Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Tidying up the Widow
But now, almost twenty years have passed, and he feels powerless about the family changes.
When his younger brother was sold into the palace, he was resentful too.
He resented how his father’s illness dragged down the family, causing his mother to work herself to death, and leaving him and his brother without a future.
He wished to leave soon, to go to the Underworld and apologize to his mother.
So in these years, he remained barely in touch.
But when he actually saw his father lingering on his sickbed, many childhood memories surged up.
If there was a choice, how would his father willingly remain paralyzed?
Living half-dead, burdening his family with suffering.
Sometimes people are like this, ground down by illness, without even the courage to die.
Enduring day by day like burning oil until the oil is exhausted and the lamp goes out.
This is exactly what happened to the old father of the Qin Family.
"Father is gone, and we brothers have nothing more to do with matters outside the palace, but Miss Cai must pay for her deeds! Why should she use up all the savings my mother left? Why should she sell my brother, and why be so cruel to my father?"
His consecutive questions were not meant for Lin Wanyi to answer, but were a heart-wrenching cry.
If he had a knife in his hand at this moment, and killing were legal, he would stab Miss Cai immediately to avenge his brother and father.
But he couldn’t.
No matter how well-respected a eunuch is in the palace, he has no standing outside it.
Qin An wasn’t planning to be a treacherous eunuch, so he naturally wouldn’t be in contact with court officials.
Even if he wanted to hire someone to kill, someone must make arrangements.
So, after much thought, he could only rely on Lin Wanyi.
Though the Dong Family is not a high-ranking family, dealing with a wicked outsider widow shouldn’t be difficult.
Therefore, Qin An kowtowed several times and then said,
"Please, young master, help this servant deal with Miss Cai! I will commit myself entirely and follow your orders loyally from here on!"
He had been in the palace for so many years and had not taken sides!
One reason was that taking no sides is the way to survive in the harem for a long time, and another was that he hadn’t found the right master.
But now, his trust in Lin Wanyi made him willing to take the risk.
Even if Lin Wanyi refused him today, he wasn’t afraid Lin Wanyi would turn around and reveal his request.
It spoke to an innate trust.
Lin Wanyi indeed possessed such capability.
Even the Emperor couldn’t avoid it, let alone a servant like him.
Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyi stood up and supported Qin An gently.
Then solemnly said,
"Rest assured, Mr. Qin, I will commission my grandfather to handle this for you. However, the Dong Family is not the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, and life-or-death power is not in their hands, but punishment should not escape the wicked, and if Miss Cai is truly as malicious as you say, her retribution will certainly come."
Lin Wanyi did not directly promise Qin An to kill Miss Cai.
It was her usual cautiousness.
It is inappropriate to hastily make a judgment to end a life without fully investigating the matter.
But once everything is clarified, whatever punishment the law dictates shall be enforced!
She also made this clear to Qin An.
Qin An nodded; however much he hated, he couldn’t allow the Dong Family to carry the reputation of hiring an assassin.
So, after a solemn kowtow again, he left.
As he walked away, he kept his head down.
He didn’t let anyone see the redness at the corner of his eyes and didn’t want to bring trouble to Lin Wanyi.
Xiao Luzi wanted to go up and say a few words to him, but unfortunately, he was stopped by a wave of the hand.
The younger brother living well, knowing nothing, is enough.
All other hardships, the elder brother would bear them himself.
Xiao Luzi patted his head, suspecting nothing.
Just mumbled a sentence.
"Mr. Qin’s temper isn’t too good these two days; it’s better not to go near him."
Having been by Qin An’s side for many years, he naturally knew when it was safe to approach and when it was better to stay away.
That night, Lin Wanyi, upon learning of these old stories, couldn’t sleep again.
The hardships of the world truly compete in tragedy.
Initially thought their main household was suffering enough.
But when compared below, at least they were free from want, accompanied by loving family members.
But as for the common people.
Selling sons and daughters is not uncommon; it ultimately stems from extreme poverty.
Otherwise, who would willingly part with their flesh and blood?
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but sigh deeply several times.
Xia An, guarding outside, heard this and quietly walked in.
He did not light a lamp, using the moonlight, softly asked.
"Is the young master still awake?"
"Mm."
"Is there something on your mind?"
Lin Wanyi seemed to think of something, immediately pulling Xia An to ask,
"Is everything well at your home?"
Asked so abruptly by Lin Wanyi, she was a bit dazed but still replied good-naturedly.
"Everything’s fine, all fine. Last time Second Madam visited the palace, she even specifically talked to me and Chunqi about family matters, asking us to take good care of the young master."
Having said this, she then laughed to herself.
"To be honest, being able to have the Dong Family as employer first, then the chance to serve by the young master’s side, is indeed a great blessing!"
Lin Wanyi was deeply touched, yet also felt, who really wants to be a servant from birth?
But she had no perfect solution at present, so she could only try her best to treat them better.
Thinking of this, she said.
"You should go rest, I’ll sleep too. There’s still more to handle tomorrow."
"Mm, the servant shall take leave."
After hearing Xia An fall asleep, even though Lin Wanyi continued to toss and turn sleeplessly, she said nothing.
Another night till dawn.
A brand new day.
After receiving Lin Wanyi’s letter, Old Master Dong’s expression was somewhat displeased.
Compared to other family members, he has seen much affliction among common folk.
So the incident of the Qin family’s stepmother selling a son didn’t find him too appalling.
Even when compelled, biological parents might resort to such actions, let alone others.
But someone as heartless as Miss Cai was rare.
So he commanded,
"Eldest, have someone closely watch this Miss Cai, and see if she has any connections with others after the old father of the Qin family is buried."
"Yes!"
Given Miss Cai’s nature, the three rooms she got from the Qin family likely aren’t enough for her and her two daughters.
After all, a house is just a house; she can’t sell it, can she?
Then where might they go?
It’s most likely she might target another person like the old father of the Qin family.
Thus, as long as the Dong family keeps an eye on her, it won’t be hard to catch her slip!
By then, punishing her for all her offenses, Miss Cai dreaming of escaping unscathed is impossible.
The Second Young Master Dong, listening on the side, also found it quite reasonable.