Chapter Thirty: Your Pain Is Mine
The expressions on the others’ faces were even more telling. Naturally, the Qingyuan Marquisate had gained such a benefit, and while many outwardly offered congratulations, inwardly, quite a few were green with envy.
Who would have thought!
It turned out that someone here was falsely claiming credit and deceiving the emperor!
No wonder they suddenly transformed into cunning foxes in a melon patch!
Han and the Ninth Prince, as well as Eunuch Jinbao, all changed their expressions.
“What exactly is going on?” Jun Wuchen frowned. “Is what the Northern Rong young prince said a misunderstanding, or is it true?”
“No, it’s not like that…” Lin Wanyue hadn’t expected something so certain to unfold this way. Tearfully, she hid behind Lin Qingwu, hoping her elder brother could think of a way—perhaps even dragging Lin Zhaozhao out to be publicly punished for poisoning and silencing her would be better!
“I… I…”
“What do you mean ‘I’? Fourth Miss, either you saved the person or you didn’t. It’s a simple matter of truth, and yet you can’t even clarify that?!” Eunuch Jinbao grew impatient.
“It’s not that I can’t explain, it’s just…”
“What is it then? I don’t think the person you saved is the one you claim! It’s laughable. Before, you mocked Lin Zhaozhao for being a country bumpkin who came from outside. And you? I haven’t seen you do anything worthy of the stage either. Truly, like attracts like!”
“Exactly! I won’t hide it from everyone. The Minister of Rites even asked at my house if my daughter was the one who saved the girl because he heard she was quite beautiful. But my daughter is honest—if she saved her, she saved her; if not, then not. She would never lie!”
“It’s a pity the Qingyuan Marquis had a good reputation outside, but now it’s completely ruined by this daughter!”
“…”
Listening to the discussions among the noblewomen around her, especially the sarcastic glances, Lin Wanyue felt as if someone had pulled away her veil of modesty. She choked up helplessly.
“And to think she was hailed as the capital’s most talented young lady! What a disgrace!”
“Oh my, I can’t even imagine how miserable the young lady whose credit was stolen must feel!”
“…”
“...It’s not like that!” Lin Wanyue could no longer bear the finger-pointing, hastily explaining, “I really did save a man at that time. He was from Northern Rong and gravely wounded. I sent someone to take him for treatment and gave money. I just made a mistake, which caused this misunderstanding!”
“A misunderstanding? What a nice way to put it. Everyone says the injured was the young prince, poisoned by snake venom. You saved a middle-aged man and merely gave silver to send him to the clinic. Are these the same things?”
“Just admit you’re stealing credit. We’re not fools. What’s the point of trying to cover it up!”
“No, why are you crying? The one who should be crying is Lin Qingwu! We thought she’d be promoted and ennobled, but in the end, it was all a dream. She might even be punished by His Majesty!”
---
“Qingyuan Marquis… look at this situation…” Eunuch Jinbao hesitated as he glanced at Lin Yuanzhi.
This was his first time facing such a predicament.
At worst, it was shameless selfishness, seizing others’ merits; at worst, it was deceiving the emperor, usurping a rightful title.
If he didn’t clarify the Qingyuan Marquisate’s stance, how could he report properly to His Majesty?
Lin Yuanzhi was equally furious with Lin Wanyue—how could she mistake who she saved, steal credit, and yet show no shame!
But she was still his daughter. He could not stand by and let her face the emperor’s wrath alone. With a wave of his sleeve, he declared, “You unfilial daughter, you have utterly disgraced the Qingyuan Marquisate. Kneel at once!”
Kneel! Kneel!
Before all these people, Lin Wanyue was overwhelmed with humiliation.
She wasn’t a true daughter; if Lin Zhaozhao had made a mistake, would her father let her kneel?
Tears fell as she knelt down, wearing a face full of humiliation.
The Qingyuan Marquis took a deep breath and addressed the young prince of Northern Rong, “This matter is our fault… I only just learned she falsely claimed credit. With such a serious mistake, I will bring my entire family before His Majesty to admit guilt and accept whatever punishment is decreed…”
“Why would you bring your whole family to confess to His Majesty? This has nothing to do with the little fairy!” A Ruo Lang said, shielding Lin Zhaozhao behind him. “Rest assured, you are the victim here. I know you’ve suffered much. As it is said, your pain is mine as well. I will not let you suffer anymore.”
Everyone: “…”
Wait, you two just met once, and her displeasure pains your heart?
Your heart is fragile indeed!
But Lin Zhaozhao couldn’t just accept this. She waved her hand and said, “No need. My grandmother has already punished me to stay in the courtyard and not go out. I’d better return to the courtyard.”
Han Shi: “…”
Han Shi was dumbfounded by the scene before her. The granddaughter she favored had stolen someone else’s credit, while the one she disliked, punished to stay in the courtyard, turned out to be the true benefactor.
In front of everyone, she couldn’t accept having to make this granddaughter apologize. She said angrily, “You ran out yourself, so what are you pretending for? Wanting to go back?”
She hadn’t raised this girl at her knee. This wretched girl had clearly saved someone but refused to admit it, hiding it away, waiting for a grand occasion to shame both her and Wanyue. Truly a shameless wretch!
---
Moreover, “Even if it’s true you saved the person, you and Wanyue are sisters. We’re one family—what’s the point of dividing what’s yours or hers?”
“What sisters? I’ve never heard of sisters fighting over stealing their own sister’s credit!”
A Ruo Lang said, “Zhaozhao saved the person, yet Lin Wanyue is jumping around here like a clown. If Zhaozhao is upset by this, don’t blame me for telling His Majesty to revoke the rewards given to the Qingyuan Marquisate!”
Wouldn’t that also affect her maternal relatives’ official positions?
“No, please, young prince!”
Han Shi, no longer able to maintain her pride, hurriedly apologized to Lin Zhaozhao, “Grandmother only said that just now. The credit is definitely yours! The punishment to stay in the courtyard was just servants talking nonsense. You are the most treasured in grandmother’s heart!”
“That’s what you say, but grandmother, you gave Lin Wanyue five hundred taels of silver to buy clothes, but none for me. I think if you like someone, you should spend silver on her!”
Han Shi: “…”
You’re beautiful and have lofty thoughts! Spend silver on you? Might as well give you the heavens!
Her silver was not so easily earned!
Scowling, she was about to scold.
But Lin Zhaozhao turned and said, “Forget it. I know grandmother’s words were not heartfelt. There’s nothing more to say. I’ll go back to the courtyard to reflect. You should go entertain the young prince!”
Han Shi: “…”
I’d like to entertain him, but look at me… I’m old and faded. Would he want me to entertain him?!
“You child, I’ll give you five hundred taels of silver then!” Han Shi gritted her teeth.
Only then did Lin Zhaozhao beam with delight. “Thank you, grandmother. Rest assured, when I become wealthy in the future, I won’t bother you for money anymore!”
Han Shi: “…”
What? When you become rich, shouldn’t you repay me first?