Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots-Chapter 1421 - 240, Innocent (37)

Xia Yuan was doing his utmost to bewitch Xiao Linshuang into temporarily staying at the Military Mansion. Even Lady Liu could sense his affection for her daughter and hurriedly gave the young girl meaningful glances.

Lin Yuan felt a bit of heartache as she watched General Xia, who seemed so eager to have his daughter by his side, and quietly poked Xiao Linshuang in the back.

Xiao Linshuang let out a soft sigh and nodded, saying, "Ah, since you, General, have extended such a warm invitation for me to visit your home, it would be rather pretentious of me to refuse. Very well then, I shall oblige and stay at your place for a while. But let me be clear, I still have matters to attend to at Frost Pavilion, so you mustn’t stop me from going out."

Upon hearing Xiao Linshuang agree to temporarily stay at the Military Mansion, Xia Yuan’s face immediately lit up with joy, and he nodded, promising, "You are free to go wherever you like, I assure you that I won’t restrict you."

Thus, Xiao Linshuang finally accepted Xia Yuan’s earnest invitation and went to stay at the Military Mansion. With Lao Fan, Princess Anle, and Tian Hui there, Xiao Linshuang didn’t feel confined; she either admired the lotuses or fed the fish. The pond’s fish, previously fed once every three to five days, were now being fed three to five times a day, to the delight of the fish.

However, having eaten too much, the koi often ended up bloated and unable to cope, and several could be seen floating belly-up on the surface of the water each day, having burst from overeating.

The koi in the pond were of prestigious breeds, and although Princess Anle found it a pity, she wasn’t heartbroken, as long as Xiao Linshuang was happy.

Xia Yuan felt the same way, and when he heard the Butler report that the koi were nearly all dead, he casually inquired, "Nearly all gone?"

The Butler nodded vigorously, expecting General Xia to order Xiao Linshuang to stop feeding the fish. However, Xia Yuan quickly changed his stance and said urgently, "Then buy more, quickly! If the fish in the pond die out, Shuanger will surely leave if she has nothing to feed. Hurry, hurry, buy more fish, the more the better!"

The Butler’s mouth twitched, and he left to buy fish with a displeased expression on his face.

Xiao Linshuang’s stay at the Military Mansion actually brought peace to Lady Liu and the others at the Lin Mansion. Without the young girl running around and calling out, they enjoyed a few rare days of comfort.

Once, Lin Jiaxin even suddenly asked during a meal when Xiao Linshuang would return. Thinking he missed his daughter, Lin Yuan said she would bring her back the following day.

But Lin Jiaxin quickly waved his hands to stop her, "No, no, let her stay at the General’s place for a while longer. If she returns, my paintings will certainly suffer again."

Lin Yuan, Lin Wei, and the others couldn’t help but laugh. To disdain one’s own daughter in such a manner, they seriously doubted whether Xiao Linshuang was truly Lin Jiaxin’s biological child.

While the Lin Mansion enjoyed happy days, the Yan Mansion was shrouded in gloom.

The few petty thieves who had stolen Five Stones Powder at Dong Tian in an attempt to slander Dong Tian and Lin Yuan’s reputations were taken away by the Officer of the Jingzhao, and none would disclose who was behind their scheme.

In ancient times, interrogation often involved torture, and since none of the men would speak, the Officer of the Jingzhao resorted to using torture devices. Eventually, the man with a sensitive constitution could no longer withstand the torture and opened his mouth, revealing the person behind it all.

As one person began to speak, others couldn’t hold back either and started to talk as well. As for the person they collectively pointed to, it was, without exception, Yan Xiangkai, the owner of the Drunken Immortal Tower.

Had this case fallen into someone else’s hands, it surely would have been lessened to a minor issue or dissolved completely. However, the Officer of the Jingzhao was known for his strict impartiality and would never allow such turmoil to occur in the Capital city under his jurisdiction.

Thus, Yan Xiangkai, who had never before set foot in the Yamen, was summoned to its grand hall. Although Yan Xiangkai had turned to commerce, his biological sister was the current Consort Liu, so naturally, the Officer of the Jingzhao could not disregard her dignity. After asking him a few questions, the officer allowed him to return home.

Even though nothing substantial was said, the reputation of the Drunken Immortal Tower still suffered, leaving Yan Xiangkai extremely frustrated, and he stewed in gloom all day at his residence.

Upon receiving the news, Yan Ruchun went to her father’s study and, seeing her father who seemed to have aged overnight, felt a wave of compassion. Although she felt that her father favored her aunt more, he was, after all, her father, and she could not stand idly by.

"Father, did you really not do this?"

Yan Xiangkai lifted his weary eyes to look at his daughter, "Do you also think I did it? Heh, your aunt said I got what I deserved, do you also believe I got what I deserved?"

Yan Ruchun pursed her lips and sat down beside her father, "Father, that’s not what I mean. I believe you wouldn’t do such base things, but others may not. As long as you didn’t do it, there must be clues to follow. Why be so self-reproaching?"

Looking at his daughter’s anxious face, Yan Xiangkai took a deep breath and forced a smile, "Good child, your father was just panicked. You’re right, as long as we are innocent, we’ll certainly be able to find those who falsely accused us."

At this point, Yan Xiangkai thought of the message his sister had sent through a little palace maid, and he wanted to advise his daughter to accept the marriage proposal from the Second Prince. But the words never left his lips; he loved his daughter dearly and who wouldn’t want their daughter to have a happy future? How could there be any happiness if she didn’t like the husband he chose for her?

"The affairs at Dong Tian aren’t a big deal, so you don’t need to worry. Take the time to go out more often. You, my girl, have been spoiled by me. Other ladies are always gathering, laughing and having fun every few days, and I’ve never seen you go out. If you’d like, invite your friends over to our place. Don’t always look at others like they owe you money, understand?"

Yan Ruchun was somewhat taken aback. Although her father was very loving, she couldn’t recall him ever speaking to her like this before.

Lowering her eyes and then raising them again with a smile, Yan Ruchun replied, "Father, do not worry. I have plenty of friends, and you don’t need to worry about me. I had arranged to meet with Fatty Xu for tea yesterday. The time is almost upon us, so I’ll be going now. Father, take care of your affairs!"

Watching his daughter’s retreating figure, Yan Xiangkai couldn’t help but shake his head. His daughter always seemed carefree, but he was aware that she wasn’t very popular in the circles of the Capital’s noble ladies.

Without friends to rely on, she could only depend on her parents. It was for this reason that he was even more driven to make money; to leave his daughter with enough silver to have something to rely on in the future.

In the teahouse, as soon as Yan Ruchun entered, she made her way straight to the elegant room she had reserved. In the room, Xu Muqing had already been waiting for some time.

"Oh my! Talkative, why are you so late? I’m starving here!" The moment she saw Yan Ruchun, Xu Muqing started to complain with pouted lips. The flesh on her cheeks quivered adorably. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm