These three consecutive questions made Cao Qiniang's face turn pale: "You… how can you be so harsh! My brother… he… he is not usually…"
"Is that so?"
Lin Zeyan stepped forward: "The case records are clear, with both witnesses and evidence present. The victim's wounds have festered and remain unhealed to this day. Have you ever shown even a shred of reverence for the law, or any remorse toward the injured?"
"You haven't." A faint smile curled at the corner of Lin Zeyan's mouth. "All you've thought about is your family's reputation, and whether your brother—who treats human life like mere grass—can escape justice."
Cao Qiniang seemed not to have expected such a scene. She stepped back a few paces and argued stubbornly: "But… that was just a worthless life after all!"
Then her tone weakened: "Isn't paying compensation enough? Must my brother's entire future be destroyed before you're satisfied? Lin Shaoqing, don't forget, our two families once…"
This deliberately unfinished sentence made Lu Qingyou step forward as well, his gaze lingering meaningfully between the two of them. But he didn't let his imagination run for long, because he heard Lin Zeyan say slowly:
"My apologies, Miss Cao, but I have no interest in marrying a woman who is both foolish and wicked."
After he finished speaking, the air was still for a few breaths.
"Terrifying."
Zhao Lijia quickly covered her mouth with both hands after saying this.
The Lin Shaoqing this young lady had just mentioned was her third cousin, right?
She looked at Han Guang and Tieyi, who nodded in alarm, confirming that what she was thinking was correct.
She had only been on her way downstairs after finishing her meal when she overheard this exchange. Having witnessed her third cousin's prowess, Zhao Lijia abandoned any thought of going up to greet him.
"Let's go, let's go." She lowered her voice and said urgently, then lifted the hem of her skirt and hurried downstairs. But unexpectedly, the green-robed attendant behind her caught up.
"Miss Zhao, you left your pouch behind."
She turned around and came face to face with Cao Qiniang, who was on the corridor, tear-streaked and red-faced. She gave an awkward smile, but was even more afraid that her third cousin inside might poke his head out, so she quickly grabbed her pouch and slipped away.
Cao Qiniang had only dared to come up to plead her case because the third floor was empty. Now that someone had witnessed her humiliation, she was both angry and aggrieved, and fled in disgrace.
Seeing the woman run off, Lu Qingyou clicked his tongue a few times. "Sanlang, that mouth of yours… Miss Cao is rather pitiable, after all."
Lin Zeyan narrowed his eyes. "Pitiable? You're off duty and haven't gone home, yet here you are pitying a young lady. What do you think your wife would say about that?"
Lu Qingyou quickly replied: "Hey, now, Sanlang, I'm here drinking with you, not out philandering in Pingkang District. My wife wouldn't be angry."
Lin Zeyan walked to the window and looked down. Lu Qingyou followed and teased him: "Having regrets?"
He saw Miss Cao below board her carriage, but Lin Zeyan's gaze wasn't there—it was fixed on… a flatbread stall…
Lin Zeyan saw the green figure below, and three words rolled off his tongue: "Miss Zhao?"
If he remembered correctly, his cousin on his mother's side was also surnamed Zhao.
Lu Qingyou heard what he said. "What Miss Zhao?"
Lin Zeyan didn't hear him. He saw her chatting happily with the old Hu man behind the stall, not even noticing that the flatbread in her hand, hanging at her side, was being stealthily nibbled by a little beggar squatting nearby.
She noticed, let go of the flatbread in her hand, and the little beggar ran off with it. She was stunned for a moment, then resumed talking with the Hu man behind the stall. The Hu man gestured with his hands, saying something Lin Zeyan couldn't hear, and he saw her cheek puff up.
The two rather foolish maidservants behind her, their mouths greasy from eating, also burst into laughter.
Familiar—it was that feeling again. He waited for her to turn and glance his way, but after a long while she was still chatting and laughing with that old Hu man.
Lin Zeyan turned around. Lu Qingyou suddenly thought of something and laughed: "Speaking of which, isn't that Cao family's sixth son also your fellow student?"
Lin Zeyan thought of his nickname, "the Fellow Student Killer." It was a nickname the officials had given him ever since he became an official at the Court of Judicial Review, having sent three fellow students to prison.
"What fellow student? We just served on duty before His Majesty together for a few years. How does that count as fellow students?"
Lin Zeyan returned to the Ducal Mansion. At the Moon Gate he ran into Baoqin, the Shizi Consort's maidservant, who was leading two people over.
She curtsied and said to the two behind her: "This is the Third Young Master."
Qi Wanyu swept a smiling glance over the man before her. "Third Young Master, I am the third younger sister of your cousin's wife. This is my husband. My husband has taken up a post in Shangzhou, and we stopped by on the way to visit my elder sister."
Qi Wanyu was the third younger sister of the Shizi Consort, Qi Wanling.
Lin Zeyan felt these people had nothing to do with him. He returned the greeting, exchanged a few simple pleasantries, and left.
Qi Wanyu watched him for a while from behind and said: "He's truly handsome. He must be as tall as this Moon Gate."
With that, the group turned right and headed to the East Court.
Qi Wanling had long been eagerly awaiting them. Seeing her third sister, she immediately smiled and went to greet her. "You've finally come."
Qi Wanyu quickly forgot her husband. She clung to her sister's arm, and the two chatted and laughed as they entered the main room. "Elder Sister, do we not need to pay our respects to the Duchess first, coming like this?"
At the mention of her mother-in-law, Qi Wanling was dismissive: "Never mind that. My mother-in-law spends all day chanting sutras and praying to Buddha. If you went, she'd only complain that you were disturbing her."
Qi Wanyu did not want to go either, so this suited her perfectly. She looked around. "Where's my brother-in-law?"
At the mention of the Shizi, Qi Wanling's face filled with worry. But in front of her brother-in-law, she did not want to speak of such things, so she said: "He's serving in Weinan County."
Just then, Qi Wanling's two children, Lin Zhang and Lin Yu, returned from the schoolroom. They were delighted to see their third aunt. Before Qi Wanyu could get properly acquainted with the children, Qi Wanling shooed them away.
Qi Wanyu sensed something was wrong. "What is it, Elder Sister?"
Seeing her sister's troubled look, she said to her husband: "Why don't you go outside and take a look."
Qi Wanyu's husband was taken aback, then went out. Qi Wanling smiled. "How can you treat your husband like that?"
Qi Wanyu paid it no mind. "Elder Sister, is there something you want to tell me?"
Qi Wanling took her hand. "It's about your brother-in-law. I suspect he's keeping a woman in Weinan County."
A mocking look flickered across her face. "I've prepared plenty of maidservants for him in this house, yet he still goes outside. I suppose wildflowers are sweeter than garden flowers."
"Keeping a woman would be one thing, but if there's a child…"
Hatred appeared on her face. "He's not content to ruin himself—he wants to make me a laughingstock too!"
"So," she looked at her sister, "Third Sister, you must help me."
Qi Wanyu felt her pain as her own. "But Elder Sister, what can I do to help you?"
Qi Wanling: "On your way to Shangzhou, won't you pass through Weinan County? Go and take a look for me."
She could have gone herself, but she was afraid that if she saw something, she wouldn't be able to resist throwing a punch. She didn't want to make a scene, and besides, that was where the Shizi worked—causing trouble there wouldn't be good.
She could also have sent someone, but among the servants below, there were quite a few of the Shizi's informants. Even if she wanted to investigate him, they couldn't be trusted.
Qi Wanyu said solemnly, "Big Sister, don't worry. I'll go check for you and then write to you."
When Zhao Lijia arrived at the Duke's mansion gate, she didn't get off the carriage directly. Instead, she lifted a corner of the curtain, looked left and right for a moment, and only got down when she saw no one at the entrance.
Even the Cold-Light Iron Armor was amused by her actions.
"Miss, why are you already avoiding Third Young Master before you've even seen him?"
Zhao Lijia rubbed her face. "I don't know. I have a feeling I should avoid him."
She turned around. "Did you all hear what he said just now?"
Han Guang: "But that Miss Cao Qi was quite excessive too."
Zhao Lijia thought for a moment. "That's true."
They entered the gate and ran into Bizhi, who was by Second Madam's side, on the way.
When Bizhi saw Zhao Lijia, her eyes lit up. She walked over and said, "Cousin Miss, what a coincidence. I was just about to go to Chunxuan Xiaozhu to look for you."
Zhao Lijia smiled. "Does Auntie want to see me?"
Bizhi nodded. "Second Madam invites you over."
When Zhao Lijia arrived at the West Main Courtyard, she heard Second Madam and the eldest sister-in-law discussing the banquet for the second cousin's wedding. Seeing her come in, Second Madam put down the account book in her hand and said, "Lizhi, has Uncle Qian already left?"
Zhao Lijia nodded and, at Second Madam's gesture, sat down beside her. Looking at the colorful silk threads on the table, she asked, "Auntie, what are these for?"
She had seen the two of them weaving these things for the past few days.
Second Madam picked one up and handed it to her. "This? It's Twin-Linked Threads. For the Rite of the Joined Tresses, you use this to tie a strand of the bride's and groom's hair together and put it into a brocade pouch."
Zhao Lijia only half understood. Second Madam smiled. "Soon you'll need it, and then you'll understand."
Zhao Lijia's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she was momentarily stunned. Then she reacted, and her face grew hot. Second Madam stopped teasing her. "I heard from your Uncle Qian that these two maidservants of yours know martial arts?"
Zhao Lijia nodded. "Yes, they've been learning martial arts since they were young. They're very skilled."
Second Madam was much more relieved. "Mm, that's good. I was originally thinking of sending a few guards from the mansion to accompany you, but it wouldn't be convenient for you to have guards following you around the streets. It's good that these two maidservants know martial arts."
Second Madam patted her hand. "From now on, when you go out, just tell the gatekeeper. I've already sent word to them. If anything happens, we'll also know where to find you right away."
Zhao Lijia knew her aunt was worried about her, so she quickly nodded. "Auntie, I understand."
Second Madam showed a satisfied smile. "If only Third Young Master were half as obedient as you, I'd be content."
Thinking of what she had encountered earlier, Zhao Lijia wondered if Third Cousin treated Auntie the same way. If so, she would despise him.
At that moment, a sturdy woman in her forties walked in from outside. Seeing her flustered expression, Second Madam said, "Manager Feng, what's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"
In her haste, Manager Feng forgot to bow. "Second Madam, the kitchen reported that the fish sashimi supplier we originally arranged had a fire last night. Most of the shop burned down. On the day of the celebration, I'm afraid we won't be able to get supplies from them."
Second Madam frowned. "Then can't we get it from somewhere else?"
Manager Feng was also anxious. "The kitchen regularly stocks up from his family. We won't be able to find someone both good and timely on such short notice."
Xu Lingyuan, who had been quietly working all along, heard Manager Feng's words and told Second Madam to be patient. "Mother, yesterday I already had Manager Zhou from the outer courtyard go to the Western Market to find a replacement supplier. I was just about to discuss this matter with Manager Feng today."
Manager Feng was taken aback. "Eldest Young Madam actually already knew…"
Xu Lingyuan said, "For Second Brother's marriage, the five rites have all been completed, and everything is ready. It is precisely at times like this that mistakes are most likely to occur. Please tell the people below to work slowly and carefully—there is no need to rush."
Manager Feng, feeling somewhat guilty as he recalled his earlier loss of composure, bent her knees in a bow and said, "This old servant will certainly pass on Eldest Young Madam's words."
Xu Lingyuan smiled. "Then please coordinate with Manager Zhou from the outer courtyard and get this matter handled well. After Second Brother's wedding banquet is over, everyone's reward money will certainly not be lacking."
Manager Feng hurriedly said a few words of "I wouldn't dare," and Second Madam and Zhao Lijia gazed at Xu Lingyuan's calm profile, feeling nothing but admiration in their hearts.
After Manager Feng left, Second Madam said to Xu Lingyuan, "Let's rest too. The sun is almost setting, and they will be here soon."
Xu Lingyuan said yes, but only Zhao Lijia was confused. "They?"
Second Madam smiled at her and said, "Today our second branch will have a meal together. Since you arrived, we haven't eaten together yet. This time your Third Cousin Brother also has free time."
Although Zhao Lijia had experienced the events of today, she still admired and looked up to this Third Cousin Brother, who at only nineteen held the post of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
This Third Cousin Brother had been selected as a Qianniu Guard at thirteen due to the family's residual privilege, serving in the imperial presence. The Qianniu Guard was the best path for noble youths to learn up close; it was a military post. But by the time he was fifteen, while escorting the imperial carriage on the southern tour, he assisted in handling criminal matters in the prefectures and counties along the way, investigating and deciding several long-pending cases, and his fame spread far and wide in a single stroke.
His Majesty was greatly pleased and made an exceptional promotion to Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. In only a few years, by the time he was nineteen, because of his outstanding talent and effective handling of affairs, he was promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
And judging from today's events, although Third Cousin Brother had a somewhat sharp tongue, he was still a good official who handled matters impartially and had a strong sense of justice.
In her heart, she both looked forward to meeting this Third Cousin Brother and felt inexplicably a little afraid.