CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: REASON FOR JOINING THE ARMY

"Even if he joins the Imperial Armor Army, so what? He is just a squad leader. Not to mention whether he can advance or not, if he unfortunately dies during some bandit suppression or combating rebels, it would indeed be a pity for this legitimate eldest grandson of the Lin family!"

Hearing this, the Second Madam’s eyes suddenly brightened.

"Mother-in-law is right, I was thinking too much as a daughter-in-law."

Princess Rongkang glanced sideways at her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wang. She wasn’t very clever, but her family background was decent.

Therefore, sometimes she would just turn a blind eye to things.

"Mind your own business about the main house. They have their own troubles to overcome. How is Guangzhi? Are his studies at the Imperial College going well?"

The Lin Guangzhi mentioned by Princess Rongkang was the second young master of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

He was also the only grandson of this branch of Princess Rongkang, so everyone in the Lin family valued him greatly.

However, he had been raised too pampered since childhood, possessing some traits of a foppish young master, so Princess Rongkang thought of sending him to Imperial College for some training.

He had been there for about two months, yet no news had been sent back.

Anxious about her beloved grandson, Princess Rongkang inquired daily, afraid to miss any family letter.

Mentioning her own son, Mrs. Wang naturally beamed with joy.

"Mother-in-law, rest assured. You know Guangzhi’s nature, don’t you? He’s lively and endearing, and it is said that everyone at the Imperial College treats him kindly."

"I meant, how is Guangzhi progressing in his studies?"

Princess Rongkang let out a cold snort.

The person sent from Prince Zhan Mansion, and the grandson held dearly in the hands of the Lin Xiangfu, would anyone dare make things difficult for him?

This second daughter-in-law truly lacked sense.

"Guangzhi learns quickly, only he has too much playfulness. Given time, he is sure to accomplish great things."

It’s said, "A loving mother leads to a wayward son," and it couldn’t be more accurate.

Fortunately, he is not too old yet. After he comes of age, we’ll find him a position to temper his character, and naturally, he will improve.

Thinking of this, Princess Rongkang relaxed a bit.

She continued chatting with Mrs. Wang about the bustling scenes in Shengjing City.

But over in the East Cross Courtyard, when Mrs. Dong heard the news that Lin Xingzhi was going to join the military, she almost couldn’t catch her breath.

"Are you crazy? Now that Qianqian has entered the palace, it’ll be hard to see her in the future. Your father and I only have you two brothers by our side now. If you leave, what will we do? The battlefield knows no mercy—if something happens...how will your father and I survive?"

The Grand Madam Dong cried and scolded simultaneously.

Lin Xingzhi knelt on the ground, letting her speak, but his determined look showed that no one could persuade him otherwise.

Sir Lin Guangzu also looked worriedly at his son, several times wanting to speak but unable to.

Instead, it was the younger son, Lin Muzhi, who stepped forward, first helping Grand Madam Dong to sit down and then handing her a handkerchief.

He softly consoled her.

"Mother, Brother is not the type to act on impulse. If he is doing this, he must have a reason. Why not listen to him and then decide?"

Don’t underestimate Lin Muzhi because of his young age; his words carried great persuasive power.

A youthful face, yet calm and composed, among the Lin grandchildren, he resembled Lin Xiang the most.

Unfortunately, he was born in the East Cross Courtyard and had been rarely regarded by his grandfather since childhood.

Now, even by the age of thirteen, the times he met his grandfather could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

As for any nurturing or guidance—it was unheard of.

"The child is right; listen to what He Song has to say."

Mr. Lin also consoled his wife; after all, there was no family feud, clearing the air was all it took.

Seeing that the father and son spoke reasonably, Mrs. Dong gradually stopped crying.

With red-rimmed eyes, she looked at her eldest son and said,

"Explain yourself, why is it necessary for you to join the army!"

Lin Xingzhi took a deep breath, looking seriously at his family members.

Especially his mother, compared to the Second Madam in the neighboring West Wing, she was so worried she appeared much older.

So he spoke slowly,

"Mother, I saw Qianqian during the dragon boat race."

"What? How is she? Is she okay? Has she lost weight?"

A series of questions came, leaving Lin Xingzhi no room to reply.

But seeing the anxious look on Grand Madam Dong’s face, he couldn’t bear it, but he had to tell the truth.

"Not well. She seems thinner. And although she didn’t say anything, I noticed her legs seemed a bit stiff, probably recovering from a sprain."

Upon hearing this, the Grand Madam collapsed onto a bench. If not for Lin Muzhi supporting her, she might have fallen to the ground.

A sudden desolate despair overwhelmed her.

"Oh, my children, why are all of you suffering so?"

She cried sorrowfully, but Lin Xingzhi did not stop. He continued to rub salt into her wounds.

"And on that day, she was even framed and fell into the water. If I hadn’t been there to save her, we’d probably be hearing dreadful news right now."

"What!"

Mr. Lin angrily smashed his fist on the table corner and immediately stood up to rush outside.

"Father, where are you going?"

"I am going next door to ask properly. Doesn’t that family’s girl serve as an Imperial Consort in the palace? How can she watch her own sister being bullied like this! They’re all Lin’s blood; don’t they care even a little for kinship?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xingzhi sneered coldly.

"Father, do you still not see clearly by now? When have the West Wing and Ronghe Hall ever regarded us as family? They forced Qianqian into the palace to support Lin Guifei’s favor, suppress me and my brother, not giving us a chance to rise, and constantly trouble mother all these years. Other than when they need money, when have they ever looked kindly at those of us in the East Cross Courtyard?"

"Are you going to reason with them? You think Second Uncle will listen? Or Second Aunt? One is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel; the other is the daughter of the Minister of War. Look at the people in our courtyard—mother is the daughter of a merchant, and you, you’re merely an eighth-rank minor official in the Astronomical Bureau. What do we have to compare or compete with them?"

With reddened eyes, Lin Xingzhi laid bare the years of humiliation his family endured.

The people in the room were all taken aback by his words, especially Mr. Lin, who stood there stunned, not daring to move.

"Mother asked me why I want to join the army. It’s because I no longer wish to be a lamb on someone else’s chopping block! If we don’t aim to climb higher and remain confined in these four walls, sooner or later, my brother and I will become stepping stones for the neighboring courtyard, and Qianqian—a concubine without family backing in the harem, do you know what life will be like for her?"

"Today, she may still be of some use to the Imperial Consort, and her life can be spared, but who knows about the future? Should she really spend her whole life relying on Lin Guifei, living at the mercy of others? Think carefully; is that reliable?"