Based on the timing, Lin Baozhu was actually the innkeeper’s child. Yet Lin Qingyun had been cuckolded without realizing it, remaining completely convinced that Lin Baozhu was his biological daughter.
After Wang Shi repeatedly begged and pleaded, Lin Qingyun secretly switched Lin Baozhu into the Lin Residence when Lin Qianqian was born, allowing Lin Baozhu to become a genuine noble young lady.
Lin Qianqian could easily use this secret against Wang Shi and force her to pay seven thousand taels. That would be enough to purchase the Jiang Residence.
Just imagining Wang Shi stomping around in rage would be satisfying.
Lin Qianqian instructed:
“Ah Da, once I buy back the Jiang Residence from the government, you’ll move in and stay there permanently. From then on, you’ll be fully responsible for its restoration.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Lin Qianqian had already investigated the case involving the Jiang family and was certain it had been a miscarriage of justice.
The Jiang family had been founding heroes of the Great Yan Dynasty, serving as military leaders for generations and sacrificing countless family members in defense of the nation.
When the national treasury was depleted, her grandfather had often used his own money to support border soldiers. There was no way he would have embezzled military funds.
That was absolutely impossible.
Once the residence was repaired, she would look for a way to bring the Jiang family back to the capital.
A few days later, the weather was bright and sunny.
Early that morning, a group of soldiers arrived outside the gates of the Lin Residence.
They wore red sashes and beat drums and gongs as they came.
After the servants reported the news, Lin Old Madam was delighted.
Nothing significant had happened recently. If there was any major event, it would be the release of the Elementary Scholar examination results.
“It must be that boy Baoyu passed the Elementary Scholar exam. A twelve-year-old scholar would bring great honor to the Lin family.”
The Baoyu she referred to was Lin Baozhu’s younger brother.
Life had been going so smoothly for Lin Old Madam these past years that her thinking had become rather whimsical and illogical.
The moment she mentioned Baoyu passing the exam, she actually convinced herself that he had passed.
Beaming with joy, she immediately changed into her finest clothes and went outside, supported by Xiaoxing.
“So lively! Baoyu has truly brought glory to the Lin family.”
Xiaoxing eagerly chimed in:
“Young Master Baoyu is so capable. Perhaps one day he’ll even earn you the title of Grand Madam.”
Lin Qingyun had once requested an honorary title before.
However, he had requested it for Wang Shi rather than Lin Old Madam.
The old lady had held a grudge over that for years.
When Wang Shi hurried over and overheard their conversation, she also assumed the visitors had come to deliver good news.
She quickly instructed Mother Sun:
“Hurry! Bring out the reward money!”
Soon, the leader of the soldiers stepped forward and announced:
“We are from the Five-City Military and Police Command. We have come to deliver a reward to Miss Lin Qianqian. Miss Lin greatly assisted us in capturing a wanted criminal of the court.”
They had brought not only the one-thousand-tael reward from the imperial court, but also two chests of gifts from the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Five-City Military and Police Command.
There was even a ceremonial banner.
Without Lin Qianqian, both commanders would have lost their positions.
Such a great favor could never be repaid with just two chests of gifts.
After learning the truth, Lin Old Madam was extremely disappointed.
That girl must have stumbled into some absurd luck to help capture a criminal.
As for her second son, he was hopelessly muddle-headed.
Instead of spending money honoring his mother, he was using it to curry favor with some little girl.
The next time she saw Lin Qingping, she would certainly lecture him.
Wang Shi was furious.
The reward money had already been distributed.
Over a hundred taels’ worth of copper coins, strung together with red cords, had been handed out in celebration.
The anger in her heart burned fiercely.
Mother Sun sensed danger immediately and hurriedly hid behind Xiaotao.
Only last night she had still been wondering whether Wang Shi or Lin Qianqian would gain the upper hand.
Yet today Wang Shi had suffered another loss.
Though Wang Shi was much older than Lin Qianqian, her skills in household scheming seemed completely inadequate.
Mother Sun couldn’t help wondering whether the Daoist priest from Qingfeng Temple would even be able to suppress Miss Qianqian.
Wang Shi couldn’t resist complaining:
“These soldiers delivering reward money are ridiculous. Why did they have to wear red sashes for something so trivial?”
In truth, the blame belonged more to Lin Old Madam.
Wang Shi had originally intended to ask what was happening when she first came outside.
It was Lin Old Madam who confidently told her Baoyu had passed the examination and that these people were delivering good news.
“Mother, why did you say they were here with examination congratulations?”
Lin Old Madam immediately defended herself:
“Was I wrong? They did come to deliver good news. It just happened to be good news for Qianqian. You were the one who started throwing money around without understanding the situation. How dare you blame me?”
Wang Shi nearly choked on her frustration.
Lin Old Madam merely snorted and allowed Xiaoxing to escort her back to her courtyard.
Although one hundred taels was not a huge amount of money, Wang Shi couldn’t stand the thought of Lin Qianqian gaining prestige from it.
She decided that while Lin Qianqian was absent, she would first take possession of the one thousand taels and the gifts herself.
At least that would help vent some of her anger.
“Hand the reward money over to me.”
The soldier immediately shook his head.
“That won’t do.”
Before he left, Lin Qingping had specifically instructed him to place the money and gifts directly into Lin Qianqian’s hands.
That day, Lin Qianqian once again encountered the Foolish Marquis while outside.
Just like before, he clung to her stubbornly.
Only after great effort did she finally shake him off and return to the Lin Residence.
As soon as she arrived, she heard about the reward money.
Wonderful news.
She desperately needed money to purchase the Jiang Residence.
She immediately headed to the front gate to receive the reward and gifts.
When she arrived, she saw Madam Liu standing there as well.
Lin Qianqian thanked her directly.
“Second Uncle is too kind. He even sent so many gifts.”
Madam Liu smiled.
“It was your maternal grandfather’s family who helped your Second Uncle enter the Five-City Military and Police Command in the first place. Otherwise, how could a rough fellow like him ever have gotten in?”
Although the Jiang family had fallen, the Commander of the Five-City Military and Police Command had once been one of her grandfather’s subordinate generals.
Over the years, he had steadily promoted Lin Qingping from an ordinary soldier to Deputy Commander.
Of course, Lin Qingping’s own efforts also played a major role.
After the soldiers departed, the gates of the Lin Residence closed once more.
Wang Shi wanted to cause trouble for Lin Qianqian, but with Madam Liu present, she had no choice but to hold back.
There would be opportunities later.
Lin Qianqian was already inside the residence.
A duck that had landed in her hands wasn’t going to fly away.
Whether sooner or later made little difference.
Wang Shi stormed back toward her courtyard.
Once Madam Liu left, she planned to send people to move away the silver and gifts.
As the daughter of the Left Chancellor, Wang Shi’s dowry had been enormous.
She did not actually need the thousand taels.
What she could not tolerate was seeing Lin Qianqian prosper.
Anything that belonged to Lin Qianqian had to be taken away.
She wanted Lin Qianqian to end up exactly like Jiang Shi—left with nothing.
If she could not even suppress a little girl with no backing, then she was unworthy of being the mistress of the household.
Madam Liu, having ample free time today, decided to inspect the place Wang Shi had assigned to Lin Qianqian.
“Qianqian, I happen to be free today. Would you mind if I took a look at where you’re staying?”
“Of course not.”
Madam Liu walked and walked until she reached the stable area.
The moment she saw it, her eyes reddened with anger.
“No one should have to live here. Qianqian, come live with us instead.”
Lin Qingping and Lin Qingyun had already divided the family estate.
Lin Qingping now lived in a separate residence not far from the Lin Residence.
Although it was smaller, it was warm and welcoming.
Lin Qianqian shook her head.
“No need, Aunt. Don’t worry about me. Back in the countryside I lived in a mud house. This is at least a stone house. It’s actually not bad.”
Madam Liu was easily moved to tears.
She quickly dabbed at her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief.
“Poor Qianqian. You must have suffered so much growing up.”
That evening, when Lin Qingyun returned home, he was stopped by his younger brother, Lin Qingping.