Chapter 38: Grinding Son

  Grinding son

  Hongyun's affair with Rui Xiang was naturally not dared to be told to Yin Haicheng by Xiao Lin, but in order to give He Shi an explanation, Xiao Lin asked Cai Xiu to call Hongyun over.

  Cai Xiu returned in a short while, seemingly wanting to say something. Lin looked at her for a moment, but before she could ask anything, Rui Xin had already burst in.

  "What are you doing here?" Xiao Lin frowned. Rui Xing was already suspicious, and now that Hong Yun had been brought over, she wanted to get to the bottom of things. Rui Xing's temper was notoriously bad, and if she made another scene, it would be hard to wrap things up.

  "Mother! What's the meaning of bringing my maid here to interrogate her without any reason?" Rui Xing stomped her foot and shouted in discontent.

  "This has nothing to do with you, Cai Xiu, send Miss back to her room." Xiao Linshi waved her hand with a sullen face.

  Lin Hui'er pulled at He Shi's clothes, and He Shi opened her mouth as if to say something, but then thought better of it and closed it again.

  Although Lin Hui'er and Rui Xiang were not on good terms, He Shi never thought that Rui Xiang would want to harm Lin Hui'er.

  She's just a little girl in her early teens, even younger than my own daughter. How can she be so vicious? Moreover, she has been trying to marry off her daughter to Yin Jintang, who is the second elder brother of Rui Xin from the same mother. This matter is going to get ugly, and the one who will suffer in the end is still her own daughter Hui'er.

  Rui Xin was unwilling, but after all, she was young. Cai Xiu brought the two little maids and pushed and coaxed Rui Xin out of the door. Only Hong Yun was left standing alone in the middle of the room.

  "Red Cloud, do you know your crime?" Lady Lin looked at Red Cloud coldly.

  "Hongyun doesn't know." Hongyun's face turned pale, and she quickly knelt on the ground. She recognized the person beside Xiaolin as the second madam of the Lin family, who was also the mother of the second Miss Lin who had fallen into the pond today. However, she was bewildered and didn't understand why she was called here to be questioned.

  "Hmmph." Mr. He slapped the table, "Don't play dumb!"

  "Hongyun really doesn't know what wrong she has committed, madam is wise!" Hongyun didn't look at He Shi, but kept kowtowing to Xiao Linshi.

  "I asked you, didn't you send a little maid to summon Miss Lin out of the Osmanthus Garden?" Xiaolin glanced at He Shi with a hint of displeasure in her eyes. Hongyun was Rui Xiang's personal maid, and what He Shi said implied that she suspected Rui Xiang of harming Hui'er.

  "Madam, there is no red cloud, how dare Red Cloud!" Red Cloud was so excited that she shook her head and tears almost fell down.

  Kobayashi mentioned going to He Xiang Garden, Hong Yun still doesn't understand. The second young lady of the Lin family fell into the water in the pond outside He Xiang Garden, and asked if it was her or her family's young lady who framed the second young lady of the Lin family.

  "It's obviously you." He Xi pulled Lin Hui'er behind her back, "Is it really her?"

  "No, that girl said she was from the Red Cloud Sect and called me over, I didn't see any red cloud." Lin Hui'er's eyes were bloodshot as she shook her head.

  "He... " Mr. He was taken aback, "What... what does that girl look like? What is she wearing?"

  "Ah..." Lin Huier's eyes widened. She had heard that she would be able to meet Ze Qīnwáng, and her heart was already racing with excitement, so she didn't even notice what the maid in front of her looked like. "Not very tall, thin and small..."

  It's even more impossible to say anything. The maids in the Hou Mansion each have their own duties, and the clothes they wear have fixed colors and styles. Those like Hongyun who serve the masters wear slightly better clothes, plus the rewards from the masters, so they don't look bad. But those little maids who do chores, all wearing plain blue cotton shirts, what's special about that?

  When Lin Hui'er spoke, not only was He Shi stunned, but even Xiao Lin Shi couldn't help but frown. She had called Hongyun over, and originally it wasn't with the intention of putting this matter on Hongyun's head, otherwise, whether it was Ruiying or herself, neither could escape being implicated.

  "What did you go to the pond for?" Xiaolin was still puzzled. A young lady from a big family, even if she wanted to go out for a stroll, would do so in the garden, how could she run so far? The Lotus Fragrance Garden and the courtyard where they held flower appreciation parties were not adjacent.

  Besides, even if I were to go out, how could I possibly leave without bringing my personal servant?

  Kobayashi was at her wit's end. Things had come to this, and it seemed someone was out to harm the Kohayakawa family. Kobayashi resentfully clutched her handkerchief. "Sister, that's how things are now!"

  Kobayashi whispered something in Mr. He's ear.

  "Cloud that girl I originally did not like, but this... he is the legitimate son..."

  "What method is there now? Do you think Ruiying, a young girl from a good family, would do such a thing?"

  "How could I have doubted Rui Xian? That thing I told you..."

  Whether she believed it or not, Madame He would never say that she suspected Ruiying. She still had plans to marry Hui'er off to someone in the Lin family and wouldn't dare offend Madame Lin.

  Compared with the entanglement of the women in the back house, Yin Ruofei is worried about men's affairs.

  Rong Jingze is a man who stands above all others, and cannot tolerate anyone doubting him. In just these few days, he has investigated the incense burner incident to crystal clearness.

  Several confessions were placed in front of Yin Ruofei, stamped with fingerprints.

  Yin Ruofei raised an eyebrow and didn't touch it.

  "Why don't you take a look?"

  "The king seems to have something to say."

  "Indeed. Do you still remember our agreement?"

  "I remember." Yin Ruofei nodded. He investigated the cause and brought back evidence, he gave it to him as a companion reader.

  "It's good that you remember." Rong Jingze nodded. "The thing is yours, but the person is mine!"

  Yin Ruofei's face suddenly turned red with anger, glaring at Rong Jingze who didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said. "Your Highness...be more discreet."

  "Hmph." Rong Jingze chuckled lightly, "Fei'er is shy? We're going to be together for a lifetime, your skin is too thin."

  The more you talk, the less it sounds like a good idea. What's with this "spending our whole lives together" nonsense? You just want me to be your reading buddy, your personal servant, not even a real wife! And even if I were to marry someone as lazy and overbearing as you, who would want that?!

  There was more than one piece of evidence in his hand, and the whole story was clearly explained. Yin Ruofei read it and couldn't help but sneer. Indeed, this still had nothing to do with Xiaoling's shadow, and he actually hated him so much that he wanted to kill him.

  And this time, there was even the strong support of her natal family's elder brother in it. The Lin family was too shameless and too arrogant?

  Yin Ruofei even thought that perhaps he had changed too much in this life, and Xiao Lin felt that he would not be a legitimate son who could be manipulated by her and spoiled by her, so she was in such a hurry to take his life.

  Since the Lin brothers dared to extend their hands, they will be chopped off then.

  But...

  Yin Ruofei couldn't help but lift her head and look at Rong Jingze who was half lying and half sitting on the soft couch.

  It's only been a few days since the incident, and everything has already been investigated clearly. This is still under the circumstance that all the participating bandits have surrendered themselves. The king's skills are indeed impressive. However, with such laziness and a fondness for causing trouble everywhere, how can this king have such great abilities?

  There is no one available to use, this thing will not be done so beautifully. With such a big ability, why bother making cat and dog gestures all day, desperately smearing your own image? Is he hiding something?

  Yin Ruofei stared at Rong Jingze, her thoughts almost entirely written on her face. Rong Jingze narrowed his eyes, seemingly amused, but then thought of something and his expression turned serious again. "What are you thinking? Are you wondering just how much power I hold in my hands?"

  Yin Ruofei was startled awake from her contemplation and for a moment didn't quite understand Rong Jingze's meaning. "No, your subject just..."

  "Or perhaps..." Rong Jingze's half-closed eyes flashed with a hint of danger, "You're worried that I'm acting this way because I want to...usurp the throne?"

  Yin Ruofei almost suffocated in an instant, her face turned pale white.

  "It's a bit strange." Rong Jingze propped himself up with his elbow, "You're just an eight-year-old kid, and you actually know about usurping the throne? Those written confessions I gave you, I'm afraid even kids who have studied for a few days in school can't recognize all the characters on them. Are you really only eight years old?"

  Yin Ruofei's face turned even whiter, almost transparent, and his lips lost all their color. His mind was a complete blank, as if his deepest secret had been exposed.

  Xian Yi slowed down his pace, and Yin Ruofei lowered her head, forcing a smile on her face. "I don't understand Your Highness's meaning, do I look like I'm ten years old?"

  "Hmm." Rong Jingze had wanted to press him for the truth, but looking at that pale little face, his heart softened and he gave up on the idea. Forget it, I'll let you off this time!

  "Now that you're mine, I want to make things clear. " King Jingze clapped his hands, "Jing Shi, tell him the rules."

  Suddenly, Rong Eleven appeared in front of the two, putting away his usual three-point smile, and began to recite seriously. And Yin Ruofei was ordered to kneel beside him and listen attentively.

  I don't know if this prince really has so many rules or if the two of them are intentionally trying to wear down his temper, one after another, seemingly endless.

  In short, it all boils down to a few points: everything revolves around the prince, you can't offend him, you can't disobey him, and you can't argue with him...

  Yin Ruofei lowered her head, despising in her heart, what's the difference!

  Others are even more extraordinary, do not tell anyone about the king's affairs, be absolutely loyal to the king, assist the king in doing things, and as a companion reader, serve the king for 12 hours...

  Wait...

  Yin Ruofei raised his head and looked at Rong Shiyin, who was still reciting loudly, "Rong Dage, what does it mean to attend to the prince for twelve hours?"

  Rong Shi glanced at Rong Jingze, who seemed to be asleep, and cleared his throat, looking seriously at Yin Ruofei, "...... This is a kind of grace."

  Yin Ruofei's mouth corners rose slightly.

  It's not easy to finally finish the tenth recitation and close my mouth, Yin Ruofei's two legs are no longer like mine. Fortunately, I'm still young now, standing up and moving around for a while is fine.

  "Master Xiao, now that you've heard the rules, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with." Rong Shi said with a smiling face.

  Originally, Yin Ruofei thought that Rong Shi's smile was a sign of his good nature. However, now she no longer thinks so. Seeing his smile, Yin Ruofei first furrowed her brow, with a hint of wariness in her expression, "What is it?"

  "Don't worry, this thing won't harm you." Rong Shi made a gesture as if he wanted to pat Yin Ruofei's shoulder.

  "Wait, you go down first." Rong Jingze's voice suddenly came over.

  He nodded slightly and turned around to climb up the house. When Yin Ruofei looked up, he couldn't find anyone anywhere.

  "Following me won't bring you any harm." Rong Jingze didn't know when he had appeared beside him. "Do you want to have martial arts skills like Rong Xie?"

  Yin Ruofei was taken aback. Rong Shi's martial arts...

  Rong Jingze looked at Yin Ruofei's expression, his mouth corners slightly curved into an arc, "If you like, I can also let Mr. Han accept you as a disciple."

  Yin Ruofei's body suddenly shook violently, and she took a deep breath, "Really?"

  The author has something to say: Today is still dizzy~~~~~Summer cold and so on... It's too magical, I actually caught a cold in the scorching summer.