’m innocent! I—"

Before Yao Dingbang could say more, Bright Mirror Bureau Guards rushed forward, gagging and dragging him away.

Huang Shi and the Yao brothers, who had held out hope, collapsed to the ground in despair. It was over—their entire family was doomed.

Everything had seemed normal until Lin Ting was put in special shackles by two Bright Mirror Bureau Guards. Before she could even be taken away, Yao Shi let out a shrill scream and lunged at them, clawing madly to stop them.

Even Lin Cheng nearly lashed out violently, but Lin Yi swiftly intercepted him.

Father and son immediately began fighting. Though Lin Yi’s cultivation was inferior to Lin Cheng’s, he managed to hold him back, successfully preventing Lin Cheng from attacking the Bright Mirror Bureau Guards.

Bai Xiuming watched with keen interest before remarking, "General Lin’s cultivation is remarkable—few in the Third Realm can rival him. Young General Lin, however, shows extraordinary talent. A promising future indeed."

Jiang Kai stepped forward and asked, "Sir, it seems General Lin and his wife have been heavily influenced by the Zhan Grass. How should they be handled?"

"Round up everyone in this mansion for questioning."

"Understood." Jiang Kai immediately ordered his subordinates to begin arrests. Those currently in the residence were to be seized, and those who had left were also to be pursued—none were to be spared.

"Feng Yang."

"Reporting for duty."

"Search the Lin family compound and see if there are any surprises."

"Yes." Feng Yang accepted the order and led his men away.

By then, Lin Yi was barely holding on. He had taken two palm strikes from Lin Cheng. Being his own son, Lin Cheng hadn't aimed to kill, but his desperation to save Lin Ting had made his blows heavier, causing Lin Yi to spit blood.

"Elder brother, are you alright?" Lin Sui steadied Lin Yi as he staggered back. Though she wanted to curse, she knew their father’s actions were likely influenced by the Zhan Grass.

Lin Yi wiped the blood from his lips. "I’m fine, just some internal injuries."

Once Lin Yi retreated, Lin Cheng tried to chase after the Bright Mirror agents who had taken Lin Ting.

But after just two steps, a flash of white light crossed his path—Lord Bai’s blade was already resting against Lin Cheng’s neck.

"Someone, put the cangue on General Lin."

The Zhan Grass's influence couldn't compete with the instinct to preserve his own life. Lin Cheng dared not move.

A veteran of the battlefield, he could keenly sense the murderous aura surrounding him.

He was certain—if he moved, Lord Bai would not hesitate to strike.

Bright Mirror agents behind Lord Bai stepped forward with heavy shackles, swiftly restraining Lin Cheng’s limbs and neck.

Then, Lord Bai turned to Lin Yi. "General Lin Yi..."

"I will return with Lord Bai to the Bright Mirror Bureau for inspection."

"Thank you for your cooperation, young general."

By now, the entire Lin residence, inside and out, had been sealed off. The Bright Mirror Bureau guarded every exit. The commotion had drawn nearly all the neighboring households out to watch.

People gathered at a distance, murmuring among themselves, speculating whether the general’s household had committed some crime warranting a raid.

A Chan had just finished dinner and was enjoying the evening cool in the courtyard when she heard shouts outside about trouble at the general’s residence. She immediately tried to drag Chen Hui out to see.

Unfortunately, her strength was no match for Chen Hui’s. Chen Hui held her back, amused. "What’s your hurry? The general’s residence isn’t going anywhere. You just ate—take it easy or you'll get stomach cramps."

"I gotta see what's going on! If I miss the excitement, I won’t sleep tonight," A Chan grumbled but obediently slowed her pace.

By the time they stepped outside, the crowd had grown even larger.

She and Chen Hui elbowed their way through the throng, finding a spot near the main gate of the general’s residence for a better view.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Bright Mirror agents emerged from the main gate, marching out a line of prisoners.

Among the first to exit, A Chan only recognized Lin Ting, now in chains and her former haughtiness gone.

"Truly, how the tables have turned. Lin Sui is decisive—she'd uncovered the evidence that morning and had them all sent to the Bright Mirror Bureau by afternoon."

A Chan was getting her money's worth of drama.

Soon, the remaining Lin clan members were paraded out in turn. Lin Cheng, in particular, was in heavy irons, sending murmurs through the crowd who recognized him.

A Chan wasn’t worried for Lin Cheng. She understood Lord Bai’s procedures well enough—the Lin family were victims. If no issues were found, they would likely be fine.

The last to emerge were Lin Yi and Lin Sui, with Lord Bai and a group of Bright Mirror agents bringing up the rear.

Seeing Lin Sui’s relaxed expression, A Chan breathed easier.

Lin Sui spotted A Chan too and secretly shot her a covert grin.

With Lin Ting and the Yao family dealt with, it was as if the weight lifted from her shoulders. Lin Sui was finally at ease.

The defensive walls she had deliberately put up as armor had softened.

She had been caught in a downward spiral. Before, everyone around her had been tied to Lin Ting, leaving her feeling trapped. She resented them all, frantically clawing for a way out.

But after meeting A Chan, she slowly realized the world beyond wasn't as narrow as she’d thought. Not everyone was as unreasonable and biased as Yao Shi. Her environment had been the twisted one—all she needed was to step out of it.

Now, she had smashed that warped reality with her own hands.

A Chan grinned back at Lin Sui and gave a tiny wave.

The next moment, Lord Bai’s eagle eyes zeroed in on her.

A Chan quickly retracted her hand and turned away, playing the part of an innocent spectator.

Unfortunately, Lord Bai wasn't about to let her slip away. Not only did he approach, but he brought Lin Sui and Lin Yi with him.

"Lord Bai, what a coincidence! Are you here on official business?" Seeing no escape, A Chan put on her most winning smile.

"Do you truly not know why I’m here?"

A Chan played dumb. "Of course I don’t!"

"Then explain to me how Lin Sui knew about Zhan Grass."

"I read about it in a book." Lin Sui had answered the same way when Lord Bai questioned her earlier at the Bright Mirror Bureau. Now that he was asking A Chan, Lin Sui worried she might slip up and implicate herself.

Ignoring Lin Sui, Lord Bai kept his eyes on A Chan.

A Chan’s eyes darted before she echoed, "Yes, Lin Sui loves reading."

"Oh? Then you must know that records of Zhan Grass were erased years ago. No book in Great Xia dares mention it."

A Chan was floored. Was Great Xia really that heavy-handed? It's just a weed!

"Care to explain yourself?" Lord Bai asked after a pause.

A Chan pouted. "Alright, you got me. It was me. I told her."

"And Lin Yi’s resistance to Zhan Grass—was that also your doing?" Lord Bai had a knack for homing in on the most critical detail.

Cornered, A Chan nodded again. "Yes."

"Good." Lord Bai jerked his chin at his subordinates. "Bring her in too for interrogation."