The Grand Secretary's Child-Raising Diary

The Dali Temple acted swiftly. After investigating the cause of Lin's death, they imprisoned the Zhao family patriarch, the Zhao family head, and the Zhao family's eldest son, who had already remarried. As for the government officials involved in the case, they would also be dealt with after the investigation was completed.

Although the Zhao family had a past relationship with the Qin family, they used to live in poverty. It was only after the Zhao family's son used sweet words to deceive the Lin family's daughter that their lives gradually became more prosperous.

But poverty breeds wickedness. Not only did he take other people's money for granted, but he also began to despise his wife who had shared his hardships, causing him to lose face in public. Thus, he conceived the evil idea of ​​robbing her of her money and murdering her.

The Zhao family members were not tough; after a few strokes of the cane by the officials from the Dali Temple, they eagerly confessed how they had plotted to murder the Lin family back then.

"When Lin Yu was pregnant, the doctor said that her pregnancy was not good and that it was a girl. My parents were eager to have a grandson, so they wanted to take a concubine for me. What's a big deal for a man to have three wives and four concubines? But Lin Yu, with her big belly, was relentless. She not only insulted my parents but also said that the Zhao family was entirely supported by her. I couldn't stand it and slapped her a few times."

"What couple doesn't have their disagreements? Who knew she'd be so fierce? That very day, she packed her belongings and headed back to her parents' home. The Lin family is not to be trifled with, and in my haste, I had her locked up and forbidden from seeing anyone."

This case involves Qin Bingshan and the former head of the Hanlin Academy, so it is presided over by Minister Huang of the Court of Judicial Review. Hearing that the Zhao family son is still trying to shift the blame onto the pitiful Lin family daughter, he angrily slams his gavel:

"How did you poison the Lin family? Tell us honestly, or your crime will be compounded."

Zhao Jiazi shuddered: "At first I didn't intend to kill her. I just thought that childbirth is a life-or-death experience for women, and since her pregnancy was not going well, we decided not to hire a midwife and let her die on the day of childbirth."

Zhao Jiazi's face seemed to be both crying and laughing. He paused and continued, "But who knew she was so lucky? Without a midwife, she screamed for most of the night and actually gave birth to the child safely."

The next day, we went to collect her body, but when we arrived at her courtyard, we found that she had already tidied herself up and was holding the child in her arms, saying that she was about to go back to her parents' home.

If the Lin family found out about this, not only would my entire Zhao family be ruined. Later, I forced that girl to drink poison by choking her. She was too fierce; before she died, she cursed me to die a horrible death.

Even though Lord Huang had seen many wicked people before, he was still shocked that a husband and wife could be so cruel to their wife and children for a little gold and silver.

The case could have been closed at this point, and just as Judge Huang raised his gavel to conclude the proceedings, Lin Quan, who had been standing quietly to the side, suddenly spoke up:

"My lord, when Lin Yu married into the Zhao family, she took away half of the family's wealth. Although the Zhao family is extravagant, it is impossible for them to squander such a large sum of money in just a few years. I have heard that the head of the Zhao family has had close ties with the former subordinates of Prince Chen. I would like to ask you to thoroughly investigate where the Zhao family's assets have been used."

Lord Huang nearly dropped the gavel, muttering to himself: "My goodness, they really are like newborn calves that are not afraid of tigers."

For many years, no one has dared to mention the name of Prince Chen. Lin Quan is practically making it clear that the Zhao family's plot to seize gold and silver is to support Prince Chen's former subordinates.

Zhao Jiyong, the head of the Zhao family, had remained silent because he had not personally participated in the murder of Lin Shi. Even if he were to be beheaded, it wouldn't be his turn. If the case were judged, apart from his eldest son, his entire family would only be exiled. It was only when Lin Quan mentioned Prince Chen that he became anxious.

As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. The Zhao family will rise again one day, but if they get involved with the old subordinates of Prince Chen, everything will change.

Zhao Jiyong pointed at Lin Quan, his eyes blazing with fury: "You little brat, spouting nonsense!"

Lord Huang then brought down his gavel: "Roaring in the courtroom, slap him in the face." Zhao Jiyong was getting old and might not be able to withstand a caning, but a slap in the face was just right.

After beating Zhao Jiyong, Lord Huang coughed a few times and said, "Take the prisoner to jail and try him later."

The case has completely changed since it involves Chen Wang's former subordinates. Even the Qin family will be dragged back into it. The most fatal point is that Chen Wang was once Qin Zhangyuan's favorite student.

After all the prisoners had left, Lord Huang rubbed his forehead and groaned, "This official is truly unfortunate."

No sooner had he finished complaining about his miserable life than he hurriedly went to the palace to ask His Majesty for instructions, after all, our Lord Huang is still reliable.

Countless eyes are watching this case at the Dali Temple today. No sooner had Lord Huang entered the palace than Lu Shiyan received news: "Your Majesty, Lin Quan accused the Zhao family of having close ties with the former subordinates of Prince Chen. This case will probably have to be delayed for a few more days."

Lu Shiyan paused in his work, then said after a moment, "Our people don't need to have any further contact with Lin Quan. Let him do whatever he wants."

Shouyan nodded in agreement, and as he reached out to grind ink for Lu Shiyan, he said with some emotion, "This Scholar Lin is truly grateful. He is now willing to risk his future to clear Lin Yu's name, which is no wonder that the Lin family spent their last bit of their wealth to support his studies. If he enters the court in the future, he may be able to make great achievements."

Lu Shiyan was not concerned about Lin Quan or his motives; he was more interested in how his good father would choose this time.

秦府

Madam Qin trembled at the mere mention of the name "Prince Chen." Her lips trembled violently, as if she were trying to comfort herself or tell someone else: "The late Emperor had already made a decision about Prince Chen's matter, and it had nothing to do with the Qin family."

If an observer were standing here at this moment, they could probably tell Madam Qin: "The reason the late Emperor let the Qin family off so easily back then wasn't because he didn't want to investigate the Qin family's collusion with Prince Chen, nor because he feared that Headmaster Qin would be revered by scholars throughout the land. Rather, it was because the late Emperor was old, and the transition of power hadn't been smooth. What emperors cared about most was the stability of the realm."

Now, with the Lin family woman pulling out the radish and bringing out the mud, the Qin family's glory has truly come to an end.

Before the Qin family could figure out a good way to extricate themselves, Lu Chong had already sent someone to deliver a letter of divorce.

Upon seeing the words "letter of divorce," Qin Bingshan's vision went black, and it took him a long time to recover: "Good, what a despicable man, Lu Chong, the Earl of Chengen, is, what a treacherous villain who kicks someone when they're down."

My sister bore him children and managed the household for many years, and now at her age, she's been divorced. Take it back; if he wants to divorce my sister, he should have Lu Chong come and talk to me personally.

The messenger didn't pick up the letter; he simply relayed Lu Chong's message: "Lord Qin, my master said that if the Qin family is willing to quietly accept the letter of divorce, the Marquis's mansion will have the lady take all the dowry with her."

If they refuse, then the Earl will have no choice but to submit a memorial to His Majesty for a decision, which will likely escalate into an even more unpleasant situation.

Qin Bingshan was unwilling to comply and rolled up his sleeves, intending to go to the Chengen Earl's Mansion to confront Lu Chong. Just then, Madam Qin arrived, looking haggard, with Aunt Zhao following behind her.

Qin Bingshan assumed that Madam Liu had come to stop him again, and his face immediately darkened: "This concerns my sister's life; does Madam still want to stop me?"

Liu sighed: "You siblings are very close. I won't stop you if you want to go. But we are barely able to take care of ourselves. It's heartbreaking that you don't think about the future of your children."