Lin Yizong, heir of the Duke of Wei, had urgent matters yesterday. He was busy until dusk and then was called by colleagues to a banquet, drinking until the curfew before returning home drunk.
He went straight to the room of his favored concubine and collapsed into bed. Early the next morning, a maid sent by Lady Li woke him three times before he finally dragged himself from the warmth to return to his own room and freshen up.
It was rare for him to have a day of rest, and he complained, half in irritation, asking why he had to be rushed back. He still smelled faintly of alcohol and assumed his wife was upset because he had gone to the concubine’s room.
Lady Li was furious at his words, clutching her chest and raising her voice. She recounted the events of yesterday in a rapid, anxious rush.
Lin Yizong’s slight drunkenness evaporated immediately. He placed the tea he had just lifted to his lips back on the table.
Lady Li looked at him accusingly and said she had no way to prevent his mother from making such decisions. She had tried to summon him several times, but he never came.
Hearing his wife’s grievance and the seriousness of the matter, Lin Yizong drew in a sharp breath, regretting not attending to the mess at home yesterday. He had thought his wife was trying to summon him out of jealousy, and he had refused to go in front of colleagues to maintain appearances.
He explained that yesterday he had real urgent matters. The Prince of Yu faced a situation he could not resolve alone and sought his advice. Just as he left the Prince’s residence, he was called away again. As host, or as commander of the Military Bureau, he could not refuse.
The Crown Prince had recently toured Jiangxi, facing two assassination attempts, and returned to the capital three days ago. He immediately took swift action to hold officials accountable, and somehow the Prince of Yu had been implicated.
Assassinating the Crown Prince was no small matter. Though the Prince of Yu had ambitions, he would not be foolish enough to strike during the tour. He urgently called Lin Yizong to discuss how to extricate himself, and later the banquet was partly to curry favor with the Military Bureau commander.
Seeing Lin Yizong’s expression was genuine, Lady Li calmed down slightly despite still resenting his visit to the concubine’s room. She scolded that having three people under one roof was unbearable and that Lin Henglǐ must be frustrated.
Before he could ask further, a maid ran in, panting and calling out that the Young Grandson had lost control and attacked Third Miss, breaking many things.
Lady Li’s expression instantly changed. She rushed out, leaving her husband behind, concerned.
Lin Henglǐ’s outburst was fueled by yesterday’s suppressed anger and Third Miss’s repeated address of him as her nephew. He declared that he was the one destined to be her husband. He regretted it immediately, thinking he had argued with a madwoman and might have provoked her further.
Third Miss only looked at him in surprise and then leaned against Lin Yian’s shoulder, asking softly if her nephew was uncomfortable. She gestured toward his head.
This angered Lin Henglǐ completely. He lunged forward to separate her and Lin Yian.
The third Miss screamed in fright. Zikui had prepared for such a situation and protected her with the Su family guards, forming a barrier.
Lin Henglǐ called for the household guards. Both sides confronted each other, and he vented his anger on objects in the room.
Third Miss shouted that it was all her calculation and berated him, calling him insane.
Lady Li rushed in, nearly stepping on broken porcelain, and asked for the truth. She could not understand why Third Miss was pretending, or why she would do so. Her heart was full of questions and hidden excitement, sensing there might be a turning point.
Lin Henglǐ was still breathing heavily, suppressing his anger when Lin Yizong arrived. He calmed himself and bowed to his father.
Third Miss, still frightened, stayed close to Lin Yian. She saw the maid and an unfamiliar middle-aged man approaching and asked cautiously if they were family.
Lin Yian nodded, relieved that Third Miss was unharmed.
Third Miss then shouted at Lady Li to take her son away, calling him insane and dangerous.
Lin Henglǐ roared loudly, almost shaking the roof. Lin Yian could only shake his head in disbelief. Third Miss had a sharp tongue, hitting where it hurt.
Princess Jiaxi was drawn by the noise. She saw the guards divided on both sides like a river and confronted them. She commanded Lin Henglǐ to approach and told others to withdraw, scolding them for drawing swords in front of guests.
The Su family guards did not move. Princess Jiaxi noticed Third Miss sitting clearly on the bed, calm and alert.
She shifted her gaze to Zikui and the Su guards, realizing that although it was a commotion, it could be handled.
At that moment, sounds of fighting and screams erupted from outside, causing her alarm.
Lin Yizong shouted at the noise, startled.
Lin Yian looked up as a bold voice rang out, complaining that he had to get permission to visit his cousin.
A bruised guard was thrown inside, followed by a boy in black boots stepping over him. His sharp features, cold smile, and casual demeanor drew attention immediately.
Princess Jiaxi demanded to know who he was and why he had injured someone. The boy ignored her, spinning his sword and moving inside.
Zikui recognized him and called out, excitedly greeting him as her young master.
Lin Yian noticed Third Miss’s relatives had arrived sooner than expected. He felt both glad and unexpectedly disappointed.
The young master’s presence made Princess Jiaxi uneasy. This must be Wu family from Third Miss’s maternal side. How did they know she was at the Duke of Wei’s residence? She had no idea how the information leaked.
Wu Zisen identified Zikui and quickly asked where his cousin was. Zikui pointed to Third Miss, but Wu Zisen first saw Lin Yian sitting on the bed.
Lin Yian sat quietly, pale but striking, elegant in even the slightest facial expressions.
Third Miss suddenly stood in front of him, shielding him, hands on her hips, and warned Wu Zisen not to stare at her husband.