Here, Lin Changmin was like an ant on a hot pan. He never expected Lin Jinlou to find out so quickly. He wanted to send someone to inquire, and also wished to consult with Su Meiru for advice, but didn’t dare to act rashly for fear of leaking information. Yet doing nothing made him even more anxious. When Lin Zhengzheng finally returned, he hurriedly went to meet him and asked nervously, “What did Father say?”

Lin Zhengzheng just seemed dazed, and after a long while, shook his head and sighed, “Nothing much.” Then he said to Lin Changmin, “What about Xiang Lan? Bring her back from the estate, the Old Master has agreed.”

Lin Changmin was shocked: “Wh-what? What did he agree to?”

Lin Zhengzheng said, “What else could it be? Well, after all, the Lin family owes her… bring her back.” Saying this, he shook his head, sighing repeatedly as he went to the front hall.

Lin Changmin’s face turned ashen, his hands and feet ice-cold, and his internal organs seemed to knot together. He stood there pacing in circles, and after much thought, called his trusted attendant Lai An over and said, “Go ask about the news, has the person been delivered?” Lai An left.

Lin Changmin had no heart for the banquet, sitting idly on the cooling bed in the back courtyard. Lin Zhengzheng thought he was just embarrassed about being called out by Lin Jinlou and thus hiding away, so he let him be. Even after the front banquet had ended and fresh fruits and hot tea were served, Lin Changmin still hadn’t received any news. Just as he was getting anxious, he saw Lai An return, covered in dust from travel. He quickly went to meet him, only to see Lai An’s panicked expression as he said, “Master, it’s terrible! I went to ask, and they said the person hasn’t arrived, haven’t seen even a shadow of her.”

Lin Changmin was greatly startled and said, “How can this be!” Looking around fearfully to ensure no one was watching, he pulled Lai An to a corner and whispered, “How could she not have been delivered? What about Lai Xing and Bao’er?”

Lai An said, “They say they haven’t seen a shadow of either of them.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Changmin broke out in a cold sweat all over, his hands and feet turning ice-cold, his face darkening as he collapsed weakly, saying, “It’s over, it’s over. I wondered why my right eyelid kept twitching today, turns out this matter was waiting for me…”

Lai An quickly went to support him, saying, “Master, don’t panic. I’ll go out again later to inquire.”

Lin Changmin said irritably, “How can I not panic! They’ve been gone so long, that they should have made two round trips by now! I’m afraid something has gone wrong…”

Lai An said, “This… surely not? Lai Xing is loyal to you, Master, and Bao’er is as tight-lipped as a sealed gourd. To say…”

Just then, they saw Lin Jinlou walking over from outside, his face bloodied, looking haggard, his clothes all wrinkled, completely unlike his usual spirited self. Beside him was Ji Xiang, holding a horsewhip. Lin Changmin, feeling guilty, repeatedly pulled at Lai An’s clothes to stop him from speaking further, and gave Lin Jinlou an uncomfortable fake smile, saying, “Worthy nephew, you’re back.”

Lin Jinlou’s face was expressionless as he gave Lin Changmin a cold glance before heading inside. Lin Changmin felt uneasy and followed up to ask, “Did you find the person? Hm?”

Lin Jinlou stopped in his tracks and looked at Lin Changmin. Lin Changmin licked his lips and said, “Why are you looking at me like that? I’m asking you a question, did you find the person?”

Lin Jinlou stretched his lips and said, “Oh, Second Uncle, how come you’re suddenly so concerned about this matter?”

Lin Changmin’s heart skipped a beat, but he sneered, “You’re being disrespectful and defying your elders over this matter, of course I need to ask more about it, lest you groundlessly blame it on me and then deny everything.”

Lin Jinlou gave a cold laugh and said, “I haven’t found the person, but this matter isn’t over. Whether alive or dead, I must see them. If I find out who interfered and made a living person disappear, I’ll rip out their dog guts and crush them.” With that, he turned and left.

Lin Changmin quickly beckoned Lai An over and said, “Go, ask Wu Biao what to do now that the person is lost.” Lai An acknowledged and left.

Unknown to them, after Lin Jinlou entered the corridor and turned a corner, he quietly said to Ji Xiang, “Go, have someone watch Second Uncle and his usual confidants, see where they all go.” Ji Xiang nodded and withdrew.

Lin Jinlou returned to Chang Chun Hall and fell heavily onto the bed. Though his father was somewhat opportunistic, he still understood reason, but his Second Uncle was unpredictable. Today’s abnormal behavior was suspicious. What kind of person was Lin Changmin? A small-time thug with no real ability yet ambitious for high position, and boundlessly greedy. He must have sent away and disposed of the person, and now he’s eagerly asking if she’s been found, his eyes shifting suspiciously – there must be something hidden. Though Lin Jinlou was anxious, he had to remain calm now to gain wisdom, he couldn’t disrupt his plans and alert the snake in the grass. As he was gathering his thoughts, Madam Qin had already entered. She had been waiting worriedly in Chang Chun Hall, and seeing Lin Jinlou’s state, she knew he hadn’t found the person. Seeing her son lying on the bed, covering his eyes with his arm in dejection, her eyes reddened. She walked forward, sat on the edge of the bed, and said softly, “Send more people to search. Xiang Lan is a sincere child, heaven will protect the good.”

Lin Jinlou said in a muffled voice, “Surely Father wouldn’t have had her killed on the way? I fear we’ll only find a corpse…”

Madam Qin gasped in shock and said, “What nonsense are you talking about? Slap your mouth! How could your father do such an unconscionable thing!”

Lin Jinlou gave a cold laugh and said, “I also think he wouldn’t be so black-hearted and cruel.”

Madam Qin softened her voice and said, “The urgent matter now is to quickly find the person, don’t be angry with your father… he… he only has your best interests at heart…”

Lin Jinlou pulled over a brocade blanket to cover his head, making no sound.

Madam Qin knew he didn’t want to hear this, so she sighed and said chokingly, “You father and son… this is all my karmic retribution!” Thinking of how Xiang Lan had now vanished without a trace, her tears rolled down increasingly. Afraid that her sobs would upset Lin Jinlou further, she quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief and left while whimpering.

Lin Jinlou pulled off the blanket and let out a long breath. The blanket was full of Xiang Lan’s subtle fragrance, which he usually loved to smell, but now it was like oil on fire, making his heart ache with each throb. He sat up angrily and grabbed something to throw in frustration, but the object fell lightly to the ground. Looking closely, it was a half-finished gold-threaded blue sock that Xiang Lan had been making, the size meant for him. Lin Jinlou stared at it for a long while, slowly stood up and walked over, gradually bent down to pick up the sock, held it before his eyes to examine it for a long time, and then gripped it tightly in his palm.

Meanwhile, after sending Lai An away, Lin Changmin became even more restless and went to visit Su Meiru. Su Meiru remained calm and composed, comforting him: “Master should show some commanding presence. How can you panic when facing a situation? In any case, just insist that you were following the Elder Master’s instructions to send her to the estate. They can’t blame you for that. Quickly put your mind at ease, being so flustered will only make others suspicious. What’s urgent now is how to resolve this matter of the missing person.” She lowered her voice and said, “Once Lin Jinlou is dead, who will still investigate where Xiang Lan went?” After more words of comfort, Lin Changmin’s heart began to settle. He discussed further with Su Meiru, sitting for an hour before she coaxed him to leave.

As soon as he left, Su Meiru immediately ordered Meng Po to quietly bring her valuables from the side room, then ordered a chest to be opened and took out several pieces of clothing, thinking to herself, “Better safe than sorry. If something goes wrong, I can’t stay here and wait for death.” While packing, she also sent Meng Po to gather news.

To cut the idle talk short. After Lin Changmin came out from the small temple, he hadn’t walked far when he felt a weight on his shoulders. He quickly turned around to see Lin Jinlou’s men Ji Xiang and Shuang Xi holding his arms on either side. Ji Xiang smiled and said, “Second Master, our Lord requests your presence, please come with us.” Lin Changmin was greatly alarmed and was about to shout when Shuang Xi gagged him. His arms were pulled behind him, tied with rope, and he was bound thoroughly before being taken away. They brought him to a room in an alleyway, and upon entering, Lin Changmin saw it was dim inside, with someone tied to a chair, face covered in blood – it was Lai An.

Lin Changmin instantly lost half his soul in fright. Lin Jinlou was sitting to one side, holding a horsewhip, and upon seeing Lin Changmin, smiled slightly with a sinister gaze like that of the King of Hell. He swung the whip with a “crack” against Lai An and said, “Second Uncle is here, quick, tell him again what you just told me.”

Lai An cried out in pain and tremblingly said, “Second Master and Wu Biao set up a plot, deliberately had Miss Xiang Lan tied up elsewhere to lure the Young Master, but unexpectedly the Young Master learned of it early, and Miss Xiang Lan truly went missing. Wu Biao said time was of the essence and brought a letter, telling the Second Master to say that while taking Miss Xiang Lan to the estate, they encountered kidnappers, and tonight the Young Master should go alone to the Medicine King Temple in the suburbs to ransom her.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Changmin’s soul nearly left his body. Ji Xiang removed the cloth from his mouth, and Lin Changmin immediately said, “Good nephew, this has nothing to do with me, this slave is speaking nonsense, don’t listen to his wild talk! You are my dear nephew, we are family with no discord between us, how could I wish you harm?”

Lin Jinlou stood up, sneering, “My good Second Uncle, of course, I wouldn’t believe that slave.” He stepped forward and grabbed Lin Changmin’s collar, saying through gritted teeth, “But I trust you even less. Come, let’s go see Grandfather together.” With that, he moved to leave.

Lin Changmin was terrified, his knees gave way and he fell to the ground, saying, “Good nephew, I, truly this has nothing to do with me! I am already wronged, the Old Master hasn’t been well these days, if he learns of this matter, wouldn’t it be our sin to cause trouble!”

Lin Jinlou stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and asked, “Then Second Uncle, tell me, how do you prove your innocence?”

Lin Changmin stammered, unable to speak.

Lin Jinlou gave a slight cold smile, walked up to Lin Changmin, bent down, and said, “Let me tell you how to make this easy. Since someone needs to go alone for the ransom, the Second Uncle can go in my place. If Second Uncle captures those bandits, that would prove you are truly upright and honest.”

Lin Changmin was horrified and said, “This, this won’t do! I won’t go!”

The smile gradually faded from Lin Jinlou’s face as he stared intently at Lin Changmin, seemingly struggling to contain his anger, his face slowly turning red, his eyes filled with fierce hatred. Lin Changmin’s heart pounded in fear. Lin Jinlou reached out to grab his collar and said, “You better understand this clearly, you have no say in this matter. I want to kill you right here!”

Lin Changmin panicked and was about to cry out when Lin Jinlou reached out and dislocated his jaw, shoving him to the ground, and ordered his men, “Take him away.”