Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 87 Pay off the debt

Second Grandpa's gaze instantly shifted to Lin Zhiqing, with a hint of coldness in his smiling eyes.

Lin Jiusi hid behind his second grandfather, like a child who had successfully complained, and deliberately touched his red face:

"She somehow managed to sneak into Qianjin Pavilion during the day, slapped me several times, and even threatened me with a dagger."

As he spoke, he opened his collar, revealing the scabby blood lines on his neck.

When Second Grandfather saw these two scars, his anger erupted:

"Lin Zhiqing, you, a mere woman, actually dared to go to a brothel. Did you read "Female Virtue" and "Female Training" and then you got into a dog's stomach?"

"How dare you harm your cousin while I'm away? Your crime is even more serious!"

Lin Yangyang jumped out first. She put her hands on her hips and pointed at Lin Jiusi's nose and cursed: "Lin Jiusi, how dare you turn the tables? If Zhiqing hadn't arranged it in advance, we would all have been in jail long ago."

"How dare you say that Zhiqing beat you? It's fine that you bought your own property outside, but you used the money from the Lin family's public treasury. How can you be so shameless?"

She spoke without restraint, and her words were completely inclusive of her second grandfather's curse.

Lin Jiusi wanted to refute, but everything Lin Yangyang said was right. He had no way to argue and was speechless for a moment.

"Yangyang! Even you want to blame us, the grandparents and grandchildren?" The second grandfather looked at Lin Yangyang with disappointment in his eyes.

Of course, this is just a disguise.

Lin Zhiqing noticed at a glance that the corners of Second Grandpa's mouth were drooping and his eyes were widening, looking more like a question than disappointment.

But Lin Yangyang couldn't hear it. She snorted coldly and turned her head away: "I'm telling the truth."

Lin Congli couldn't help but speak up: "Second Uncle, we all know that Zhiqing went to the brothel. If she hadn't sent the news back in advance and helped Lin Jiusi escape, you might have rushed back to see a corpse today."

Although Second Grandpa didn't know the inside story, when he heard the word "corpse", the corners of his mouth curled up and he revealed a cold smile:
"A corpse? Even if it's a corpse, at least I can see it with my own eyes. But what about Jiusi's father? I still can't find his remains!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Congli and Lin Congyan's expressions changed instantly.

Lin Zhiqing and others were confused.

All that was on Second Grandfather's mind was brought back to him. He looked at Lin Zhiqing with hatred and extreme restraint in his eyes: "I've lived most of my life, and your father killed my son. Now you want to harm my only grandson?"

Hearing this, Lin Yangyang was also confused: "Second Grandpa, what are you talking about?"

"Yangyang!" Lin Congli stopped Lin Yangyang and looked at his second grandfather. His voice became calmer. "Second uncle, my second brother's death on the battlefield was just an accident. No one expected that such a thing would happen."

Hearing this, Lin Zhiqing remembered.

Aunt Mu told her that her second uncle died young and died on the battlefield.

But what does this have to do with her, and what does this have to do with her father?
"Accident?" Second Grandpa's tone was filled with mockery. "Lin Congrong was the commander-in-chief. If he wasn't incompetent, would my son have died alone on the frontier?"

Lin Zhiqing raised his eyebrows. Is there such a past event?

No wonder my second grandfather never sees me. He always sets a trap for me whenever he gets the chance.

But who can predict what happens on the battlefield? Such an accusation is a bit far-fetched.

Before Lin Zhiqing could say anything, Lin Congli spoke up, "Third brother is indeed the commander-in-chief, but the battlefield is ever-changing. If he could always escape unscathed, how could so many soldiers have died?" Second Grandfather shouted coldly, as if he had seen through everyone. He didn't respond, but turned his head away and said, "If my son were still alive, he would never allow you to bully us, our grandparents. Haven't I done enough for the Lin family over the years?"

After hearing this, Lin Congli was speechless.

Lin Zhiqing frowned. Second Grandfather knew in his heart that it was wrong to blame others for his son's death.

But he was unwilling to face this reality and could only transfer this pain into hatred.

This is an act of escape. Lin Zhiqing understands his pain of losing his loved one, but cannot accept that he blames everything on others.

"Second Grandpa, what have you done for the Lin family over the years?" Lin Zhiqing spoke slowly.

Second Grandpa was stunned, as if he didn't expect Lin Zhiqing to ask this.

Lin Jiusi couldn't hold back any longer: "Since the old marquis' generation, the Lin family has been training the old marquis with all their strength, but my grandfather could only learn business and couldn't pursue a career in politics."

"The Lin family is a mess to begin with. My grandfather inherited this mess for over forty years. Do you think it's your turn to criticize it?"

"If it weren't for those old ancestors' partiality, how could my grandfather and I have to endure the contempt of others while doing business, while you are living a life of luxury, just being idle young masters and young ladies of official families."

There was a strong sense of unwillingness in his tone, and there was a strong hatred in his eyes.

It was obvious that Second Grandpa had told him those things many times before.

"Biased?" Lin Zhiqing shook his head. "As far as I know, the reason Second Grandfather couldn't pursue a career in government is because you weren't as gifted in martial arts as my grandfather."

"Secondly, the Lin family does not restrict the younger generation from studying literature. Fourth Uncle became a civil servant."

"But you, Second Grandpa, don't seem to have any intention of pursuing this path. Instead, you've plunged headfirst into business."

"Indeed, you have been making money to keep the Lin family running these years, but I have checked the accounts. Apart from the things that were confiscated from my father, the old marquis has earned a lot of military merits and rewards for the Lin family."

"I've already checked all of these rewards. Aside from the royal gifts, which can't be bought or sold at will, the rest are long gone."

Hearing this, Second Grandpa's pupils tightened and his body leaned back slightly. It was obvious that he did not expect Lin Zhiqing to dig up these old accounts.

Lin Congli raised his eyes and widened his left eye, obviously a little surprised.

Lin Congyan, who had been silent until now, took a half step back and his expression could not be seen.

Only Lin Jiusi still couldn't see the situation clearly: "That money was originally used to support the basic operation of the Lin family. If we don't sell those things, how can we support so many people in the Lin family?"

Lin Yangyang couldn't bear to listen any longer. She rushed forward and threw an account book at Lin Jiusi: "Look for yourself, if it's for the Lin family, why are those things only coming in and not going out?"

"You two have several farms and shops under your names. I won't even mention Qianjin Pavilion, but you've even withheld Sister Qing's monthly allowance. Are you really that short of that one ounce of silver?"

When mentioning this, Second Grandfather's eyes flickered: "When have I ever embezzled..."

Halfway through his words, he seemed to remember something and snatched the account book from Lin Jiusi's hand and started to look at it.

He looked through it for a long time and found that every account over the years had been calculated clearly. He was speechless.

Lin Jiusi opened his mouth, thinking about how all the money that Lin Zhiqing had withheld over the years had gone into his own pocket, and his grandfather was unaware of it, he stiffened his neck and started yelling:
"If it weren't for his father, would the Lin family be so stingy? Her money should be considered as paying off her father's debts!"