Chapter 99: Despicable (First Update)

"Madam!" Lin Xiucheng cried out in a panic, but receiving no response, he hurriedly handed Lady Li over to Mama Yang. "Take her inside quickly."

Mama Yang signaled for two maids to assist, and they hoisted Lady Li onto her back, hurrying into the manor.

Lin Xiucheng turned to interrogate the gatekeeper, his tone sharp: "When did the people from the Jiang family arrive? What did they look like? And when exactly did they take Yao’er?"

The gatekeeper, realizing that something had gone terribly wrong, grew flustered. "This... it has been nearly half an hour since they left. The person who came... was just an ordinary elderly woman. She was driving a small, shabby carriage with a green canopy. Our young lady took our own carriage from the stables to go with her."

By carriage, the journey from Peace Lane to the Jiang residence took a little over half an hour.

If Lin Yanyao had been gone for less than half an hour, and the person who came to fetch her was truly from the Jiang family, it meant the Jiangs had sent someone almost immediately after he and Lady Li had arrived at their estate.

Furthermore, if they had truly been escorting Lin Yanyao to the Jiang residence, he and Lady Li should have crossed paths with their daughter on the road.

The crux of the problem was this: Why would someone appear at that exact time, falsely claiming that Lady Li had collapsed, to brazenly lure Lin Yanyao away from the estate?

Lin Xiucheng was convinced this was the work of the Jiang family. Aside from the messy, inexplicable conflict of the past two days, their household had not offended anyone else. Moreover, their visit to the Jiang estate had been a last-minute decision made only last night. Outsiders could not have known, and aside from the Jiang family, who else would have been so well-informed and capable of using such a pretext to trick Lin Yanyao into leaving?

Lin Xiucheng had no time to ponder what the Jiangs intended to do with her. Having just witnessed their fickle and questionable character, he could not bear the thought of his daughter falling into their clutches.

Driven by anxious rage, he dove back into his carriage. "Go to the Jiang residence again!"

"Yes, Second Master!" The driver scrambled to ready the horses. Lin Xiucheng remembered something else and parted the curtains to instruct the gatekeeper: "Tell the Madam. And if she is truly unwell, have a doctor summoned immediately."

"Yes!" the woman replied, craning her neck to watch the carriage disappear from the lane before heading inside, her heart heavy with worry.

*

The Duke of Ping's Residence

Jiang Weixian strode out of the courtyard with a stormy expression. His personal attendant, who had been waiting anxiously, tried to approach him, but seeing that Jiang Weixian had no intention of leaving and was instead heading straight for the back courtyard, the attendant hurried after him to remind him: "Young Master, the time has passed. You should be heading to the office."

Jiang Weixian was in no mood for official duties. He retorted impatiently: "Go over there and tell the staff that I have matters to attend to at home today. Unless it is something urgent, tell them to leave it until tomorrow when I arrive."

The attendant dared not speak further and retreated to deliver the message.

In the courtyard behind them, Lady Jiang, seeing the state of Jiang Pingzhi, sighed helplessly. Knowing Jiang Weixian’s temper, she didn’t bother speaking to her son and chased after her husband.

Jiang Pingzhi remained calm. He waited until she had been gone for a while before slowly pulling himself up from the ground. He smoothed the creases in his robes, then turned and followed them.

Jiang Weixian had headed to the back courtyard, clearly returning to the study in the main house. Jiang Pingzhi followed. Once he had rounded two corners and was out of sight of the prying eyes of the servants, his page, Tianlu, darted out from behind a cluster of flowers.

Afraid to keep Jiang Weixian waiting, Jiang Pingzhi continued walking briskly while asking in a low voice: "Has the task I gave you been arranged?"

"Yes!" Tianlu’s eyes gleamed. He scanned the area for eavesdroppers and whispered, "If all goes as planned, the people sent to the Lin family should have already intercepted her. The ambush on the road is also set. If you are worried, Young Master, I can go and watch to confirm it with my own eyes before reporting back to you."

"Do not create further complications!" Jiang Pingzhi commanded. "As long as you followed my instructions, there should be no problem. Now, go back to your usual duties. If I am not mistaken, people from the Lin family will be coming here again soon. Be careful and do not let anyone see any flaws."

"Yes!" Tianlu promised, slipping away through a side path.

Meanwhile, Jiang Weixian had arrived at the study. Upon entering, he swept the writing implements off the desk in a fit of rage and let out a growl of frustration.

The maids in the back courtyard were startled by his outburst. A maid who usually served in the study entered, only to be terrified by the scene. Lady Jiang arrived just in time and shot her a look: "Get out. You are not needed here."

"Yes, Madam!" The maid hurried out as if granted a reprieve. Lady Jiang signaled for Mama Huang, who promptly cleared the courtyard of all servants.

Lady Jiang steeled herself and walked forward. "My lord..."

"Is it true that the little beast has been keeping a mistress behind my back?" Jiang Weixian turned on her, his voice harsh and his tone accusatory.

Lady Jiang was nearly choked by the question. "That is not true! I don't know where you heard such gossip, but it is entirely baseless..."

Seeing her still stubbornly denying it, Jiang Weixian lost his patience and slapped her across the face. "Things have reached this point, and you are still trying to cover for him? Do you want to see me lose my official position and title before you are satisfied?"

Jiang Weixian was a scholar and a man of high birth; he had rarely laid a hand on a woman in his forty-some years, which showed just how furious he truly was.

Lady Jiang’s hair ornament fell, and she stumbled, falling right into the arms of Jiang Pingzhi, who had just entered.

Jiang Pingzhi caught her. He had expected Jiang Weixian’s reaction to be strong, but seeing the scene, he couldn't help but gasp. He stammered, "Father!"

*

Lady Jiang’s head was spinning; it took her a long time to recover.

In all the years she had been married to Jiang Weixian, she had lived as the honored Lady of the Manor, and they had always treated each other with mutual respect. He had never struck her before. When the shock faded, tears began to stream down her face.

Just as Jiang Weixian was about to lash out at Jiang Pingzhi, Lady Jiang pushed her son away and lunged at her husband. "You hit me? Just because of some baseless rumors, you would humiliate me in front of our son without asking for the truth?"

Jiang Weixian, already at his breaking point, would not tolerate her tantrum. He grabbed her wrists and stared into her eyes, roaring: "Who are you putting on a show for? Don't think you can fool me with tears and nonsense! Lady Li, let me tell you, if you and your son cannot give me a proper explanation today..."

His ferocious demeanor was truly frightening. Lady Jiang fell silent, forgetting to cry, staring at him blankly.

Jiang Weixian’s gaze turned cold as he glanced at Jiang Pingzhi. "If you cannot fulfill the role of the Lady of the Manor, there are plenty of others waiting to take your place!"

Lady Jiang was stunned, her eyes wide with terror. What did he mean? Was he talking about divorcing her over this?

Jiang Weixian had no patience for further argument. He shoved her aside. Lady Jiang stumbled but regained her footing, rendered speechless by fear, her lips trembling.

Seeing his father use such threats to silence his mother, Jiang Pingzhi knew he could no longer deflect. He knelt down immediately: "Father, the fault is entirely mine. Mother knew nothing of this. Please do not blame her."

This was a tacit admission. Jiang Weixian felt a wave of dizziness, his temples throbbing.

Jiang Pingzhi, adept at reading the situation, didn't wait for further interrogation. He confessed like a pouring stream: "Father, I was momentarily confused. I know I was wrong. After I learned yesterday that you and Mother had arranged the engagement with the Lin family, I ended things with her completely. She took the money and left. There will absolutely be no further trouble. Please believe me!"

Jiang Weixian himself kept concubines, and Jiang Pingzhi knew exactly where the line was drawn. Jiang Weixian would not tolerate him breaking an engagement for personal gain, but he wouldn't view keeping a mistress as a grave offense. By lying, Jiang Pingzhi hoped to soothe his father’s anger.

As expected, Jiang Weixian did not view the matter of a man keeping mistresses as a major issue. Seeing his son’s repentant attitude, he found it difficult to continue berating him. However, the harsh words Lin Xiucheng had spoken earlier still burned in his mind. He glared at Lady Jiang: "You knew about this too? And you conspired with this little beast to hide it from me?"

"My lord! I did not. I only heard him mention it the day before yesterday, which is why I panicked!" Lady Jiang explained, "You know our son has only ever focused on his books. I was afraid he had been deceived by some unscrupulous woman. I did it for his own good, hoping the engagement with the Lin family would settle him down. I never imagined..."

"There is no such thing as an impenetrable wall!" Jiang Weixian interrupted, his anger still smoldering. "Do you think the Lin family are commoners you can manipulate at will? If the old master wasn't retired, his students would have flooded the court with impeachment petitions, and my position would be hanging by a thread!"

Lady Jiang felt deeply wronged, but she dared not provoke him further. Jiang Pingzhi seized the moment to smooth things over: "Father! My aunt and uncle must have heard some rumors. If they want to scold me or hit me, I will accept it, as I am at fault. I didn't confess earlier because I didn't want to bring shame upon our house. I accept the engagement to my cousin. Why don't we go to the Lin residence now? I will explain everything to her personally. My aunt and uncle are just protective of their daughter. If we talk, there may still be room for reconciliation."

Given Jiang Pingzhi’s repentant attitude, and having vented his rage on Lady Jiang, Jiang Weixian calmed down. The Lin family had threatened to break the engagement, but the dowry was substantial; returning it would take time. There was indeed room to maneuver.

"Hmph!" Still resentful, Jiang Weixian put on a stern face. "Go prepare yourselves and let's go!"

"Yes!" Jiang Pingzhi agreed obediently.

As Jiang Weixian walked past Lady Jiang, he said coldly: "This is all your doing. Get ready and come with us. If we cannot appease the Lin family, we will have endless trouble ahead."

Since Lady Jiang had been the one to arrange everything, and she was the sister of the Lins' mother, she had to be present. Jiang Weixian strode out without looking back.

Lady Jiang sat in her chair, her legs feeling like lead. Jiang Pingzhi stood up, appearing calm and composed.

Lady Jiang misinterpreted his composure. "Don't be too optimistic. Your uncle is the most stubborn man alive. Just because you say a few nice words doesn't mean he will change his mind."

She didn't doubt her son's story about the mistress, but she deeply regretted her own rashness. If she had known he would turn back so easily, she wouldn't have rushed to seal the engagement.

Jiang Pingzhi was already calculating his next moves. He instructed Lady Jiang: "In any case, I have dragged you into this, Mother. No matter what happens, we must both insist on keeping the engagement with my cousin."

*

He no longer cared if he offended the Lin family or what they thought of him. His only goal now was to ensure Jiang Weixian would not be angry with him again.

If the engagement were broken because of his actions, it would be a humiliation for the Jiang family, and his father would hold him accountable. But what would happen next would force Jiang Weixian to be the one to propose the breakup!

Jiang Pingzhi plotted in his heart while calmly helping Lady Jiang back to her room to prepare.

By the time the family of three reached the main gate to leave, it was already noon. Having skipped breakfast, they were famished, but they were desperate to appease the Lin family. Just then, they saw the Lin family’s carriage returning to the lane.

Jiang Weixian’s heart sank. There hadn't been enough time for the Lins to return the betrothal gifts. He watched anxiously, only to see that there was only one carriage. The family exchanged confused glances, deciding to wait.

Soon, the carriage arrived, and Lin Xiucheng stepped out with a cold, grim expression.

"Brother-in-law..." Jiang Weixian stepped forward, but Lin Xiucheng cut him off: "Where is Yao’er?"

The Jiangs were stunned. Jiang Pingzhi, who knew the truth, also feigned surprise.

Seeing their reaction, Lin Xiucheng’s heart turned to ice. He realized that something far more terrifying had happened.

Lady Jiang asked, bewildered: "Why would you come to our house to look for Yao’er? Didn't you and your wife come over this morning? Yao’er wasn't with you."

Lin Xiucheng looked at them and let out a bitter, angry laugh. "You tricked my daughter into an engagement, and because of your pride, you don't want to break it, so you resorted to this? Fine! I have truly learned something today—I have encountered the most despicable people and deeds in my life!"

Lin Xiucheng was no fool. Seeing their confusion and the ignorance of the servants, he realized Lin Yanyao had not been brought here. If she wasn't being held here as a hostage, it meant something far more sinister had occurred.

"Brother-in-law, what are you saying? Yao’er has never been here. We were just about to head to your estate to offer an apology..." Jiang Weixian said, trying to clarify the misunderstanding.

Lin Xiucheng had no time for their excuses. He brushed Jiang Weixian aside. "If you have harmed my daughter, I will never forgive you."

With his daughter’s whereabouts unknown, he had no patience for further argument. He glared at the three of them, dove back into the carriage, and shouted, "Go!"

The driver didn't bother turning around; he simply drove to the other end of the lane and sped off.

Lin Xiucheng’s heart was in turmoil. "Go to the Jingzhao Prefecture Office!"

He had realized earlier that Jiang Pingzhi didn't just want to break the engagement; he wanted to do so while dumping all the blame on the Lin family. Now, he dared not think about what might have happened to his daughter.

"Yes, Second Master!" The driver started to turn, but Lin Xiucheng changed his mind. "Forget the Prefecture Office. Go back home first."

He clung to a glimmer of hope that Lin Yanyao might have already returned.

The driver hurried back. As they approached the Lin residence, they saw a bullock cart parked at the gate. A man was helping someone down: "Slowly now..."

"Master, it’s Chang Si!" the driver cried out.

Lin Xiucheng jumped out. Chang Si’s right leg was splinted with wooden boards and wrapped in rags. He was covered in mud, his face and hands bruised and scraped.

Lin Xiucheng knew his suspicions were correct. The Jiang family had stopped at nothing to break the engagement without losing face.

Chang Si, struggling to get off the cart, burst into tears upon seeing him. "Second Master, please, save the Young Lady! She has been abducted!"