Chapter 748: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 748: Chen Ji's Escape and Yan Yan's Predicament (1)
The Lin family and Consort Lin had been a thorn in Emperor Huian’s side for over twenty years. Despite his constant desire to eliminate them, the Emperor had been unable to act due to the influence wielded by Grand Tutor Lin, who held crucial leverage. However, the scandal involving Prince Heng and Lin Daolao created an opportunity for the Emperor to finally deal with the Lin family.
Xiao Ruiyuan and Chu Heng had uncovered evidence that Lin Daolao had leaked the exam questions and answers to Qin Hui and others, using his position to bribe them into framing Mo Qingze. They also had proof of the subsequent arson at the Ministry of Justice’s prison. With such damning evidence, Emperor Huian seized the chance to act.
After the court assembly in the Taihe Hall had concluded, Emperor Huian swiftly ordered the capture of Prince Heng and Lin Daolao, who were preparing to leave the palace. The Emperor summoned his trusted ministers and, in their presence, detailed the ten crimes of Prince Heng and Lin Daolao.
With the evidence overwhelming, both men had no way to refute the charges. Just as Emperor Huian was about to pass judgment, the elderly Grand Tutor Lin, trembling with age, entered Taihe Hall and begged the Emperor to reconsider.
Despite Lin Taishi’s failed efforts in raising a son of dubious morals, his longstanding loyalty and significant contributions to the royal court were undeniable. Even Emperor Huian, who harbored deep resentment against the Lin family, could not ignore Lin Taishi's merits.
Realizing that he needed to offer something substantial to appease the Emperor, Lin Taishi negotiated privately with Emperor Huian for a considerable time. When Lin Taishi reappeared in Taihe Hall, he presented the symbols of his official rank—the seal, the official robe, and the hat—while ignoring the pleas of his son Lin Daolao, and left the palace.
In the end, Emperor Huian, acknowledging Lin Taishi’s loyalty and contributions, sentenced Lin Daolao to execution by decapitation, to be carried out in three days. Consort Lin, guilty of poisoning the late Emperor, was sentenced to death immediately by poison. The entire Lin family was to be seized, reduced to commoners, and barred from participating in the imperial examinations or holding any official positions for generations.
As Grand Tutor Lin returned to the Lin residence, the Emperor’s guards quickly surrounded the Lin mansion, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. A separate squad of guards went to the Chen family’s residence, located just three streets away from the Lin residence, to capture Chen Ji, who had been involved in the plot against the late Emperor.
However, upon breaking down the Chen family’s door, the guards found only a few servants and no sign of the Chen family members. After a thorough search, they confirmed that Chen Ji, along with his wife and daughter, had already fled.
The head of the guard was alarmed and ordered his men to split into four groups to chase after the fugitives in all directions. He then rushed back to the palace to report the situation to Emperor Huian.
Without someone like Grand Tutor Lin to protect them, the Chen family faced the prospect of complete destruction. Anticipating the danger, Chen Ji had no choice but to escape with his family to seek a slim chance of survival.
As Emperor Huian issued orders to search the city for the Chen family and sent people out of the city to pursue them, the Lin residence was left in a state of anxiety, waiting for Grand Tutor Lin to make decisions. However, Grand Tutor Lin had locked himself in his study, refusing to see anyone.
When loyal servants noticed something amiss and broke into the study, they found Grand Tutor Lin seated at his desk, eyes closed, already cold and lifeless.
Grand Tutor Lin had understood that as long as he lived, even if Emperor Huian promised to only demote the Lin family to commoners, he would not easily let them go. He had anticipated this day but did not expect it to come so soon.
(End of Chapter)
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