Chapter 32: Have Second Uncle Persuade Him
The scorching weather came in waves, making Lin Ningkun’s mood even more irritable.
The anger in his heart could not calm down no matter what.
If it weren’t for Jiang Ruanxi, he could have married the woman he loved, his son wouldn’t have to recognize someone else as father, he wouldn’t be so disheveled, nor so powerless; all of this was Jiang Ruanxi’s fault.
Thinking of how Jiang Ruanxi had caused him to end up like this, he wished he could go and divorce her right now.
“Marquis, the weather outside is hot; shall we go back?” Lin Yi wiped the sweat from his forehead and advised softly.
Lin Ningkun was so angry that he couldn’t hear any sounds, striding forward; only like this could he vent the anger in his heart.
Sweat soaked his clothes, drops of sweat falling from his forehead one by one; only then did Lin Ningkun’s mind calm slightly.
Thinking of something, he stopped and instructed Lin Yi, “Go prepare the carriage; we’re going to Jiang Manor.”
The attendant looked at him with some doubt.
He had just quarreled with Madam; how could he now go to Jiang Ruanxi’s maternal home.
But he didn’t dare say anything.
Soon they arrived at Jiang Manor.
The Jiang Family seemed to have anticipated his arrival; everyone from the Jiang Family was there except Jiang Ruanxi’s father.
“I don’t want Xiao Ge’er to go to Zhenguo Marquis Manor.” Lin Ningkun directly stated the objective of this visit.
Hearing this, Jiang Changjun rushed forward directly, grabbing his collar, “Do you think we want Xiao Ge’er to go back?”
Lin Ningkun kept a cold face and did not fight back.
A fair-skinned and slightly thin man stepped forward to pull Jiang Changjun, “Second Brother, calm down; beating him now won’t change anything.”
“Third Brother, don’t pull me. Xue’er was always fine before; it was because of this person that she suffered so much pain. Now that Xiao Ge’er’s matter is exposed, Xue’er is at others’ mercy, while he can stay out of it. I want to vent for Xue’er.”
The more Jiang Changjun spoke, the more excited he became; finally unable to hold back, he shook off Jiang Linlei and punched hard at Lin Ningkun’s chin.
Lin Ningkun’s head was knocked to the side, blood soon trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Jiang Changjun seemed not yet relieved and raised his hand to strike again, but was stopped by Jiang Linlei.
“Second Brother, killing him now is useless; if you kill him, it will only make Xue’er even more upset.”
Thinking of Jiang Xuerou being upset, Jiang Changjun then forcefully shoved Lin Ningkun away.
Lin Ningkun stumbled and nearly fell.
Jiang Linlei stepped forward coldly and said, “You just said you don’t want Xiao Ge’er to go back to Zhenguo Marquis Manor; do you have some way?”
“Not for now.” Lin Ningkun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
“Then what are you here for today? Planning to discuss with us to go tell Zhenguo Marquis Manor that Xiao Ge’er is your child?”
Lin Ningkun was left speechless, and a trace of sarcasm appeared at the corner of Jiang Linlei’s mouth.
“Zhenguo Marquis Manor now knows Xue’er gave birth to a child, but doesn’t know about things between you and Xue’er. Now that Xiao Ge’er is going back, Zhenguo Marquis Manor certainly won’t pursue the matter, and Xue’er can be safe and sound.
But if you don’t let Xiao Ge’er go back, Zhenguo Marquis Manor absolutely won’t let it go and will continue to investigate; they might even find out about things between you and Xue’er. Can you bear such consequences?”
Word for word, exactly the same as what Madam Zhou had said.
That suffocating feeling of being out of control swept over him again; Lin Ningkun painfully closed his eyes.
Jiang Linlei knew he had taken it in, so his tone softened considerably.
“Let Xiao Ge’er go to Zhenguo Marquis Manor for now; your foundation in court is unstable now, your official career is the priority. If your official career goes smoothly, then in the future, wanting to take Xue’er and Xiao Ge’er back will be easy.”
Lin Ningkun nodded, “Third Brother, rest assured; I’ve already asked clan members at home to handle the official career matters, and there should be news soon. I’m just worried about Xue’er’s situation; it’s inconvenient for me to see her now, so please inform Xue’er that I will bring her out no matter what.”
Jiang Linlei readily agreed, said a few more comforting words, and then saw Lin Ningkun off.
After he left, Madam Wei, who had not spoken, said coldly, “You shouldn’t have stopped Second Brother just now; if not for her, could Xue’er be so passive now?”
But Jiang Linlei said seriously, “Mother, when we do things, we can’t just seek momentary satisfaction; we must consider the overall situation.”
“Third Brother, what do you mean?”
Jiang Linlei held a fan in his hand, fanning himself while saying faintly.
“Lin Ningkun has been back for about half a month, but his official position still has no news. If Xue’er really follows him, I’m afraid her future will be worrying. I originally wanted to persuade Xue’er, but she wasn’t willing, so I let it be.
Now that Xiao Ge’er’s identity is exposed, Zhenguo Marquis Manor also intends to take Xiao Ge’er back, not holding Xue’er accountable for concealing Xiao Ge’er’s matter, and even intending to cover it up. Why not?”
The words made sense, but Madam Wei still felt some reluctance deep down, “But Xiao Ge’er’s father is ultimately Lin Ningkun.”
“Mother, the reason our Jiang Family cares about Xiao Ge’er is only because he came out of Xue’er’s belly; it doesn’t matter who his father is.
If Lin Ningkun’s official career goes smoothly and Xue’er won’t suffer following him, then we can scheme for him without issue. But if his official career fails and he’s just someone who can’t be helped, then it’s fine for Xue’er to stay at Zhenguo Marquis Manor.”
Hearing this, Madam Wei and Jiang Changjun both looked approving, their expressions improving considerably.
**
Hong Ye told Jiang Ruanxi everything about Lin Ningkun going to Jiang Manor and getting beaten.
After hearing it, Jiang Ruanxi felt relieved.
Hong Ye didn’t know what Jiang Ruanxi was thinking and, seeing her still eating heartily, couldn’t help but say.
“Madam, after the Marquis came back, he’s been shut in the room alone drinking; even the Old Madam can’t persuade him now. Why don’t you go advise him.”
Hong Ye thought that if Jiang Ruanxi accompanied Lin Ningkun during his frustration, he would surely be moved and remember Jiang Ruanxi’s kindness.
Then, Jiang Ruanxi would live better and have her own child.
“Not going.” As she spoke, Jiang Ruanxi shoveled a big mouthful of rice.
“But didn’t the Old Madam tell you to go advise him? You can’t disregard the Old Madam’s face.”
Mentioning this bad luck matter, Jiang Ruanxi lost her appetite and put down her bowl and chopsticks.
She didn’t know what madness had seized Madam Zhou; unable to persuade him herself, she wanted her to do it.
Lin Ningkun being unhappy made her even happier; only if she were stupid would she go advise him.
But now was not the time to tear faces; she hadn’t yet made those who harmed her in her previous life receive their due retribution.
Thinking for a moment, she said to Hong Ye, “Hong Ye, go fetch Second Uncle; have Second Uncle advise him; he will definitely listen.”
