Lin Zhiqing stood tall and straight, frowning slightly: "Dare I ask, Uncle, Second Granduncle, did I do something wrong?"
The two of them were stunned simultaneously. If it came to actual wrongdoings, then of course, there were none.
Seeing that the two were stumped, Lin Zhiqing changed the subject and asked another question: "Uncle, could it be that I didn't follow the rules?"
As she said this, she stared intently at Lin Congli's face, so she didn't miss his slightly parted lips and his eyes flickering left and right.
He was pondering the question Lin Zhiqing had raised. It was clear that Lin Zhiqing had neither done anything wrong nor failed to follow the rules.
"Why are you so stubborn, child? Your uncle is doing this for your own good. If you willingly accept the punishment, I can even put in a good word for you." The second granduncle's brows furrowed deeply, as if he were truly worried about Lin Zhiqing.
But he couldn't hide the subtle expressions on his face.
His brows were raised, the right corner of his mouth slightly upturned, and his body unconsciously leaned back in his chair.
These actions all indicated that he was very confident, feeling that he could control everything.
"Furthermore, speaking of rules, your words now often clash with your elders, which is truly unbecoming of a young lady from a prestigious family." The second granduncle shook his head as he spoke, as if regretting not having raised Lin Zhiqing better.
Lin Congli's expression gradually became serious when he heard this:
"Indeed, attending a banquet without permission, this is the first mistake."
"Contradicting elders and not accepting punishment, this is the second mistake."
"Not knowing how to restrain yourself and damaging the Lin family's reputation, this is the third mistake."
"Someone, take her away!" Lin Congli did not wish to say more and immediately gave the order.
Lin Zhiqing secretly clenched her fists, clearly not intending to comply obediently.
Just as the maid and matron's hands were about to touch Lin Zhiqing, Lin Shian knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Uncle, you don't know, Zhiqing did not ruin the Lin family's reputation..."
"Master, someone from the Scholar's Mansion is here!" Before Lin Shian could finish speaking, a young servant rushed forward, panting, to announce.
They're here... Lin Zhiqing's lips curved upwards.
Meanwhile, the others exchanged glances, none of them as relaxed as Lin Zhiqing.
"Congli, the Grand Scholar is a rigid man. Could it be that Zhiqing offended him and he's come to demand an explanation?" The second granduncle had a worried look on his face.
"No, that won't happen..." Lin Shian stood up, intending to explain, but Lin Congli glared at him fiercely.
As he was about to leave, he glanced at Lin Zhiqing again: "I shouldn't have agreed to let you enter and exit the Lin family freely. If the Scholar's Mansion comes to demand an explanation, you deal with it yourself!"
With that, he walked ahead first.
The second granduncle sighed and followed.
Lin Shian and Lin Zhiqing had almost no chance to speak.
Lin Congli had returned in a hurry, and Lin Zhiqing's actions at the spring banquet had not yet spread.
This could only mean one thing: someone received news of Lin Zhiqing going to the spring banquet and reported it to Lin Congli before fully investigating.
Lin Congli didn't believe Lin Zhiqing, nor did he think Lin Zhiqing was qualified to attend such a high-level banquet, so he wholeheartedly felt that she had disgraced the Lin family.
As for who this informant was, it was already very obvious.
Lin Zhiqing thought of the second granduncle's seemingly kind smile and found herself unable to smile.
At the same time, Lin Congli and the others rushed to the reception hall and met the matron from the Scholar's Mansion.
But before they could even speak, the matron gave a perfunctory bow and immediately asked Lin Congli:
"Lord Lin, may I ask if Miss Zhiqing has returned?"
Lin Congli's heart sank to the bottom. He felt certain that Lin Zhiqing must have done something foolish at the spring banquet.
Her identity was special. A single wrong word could plunge the Lin family into irretrievable ruin.
Otherwise, the matron would certainly not be so urgent.
Thinking of this, he took a deep breath: "Zhiqing is young and not meticulous enough in her actions. If she said anything she shouldn't have, I beg the matron to be lenient."
"She can't come today. I have already..."
Before Lin Congli could finish speaking, he heard footsteps.
"Matron, I returned about a quarter of an hour ago, but I feel a little unwell." Lin Zhiqing said with a beaming smile as she pushed aside the bead curtain:
"Uncle toiled day and night, and rushed back to receive you on my behalf as soon as he returned home. It seems I have been negligent."
"No bother, no bother. Why are you feeling unwell? Did you catch a cold?" The matron asked with a concerned expression.
Lin Zhiqing's words quickly turned Lin Congli's narrative around.
Lin Congli also realized at this moment that something was amiss. Why did the matron's words not contain a single hint of blame, and why did she even show so much concern for Lin Zhiqing?
The Lin family had produced a traitor. Except for Zhenyuan Hou Jiang's family, the great scholar Lu's family, and a few other families, no one dared to associate with them.
The Grand Scholar disliked the Lin family particularly. The Scholar's Mansion and the Lin family had always kept to themselves, and today was the first time they had visited since the Lin family's decline.
Not to mention Lin Congli, the second granduncle was also a bit confused about the situation now.
Fortunately, after the matron exchanged a few pleasantries with Lin Zhiqing, she clapped her hands.
Then, two maids each holding a small box walked to Lin Zhiqing.
"Miss Zhiqing is quick-witted. This top prize's accessories are perfectly suited to the ruqun designed by Miss Zhiqing." The matron praised her perfunctorily, passing the head ornaments openly, leaving no room for error.
After that came the five hundred taels of silver.
Compared to the ruby head ornaments, Lin Zhiqing cared more about the silver.
It wasn't until Aunt Mu took both boxes that Lin Zhiqing felt considerably more cheerful.
"The plaque is outside the Lin family's main gate. Miss Zhiqing, would you like to go see it?" The matron's words carried a hint of a smile.
"No need. I have nothing to worry about when the Old Madam handles things." Lin Zhiqing subtly flattered her.
The matron was very pleased, and after a brief refusal, she happily left with the reward silver that Lin Zhiqing had prepared in advance.
Lin Congli and the second granduncle watched the matron's receding figure, stunned for a long time.
Lin Zhiqing looked at the incredulous expressions on their faces and sighed softly in her heart.
She suddenly realized she might have misunderstood something.
Was it truly a wise choice for the Lin family to be managed by her three elders?
They seemed to still be struggling in the shadow of the past, unable to escape. And precisely because of this, the entire Lin family was sinking deeper into the quagmire under their leadership.
Lin Zhiqing's name was also tied to this quagmire.
Even if she escaped the quagmire, it would be like pulling out a radish with mud still clinging to it; it wouldn't solve the problem at its root.
Lin Congli, the second granduncle, and the fourth uncle were like fully grown radishes. Their bodies and bones were completely stuck in the mud, and no matter how much force was used, they couldn't be pulled out.
Lin Zhiqing had originally intended to set things right after taking control of the Lin family, but today's incident made her realize that some ingrained stereotypes were deeply imprinted in their minds.
New leaves in the fragrant forest urge on new leaves, and flowing water pushes the waves ahead.
To break the deadlock, should she perhaps focus on the "fresh radishes" that were not yet fully mature and not completely enveloped by the mud?
Her gaze fell on Lin Shian, and her mind conjured the face of her cousin, Lin Yangyang.
To comprehend past mistakes and seize future opportunities.
In an instant, the idea of cultivating new forces took root in her mind.
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