Chapter 109: The Silver Was Indeed Given By Me
Madam Kang Zhou firmly believed that this time it would definitely work.
Lin Shu dodged to the side, his face as dark as ink, “Men, Madam Kang Zhou has bribed this official right to my face, her crime is aggravated, take her down for me.”
Madam Kang Zhou was completely dumbfounded; there really was an official in this world who did not love silver?
Jiang Ruanxi watched as Madam Kang Zhou was arrested, still not understanding where the problem was, and could not help shaking her head.
Madam Kang Zhou was truly stupid enough; she still thought everyone was like her—that really underestimated Lin Shu too much.
The common ailment of scholars: considering themselves superior. Lin Shu’s goal was Grand Secretary; how could he look upon something as vulgar as silver money?
This silver money, to him, was not a good thing at all; it was a deep shame.
“Lord Lin, this humble woman was wrong. This humble woman will give you all the silver in my hands; please spare this humble woman.”
Madam Kang Zhou’s words were undoubtedly a basin of oil, directly poured onto Lin Shu’s heart. His anger burned greater and greater, “Shut up. If you dare say one more word, this official will dispose of you immediately.”
Madam Kang Zhou was so scared that she did not dare make a sound, even forcing her tears back.
It was over; could it really be over this time?
“Even if Lord Lin wants to dispose of her, shouldn’t he at least make the reason clear?” Just as everyone thought Madam Kang Zhou was done for this time, another aged voice sounded from outside Lin Manor.
Everyone looked toward the voice, only to see an elderly person with full head of silver hair, dressed in fine floral brocade robes, being supported as she walked over. Before they could recognize who it was, Madam Kang Zhou’s trembling voice came, her eyes filled with fear.
“Mother-in-law.”
This was the old lady of the Kang Family, also Madam Kang Zhou’s mother-in-law.
She was seen slowly walking over, leaning on her cane.
As an elder, Jiang Ruanxi took the initiative to greet her, “Elder Madam Li Ti.”
But she either did not hear or directly ignored her, not making a sound, and went straight to Lin Shu, “Sir, although my daughter-in-law has done some things wrong, disposing of only her—is that not unfair?”
Jiang Ruanxi lowered her eyes and immediately understood that Elder Madam Li Ti had come to back up Madam Kang Zhou.
Lin Shu pretended not to understand, slightly furrowing his brows, “This official does not understand what Elder Madam Li Ti means.”
“You just heard what my daughter-in-law said: this matter has no relationship with her. The money was given by Jiang Ruanxi. Since it was her silver money, Sir cannot possibly, because she is Lin family members, show favoritism and protect her while only punishing my daughter-in-law, right?”
This was openly saying that Lin Shu was using the power in his hands to bully people.
Jiang Ruanxi was stunned. In her previous life, she had never met Elder Madam Li Ti, but she had heard that she was always abused by Madam Kang Zhou. But now it seemed the rumors were wrong.
With this shrewd and dominant appearance, how could Madam Kang Zhou suppress her?
And Lin Shu’s face immediately darkened. He had just taken office, and these people were repeatedly challenging his authority—did they think he was easy to bully?
Enduring the anger in his heart, he said through gritted teeth, “Elder Madam Li Ti is overthinking. This official handles cases impartially, treating everyone the same. Since Elder Madam Li Ti has doubts, bring Madam Lin in for questioning together.”
“Sir, please wait; this humble woman has something to say.”
Just as the officer was about to step forward to arrest her, Jiang Ruanxi spoke to stop him.
Lin Shu had not originally intended to arrest Jiang Ruanxi; hearing her defend herself now, he naturally gave her the opportunity and waved his hand at the people behind him.
“What does Madam Lin mean? Could it be that relying on Sir being from your Lin Family, you want to escape your crime?” Elder Madam Li Ti’s eyes were like shattered ice as she looked at her.
As if she were some fugitive criminal.
Although Lin Shu was a court official, he had studied the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood and always aimed for harmony with others, not skilled at dealing with women. But even with his good temper, he was provoked to anger by Elder Madam Li Ti’s few words.
Just as he was about to flare up, Jiang Ruanxi beat him to it, “Elder Madam Li Ti’s words are too serious. One escapes only if guilty. I am pure and innocent; where is there any escaping?”
“Oh, so you mean you are innocent? But how did I hear your mother say the silver was given by you?”
“The silver was indeed given by me.”
Jiang Ruanxi directly admitted it.
Elder Madam Li Ti gave a cold smile, turning to look at Lin Shu, “Lord Lin, did you hear? Jiang Ruanxi has admitted it herself; why not have her arrested together?”
She scolded harshly, as if she were the one issuing the highest orders.
Even if Lin Shu was dissatisfied in his heart, Jiang Ruanxi was someone who had helped him; for her sake, he could not act rashly. His face showed distress, “This…”
“Elder Madam Li Ti, please don’t be hasty. Haven’t I finished speaking yet?”
Hearing this, Lin Shu breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, but Elder Madam Li Ti’s complexion was not good, “I see you are just stalling for time.”
Jiang Ruanxi no longer paid attention to her and handed to Lin Shu the thing she had just had Hong Ye fetch amid the chaos during the confusion, “Sir, please take a look. Once you read it, Sir will understand everything.”
Lin Shu took the paper and opened it. After seeing the contents, the wrinkles on his forehead eased considerably.
Elder Madam Li Ti felt a bit uneasy in her heart, knowing the matter had a turn, her tone no longer as forceful as before.
“Madam Lin, we are originally relatives; there is no need for everyone to make things unpleasant over such a small matter. Why not sit down and discuss a solution properly? I believe you understand this principle of shared glory and shared loss.”
“If Old Madam considers our family relatives, she absolutely would not do something like dragging people down with her.”
Jiang Ruanxi gave a cold smile inwardly and did not accept the favor.
“You are still young and do not understand the twists and turns here.” Elder Madam Li Ti said with a stern face.
Jiang Ruanxi sneered, “I have done nothing wrong; why should I be wronged by my aunt? On the contrary, Elder Madam Li Ti, at your age, cannot even manage your own daughter-in-law properly—why come here to lecture me on reason?”
Being mocked by a junior, Elder Madam Li Ti was quite angry and mocked back, “The Lin Family has truly fallen; is the daughter-in-law they taught so unreasonable?”
“No wonder the Kang Family cannot rise. With such an ignorant and unreasonable mistress who has muddled through a lifetime, she can only be a minor official.” Jiang Ruanxi unceremoniously retorted.
These words were like poking Elder Madam Li Ti’s sore spot; she angrily raised her hand pointing at Jiang Ruanxi, “You, your Lin Family, do not bully people too much.”
Jiang Ruanxi’s face also cooled, but before she could speak, Lin Shu spoke first, “Shut up. This is not a place to quarrel; do you think this official does not exist?”
Elder Madam Li Ti had a deflated expression and did not dare speak.
Their Kang Family had some prestige in Ningnan, but in the Capital where high officials and nobles were as numerous as hairs, they were no different from ordinary folk.
