Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1377 - 563: Disappointment (Part 2)

Tingzheng looked at Ah Si and asked: "What’s going on?"

Ah Si felt that Lin Qinghan was out of her mind when she stopped him from delivering the news to Tingzheng. The Great Aunt had nurtured their family’s Old Master, and now that trouble had befallen the An Family, she wanted to stand aside. If outsiders found out, wouldn’t they say their Old Master was ungrateful? "Madam said the An Family is accused of treason. If Old Master finds out, he definitely won’t stand aside, and that will implicate our mansion as well. Madam recalled the people I sent out and even took over my duties." Moreover, Lin Qinghan had kept the doors tightly shut these past days; only those from the procurement department were allowed out.

Tingzheng took large strides toward the Inner Courtyard.

Lin Qinghan was teaching Wanting how to recognize characters. Upon hearing the footsteps, she smiled and said to Wanting: "Your father is back."

Tingzheng lifted the curtain and looked at Lin Qinghan, his face dark. He asked: "Something happened in my elder sister’s family. Why didn’t you let anyone inform me?"

It was Lin Qinghan’s first time seeing Tingzheng with such an expression. Even when furious in the past, Tingzheng had never been this fierce.

Wanting, who was nearby, was frightened and clutched Lin Qinghan’s sleeve, softly calling: "Mother."

Lin Qinghan said irritably: "Did you scare the child?"

Normally, if there were conflicts, Tingzheng wouldn’t lose his temper in front of the child. But this time the matter was extraordinarily serious. Tingzheng roared: "Something this major happened in my sister’s house, why didn’t you let anyone inform me?"

Lin Qinghan was also roused to anger, her voice rising: "Why didn’t I let anyone inform you? Isn’t it because I want you not to be embroiled in this matter? I’m doing this for you, for this family."

Tingzheng listened to this and looked at Lin Qinghan as though he didn’t recognize her.

Lin Qinghan felt a chill from Tingzheng’s stare, but she believed she wasn’t wrong: "An Zhichen committed a grievous crime that will implicate kinfolk. We’re barely avoiding suspicion, let alone joining in. My husband, even for me, for Wanting and Brother Xin, you cannot dive into these murky waters! An Zhichen’s crime could implicate at least three families."

Tingzheng’s mind went blank. Finally, he looked at Lin Qinghan and asked: "Do you know what you’re saying?" Tingzheng’s voice was very soft, but since the room was quiet and the maids and old nanny didn’t dare breathe loudly, and Wanting sat still on the couch, the people around could still hear him.

Lin Qinghan’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly calmed it, saying: "My husband, I know what I’m doing is unscrupulous, but for this family, I must do it."

Tingzheng laughed, a laugh more bitter than crying: "In the past, my sister said you’re not a competent matriarch and would drag me down, and I kept arguing with her. Now I realize I was wrong, I was terribly wrong." His sister raised him, and now that trouble had befallen her, he was standing aside, akin to being worse than an animal.

Lin Qinghan’s face changed immediately, but before she could speak, Tingzheng strode out, heading to the front courtyard to have some clothes packed.

Ah Si’s wife was worried and said: "Didn’t you say that when Old Master returns, Madam would lose her power? But Madam seems fine now." Previously, Ah Si’s wife thought Ah Si should submit to Madam Lin, since she was the house’s mistress, but Ah Si refused, ordering his wife to tend to her own duties.

Ah Si sneered coldly and said: "Once the Great Aunt’s matters settle, there will surely be significant changes in our mansion." If, after this incident, Old Master continued to indulge Madam Lin, then he would have to find another path.

Ah Si’s wife was unwilling to leave, having a comfortable life at the Lian Mansion: "If Madam remains in charge after this, we’ll pledge loyalty to her."

Ah Si scolded: "You only care about trifles." Madam Lin was narrow-minded, only trusting those she brought from the Lin Family, never trusting anyone from the Lian Mansion. Pledging loyalty to her, he’d rather forge his own path.

Brother Shengsheng and his two brothers had some distance from Tingzheng due to Madam Lin, but now that Tingzheng had moved to Anan Mansion, their impression of him changed immediately. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Xiang Wei said to Yueyao: "Madam, actually Tingzheng is essentially good. But with that fool Lin Qinghan, Tingzheng is sooner or later going to be ruined by her."

Yueyao shook her head and said: "His affairs, let him handle them himself." Having decided to let go, Yueyao was resolute in not intervening, as she’d initially said, one must walk the path one chooses.

Xiang Wei said no more.

In the afternoon, Lin Qinghan learned that Tingzheng had moved to the An Mansion, and in her fury, she shattered a porcelain vase: "Who am I doing this for? Who am I doing this for?" Lin Qinghan truly felt wronged, believing she was acting for Tingzheng and for the family.

Nanny Shi was sent away at the beginning of the year as Lin Qinghan found her too talkative, having relayed Lin Qinghan’s affairs to Lady Lin, and also because Nanny Shi was too nagging. Now, none of those around Lin Qinghan dared try to console her at this time.

Suddenly, three more days passed, yet there was no news from the General Secretary Department, making Yueyao extremely anxious.

Tingzheng saw Yueyao’s restless appearance, thinking she was worried about An Zhichen still being in Heavenly Prison, and comfortingly said: "Sister, don’t worry too much. Many in the Imperial Court are speaking for brother-in-law, and he will be released soon." Many at the court were advocating for An Zhichen, such as Prince Duan, Li Guoxing, An Zhiren, Guan Jingshuo, etc. The Emperor’s stance had also lightened, leading everyone to believe victory was within reach.

Yueyao said: "I just hope your brother-in-law returns soon."

ps: Today, I went to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor said my recent diet was poor and my weak constitution resulted in a fragile resistance, causing stomach discomfort. Yes, starting tomorrow, June will begin exercising instead of remaining at home all day.