Chapter 59: The Noble Consort’s Double Standard
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
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East City Yamen.
In the court, Lin Xiu cupped his hands towards Zhu Jin. “Thank you for saving me, Chief Eunuch Zhu.”
Zhu Jin shook his head. “You don’t need to thank me. Thank His Majesty and the Noble Consort. That man was disrespectful to the Consort; his death was justified. As for those behind him, none of them will escape. This East City Yamen will be thoroughly cleansed.”
The City Governor, who had just been splashed awake, fainted again upon hearing these words.
Zhu Jin then narrowed his eyes and looked at Lin Xiu with a faint smile, lowering his voice. “However, your audacity is truly admirable. You even dared to scheme against His Majesty and the Consort. This time, the Consort protected you. Next time, you might not be so lucky…”
Zhu Jin’s tone carried a strong warning.
Lin Xiu’s heart skipped a beat, and his back was instantly covered in cold sweat.
Where did it go wrong?
…
Even racking his brains, Lin Xiu couldn’t figure out that the reason he was seen through this time was actually because of the sneaky impression he had left on Emperor Xia last time…
Fortunately, judging by Zhu Jin’s attitude, His Majesty didn’t seem to intend to pursue his crime of deceiving the emperor. But this also served as a reminder to Lin Xiu that he must never try to be clever in the future…
There was no other way this time. The Lin family was weak and couldn’t compete with a first-rank marquis’s estate in any aspect. He had to gamble, and that was his only option.
Fortunately, he gambled correctly.
Not long after the City Governor fainted, he was woken up again by the people from the Secret Investigation Division. Before they even resorted to torture, he confessed everything.
This included how he was instructed by Yang Xuan, the son of Marquis Yongping, to arrange constables around Lin Xiu in advance, intending to make this case an ironclad one and quickly transfer it to the Ministry of Justice. He even revealed the name of the official he was supposed to contact within the Ministry.
His original plan was, if things went south, to take full responsibility and never implicate Yang Xuan.
But now, he had no choice. With the Imperial Guards and the Secret Investigation Division mobilized, he had no chance of covering for Yang Xuan.
The severity of this case had far exceeded his ability to handle it alone.
At this time, the East City Captain, Wang Hong, Wu Qing, and others were also brought in by the Secret Investigation Division for questioning. Lin Xiu glanced at the East City Captain and said to Zhu Jin, “Chief Eunuch Zhu, this case shouldn’t have anything to do with the East City Captain. He even warned me in the jail earlier.”
Lin Xiu’s words were understated, but to the East City Captain’s ears, they sounded like heavenly music.
At this moment, Lin Xiu, in his eyes, was radiant, like a savior.
Zhu Jin glanced at Lin Xiu, then said, “In that case, release this official.”
After the East City Captain and Wu Qing were released, they immediately stepped forward and bowed. “Thank you, Young Master, for speaking up for me. Thank you, Chief Eunuch, for your discerning eyes!”
Zhu Jin nodded slightly, then said to the Secret Investigation Division members, “Some of you go to the Ministry of Justice to arrest those involved. A few more come with me to the Marquis Yongping’s estate.”
Since His Majesty had said that no one involved in this case could be spared, as the main culprit, the son of Marquis Yongping naturally couldn’t escape punishment.
At this time, in the Marquis Yongping’s estate, Yang Xuan had just returned home.
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After learning that Lin Xiu had been arrested by the East City Yamen and the plan was proceeding smoothly, he had nothing to worry about.
Lin Xiu murdered someone in public, witnessed by countless people. He had also taken care of the East City Yamen and the Ministry of Justice. Lin Xiu couldn’t escape this charge.
As long as Lin Xiu’s murder charge was confirmed, although he would likely escape death, he would at least be exiled. By then, the marriage agreement would naturally be void.
Even if the Zhao family was adamant about keeping their promises, they couldn’t possibly marry Ling Jun to a criminal. He had indirectly found a legitimate reason for the Zhao family. Shouldn’t the Zhao family thank him?
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Yang Xuan’s lips.
“What’s making you so happy?” A deep voice came from up ahead.
Yang Xuan looked up and saw a figure approaching. His expression immediately turned serious, and he respectfully said, “Father.”
The middle-aged man with an austere face glanced at him. “I heard from the steward that you’re going against the Earl of Ping’an’s son?”
Yang Xuan knew he couldn’t hide his actions from his father and didn’t deny it. “He’s not worthy of Ling Jun.”
The middle-aged man looked at him calmly. “Are you worthy?”
Yang Xuan was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “I don’t even have innate abilities. I’m not worthy either. But he’s even less worthy. How can such a wonderful person marry that useless waste!”
The middle-aged man said, “That is a marriage arranged by their parents and matchmakers.”
Yang Xuan abruptly looked up, a ferocious look on his face. “That damned parental arrangement! Two old geezers who have been dead for who knows how long, yet they insist on deciding other people’s fates! I know I’m not worthy of her. Even if she married the Crown Prince or Prince Zhao, I wouldn’t have any objections. But to marry that waste, I refuse to accept it!”
The middle-aged man’s gaze was calm, but his tone was laced with disappointment. He shook his head. “Xuan’er, you’ve disappointed me. Ever since you saw that Zhao family girl years ago, your eyes have only been on her. Have you ever considered that you are meant to inherit the vast estate of the Yang family?”
“I don’t care about the estate,” Yang Xuan said with a smile. “As long as she is well, I’m content.”
Seeing his infatuated look, the disappointment in Marquis Yongping’s eyes deepened. Then, his gaze returned to its usual calmness. He said indifferently, “I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. The marriage agreement between the Lin and Zhao families cannot be canceled. Even if the Lin family wants to cancel it, the Zhao family won’t. Most importantly, His Majesty won’t agree.”
Yang Xuan abruptly looked up and demanded, “Why!”
Marquis Yongping didn’t answer his question, but suddenly turned his head and looked in a certain direction.
Several shadowy figures approached, surrounding Yang Xuan. Zhu Jin walked up to Marquis Yongping and cupped his hands. “This servant greets Lord Marquis.”
Marquis Yongping said, “Chief Eunuch Zhu, you’re too polite. May I ask what brings you to the Yang estate today?”
Zhu Jin glanced at Yang Xuan, then looked back at Marquis Yongping. “Lord Marquis, not to be disrespectful, but you are wise and brilliant, and this servant admires you greatly. However, you have neglected to discipline your son. This time, he has stirred up a hornet’s nest…”
Yang Xuan was shocked. “I… what did I do?”
…
After leaving the East City Yamen, Lin Xiu didn’t go home but went to the Imperial Palace.
To facilitate his treatment of the Noble Consort’s spirit pet, Emperor Xia had given him a token. With this token, he could enter the inner palace under the guidance of a eunuch, but only to Changchun Palace.
Upon entering Changchun Palace, a white shadow flew out from within, pouncing into Lin Xiu’s arms.
The little creature snuggled in Lin Xiu’s arms, nuzzling its head against his chest. “You came to see me so soon!”
The Noble Consort also walked out from the hall. Seeing Lin Xiu, she looked him up and down, asking, “Did they do anything to you?”
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Lin Xiu replied, “No, Eunuch Zhu arrived very timely.”
The Noble Consort’s face then broke into a smile. “He wouldn’t dare disobey this Palace. Otherwise, I would have his hide!”
The Noble Consort was tall, only slightly shorter than Lin Xiu when standing next to him. Lin Xiu lowered his head. “Madam, this student has come to apologize to you.”
The Noble Consort glanced at him. “You cured Nannan and even found ways to make this Palace happy. What is there to apologize for?”
The Noble Consort was indeed a bit fierce, but her care for him was genuine. Lin Xiu didn’t want to lie to her, so he recounted everything that happened.
It was better to confess before His Majesty told her.
Even if the Noble Consort punished him, he would accept it. Based on his understanding of her, for this little creature’s sake, she would probably go easy on him.
After listening to Lin Xiu, the Noble Consort fell into a long silence.
After a while, she asked, “You’re saying that all of this was Marquis Yongping’s son framing you? This isn’t the first time?”
Lin Xiu nodded, truthfully recounting the previous incidents.
The Noble Consort frowned. “That Yang fellow is truly insidious and cunning, always scheming behind people’s backs. This Palace detests such deceitful people!”
She then looked at Lin Xiu. “So, you first provoked him, making him want revenge. Then you stayed home, making him impatient. That way, as soon as you went out, he would immediately take action. You asked this Palace to leave the palace to use this Palace’s hand to deal with him?”
Lin Xiu quickly explained, “It wasn’t entirely like that. This student also saw that Madam has been in low spirits recently. I heard from Shuangshuang that the Imperial Hospital prescribed some medicine, but it didn’t seem to help. So I wanted Madam to leave the palace to distract yourself. If that Yang Xuan really chose that time to attack this student, it would be his bad luck…”
The Noble Consort’s beautiful eyes shone as she looked at Lin Xiu. “I didn’t expect you to be so clever and resourceful, despite seeming a bit slow usually. To think you could come up with such a method. With your status, it must have been difficult to contend with a first-rank marquis’s estate…”
Lin Xiu stood frozen, not knowing what to say.
How could the same actions be considered insidious and cunning when done by Yang Xuan, but clever and resourceful when done by him, even though he was clearly more cunning?
This was too much of a double standard!
However, he liked this double standard.
The Noble Consort looked at the spirit pet frolicking in Lin Xiu’s arms, a smile playing on her lips. “This Palace has never seen Nannan so close to any outsider. It seems it also knows who is good to it. Remember, from now on, you are one of us in Changchun Palace. If anyone dares to bully you, just tell this Palace, and this Palace will take care of it for you…”
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