After transmigrating into the body of a stepmother, I led the villains in a rebellion.

Jiang Mubai's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden noise. He lifted the carriage curtain in displeasure and glared at the servant beside him.

"Are you blockheaded? Don't you know you can ask someone for directions?"

The servant looked aggrieved but dared not utter a sound.

Seeing his aggrieved expression, Jiang Mubai sighed helplessly.

He straightened his clothes, lifted the curtain, and got off the carriage.

"Never mind, I'll go ask myself."

As he spoke, he stood up and looked toward an old farmer working in the field not far away.

Seeing his elegant clothes and outstanding demeanor, the old farmer couldn't help but feel a little curious.

"Excuse me, sir, do you know where Dr. Lin Shulin lives?" Jiang Mubai asked with a friendly smile and a polite tone.

The old farmer scrutinized him closely, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

He pointed to a house deepest in Qijia Village, "Lin Shu's house. She lives at the east end of the village, in those small courtyards surrounded by bamboo fences near the river."

"Thank you, sir," Jiang Mubai said, then turned to his servant and instructed, "Drive there."

After watching them leave, the old farmer hurriedly picked up his bamboo basket and left the field ridge.

He was secretly delighted; if a man came looking for Lin Shu, it must be her lover.

This person was none other than Qian Lifeng's father, Qian Zheng.

He was still resentful about his son being framed by Lin Shu for having an affair with Ren Bilian, and he thought about taking revenge on Lin Shu every day.

He was particularly distressed to see Ren Bilian suffer repeated setbacks at Lin Shu's hands, as he had no opportunity to do so.

Now that the opportunity has come, how could he miss it?

Jiang Mubai, accompanied by his servant, hurried toward the Lu family's courtyard, following the old farmer's directions.

When they arrived at the Lu family's courtyard, they could see a child squatting at the entrance from afar.

When Lu Zijing saw the unfamiliar carriage stop in front of her house, she stared warily at the people getting off the carriage.

Jiang Mubai was surprised to see a sharp-eyed child as soon as he got off the carriage.

He paused for a moment, then asked gently, "Excuse me, is this Dr. Lin Shulin's home?"

"Dr. Lin?" Lu Zijing thought for a moment. Although she didn't know when her mother had acquired this title, the name was indeed her mother's.

"What business do you have with my mother?"

While busy in the courtyard, Ji suddenly caught the sound of a strange man outside the gate and groped her way out.

"Ah Jin, who has come to visit?" Ji asked.

“Grandma, I don’t know them, but they said they’re looking for Mother,” Lu Zijin replied.

Looking at the Ji family member walking out the door, Jiang Mubai was secretly surprised, never expecting that Lin Shu had such a complicated background.

He quickly explained his purpose, "My name is Jiang Mubai, and I have come to pay my respects to Doctor Lin Shu."

“A few days ago in town, she helped a kind person, and I came here to express my gratitude.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Ji finally felt relieved. It turned out that her daughter-in-law had come to thank her. She secretly blamed herself for overthinking.

"So it's Young Master Jiang. I'm sorry for not greeting you sooner. I'm Lin Shu's mother-in-law. She's out selling things right now."

"If you are not in a hurry, you may wait at my place. She should be back soon."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mubai's face lit up with joy.

He wasn't in a hurry, of course. After all, he needed someone's help, so he had to make a good impression first.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you, Madam. Thank you for your hospitality," Jiang Mubai said.

Ji Shi stepped aside and instructed Lu Zijing to lead Jiang Mubai into the courtyard to rest.

Aside from the milk tea left by Lin Shu, there were no other snacks or drinks at home.

Although Ji was blind, she could sense the extraordinary nature of this visitor.

In order not to neglect Lin Shu's guests, she asked Lu Zijin to serve them milk tea.

When Jiang Mubai saw the colorful and fragrant milk tea that Lu Zijing had placed in front of him, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

He pointed curiously at the milk tea in the bowl and asked, "Little friend, can you tell me what this is?"

"This is milk tea made by my mother, it's so delicious!" Lu Zijing said with pride when she mentioned Lin Shu.

After receiving the reply, Jiang Mubai couldn't wait to pick up the milk tea and take a small sip.

The rich aroma of milk and the fresh scent of fruit intertwined, creating a delicious flavor he had never tasted before.

Unable to resist the temptation, he immediately took a big sip of the milk tea. Seeing this, the servant next to him also picked up his milk tea and drank it, his enjoyment exactly like Jiang Mubai's.

Having tasted the milk tea, Jiang Mubai immediately decided that he would definitely have to get a free meal here today, no matter what.

Lin Shu came to Qingsong Academy today with a try-it-out attitude, so he didn't prepare much milk tea.

After the milk tea sold out, she left the town with Lu Junheng.

This trip was merely a reconnaissance mission. Their objective has been achieved, and now they only need to wait for the right moment to vindicate Lu Junheng.

However, Lu Junheng harbored doubts from beginning to end.

He didn't understand his mother's actions today.

His father had taught him that when doing something, you either don't do it at all, or you hit the mark decisively.

But his mother's actions today were more like stirring up trouble, which would undoubtedly alert Zhao Xinyuan and make him more vigilant.

Once he is on guard, it will be more difficult for him to act in the future.

Seeing that Lu Junheng seemed hesitant to speak, Lin Shu stopped and asked first, "What are you thinking about?"

“Our son is thinking about Zhao Xinyuan. If we remind him like this today, he will definitely be more vigilant. If he wants to take any action in the future, it will probably be even more difficult.” After spending this time together, Lu Junheng knew that he could not hide it from Lin Shu.

Moreover, Lin Shu didn't like being deceived, so he voiced his concerns.

Lin Shu understood his concerns, gave him a deep look, and asked in a calm tone, "Aheng, besides us and the people in the village, who else knows your name?"

Lu Junheng didn't know why she asked that, but he still honestly shook his head, "No."

“That’s right. If we expose him now, he will definitely find people from the village to testify for him.”

"The villagers have always believed that he can become the top scholar in the imperial examination and is a pillar of the future. Which side do you think they will side with?"

Lin Shu's words made Lu Junheng suddenly realize the truth.

He immediately understood Lin Shu's intention; if that were the case, the villagers certainly wouldn't testify for him.

At that time, not only would he be unable to clear his name, but he would also face Zhao Xinyuan's counterattack and be eventually driven out of the village.

Seeing Lu Junheng's solemn expression, Lin Shu knew that he was taking the matter very seriously.

He gently rubbed his head and soothed him softly, "Their decisions won't affect us. What I'm really worried about is that if things get out of hand, your father's whereabouts will be exposed, which will definitely attract his enemies. That's the real danger for us."

“As a link between the academy and the imperial court, any small clue could attract the court’s close attention.”

"Therefore, we must proceed with caution, gradually breaking down Zhao Xinyuan's psychological defenses to expose his weaknesses, and then delivering a fatal blow."