Fourth Watch, Begging for Pink.
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Lian Lanlan knelt in front of Old Master Lian, tears streaming down her face. She felt utterly helpless now; during her days in the county town, she had made so acquaintances. But when this incident occurred and she sought their help, everyone was at a loss. That was when she thought of her own family, and of Wu Lang.
Most of the people she knew were small-ti business people like themselves, or minor governnt officials. In ordinary matters, they could be of so help. But when it ca to big issues, these people were clearly not influential enough. The only person she knew who had official recognition and the power to speak before the magistrate was Wu Lang.
Wu Lang was a scholar who didn’t need to kneel before officials, and the Archway Lian Family was closely connected to the Shen Family, frequenting circles of high officials. In Jinyang County, Wu Lang, being a scholar, was more reputable than other scholars, even more so than so of the few Graduate Masters.
If other scholars were silver-plated, then Wu Lang was pure gold.
When she arrived at Thirty Mile Camp and learned that Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang were not at ho and had gone far away with no definite return date, her mind went blank, and her heart sank halfway.
But this last straw, she was determined to grasp tightly.
With Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang not around, there was still Lady Zhang. If Lady Zhang could send soone to the County Yan to plead for leniency, perhaps the officials there would give them face and at least delay the matter a bit.
So she persuaded Lady Zhou to seek out Lady Zhang.
She didn’t go to plead with Lady Zhang personally; Lian Lanlan had her reasons. That side had always been very cold towards her, and how could she not harbor resentnt in her heart? She had incited Lady Zhou several tis before, and Lady Zhou had managed to put that side at a disadvantage. This increased her confidence in Lady Zhou significantly.
If it wasn’t a last resort, Lian Lanlan wouldn’t mind lowering herself in front of Lady Zhang. But with Lady Zhou here, assuming a stance of being able to handle Lady Zhang, she naturally found it more convenient. She even thought that since Lady Zhang refused to accommodate her gestures of goodwill before, being smart would have ant Lady Zhang flattering her a bit earlier. That way, she could have already been helping them speak with Lady Zhou to make their lives easier.
Hadn’t she collaborated very well with Lady Gu before? Now, she was willing to work with Lady Zhang.
She even considered that, once Lady Zhang arrived, if Lady Zhou got angry at Lady Zhang, she should persuade Lady Zhou earnestly, pulling Lady Zhang along and making her grateful. This would set a good start, allowing relations between the two families to be gradually nded.
However, she could never have calculated that matters would develop to this stage.
"Father, you know that prison isn’t a place for humans. Jin Suo and his father are not sturdy in health; one bit of mishandling could cost half their life. If we’re late in getting them out, their lives might be lost in there; even if they survive, with a ruined body, I can’t live the rest of my life like this."
"Jin Suo is such an honest and straightforward child. He just got married a few days ago, without even leaving any descendants. Father, even if you don’t do it for , consider your grandson and your son-in-law, please, Father, save them."
Lian Lanlan cried out loud.
Old Master Lian reluctantly closed his eyes.
Though troubled and annoyed, with his eldest daughter begging in this manner, he couldn’t harden his heart to ignore her.
"Big girl, you need to clarify this for : what are the rumors saying that you are supposed to have done — did you do it?" Old Master Lian forced himself to focus and questioned Lian Lanlan.
"Father, if you don’t believe , at least trust Jin Suo’s father. You surely know what kind of person he is. Their family has run a business for generations; when have they ever done such things?" Lian Lanlan quickly replied.
Her words left Old Master Lian unable to refute, as he had been the one to choose this son-in-law, and during the engagent, it was said both families knew each other well.
"If you didn’t do it, how did people co to suspect you?" Old Master Lian asked again.
"Father, how would I know? This disaster just fell from the sky..." Lian Lanlan sobbed.
"Running a business isn’t easy; every aspect needs attention. If you truly didn’t do it, think about whether Jin Suo’s father may have done sothing recently that offended soone, or is soone trying to take over your business?" Old Master Lian pondered this and spoke to Lian Lanlan.
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