Shuangxi and Jixiang ducked their heads and hastily responded, “Master, please rest assured. We’ll investigate right away.” Lin Jinlou left, while the two went their separate ways to question the matchmakers.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou changed his clothes and went directly to Lin Zhaoxiang’s room. He had a maid summon Lin Zhangzheng and explained the day’s events at Ganlu Temple, omitting his involvement with the Crown Prince and the setup, only saying that Zhao Xuede had invited him to help capture rebels, unexpectedly discovering Zhao Yuechan’s illicit affair with the fake monk.

Even Lin Zhaoxiang, a man who had seen much in his life, was dumbfounded. After a long moment, he regained his composure and silently took a few puffs from his water pipe. Lin Zhangzheng angrily exclaimed, “Divorcing her is too good for that worthless woman!”

Lin Jinlou coldly smiled, “What else can we do? She has an influential grandfather, after all.”

Lin Zhangzheng opened his mouth but swallowed his words. Indeed, Zhao Yuechan’s grandfather served as Grand Secretary, currently overseeing book compilation at the Wenyuan Library and enjoying great imperial favor. Though the Lin family was wealthy, their previous alignment with the Crown Prince made them suspect in the Emperor’s eyes, unlike the ascendant Zhao family.

Lin Zhaoxiang coughed twice and asked, “Now that this matter has come to light, divorce saves face for the Zhao family, but what should we do next?”

Lin Jinlou replied, “I’ve already discussed it with Zhao Xuede. We’ll keep the divorce quiet for now and gradually let the news spread over the next year or so. The Zhao family will send people in the next few days to retrieve Yuechan’s dowry.”

Lin Zhaoxiang nodded slowly and spoke briefly with his son and grandson before telling Lin Zhangzheng, “Go back and tell your wife to prepare the dowry inventory. Check everything carefully for when the Zhao family comes to collect it. Better to take a small loss and handle this cleanly.” Lin Zhangzheng agreed.

Lin Zhaoxiang waved his hand, “That’s all. Go now. I have more to discuss with Jinlou.”

After Lin Zhangzheng left, Lin Zhaoxiang’s expression darkened. “Kneel before me!” he commanded sternly.

Lin Jinlou was startled but obediently knelt.

Lin Zhaoxiang sneered, “You’ve grown quite capable, haven’t you? How many times have I told you to be patient with the Zhao woman for a few more months? At most a year or so, then we could have sent her packing. But you had to scheme with Zhao Xuede to catch her in the act, decide to divorce her yourself, and create such a spectacle. You might fool your father, but you can’t fool me!”

Lin Jinlou smiled apologetically, “Grandfather’s insight is sharp. I certainly can’t hide anything from you.”

Lin Zhaoxiang thundered, “Nonsense! Do you think you can spread your wings because you’ve won a few battles? Your cleverness has backfired – you’re not fit for great things!”

Seeing Lin Zhaoxiang’s face flushed with anger, Lin Jinlou hurriedly moved forward to massage his chest and help him calm down, saying, “Grandfather, please don’t anger yourself over this worthless dog. If you’re truly angry, just beat me to vent your frustration.” He moved closer to let Lin Zhaoxiang strike him.

Lin Zhaoxiang slowly exhaled and said, “Don’t I know what sort of creature Zhao is? During the previous Emperor’s reign, we wouldn’t have given a second thought to ten Zhao families, let alone one. We’ve endured for so long – what harm would a few more months have done?”

Lin Jinlou lowered his head and said, “Grandfather, you don’t know. Back then, it was Zhao Yuechan who ordered Furong’s murder. When I arrived, Furong had been dead for hours, lying naked in the snow, dying so tragically she couldn’t even close her eyes… Then there was Qinglan, who died along with her unborn child. Not to mention her promiscuity and attempts to steal family wealth… She was like a knife cutting at my heart and lungs daily, I…”

Lin Zhaoxiang glared at him and said, “So what? There’s a saying: ‘A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years.’ It hasn’t even been ten years, and you couldn’t control yourself! The Emperor’s health has been weak these years, and he needs to name a Crown Prince. Zhao Jin is actively supporting the First Prince, causing the Second Prince’s displeasure. Moreover, the Second Prince is talented but too sharp-tongued, arrogant, and has offended many court officials. Their family’s roots are shallow, and they’ve grown too prominent too quickly. They’ll lose their influence within a year or so. Then we could have simply reported that Zhao died from illness or sudden death, and her family would have been too preoccupied to care about her. Now, although we’ve rid ourselves of her, rumors will spread, and I’ve lost all face!”

Lin Jinlou smiled, “If anyone loses face, it will be me. My reputation is already as it is – a few more rumors won’t matter.” He lowered his head and added, “Grandfather’s teachings are correct. I was too hasty.”

Lin Zhaoxiang’s expression softened as he patted Lin Jinlou’s arm, “You must learn patience – a hundred times of endurance can create gold. I’ve lived my life by the principle of patience, and planning before acting. That’s how the Lin family has maintained its wealth and status. Those who couldn’t endure have all declined, like Shen Wenhan, who was too unyielding and died without a proper burial.”

Lin Jinlou knelt silently with his hands at his sides, listening to the lecture.

Lin Zhaoxiang continued, “Control your fiery temper. Spend more time in quiet contemplation and less time drinking and carousing. Once the divorce rumors die down, I’ll personally arrange for you to marry a refined lady from a noble family, and you’ll stop your wild behavior.”

Lin Jinlou nodded in agreement.

Looking at his broad shoulders and straight back, Lin Zhaoxiang remembered Lin Jinlou as a child – that tiger-headed boy who would kneel just as obediently before him after causing trouble. His heart softened. He had high hopes for Lin Jinlou. Though willful and unruly as a child, refusing to be disciplined, he was exceptionally intelligent and decisive, harsh with others, and even harsher with himself. Despite growing up in luxury, he trained in martial arts through bitter winters and scorching summers, enduring countless hardships in the military. He was also deeply cunning – if he chose to serve as a civil official, he would surely achieve great things.

Even Lin Zhaoxiang admitted that among all his descendants, only Lin Jinlou’s temperament most resembled his own. His eldest son Lin Zhangzheng was proper but lacked shrewdness and flexibility, while his second son Lin Zhangmin was hopeless. Among his other grandsons, Lin Jinxuan was sickly, Lin Jinting was too focused on poetry and romance to study properly, and Lin Jinyuan was still young. Though there were several promising nephews in the clan, none matched Lin Jinlou’s combination of courage and strategy.

Lin Zhaoxiang suddenly asked, “How are military matters being handled? How are the families of the fallen soldiers being cared for? Do you need to recruit new soldiers?”

Lin Jinlou was startled by the unexpected question but answered honestly, “The compensation for the soldiers’ families has been distributed. We’ll recruit new soldiers in spring. Some bastards are eyeing the Lin family army, wanting to incorporate it into the regular army, claiming the court will provide military funding. Bullshit! The moment I agree to their reorganization, some scoundrel will reassign these troops. I’m not falling for that stupidity, especially since my troops are already secretly receiving military funding. No one’s going to intercept that. I have everything under control, Grandfather needn’t worry.”

“Not worry? I wish I didn’t have to worry! Master Yu from the Command Office came visiting with gifts, had several cups of tea, and complained that you’re insubordinate, maintaining a private army, refusing to join the regular forces, preferring to keep your troops under the guise of ‘salt patrol.’ He said your crimes could be interpreted as either minor or major. Today you’ve performed your ‘catching adultery’ act, tomorrow you might perform a ‘rebellion’ show. At my age, how much more can I take?”

“Hehe, how could that happen? Your eldest grandson is more capable than that. It’s just a small matter – I’ll go pay my respects to Master Yu, and everything will be smoothed over.”

“Stop smirking! Your father might not be able to control you, but don’t think you can do whatever you want while I’m still breathing! Stop causing trouble and courting death. I heard you’re keeping another woman outside. Having a few favorites at brothels is one thing, but don’t bring home women you’re keeping in separate houses. We can’t have dirty, unsavory characters coming into the family – what about our family rules and reputation?”

“Oh…”

“What do you mean ‘oh’? Did you hear me?”

“Yes, I heard…”

While Lin Jinlou was being lectured by Lin Zhaoxiang, let us turn to other matters.

The next day, the Zhao family sent people to quietly retrieve Zhao Yuechan’s dowry, including all the maids and servants who had come with her from her maiden home. A few days later, rumors spread about the Lin family’s eldest daughter-in-law being caught in an affair with a monk at Ganlu Temple by her husband. However, other rumors claimed that Lin Jinlou had been at Ganlu Temple to capture wanted criminals and accidentally discovered a monk breaking his vows with a prostitute. Various versions circulated. During the New Year, Zhao Yuechan fell ill and couldn’t receive visitors, sparking more discussions.

Later, fishermen recovered a sack from the river containing a naked, bald male corpse, bloated beyond recognition. Some kind-hearted people collected money to wrap the body in a broken mat and bury it in a mass grave. Hao Qing’s wife, tired of waiting for him and still young, remarried a cloth merchant, taking Hao’s remaining property and their son with her. Hao Qing’s indulgence in lust and seduction of another man’s wife led to his tragic death, and his once-prosperous family business, wife, and son all went to another man – truly karmic retribution.

However, one fish escaped the net. Qian Wenze had been at Ganlu Temple that day but had gone out to buy wine and food. Upon returning and seeing official troops surrounding the temple, he knew something was wrong and fled, hurrying home to pack his belongings before disappearing, leaving his wife and children behind. But the Zhao family wasn’t to be trifled with. Seeing how Zhao Yuechan had lost her virtue under Qian Wenze’s influence and been divorced by the Lin family, they couldn’t swallow this insult. Zhao Xuede pressed several charges against Qian Wenze, and though they couldn’t find him, they confiscated all his property. His wife took their children to her maiden family, leaving his elderly mother with no one to care for her, barely surviving on neighbors’ charity.

Enough of these matters.

Let us speak of Xianglan, who returned to the Song family and hid for several days. Seeing no one come looking for her, she thought, “Lin Jinlou has so many beauties around him, he won’t care about me anymore.” Her heart gradually settled. Early on New Year’s Eve, after inspecting the Song household inside and out, she bid farewell to the housekeeping servant and hired a carriage to return home for the New Year’s Eve dinner with the Chen couple. Just as she reached her doorstep, she spotted a tall horse outside.