Chapter 23: Rumors of the Cheng Mansion
“Since you two have met, I’ll take my leave.”
Meng Dai smiled, sensing the shift in atmosphere, and quietly excused himself.
“Farewell, Shopkeeper Meng.”
Lin Tianlu bowed farewell, then turned to Cheng Yishi, his expression neutral. “Miss Cheng, what brings you here?”
“Have you heard the rumors circulating in town, Sir?”
Cheng Yishi’s voice was soft and alluring. “About my family.”
Lin Tianlu’s brow furrowed slightly. “I have heard some things, but I’m not sure if they’re true…”
“They’re false, of course.”
Cheng Yishi said firmly. “Someone is deliberately spreading these baseless rumors, trying to slander my family and claim that our house is haunted by ghosts and vengeful spirits.
We used to ignore them, but after the fire at the fabric shop, which proved that there are indeed ghosts lurking in our town, these rumors have resurfaced and intensified. Our family’s businesses have suffered quite a bit because of them.”
Fake news?
Lin Tianlu was surprised.
So people were already using rumors and smear campaigns in this era?
And they were even using the fabric shop fire to fuel the flames. Quite clever.
“So you came to me, Miss Cheng, to… clear your family’s name?”
“You’re wise indeed, Sir, to understand so quickly.” Cheng Yishi smiled gracefully and nodded slightly. “My father is a proud man and didn’t want to trouble you.
But I happened to hear that you were dining here, Mr. Lin, so I came to invite you to our house to investigate. We hope you can prove our innocence and silence those troublesome rumors.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and nodded. “Of course, but… hmm?”
His expression changed as he quickly reached out to steady the girl, who had suddenly swayed.
“Miss Cheng?”
“Forgive me, Sir. I’ve had a weak constitution since childhood. I’m prone to dizziness and fatigue. It’s nothing serious.” Cheng Yishi’s face seemed a bit pale as she gracefully stepped back and bowed again. “I’ll return to my father now. Please enjoy your meal, Mr. Lin, and Miss. I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”
“Thank you.” Lin Tianlu bowed. “Please get some rest, Miss Cheng.”
Cheng Yishi paused, turning back to smile at him. “I’ll keep your advice in mind, Sir.”
…
After watching Cheng Yishi leave, Lin Tianlu sat back down, a thoughtful look on his face.
“Senior.”
Hua Shuya blinked her beautiful eyes and said softly, “Why are you frowning? Is it because of those rumors about the Cheng family…”
“Something doesn’t feel right.”
Lin Tianlu said slowly. “It might not be just baseless rumors, as Miss Cheng claims.
I briefly touched her wrist earlier, and it felt icy cold, as if surrounded by Yin energy.”
Hua Shuya’s eyes widened in alarm. “Could it be that Miss Cheng has been possessed by a ghost?”
“It’s hard to say. To find out the truth, we should go to the Cheng residence and investigate.”
Lin Tianlu had carefully observed Cheng Yishi earlier.
There was Yin energy lingering within her body, deeply rooted. But there was no bloodlust, suggesting she hadn’t harmed anyone.
The problem must lie within the Cheng mansion.
Hua Shuya lowered her eyes, her voice filled with concern. “Are you really going to the Cheng residence, Senior?”
“Vanquishing evil is a good deed. Besides, there are elderly people and children in her household. It would be tragic if something happened to them.”
Lin Tianlu took out the broken jade pendant from his pocket and chuckled. “And I also have a selfish motive.”
Although the jade pendant was currently just a useless flashlight, it had absorbed the gray mist from the two ghosts he had destroyed. He wanted to see if it would gain any new abilities after absorbing more.
Of course, even if it was useless, he considered this trip a good deed.
Hua Shuya glanced at the jade pendant curiously. It didn’t seem special. But since Senior valued it, it must be precious.
However, she quickly shifted her attention, her expression hesitant. “Senior, may I… accompany you?”
Seeing the anxiety in the girl’s eyes, Lin Tianlu chuckled. “Of course we’ll go together. Without your protection, Miss Hua, I would be worried.”
“Don’t worry, Senior!” Hua Shuya beamed.
Lin Tianlu gestured towards the dishes. “Let’s eat. The food will get cold.”
“Mm!” Hua Shuya picked up her chopsticks again. The fish tasted even more delicious now, and her eyes sparkled with happiness.
…
As night fell, the Tianhai Restaurant gradually quieted down.
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya finished their meal and left the restaurant, seeing a familiar figure waiting for them by a carriage.
“Miss Cheng.” Lin Tianlu bowed slightly, a wry smile on his face. “I apologize for making you wait in the cold night air.”
“Don’t worry, Sir. I just finished saying goodbye to my friends.” Cheng Yishi’s gentle smile remained unchanged as she gestured towards the man standing beside her. “Mr. Lin, Miss Hua, this is my father, Cheng Yanghua.”
Cheng Yanghua’s face was slightly aged, his expression stern and imposing, his demeanor somewhat cold.
He bowed to them, a forced smile on his lips. “I’m grateful that you accepted my invitation, Master Lin and Miss Hua. If you can clear my family’s name, I’ll reward you handsomely!”
“There’s no need for a reward, Sir. It’s our pleasure to be acquainted with you.” Lin Tianlu replied nonchalantly. Hua Shuya also bowed politely, remaining silent.
Cheng Yanghua gestured towards the carriage. “Please, get in.”
…
The Tianhai Restaurant wasn’t far from the Cheng residence. They arrived within a quarter of an hour.
As they stepped out of the carriage, a spacious courtyard came into view, two guards standing at the gate. It was a grand and impressive sight.
Led by Cheng Yishi and her father, they entered the mansion. The courtyard was dimly lit, and they could see a few servants moving about.
Lin Tianlu strolled through the corridor, asking, “How many people live in your household, Mr. Cheng?”
“There are twenty-one servants and maids, my three concubines and their three daughters and one son.” Cheng Yanghua hesitated for a moment, then continued, “And my eldest daughter, Yishi.”
Quite a large family.
Lin Tianlu’s eye twitched.
Three concubines, five children… he was quite fertile.
But thinking about the customs of this era, it wasn’t that unusual. Hua Shuya, who was standing beside him, didn’t seem fazed at all.
“Since you’re here, Master Lin, why don’t I have my family greet you…”
“Father.”
But before Cheng Yanghua could finish speaking, Cheng Yishi interrupted him softly, her head bowed. “It’s getting late. If we follow all the formalities, it will only tire Master Lin further.
Why don’t we let everyone rest early and allow Master Lin to inspect the house thoroughly? Once he confirms there are no ghosts or evil spirits, we can send servants to spread the word tomorrow morning and clear our family’s name.”
“Excellent, excellent!” Cheng Yanghua quickly agreed. “I was being inconsiderate. Someone! Tell everyone to go back to their rooms and rest. Don’t disturb Master Lin!”
“Yishi, you’ll guide Master Lin around the house.”
“As you wish, Father.” Cheng Yishi nodded slightly.
Soon, the Cheng residence quieted down, the lights in many rooms dimming.
But throughout this process, Cheng Yishi remained by Lin Tianlu’s side, a smile on her lips, her gaze lingering on him with a strange glint in her eyes.
And this subtle gesture didn’t escape Hua Shuya’s notice.
This woman… was acting strangely.
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