Chapter Eighty-Three: Mysterious Enemy

  This statement is extremely correct. If it weren't for Lin Zhao's repeated warnings to Zhou Wan Yu not to reveal the truth that day, Cheng Nan Bo Fu would have had to offend Duan Gui Fei.

  The He family, the outer family of Princess Duan Gui, had influence in Ningxia, Henan, Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces, as well as the northwest region. Although Cheng Nanbo was in charge of a large army in the northwest, he was ultimately doing things for others. As long as the He family made some moves, the stable foundation of the Cheng Nanbo mansion would be affected, although not to a great extent, it would still cause some trouble.

  This is also why noblewomen don't interfere with court affairs but still have to constantly go out and socialize.

  The relationship between husband and wife reflects the relationship between the emperor and his officials.

  Lin Zhaoyan didn't know what Miao meant by saying this, so she just smiled and didn't respond.

  Miao's maid brought up some small pastries, and while Lin Shuangyan was engrossed in eating, she suddenly asked: "I heard that something big happened in the palace yesterday. Shen Zhongling, the daughter of General Shen from the previous dynasty, was shot by an arrow, and you, Fourth Miss Lin, almost didn't make it back either."

  Lin Zhaoyan was taken aback for a moment.

  With a mouthful of osmanthus cake, Zhou Wanrou puffed out her chest and said: "Yes, I was startled when I heard the news this morning. Yesterday, my grandmother suddenly fainted, and my mother and sisters were busy taking care of her, so they didn't go. Who would have thought that something like this would happen?"

  Lin Zhaoyan thought for a moment and said, "I just accidentally fell into the mountain ditch and didn't get hurt much. As for why Miss Shen was shot with an arrow, I'm not clear about that."

  Miao's expression seemed regretful, "Rumor has it that Shen Zhongling was recalled from the Southwest to Shengjing because the Empress Dowager intended to marry her off to the Third Prince. Who would have thought something like this would happen? It's truly unexpected! Alas, it seems the imperial family is indeed untouchable!"

  Lin Zhaoyan's expression was slightly stunned for a moment, but then he immediately understood.

  Now that the Crown Prince has passed away, the Third Imperial Son's chances of becoming the heir are very high. The status of the Duke of Jian'an's estate is also rising with the tide, and many people come to curry favor. However, they were all tactfully declined by Old Lady Lin.

  She didn't want to arouse the emperor's suspicion, but she took the initiative to fawn on the Chengnan Bo Fu, and the complexity of their relationship was not something that Lin Zhaoyan, a simple woman, could understand.

  But she clearly saw Miao's attitude, never mind whether her previous words were true or false, but she said it so bluntly. It was clear that she didn't want to have anything to do with the royal family or the Jian'an Marquis Manor.

  She should be content with her current situation and just want to be a loyal minister!

  And she just mentioned the Seventh Prince's matter, wanting to tell her that making friends with Zhou Wan Yu is fine, but it can't involve family interests.

  Lin Zhaoyan suddenly felt that Miao's family, although strict and severe, was truly wise and reasonable. They had a good grasp of things, knew what should be done and what shouldn't be done, and truly loved their children.

  Unlike Old Lady Lin, she truly deserves to be called "hypocritical".

  But Lin Zhaoyan didn't know how she should react, whether to pretend she hadn't understood or hint to Miao Shi that she would return to the manor and convey her meaning to Old Lady Lin.

  Fortunately, at this moment, a maid came into the house and said to Mrs. Miao: "Madam, those two maids finally confessed that they were instructed by Eighth Young Lady to do so, saying it was for the sake of Fang's wife, with a heart of filial piety."

  Zhou Wan-yu whispered to Lin Zhao-yan, "These two maidservants stole things from my mother's room and sold them outside. They were caught red-handed by my mother. At first, they refused to confess no matter what, but after being flogged with rattan rods dozens of times, they still wouldn't budge. Just now, they were made to kneel in the hall with broken tiles under their knees, and told that they could get up whenever they confessed. Who would have thought it was Eighth Sister?"

  Zhou Wan-yu's voice sounded neither gloating nor sympathetic.

  Lin Zhaoyan didn't have any sympathy either. After all, if a servant steals from their master's family, even if the master doesn't take action, it will still end in death once it reaches the government office.

  And besides, sneaky and underhanded things like this are really disgusting.

  She just found it strange, Zhou Wan Yu's attitude towards this matter.

  Then Zhou Wan-yu said, "This is not the first time Eighth Sister has done something like this. Mother endured it before and wanted to give her a chance, after all, Fang Ayi was from Mother's courtyard. Who knew she would become more and more unbridled, even stealing into Mother's room? If we don't teach her a lesson now, she really won't know the height of heaven or the thickness of earth."

  So that's how it is.

  Lin Zhaoyan couldn't help but smile, she quite liked Zhou Tanyu's attitude, when dealing with enemies, one must not be soft-hearted.

  "Get Ba Gu Niang and Fang Yi Niang over here for me." Miao Shi spoke up, her tone not severe but with an intimidating aura.

  It seems that Zhou Ba and Fang Niang are going to be in big trouble.

  "Mother, then I'll take Sister Zhao Yan back first." Zhou Wan Yu was good to everyone, except for Fang Niang who betrayed her mother and climbed into her father's bed. She didn't like the little family of eight younger sisters who cried all day. When Miao Shi wanted to deal with them, she didn't even have the desire to gloat, she just didn't want to see them.

  Miao had already achieved his goal of summoning Lin Zhaoyan, so he didn't keep them there any longer and nodded in response.

  As I came out of the house, I happened to run into those two maids who were being supported as they walked in, their legs trembling so much that they could hardly walk.

  Looking at their pale and frightened appearance, Lin Zhaoyan felt that they might not live for long.

  "Don't be afraid." Zhou Wan-yu grasped her hand, "My mother is fierce, but she's not an unreasonable person, don't worry."

  Ferocious...

  Zhou Wan-yu's portrayal of her own mother is quite accurate.

  "It's nothing." Lin Zhao said with a smile, "This kind of thing also happens in our household."

  "Come on, I'll take you to the mansion and show you around. It may seem dull at first, but there are actually some great spots, you just haven't discovered them yet."

  Lin Zhaoyan nodded slightly.

  Zhou Wan Yu led her to the west side, excitedly introducing: "On the west side there is a bamboo forest, the bamboo grows densely and tall, you can make a fire and cook in the wild, and play hide-and-seek, it's especially fun! Although it's not the best time for the bamboo now, it's still beautiful. Why don't we call San Jie and them to come play hide-and-seek?"

  "Never mind, just take a look." Lin Zhaoyan tactfully declined, it's really not suitable to play hide and seek when visiting someone else's home...

  Fortunately, Zhou Wan-yu did not insist, and pulled her hand all the way west.

  Chengnan Bo's mansion didn't have small bridges and flowing water, but it had several stone pavilions. Zhou Wan-yu told her that they were used for cooling off in the summer, and in front of them was a large empty space where occasionally a temporary stage would be set up to invite opera troupes to perform.

  These forms of entertainment were common among wealthy families, and Lin Zhaoyan didn't find it strange, listening intently.

  When they walked to the octagonal pavilion, Zhou Wan Yu suddenly stopped in her tracks, tugged at Lin Zhao Yan's sleeve, and her voice suddenly became eerie, "This pavilion... a pregnant maid once crashed to death here. It's said that every night, you can hear the crying of children and women..."

  Lin Zhao said: "......"

  "I've heard that the maid was driven to death, so it's very unjust, her soul is reluctant to leave..." Zhou Wan-yu whispered in her ear again.

  Lin Zhaoyan said: "............" Zhou Wanyu, you're here just to trick me, aren't you?!

  "What's with all the mystery?" a voice suddenly appeared behind him.

  Not to mention Lin Zhaoyan, even Zhou Wanyu, who had just spoken in a terrifying tone, was startled and let out a sharp cry, jumping up abruptly.

  "What's going on? You're so scared?" The voice chuckled and spoke again.

  Zhou Wanyu looked back, her pale face immediately flushed with a hint of red, and she said angrily: "Big brother! You walk without making a sound! Like a ghost, you scared me to death!"

  The eldest son of the Zhou family laughed even harder, "You're bored and want to tell ghost stories to others, but in the end, you scared yourself like this."

  "What I said is true, originally there was a maid who died here!" Zhou Wan Yu stiffened her neck, still with an angry expression.

  "Don't blindly believe in rumors." Zhou's voice clearly cooled down.

  "Hmph!" Zhou Wan Yu pouted in discontent, pulling Lin Zhao Yan's hand, "Zhao Er, let's go!"

  "Zhaor?" Zhou's eyebrows furrowed, his eyes gazing heavily at Lin Zhaoyan who was turned sideways, without clearly seeing his face.

  Lin Zhaoyan heard the puzzled voice and considered whether to greet him. Originally, encountering an outsider in the inner courtyard was something to be avoided, but since he had taken the initiative to speak up, it seemed extremely impolite to just walk away like that.

  She thought for a moment and then turned back to make a courtesy, "I've met Young Master Zhou."

  "By the way, this is my elder brother Zhou Tingchen," she introduced. Then to Zhou Tingchen, "Elder brother, this is Fourth Miss Lin Zhaoyan of the Lin Manor."

  Zhou Tengchen's pupils suddenly contracted, and he exclaimed in a voice that seemed to have been shocked: "Lin Zhaoyan?! The Lin Zhaoyan of Jian'an Houfu?!"

  "Does Big Brother know Zhao Yan's sister?" Zhou Wan Yu asked curiously.

  Lin Zhaoyan was taken aback, and she subconsciously raised her eyes to see a strong and handsome face with regular features and sharp facial bones. He wore a black brocade robe, looking majestic and powerful, and at first glance, he seemed like a martial artist.

  This should be a dignified and majestic face, but for some reason, it looks frightening and oppressive in Lin Zhaoyan's eyes.

  Right! His eyes.

  His eyes were of a deep and piercing type, sharp as if they could cut through people's hearts.

  Those eyes are now staring at her, with naked rejection and disgust, as if they would like to kill her on the spot.

  Lin Zhaoyan's heart skipped a beat, she felt Zhou Tingshen's intense murderous intent, and she suspected that if Zhou Wanyu hadn't been present, he would have strangled her to death.

  Heavens, how could she have such a feeling? And yet it felt so real. It really felt like her neck was burning with pain and she couldn't catch her breath.

  Lin Zhaoyan had never been so afraid of someone before.

  It was just Lu Yan, and she only had a faint fear in her subconscious mind, but it didn't hinder her from having normal conversations with him. However, when it came to Zhou Tinglei, she didn't even have the courage to look at him, and all she wanted to do was leave as soon as possible.

  The inexplicable relationship is an enemy haha 【Always feel like I'm a stepmother so happy to see others suffer】