Chapter 26: The Coming Retribution

Inside the room, Lin Xu sat at the foot of the bed, holding his head.

Lin’s mother sat at the head of the bed, gently consoling him.

Guo Lang sat at the foot of the bed, also speaking to him: “I didn’t expect it, but I’ve been dead for three years. Last night, I went to see my parents. They’ve aged a lot.”

“To this day, they haven’t had any more children or started a new life. Do you know how heartbreaking it was for me to see them like that?”

Guo Lang never imagined that his parents could see him, and he immediately held them in a virtual embrace, crying.

He thought, once the truth of his death comes to light, his parents will know.

Seeing their state, he was afraid that the sudden truth might be too much for them to bear, so he gradually told them the whole story.

His father, however, insisted he didn’t believe his death was an accident.

To search for the truth, his father pretended not to be suspicious, but after secretly investigating for a long time, he learned from a few of the academy students that there had been some tension between Lin Xu and him.

When his father wanted to continue the investigation, he was transferred out of the capital, and no further clues were found.

Once his father confirmed the truth, he immediately wanted to seek justice for him.

But without evidence, and fearing the Lin family might notice, he told his father to wait.

He told his father he had encountered a compassionate immortal who would help him, and that everything would be revealed to the world.

Lin Xu’s eyes were red. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was still young back then. I apologize to you. Please, leave now!”

He knocked over the tea that his mother had handed him.

The teacup passed through Guo Lang’s ghostly form and fell to the ground, shattering.

Guo Lang smiled bitterly.

“Why aren’t you leaving yet?! I’ve already apologized, what more do you want? Anyway, you’re dead! Don’t be too greedy!”

Lin Xu’s eyes filled with rage, and he lunged forward, trying to strangle Guo Lang. However, his hands passed through Guo Lang’s body and missed entirely, and he fell to the ground.

Lin’s mother was terrified and started to cry, supporting her son while shouting loudly at the empty room.

Guo Lang coldly watched the two of them on the floor. “There are gods who can’t stand injustice in this world. Lin Xu, your retribution has come.”

Early in the morning, Fang Xunli sent someone to excuse him and went with his mother to the Xu family, carrying gifts under the guise of discussing the wedding details.

The upcoming marriage between the Fang and Xu families was no secret, and their frequent visits wouldn’t raise suspicion.

On the day of the engagement banquet, Madam Xu came, and Qin Xuan had already informed them that the marriage would proceed as originally planned, so this visit wouldn’t seem out of place.

The mother and son arrived at the Xu residence. Qin Xuan, along with Madam Xu and Xu Wanyin, went to chat in the garden pavilion, while Fang Xunli went to the study with Mr. Xu.

“Look at my study, it’s a mess. I spend all my time at the manor and never have anyone clean up,” Xu Xinyi said, a little embarrassed, casually tidying up.

Fang Xunli glanced at the scattered papers on the floor. The black characters were vigorous and powerful, with great beauty.

He smiled, “Uncle, your calligraphy has improved.”

Xu Xinyi laughed heartily, then invited Fang Xunli to sit at the table by the divan.

“Why the mystery, my dear nephew? What’s so important that you wish to discuss with me?” Xu Xinyi said, pressing down on Fang Xunli’s hand and pouring him tea.

Fang Xunli stood, lifting his robe and kneeling before Xu Xinyi. “Uncle, I know that the Xu family is in trouble now, and I am willing to present evidence to His Majesty on your behalf.”

Xu Xinyi paused as he was about to rise to assist him.

He knew?

But his wife didn’t even know about this. How did Fang Xunli find out?

Fang Xunli noticed Xu Xinyi’s confusion. “I’m sorry, Uncle, I can’t reveal how I found out. But please don’t think that helping me will cause trouble for you or the Fang family. In truth, our two families are now linked by fate.”

He said carefully, “You must know that Lin Xu’s attitude towards Wanyin has always been problematic. He’s obsessively stubborn about certain matters. I’m afraid it won’t be so easy for him to marry Wanyin.”

Xu Xinyi’s back bent slightly. “I have always been like a brother to your father. Now that he is missing and I can’t help, I wouldn’t ask you to take such a risk. I’d feel guilty for involving the Fang family.”

He stood and moved forward, supporting Fang Xunli. “I’ve watched you grow up. I consider you my own son, and I certainly can’t ask you to do this.”

Tears welled up in his eyes.

Fang Xunli smiled and said seriously, “Since you regard me as your own son, now that my younger brother is only just over ten years old, I, as the eldest, must shoulder this responsibility and resolve the difficulties facing both our families.”

He grasped Xu Xinyi’s forearm eagerly. “Uncle, this matter isn’t just about the Xu family. If it gets serious, I fear I won’t survive long enough to marry Wanyin.”

Xu Xinyi stared at Fang Xunli in shock. Given the nature of the Lin family, he wasn’t surprised by the words.

He turned his gaze to the side, thinking for a moment, then said, “But you don’t hold an official position yet. I don’t have anyone I trust enough to send into the palace with you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t involve you in this.”

Fang Xunli motioned for Xu Xinyi to sit back down on the divan while he took a seat on the other side.

“Uncle, when you served in the Imperial Academy, did you ever hear about a student who fell into the lake and drowned?”

Xu Xinyi didn’t know why he brought it up, but replied, “I’ve heard of it. That boy’s father, Guo Xiang, once served with me in the Hanlin Academy.”

There must have been some mutual admiration between them, as Xu Xinyi spoke more about him.

“Guo Xiang was a man of great talent, well-versed in both ancient and modern matters, and had a bright future ahead of him. But after his son passed away, his talents and gifts seemed to have disappeared. He went from being a shining star like the bright moon to becoming the faintest star in the sky.”

Xu Xinyi sighed, unable to hide his regret. “He was indeed a talent wasted by the heavens. I heard his son was also quite gifted.”

Fang Xunli pondered for a moment before asking, “Based on your knowledge of him, Uncle, do you think he is someone we can trust?”

Xu Xinyi looked at Fang Xunli with a puzzled expression but still answered him.

“After his son passed away, his behavior became increasingly odd. From the fact that he hasn’t had any more children and donated most of his salary to an orphanage, it’s clear he hasn’t let go.”

“In the past few years, he was gradually demoted until he became an Inspector General. Every person he targeted for impeachment had no innocence. Behind his back, people call him ‘mad dog.’ Having offended many, his promotion prospects are even slimmer. However, not long ago, His Majesty learned of this person and directly promoted him to Left Assistant Censor.”

“As for his character, I personally think highly of him,” he said, looking at Fang Xunli. “Why do you ask about him?”

Fang Xunli sighed lightly, his voice heavy. “Actually, his son didn’t die by accident. It was Lin Xu.”

“What?” Xu Xinyi accidentally knocked over the teacup on the table. He didn’t care about the spill and urgently asked, “Is this true?”

Fang Xunli took out a handkerchief to wipe the water. “I still can’t tell you how I know this, Uncle.”

“From what you’ve said, nephew, I believe he should be the best person to bring me into the palace.”

Xu Xinyi thought for a moment, then sighed. “Then you should ask him. As a father, perhaps after he does something for his son, he will finally be able to let go.”

“However, some of what we’ve discussed is still conjecture. We should approach this carefully and test his willingness.”

The two continued to discuss the details for a while longer.

Before leaving, Xu Xinyi pried up two of the floor tiles under the bookshelf, took out a wooden box, and solemnly handed the papers and booklets inside to Fang Xunli.

After leaving the Xu family’s residence, the mother and son returned home.

To prevent anyone from the Lin family from tailing them, Fang Xunli stayed at home for half an hour. When he was informed by his subordinates that there was no unusual activity outside the manor, he left for the Guo family.

It was almost noon by the time Fang Xunli departed.

Qin Xuan was in the side hall, contemplating the matters concerning the Lin family, when she heard from Bi He that Fang Yuean had not yet gotten up and could not be woken. Alarmed, she immediately went to Mingyue Residence.