Chapter 237 An Adopted Son of Lin Family

“Brother, why is it so quiet today?”

Shangguan Qing and Lin Mengwu were not around, and all the servants were new. Those who were usually with Shangguan Qing, had all vanished from sight.

“Father was furious, so Shangguan Qing and Lin Mengwu were grounded, and he replaced all their staff. You won’t feel ill at ease anymore.”

Lin Nansheng had a pitying yet guilty look on his face.

Lin Mengya lowered her head, and took a sip of the honey tea. It was impossible for her not to still have a trace of bitterness in her heart.

She had no idea why Lin Muzhi did this. Although he loved her very much, he still did nothing, when she was nearly dying.

It was true that Lin Muzhi truly loved her, but if he really wanted to protect her, she would not have undergone so many difficulties.

Perhaps she was too naive and did not know how to fight back. Every time Lin Muzhi came back, she would not complain and report what Shangguan Qing and Lin Mengwu had done to her. Maybe that gave them an opportunity to bully her.

After all, she was not well-experienced enough to understand her father’s helplessness.

Lin Mengya paused and said,

“There are lots of spies outside now. Brother, are you not worried that someone would intentionally mingle with those new servants you hired, in order to get news?”

Her worry was reasonable. But Lin Nansheng smiled and replied,

“Don’t worry about that. Father and I selected them very carefully. Every single one can be trusted. We’ve driven all the old servants to the backyard. Father banned them from coming out. So what you’re worrying about, won’t happen at all.”

His confidence gave her momentary relief.

No matter what, Shangguan Qing and Lin Mengwu were ever the Masters here. Lin Muzhi and Lin Nansheng had gone overboard actually. Inevitably, the other two might make a comeback.

After thinking about it, she said again.

“To be honest, it’d be perfect if father took the same measures as he did with the soldiers. However, you’re in the Capital City now and it would be quite hard to prevent these crafty people from retaliating. Why not tell the housekeeper to keep an eye on them, and prevent them from sending out messages. They could find various means to find out about things, other than their spies.”

It stood to reason that Lin Mengya felt worried. Those military spies were well-trained, but their resources were limited.

Everything was all the same and unvaried in the military, thus, if there was really something unusual, it would be spotted very easily.

But it was totally a different scenario in Capital City. Everything could be used as a means to send a message. Although she lost Lin Muzhi’s support, Shangguan Qing was still the real daughter of Shangguan family. The Shangguan family had always acted in an arrogant manner, so they would not easily forgive the treatment their daughter received.

Anyway, Lin Muzhi had little experience in fighting with women.

“You mean, let them out? Xiao’ra, have you forgotten how they used to bully you?”

To his surprise, Lin Nansheng initially thought that Lin Mengya would be delighted to hear that the two women were grounded.

Unexpectedly, she said something else.

“I did not forget. But brother, you and father should not get involved in the fight in the Capital City. The Shangguan family has been eyeing us covetously. I believe you know the reason why Shangguan Qing forced me to marry Long Tianyu in secret.”

Lin Mengya advised him earnestly. She wanted her brother to know she was doing this for their good.

It was not a big deal for her to be wronged. Anyway, she would not be wronged. But she would not allow her father and her brother to get involved in the affairs of women.

Lin Muzhi was a General, leading thousands of troops, and conquering everything before him, but, women’s’ fight was not as simple as he imagined.

“Fine, leave it as it is. Ya’er, you’re thinking of us, I know. But father should have some reasons of his own, of course. You don’t have to worry about that.”

She wanted to say more, but held back, because she noticed that he was quite insistent.

“I am thinking too much.”

“Ya’er, why are you here? You must be frozen?”

A deep, resonant voice could be heard from outside the room. And then, a figure dressed in gray, appeared.

“Father, I came to see you.”

In front of Lin Muzhi, she always acted as his much beloved daughter. Lin Mengya immediately came towards him, and held his arms. She acted as if she was a spoiled child.

“That’s good. Leave after dinner. We’ve not seen each other for many years. I have many things to tell you.”

Lin Muzhi stared at his daughter, who had grown up from that timid little girl to a beautiful, sensible lady.

Her hair was put up in a bun. Without his knowledge, she was now married. Her mother would feel happy for her, if she knew it.

“Good. I want a feast.”

She beamed. Only before her father was she free from worries, and need not constantly be on her guard.

“Such a greedy cat. Ya’er, did they not cook well for you? Look at you, you became thinner.”

Although his daughter had a charming appearance, her chin was sharp, and not as lovely as her round face, when she was a child.

And he sensed his daughter’s unstable breathing. She seemed to be in a bad condition.

“Is that because she is not used to the food in her house?”

Noticing him studying her intently, Lin Mengya tried to distract him. There would be a scene if he found out that she had been poisoned.

The Lin family could not afford this trouble, neither could she.

“I’m fine. Perhaps I’m still growing taller. Oh, father, there is a man I want to introduce to you. Xiaoyu, come and greet my father and brother.

Lin Muzhi and Lin Nansheng had already noticed the beautiful boy, sitting quietly in the corner.

He was at most fourteen or fifteen years old. But he was full of spirit and energy, different from the son of a common family. He bowed gracefully, and did not to avoid their scrutiny. He apparently was used to these kind of occasions.

“Greetings, General, young General.”

Lin Muzhi and Lin Nansheng were full of silent praises for his poise. At this moment, Lin Mengya pulled him up, and her face was wreathed with a proud smile.

“Today, I came here for one thing, father.”

Then, she told them how she met Xiaoyu and her plan about asking him to give Xiaoyu a legal identity.

But of course, it was wise of her to keep the punishment of those scoundrels, a secret.

After all, she was still a sweet, lovely baby girl in her father’s mind.

“It’s easy. You have several uncles who lack sons to carry on their family lineage. Besides, he looks extraordinarily handsome. I’m afraid that our status would be beneath his dignity.”

Lin Muzhi did not refuse. After all, it was a request from his daughter. There was no reason for him to say no.

But at first sight, he knew that the boy must be from an unusual family. If there was something else he was not aware of, he might get involved in another feud.

“General, you have a pair of sharp eyes. Frankly, I am from Lieyun State. There were traitorous ministers who took over the control of my country, and my family was split up. I have only a few loyal old servants with me. I hope that would not be a problem.”

To Lin Mengya’s surprise, Xiaoyu was very forthright, and spoke out about his family situation.

But she also felt that Lin Zhongyu had matured a lot.

His forthrightness was the right thing to do. Lin Muzhi had his own powers, and would find out that he came from Lieyun State, sooner or later. His frankness would make an impression on Lin Muzhi.

“I see. I am familiar with Lieyun State. But tell me, what’s the relationship between your family and the Xin family?”

Although he had already taken every question into consideration, Lin Zhongyu was still astonished.

Lin Muzhi was still staring at him calmly, his eyes as sharp as an eagle’s, letting nothing escape from his scrutiny.

Lin Zhongyu did not try to avoid the question. Instead, he cracked a bitter smile, and his clear eyes welled up in sorrow.

“You’re truly the General Lin, who can run the whole world. The Xin family is my sworn enemy. Things between our families are truly irreconcilable!”

Lin Mengya was suddenly stunned by the depth of cruelty and coldness in his voice, which did not seem to belong to a boy at all.

Did she make a wrong guess? But if he came from the Xin family, why would Xin Li specially come over to warn her?

“Is there anything that happened in the past that I am not aware of?”

Inside the capacious warm room, the slim boy was clenching his fists, his eyes brimming with monstrous hatred, yet his taut back showed him his pride, yet single minded stubbornness.

“Father, Xiaoyu saved my life. I believe, he won’t harm me, as well as the Lin family.”

Her tender voice gave him a sense of comfort.

Then, a soft, warm hand was placed lightly on his shoulders, making him feel warm and full of energy.

He turned back to look at the lady who was standing by his side. No matter what, she was always ahead of him, protected him, supported him, and firmly believed in him.

“Father, since Ya’er believes him, why not listen to her?”

Lin Nansheng loved his sister very much, and always stood by her side. He would have done anything for her, including taking in a stranger as his cousin. Even if Lin Mengya wanted to make a hole in the sky, he would learn from the Goddess named Nvwa, to refine stones to fill in the hole.

“Fine, I’ll make the arrangement. In the future, remember that you are a member of Lin family. Behave yourself and don’t bring shame on us.”

Lin Muzhi patted Lin Zhongyu on the shoulder with his generous, big hand. His stare was friendly and fatherly like that of a usual elder uncle, and touched him to the core.

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