Chapter 32: Taking Everything with You-Após Ter Seus Sentimentos Ouvidos, a Verdadeira Filha Querida Tornou-se a Favorita de Todos em Pequim(Felicidade plena)

Eunuch Jin-Bao was speechless.

"You really do know how to take everything for yourself, don't you?"

However, since the prescription was already written, he said, "Then this old servant shall return to the palace to report to His Majesty."

As he spoke, Eunuch Jin-Bao glanced at the Ninth Prince. "Your Highness, you..."

"I will accompany you." Jun Wuchen looked at Lin Wanyue, who was weeping like rain-drenched blossoms, his expression darkening. He nodded toward the Marquis of Qingyuan and took his leave.

Once everyone had departed and the doors were shut, Lin Yuanzhi’s temper flared. He led the others to the front hall and slammed his hand against the table. "Qingwu, Qingci, you two were with Wanyue every day. Were you aware that she was claiming credit that wasn't hers?"

Lin Qingci was oblivious, but Lin Qingwu knew the truth as clearly as a mirror.

Lin Zhaozhao let out a cold snort.

[Your eldest son not only knew, but he even gave me silver to keep me quiet and prevent me from telling anyone about this!]

"Very well! Very well indeed!" Lin Yuanzhi took a deep breath. "Lin Qingwu, do you realize your mistake?"

Lin Qingwu furrowed his brow and spoke honestly, "Father, I truly do not see what I did wrong. I kept silent out of fear of the crime of deceiving the Emperor. Father, I..."

"Foolish!" Lin Yuanzhi cut him off. "You worry only about the future of the Marquis's estate, which is not a bad thing, but why didn't you consider your sister? For her to have such poor character and claim credit for another's work—you should have guided her to correct her ways. As for the other, she has suffered a grave injustice. As her brother, you did not think to stand up for her, but instead expected her to swallow her grievances! This is not the conduct of a gentleman!"

Although Great Yong was governed by the principles of filial piety and benevolence, if the truth of Lin Qingwu’s complicity in concealing Lin Wanyue’s actions were to be exposed, his career would surely come to an end.

Seeing this, Lin Wanyue choked out, "Father, please don't blame my brother. It is entirely my fault. I..."

"Of course it is your fault!" Lin Yuanzhi did not mince his words. "Wanyue, I always believed you were a well-mannered and cultivated child. Who would have thought that over the years, you have been raised by your mother to be so vain and greedy for unearned merit!"

Lady Bai blinked, confused. *Is she not your daughter? Why is it suddenly my upbringing alone?*

"No, Father, it was just a mistake, and so..."

"I don't believe for a moment it was a mistake! You had so many opportunities to clarify the truth, yet you chose to play the mute! You didn't even inform me! Now, the truth has been laid bare before all the dignitaries in the capital, and the reputation of the young ladies of the Marquis of Qingyuan’s house has been ruined because of you!"

Lin Wanyue looked at Lin Yuanzhi in disbelief. "Father! How could you suspect me like that?"

"Whether I am suspecting you or not, you know the truth in your heart! This time, I can treat it as a youthful error, but you must understand: you are the beneficiary, and Zhaozhao is the victim! I will enter the palace immediately to plead with His Majesty on your behalf, lest you be punished for deceiving the throne and be unable to hold your head high ever again!"

Lin Wanyue felt miserable. Her role as a savior had been ruined by Lin Zhaozhao's interference. She was the one who had suffered, yet Father spoke as if she were smug, even though she had gained nothing at all!

Seeing her shedding tears, Lady Han felt both distressed and panicked. She quickly interjected, "Why beg for mercy? I think we should call Eunuch Jin-Bao back before he gets too far and tell him that this snake venom prescription was Wanyue’s own idea. Even if Zhaozhao saved the person, she stole Wanyue’s prescription—that means Wanyue essentially saved the person! That way, it wouldn't be a crime of deceiving the Emperor, would it? Perhaps His Majesty would even reward Wanyue further!"

Lin Yuanzhi was stunned. "Mother, what are you saying? Zhaozhao has suffered such a great injustice, and she is your own granddaughter! To say she stole a prescription—if that gets out, how can Zhaozhao face anyone?"

"If Zhaozhao can't face anyone, can Wanyue?" Lady Han retorted with dissatisfaction. "You are being far too partial as a father! Besides, we are all family. As the younger sister, Zhaozhao should understand the principle of Kong Rong yielding the pears; what is wrong with giving some credit to her elder sister?" *Look at how petty she is! She acts nothing like a young lady of a noble house!*

Upon hearing this, even Lady Bai, who rarely spoke out as a daughter-in-law, was shocked. "Mother, you say we are family, but when Wanyue was stealing Zhaozhao's credit, why didn't you consider that Zhaozhao is her own sister? Your words are far too unreasonable!"

"You talk of reason! You short-sighted woman! I am doing this for the sake of this family! When the charge of deceiving the Emperor falls upon us, what good will come to you?" Lady Han was infuriated by her daughter-in-law.

Little did she know, Lin Zhaozhao was even more dissatisfied with her.

[Words are cheaper than singing. If you were the one who saved the person and your precious granddaughter stole your credit, I bet you’d be at the Emperor's bedside by nightfall exposing the truth.]

[Now you pretend to be benevolent and magnanimous, as if you aren't just another short-sighted woman yourself!]

Lady Bai, originally filled with rage, calmed down upon hearing her daughter’s inner voice.

Lin Yuanzhi knew his mother was biased toward Wanyue, and he also feared that the Emperor’s punishment for Wanyue’s deception would bring ruin to the entire Marquis’s estate.

However, he stood firm. "As the heir to the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate and a father to these children, the honor of the household should rest upon my shoulders. Zhaozhao did not grow up by my side, and I have already failed her in many ways. There is no way I will let her swallow this injustice for the sake of the family. If the Emperor punishes us, I will bear it alone. At worst, I will simply step down as the Marquis!"

Lin Zhaozhao: "!!!"

[Holy cow! My father can be this manly? That is so cool!]

[I love it! I love it!]

[I will never call my father a spineless coward again!]

Lin Yuanzhi instinctively straightened his back.

He then turned to Lin Qingwu and Lin Wanyue. "As for you two, I am deeply disappointed in both of you! Before the Emperor’s punishment arrives, don't just sit there. Go to the ancestral hall and kneel for three days and three nights. Copy the family rules a hundred times and reflect deeply on how to conduct yourselves in the future!"