Chapter 48 Slander (1/2)
Lin Lan’s residence in the Lin family household was a small courtyard with four rooms. This was where she had grown up. In the past, Lin Lan, her parents and Granny Lian had all lived here.
It’s been some time since Lin Lan was last there, so cobwebs were everywhere and dust was kicked up with each step. It took just half an hour of tidying up by Granny Lian and Fu for the whole courtyard to look completely different.
“Ma’am, I had thought Lin Hua would cause you trouble, but not only did he not do so, he even stopped the others from putting you on the spot and allowed you into the Lin household,” said Granny Lian with some surprise.
“I did not expect that either,” said Lin Lan, who was similarly surprised.
“Granny Lian, why did you think that Lin Hua would cause trouble for Mother?” Zhou Donghuang was curious.
“Young Master, that Lin Hua had once tried to pursue Ma’am desperately. Only when Ma’am rejected him in front of everyone did he stop pestering her.” Granny Lian laughed. “Just now when I saw him, I thought he would bear a grudge from last time when Ma’am embarrassed him in front of everyone and cause us trouble. Looks like I had judged him wrongly.”
“That really happened?” Zhou Donghuang looked at Lin Lan. Looks like his mother had been extremely attractive back in the day, or she would not have been chased like that.
“How many years ago was that? If he still remembers that then that means he is really narrow-minded.” Lin Lan laughed as she shook her head. “Furthermore, the reason why I rejected him publicly was because I was afraid after being pestered by him, that’s why I decided to end it quickly there and then and not to embarrass him.”
Just as they were chatting happily, Fu, who had been repairing the damaged door of the courtyard outside, said, “Young Master, Madam, there are people coming. One of them is the man who let us in at the main door.”
Right then, an old man in a gray robe appeared with the support of a middle-aged man.
“Lin Lan, meet Second Elder.”
“Second Elder.” Lin Lan and Granny Lian bowed and greeted the old man. Seeing Zhou Donghuang motionless, Lin Lan glanced at him and reminded, “Donghuang.”
“Second Elder.” On Lin Lan’s reminder, Zhou Donghuang then looked at the old man and nodded.
The old man frowned and looked at Zhou Donghuang disapprovingly. His gaze landed on Lin Lan, and said, “Lin Lan, Chief ordered that unless ordered by the family, you are not to step within the doors of this house. Coming back like this, are you disregarding Chief or the Lin family rules?”
“Second Elder,” answered Lin Lan respectfully. “I would never dare to disregard the chief nor the Lin family rules. The reason why I am back today is to get Chief to revoke that ban issued to me.”
“Get Chief to revoke the ban?” The old man laughed coldly. “Do you take his words for a joke? Instead of getting Chief to revoke the ban, why don’t you reflect on your mistake?”
“Second Elder, I admit that it was my fault for releasing the formula for the blood staunching elixir,” said Lin Lan. “But later when I returned, I gave the family an even better formula. Just because Fourth Elder took my formula for the blood staunching elixir and submitted it as his own, should my efforts be ignored? I can’t accept it!” Lin Lan’s voice rose as the depression that she had suppressed for more than a month was released entirely.
Hearing Lin Lan’s words, the old man was surprised, then frowned. The formula that Fourth Elder had presented to the family had originally been Lin Lan’s?
“Hmph!” Just then, the man standing behind the old man, who was Lin Hua, gave a cold smirk. “Lin Lan, it’s enough that you brought people to sneak into the house like a thief. Now you even dare to slander Fourth Elder?” Lin Hua laughed.
“Sneak in like a thief?” Zhou Donghuang glared at Lin Hua as his eyes narrowed.