Yue Lai Inn
Lin Suisui could clearly sense that the moment she mentioned Duke Yong…
The person behind the curtain suddenly began breathing much faster.
“If it concerns Duke Yong, then I’m afraid we cannot help.”
The man immediately refused.
“Ten thousand taels in silver.”
Lin Suisui made a generous offer without hesitation.
“I’m sure you understand that this isn’t a matter of money.”
The man behind the curtain was not someone who could be easily persuaded.
“The person in the palace has made it obvious that he wants Duke Yong dead. The Dongyang Gang belongs to the martial world. We never interfere in court affairs.”
Lin Suisui had expected this answer.
She understood why they did not want to make an enemy of the imperial court.
“What if…”
She paused.
“…I also offer a Nine-Revolution Life-Restoring Pill?”
“A Nine-Revolution Life-Restoring Pill?”
Through the curtain, Lin Suisui saw the man suddenly stand up.
His voice was filled with surprise.
“That’s right. One Nine-Revolution Life-Restoring Pill, plus ten thousand taels in silver, in exchange for keeping Duke Yong safe while he is imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review.”
Lin Suisui spoke calmly.
She remembered everything from her previous life.
At this time in her past life, the leader of the Dongyang Gang had been seriously injured in an ambush.
Although he survived…
He remained on the brink of death.
The gang secretly searched everywhere for famous doctors.
In the end, none of them could save him.
A year later, the gang leader died.
The Dongyang Gang suffered a devastating loss.
Other gangs surrounded and attacked them.
By the time Lin Suisui died in her previous life, the once-powerful Dongyang Gang had fallen into the ranks of second-rate organizations.
Its former glory had completely disappeared.
If she remembered correctly…
The gang leader had only recently been injured.
That meant the Nine-Revolution Life-Restoring Pill she possessed was the very thing that could save both his life and the future of the Dongyang Gang.
“If the Nine-Revolution Life-Restoring Pill in your possession is genuine…”
The man’s excitement was impossible to hide.
“…then forget the ten thousand taels. We only want the pill.”
That made sense.
As the largest martial arts organization in the Great Yong Dynasty, the Dongyang Gang was not short of money.
What they truly lacked…
It was a medicine that could save a life.
“So you’re saying…”
Lin Suisui asked to be certain.
“…are you willing to accept this job?”
“As long as the pill is genuine, the Dongyang Gang guarantees Duke Yong’s safety.”
The man’s answer was direct and honest.
“Deal.”
Lin Suisui took a small jade bottle from her pouch.
A little boy stepped out from behind the curtain and accepted it.
He looked only eight or nine years old.
He was quite adorable.
As he took the jade bottle, he even smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Big Sister.”
“You’re welcome. We’re simply giving each other what we need.”
Lin Suisui answered politely.
She did not dare treat him like an ordinary child.
The Dongyang Gang stood at the very top of the martial world in the Great Yong Dynasty.
Rumor said their greatest experts could kill without leaving any trace.
Who knew…
This smiling little boy might actually be an incredibly powerful martial artist.
…
When Lin Suisui walked out of the room, Nanny Wang immediately supported her arm.
She could clearly feel Lin Suisui’s body trembling slightly.
“Fourth Miss…”
Only after they had gotten back into the carriage did Nanny Wang dare to speak.
“Father’s life has been saved.”
Lin Suisui let out a long breath.
Only then did she realize that her inner clothes were soaked with cold sweat.
She had not been afraid of meeting the Dongyang Gang.
What she had feared…
Was it even after offering the Nine-Revolution Life-Restoring Pill that they would still refuse to promise they could save her father?
If even the Dongyang Gang could not protect him…
She had no idea who else she could ask for help.
Fortunately…
Her grandmother had possessed such a priceless medicine.
Fortunately…
The Dongyang Gang had accepted this difficult task.
Anyone with even a little knowledge of the martial world knew…
The Dongyang Gang always kept its promises.
Once they accepted a job, they always completed it.
With Lin Zhengbei’s safety now guaranteed, most of Lin Suisui’s worries disappeared.
The rest…
Would depend on how all sides struggled against one another.
And whether Lin Zhengbei could escape this conflict unharmed.
Still…
Everything had to be done step by step.
“On our way back, pass by Duke Chen’s residence.”
Lin Suisui instructed the coachman.
Duke Chen’s residence…
She could hardly wait to see what had become of her elegant and admired eldest sister.
…
By the time Lin Suisui’s carriage passed in front of Duke Chen’s residence, it was already evening.
The main gate was tightly shut beneath the fading light.
Even so…
Many idle men and wandering beggars were still gathered outside.
Judging by the scene, they had no intention of leaving anytime soon.
How did Lin Suisui know?
Because she had paid those people herself.
She had hired them to make life difficult for Lin Xin’er.
She refused to believe that, with people constantly talking outside the gate…
The strong-willed Duchess of Duke Chen’s household would continue to tolerate such a “good” daughter-in-law.
As far as Lin Suisui knew…
The Duchess was never someone who quietly accepted losses.
As long as Lin Xin’er’s life became miserable…
Lin Suisui felt much happier.
Earlier, when they had discussed how to deal with Chen Yuanqing, Lin Zhengchen had suggested that Lin Zhengbei should also implicate Lin Xin’er during the court session.
After all…
She had committed such a cruel crime.
At the very least, spending some time suffering in prison would be a fitting punishment.
But Lin Suisui had rejected that idea.
In her previous life…
Lin Xin’er had stepped over the blood of her own family and proudly become the Duchess of Duke Chen’s household.
In this life…
Only because Lin Suisui had been reborn had the rest of the family barely survived.
A little suffering in prison…
Could never satisfy the hatred in Lin Suisui’s heart.
She wanted Lin Xin’er to watch with her own eyes…
As everything she treasured—
Her wealth.
Her status.
Her honor.
One by one…
Slipped away from her.
She wanted Lin Xin’er to become despised by everyone.
She wanted her to die abandoned, with no place left for her in the world.
Yes…
Deep down, Lin Suisui was someone who never forgave those who had wronged her.
…
As for Lin Xin’er…
Her life truly had become miserable.
To understand why, everything had to begin after Duke Chen returned home from court in a sedan chair.
Lin Xin’er’s mental strength was remarkable.
She had known that morning when Chen Yuanqing left for Wuji Hall to accuse Lin Zhengbei.
She had even comforted the slightly nervous Chen Yuanqing.
She personally served him a warm bowl of milk and encouraged him to drink it to calm himself.
After he left…
She leisurely went to greet the Duchess.
It was still early, and the Duchess had not yet gotten out of bed.
So Lin Xin’er patiently sat in the room and waited.
In every way…
She behaved exactly as she always had.
Even when she learned that Duke Yong’s residence had been searched…
She showed no sign of panic.
Only after Duke Chen returned home…
Was the calm she had been so proud of finally shattered.