Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 748: Chen Ji Escapes, Yanyan in Trouble (1)_1

Chapter 748: Chapter 748: Chen Ji Escapes, Yanyan in Trouble (1)_1

The Lin Family and the Lin Imperial Concubine were like thorns stuck in Emperor Huian’s throat. For over twenty years, Emperor Huian had never abandoned the idea of eradication, but he had been wary of something Master Lin held in his hands and thus could not find an opportunity to force him to surrender it.

Unexpectedly, King Heng and Old Master Lin orchestrated the examination fraud case themselves, delivering the very opportunity to eliminate the Lin Family and the Lin Imperial Concubine into Emperor Huian’s hands.

Xiao Ruiyuan and Chu Heng obtained evidence that Old Master Lin, via his official position, had leaked the examination questions and answers to Qin Hui and others, using this as leverage to bribe them into framing Mo Qingze, and subsequently plotting an assassin’s attempt to start a fire in the Ministry of Justice’s Prison. How could Emperor Huian let such a golden opportunity slip by?

After the congregation of over a thousand people in the Hall of Supreme Harmony had dispersed that afternoon, Emperor Huian, with lightning speed, ordered the guards to arrest King Heng and Old Master Lin, who were preparing to leave the palace; he then gathered all his loyal ministers and, in front of them, listed ten grave crimes committed by King Heng and Old Master Lin.

With irrefutable evidence, King Heng and Old Master Lin could not deny the charges. Just as Emperor Huian was about to pronounce punishment, the teetering Master Lin, who was well past his prime, entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony and implored Emperor Huian to reconsider the sentences.

Although Master Lin had failed in his paternal duties and raised an Old Master Lin with corrupt intentions, he was revered in Scholar’s Forest and had been the Three Dynasties Imperial Teacher, serving the Imperial Family with undying loyalty and invaluable contributions. This much even Emperor Huian and Chu Heng, who abhorred the Lin Family to the core, could not deny.

Master Lin knew that if he did not offer something that would satisfy Emperor Huian, the emperor would certainly not let the Lin Clan off. Thus, after preventing Emperor Huian from immediately putting his family to death, he had a lengthy secret discussion with the emperor in the Imperial study.

No one knew what Master Lin and Emperor Huian discussed in private, but when Master Lin reappeared in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he publicly surrendered his official seal, robe, and cap that symbolized his position, ignoring his son—who was desperately begging for his life to be spared—and walked straight out of the Imperial palace.

Seeing Master Lin’s lifelong dedication to the Imperial Family and his merits to the state, Emperor Huian ultimately sentenced Old Master Lin to immediate execution and ordered it to be carried out three days later. The Lin Imperial Concubine was charged with poisoning the Empress Dowager, a most heinous crime, and was given a cup of poisoned wine on the spot. The entire Lin Clan was confiscated, demoted to commoners, and banned from taking the imperial examination or holding office forever.

No sooner had Master Lin returned to Lin Mansion than the Imperial guards surrounded it, barring anyone from entering or leaving. Another squad of guards went to the Chen Family, just three streets away from Lin Mansion, to arrest Chen Ji, who was involved in plotting against the Empress Dowager years ago.

But when the guards kicked down the Chen Family’s main gate, they found only a dozen or so maids and servants, with the three masters of the Chen Family nowhere to be seen. It was only after searching the premises that the guards were able to confirm that Chen Ji, along with his wife and daughter, had already fled.

The Guard Commander’s complexion changed drastically, and he ordered his men to split into four groups to chase after them towards the city gates in all directions. He then rushed to the palace to report the matter to Emperor Huian.

Without someone like Master Lin, the Chen Family would face the eradication of their entire lineage once caught. Anticipating danger, Chen Ji had fled with his wife and daughter, seeking a slim chance of survival.

While Emperor Huian decreed a citywide manhunt for the three members of the Chen Family and sent pursuers beyond the city, the Lin Mansion was in a state of anxiety, waiting for Master Lin to decide what to do. However, Master Lin confined himself to his study, allowing no disturbances.

When the loyal servant sensed something amiss and forcefully entered, they found Master Lin sitting upright at his desk, his eyes tightly shut, having been cold and lifeless for quite some time.

Master Lin knew that even if Emperor Huian had only agreed to demote the Lin Family to commoners, he would not easily let the Lin Clan off in private. He had foreseen this day coming, but did not expect it to arrive so soon!