Chapter 237: The Storm Subsides, Returning to the Cheng Residence
“…”
The elder at the front watched Lin Tianlu’s figure disappear into the distance.
He also saw the guards in the courtyard discarding their armor and weapons, fleeing from the Pei residence. They remained silent throughout, not making any attempts to stop him.
Only after almost everyone had left did a white-haired elder behind him whisper, “Are we really just going to watch those guards escape? Perhaps we can’t defeat that Lin Tianlu, but—”
“It’s pointless.”
He sighed deeply. “If we show any killing intent, Lin Tianlu might return and kill us on the spot. If we want to survive, we should know when to retreat and abandon this operation.”
“To think there’s such an extraordinary person in Changling. His Highness was truly…”
“It just proves that he wasn’t a worthy leader. We placed too much trust in his judgment. We acted rashly without properly investigating his background and strength. We were too confident and reckless, and now we’re reaping the consequences.”
The leading elder looked up and sighed. “Perhaps the other princes are the truly wise ones.”
“Then what should we do next?”
“If we return directly to the Pei residence, we’ll be severely punished for failing to protect him. Even if Prince Pei himself intended to test his sons and was prepared to use ruthless methods, Pei Yan lost his life here. Prince Pei might—”
“Like those guards, let’s leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.”
The elder looked back at Pei Yan’s gruesome corpse in the hall, a worried look in his eyes. “Although Pei Yan is dead, the experts he summoned are not ordinary people. Even with all these unforeseen events, Changling County… might still become their base of operations. After all, Pei Yan and the others were working with them for mutual benefit.”
The elders exchanged glances, pondered for a moment, and then quietly vanished into thin air.
It was as if nothing had happened in the vast Pei residence, and no one on the bustling streets noticed the changes here.
Until a maidservant, carrying fruits and snacks, passed by the main hall and saw the corpses in the courtyard. She screamed, “Your Highness?!”
“You… pack your belongings and escape quickly.”
A low, hoarse voice echoed beside her ear. “Today, thanks to the help of an expert, you have a chance to escape the Pei residence. Run as far as you can.”
The young maidservant’s face paled as she looked around, but saw no one.
Trembling, she hugged herself, bit her lip, and turned to run. “Everyone, run!”
Instantly, the previously silent Pei residence was filled with commotion.
…
The sun set, casting a golden glow over Changling.
Cheng Yishi sat alone in the pavilion of her residence, silently gazing at the open gate.
She gently rubbed the teacup in her hand, her eyes downcast, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her heart.
The young lady had complete faith in Lin Tianlu’s strength and cultivation. This trip shouldn’t have been dangerous. But was Prince Pei truly dead… “Sister Yishi, did Mr. Lin really go to the Pei residence…?”
A timid voice echoed softly from behind.
Cheng Yishi’s heart trembled, and she quickly turned around to see her younger sister, Cheng Yuqing, standing behind her. She realized she had been lost in thought.
She quickly put on a gentle smile. “Indeed, but how did you know?”
“Your personal maidservant told me.”
Cheng Yuqing’s eyes lit up, as if filled with joy.
Seeing her delighted expression, Cheng Yishi couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Yuqing, you seem very happy?”
“Since Mr. Lin went to the Pei residence, he must have gone to give them a warning?” Cheng Yuqing frowned slightly, humming softly in indignation. “That Pei Yan is truly a shameless and persistent pest, constantly coming to our house these past few days. If it weren’t for his status, I would have confronted him and asked him why he’s so shameless.”
Her younger sister then slumped her shoulders and sighed. “I haven’t seen you smile these past few days, Sister. Everyone in the residence is worried about you.”
Cheng Yishi was speechless.
“Now that Brother-in-law is back, I can finally see you smile again.”
Cheng Yuqing smiled sweetly. “We must thank Mr. Lin properly later.”
“Can you really see the joy on my face… so easily?”
“A few days ago, Sister Yishi, your face was filled with gloom, and no one in the house dared to say a word. If Mr. Lin can humiliate that Pei Yan, it would be so satisfying!”
Cheng Yishi shook her head and chuckled. “Silly girl, do you know who Pei Yan is?”
“He’s… Prince Pei’s son.”
“Hmm?”
“Although I’ve been staying at home these days, I’ve heard a lot from the servants.”
Cheng Yuqing seemed to muster some courage and said seriously, “Even if he’s Prince Pei’s son, no matter how noble his status or how prominent his position… I didn’t have a good impression of him from the moment I saw his behavior. Moreover, Sister Yishi clearly doesn’t want to interact with him, yet he keeps pestering her. Such a frivolous scoundrel, no matter how powerful he is, is still despicable.”
“You… can actually see through that prince’s true nature?”
“Many people in the house think he’s refined and easygoing, but the more I see him, the more uneasy I feel.” Cheng Yuqing muttered, “I always felt that he’s malicious and untrustworthy.”
Cheng Yishi was quite surprised.
She didn’t expect her younger sister to be so perceptive, not fooled by Pei Yan’s false act.
Thinking of this, she smiled gently and rubbed her forehead. “Yuqing, you have good judgment. That prince does have malicious intentions. In the future, if you encounter similar men, you must not approach them casually. If you don’t have the means to protect yourself, you might be devoured, bones and all, and regret it for the rest of your life.”
“I’ll keep your advice in mind, Sister Yishi!”
Cheng Yuqing blushed slightly and nodded.
But after a moment of hesitation, she couldn’t help but ask curiously in a low voice, “Sister Yishi, is Mr. Lin in any danger on this trip? After all, Pei Yan has a high status. Even if Mr. Lin is eloquent, he’s still…” “Don’t worry, he will definitely handle it properly.”
Seeing Cheng Yishi’s unwavering calmness, Cheng Yuqing opened her mouth slightly, wanting to say something more, but in the end, she just smiled faintly and kept silent.
But the next moment, her eyes lit up as she pointed towards the gate. “Sister, look! Brother-in-law is back!”
“Hmm?”
Cheng Yishi instinctively turned around and saw Lin Tianlu walking into the courtyard.
She was about to speak, but blushed, glancing at her sister as if embarrassed.
Cheng Yuqing also realized her slip of the tongue and covered her mouth sheepishly.
“Seeing you two sisters chatting so happily, it seems your relationship is getting closer?”
Lin Tianlu approached with a gentle smile and cupped his hands. “Miss Yuqing, it’s been a while.”
He had met Cheng Yishi’s younger sisters a few times.
Although they weren’t very familiar with each other, they had greeted each other several times and were acquainted.
“Sis… Greetings, Mr. Lin.”
Cheng Yuqing hurriedly curtsied. “I just heard that Mr. Lin went to the Pei residence to seek justice. We are very grateful. It’s a blessing for the Cheng family that Sister Yishi has such a close friend like you.”
“You’re too kind, Miss Yuqing. It was just a small effort. Besides, Yishi also played a part in this. I just went there to ‘settle the score.'”
Lin Tianlu waved his hand with a smile. “But you don’t have to worry about anyone coming to harass you anymore. There won’t be any more idlers from the Pei residence visiting and disturbing you.”
Cheng Yuqing’s face lit up with joy.
She was about to express her gratitude again, but her eyes twinkled mischievously, and she quickly put on a sweet and thoughtful smile. “Since this matter has been resolved, I won’t disturb you and Sister Yishi. I just happen to need to practice my calligraphy.”
With that, she curtsied gracefully and left with light steps.
“…”
Cheng Yishi stared blankly at her sister’s retreating figure, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. She muttered to herself, ‘Such nonsense!’
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “Your sister seems to have inherited some of your traits.”
“I’ve just spoiled her a bit too much lately, so she says such… embarrassing things.” Cheng Yishi sighed, covering her face with her hand. “I should have been stricter with her.”
“As an elder sister, you should be more understanding of their feelings.” Lin Tianlu chuckled and patted her shoulder. “After all, she’s truly thinking of you. If she had continued chattering here, wouldn’t you have felt even more awkward?”
Cheng Yishi blushed, raising her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear as if to hide her embarrassment.
After taking a deep breath, she regained her usual composure and said with a serious expression, “Now, the Pei residence…”
“Pei Yan is dead. Most of the guards and servants in the residence have been dismissed. As for where they go next, that’s their own decision.”
“He’s… dead after all.”
Cheng Yishi gently touched her chin and murmured, “It seems he was even more fragile than I imagined.”
She wasn’t surprised by Pei Yan’s death.
After all, she knew everything he had done, and his wickedness, hidden beneath his refined exterior, couldn’t escape her eyes. Lin Tianlu would never forgive such scum.
The only surprising thing…
Was probably that Pei Yan was still too naive and reckless. Although he appeared cunning, he was actually weak and incompetent.
Lin Tianlu suddenly said, “Judging by your expression, Yishi, you don’t seem very happy?”
“I never took that fool seriously. Whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with me.” Cheng Yishi raised her beautiful eyes, a hint of worry flickering within them. “But this matter involves the royal family. Although Miss Yang and I have gathered a lot of intelligence, if this news spreads, it might cause you a lot of trouble, Tianlu.”
No matter what, Pei Yan was Prince Pei’s son.
His sudden death in Changling County, no matter how justified, would Prince Pei really let it go so easily?
It was because of this concern that Cheng Yishi had hesitated about when to retaliate. She didn’t want to act rashly and cause unnecessary trouble for Changling and Lin Tianlu for her own momentary satisfaction.
“You’re not being good.”
Just then, she felt a touch on her forehead.
Cheng Yishi froze, and saw Lin Tianlu leaning closer, his face serious. “With you and me here, what is there to fear?”
“…I-I understand. I won’t mention it again!” Looking at his handsome face so close to hers, Cheng Yishi blushed and quickly took two steps back as if she had been electrocuted.
She raised her hand to touch her cheek. The embarrassment she had just suppressed surged back, and her usually cool cheeks were now burning hot.
Lin Tianlu smiled with satisfaction. “We’ll deal with the aftermath as it comes. There’s no need to worry too much. Besides, with that document, we might even be able to bring this matter to the imperial court. Prince Pei wouldn’t dare to act recklessly under the watchful eyes of His Majesty and the court officials.”
“Mm…”
Cheng Yishi responded softly, gradually relaxing.
She had indeed been overthinking things these past few days. Now, seeing her beloved return, she felt a warmth spreading through her heart.
She was about to ask about some everyday matters, but quickly noticed Lin Tianlu’s surprised expression and turned to look behind the corridor.
A thin, middle-aged woman was slowly walking towards them. Although her clothes were neat and proper, the traces of hardship were still visible on her face.
Lin Tianlu hesitated. “This is…”
“My stepmother.”
Cheng Yishi took a deep breath, the blush on her face fading, her expression calm. “What brings you here?”
Stepmother?
Lin Tianlu was surprised.
So, this woman was Cheng Yanghua’s other wife?
“I was just passing by and thought I’d come see you.”
The middle-aged woman smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping over them as if appraising them. “This must be the renowned Lin Tianlu, Mr. Lin, I presume?”
“That’s me.” Lin Tianlu bowed respectfully.
“Truly a talented individual. If those rumors are true, Mr. Lin is not only handsome but also learned, truly deserving of the title ‘Master.'” The middle-aged woman nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with approval. “If you don’t mind, you can call me Aunt Cheng.”
Lin Tianlu thought for a moment, then bowed resolutely.
“Since this is a rare opportunity, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you, Aunt Cheng.”
“Please speak. As long as it’s within our—”
“I… would like to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
The middle-aged woman’s jaw dropped, and she fell silent in a daze.
Cheng Yishi, standing beside her, froze as if struck by lightning.
“…Eh?”
