The Lin Duke's Mansion
Lin Zhenfei, who was flirting with his concubine, heard the servant report that his legitimate son had been sent to Dali Temple by the Cold King. His narrow, fox-like eyes were filled with malice, his face flushed and veins bulging. He abruptly stood up and slammed his palm on the table, making the concubine beside him tremble all over.
At this moment, Lin Qin, the birth mother of Lin Hongtao, rushed to find Lin Zhenfei upon hearing about her son's predicament.
"Master, Tao'er has been sent to Dali Temple by the Cold King. What are we going to do?"
Lin Qin was anxiously pacing after hearing about her son's troubles. She had the entire Lin Duke's Mansion searched and only then discovered that Lin Zhenfei had gone to the concubine Tao Shi.
She glanced at Tao Shi, who was standing obediently behind Lin Zhenfei with her head bowed. Lin Qin didn't bother to pay attention to her.
"What can we do? Tao'er's current situation is all because you spoiled him," Lin Zhenfei roared at Lin Qin.
"Master, Tao'er is our only son. You cannot abandon him."
Lin Zhenfei was furious at the thought of this. If Lin Hongtao wasn't his only son, and he feared the Lin family line would end, he truly wouldn't want such a foolish, pig-like son. He was neither good at academics nor martial arts, spending his days eating, drinking, gambling, and womanizing. If he were to hand over the family to him, it would be ruined sooner or later.
"Alas, I must have wronged him in a past life."
"Steward, prepare the carriage. I will personally go to Dali Temple," Lin Zhenfei said to the steward.
An incense stick later, Lin Zhenfei arrived at Dali Temple in a hurry. The Prefect of Dali Temple, Yan Song, had anticipated his arrival and was not afraid of him.
"Oh my, Duke Lin, you are indeed a rare visitor. May I ask the purpose of your visit to my humble office?"
Yan Song feigned ignorance.
Lin Zhenfei, being an old fox, could see through his act, but Yan Song was an official of the Emperor. Lin Zhenfei could not afford to offend him.
"Lord Yan, is it true that my wayward son was apprehended here today for offending His Highness the Cold King?" he asked directly.
"It seems a certain bully was brought here by the Cold King's guards. I heard he was notorious for bullying men and women, abusing his family's power, oppressing the populace, and defying imperial authority. His Highness the Cold King caught him red-handed and had him sent to Dali Temple."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhenfei's expression changed slightly. He had already inquired from the secret guards protecting Lin Hongtao on the way and understood the cause of the matter. This troublesome son of his had truly infuriated him. If he didn't bring ruin upon the Lin Duke's Mansion, he wouldn't be satisfied. He had dared to provoke that malevolent god.
"Lord Yan, this is a misunderstanding, a mere misunderstanding! My son is young and ignorant, and his words were reckless, but it was not his intention. How about allowing me to take him back to the mansion to educate him properly? I will have him call on His Highness the Cold King to apologize another day."
"Uh... Duke Lin, His Highness the Cold King said an apology is not necessary. He instructed you to directly approach His Majesty. As long as His Majesty issues a decree to release the Lin heir, I will not obstruct it."
Lin Zhenfei's face turned ashen. The reason he had rushed to Dali Temple was to prevent this matter from being reported to the Emperor.
But he was still a step too late.
"Alas—"
Who could he blame for this?
Who told his troublesome son to provoke that cold-faced, malevolent god?
Afterward, Lin Zhenfei left Dali Temple and headed straight for the Imperial Palace to see the Emperor.
Inside the Imperial Study
The Emperor was furious. He casually grabbed the inkstone that Eunuch Li was grinding ink with and hurled it at Lin Zhenfei's forehead. Although it missed him, it splattered ink all over his face.
"Lin Zhenfei, the people of your Lin Duke's Mansion are truly lawless! You don't even regard me in your eyes!!!"
Lin Zhenfei's face turned pale. The Emperor had long harbored ill feelings towards their Lin Duke's Mansion. If it weren't for his fear of his brother Lin Zhenfan, who commanded one-third of the court's military power, he would have uprooted their Lin Duke's Mansion long ago.
This time, the trouble his wayward son had caused had played right into the Emperor's hands.
"Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness! My son is young and ignorant, but he had no intention of offending Your Majesty. Someone must have framed him," Lin Zhenfei pleaded.
"Framed? Then you are implying that the Cold King lied to me."
"No, no... it's not."
Lin Zhenfei vehemently denied it.
He dared not say it. That Cold King was a ruthless, bloodthirsty, and cruel, cold-faced malevolent god.
Just then, the Empress, who had heard the news from Fengqi Palace, also arrived at the entrance of the Emperor's Imperial Study.
The reason the Empress had hurried to the Imperial Study so quickly was that Lin Zhenfei had sent his informants to notify her as soon as he entered the palace.
Eunuch Li immediately stepped in to announce to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress requests an audience outside the Imperial Study," Eunuch Li said in his sharp voice.
"Let her in. I'd like to see what schemes you siblings have cooked up," the Emperor said, casting a cold glance at Lin Zhenfei.
Subsequently, the Empress, clad in a magnificent crimson palace gown and wearing a phoenix coronet, entered the Imperial Study.
"Your humble consort pays her respects to Your Majesty!"
The Empress performed a kowtow to the Emperor with utmost propriety.
The Emperor did not allow her to rise and immediately reprimanded her, "Empress, your Lin Duke's Mansion is truly something!"
Despite his words, the Empress remained unfazed and calmly said, "Your Majesty, Lin Hongtao has indeed gone too far this time. However, this consort hopes Your Majesty will spare his life in consideration of the Lin Duke's Mansion's many years of devoted service to Your Majesty."
The Emperor sneered inwardly. She dared to mention their Lin Duke's Mansion's devoted service in helping him become Emperor. Did she truly believe he didn't know that over the years the Lin Duke's Mansion had acted atrociously, abused their power, colluded with officials and merchants, exploited the common people's wealth, and reaped exorbitant profits? To those who didn't know, it would seem their family was the imperial clan.
"Hmph, you ask me to spare him. When my subjects were oppressed and their lands seized by Lin Hongtao, and they pleaded for mercy, did he ever let them go?"
The Empress glanced at the Emperor's expression and knew his intentions. This time, he did not intend to let Lin Hongtao off easily.
After much consideration, the Empress realized that her son Yao'er still needed the power of the Lin family as her maternal support to contend for the throne. And Lin Hongtao was the only bloodline of their Lin family now. Therefore, this time, she was willing to pay any price to save Lin Hongtao.
"Your Majesty, this consort will offer a precious item belonging to the Imperial Consort to exchange for Lin Hongtao's life."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor stared fiercely at the Empress.
"What did you say?"
"This consort still possesses a portrait of the Imperial Consort."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's chest tightened instantly.
"Yi Yun, Yi Yun—"
The Empress, kneeling on the ground, looked at the Emperor's state and felt a surge of mad jealousy. After more than a decade, she still lost to a dead person.
Lin Zhenfei, kneeling beside her, was full of surprise.
"Eunuch Li, you and my dear Lin will personally escort to Dali Temple and instruct Yan Song to release Lin Hongtao."
"Empress, I shall accompany you to Fengqi Palace to retrieve Yi Yun's portrait."
The Empress composed herself and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Lin Zhenfei let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Afterward, Lin Zhenfei cast a worried glance at the Empress, stood up, and immediately left the Imperial Study.
—
By evening, Lin Zhenfei had finally brought Lin Hongtao back to the Lin Duke's Mansion.
In the main hall, as soon as Lin Hongtao stepped through the doorway, Lin Zhenfei roared at him, "Wicked son, kneel!"
Lin Hongtao slowly knelt before Lin Zhenfei.
"Do you know your mistake? If it weren't for your aunt saving you this time, I wouldn't have been able to save you."
"Father, Tao'er knows his mistake. He won't do it again. It's all the fault of that veiled woman who interfered today, which escalated the situation and allowed the Cold King to see."
Upon hearing this, Lin Hongtao's words nearly killed Lin Zhenfei. This wicked son truly did not know how to repent.
"Guards, bring the rattan!"
Lin Zhenfei roared.
Soon, a young servant brought the rattan. Lin Zhenfei picked up the rattan and mercilessly whipped Lin Hongtao's back, blow after blow. Lin Hongtao, unable to bear the pain, let out a miserable cry that echoed throughout the entire Lin Duke's Mansion.
Lin Qin rushed in and shielded Lin Hongtao in her arms.
"Wuwu~"
"My poor Tao'er, after just being released from prison, he is being brutally beaten by his own father."
Seeing this scene, Lin Zhenfei was so enraged that he threw down the rattan and shouted at Lin Qin, "A loving mother spoils her son."
Then, he turned and walked out the door, angrily heading towards concubine Tao Shi's courtyard, nearly causing Lin Qin to suffer from a fit of rage.