Chapter 404 Storm 2

Mrs. Ling gave birth to two sons and one daughter, and she loved her only daughter like a jewel. Now that she suddenly heard that the Lu family was in trouble, I wonder how anxious she would be. She would most likely come to the capital.

Ling Jingshu hummed and said nothing.

Mrs. Jiang was no longer in the mood to talk. After a moment of silence, they went their separate ways.

The Imperial College was the highest institution of learning in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Most of the students who could study in the Imperial College were children of officials, and they were well-informed. The news that Lu Ping was imprisoned and the Lu family was escorted to the capital soon reached the ears of Ling Ji and Ling Xiao.

The two brothers were shocked and immediately asked for leave to return home.

When he saw the sickly face of Mr. Ling, Ling Ji was shocked and hurriedly sat down beside the bed: "Father, why are you so sick all of a sudden?"

This is not pretending to be sick, it is clearly a real illness!

Uncle Ling coughed a few times before whispering, "I took a long vacation to recuperate, so of course I have to be really sick. Do you really think everyone else is a fool?"

If you want to act, you have to do it in full! He was exposed to the cold wind for several nights in a row before he became like this. In this way, even if someone came to visit him, they would not be able to find fault with him.

Ling Ji looked at the sick Uncle Ling and felt really bad.

Ling Xiao couldn't help but sigh, "Uncle, why do you have to torture yourself like this?" To put it bluntly, Uncle Ling is not a child anymore. If he really gets sick, he will suffer in the future.

Uncle Ling didn't care. He pulled the corner of his lips and said, "Okay, I know what you two brothers mean. Now is an extraordinary period. This is the only way to clear all suspicion and trouble."

"You two brothers should remember that you should be low-key and cautious in everything in the future. Don't say anything you shouldn't say. If someone deliberately asks about the Lu family, just pretend you don't know."

Ling Ji frowned and said, "Although we don't have close contacts with the Lu family, we are legitimate relatives after all. It is impossible to completely sever the relationship. In my opinion, my cousin Xiao and I should avoid this storm. It just happened that my cousin Xiao and I took a long vacation together on the pretext of my father's illness, saying that we would stay at home to take care of the sick."

Ling Xiao also nodded in agreement: "My cousin is right. We will bring all the books back and read more on weekdays, so that we won't delay our studies."

Uncle Ling hesitated for a moment and nodded in agreement.

...

As expected by Uncle Ling, many people came to visit him after he took sick leave. Friends and acquaintances came to visit sincerely, but there were also those with bad intentions who came to the Ling Mansion to inquire about the news under the pretext of visiting the sick.

Fortunately, Master Ling was really sick. That sick look on his face could not be faked. Those people with ill intentions returned home in embarrassment.

These disturbances did not have much impact on Ling Jingshu's life.

She stayed in her boudoir every day, embroidering pillowcases and silk handkerchiefs, making shoes and socks, etc., and waiting to get married with peace of mind.

Ling Xiao was a little flustered at first, but seeing Ling Jingshu so calm, he soon calmed down. She studied hard in the room every day, which meant that she was quiet in the midst of noise.

Half a month later, the Lu family was escorted to the capital.

Master Ling and others were not convenient to come forward, so they quietly sent the steward in the mansion to inquire about the news.

The steward was gone for most of the day before he came back to report: "There are at least a hundred people in the Lu family, young and old. After getting off the dock, they were sent to the prison in the Ministry of Justice by prison van. I didn't dare to get too close, but I saw that my uncle, cousin, and aunt were all locked in the first prison van. Their clothes were neat, but they were all in bad spirits, especially the aunt, who was almost out of shape."

Mr. Ling's eyes flashed with tears, but he said nothing. He waved his hand silently, signaling the steward to leave.

Sun called the steward again and whispered: "Go to the account office to withdraw a few hundred taels of silver and send it to the head of the prison in the Ministry of Justice. Ask someone to take care of the aunt's family of three and don't let them suffer in prison."

The steward hurriedly responded and left.

Seeing that Master Ling looked sad and depressed, Sun whispered to comfort him: "Master, don't be too sad. Now that things have come to this, this is all we can do."

After a pause, she said: "Mother-in-law and the others came to the capital as soon as they received the letter. Calculating the distance, they are almost there now. I have asked someone to prepare the residence."

This time, the whole family of the Ling family came to the capital. First, for the Lu family, and second, to send Ling Jingshu to marry. At least they will stay until after the New Year before leaving.

Master Ling tried to cheer up: "I'm sick and can't get up. You have to worry about everything."

Sun sighed: "Master, don't say that. In this situation, I should be busy."

Now, Master Ling had to be thankful that Ling Jingshu had found a good marriage.

Just because of the relationship between the Ling family and the Lu family, Master Ling couldn't explain it clearly, and he might have to go to the Ministry of Justice to "explain".

Now it's just a disease, and it's avoided the turmoil. Everyone showed mercy to the Ling family for the sake of Queen Wei. It was a blessing in disguise.

…

Three days later, the Ling family finally arrived in the capital.

Uncle Ling was still lying on the bed. Sun personally led Ling Jingshu and others to wait at the main gate. After waiting for about half an hour, they finally saw a long line of carriages coming back.

Because the whole family came, the dowry specially prepared for Ling Jingshu was also transported to the capital, using a total of ten carriages. At first glance, it was a grand event.

Except for the family of Uncle Ling, who was still in office, even Uncle Ling, who had difficulty walking, came. Uncle Ling Wu personally helped the white-haired and listless old lady Ling get off the carriage.

It was inconvenient to talk at the door, so Sun led a group of people into the main hall.

When everyone met, they had to exchange greetings.

Because of the disaster of the Lu family, there was always a bit of panic in the excitement.

Mrs. Ling was already over 70 years old. Her body could not withstand the bumps along the way. She was also worried about her daughter's family. She cried countless times along the way. Her face was full of wrinkles, and she looked particularly old. She had lost all her spirit.

Li had also lost a lot of weight, and her former beauty and shrewdness were greatly reduced.

Ling Yu had completely injured one leg and needed someone to support him when walking. At this time, he timidly leaned behind Li, looking timid and silent.

Ling Ting had matured a lot. Standing beside Master Ling Wu, he was in high spirits, and there was more confidence between his eyebrows than before.

Obviously, after Ling Yu injured his leg, Ling Ting, the eldest son of the concubine, had a different status in the fifth room of the Ling family.

Ling Jingshu's eyes passed over Ling Yu's slightly pale and thin face, and she felt indifferent.

No matter what, Ling Yu at least saved his life. In his previous life, Ling Xiao was harmed so badly by Li, and now Ling Yu has ended up like this, and it is not anyone else's fault.