1.16 Entrusting the Orphan

Volume One
Chapter 1.16: Entrusting the Orphan

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Over fifty elite cavalry openly entered the city, yet the journey was unusually “calm.”

The lines of people waiting to enter Yangzhou City immediately “conscientiously” made way upon seeing them. The guarding soldiers dared not obstruct at all. When a junior soldier stepped forward, he was pulled back by a seasoned veteran. The commanding officer of the guards barely showed his head before being driven back by Lin Rui’s cold, piercing gaze.

Passing deliberately by the Yangzhou Prefecture Office, the swaggering clerks at the gate trembled in fear.

All other government offices “passed by” pretended not to notice.

As for the various unruly elements, they did their best to stay out of sight.

In times of peace, such a large-scale military march within the city could easily be construed as “rebellion.” Yet the more serious the case, the less anyone dared to act rashly. After all, this was the prosperous Jiangnan region; if a rebellion case were fabricated, what would the consequences be?

Rebels must be suppressed, of course, but before that, the corrupt officials would be dealt with first.

Thus, the greater the incident, the smaller the trouble became.

The plan was completed half an hour earlier than expected, just as the sun began to lean southward.

After assigning the personal guard cavalry commander to station at the Salt Inspection Censorate, Lin Rui returned impatiently to the Lin residence. Upon entering, he brusquely dismissed Lin Yu, who intended to report to him, and strode through the front courtyard, main hall, and the burnt remains of the rear residence, heading straight to the heated pavilion in the back garden.

“Brother Rui, how did it go?” Seeing him enter, Jia Min quickly rose. “You—”

“Madam, rest assured. This matter is basically settled. It’s unlikely there will be any further confrontations. The remaining cleanup only requires some talk,” Lin Rui said, staring at the beautiful woman whose face was etched with anxiety and worry, restraining the urge to embrace her.

Though his life and work had been tumultuous these past two years—he was indeed involved in such dangerous affairs—he had always been the one taking the initiative to lead men into battle, never once besieged en masse at his doorstep.

Most importantly, last night’s assassination attempt had completely altered the course of his life.

What had once been a “glorious path” in officialdom now looked uncertain.

Had he not decisively quelled the forces opposing the Cheng family and crushed the factions in Yangzhou, the best he could hope for would have been a humiliating escape from Jiangnan. One careless move could have cost him his life, even assuming he abandoned the Lin family mother and daughter.

Could strength alone bear the weight of the world? A hundred men were unmatched?

A thousand?

Strong bows and powerful crossbows?

Firearms lined up and firing?

Human power was ultimately limited. No matter how formidable a general, facing a vast army was impossible. Even the Western Chu Overlord Xiang Yu, who with twenty-eight men broke through hundreds of thousands of troops, ended up fleeing alone and committing suicide by the Wu River.

Now, he could finally discard such worries.

“Really?” Jia Min stepped back a few paces and collapsed weakly onto the long couch, tears welling in her beautiful eyes. “That’s good, that’s good. You’ve worked so hard until now, and I haven’t been able to help at all— not even with Master...”

“Uncle probably won’t make it through today,” Lin Rui sighed. “When I came over just now, Lin Yu wanted to say something—likely about this. But I was worried about you and Miss Lin, so I came here first. Now that things are stable, shall we go see him?”

“Brother Rui is right!” Jia Min nodded, struggling to stand with the support of the couch. She signaled with her eyes for him not to assist and then exhaled softly. “Please go first and have unrelated people leave the front courtyard.”

“Very well.” Lin Rui noticed her guarded demeanor and nodded before leaving.

Last night, shaken by the assassination attempt, his usually steady temperament—honed over two years of strife—had visibly faltered, revealing too much. This had aroused the beautiful woman’s suspicion and resentment.

At this moment, any excessive action on his part would only backfire.

Better to take a step back and wait for stability before proceeding.

“Master!” Lin Yu hurriedly greeted him in the front courtyard.

“How is Uncle?” Lin Rui did not beat around the bush.

“Last night, following your orders, I brewed the old ginseng soup, which the divine physician administered to Master Lin,” Lin Yu reported. “The ginseng was found by sifting through the East Wing study. According to the doctor, it’s at least a thirty-year-old premium root.”

“I’m asking how Master Lin is!” Lin Rui frowned sharply.

“The doctor is attending inside. I saw his breathing was steady,” Lin Yu replied anxiously.

“Phew—” Lin Rui finally relaxed. “Clear the front courtyard and the main hall!”

“Yes, Master!” Lin Yu hurried to have people vacate the area. “I’ll clear the space immediately!”

“Close the doors behind you.” Lin Rui waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

Once the courtyard was empty, Jia Min, who had been waiting at the corridor, quickly approached.

“Madam—hmm?” Lin Rui was momentarily taken aback.

She had just changed clothes—since the rear residence had been reduced to ashes, including all her belongings, she had worn only a nightgown covered with a sheet from last night until recently.

The situation had been too urgent to worry about appearances.

Now, however, she had freshened up and wore Miss Lin’s clothes.

A simple, ankle-length robe with a white base and delicate rose-red embroidery, her face faintly made up to mask tear stains, looked far younger than before. Her hair was merely tidied and pinned up, giving her a fresh and radiant appearance.

If judged by looks and temperament alone, she seemed more like a sister than a mother to Lin Daiyu.

“Brother Rui!” Perhaps his gaze was too direct and intense; a displeased expression crossed Jia Min’s face.

“Please, Madam,” Lin Rui said, stepping aside and turning to open the door.

The doctor, who had been sitting upright, quickly rose and bowed politely upon seeing them.

“Doctor, how is Master Lin...?” Jia Min asked without hesitation.

“Thanks to Master Lin’s arrangements and the two bowls of old ginseng soup given last night, Master Lin’s condition remains stable for now,” the doctor said after glancing into the inner room. “However, if you have matters to discuss, please do so quickly.”

Jia Min looked at Lin Rui in confusion.

“Master Lin’s condition... is rather bleak,” the doctor admitted. “Last night, it was only through acupuncture and the ginseng soup that he’s managed to hold on until now, but he must remain unconscious to minimize energy consumption.”

He tried to be tactful, but the meaning was clear.

“Isn’t there any way to continue—” Jia Min’s voice was filled with reluctance.

“Even maintaining this state can only buy three to five days at most, which won’t help the bigger picture,” the doctor shook his head. “Moreover, given Master Lin’s current condition... it might be better to spare him unnecessary suffering.”

Jia Min’s already swollen eyes filled with tears again.

“Please proceed with the acupuncture!” Lin Rui took on the role of the harsh one.

“I am sorry,” the doctor sighed softly. “Before I begin, I must emphasize again: even if the awakening is impossible, once I... start, Master Lin will have at most half an hour left. Please make your arrangements quickly.”

“After the treatment, please rest in the front courtyard,” Lin Rui nodded.

The doctor said no more, entered the inner room, and after several breaths, came out and left.

The two hurried inside.

“Ha—cough, cough, cough!” After a strained breath and a worrying cough, the doctor’s skill was undeniable: Master Lin’s eyelids twitched, and after a moment, he opened his heavy eyes.

“Madam, Brother Rui?”

“Master!” Jia Min couldn’t hold back her tears.

“Do not act like a little daughter!” Lin Ruhai forced a smile. “I see the daylight outside has already brightened, and Brother Rui is still here. I suppose last night’s arrangements have been made?”

“For now, there are only seven major salt merchants left in Jiangnan,” Lin Rui nodded firmly.

“Good, good—cough, cough!” Lin Ruhai’s face brightened, even with a faint flush on his previously ashen cheeks. “That means you have fundamentally stabilized the situation. Though I won’t see what happens next, I can rest assured.”

“Master, please take good care of yourself. You will recover soon—” Jia Min wanted to encourage him.

“Madam, there’s no need for such hope. I understand well that this is likely the last gleam of life,” Lin Ruhai sighed softly. “From now on, I will no longer be able to care for you and Yu’er. Although I know you and Mother-in-law... are family, and you will get through this.”

Jia Min’s expression hardened, clearly unwilling to respond.

“Don’t worry, Uncle. I will take good care of Madam and Sister,” Lin Rui declared solemnly. “Once the matter in Yangzhou is settled, I will take them back to the capital. I have long been prepared and will not delay anything.”

“Enough!” Lin Ruhai looked at the beautiful woman with a complex expression. “Please send Yu’er here. The girl is temperamental. If I do not see her before I go, she will sulk for days.”

“Rest assured, Master!” Jia Min immediately understood there were matters she was not privy to.

After seeing her off, Lin Ruhai’s expression grew stern.

“Brother Rui, last night I did not dare to tell you the truth because I was uncertain. Now, there is little time left. I cannot take it to the grave,” Lin Ruhai’s voice weakened. “The so-called ‘Eight Great Salt Merchants’ of Yangzhou, famed across the land, are ultimately just kept dogs.

Among them, the Jiang, Wang, Huang Zhijun, and Bao families served the Retired Emperor and are now essentially servants of the Imperial Household Department. Huang Juntai, the Two Mas, and the Cheng family openly supported the Loyal Prince Yi at first, but later pledged loyalty when His Majesty ascended.”

“The Cheng family is loyal to the Emperor?” Lin Rui’s expression shifted dramatically.

“Apparently, they are not as honest as they seem,” Lin Ruhai shook his head with effort. “Who follows which family? No one outside can say for sure except themselves. The Cheng family, however, I did not expect—they seem connected to the Second Prince.”

“What?” Lin Rui’s face turned pale.

No wonder Lin Ruhai had hesitated to speak: it involved the struggle for succession!

“I cannot confirm this matter. It’s better you don’t know. Externally, just say you have evidence of the Cheng family’s assassination attempt,” Lin Ruhai said, taking several deep breaths, growing weaker. “After arriving in the capital, there’s no need to... no need—”

“Rest assured, Uncle!” Lin Rui’s expression was grave. “A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years!”

A dismissed official entangled in the succession battle?

He might not even know how he died!

“There is also the Rongguo Mansion,” Lin Ruhai added reluctantly. “Consider them close relatives and do not neglect them, but also... ha—ha—do not be too involved!”

“Father!” A tearful female voice came from outside as Lin Daiyu helped her mother in.

Alas, by the time she reached the bedside, Lin Ruhai could no longer speak.

Yet suddenly, he summoned all his strength to reach out and grasp both his daughter’s and Lin Rui’s hands, pressing them firmly together!