My enemies became my companions

Chapter 120: Stealing Half of Someone's Face (Additional Update in )

The day passed quickly, and the fifth day after returning from the underground palace arrived.

There was no rain today. Xiuhe reported to her that there was a huge quarrel in the hall last night. The second and third rooms were clamoring for the eldest room to change their surname back to Lin to the original surname Cui, so as to draw a clear line with the Lin Party. Lin Bu, the eldest room's son, would not agree to it no matter what, but even citing his late father's family precepts was of no avail. Everyone reported the matter to the eldest mother, and no decision has been made yet.

At present, the King of Annan is away, and it is not appropriate to start a major chaos in the capital. Therefore, even if some court officials reported the crime of treason against Lin Yan and others, their reports were suppressed by the Shangshu Neisheng on the grounds that the Queen Mother was unwell and it was inconvenient to deal with it.

There are many rumors in the market that the crime of treason requires the execution of nine generations of the family. However, throughout history, there are very few people who have actually been executed with nine generations of the family. They can be counted on one hand. What's more, the criminal law of Dayu is lenient. According to the "Dayu Law", those who commit treason and high treason will be beheaded regardless of whether they are the leader or the accomplice; their fathers and sons over sixteen years old will be strangled; for those who commit serious crimes, their mothers, wives and concubines, sons and daughters under fifteen years old will be sent to slavery.

There are now rumors in the palace that the case will be dealt with leniently and that the wife's family will not be held accountable. Therefore, the second and third wives want to take this opportunity to change their surnames so that they can find another place and another way out as soon as possible.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. This was expected. If the captain of the Western Factory could spare Lin Yan's life at that time, everything would still be possible, Lin Wanhan couldn't help thinking, but there are no ifs in the world. The sound of the rushing water in the underground river washed away Lin Yan and his body.

Even if she was convicted of treason and sent to slavery, she would remain a widow. The worst that could happen was for her to hang herself with a white silk ribbon. This way, she would come with a clear conscience and die with a clear conscience.

The weather was just right. Although it was still cold, the sunlight was warm, shining into the deep courtyard of the Lin or Cui family. The garden mansion actually had a bit of untimely spring atmosphere. Xiuhe brought her fabrics of different colors for her to use for needlework. It was only the fifth day since she returned home to be a widow, but Lin Wanheng already felt a little lonely.

Lin Wanheng felt horrified at the thought of having to weave like this for the rest of her life, living like a lonely ghost in a side courtyard where almost no one ever visited.

According to the laws of Dayu, a woman must remain a widow for three years. After that, she can remarry. However, people gossip about her and often do not follow the law. For example, families of scholars usually remain widowed for their entire lives. A husband has the right to remarry, but a wife has no right to remarry!

Lin Wanheng's hands and feet were cold. She thought of that man's face. She used to call him uncle, but in the end... Thinking of the sound of blood splattering, she felt dizzy.

Xiu He came closer nervously and was about to say something when Lin Wanheng suddenly asked nervously:
"Xiu He, how can I buy someone to kill someone?"

"Madam, are you going to... hire someone to kill you?"

As soon as Xiuhe finished speaking, she hurriedly said:
"Absolutely not. And who are you going to kill, madam?"

Hearing Xiuhe's voice, Lin Wanheng came to her senses. She smiled bitterly and shook her head. Then she asked Xiuhe to bring her needle and thread and started embroidering.

Xiuhe was worried that she would be bored, so she took out a copy of "The Peony Pavilion" and asked her to read it. Xiuhe was once Lin Wanlang's maid, and although she didn't read many books, she could still read.

"The Peony Pavilion" is a famous Kunqu opera, which tells the story of the rich lady Du Liniang and the scholar Liu Mengmei, who fell in love in a dream.

Xiuhe recited the tenth act - Awakening from a Dream, which was the most brilliant and the most popular act. It told the story of the sorrowful Du Liniang, a young lady from a wealthy family. She had just begun to fall in love, but had to stay alone in the boudoir. So she went to the garden and met a scholar there.

"I dream of the chirping of orioles, and the passing years pass by in a blur. I stand in a small courtyard."

Lin Wanheng originally wanted to listen, but after listening for a while, before the play was over, she felt itchy and wanted to go see a play. In the past, the Lin Mansion had a small Kunqu opera troupe specially raised by Lord Lin. There was no need to go out to watch a play, just call the performers. Alas, the past was too hard to recall. Even if she wanted to go see a play now, how could she do it?

"Don't read it. I'm in mourning and it's not suitable for me to listen."

she whispered.

She didn't dare to listen further, fearing that she would not be able to remain a widow. After all, she was the daughter-in-law of the Lin family. Her father had told almost all the descendants in the family about the kindness of Lord Lin in recognizing his talent. Now the Lin family was going to be finished, and she didn't know how many times she would be trampled on. The second and third houses wanted to change their surnames and didn't remember the benefits they had received from the Lin family over the years. But at least, she could repay the Lin family's kindness.

She was afraid that she would want to go to the theater as she listened. She could not go out, or she would be scolded as a mistress of a man. Although she lived in the Lin Mansion, she had heard about the reputation of the Lin Mansion. It was like this when Lord Lin was alive. Now that the Lin Mansion has collapsed, it must be infamous. But at least she wanted to keep this last bit of reputation as a widow.

Zhenlan, this is her pen name, which she chose herself.

Seeing that she could not finish her studies, Xiuhe decided to go out and think of ways to get warm clothes for her wife. Otherwise, even without waiting for the snow, Lin Wanheng's delicate body would be frozen to death just in the winter.

Lin Wanheng is not welcome now. The big families gather together to eat every weekend, but there is no place for Lin Wanheng. There used to be a place, but not now. She has just returned to her parents' home four days ago and has no monthly salary. It seems like she is being deliberately ignored. In fact, let alone monthly salary, even the meals are brought by Xiuhe from the kitchen.

Lin Wanheng didn't really care about it. If she were to have dinner with them, not only would the second and third wives who were clamoring to change their surnames, even the eldest brother of the first wife would be displeased. Even if they restrained their sarcasm, no one at the table would be willing to speak, leaving everyone in a cold and desolate mood, which would be bad.

At noon, Lin Wanhang's stomach felt flat. Xiuhe had not come back yet, and she was worried. Just as she got up to look for her, she heard hurried footsteps outside the house.

"Madam, the eldest lady has sent a maid to you, and she said she would go out with you to pick out fabrics."

Xiuhe said excitedly.

Lin Wanhang was so surprised that she turned around and saw the eldest lady, Mrs. Luo, walking slowly towards her. She bowed to her and thought she was coming to say something harsh or to persuade her to leave in a tactful way. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Luo asked her about her well-being and even handed her the monthly allowance personally.

"Everyone has been making a fuss these past few days, and I feel bad for you, Third Sister."

Luo said softly.

Lin Wanheng had already prepared herself to bow her head to everyone. She was prepared for her parents' reaction, so she didn't feel much aggrieved.

Just after she responded, Luo said:

"Wait a minute, Third Sister, come with me. We'll go pick out some cloth so we can distribute it to the families during the winter."

"But this...my little sister is still in mourning."

"Don't worry, no one will see you when you are in the carriage. If you wear a veil and a hat to cover your face, who will notice? Besides, you have always had good taste. When you were not married, you were the one who picked out the clothes for everyone. My elder sister trusts you. Don't you trust my elder sister?"

Luo advised without any mistakes.

After this persuasion, if Lin Wanheng didn't go out, it would be an insult to the eldest lady of the house. What's more, she was really a little fed up with it, so she decided to go out.

...............................

"I dream of the chirping of orioles, and the passing years pass by in a blur. I stand in a small courtyard."

The theater at Zhongxian Posthouse was playing The Peony Pavilion.

It happened to be the tenth act, the scene of A Dream in the Garden. The actress who played the role of the rich lady Du Liniang was strolling into the garden and was about to meet the scholar Liu Mengmei in her dream. Lin Wanhang was sitting in a side room, watching from the window and listening with great fascination.

She originally went to choose cloth with Luo. After they made their choice, Luo took her to Zhongxian Posthouse to listen to opera. She couldn't refuse, so she went with them. Besides, they were in the side room, so she came up.

Even so, she did not remove her veil, for fear that someone would recognize her. Halfway through the show, Luo suddenly received a servant's report and left in a hurry, saying that she would be back later.

Luo walked downstairs and turned the corner, and saw a tall and ruthless man.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Mo Hu clasped his fists. Luo nodded and said:

"My husband hasn't noticed that she has left the house yet. You should deal with her properly and don't let her come back. Keeping her here will eventually bring trouble."

Mo Hu responded, and after Luo Shi went downstairs, he slowly went upstairs.

When Luo went downstairs, she heard the sound of horse hooves outside the inn.

I saw a Jinyiwei in black standing in front of the inn. He dismounted from his horse, with a sword on his back and a knife on his waist. His face was not clear in the shadow of the eaves, and he seemed to be looking for someone to ask something.

Luo didn't care and walked away quickly.

Lin Wanlang and Xiuhe were the only ones left in the side room.

There were footsteps outside the door and someone was bringing tea.

Xiuhe stood up to greet him, but the door was pushed open first.

The person who came was not a tea girl or a servant, but a man with a gloomy face and a cruel look.

Lin Wanhang frowned, and the maid Xiuhe was about to speak.

click!
After being hit hard all of a sudden, Xiuhe's body fell backwards like a kite with a broken string, and the entire bamboo chair was broken!

Mo Hu retracted his legs, then stared at the pale-faced girl and asked:

"Are you Lin Yan's widow?"

"Who? Who are you?"

Lin Wanheng's face was pale. She looked at the unconscious Xiuhe in panic. She turned around and saw Mo Hu blocking the door with his whole body. He didn't dare to shout for help. He kicked Xiuhe with great force. Apart from breaking the wooden chair, there was no sound. Obviously, Mo Hu didn't want to alarm the people who were listening to the opera in the inn.

Moreover, the stage is half open and half open-air, and the theater building has windows on two sides. Even if there is a fight here, it will not disturb the people in the theater.

"This is a restricted area, no disturbances are allowed... What do you want to do?"

Lin Wanheng asked, trying to remain calm.

Mo Hu casually pulled over a bamboo chair and sat down, speaking slowly:
"I just want to ask you something. It's not a big deal. Answer honestly. If you're fine, I'm fine too."

Lin Wanhang remained silent, staring at the unfriendly visitor.

A trace of anger flashed across Mo Hu's face. A spy found out that Lin Wanheng had returned to her parents' home, but had been staying in the mansion. It was really difficult to take action against her, so he used his connections to find someone from the second house. The second house then consulted with the wife of the first house and led Lin Wanheng to Zhongxian Posthouse.

Since arriving in Beijing, Lin Yan's whereabouts have become a mystery. Everyone says that he is dead, but if he is alive, we must see him, or his body. If Lin Yan is here, everything will be much easier.

Secretary Li Ping suspected that Lin Yan was not dead yet, but was hiding somewhere unknown.

"Where is Lin Yan?"

Mo Hu asked directly.

Lin Wanheng seemed to recall something, and his face turned as pale as paper.

The sound of blood gushing out echoed in her ears, and she seemed to have lost blood all of a sudden. Her eyes were dim and dazed, and Chen Yi's terrifying face seemed to emerge from them.

She once called him uncle and begged him several times, but in the end, everything got mixed up.

"The threads are endless, the logic is still chaotic, and it is boring for no reason."

The charming female role on the stage was singing the lyrics.

Seeing that Lin Wanheng did not answer, Mo Hu's eyes became colder, and he was about to suddenly attack.

“Help! Help…”

Suddenly there was a cry in the inn.

Before he could finish his words, he was replaced by the sound of a door breaking.

boom!
Mo Hu suddenly turned around and rushed out, only to see Li Ping's body flying backwards in the corridor and sliding straight in front of him.

Secretary Li Ping seemed to have several broken ribs, with blood oozing from the corners of his mouth. Mo Hu's eyes were filled with shock and anger. He looked up and saw a Jinyiwei in black clothes walking slowly towards him, with a badge dangling from his waist, faintly flashing the words "Jinyiwei Qianhu".

"Who killed the man, who hung the horse?"

The black-robed captain asked.

"How dare you use force against the officials who are here to see the king!"

Mo Hu's face was gloomy and he said angrily.

Inside the side room, Lin Wanheng came back to her senses with difficulty. Seeing that Mo Hu was gone, she rushed to Xiuhe and found that the latter was still breathing, so she breathed a sigh of relief.

Then she raised her eyes and looked carefully toward the corridor.

When that familiar face came into view, Lin Wanhang trembled all over and felt dizzy in an instant.

She hadn't expected to be so frightened; she had only taken a sneak peek.

"Without the lotus flower in my pocket, I can still steal a glimpse of someone..."

The Hua Dan continued to sing as usual.

(End of this chapter)