Chapter Fifty-Seven: There Is Only One Lin Family

Lin Yuanzhou’s face was full of scorn, paying no heed to Lin Rou’s warning, instead choosing to mock Jiang Chen.
“So, what’s your plan, Jiang Chen? Out of tricks, you bring out this crazy girl, hoping to muddle through by making a scene?”
“Do you really think our county magistrate is a senile fool?”
The county magistrate straightened his posture, making a show of being upright and impartial.
Jiang Chen was indeed a little surprised; he hadn’t expected Lin Rou to step forward at such a critical moment. Had this young lady not intervened, the situation would have been much harder to resolve.
But now that Lin Rou was willing to get involved, finding a solution became much simpler.
“I advise you to do as the young lady says—otherwise, she truly has the means to make good on her threats.”
The county magistrate queried, displeased, “Oh? This girl is so formidable—whose young lady is she?”
His face was full of mockery, clearly teasing rather than genuinely concerned with the girl’s identity.
“I am the eldest daughter of the Lin family. Even if you haven’t met me before, you should know how distinguished my status is.”
Feigning ignorance, the county magistrate glanced at Lin Yuanzhou and asked with a smile, “Since when did your family produce such a young lady?”
Lin Yuanzhou burst out laughing, “Your honor sees everything clearly. Our Lin family has no such crazy girl. If you ask me, they’re just making trouble, trying to stall for time.”
The county magistrate nodded and signaled his men, “What are you waiting for? Seal up the place. I plan to go back and take another nap.”
Tang Yong, though privately on good terms with Jiang Chen and the others, had no choice but to obey the order, apologetic as he carried it out.
No one expected that the woman mocked as a mad girl would step forward and deliver two resounding slaps to Tang Yong, leaving him stunned and at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Jiang Chen quickly signaled him with his eyes, urging him not to interfere, to stay out of this matter—wise advice. Despite his confusion, Tang Yong heeded it.

He knew Jiang Chen wouldn’t lead him astray; perhaps this girl really was someone important. He was only trying to make a living in the county office—there was no need to invite trouble.
Tang Yong quietly withdrew. Lin Yuanzhou frowned and sneered, “Scared by a stupid girl—how disgraceful!”
“You say you’re the Lin family’s young lady—shouldn’t you call me ‘big brother’ then?”
Lin Yuanzhou teased Lin Rou, convinced that anyone foolish enough to impersonate his family must be an idiot. Clearly, all those who mingled with Jiang Chen were of the same poor quality.
Lin Rou, subjected to such humiliation, was not about to let Lin Yuanzhou off lightly.
She removed a jade pendant from her waist and addressed the county magistrate, “You blind fool, take this jade pendant to the Lin family in Ziyang City. Then you’ll understand just how foolish your actions have been!”
“I, Lin Rou, have never needed to impersonate another family—what a laughable notion! If you happen to share the surname Lin, then you should know there is no Lin family in the entire southern region of Great Qian that can rival the Lin family of Ziyang City!”
Both the county magistrate and Lin Yuanzhou felt a chill of dread; if this girl truly was the heiress of the Lin family in Ziyang City, they had indeed committed a grave mistake.
Lin Rou then pointed to the courtyard behind her, emphasizing, “These medicinal wines are goods ordered by our Lin family. Let’s see who dares lay a finger on them!”
The county magistrate carefully took her jade pendant, scrutinizing it for a long time. Though he was not unfamiliar with valuable items, something personally carried by the Lin family’s heiress was not something ordinary folk would ever see.
He faltered, unable to determine whether the pendant was valuable enough to prove her identity.
“Sir, it’s better to err on the side of caution. I’d best hurry to Ziyang City and verify things, lest we really offend the Lin family and make a mess too big to clean up!”
Tang Yong, weighing the situation, offered this advice. The county magistrate realized the severity of the matter; he couldn’t risk an aggressive move before Lin Rou’s identity was confirmed. The risk was too great.
Lin Yuanzhou dared not protest further. Lin Rou’s attire was clearly that of a country girl, completely different from the lavish dress expected of the Lin family’s heiress in Ziyang City. Yet her demeanor and words didn’t seem to be an act.
This made her difficult to read, and the safest course was to verify her claim.
Tang Yong departed with the pendant immediately, and the county magistrate found an excuse to leave first. He prayed she wasn’t telling the truth—he was just a minor official, hardly bold enough to cross someone like Lin Xuesong.

If Lin Xuesong learned he’d bullied his daughter, there would be dire consequences.
Once the county magistrate retreated, Lin Yuanzhou had no reason to stay. He turned to leave, but Jiang Chen called out to him.
“I heard you expelled Lin Lidong from the family—quite ruthless!”
Lin Yuanzhou turned back, his voice full of provocation, “He overestimated himself, insisting on challenging me. Being expelled was the inevitable outcome. Soon, Lin Qingxuan will meet the same fate.”
“Don’t think helping him will make any difference!”
Jiang Chen replied calmly, “My cooperation with Lin Qingxuan was nearly over, but you insisted on troubling me. That means you’ve chosen the wrong target.”
“Wait and see. Soon, you’ll be receiving a surprise.”
“Hmph, don’t get too full of yourself! You’re just a worthless, destitute scholar—do you think I care about you?”
Lin Yuanzhou glared at Jiang Chen, flicked his sleeves, and strode away.
Wu Qingshan and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief. Had the county office forcibly destroyed the medicinal wines, the losses would have been disastrous—their days of hard work wasted.
The journey between Shanguan Town and Ziyang City took at least a day each way. For now, no one would come to provoke them.
Yet Jiang Chen and Lin Rou now faced another problem. Lin Rou, who should have enjoyed a few quiet days in Shanguan Town, was at risk—once her family learned she was here, they would rush over in a frenzy.
This meant Lin Rou would soon have to return home and face the ordeal of an arranged marriage.
Jiang Chen said to Lin Rou, “Thank you for your help just now. But from now on, you won’t be able to stay here.”