A Good Country Wife-Chapter 698 - 691_1

Ceng Lu came out from the inner courtyard all the way to the entrance of the Government Office, only to see his butler and Lin Yue facing off against each other. The beauty’s face was filled with anger, her furious eyes wide open in a manner that was quite adorable, making his heart itch with desire. He thought this was a good opportunity to take her into his hands, and his mood brightened at the thought.

"What’s going on here, why is everyone looking as gloomy as sick chickens? This is the entrance to the Government Office, who dares to cause trouble here, do they have a death wish?" Ceng Lu, knowing full well what was going on, deliberately postured in front of Lin Yue. The Government Officials who followed him also came out, formed two lines to demonstrate their authority, displaying the imposing air of a butler to a great official.

"Oh, if it isn’t Madam Lin, what’s the trouble? Why have you brought people to make a commotion at the entrance of the Government Office? This is a place where the Court conducts its business, and it won’t tolerate such disturbance. Although I hold Madam Lin in high regard, there are some rules that just cannot be ignored. Perhaps Madam Lin would be so kind as to let them stand down? Is there anything we can’t discuss peacefully, without causing such a scene? If things get out of hand, even I would find it difficult to handle."

But Lin Yue didn’t miss the lecherous and greedy look on Ceng Lu’s face, which only made her feel sick inside. She wished she could slap his face, thinking of the way Dalang and his brothers had hidden away in the Government Office by Ceng Lu’s men.

"Master Ceng, although I am but a woman from the countryside without much worldliness, I am not one to be bullied at will. I am here today to ask you to give an explanation. Your subordinate, Quan An, disguised as a bandit and abducted my children. I do not expect you to enforce justice impartially, but I do hope that considering my husband has loyally risked his life to serve the Emperor, you would at least return my children to me."

Ceng Lu pretended to be clueless, "Madam Lin, I don’t understand what you’re saying. What children? I heard that Madam Lin has a few stepsons who are already quite grown and are studying. Instead of staying at the academy, why are they coming to the government office seeking people? How would I know their whereabouts? Perhaps they’re just playful and have run out without telling their elders. Madam Lin, you should search more thoroughly. But remember, this Government Office is not a place for you to throw a fit. It’s best to let your servants search elsewhere."

"Why must Master Ceng feign ignorance? My people clearly saw Dalang and his brothers being taken into the Government Office. Also, even if you refuse to acknowledge it, this is the man," Lin Yue said, pointing to Quan An, "who led the bandits of Longhu Mountain to abduct my children. He’s a trickster in front of you, Master Ceng, and has no quarrel with me. To commit such an act out of the blue, perhaps he’s been instructed by someone. Shouldn’t you give me an explanation?"

Without wasting words, Lin Yue ordered her people to bring Quan An and the others before Ceng Lu. Seeing Quan An captured by Lin Yue didn’t sit well with Ceng Lu, who inwardly cursed Quan An for being useless. To have used the guise of Longhu Mountain bandits for the abduction was one thing—they’d probably intended to alleviate some of Ceng Lu’s worries by dealing with the children—but their execution was too clumsy. Having failed to take down a woman and instead being caught by her, they were now blatantly challenging Ceng Lu, making it hard for him to continue making excuses!

At the moment, Ceng Lu wasn’t actually upset that Quan An had used underhanded tactics to abduct the children; he was angry that Quan An had bungled the job, leaving behind a mess and evidence that was difficult for Ceng Lu to clean up. Thus, when Lin Yue brought Quan An before him and questioned him, Ceng Lu felt embarrassed and at a loss to find any excuse or defense, especially with the crowd that had gathered in front of the Government Office—not just those brought by Lin Yue, but also curious onlookers drawn by the commotion. Even Ceng Lu, with his arrogance, couldn’t overstep during such a critical time, having been instructed to be cautious by his superiors.

"Madam Lin, you’re wronging our Master. Although Quan An was previously in service at the Government Office, he was dismissed from his post by our Master due to his dishonesty. As for his actions after being ousted, what do they have to do with our Master?"

The butler had been at Ceng Lu’s side for many years and understood what he was thinking. He’d never liked Quan An but had to tolerate him because Ceng Lu fancied the lad and trusted him. Quan An proved too cunning, which is why he had been able to continue his antics up to this point. Not wanting to miss such a good opportunity, the butler stepped forward to intervene on behalf of Ceng Lu.

This indeed presented a good reason, and even if Ceng Lu should question it later, the butler could convincingly argue that he had only the Master’s reputation and interests at heart. What was the sacrifice of a minor subordinate compared to that? Moreover, it was Quan An’s own incompetence that had led to this mess, ultimately being caught and left to be discarded. And now, having said this in front of so many, there was no room for backtracking. Even if Ceng Lu wanted to reinstate Quan An, it was unlikely he could return to his previous position and would, at best, serve as a mere servant in Ceng Lu’s presence.

Eager for an excuse, Ceng Lu quickly grabbed the lifeline offered by the butler. His previously sullen expression brightened as he immediately threw Quan An under the bus without hesitation.

"Yes, the butler is right. Quan An is no good; he stole from our residence and was expelled from the Government Office by me just a few days ago. I never imagined he’d be so bold as to do such a thing, and now he’s trying to implicate me in front of you, Madam Lin. He probably harbors resentment because I dismissed him previously. Madam Lin, you can’t take Quan An’s words at face value." Ceng Lu said without a hint of guilt, blatantly lying.

Lin Yue didn’t expect Ceng Lu to be such a shameless liar, pushing all faults onto Quan An, making him the scapegoat while adamantly denying the presence of Dalang and his brothers in the Government Office. It was clear that he was counting on her lack of evidence and that she couldn’t just barge into the Government Office. She regretted acting so hastily upon hearing news of the children, which left her unprepared and now in this bind. Things were indeed looking difficult.

"Do you think I’d believe such words, Master? Even a three-year-old child wouldn’t necessarily believe that. If you’re truly innocent, why not let us search the Government Office? Maybe some servant has deceived and hidden them inside without letting you know," Lin Yue countered.