Chapter 112: Chapter 112: The Prime Minister Steps In
Housekeeper Lin was even more surprised than the Prime Minister.
How could the always well-mannered and discreet First Madam have gotten into a fight with the Second Madam?
Upon recalling that the location was Yuxin Hall, he immediately understood.
It must be related to Third Young Master!
"Prime Minister, Yuxin Hall is where the Third Young Master studies. Now that both Madams have started fighting, could it be that something happened with the Third Young Master?"
Housekeeper Lin had once received kindness from First Madam Dong, so he said a word on her behalf.
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Lin realized that the issue arose in his grandson’s territory.
Thinking it over, he furrowed his brow and strode rapidly towards Yuxin Hall with an indignant expression.
Only after everyone kneeling there had left did the maidservants wipe the cold sweat from their foreheads.
"Oh no, the Old Madam still doesn’t know about this!"
So they hurried to Ronghe Hall to report the matter!
Outside Yuxin Hall, before the Prime Minister and Housekeeper Lin reached the door, they could hear the sounds coming from inside.
It was simply intolerable to hear.
The old women were cursing in a way that was unbearably unpleasant.
Coupled with the sounds of fighting, it made Prime Minister Lin even more furious.
If outsiders found out about this, wouldn’t he be handing them a handle against him!
When they reached the door and saw the scene, he was even more infuriated.
He immediately roared.
"Everyone, stop now!"
This shout from the Prime Minister finally gave those pulling at each other’s hair and clothes a reason to stop.
Though the inner residence was under the Commandery Princess Rongkang’s jurisdiction,
the Master is the Master, who has the authority to punish or pardon them.
They naturally dared not disobey.
Second Madam Wang, upon hearing Prime Minister Lin’s voice, was like a parched person seeing a well.
She frantically tried to rush over for rescue, but First Madam pulled her hair hard.
Jewelry scattered everywhere, and a piece of her scalp was even torn off.
She cried out in pain.
"Father-in-law, save me! Father-in-law, save me!"
"What are you doing, First Madam?"
Seeing that he had arrived and that his eldest daughter-in-law still went for the kill, Prime Minister Lin immediately flared up.
He thought his presence would be enough to deter them, but he saw his usually gentle and timid daughter-in-law suddenly burst into laughter facing the sky.
She still refused to let go of Second Madam Wang’s hand.
Then, with a look of utter resolve, she immediately said.
"Heaven is watching. If they’re not going to give our house a way out, then let’s all go down together!"
With that, she started to cry.
The sight even took the court-savvy Prime Minister Lin aback.
He then softened his tone and said again.
"With me here, how can there be no way out for your household? First Madam, you let go and explain today’s events one by one. If you have reason on your side, I will naturally stand by you!"
"Stand by me?"
First Madam Dong let out a bitter laugh.
They had been bullied in the inner residence for over twenty years, and the future of her three children had been firmly suppressed by Ronghe Hall and the West Wing.
She had never seen this father-in-law stand by them before.
How could Dong believe it now!
Just as she was about to retort, she saw Nanny Dong holding Lin Muzhi’s body, suddenly shouting.
"Third Young Master, Third Young Master..."
At this shout, everyone’s attention turned towards Lin Muzhi.
Only to see a deep cut on his still young face, with blood flowing out from his hair, soaking most of his face in red.
He was in a completely unconscious state.
Prime Minister Lin furrowed his brow, breathed heavily, and immediately walked over.
"What happened?"
"Second Madam accused our Third Young Master of stealing a Hu Bi without evidence and wanted to invoke family law directly. First Madam exposed the treachery of a wicked servant and was about to report it to the authorities for investigation when Nanny Wang, that wretched woman, hit Third Young Master on the head with a plank, knocking him unconscious."
With that, she pulled out the hand that had been protecting his nape.
Her hand was covered in bloodstains of various depths, shocking Prime Minister Lin.
The back of the head is the most vulnerable part, and such relentless bleeding suggests... he might not make it.
Seeing this grandson, whom he wasn’t very familiar with, on the brink of life and death,
Prime Minister Lin could no longer be concerned with anything else.
He immediately ordered.
"Quickly get the Imperial Physician, and fetch the Centennial Ginseng from the house for Mu Zhi to hold in his mouth."
Then he looked around at the mess.
His eyes filled with hidden anger, but he coolly instructed.
"Confine First Madam and Second Madam to their respective courtyards. If anyone is injured, have the household doctor attend to them. As for the servants who caused today’s trouble, every single one of them must be tied up and locked in the woodshed to await punishment!"
"Yes!"
The Prime Minister’s orders were followed without question by the household staff.
Seeing that everyone had lost the fighting spirit they had just now, Nanny Dong showed her mettle.
She knelt before the Prime Minister and said.
"I, the servant, am deeply aware of my sins. It was I who killed Nanny Wang. I am willing to trade my life for hers, but I beg the Prime Minister to spare me for two days. All the servants from the East Cross Courtyard are here. If we’re all bound, First Madam won’t even have someone to serve tea or water, let alone recover from her injuries."
"There are plenty of servants in the residence. I can assign a few to her."
Nanny Dong let out a mocking smile and then, with no fear, directly faced Prime Minister Lin and said.
"If it’s other servants attending to her, I’m afraid within three days, First Madam will die suddenly. By then, how will the Prime Minister uncover the truth and restore the First House’s innocence?"
She spoke with righteous conviction.
Prime Minister Lin hadn’t expected a mere servant to speak so frankly.
Aside from her aggressive demeanor, she was indeed a loyal servant.
So, after taking a breath, he said.
"You are truly loyal. I grant your request."
"Thank you, Prime Minister!"
Then the servants brought a stretcher to carry the unconscious Lin Muzhi back to the East Cross Courtyard.
Nanny Dong supported First Madam Dong as they returned together.
As they left, both had a look of determination on their faces.
They fiercely glared at Second Madam Wang.
She, having been beaten into submission, sobbed softly, not daring to speak further.
When the news reached Ronghe Hall, Princess Rongkang’s face was ashen.
"The Second House is truly foolish. Despite me advising her not to stir up trouble at this juncture, she still landed in the Prime Minister’s hands. She is utterly useless!"
Though her words were harsh, she was packing up to leave as she spoke.
She headed towards Yuxin Hall.
Her eyes were filled with anger and a desire for retaliation after being provoked.
Unfortunately, before she even reached Yuxin Hall, she saw Prime Minister Lin returning, having already dealt with the situation.
His face was stern, and he looked at Princess Rongkang without a trace of emotion.
She had never seen him like this before.
Princess Rongkang felt a pang of anxiety in her heart.
This doesn’t bode well. From the looks of it, the situation is dire.
So she hurriedly approached and asked.
"Prime Minister, I just heard the news and was on my way over. What on earth happened?"
Having been married to Prime Minister Lin for nearly forty years, Princess Rongkang had no airs of a commandery princess with this husband she fell for at first sight.