“Yuzhen, get up quickly!”
Liu Qingyan stepped forward to help Xiao Yuzhen. “Stand up and talk. What exactly happened?”
Xiao Yuzhen glanced at Lu Zheng with some fear, not daring to rise.
“Get up and speak,” Lu Zheng said, frowning. “What’s wrong with Lin Zhidong?”
“Uh…”
Xiao Yuzhen was at a loss for words, thinking to herself that Lu Zheng had dealt with Lin Zhidong, yet he was asking them what happened.
At that moment, Lin Zhijing, who bore a striking resemblance to Lin Zhidong, stepped forward and bowed deeply to Lu Zheng. “Lin Zhijing greets Young Master Lu.”
“Mm, hello,” Lu Zheng nodded. “Tell me, what’s going on?”
Lin Zhijing looked up, giving Lu Zheng a deep glance before speaking. “After last night, Zhidong suddenly became listless, his face turned dark and ashen, and he was weak and powerless. We asked Miss Xiao and learned about yesterday’s events, which shocked us deeply. The Lin family acknowledges that Zhidong’s words were rude and offended Young Master Lu. We only ask that you, in your magnanimity, forgive his first offence, as he meant no harm. We promise he won’t dare to do it again. The Lin family is willing to host a banquet to apologise and maintain friendly relations with the Huangfu family, treating you as an honoured guest. We ask that you, in your generosity, lift the spell.”
…
Lin Zhidong had fallen ill overnight, and since he had only had a verbal conflict with Lu Zheng the previous day, the Lin family could only conclude that Lu Zheng was responsible.
After determining that Lu Zheng had cast a spell on Lin Zhidong, the Lin family had several options. After all, the Jing Dynasty was currently peaceful and prosperous, not a time of chaos. Committing crimes openly was no small matter under the *Jing Legal Code*, and even for those with special abilities, the Bureau of Anomaly Suppression loomed as a sharp sword over their heads.
The Lin family could have reported the matter to the county magistrate and notified the Yaozhou Bureau of Anomaly Suppression. This might not only save Lin Zhidong but could also lead to the arrest of Lu Zheng for harming him. Even if the Bureau only apprehended Lu Zheng and didn’t handle Lin Zhidong’s treatment, the Lin family, with its wealth and influence, could afford to hire monks, Taoists, or wandering practitioners in Yaozhou to treat him. After all, how powerful could a young man like Lu Zheng be?
However, the Lin family chose none of these paths. Instead, they brought gifts to reconcile with Lu Zheng.
In their view, the conflict between Lin Zhidong and Lu Zheng was minor, and Lu Zheng hadn’t directly cursed Lin Zhidong to death. Moreover, Lu Zheng had subtly revealed his identity as a practitioner the previous night. This was clearly an invitation for the Lin family to come and apologise.
Otherwise, if Lu Zheng had hidden his abilities and cast a deadly spell on Lin Zhidong, the Lin family would have been completely blindsided.
Thus, after concluding that reconciliation with Lu Zheng was possible, the Lin family promptly prepared high-quality silk, fine wine, medicinal herbs, and other gifts. Lin Zhijing, carrying promissory notes, brought Xiao Yuzhen to the Huangfu estate to apologise in person.
After all, hiring someone to treat Lin Zhidong would also cost money. Since Lin Zhidong wasn’t dead, this wasn’t a capital case. If they reported it to the authorities, they wouldn’t be able to bring Lu Zheng to justice and would instead make him a mortal enemy.
By any calculation, apologising and reconciling with Lu Zheng was the better option.
…
However, Lu Zheng was genuinely baffled.
Didn’t he know whether he had done anything to Lin Zhidong? Clearly, he hadn’t. Yet the Lin family spoke with such certainty. If they weren’t lying, it was either a coincidence or someone was framing him.
The Huangfu family, unsure of Lu Zheng’s temperament, didn’t dare speak. Liu Qingyan’s family, however, knew him well.
Before Lu Zheng could respond, Liu Qingyan declared firmly, “Lu Lang would never do such a thing.”
Xiao Yuzhen didn’t dare speak.
Lin Zhijing looked at Lu Zheng, not missing a single expression.
Could it be that he had been too ostentatious? Perhaps this man maintained a positive image in front of Liu Qingyan?
Lu Zheng shook his head, amused by Lin Zhijing’s expression.
“Stop guessing. First, let me make it clear: I didn’t cast any curse on Lin Zhidong. If I have a grudge, I settle it face-to-face.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Lin Zhijing nodded repeatedly.
Lu Zheng pursed his lips.
Liu Qingyan, meanwhile, carefully questioned Xiao Yuzhen and learned about Lin Zhidong’s symptoms that morning.
“Lu Lang?”
“Hm?”
“From Yuzhen’s description, it seems Lin Zhidong’s vitality and yang energy have been drained. Could it be some malevolent entity at work?”
“Is that so?” Lu Zheng rubbed his chin. “But I didn’t sense anything strange about him yesterday.”
“Why don’t we go take a look?” Liu Qingyan suggested.
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow. “What, you want to go treat him?”
Liu Qingyan smiled. “We can’t let the Lin family keep wrongly accusing you, can we?”
She could tell the Lin family was convinced Lu Zheng was responsible.
Lu Zheng scoffed. “Hmph, they’d need the ability to accuse me first.”
Liu Qingyan smiled faintly, stepping forward to hold Lu Zheng’s hand. “Lin Zhidong’s offence doesn’t warrant death, and he’s the husband of my old neighbour. Besides, if there’s truly a malevolent entity at play, wouldn’t our conflict here just amuse whoever’s behind it?”
Lu Zheng blinked. Liu Qingyan had a point.
“In that case…” Lu Zheng ordered, “Bring all the gifts to the estate. Consider it payment for the consultation.”
Yesterday’s verbal clash and today’s false accusations warranted some compensation to soothe his irritation.
“Yes!” Lin Zhijing’s eyes lit up. He responded immediately, gesturing for his men to bring the wooden boxes and bamboo baskets into the courtyard.
Whether or not Lu Zheng was responsible, accepting the gifts meant the feud with the Lin family was over. Moreover, from their words, it seemed they were willing to treat Lin Zhidong.
Lin Zhijing didn’t believe in any malevolent entity, but an excuse was an excuse. As long as the matter was resolved, that was enough.
“I’ll go with Lu Lang,” Huangfu Ning stepped forward.
Lu Zheng had previously saved the Huangfu family and resolved the human-faced fox incident. Now that trouble had arisen, the Huangfu family, as hosts, naturally had to contribute.
“Cousin, come along,” Liu Qingyan nodded in agreement, then said to Lu Zheng, “Cousin knows Wanfu County well. If anything comes up, it’ll be convenient to have him handle it.”
“Fine.”
Lu Zheng had no objections and turned to Lin Zhijing. “Let’s go to the Lin residence. I want to see what’s going on.”
…
Old Huang drove the carriage carrying Lu Zheng, Liu Qingyan, and Huangfu Ning, while another Lin family carriage led the way.
Moments later, they arrived at the Lin residence in the northern part of the city.
Lu Zheng stepped out, looking around and noting to himself that it was indeed a grand estate, occupying a vast area.
As Lin Zhidong was only the second son of the Lin family, with no inheritance rights, it made sense that he had married Xiao Yuzhen, the daughter of a modestly wealthy family.
Lin Zhijing sent someone to inform the head of the household, then led Lu Zheng and the others to the courtyard where Lin Zhidong was.
Upon entering, Lu Zheng noticed two maids attending to Lin Zhidong, along with a weary-looking woman in her thirties.
“Second Mother,” Lin Zhijing bowed respectfully.
“You’re back, Zhijing. These are…” The woman’s eyes flickered upon seeing Lu Zheng and the others, and she quickly curtsied. “This concubine greets the young master.”
“Rise,” Lu Zheng waved a hand, a cloud of mist lifting the woman. He then walked with Liu Qingyan toward Lin Zhidong’s bedside.
Lin Zhijing gave the woman a meaningful glance. Though she didn’t fully understand, she stepped aside upon seeing Lu Zheng’s direction.
Lu Zheng leaned in and saw Lin Zhidong under the brocade quilt, eyes closed, face dark and ashen, breathing shallow and weak.
Most importantly…
Lu Zheng caught a faint stench.
