Volume 1 Chapter 22 The Crimson Wooden Box's Bloodshed (2)
"Da Ya, what Uncle Da Shan said is right, you think carefully and if there's anything that needs our help, just say it straight out." Cuihua's face was full of worry, her eyes urgent, making Lin Chun feel moved.
"Ah, don't worry, Auntie. I consider your family as my own. Don't ever say that again. Even if you didn't say it, I would still go to your house to find you and Uncle Dashan. In Linjia Village, among the three of us siblings, only your family is trustworthy. The village head, He Qi, looks after us out of a sense of justice... and as for your family..." Lin Chun's voice trailed off as he buried his face in Aunt Cuihua's bosom, unable to speak further. Aunt Cuihua patted Lin Chun's back comfortingly, while Dashan and Er Ya remained silent, their hearts aching as they thought of their own immediate family members."
Lin's village, Lin old man's home.
"Sister-in-law, I'm telling the truth, people who came back from the market today told me personally that the red wooden box is big and heavy, with floral patterns on it, just looking at it you can tell it's valuable. Who knows what's inside? And there are several brocade boxes, one of which is said to be a sandalwood box, how precious! I heard that even a small piece of sandalwood is worth thousands of gold..." Liu Erniang said with a greedy face and dazed eyes.
"Is what Aunt Liu said really true?" Lin Er Lang listened to the side, immediately stood up from his chair and walked in front of Liu Er Niang to ask.
"Auntie can still tell lies to deceive you?! Today I went to that house and just the salt in the kitchen was filled with a large jar, it's obvious they're not living a poor life. The dog in that house barked happily, I didn't dare go in, who knows how many good things are hidden inside?! Liu Erniang's face twisted with jealousy, her eyes full of desire to investigate."
"If that's really the case, then every household in the village must have something to do with it. And I heard that the wealthy patron is very generous and plans to build a villa on the mountain. I asked around a few days ago, and it seems that the big mountain has commissioned all of Shi family's work for four months, including cutting and polishing stone blocks, as well as brick kilns from Sun family and wooden furniture from Li family. I heard that the patron's designs are unlike anything ordinary people have ever seen before, very unusual indeed!" Old Man Lin couldn't hold it in anymore and shared what he had recently found out.
"It seems that family really did meet a benefactor, now our families have cut ties, it's not easy to find an excuse for a legitimate visit, looks like we need to think of a good plan, without anyone noticing..." Lin Er Lang made a gesture with his hand, his face full of malice.
"Second son, this killing is against the law, you can't do it. Besides, Ruhua just got pregnant, you have to take good care of her. Your mother won't let you get involved in murder and arson. Not to mention, we can't afford to offend that noble person." Lin old lady was timid and saw Lin second son like this, she was very afraid.
"Mother, Erlang is considering our family's situation. Now that the land has been given to my younger sister, and I'm pregnant again, we're also planning a wedding with Erlang. But our family can't afford any more expenses. What will happen when the child is born? Let's listen to what Erlang has to say first. Our whole family can barely support three big children." The speaker was a plump-faced, thin-lipped woman with a sweet voice, but her words were not as pleasant as her tone, and her mannerisms were affected.
"As you said, sister, don't worry for now. Erlang will definitely take care of it. Once we get the benefits, not only can we buy a few more acres of good land, but we can also hold a grand wedding ceremony for Erlang and Ruhua. And when Ruhua gives birth to a big fat grandson, you'll have money to buy clothes and shoes too. In the past, because of the broken relationship, our two families haven't been treated fairly by others. It's just right that we take advantage of Erlang's wedding to regain our dignity, so that everyone in the village can see it. From now on, don't underestimate our two families." Liu Erniang said with gritted teeth, and finally indulged in a beautiful fantasy.
"Yes, mother, that family only has three young children, I won't kill them, at most I'll just knock them unconscious. Our main goal is to get the silver and goods, as for other things, I have my own measure. You don't need to worry about this matter, go back inside and sleep. Lin Er Lang gave a glance to Ruo Hua who was standing aside, Ruo Hua understood, returned a flirtatious glance to Lin Er Lang, and supported Lin Lao Tai into the inner room."
"Dad, Auntie, why don't we do it this way? On New Year's Eve, every household is busy, and those three kids from that family will go to the ancestral tomb in the east of the village to pay respects to their mother. We... can also..." Lin Er Lang was gesturing with his hands and feet, discussing with Liu Er Niang and Old Man Lin.
Outside, the eldest son of Village Chief Lin's family, Lin Dafu, received an order from Village Chief Lin Tianliang to ask Lin Er Lang to bring Ruhua to his house tomorrow to inquire about household registration matters. After all, Ruhua had entered Linjia Village without any roots or evidence. As the village chief and person in charge of village affairs, he had the right to investigate clearly to avoid bringing disaster to the villagers. Unexpectedly, this newcomer had just heard such a vicious plot. At that moment, she didn't care about Lin Er Lang anymore, carefully retreated from the courtyard of Lin Lao's house, and ran towards Dashan's house. The few people inside were discussing how to divide the spoils, never thinking that their conspiracy had already been discovered.
Lin Dafu ran all the way to Dashan's home, where Dashan and Cuihua were just returning from Lin Chuns house. Seeing the village head's son Lin Dafu rushing towards his own home with a look of urgency on his face, they were puzzled. Dashan thought that something must have happened at the village head's house. Lin Dafu saw Dashan and Cuihua standing there, but he didn't care about etiquette or greetings, pulling them into the house. He told them everything he had heard at Lao Lin's house from start to finish. The more Dashan and Cuihua listened, the more shocked they became. After hearing the story, Dashan was so angry that he slapped the table in the room with a loud bang, making it shake violently, almost collapsing.
"This Lao Lin and his family are not human, this Liu Erniang is also a beast. It won't work, I have to go to Da Ya's house first and discuss it with the three children. Da Fu, you go back home first, don't rush to tell the village chief about this matter for now. Anyway, they're doing things on New Year's Eve, we still have time. If all else fails, I'll go to Qianfuyuan in town tomorrow."
"I still have to go to Old Man Lin's house, my dad gave me something to do and I haven't finished it yet. Big Mountain Brother told me to remember what he said, so I'll go first." Lin Dafu bid farewell to Big Mountain Uncle and Cuihua Auntie, thinking that the way Old Man Lin's family did things was a bit nauseating, but still went to deliver his father's message with a stiff upper lip. When Lin Dafu arrived at Old Man Lin's house, Liu Erniang had already left. Lin Dafu hastily conveyed the village chief's meaning and hurried back home. Old Man Lin and Lin Erlang saw that Lin Dafu had an expression of disdain and disgust on his face, which they found strange, but didn't think much of it.
