Chapter 151: Darkness Beneath the Lamp

In the study, Jiang Jili’s expression looked gloomy.

He placed a sheet of paper before Li Lin: “Take a look.”

Li Lin took it, read it, and his expression also showed surprise.

“It wasn’t the Qin family from Yue Commandery behind this!”

Li Lin had been ambushed yesterday; today Jiang Jili had already investigated the matter thoroughly.

“That means the attacker wasn’t targeting you—he was targeting me. And the mastermind behind it all deliberately wanted to turn us against each other, to make us enemies!” Jiang Jili’s face darkened.

“But you can’t find out who the mastermind is.”

Jiang Jili nodded: “Yes. The trail ended abruptly.”

Li Lin thought for a moment and asked: “Who else knew you were going to meet me at the tavern?”

“My servants,” Jiang Jili said. “They’ve been raised in my household since childhood—loyal to the death. They wouldn’t betray me.”

Li Lin smiled: “So it couldn’t have been me who arranged it.”

That was absurd.

“Then who else could it be!” Jiang Jili growled, frustrated.

Li Lin suddenly said: “Wait… you weren’t the only one who knew you were coming to see me. Your family did too—they were the ones who delivered the Jade Sword.”

Jiang Jili stared at Li Lin and snapped: “Impossible!”

“Your family doesn’t have to be your closest kin,” Li Lin smiled. “For instance, your close relatives.”

A flash of cold light passed through Jiang Jili’s eyes.

Intrigue and rivalry within great clans were nothing new.

And it was entirely plausible.

“It’s impossible!” Jiang Jili insisted.

But Li Lin understood: the man already suspected—he was just refusing to admit it, because family shame must not be exposed.

As long as he didn’t confess, he wouldn’t feel humiliated.

Li Lin smiled and said: “Still, Jiang Assistant Prefect, you’re truly impressive. In less than a day, you’ve dug this deep.”

“I’ve studied the ‘Collection of Exonerations,’” Jiang Jili said wearily. “And originally, I wanted to be County Constable—but you snatched the position from me.”

“An Assistant Prefect can still investigate cases. I’m sure the County Magistrate won’t stop you.”

Jiang Jili sighed: “But without authority over the government office runners, I’m bound hand and foot.”

Li Lin smiled—he understood. Jiang Jili wanted control over the government office runners, but Li Lin would never hand that power to him.

The County Magistrate, Assistant Prefect, and County Constable were meant to check and balance each other, each fulfilling their own duties.

Seeing Li Lin unmoved, Jiang Jili sighed and added: “By the way, I don’t know what happened when you went to Bobai Military Garrison or what you gained, but now… Su Xun’s daughter and his grandson are in trouble. You should go see them.”

Li Lin paused, then stood: “Together?”

“No, I don’t want to get involved in this,” Jiang Jili bowed with a smile. “I’ll head back. We’ll meet again another day.”

Li Lin saw Jiang Jili out, then went to Su Huafang’s daughter’s home.

Upon arriving, he found a large crowd gathered in front, with several government office runners maintaining order.

Voices rose from the crowd.

As Li Lin approached, a sharp-eyed government office runner spotted him immediately.

One runner ran over, bowed, and said: “County Constable, what brings you here?”

“What’s going on?”

The runner replied: “The eldest branch of the Su family has brought a mob to surround Su Bei’s house, accusing them of stealing gold from their home.”

Hm?

Li Lin frowned—hadn’t Bai Zhiwei warned Su Bei about not flaunting wealth?

He walked forward; the government office runners immediately pushed through the crowd, shouting: “County Constable is here! Be silent! Make way!”

The onlookers instantly parted, clearing a path.

As Li Lin approached, he saw a group of Su family members gathered outside the low courtyard wall.

Four middle-aged men, a dozen or more aunts and grandmothers, plus a few young men—nearly thirty people surrounded a small house.

Inside the courtyard, Su Bei supported his mother, blocking the doorway.

Their clothes were disheveled, torn in several places.

Red scratches marked their faces.

Seeing Li Lin, Su Bei’s eyes lit up with relief.

The thirty-odd Su family members were frightened by Li Lin’s arrival, yet they stayed put, emboldened by greed.

After all, money gave courage.

But none dared approach or speak.

Li Lin glanced around and asked with a smile: “I heard the noise—what’s happening here?”

Before Su Bei could speak, the eldest branch of the Su family stepped forward.

“Your Excellency, my sister’s two nephews stole gold from our home. We came to reclaim it, but they refused. To arrest them—how outrageous!”

Li Lin turned to Su Bei: “Did you steal the gold?”

Su Bei wasn’t foolish—he knew some things couldn’t be said. He shook his head vigorously: “No, we didn’t steal anything.”

“Then where did the gold in your house come from?” The eldest branch’s face was decent enough, but his greed made him repulsive: “Three gold ingots! Don’t tell me your gambling-addict father gave them to you. Even if you sold your entire family, you couldn’t afford one ingot.”

The crowd erupted in laughter.

Li Lin looked at Su Bei: “Three gold ingots… that’s a fortune. Boy, can you explain where they came from?”

Though there were gaps, only three ingots had been discovered—better than all of them being found.

Su Bei stayed silent, head bowed.

Li Lin turned to the woman: “Su Shi, do you have anything to say?”

Su Shi said nothing.

“Since neither of you has anything to say, take Su Shi and Su Bei into the jail for detention. We’ll hear the case again on another day,” Li Lin said calmly.

At this, the eldest branch of the Su family beamed.

Then a child burst from the house, wailing: “Don’t take my mother! Don’t take my brother! Wah!”

The child cried bitterly; the onlookers pointed and murmured, most visibly moved by pity.

Li Lin thought a moment and said: “Since the Su household has a young child needing care, Su Shi, you won’t be imprisoned. Stay at home to tend to your son. Do not leave the county—do you understand?”

Su Shi bowed slightly, tears in her eyes: “Thank you, County Constable.”

“Someone, go inside and retrieve the three gold ingots. Take them to the Xingfang to be sealed as evidence…”

The eldest branch of the Su family panicked: “Your Excellency, those are our gold ingots!”

“The case hasn’t even been investigated—how do you know they’re yours?” Li Lin asked with a smile.

Often, commoners weren’t afraid of officials scowling or shouting.

They feared officials smiling.

The eldest branch fell silent, stepping back instinctively, avoiding Li Lin’s gaze.

Li Lin waved his hand: “Take them away. Take the gold too.”

Soon, several government office runners entered the house, retrieved the three gold ingots, and dragged Su Bei off.

With no more spectacle to watch, the crowd dispersed.

The eldest branch of the Su family watched Li Lin’s retreating back, stamped his foot in fury, yet dared not speak.

Li Lin walked slowly, returning to the county office after about two incense sticks, then descended into the underground jail of the Xingfang .

The air was dim and musty.

Su Bei was locked in the largest iron-barred cell, lying on a pile of straw, staring blankly.

Li Lin walked over and tapped lightly on the iron bars.

Su Bei startled, then leapt up upon seeing Li Lin, bowing respectfully: “County Constable.”

“How could you be so careless?” Li Lin asked.

Su Bei sighed: “My younger brother blabbed too much… and I never thought my uncle would believe a child’s words. While Mother was away, I was chopping wood in the back courtyard—he broke in and ransacked the house. If I hadn’t heard the noise, he’d have stolen the gold outright.”

(End of Chapter)