After a moment, Lin Yuanyuan wrapped her arm around Lin Qiaoqiao and walked into the temple. They first glanced at Zhang Fang, and upon seeing that he had not noticed their return, they withdrew their gazes and returned to their corner in the Lin family area.
As they passed by the four bailiffs, Lin Qiaoqiao trembled all over, suddenly losing strength. If Lin Yuanyuan hadn’t been holding her tightly, she might have fallen to the ground.
Lin Zheng noticed Lin Qiaoqiao’s awkwardness; her clothes were somewhat disheveled. Anticipation arose in him, and he stood up despite the pain, asking impatiently, “How did it go? Did you succeed?”
However, Lin Qiaoqiao looked like she could hardly breathe, shaking and pale. Lin Zheng rushed to inquire, “What happened?”
Seeing her this way, Madam Lin worriedly crawled over to hold Lin Qiaoqiao.
Lin Yuanyuan helped Lin Qiaoqiao lie down on the ground, quietly telling Lin Zheng, “Just now, Young Master Zhang saved us. He said he understands the Lin family’s intentions. As long as the Lin family is loyal to him, he will certainly take care of us.”
This statement packed a lot of information. Especially since Zhang Fang had saved the sisters; it meant they had narrowly avoided losing their dignity, and not to someone like Zhang Fang! It seemed beauty tactics would no longer be effective against him! Fortunately, Zhang Fang was a smart man and willing to accept the Lin family! Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief—at least they had clung to this major support! He then cast a dark, inscrutable glance at the four bailiffs.
His daughters could be sent to entertain the powerful, but these lowly bailiffs absolutely should not be allowed to humiliate them! The indignities suffered today must be avenged when their status rose again!
Madam Lin cried out of anger, heartbroken for her daughter and holding Lin Qiaoqiao tightly.
Lin Zheng said in a deep voice, “With Young Master Zhang supporting us, our lives should be a bit better moving forward. From now on, we must listen to Young Master Zhang!”
After finishing with his wife and daughters, Lin Zheng turned to inform the other branches of the Lin family, so they would understand the situation.
The other members of the Lin family were very happy about aligning with Zhang Fang. They wanted to rush over and fawn over him to curry favor with this young master!
However, with the bailiffs present, they did not dare to act recklessly and could only stare at Zhang Fang with eager eyes.
Shi Houde noticed the Lin family’s gaze at Zhang Fang was like that of someone eyeing juicy meat; they looked ravenous. He whispered to Hao Zhuang, “The Lin family isn’t being discreet!”
Hao Zhuang replied, “Maybe because Young Master Zhang helped those two female criminals from the Lin family earlier, they now see him as their benefactor.”
Shi Houde felt puzzled, observing how engaged Zhang Fang was in conversation with Mao Aniujin. He lowered his voice to speak with Hao Zhuang, “From these few days of interaction, I feel Zhang Fang is a clever, generous, and just person. How could he have had such a bad reputation before? Didn’t he also cause the death of the Empress’s nephew?”
Hao Zhuang found it strange as well, but this was not their business to investigate. The world of the powerful was very complex, knowing too much was useless; if they discovered certain secrets, it could even cost them their lives. So he said, “Stop thinking about it. If we take good care of Young Master Zhang and complete this task before returning to the capital, we will surely receive thanks from the Zhang family.”
“I only hope we have a safe journey and don’t encounter any issues!” Shi Houde stopped pondering these matters.
The next day, after daybreak, everyone set off together.
With a bunch of children joining in, Zhang Fang’s side became lively. The children, familiar with the area, were eagerly chatting with Zhang Fang, introducing him to the situations along the road.
Lin Zheng tried several times to approach Zhang Fang for conversation but found no opportunity. Zhang Fang hadn’t even glanced at the Lin family members the whole time, which made him doubt the words of his two daughters. Anxiously, he asked them, “Did Young Master Zhang really say he is willing to accept our family? Why is he so cold towards us?”
Lin Yuanyuan, carrying her brother on her back, was too tired to speak after sweating profusely. Faced with Lin Zheng’s questioning, she didn’t explain and simply set her brother down, then lay down on the ground, closing her eyes.
Lin Zheng was taken aback and, coming to his senses, shouted, “Yuanyuan! What’s wrong?! You can’t be in any danger! You’re your father’s precious daughter! Without you, how could I possibly go on?”
Zhang Fang, walking ahead, heard the voice and stopped, turning to look back.
Hao Zhuang and Shi Houde naturally also heard Lin Zheng’s voice. Seeing Zhang Fang stop, they worried he might intervene with the Lin family members and urged him to keep walking, “Young Master Zhang, it’s not time to take a break yet.”
“Go check on what’s happening with the people behind.” Zhang Fang didn’t respond to Hao Zhuang but sent Mao Aniujin to check on the Lin family’s situation.
Seeing this, Hao Zhuang and Shi Houde exchanged glances, both looking helpless.
The two anxious bailiffs from the branch had ignored the collapsed Lin Yuanyuan. Instead, the other two uninformed bailiffs were preparing to whip Lin Yuanyuan to force her to get up and continue moving.
Mao Aniujin ran over and loudly asked, “Young Master, what happened?”
At this question, the two bailiffs who were about to strike Lin Yuanyuan had no choice but to abandon their intentions.
Lin Zheng saw Zhang Fang sending someone to check on the Lin family and felt excited, already certain of Zhang Fang’s attitude toward them. He quickly pulled Lin Yuanyuan up, responding to Mao Aniujin, “My daughter fainted from exhaustion and needs a moment to rest.”
Mao Aniujin didn’t know how to handle the situation and ran back to the front to inform Zhang Fang.
Chapter 09: The Young Heir of the Prime Minister’s House
“We’ve been walking for so long; everyone seems tired. How about we take a short break?”
Hao Zhuang and Shi Houde nodded in agreement and went to tell the bailiffs from the branch to stop and rest.
Seizing the opportunity, they advised Zhang Fang, “Young Master Zhang, we know you have a kind heart, but you shouldn’t treat the Lin family so well. They will surely cling to you, and it’ll be hard to shake off this burden.”
Zhang Fang sighed, “But I can’t just watch someone die without helping! When someone falls in front of me, I can’t simply stand by and ignore it.”
Hao Zhuang and Shi Houde fell silent. Clearly, Zhang Fang was a killer, yet he harbored kindness, stepping forward like a hero to aid the weak. It was indeed very strange.
Lin Zheng urged Lin Qiaoqiao to take care of Lin Yuanyuan and specially came to Zhang Fang’s side, directly kneeling and bowing his head, “Thank you, Young Master Zhang! The kindness of Young Master Zhang will be remembered by the Lin family. From now on, as long as you give an order, the Lin family will surely obey!”
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