Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Lu Yu lowered his gaze, concealing the emotions in his eyes, and said flatly, "Indeed, he... brought it upon himself."

Lin Shuyan let out a mocking laugh, "You're right."

After that, silence fell between them, and no further words emerged from the carriage.

Lin Shuyan didn't know what else his sister might say in the carriage, but he couldn't endure the awkward atmosphere any longer.

Seeing Lu Yan approaching in the distance with his prized steed, he said, "You should head back soon; it’s getting late."

"I'll be leaving for the Liangguang region in a few days and won't return for one or two months. If anything comes up... or if you need anything from the marquis’s estate... you can send me a message by carrier pigeon." Lu Yu gripped the saddle and swung onto his horse, instructing Lin Shuyan.

Lin Shuyan shook his head dismissively, "Go on, go on. Lord Lu isn’t even thirty yet, but you’re already nagging like a little wife."

Lu Yu’s gaze, however, lingered on the carriage. He then withdrew his eyes and replied, "Just wanted to keep you informed."

Lin Shuyan didn’t catch the hidden meaning in Lu Yu’s words. "Alright, I understand. I won’t see you off then; I’ll wait for you to return so we can share a drink."

"Wait! Uncle is so amazing, and now you’re leaving the capital. Can you bring me a gift?"

Lin’er, held by the collar by Lin Shuyan, widened his eyes in excitement, his face full of admiration. Suddenly remembering something, he hastily added, "Zhang’er and my sister want gifts too!"

"You little rascal, you want everything. Do you expect Uncle to bring the entire Lingnan region back for you?" Lin Shuyan sighed helplessly, ruffling his son’s hair.

Lin’er mumbled with a pout, "Well, that wouldn’t be so bad."

A faint smile touched Lu Yu’s lips, his deep eyes glancing toward the carriage with a trace of barely noticeable tenderness. He replied, "Alright, Uncle will remember. All three of you siblings will have gifts."

Inside the carriage,

Lin Shuyun heard every word of the conversation between Lu Yu and Lin Shuyan.

When Zhang’er asked her, she didn’t want him to know the troubles of the adult world, so she crafted a noble image of his father. But as she spoke, she unconsciously let slip five parts resentment.

Who would have thought she’d hear the words of the person involved so clearly?

That indifferent "brought it upon himself" instantly ignited the bitterness she had long suppressed.

Why... why was she the only one trapped in this painful abyss?

But at least he would be away from the capital for two months. The turbulent emotions, like boiling water, gradually eased—out of sight, out of mind.

Suddenly, a soft voice called out beside her.

"Mother..."

Lin Shuyun concealed the emotions in her eyes and turned gently to Zhang’er, only to find his eyes filled with joy.

"Mother, Uncle Lu said he’ll bring gifts for me and my sister too."

Zhang’er spoke softly, but his eyes were brimming with laughter. Snuggling in her arms, he grinned like a little mouse that had stolen lamp oil.

No child dislikes gifts, especially a sensitive and introverted child like Zhang’er. He wouldn’t beg like Lin’er, but if someone promised him a gift, he would remember it, cherish it, and count the days until that person’s return.

Lin Shuyun felt an inexplicable sting in her heart, a fleeting sense of being outshone by Lu Yu. A competitive urge rose within her, and she said with a smile, "I heard from your elder brother that the Imperial Study Hall has a month-long farming break in May. How about I take you to the hot spring villa to catch fish and pick fruit?"

Zhang’er’s eyes widened instantly. Glancing at his sleeping sister, he covered his mouth to stifle his laughter and whispered excitedly, "Mother, you’re the best!"

As the carriage began to move, Zhang’er’s eyelids grew heavy. Lin Shuyun gently patted his back and coaxed, "Sleep now. I’ll wake you when we arrive."

Zhang’er’s eyes were drowsy, his voice muffled as he said, "Okay, but I want you to hold me."

Lin Shuyun looked at Zhang’er, now so tall, and remembered how she had carried him step by step all the way to the capital.

She leaned down and kissed Zhang’er’s forehead, nuzzling his cheek. "Alright, I’ll hold you."

True to his word, Lu Yu left on official business. Every day when Lin Shuyun picked Zhang’er up from school, she no longer ran into him near the Wenyuan Pavilion.

The emotions he had stirred up gradually settled.

But suddenly, one day, undercurrents were stirring in the capital.

That evening, Prince Ding returned to the mansion with a grave expression. He gathered everyone in his study and said in a low voice, "Do not leave the estate these next few days. Something is about to happen in the capital. The heir's wife and Yun’er, keep a close watch on the children. Don’t let them run around."

The heir's wife and Lin Shuyun nodded. Princess Consort Ding asked anxiously, "What’s happened?"

Thud—thud—thud—

The study door suddenly rattled with knocking. Lin Shuyun shuddered instinctively. Prince Ding asked sternly, "Who is it?"

"Father? Mother? Why is there no one in the mansion? Where is everyone?"

Lin Wangshu’s voice drifted in and out, innocent and full of confusion.

"Oh dear," Princess Consort Ding clapped a hand to her forehead in dismay. "I forgot our third son is on break from the Imperial Academy today."

After Lin Shuyun opened the door to let her younger brother in, Prince Ding continued.

"At court today, the Capital Prefect reported to His Majesty that a month ago, a secondary son of Duke An's Mansion forcibly abducted a commoner girl, intending to take her as a concubine. The girl, strong-willed, hanged herself. Her grandmother, upon hearing the tragic news, died of grief and fury. Her father went to demand justice but was beaten to death. This monstrous crime was suppressed at every level, and no one reported it to the authorities..."

"Lu Yu, as Junior Grand Secretary and Minister of Revenue, presented the emperor with dozens of accusations, directly charging Duke An's Mansion with colluding with Senior Grand Secretary Zhou Quan. Five years ago, they embezzled funds from the Ministry of Revenue meant for palace repairs, seized fertile farmland, and manipulated official appointments and promotions—utterly vile."

"The emperor was enraged and dismissed Senior Grand Secretary Zhou Quan from his post. Duke An's Mansion has already been surrounded by the Imperial Guards... not even a sparrow is allowed to fly out."

"You all must not leave the estate these next few days."

After hearing her father’s instructions,

Lin Shuyun’s steps slowed as she walked back to Wutong Courtyard. Her arms, hidden in her sleeves, trembled slightly. Her fingertips turned cold, but her eyes held the gleam of vengeance.

Duke An's Mansion still had Li Pingting. They had committed countless evils—does heaven spare anyone?

She would never forget how Zhang’er lay in her arms, burning with fever, his body purple and blue, barely breathing and nearly losing his life.

Back then, her Zhang’er wasn’t even acknowledged as Lu Yu’s child. Simply for being an eyesore to Li Pingting, a piece of hawthorn cake nearly took his life.

Her child remained unconscious for three full days, and she lived in fear for those three days.

And at Mirror Lake, if she hadn’t known how to swim, if her brother hadn’t arrived in time, she would have been compromised by that secondary son of Duke An's Mansion. Hanging herself would likely have been her fate too.

At this thought, Lin Shuyun clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white.

"Want to go see it?"

Lin Shuyan’s voice suddenly whispered beside her ear. Lin Shuyun froze for a moment, then looked up in confusion. "See what?"

"The confiscation."

---

The midsummer sun scorched the hot stone slabs on the streets, as a team of soldiers in black armor, holding silver spears, surrounded the entrance of Duke An's Mansion, awaiting the final command.

Curious onlookers crowded in the shaded areas near Duke An's Mansion, craning their necks to watch.

Lin Shuyan had already booked a private room at an inn near Duke An's Mansion, offering a clear view without the need to jostle with the crowd.

Lin Shuyun still seemed somewhat dazed. She turned to look at Lin Shuyan, who had snuck her out.

Lin Shuyan, munching on fruit, said with a smile, "You're my sister. How could I not know what you're thinking?"

"See? Evil begets retribution. It's not that it won't be repaid, but that the time hasn't come yet."

Lin Shuyun nodded, gently adjusting the veil in front of her face, her eyes fixed intently on the open gates of Duke An's Mansion.

Suddenly, the rapid, urgent sound of hoofbeats grew louder, like distant thunder. The officers shouted loudly and quickly, "All bystanders, step aside immediately!"

Another team of Imperial Guards gradually appeared before the crowd.

The leading official rode a sturdy, jet-black horse. He wore a black official hat and a dark red official robe. His face was stern, his deep, piercing eyes filled with coldness and authority. He looked down disdainfully at the surrounding crowd, and the common people instantly fell silent.

Lin Shuyun took a closer look and realized this person was Lu Yu.

Lin Shuyan sipped sour plum juice and sighed, "He has changed. He has become the person he truly wanted to be."

"Brother, it doesn't matter anymore," Lin Shuyun said softly.

Suddenly, there was movement below. Lu Yu, holding a bright yellow imperial edict adorned with dragon patterns, declared in a loud voice, "Duke An's Mansion has defied the Emperor's decree, colluded with high-ranking court officials, and committed crimes too numerous to list. By the Emperor's decree, the ducal title is hereby revoked. All persons within the mansion are forbidden to move. All lands and private residences are to be confiscated. So it is decreed."

Instantly, agonized wails from men, women, and children erupted from Duke An's Mansion, while the long-suffering common people nearby cheered and clapped.

As chest after chest filled with gold, silver, and treasures were carried out of Duke An's Mansion by the officers, all its residents were eventually escorted onto prison carts.

Li Pingting was already bloated and disfigured, stumbling weakly. She was forced down to her knees at the entrance of Duke An's Mansion.

Trembling all over, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye and realized the leading imperial envoy was her former fiancé, Lu Yu.

With all her strength, she struggled and waved her hand, but Lu Yu didn’t even spare her a glance.

Finally, she bit an officer's finger and, breaking free from the strong resistance, collapsed to her knees before Lu Yu's dark red official robe.

As if grasping at her last lifeline, her eyes filled with joy: "Are you here to save me, My Lord? Do you still care for me? I knew you must have feelings for me."

But Lu Yu's eyes were full of disgust. He took a step back and said, "Miss Li, our matters ended five years ago."

Li Pingting hoarsely replied, "No... no... it's not over. You must be here to save me. Hahahaha, look, everyone, my fiancé is here to save me."

Lu Yu looked down disdainfully at Li Pingting, filthy and wretched. Wiping his fingers, he coldly said, "I am here to drag you to hell."

With that, Lu Yu waved his hand, and the officers bound Li Pingting again.

But Li Pingting remained stunned by Lu Yu's words. Suddenly, as if she understood something, she screamed sharply, "Hahahaha, this is retribution. Lu Yu, you are also the root of this evil. You will face retribution too."

Lu Yu lowered his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Isn't it just hell? I've long been prepared."

In the private room, Lin Shuyun watched as the cries of the prisoners on the carts intertwined with the soldiers’ curses. She stood up and closed the window, unwilling to watch any longer.

"Brother, in a few days, I plan to take the children to the hot spring villa in Lingshui County on the outskirts of the capital."

Lin Shuyan nodded: "Good. Then I'll assign you some guards so you can relax and enjoy yourselves."

---

The children were the most eager about the trip. They woke up cheering at the break of dawn, eager to set off. Everyone else in the household had matters to attend to, leaving only Lin Shuyun, the only one free, to take the two children to the hot spring villa for fun.

Lin'er was sent to the Crown Princess’s family to learn martial arts; otherwise, he would have cried and insisted on following.

Lin Shuyun looked at the over a dozen guards standing around the carriage and asked in surprise, "Brother, isn't this a bit too many?"

"Not at all. Father originally wanted to assign even more. With more people, we can feel more at ease."

Lin Shuyan helped his sister settle the children into the carriage and pointed to one of the guards, who was lean and muscular: "This is Qin Yi, the most skilled. From now on, he will be your personal bodyguard."

Qin Yi was startled for a moment, then collected himself. He clasped his hands in salute and said in a hoarse voice, "Subordinate Qin Yi, at your service, My Lady."

"Hmm?" Lin Shuyan frowned slightly at the unfamiliar, raspy voice. "Your throat... why is it hoarse?"

"Subordinate..." Qin Yi's throat moved as he forced out two words, "...have a sore throat."