The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 53

Who Taught Sheng’er to Be Like This?

When Lin Xirui helped the prone Lin Xikuan up from the ground, he finally saw that Lin Xikuan’s eyes were still open.

“Second Brother, how could this happen?” Lin Xirui couldn’t believe that his own father had done this.

Lin Xirui looked down at the chains on Lin Xikuan’s feet, then glanced around. Aside from the area illuminated by the oil lamp, the rest of the place was pitch-black. This was no place for a person to be.

How could a place like this exist in their estate?

When Lin Xirui helped him up, Lin Xikuan’s eyes were still somewhat lifeless, filled with a sliver of hope that had stained his despair. But when Lin Xizhao’s figure appeared in his line of sight, that hope instantly turned to rage.

At that moment, Lin Xizhao was merely worried and hadn’t noticed. Just as she was about to approach Lin Xikuan, she was pulled back by Qu Sheng, who immediately lifted her foot.

From his Second Brother suddenly lunging up in a frenzy to Lin Xikuan’s body being kicked away, it all happened in the blink of an eye for Lin Xirui.

Lin Xirui was stunned for a few moments. He looked at Lin Xizhao behind Qu Sheng, then at Lin Xikuan who had fallen to the ground, and cried out in alarm, “Second Brother!”

That one kick from Qu Sheng had sent Lin Xikuan flying, and he landed heavily on the ground along with his chains.

Lin Xizhao was frightened as well. She had just seen Lin Xikuan’s savage expression and didn’t know why he had suddenly gone mad.

Lin Xirui hurried to help Lin Xikuan up. Lin Xizhao wanted to go over and check on him but was held back by Qu Sheng.

Lin Xizhao turned to look at Qu Sheng, who shook her head, not letting her go any closer. She hadn’t used her full strength in that kick, but if Lin Xizhao went over, it was highly likely that Lin Xikuan would hurt her.

However, judging from the force of her kick, Lin Xikuan’s physical condition was already quite weak.

Qu Sheng had previously sent someone to keep an eye on the Prime Minister’s Residence’s kitchens. No extra food had gone out, and no one in the estate was cooking on a private stove¹. It seemed Lin Xikuan had already been starving here for several days.

The reason Qu Sheng knew this was because the guard she had stationed here had seen Lin Jianhai come here almost every night. She hadn’t just found the mechanism; she had seen it long ago.

Being held back by Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao also realized that Lin Xikuan was blaming her for all the suffering he had endured here.

He hadn’t gone mad when he first saw Lin Xirui, but he reacted that way upon seeing her. It must have stirred the hatred in the depths of his heart.

“Xirui, carry your Second Brother out of here first,” Lin Xizhao said, not approaching Lin Xikuan again. She wasn’t going to concern herself with Lin Xikuan’s hatred for her right now; his life was the priority.

Hearing this, Lin Xirui nodded and reached out, trying to undo the chains shackled to Lin Xikuan’s feet. But the chains were wrapped tightly around his ankles, and without a key, they simply couldn’t be opened. “Ah Jie, how do I open this?”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked around. Other than the chains shackling Lin Xikuan, which were embedded in the wall, the place was completely empty.

“I’ll go get someone,” Lin Xizhao said, glancing back before turning to Lin Xirui. “Xirui, take care of your Second Brother for now.”

Lin Xirui nodded. Lin Xizhao then led Qu Sheng up and out.

The guards of the Prime Minister’s Residence were no match for the Qu family’s guards. Lin Xizhao summoned Feng Qi. Feng Qi looked at the chains before him, crouched down to pick one up and examine it, then turned to Lin Xizhao and said, “A normal blade can’t cut through this kind of iron. It needs a key.”

Even Feng Qi was helpless.

Hearing this, Lin Xirui’s face fell. He quickly looked at Lin Xizhao and asked, “Ah Jie, what do we do?”

Lin Xizhao looked at Lin Xikuan, who could no longer stand due to Qu Sheng’s kick and his hunger. She thought for a moment and said, “I’ve already sent someone to fetch a doctor. Let’s get him something to eat first.”

Lin Xizhao had Feng Qi go up and tell someone to bring some thick quilts and a smokeless charcoal brazier. The doctor also arrived very quickly.

Lin Xirui stayed by Lin Xikuan’s side the entire time, but Lin Xizhao never went near him again.

After the doctor diagnosed Lin Xikuan, he prescribed some medicine. Lin Xikuan hadn’t eaten for four days. Fortunately, he had water to drink, which had kept his body from completely collapsing.

Lin Xizhao had someone make congee and bring it over. After watching Lin Xikuan drink it, she prepared to leave.

“Ah Jie, where are you going?” Lin Xirui heard footsteps and turned his head to look.

Lin Xizhao replied, “I’m going to find Father.” Lin Xikuan was out of danger for the time being, but if he stayed in this dark, damp place, especially in the winter, even a body forged from iron² wouldn’t be able to stand it.

“Father is in the palace; who knows when he’ll be back.” Lin Xirui’s face showed his dejection. Lin Jianhai returning was one thing, but whether he would let Lin Xikuan out was another matter entirely.

This punishment was far too severe. A beating would have been more straightforward.

When Lin Xizhao had sent for the doctor, she had also sent someone to the palace to ask Lin Jianhai to return. But after so long, Lin Jianhai still hadn’t come back. There must have been something important at the palace that he couldn’t get away from.

While Lin Xizhao was in the secret underground room, Lin Xikuan’s emotions were always unstable whenever he saw her. Qu Sheng stood to the side, observing him. If Lin Jianhai merely wanted to punish Lin Xikuan, he wouldn’t have had such a strong reaction to seeing Lin Xizhao.

Qu Sheng guessed that Lin Jianhai wanted him dead.

It wasn’t until evening, when the sky had completely darkened, that Lin Xizhao was pacing restlessly in her room. When Feng Qi came to inform her that Lin Jianhai had returned to the estate, she hurried to Lin Jianhai’s courtyard.

Lin Jianhai was changing his clothes upon his return, so Lin Xizhao could only wait in the outer room. It wasn’t until a maidservant came out of the room first that Lin Xizhao quickly took a few steps toward the inner room’s door.

“Father.”

Lin Jianhai was rolling up his sleeves. He glanced down at Lin Xizhao and said, “Are you here for Xikuan?”

Lin Jianhai’s emotions were stable, as if he wasn’t shamed into anger or simply angry that Lin Xizhao and the others had discovered Lin Xikuan’s imprisonment.

“Yes. Xikuan already knows he was wrong. I ask Father to permit this daughter to bring him out to recuperate properly.”

“What illness does he have?” Lin Jianhai walked a few steps toward the table, where the servants outside were currently setting out the evening meal.

Lin Xizhao didn’t understand what Lin Jianhai meant. She thought about Lin Xikuan in that cold, damp secret room, having not eaten for days. The doctor had said that even if Lin Xikuan received care now, he would likely be left with chronic health problems.

Lin Jianhai sat down, and a servant moved a chair over for Lin Xizhao.

“Sit down and eat some more with this father³.” Lin Jianhai took the chopsticks handed to him by a servant and used a spoon to taste a mouthful of soup. “Serve the Eldest Miss a bowl as well.”

The soup was a nourishing tonic, one that Lin Xizhao had specifically instructed the kitchens to stew for Lin Jianhai.

Lin Xizhao looked at the soup handed to her, raised her hand, and took a sip.

“Xikuan has a pampered illness⁴, and this father is currently treating it for him.” As Lin Jianhai said these shocking words, the movement of his hand picking up food with his chopsticks was not affected in the slightest.

“Besides, haven’t you all already sent him food and clothing?”

“But—”

“No buts. His current state is entirely the result of being spoiled. If he isn’t made to suffer a little, he will only cause more trouble in the future.”

Lin Jianhai’s words were not without reason, but this punishment was a bit too cruel. If they hadn’t discovered Lin Xikuan today, who knows how much longer he would have starved. People can die from not eating for a long time.

Lin Xizhao wanted to say more, but Lin Jianhai no longer looked at her.

Lin Xizhao had sent someone to the palace to summon Lin Jianhai today, yet he had only returned so late. And after returning, he didn’t go to see Lin Xikuan immediately but was instead having his evening meal here. She didn’t know if he was truly heartless or if he was doing this intentionally.

Lin Jianhai didn’t eat much and finished quickly. Lin Xizhao stayed for a while longer, but then Lin Jianhai said he was tired and told her to return to her own courtyard so he could rest.

Qu Sheng was waiting in the room. When she heard Feng Qi report that Lin Xizhao had gone toward the Lotus Pond⁵ again, she put on her outer coat and went out.

Just as Lin Xizhao neared the Lotus Pond, Qu Sheng quickly caught up.

“Jiejie⁶.” Qu Sheng’s speaking pace was a little faster than before.

Hearing Qu Sheng’s urgent voice, Lin Xizhao turned to look and discovered that it had started to snow.

Qu Sheng walked over, took off the changyi⁷ she was wearing, and draped it over Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Sheng. There was no moonlight, making it rather dim, and the oil lamps on the lamp posts were partially obscured by the increasingly thick white snow.

“Sheng’er, will you go back and rest, please?” When speaking with Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao had grown accustomed to discussing things with her like this.

Qu Sheng shook her head, reached out to capture Lin Xizhao’s fingers, and placed them on her own cheek, then covered Lin Xizhao’s hand with her own.

Lin Xizhao’s hand was too cold. Pressed against Qu Sheng’s cheek, it took a long while before she could feel any warmth.

“Sheng’er…” Lin Xizhao murmured, looking at Qu Sheng’s approaching face.

She had no way to get Lin Xikuan out right now, and Lin Jianhai’s actions were even more baffling to her.

“Jiejie, let’s go back.” Qu Sheng didn’t want Lin Xizhao to go down there again. Lin Xizhao’s constitution was weak, it was cold at night, and it was even colder down there.

“But Xikuan and Xirui are still down there.” Lin Xizhao was worried.

With her two younger brothers still there, she wouldn’t be at ease even if she went back to her room.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng lowered her gaze for a moment, then held Lin Xizhao’s hand, which had warmed against her cheek, and led her over.

Lin Xirui heard footsteps and looked up to see Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng walking over. He got off the wooden plank bed set up on the side and quickly asked, “Ah Jie, is Father back? Are you here to take Second Brother out?”

Lin Xizhao’s expression was troubled. She looked at her younger brother and said, “Father doesn’t agree.” Lin Jianhai wouldn’t agree to let Lin Xikuan out. “You should go back and rest first. I’ll watch over Xikuan.”

It was too cold here. Even with a brazier lit, there was a pond right next to them, and the entrance above wasn’t sealed, allowing cold air to constantly seep in.

“Xirui.”

While Lin Xizhao and Lin Xirui were talking, Lin Xikuan, who was not far away, spoke weakly, “If she’s here, when you come back tomorrow, you’ll be seeing my corpse.” Lin Xikuan didn’t believe for a second that Lin Xizhao would be kind enough to take care of him here.

Hearing this, Lin Xirui’s eyes widened slightly, a bit of anger rising in his heart. How could his Second Brother think of their Ah Jie like that? Lin Xizhao had been so worried about him today, yet he actually thought she would harm him.

“Second Brother, Ah Jie won’t harm you,” Lin Xirui said, speaking up for Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao paid no mind to what Lin Xikuan said and continued to persuade Lin Xirui to go back first. Hearing Lin Xirui open his mouth to tell her to go back to her courtyard instead, she said, “I’ll stay here tonight. You can come and take my place tomorrow.”

“No way. If Ah Jie stays here, Sheng-meimei⁸ will stay too. Aren’t you worried she’ll get sick?” Lin Xirui knew Lin Xizhao cared about Qu Sheng, so seeing her resolve, he had no choice but to bring Qu Sheng into it.

Lin Xizhao replied, “I’ll make her go back.”

“Not leaving.” Before Lin Xizhao could finish her sentence, Qu Sheng refused.

Lin Xirui smiled. “See? She said it herself. If Ah Jie is here, she won’t leave.”

Lin Xizhao turned to look at Qu Sheng, her voice gentle as she tried to persuade her, “Sheng’er, it’s too cold here. Will you go back to the room and rest, please?”

“No,” Qu Sheng answered crisply.

“See, Sheng-meimei doesn’t agree,” Lin Xirui said, feigning helplessness and pouting.

Lin Xizhao looked at Lin Xirui, still worried about leaving her two brothers here. “But—”

“Alright, Ah Jie. You and Sheng-meimei go back first. I’ll be fine here. I’m a man; my constitution is stronger than yours. Don’t forget to plead with Father again tomorrow,” Lin Xirui interrupted.

Lin Jianhai was probably still angry, but he doted on Lin Xizhao the most. As long as Lin Xizhao pleaded a few more times, he would definitely let Lin Xikuan out. His Second Brother had brought this upon himself, but as his younger brother, he couldn’t just abandon him. Lin Xizhao was a girl. Even if he caught a cold here, he couldn’t let them stay.

Besides, given what Lin Xikuan had said, he had to be mindful of his emotions.

Lin Xizhao couldn’t say anything more, because Lin Xirui was already gently pushing her toward the entrance.

Lin Xizhao was gently pushed by her shoulders and back up to the surface by Lin Xirui. She could only say helplessly, “I’ll think of another way tomorrow. I’ll have someone send two more quilts over in a bit. You take care of yourself.”

Lin Xirui nodded. “Okay, and bring some more delicious food.”

Lin Xirui had only had some congee with Lin Xikuan today. Now that Lin Xikuan’s condition had stabilized, he was feeling a bit greedy again.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao’s eyelashes fluttered. Her eyes curved into a smile as she said softly, “Okay.”

After returning, Lin Xizhao personally brought two more quilts and also instructed the kitchens to make some hot soup and dishes. Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng stayed in the secret room until the food was delivered before leaving and returning to their courtyard.

After bathing and lying on the bed, Lin Xizhao turned on her side, watching the faint shadows of the goose feather large snow⁹ falling outside the window, pondering how to persuade Lin Jianhai to release Lin Xikuan.

Qu Sheng lay on the inner side. Tonight, Lin Xizhao hadn’t taken the initiative to hold her. A crack seemed to open in her heart, widening bit by bit with the passage of time. A swirling vortex of air howled and filled it, constantly pushing the crack open. There was clearly something there, yet it felt like there was nothing at all. This feeling made her reach out and gently turn Lin Xizhao’s body toward her.

“Sheng’er, what’s wrong?” Lin Xizhao was suddenly embraced by the waist. Qu Sheng gently turned her sideways body over as she asked softly.

Qu Sheng looked down at Lin Xizhao without speaking. Lin Xizhao thought for a few moments and understood her thoughts. She smiled and reached out to pull Qu Sheng into her arms.

“It’s Jiejie’s fault. I shouldn’t have not held our Sheng’er,” Lin Xizhao cooed softly.

Pulled into the embrace, Qu Sheng felt Lin Xizhao gently patting her back. The emptiness in her heart was filled, bit by bit, with something solid. But then, this overflowing satisfaction gave rise to a presumptuous thought.

Lying together with Lin Xizhao these past days, her mind would always conjure up images of kissing her. She knew there was something wrong with her, but this feeling was too strong. She wanted to rein it in but couldn’t.

Qu Sheng looked up at Lin Xizhao’s chin, staring at it for a long time. When Lin Xizhao sensed Qu Sheng’s breath and looked down at her, the desire to try it grew even stronger in Qu Sheng’s eyes.

“Jiejie,” Qu Sheng called out to Lin Xizhao, her voice slow and low.

“Hm?” Lin Xizhao saw that Qu Sheng seemed to have something to say to her. She shifted slightly and asked, “What do you want to say to Jiejie?”

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, Qu Sheng didn’t answer. After they looked at each other for a few moments, Qu Sheng propped herself up on her elbow. The quilt covering them both slipped down a little.

Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng, who was acting a bit strange tonight. Not knowing what she intended to do, she could only wait quietly.

Lin Xizhao’s gaze was gentle, but Qu Sheng’s was overly fervent. Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng make a swallowing motion, and the smile on her face faded slightly.

As Qu Sheng’s body blocked the light source, a faint shadow fell across her eyes and brows. Lin Xizhao closed her eyes gently, feeling the soft touch of Qu Sheng’s lips on the space between her eyebrows.

Qu Sheng’s action made Lin Xizhao subconsciously think that her worried mood tonight had made Qu Sheng worry about her.

But when Qu Sheng lifted her lips only to lower them again, this time upon her lips, Lin Xizhao’s eyes flew open. She was stunned.

Qu Sheng’s heart was racing at this moment, but her expression was controlled and steady. Her lips pressed lightly against Lin Xizhao’s soft ones, feeling the moment when the fantasy she had been unable to control, thinking of day and night for the past year, became reality.

Qu Sheng, without any technique, used her own lips to gently trace Lin Xizhao’s. But before she could experience more of that softness, Lin Xizhao raised a hand and gently pushed her away.

Sensing Lin Xizhao’s struggle, Qu Sheng’s lips parted from hers. She looked down at Lin Xizhao, confused.

“Who taught Sheng’er to be like this?” Lin Xizhao’s expression wasn’t one of anger, but rather as if she had discovered someone had led Qu Sheng astray and wanted to get to the bottom of it.

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, Qu Sheng’s stunned expression made Lin Xizhao realize she had been too serious.

“Jiejie isn’t blaming you. It’s just that… we can’t do things like this.” At this moment, Lin Xizhao just assumed Qu Sheng saw this kind of kiss as a form of comfort, just like when she kissed Qu Sheng’s forehead.

“Why?” Although Qu Sheng’s voice was quiet, it was very clear.

Lin Xizhao’s lips curved slightly. Her voice gentle, she raised a slender finger to stroke Qu Sheng’s cheek and explained, “Because Jiejie and Sheng’er are both women. Women cannot be like this with each other.”

“Why not?” Qu Sheng asked again.

Seeing that Qu Sheng seemed very puzzled by her refusal, Lin Xizhao thought for a few moments, trying to figure out how to explain it to her.

“Because only after a man and a woman get married can they be like this,” Lin Xizhao explained softly.

Qu Sheng naturally knew what this was, and she also knew what men and women did after getting married. She just didn’t understand why two women couldn’t do it.

She wasn’t clear on what her feelings for Lin Xizhao were, but there was always a voice inside her driving her to get infinitely closer to Lin Xizhao. Kissing her soft lips was just one part of it.

“Did you see Jiayu and Fourth Brother…” Lin Xizhao thought back. Qu Sheng hardly ever spoke to outsiders, and she believed that no one around them would talk to Qu Sheng about such things. Could it be that she had seen Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu doing something like that?

Hearing this, Qu Sheng, who had been pondering with her eyes lowered, opened them slightly. She glanced at Lin Xizhao. Other than the gentle push just now, there was no impatience or disgust on her face. This meant that Lin Xizhao could accept her doing this, but felt that they, between themselves, could not.

Qu Sheng didn’t answer Lin Xizhao’s hypothetical question. She turned on her side to face inward, retracted the arm that was propping her up, and lay back down.

After a long while, Lin Xizhao saw that Qu Sheng had laid down with her eyes lightly closed and wasn’t leaning into her embrace anymore. She subconsciously felt that Qu Sheng was angry.

“Sheng’er?” This time, it was Lin Xizhao who propped herself up on her elbow to look down at Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng heard the voice but didn’t move, nor did she open her eyes.

“Are you angry?” Lin Xizhao’s tone was sweet and soft, as if she were coaxing Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng’s eyes moved slightly beneath her eyelids. Lin Xizhao knew she wasn’t asleep yet, so she had to lean over and place a kiss on Qu Sheng’s forehead.

After the kiss, Lin Xizhao pulled back a little. When she looked down at Qu Sheng again, Qu Sheng had already opened her eyes.

Qu Sheng wasn’t angry. She was thinking about what this feeling between her and Lin Xizhao really was.

Seeing Qu Sheng’s eyes open, Lin Xizhao’s own eyes curved into a smile. Before she could speak, she was pulled down slightly by Qu Sheng, who took the initiative to kiss her on the cheek.

After the peck, Qu Sheng let her go. Lin Xizhao sat up and saw the triumphant smile on Qu Sheng’s face, and she couldn’t help but let out a light, helpless laugh.

This little one’s temper is getting harder and harder to figure out.

The next morning.

After Lin Jianhai left, Lin Xizhao had Lin Xirui go to the Yu Residence. At this point, only the Yu family could get Lin Xikuan out of that damp and cold secret room.

Her Yu family maternal uncle came to their door and went to the secret room to see Lin Xikuan. After coming out, he relentlessly criticized Lin Xizhao. Although his words weren’t overly aggressive, every sentence implied that Lin Xikuan’s situation was all Lin Xizhao’s fault.

Lin Xirui had been holding it in for a long time. Seeing Lin Xizhao remain silent and not refute any of it, the anger in his heart could no longer be contained.

To speak of Lin Xizhao this way was like speaking of him. He couldn’t stand it anymore. “That’s enough, maternal uncle! What wrong has my Ah Jie done? If you all hadn’t constantly filled my Second Brother’s head with nonsensical ideas, why would he have gone down such a path? If my Ah Jie hadn’t sent people to stop him in time, my Second Brother would be in prison right now, and Father’s official position would very likely be in jeopardy. We asked you to come here to help my Second Brother, not to make things difficult for my Ah Jie.”

“You!” The Yu family maternal uncle, being rebuked by his own nephew, felt he was losing face. His voice grew louder as he shouted, “I am your maternal uncle!”

“I know you are my maternal uncle. If you weren’t, the servants of this estate might have already thrown you out,” Lin Xirui said, not indulging his uncle in the slightest.

Hearing this, the Yu family maternal uncle’s lips pressed into a tight line. A stuffy anger settled in his chest. “When your father returns, I’ll have him release Xikuan and take him back to our Yu Residence. You all don’t feel heartache for him, but I do.”

The Yu family maternal uncle once again began to accuse the brother and sister of disregarding Lin Xikuan’s life.

Lin Xirui wanted to retort but was stopped by Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao curtsied and said, “In that case, many thanks to maternal uncle.”

Although Lin Xizhao had never addressed Yu-shi¹⁰ as her mother before her death, she did acknowledge Yu-shi’s status as the main wife of the Lin Residence.

Throughout the day of waiting, Lin Xizhao did not go to the secret room again. The Yu family maternal uncle was there the whole time; her presence would only be an eyesore.

Zhao Jiayu’s shuxiu¹¹ were not yet finished, but Lin Xizhao had no mind to work on them right now.

Last night, Qu Sheng had experienced the taste of Lin Xizhao’s lips for the first time. When Lin Xizhao was not in the room, she had asked Feng Qi many questions.

She didn’t stop asking until Feng Qi was also completely bewildered.

At first, Qu Sheng asked Feng Qi if he had someone he liked, if he wanted to get married, and so on. Feng Qi answered each question.

Jin Yunfei had already started arranging a marriage for him, but even if he were to get married, it wouldn’t be until next year.

But when Qu Sheng asked if anyone would object if she, like her Fourth Brother, were to marry Lin Xizhao and bring her into her estate, Feng Qi stared at her in shock, speechless.

Lin Jianhai only returned to the estate in the evening. He knew that people from the Yu family had come during the day, but precisely because they had come, he delayed his return by another shichen¹².

By now it was late and quiet. Logically, the Yu family maternal uncle should have left, but he hadn’t.

Seeing his persistence, Lin Jianhai had him brought over after changing out of his official robes.

“Brother-in-law, my sister only had these two children. Xikuan is still so young. Even if he made a mistake as big as the heavens, he shouldn’t be treated like this.” The Yu family maternal uncle tried to use Yu-shi to appeal to Lin Jianhai’s emotions.

Lin Jianhai smiled. “A mistake as big as the heavens? What mistake is that?”

The Yu family maternal uncle had originally thought Lin Jianhai would feel guilty for the sake of his deceased sister, but hearing his tone now, it seemed he felt nothing of the sort.

“This… how big of a mistake can a child make? It’s nothing more than spending some money for a bit of fun. He’s been locked up for so long, he knows he was wrong. Brother-in-law, please just let Kuan’er out.”

“I will discipline my own son. I won’t trouble an outsider to interfere.” After hearing the Yu family maternal uncle describe what Lin Xikuan had done so lightly, the warmth completely vanished from Lin Jianhai’s face.

Hearing Lin Jianhai call him an outsider, the Yu family maternal uncle was stunned for a moment, then said angrily, “You! He is your legitimate son, the one who will succeed your Lin family! If something really happens to him, won’t you regret it?”

“Legitimate? Succeed my Lin family? Are you mistaken about something?”

Lin Jianhai’s series of rhetorical questions left the Yu family maternal uncle stunned. His deceased sister had been promoted to the main wife; these two children were viewed by the outside world as the legitimate children of the Prime Minister’s Residence. How were they not legitimate?

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “No one taught me. It’s the natural reaction of a living creature.”

Lin Xizhao: “……”

Thank you to the little darlings for the landmines and nutrient solution. I’ll organize the list when I have time.

It’s hot, so take care of yourselves and don’t get heatstroke.

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