Chapter 46: Released from Prison

  "Ode to Lime" is a poem that uses lime as a metaphor to express the author's unyielding and selfless qualities. After being pounded millions of times in the deep mountains, and burned by fierce flames, it remains unfazed. Even if it were to be crushed into powder, what would it have to fear? It only wishes to leave behind a piece of its pure white color (like the color of stone) in the world. The author of this poem is a famous national hero who is as renowned as Yue Fei, and also an honest and upright official. This poem not only encourages Lin Xiangru's admiration for small stars but also praises Shi Wen's integrity and uprightness.

  Shi Wen lovingly held the rice paper with poems written on it, his eyes revealing deep emotions and excitement of being recognized. Many of his fellow students who took the imperial examination together couldn't understand why Shi Wen, a man of great talent and virtue, would return to his hometown instead of seeking wealth and fame in the capital. But Lin Chun understood that Shi Wen's decision was not just about serving the people of Yuxiang Town or homesickness, but also about avoiding being tainted by the corrupt officials in the imperial court, so as to preserve his own integrity.

  Lin Chun was very clear about Shi Wen's mood at this moment, but this poem was a gift he wrote for Little Star. In fact, Lin Chun still had another thought in mind - Shi Yu would be going to the capital next year to take the imperial examination, and this poem could also encourage him, no matter how many setbacks and hardships he faced, he could keep his original nature and heart, not being defeated or tempted.

  Yuexiang's face was filled with incredulity, her heart somewhat indignant and resentful, feeling that she had underestimated the young peasant woman in front of her who was deeply loved by her parents-in-law. She hadn't expected this poor and humble farm girl to have such talent, able to compose poetry that even her father-in-law, a scholar, praised. It seemed she needed to change her attitude towards her now.

  The three sons of the Shi family are all very good to Lin Chun, especially the youngest one, who is like a shadow, always defending her and speaking well of her, praising her as if she were a heavenly being. She has been married into the Shi family for almost two years now, but she hasn't seen the brothers treat their own wives this way, especially not their parents-in-law, who rarely praise them and occasionally even set rules for them.

  Yuexiang was deeply struck by Linchun's popularity, her heart aching with jealousy, her face twisted in pain, but she still had to put on a smiling face and flatter, "Sister, you're indeed talented, Little Star is lucky to have an aunt like you."

  Mr. and Mrs. Shi looked at Yuexiang with great appreciation, nodded their heads in agreement, "Yuexiang's words are well said, although Daliao's family background is not good, she has both virtue and talent, understands etiquette, knows how to respect her elders, and thinks of her family wholeheartedly, she's a good girl. In the future, let Xiaoxing learn more from her aunt, maybe our family will produce another talented person!" Mr. Shi's understanding of Linchun took another step forward, and he was even more delighted with and valued Linchun.

  Shi Wen's words made Yue Xiang even more envious and resentful, feeling increasingly unbalanced in her heart. She was also the daughter of a wealthy family in Yu Xiang Town, knowledgeable and reasonable, deeply loved and protected by her parents at home. She thought that after marrying into the Shi family, with her father-in-law being the county magistrate, she had become the young mistress of the Shi family and had given birth to the first grandson of the Shi family, so shouldn't her status be one that could summon the wind and rain? But unexpectedly, not only was she often restricted by her parents-in-law, but now they had even brought in a adopted daughter.

  Mrs. Shi saw that Yue Xiang's face didn't look good and felt slightly displeased in her heart. Mrs. Shi was very clear about what her eldest daughter-in-law was thinking. After marrying into the family for only a few days, she had already returned to her spoiled and pampered ways from her maiden home, ordering the servants around, and after giving birth to a child, her temper had become even worse. She even dared to interfere with the household chores. Mrs. Shi had originally not planned to always be in control of the household chores either and had intended to hand them over to Yue Xiang after she finished her postpartum confinement. However, Yue Xiang, because she couldn't calm down, directly interfered, which made Mrs. Shi very displeased. After being reprimanded by Mrs. Shi for not following the rules, she even ran back to her own room and had a big argument with Shi Yu. This time, it was good that Shi Wen and Mrs. Shi didn't let go of their control over the household chores, thinking they could manage them, but there was no way.

  Mrs. Shi saw that Yuexiang was thinking this way, and her heart understood. It was a well-known fact throughout the Shi Manor that she liked Linchun very much, and Shiweng also treated Linchun's family with great care. If Yuexiang could truly accept and treat Linchun sincerely, it would be for the best; but if not...

  Mrs. Shi composed herself, turned her head, and saw Mr. Shi holding Little Star, reciting a poem written by Lin Chun to him. The words were powerful and resonant, and Little Star tilted his small head, staring intently at the paper in Mr. Shi's hand with wide eyes, although he looked bewildered, but his clear eyes were fixed on it without blinking. Mrs. Shi was satisfied and raised the corner of her mouth.

  Lin Chun doesn't care about Yue Xiang's opinions or dissatisfaction towards her, anyway she doesn't often come to the Shi residence, Shi Wen and Madam Shi love her dearly, she will also be doubly filial, as long as she has a clear conscience.

  "Master, mistress, lunch is ready." The butler's voice broke into everyone's thoughts.

  "Ah, Da Ya, you're here early, I suppose you must be hungry. Yue Xiang, take the child back and hand her over to the nanny, then come back with Ah Yu to eat in the flower hall. Momo, go prepare first. Housekeeper, go call Ah Yuan and Ah Qi. Master, let's take Da Ya over first." Madam Shi stood up and gave instructions one by one.

  Everyone went their separate ways, Lin Chun followed Mrs. Shi to the flower hall a step ahead, it was all family members having dinner, and Mrs. Shi didn't pay too much attention to etiquette, men and women each set up a table, there was no screen in between, more than half of the dishes had already been served, waiting for everyone to arrive one after another before serving the rest.

  The meal was eaten in a harmonious atmosphere, and after dinner, Lin Chun went directly to the study with Shi Wen. An He was already waiting at the door of the study room. When Shi Wen saw An He, he simply greeted him briefly.

  "Big brother, Lin Er Lang and Lin Da Zhuang are still quite well-behaved in prison. Lin Da Zhuang is timid and afraid of trouble, often bullied by those who are locked up together. In the past five months, he's probably been beaten into fear. As for Lin Er Lang, he's usually very quiet, but no one dares to bully him. When he first entered the prison, he got into a fight with someone, and his fearless and desperate fighting scared everyone in the cell, so no one dared to provoke him again. Lin Da Zhuang isn't afraid, but he's afraid of Lin Er Lang..." Shi Wen analyzed.

  Lin Chuntian lowered his head, his eyes rolling around, "Father's words make sense. Lin Dabao has only listened to Liu Erniang since he was a child. Now that Liu Erniang hasn't been released yet, even if he gets out of prison, he will only return to Linjiacun. But Linjiacun drove him away, so he can either go to a foreign land to beg or follow Lin Erlang..."

  "It's just that Lin Er Lang, he was deceived by Ruhua, so he must have some resentment in his heart. Also, because of our family matters, he suffered imprisonment, and he is a vengeful person. It's certain that he will come to my house looking for trouble. However, we can first guide him to go find Ruhua for revenge, this way we can also leave some time for my family. By the time he returns after taking his revenge, my family will have developed and stabilized..."

  Digression

  The author is here with a thick skin!