Chapter 9: Conditions

Yao Shi arrived at Ci'en Hall and found that the situation was different from what she had imagined.

Lin Yannan was not there, instead it was Lin Jingyuan.

At that moment, Yao Shi was also puzzled.

"Mother, you called your daughter-in-law over for..." Yao Shi asked with a smile on her face.

The old lady's face grew serious, and before Yao Shi could finish speaking, she sternly said, "Zhen Zhen, kneel down."

Lin Zhenzhen looked at her mother anxiously.

"Mother, today's incident was just a misunderstanding," Yao Shi couldn't help but speak up for her daughter.

The old lady's gaze was sharp as lightning, and with one look, Yao Shi dared not say another word.

"Kneel down immediately."

Lin Zhenzhen reluctantly kneeled down.

"Let me ask you, are all the nonsense you said at Moyuan Pavilion today true?"

Lin Zhenzhen wanted to defend herself but thinking about her mother's advice, she decided not to say anything and just cried. The words that were about to come out of her mouth were held back, her nose twitched and tears filled her eyes.

Yao was so impatient, can't you explain it? Deny it... I've taught you on the way here, just say that you were treated unfairly outside and got angry, thinking that it was Big Sister who spread it out, so you deliberately said those words to provoke Big Sister...

Lin Zhenzhen's pear blossoms were moistened by her tears, and she couldn't recall what her mother had said to her on the way, but she firmly remembered her previous warnings.

The elderly lady became increasingly frustrated as Lin Zhenzhen couldn't find any reasons to defend herself. She continued scolding, "Who gave you the audacity to act so recklessly at the Ink Abyss Pavilion? You have brought shame upon the Marquis's Manor."

Lin Zhenzhen couldn't believe that her grandmother, who had always doted on her, would say such hurtful words. How could she be the one embarrassing the Hou Mansion?

"Grandmother, it was obviously Big Sister who spread false rumors. She knew that the Zhu family was planning to break off the engagement and wanted to put pressure on them. Now, people who are unaware of the truth are blaming me. Is it fair or unfair? She slandered me, so of course I have to hold her accountable."

Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief when Zhen Zhen said that.

"I have never seen such a shameless person. Everyone in the family knows about you and Zhu Ziyu's affair. Now that it has spread outside, we are being ridiculed. And yet, you dare to blame my sister. I actually wish it was my sister who leaked the news. We should not go easy on such a shameless person. We should treat them like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, without any mercy. I wish it was me who leaked the news, instead of hiding and tolerating it, not wanting my sister to be hurt, only to end up hurting her even more. Now my sister is desperate to die. I'm telling you today, if anything happens to my sister, I will make sure you pay for it." Lin Jingyuan said through gritted teeth.

This is the first time he has shown his strong side in front of others. When their parents were alive, no one dared to bully them as brother and sister. But after their parents passed away, he was still young and their sister fell ill, so he had to keep a low profile and appear weak. Now, it's time for him to stand up and protect his sister, and provide support for the family.

Both Madam Lao and Yao Shi were somewhat astonished by Lin Jingyuan's determined aura.

Lin Jingyuan had not left Zhu Yin Xuan for three years, and usually, news about him would either be about his illness or his caught-in-the-act moments of reading miscellaneous books by Yan Yan. The siblings frequently fought with each other as well. Therefore, everyone felt that Jingyuan was a sickly and unambitious person. Unexpectedly, today he showed such a resolute and righteous demeanor, emitting an aura of authority. Madam Lao felt as if she was seeing the young Bo Yan (Ding'an Marquis) again.

Yao defended, "Jingyuan, your second sister was also upset and misunderstood your sister because she hasn't been going out recently. She didn't do it on purpose."

Lin Jingyuan snorted, "Aunt, the point is not whether my second sister got upset or whether she should criticize my sister. The point is she shouldn't have seduced my sister's fiancé. Aunt, coming from an educated background, you must be familiar with the principles of righteousness, courtesy, integrity, and honor, right?"

姚氏噎住，蓁蓁和子玉的事本就不能拿到台面上来说，林景元站在道德制高点的质问，让她一时无言以对。

林景元咄咄逼人：“二姐做出这等不齿之事，闹得人尽皆知，二婶有规劝过吗？有教导过吗？还是说二婶巴不得二姐取代我姐，攀上国公府这门亲呢？”

“林景元，你冲我母亲撒什么气？有你这么跟长辈说话的吗？”林蓁蓁见母亲被林景元怼的接不上话，忙出口相帮。

"Jingyuan, you are not allowed to speak to your second aunt in this way," the old lady also said. Although Yao had indeed been at fault, respect for elders and precedence still needed to be observed.

Lin Zhenzhen saw her grandmother speaking up for her, so she straightened her back again. "You have seen what your sister looks like now. Even if it wasn't for me, the Zhu family would still break off the engagement. The Dianan Marquis Mansion is not as influential as before, so this engagement is very important for our mansion. If your sister is unable to preserve this marriage, then I will do it myself. I am also doing it for our mansion."

The old lady sighed inwardly, Zhen Zhen's words were not pleasant to hear, but they spoke the truth. The Hou Mansion indeed needed to hold onto this marriage alliance.

Lin Jingyuan sneered, "This is the first time I've heard someone proudly speak of their shameless actions in such a righteous and noble manner. Impressive, Second Sister. However, if our Hou Mansion needs to rely on such despicable tactics to secure our power, then we are not far from decline. Let's not forget that our Second Uncle is currently a representative of the clean faction in the court. How can he continue to flaunt his righteousness when his own daughter committed such an act of stealing her elder sister's fiancé... How can Second Uncle still have the face to claim he is part of the clean faction?"

The old lady's heart trembled at Jingyuan's words. The Hou Mansion now relies entirely on the second son Zhongkun to maintain its reputation. If Zhongkun is criticized because of this, it will greatly affect his future prospects.

Yao's family is also in a cold sweat. The master has been away from the capital recently, visiting the southern regions for scientific research purposes. If the master hears the rumors outside when he returns to the capital, he might be extremely furious.

She thought she had everything under control, but little did she know that the news would leak out and disrupt her plans.

The old lady said, "Jingyuan, your second sister was at fault in today's matter. Your grandmother wants her to make amends to your older sister. Regardless, you are all family and we should prioritize harmony and the interests of the marquis's household."

"Grandmother, there's no need for apologies, my sister and I don't need this kind of insincere sentiment. But you're right, everything should prioritize the interests of the Hou Mansion. We are all part of the Lin family, we rise together or fall together. Right now, the most important thing is to quell the rumors circulating outside."

The old lady's face softened and Jingyuan showed understanding: "Do you have any other way?"

"I think, now only my sister can come forward and use her weak and ill-health condition as an excuse to request the Zhu family to cancel the engagement. She can also state that those rumors are all false and only the parties involved can speak the truth."

The old lady agreed wholeheartedly, and Yao showed an expression of anticipation. Just as they thought everything was settled, Lin Jingyuan unexpectedly added, "But my condition is..."

"Please go ahead," said the old lady. As long as the issue could be resolved, everything could be negotiable.

Lin Jingyuan looked at Yao Shi: "Please ask grandmother to choose someone else to preside over the offerings."

The old lady was taken aback, and Yao Shi was shocked.

It was unexpected for Lin Jingyuan to make such a request.