Reborn as a concubine's daughter and entering a noble family: Xie Lang, don't be too seduc

After relaying Madam Xie's message, Li's mother did not rush to leave.

She stood there in the doorway, her eyes fixed on Hawthorne.

Even though Hawthorne was sitting with his back to her, he could still feel her intense gaze, like a thorn in his back.

It seems that Madam Li intends to carry out Madam Xie's "judgment," waiting only for Li Lang to leave before immediately taking her to the ancestral hall for punishment...

Hawthorne knew that time was running out.

Li's mother was not particularly clever, but she was extremely loyal to Madam Xie and would never give her a chance to verify anything.

Then we have no choice but to take the risk.

Xie Shu and Li Lang had already changed the subject, as if nothing had happened the night before, and chatted about trivial matters in the court. Li Lang asked Xie Shu for his opinion on several newly promoted civil officials, and Xie Shu exchanged polite greetings, revealing no underlying stance.

It seems that Xie Shu is still wary of Li Lang.

"...So, young master, you think that Lord Song is not bad?" Li Lang said.

The "Lord Song" they were referring to was Song Huai-ren, the newly appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

This man was over thirty years old, yet he was merely a newly appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Hawthorne had overheard others in the palace discussing that this Lord Song was upright and honest, and had already achieved the rank of Tan Hua (third-place scholar in the imperial examinations) more than ten years ago, serving in the Ministry of Justice. He was also highly regarded by his superior, Minister of Justice Li, who had betrothed his youngest daughter to him.

Unexpectedly, during a criminal case, he uncovered clues that implicated his father-in-law's superior.

Despite his wife's pleas and entreaties, he remained resolute, and so...

He mentioned his father-in-law—

They were impeached.

Minister Li was thus convicted, but His Majesty, out of consideration for his advanced age and the many merits he had rendered in office over the years, and having investigated and clarified many cases, only sentenced him to exile...

Just when everyone thought the matter was over, this upright and incorruptible Lord Song impeached himself, writing to His Majesty to explain his relationship with Lord Li and demanding that His Majesty punish him no matter what, saying that only in this way could the official conduct be rectified and those officials in the court who harbored侥幸心理 (a sense of侥幸, or a belief that one can get away with something) be made more cautious.

His Majesty pardoned him for a time and then ignored him.

This man, however, repeatedly submitted memorials to the emperor, pleading guilty, for half a month...

His Majesty had no choice but to grant his request and reduce his punishment. He was dismissed from his post in the Ministry of Justice and demoted to a county magistrate in a remote area.

He then packed his bags, satisfied, and left.

Many years passed, and no one dared to speak well of him in court. Only by remaining in that remote place could the officials in the court feel at ease. Who would dare to associate with someone who could even impeach his own father-in-law?

Despite possessing unwavering loyalty, incorruptibility, and exceptional talent, he was demoted to a small county town and served as a county magistrate for many years due to his lack of understanding of court politics.

Recently, the Ministry of Justice has been short-staffed, and there are countless unsolved cases of injustice piled up in the capital. His Majesty then remembered Song Huai-ren, who had been demoted, and summoned him back to the Ministry of Justice as Vice Minister.

During the meal, Li Lang seemingly casually asked Xie Shu for his opinion on this person.

Hawthorne kept his head down, but he vaguely sensed that there was an ulterior motive.

"That's not the case. I've only heard about Lord Song's deeds and I'm quite curious about him," Xie Shu said calmly. "I haven't had the chance to meet Lord Song yet."

"That's easy to discuss..." Li Lang seemed inclined to mediate, concealing the unpleasantness from before and not letting it affect his business in the slightest.

While he was speaking, Hawthorne suddenly raised her hand, picked up a leaf of vegetable, and placed it in Xie Lin's bowl...

The moment she raised her hand, the bracelet on her wrist was revealed.

Li Langyuan looked like he was about to say something, but he fell silent when he inadvertently glanced at the bracelet on Huo Sanghua's wrist.

His expression was extremely unnatural. He hurriedly avoided eye contact, and a strange look appeared on his face. He seemed very uneasy.

As expected...

Hawthorne knew that this bracelet was no ordinary item.

If Li Lang had only considered it a gift of affection, he should not have reacted this way upon seeing the bracelet.

He clearly knew there was something wrong with the bracelet, which is why he looked so guilty and uneasy.

Xie Lin, who had been focused on eating and hadn't paid much attention to the conversation between Li Lang and Xie Shu, was suddenly drawn to a piece of vegetable leaf in his bowl and stopped wolfing down his food.

His gaze shifted, following Hawthorne's retracted hand, and he looked over there.

"...You should eat vegetables," Hawthorne reminded him in a low voice, seemingly innocent.

Xie Lin looked down at the vegetable leaves in his bowl, frowned, glanced at Huo Sanghua... ...and forced himself to eat them. Then he looked up at the plate of braised pork with wine in front of Huo Sanghua, giving him frequent winks.

Understanding his meaning, Huo Sanghua gritted her teeth, suppressing her dissatisfaction, and placed a piece of roasted pork into Xie Lin's bowl. "...Eat."

Xie Lin's hunched expression immediately relaxed, and he looked much happier as he stuffed the food into his mouth.

They ate with such relish!

Xie Shu said, "Ah Lin has always liked eating meat since she was little, and she especially doesn't like vegetables. You'll get used to it gradually."

Upon hearing Xie Shu's explanation, Huo Sanghua looked up, but just missed the moment when their eyes met. Xie Shu had already looked away from her a moment before, and her words were devoid of any emotion as she processed the mixed feelings in her heart alone.

Deep in his eyes, there was a hint of disappointment that was barely perceptible.

“...Yes.” Hawthorne replied cautiously.

No wonder Xie Lin reacted that way when I put vegetables on his plate earlier.

As soon as the meal ended, Li's mother suggested that they should go home...

Hawthorne naturally knew what it meant.

Xie Lin lingered in front of his brother, hoping that Xie Shu's protection would delay Li Mama from locking Huo Sanghua up again. "...Brother, this place is much more comfortable than my courtyard. Let us stay a little longer."

"You're already married and you're still acting like this. What kind of behavior is this for your wife to see?" Xie Shu scolded.

He glanced at Xie Lin, who was constantly winking at him and pleading for his help, then looked at Huo Sanghua standing behind him...

Li's mother stared intently at Huo Sanghua.

Anyone can tell what it means at a glance.

"Go back," Xie Shu said, refusing his plea and turning her back to him.

Mrs. Li immediately revealed a smug, mocking smile. "Please."

Hawthorne understood that Xie Shu knew everything, but... refused to help.

She reached out and tugged at Xie Lin, who was about to say something, then turned around and followed Li Mama out the door, with the two maids Li Mama brought following closely behind.

It really looked like they were being escorted away!

"Brother!" Xie Lin cried out anxiously, looking at Huo Sanghua who had already left without waiting for his plea. "Brother, please help her... Look at her small frame, if she's locked up in the ancestral hall, she won't be able to stand it for even one night! Maybe... she'll be tortured to death by Mother's men!"

Xie Shu had a faint bulge on her cheek, and with her back to Xie Lin, she closed her eyes.

“Ah Lin… Sang Hua is your wife now. You should find a way to protect her with your own abilities. If I'm not here, are you just going to watch her be taken away? Besides… her affairs…”

Indeed, the matter has not been fully investigated.

There must be something between her and Li Lang, otherwise, why would Li Lang have shown that kind of expression when he saw the bracelet on her wrist at the banquet just now?

"You! I..." Xie Lin was stumped. "Sigh! Never mind, if you won't go, I will."