Chapter 5: Who is the Rival?

Upon hearing Wang Xian's words, Miss Lin was taken aback. She couldn't help but scrutinize this fellow once more, realizing that it was almost impossible to associate him with the scoundrel who had been pestering her. In her memory, this person resembled a mangy dog, lacking in spirit and thoroughly irritating.

If my brother's wrongful case is not cleared, I would rather be dead; how could I possibly consider marrying? Miss Lin sighed, her eyes immediately reddening, and this was entirely genuine.

Miss Lin, whose given name is Qing, originally belonged to one of the wealthiest families in the county. Her elder brother, Lin Rongxing, was a student supported by the county's educational fund, which could be considered a legacy of scholarly tradition. However, two years ago, a lawsuit plunged this family into despair. In this case, Lin Rongxing confessed to having bribed the local officials, which ultimately led to Wang Xian's father being imprisoned, marking the beginning of the Wang family's misfortunes

There is a spider weaving a web on the window of the West Chamber, and my mother does not allow it to be swept away, saying it is a good omen

Uh... Wang Xian said unwillingly: "What will happen if we break our vows?"

Otherwise, everything remains the same

Determined to create the "Inspirational Legend - A Prodigal Son Returns, Worth More Than Gold" of Wang Erlang, he did not expect that a single act of demanding payment for medicine would lead to the complete ruin of his previous efforts. In the eyes of Miss Lin, he once again became that good-for-nothing Wang Er.

Wang Xian felt a chill run down his spine, shivering as he said, "You woman, you are too ruthless." He certainly did not want to die covered in sores, rotting away.

Regarding the case that changed his life, Wang Xian naturally remembered it vividly. Initially, it was just an ordinary missing persons case, but later the family filed a complaint, which was dismissed by the county magistrate. Unexpectedly, during an inspection by the circuit inspector, the family filed another complaint, which not only reversed the case but also implicated several officials below the county magistrate. As the chief clerk of the criminal division, Wang Laodad was the first to bear the brunt; how could he escape? Initially, he was sentenced to two hundred strokes and exiled three thousand miles. However, later, with the family spending a considerable amount of money to facilitate connections, the sentence was changed to performing labor at the Shaoxing salt fields.

Two years ago, the Wang family was still a prominent household in the county. At that time, Old Man Wang had not yet been imprisoned; he was the county's chief clerk in the criminal department. Later generations often regard such minor officials as insignificant, but that is not the case. How many officials are there in a county? Aside from the county magistrate and the two deputy magistrates, three yamen runners, and four senior clerks, the clerks of the six departments wield considerable power. To make an inappropriate analogy, Old Man Wang's former position was akin to that of the county's public security, judiciary, and political and legal affairs committees, essentially the chief director of this series of judicial institutions.

"Hehe, I haven't thought it through yet," Wang Xian said with a smile while scratching his head. "Once I have made up my mind, I will naturally let you know..."

Later, she visited once more, but was driven out by Wang Xian's mother. After that, Lin Qing'er left Fuyang and traveled to Hangzhou and Nanjing, gradually forgetting that such a person ever existed

Lin Qing'er is not a gentleman, yet she insists on being guiltless. Moreover, she has exhausted her family fortune and her own strength, solely to make a final effort for her brother's case, putting all other matters on hold.

A few young people were chatting away, but Lin Qing'er was so shocked that she couldn't speak. Upon returning to Fuyang, she began to contemplate how to explain the truth to the Wang family. However, if she were to do so, her own responsibility would greatly increase.

Lin Qing'er’s face immediately turned bright red, then pale as iron. However, she also understood that it was impossible to reason with such a shameless and unruly scoundrel. If she were to drive him out, who knows what kind of mischief this rogue would resort to!

Afterward, Wang Xian left, and Lin Qing'er soon put the matter out of her mind. Who would place even a shred of hope in someone like Wang Er?

Moreover, Wang Laodie has only been in office as the Minister of Justice for less than two years, and his family wealth is not substantial. How could the Wang family possibly have an invincible rationale?

I did not say that

Six months ago, Wang Xian came again. Generally, Miss Lin would not meet him; she would have the butler give him some money to send him on his way. However, this time Wang Xian said, "I am not here to ask for money; I am here to give money," and insisted on meeting Miss Lin.

In this world, everyone regards Wang Er as a good-for-nothing and a prodigal son, and not a single person understands him. Only now, as Wang Xian merges with him, does he realize that this child is not as bad as people imagine; he is merely a pitiable soul who longs to return to the past

Lin Qing'er originally thought that this fellow would surely know when to back down and would no longer bring up this matter. She then took out a banknote, intending to send him on his way.

However, last month, while she was taking a boat from Hangzhou back to Fuyang, she overheard a few wayward youths discussing Wang Xian and Wang Erlang. Unable to resist eavesdropping, she was astonished to hear one of them lamenting that during Wang Xian's time, he would treat them to meals every day, which was wonderful. Unfortunately, he had the audacity to cheat at the gambling table and was beaten to the point of being a living dead.

After some contemplation, she devised a plan and, suppressing her disgust, said to Wang Xiandao, "I have been jilted before. Now that you have not abandoned me, I am deeply moved. However, I have sworn to the heavens that whoever can overturn the case for my family and restore our honor, I will marry them. I am willing to be a servant or a concubine if necessary; otherwise, I shall remain unmarried for life"

Lin Qing'er had no choice but to meet him. Wang Xian indeed took out a red envelope, which should contain around a hundred or so coins, but what was even more astonishing followed: he actually said that this was the betrothal gift.

Who knows, everyone said that Wang Erlang would never wake up again, yet he suddenly did!

I do not know, but during that time at the Qian family gambling house and the *Tu* bookstore, I heard the owner drunkenly say: 'That person mysteriously said: He plans to intercept the official on the day he takes office to file a complaint, but then he heard that to file a complaint, one needs a written statement, so he foolishly went to find someone to write it for him. Who would have thought that the person would turn around and report it to the Zhao family instead!'

Who would have thought that Wang Xian would actually refuse payment this time, patting his chest and saying: "Over the years, you have treated me better than my own mother..." Miss Lin nearly spat blood upon hearing this, only to listen as he continued, "In this world, loyalty is the most important thing; we will help with this favor!"

At that time, she naively thought that this could be considered a form of compensation to the Wang family, little did she know that others would take her kindness for weakness, gaining an inch and taking a mile

The royal family at that time could not be considered extremely wealthy, yet they certainly enjoyed a life of luxury, indulging in fine food and drink, adorned in gold and silver, residing in grand mansions, and commanding numerous maids and servants. Naturally, Wang Xian, a wealthy young master known for his cockfighting and idleness, emerged in such an environment

However, the Wang Xian before me, though his appearance remained unchanged, no longer bore the frivolousness in his distinctly black-and-white eyes. Instead, what replaced it was a gaze as deep as a pond, so calm and cold.

Alas, it is now impossible to clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River... Miss Lin thought mournfully

She said to herself, regardless of whether that struggle ends in success or failure, she would go to the Wang family afterward to plead guilty, accept punishment, and would not have a second word on the matter

"What good is just saying sorry?" Wang Xian scoffed, "If you really mean it, why not cover the medical expenses for the half a year I've been lying here?" Although this approach was somewhat ungracious, he couldn't help but think of his mother's unsteady steps, the patches on his sister's skirt, and... the wife that his brother ran off with...! No matter what, he was determined to extract a few coins from Sister Lin.

At that time, in order to exonerate Lin Rongxing, the Lin family had already used up all of Lin Qing'er’s dowry, and naturally, all expenses were minimized wherever possible. However, even after learning that this young man spent the money either on dining and drinking with his group of friends or on gambling, the Wang family had not seen a single cent from him. Nevertheless, Lin Qing'er had never allowed Wang Xian to leave empty-handed.

Ah? Wang Xian exclaimed, "How could you make such an oath?"

Should I violate this oath, may I be struck by lightning and eternally fall into the eighteen layers of hell! Lin Qing'er glanced at him and said: In the future, the man will be covered in sores and die in agony!

Just because of this one change, his entire demeanor has become quite different. Those who have been close to him, like my mother and Yinling, may not notice it, but for someone like Miss Lin, who has not seen him for half a year, the difference is very apparent.

However, fortune and misfortune are unpredictable; how can one stand by the river without getting their shoes wet? ... Finally, two years ago, this old hand who had navigated through the myriad of flowers without a single leaf touching him, fell headlong into the Lin family's case ...

Are you saying it was the Zhao family who did it

In that case, the young lady could also take the initiative to be honest, unlike the current awkward situation where it seems that if he does not wake up, she will continue to keep it a secret.

At that time, Wang Laodie was truly a significant figure whom the county magistrate relied on, the gentry flattered, and the common people feared. Any matters related to judicial law in the county had to pass through his hands. The saying goes, 'the plaintiff eats, the defendant eats,' and coupled with various corrupt customs and practices, there was no need to pervert the law or harm justice, yet he still profited immensely.

Who did this? Everyone was taken aback, and Lin Qing'er was even more stunned

... ...

However, he is indeed a scoundrel. Even if Wang Er listened to Miss Lin and reported the matter, there would be no reason to hold anyone responsible, as it was not anyone who forced him to do so. Moreover, his intention to stop the carriage and cry injustice was not even for Miss Lin's sake

Could it be that your head has been damaged, and you have yet to recover? Miss Lin thought to herself. Yet, she softly said, "It is I and the *illustrated* book who misjudged you, my apologies..."

This case dealt a fatal blow to the Wang family; the father's income and privileges during his tenure were lost, and he was pursued for embezzled funds, paying fines as well. Furthermore, with all connections having been established in the capital, even a mountain of gold would have been exhausted.

This is as it should be ... ... Miss Lin wanted to retract her earlier thoughts; it turned out that Wang Er was still the same Wang Er! Upon realizing this, her heart trembled involuntarily. Could it be that the days of being extorted were about to begin again?

"With you, huh?" Wang Xian brazenly declared, "Anyway, your in-laws have called off the engagement. I don't mind; let's get married."

Lin Qing'er’s brother was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, and the family was already in dire straits, yet they were further entangled by that scoundrel Wang Xian. For two years, he took advantage of the Lin family's guilt towards his own, claiming today that his mother was ill and tomorrow that his brother had fallen, finding various excuses to come to her for money. At that time, Miss Lin was only fifteen years old, still innocent and unaware of the ways of the world, believing that her brother was the reason Wang Xingshu ended up in prison, causing both the Wang family and her own to suffer. Therefore, whenever he asked for money, she would give it.

Miss Lin was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "How can you help?"

Another person sneered, saying, "What casino is rigged? It's not like that at all! Wang Er got into trouble and was killed!"

Miss Lin was taken aback at that moment and asked, "Who are you proposing to?"

On that day, at the Lu family's pharmacy, Lin Qing'er encountered Wang Gui and learned this news, which made her feel both happy and frustrated. The happiness stemmed from the fact that Wang Er was still alive, which alleviated much of her guilt. The frustration arose from the fact that this fellow had been lying there for half a year; why couldn't he just stay unconscious a little longer until she finished her tasks and then wake up

Not long after, news arrived that he had been knocked unconscious. Miss Lin's heart sank at that moment, prompting her to send someone to inquire. The result revealed that this fellow had been beaten at the casino for cheating, which finally put her mind at ease