The Herbal Scents of Farm Life

Only Liu Yushui was left in the courtyard. She had also been secretly released by Lin Caisang, under Lin Caiqing's instructions.

"Hmmph, they've got off too lightly!"

Lin Baiyi slapped the table in anger, grinding his teeth in frustration.

"Third Uncle, don't be so angered. Sangsang surely has her reasons for doing so. Let's hear what she has to say," Lin Changhong consoled Lin Baiyi, turning his eyes to Lin Caisang who was leaning against the table.

"Sangsang?"

"Grandpa, Brother Changfeng will be going to the provincial capital to take the civil service examination this year. So, is it possible for him to stop going to the academy and study at home instead?" Lin Caisang straightened up, looking at Ms. Lu.

"That can be arranged."

Ms. Lu thought for a moment before nodding.

While it was more convenient to access books at the academy, they could hardly afford to buy them for home use. Thus, they had to let Changfeng spend more time at the academy, despite their circumstances.

This was an unavoidable situation.

"Big brother, you stay at home for lunch. Have grandma bake two cakes, and go to bring Brother Changfeng back home right away," Lin Caisang said to Lin Changhong.

"What? Now?"

Lin Changhong was puzzled.

What did his little sister mean by this? Surely her cousin would be better off at the academy rather than at home.

"Sangsang, your cousin will be back in a few days, there's no need to fetch him." Lin Baiyi said to her assuredly.

"Third Uncle, you've misunderstood. I don't want Brother Changfeng to come home for a visit, but instead to study at home and not return to the academy," Lin Caisang said, looking earnestly at Lin Baiyi.

"With the complete fallout between our Lin Family and the Zhou family, while Brother Changfeng's reputation in Qianlin County isn't as good as Zhou Liang's, it's not far behind. I fear that Mr. Zhou, in order to benefit Zhou Liang, will scheme against Brother Changfeng. He surely can't meddle with things in the provincial capital, but if Brother Changfeng stays in the academy, he can still tarnish his reputation. We must guard against them."

"Things are different at home. Since they cannot see Brother Changfeng, how can they scheme against him?"

After listening to Lin Caisang's long explanation, Lin Changhong took a deep breath and looked at Ms. Lu.

"Grandma, Sangsang is right. Zhou Liang is so cunning; I don't think there are any good-hearted people in his whole family."

"Even if they were kind-hearted, they certainly aren't towards our family."

Ms. Lu sighed softly. Only now did she understand why Lin Caisang wasn't holding Zhou Liang accountable for his scheming—she was thinking of Lin Changfeng's future.

"Changhong won't go, Baiyi will. Tell Changfeng to tell his teacher at the academy that his grandfather misses him and wants him to come home."

She looked at Lin Baiyi.

"There are two cakes left in the kitchen. Take them with you. Go now."

"Alright, mother."

Lin Baiyi nodded his agreement, got up, and left without another word.

"Sangsang, after much thought, I believe we can't just let this matter go. We should ask your grandfather what to do about Zhou Liang and Liu Yushui," Ms. Lu said after Lin Baiyi had left.

"We really must let this matter lie," Lin Caisang shrugged her shoulders and said.

"Regardless of what Liu Yushui has done, she remains Second Uncle's daughter. If we expose her nasty deeds, eventually it is our Lin Family that would lose face. I fear even He'er and Qing'er will struggle to find good families if we did so."

What she said was practical indeed.

"This..."

After hearing her words, Ms. Lu was left in doubt.