Chapter 91: Chapter 85: A Showdown at the Door

In the inner courtyard of the Lin Mansion, the embroidery room was serene.

Madam Yang sat alone by the window, her fingertips gently caressing a plain white silk handkerchief.

A blood-red plum blossom bloomed on its surface, its color a deep crimson, as if it held some hidden meaning.

As she gazed at the blood-red plum blossom, a wistful, faraway look filled Madam Yang’s eyes. Whenever her gaze drifted, the corners of her lips would unconsciously curve into a faint yet genuine smile.

Several days had passed since that day.

Chen Sheng had not yet come for her as she had expected. However, for some reason, an unshakeable certainty lingered in her heart, an intuition telling her that he would definitely come.

This budding anticipation had washed away the faint sorrow that usually clouded her features. Even her personal maid, Lvxiu, had noticed the change, often remarking in private how her mistress’s complexion had grown more radiant and that a light had returned to her eyes.

In response, Madam Yang would only smile faintly, never offering an explanation.

For she alone knew the source of this transformation, like a withered tree blooming anew in spring. ’For a woman confined to the inner chambers,’ she thought, ’what could be more revitalizing than a man’s affection and passion?’

Just as Madam Yang was lost in her reverie, a series of hurried knocks echoed from outside the door, accompanied by Lvxiu’s panicked cries:

"Madam, Madam!"

Madam Yang’s brow furrowed. She quickly and carefully folded the plum blossom handkerchief, tucking it deep into her sleeve. Taking a deep breath, she calmed the turmoil in her heart. Only when her expression had returned to its usual gentle dignity did she rise to open the door.

"What has you in such a panic?" she asked softly, looking at the breathless Lvxiu.

"Madam... outside! Something’s happened outside."

Lvxiu clutched her chest, explaining breathlessly, "I heard the servants in the front courtyard talking... They said that Chen Sheng from the Military Preparation Camp... Commander Chen is here! He brought a lot of soldiers with him, and they’re blocking the mansion gates right now!"

Madam Yang’s expression shifted at her words.

’Chen Sheng is here?’

’And so openly, with armed men in tow?’

’Could it be...?’

The thought sent ripples through her heart like a stone tossed into a lake. It carried a flicker of subconscious hope, but that was quickly overwhelmed by a deeper dread.

’This is County Magistrate Lin Shou’s mansion, after all,’ she worried. ’For him to act this way is far too risky. No matter how powerless Lin Shou has become, he is still technically a seventh-rank County Magistrate.’

Worried that a conflict would erupt, she ordered immediately, "Come, take me to the front."

"Yes, Madam..." Lvxiu quickly complied and led the way.

---

The atmosphere in front of the Lin Mansion was grim and heavy.

Chen Sheng, dressed in a brand-new, eighth-rank military official’s uniform, stood at the foot of the stone steps with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture as ramrod-straight as a pine tree.

Though he had only brought a dozen of his personal guards, the formidable aura of a seasoned and decisive battlefield commander made it feel as though he had an army of thousands at his back, casting a heavy pall over the Lin Mansion.

The mansion’s old steward, his face pale and temples beaded with sweat, stood trembling with a group of guards to block the entrance, hardly daring to breathe.

The aftershocks from the annihilation of the Gao Family and the public execution of Gao Yuanfeng still lingered. In Changshan County, Commander Chen’s fearsome reputation was now said to be enough to stop a child from crying in the night.

Everyone knew he and their master had long been at odds. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Their own master had been humiliated by Chen Sheng during the fall of the Gao Family; how could mere servants like them dare to step out of line?

"What’s this? Does it take so long to announce a visitor? Or is County Magistrate Lin so occupied with important matters that he has no time to meet with me?"

Chen Sheng’s tone was detached, his gaze as sharp as a blade as it swept over the old steward.

He had come today for an open showdown with Lin Shou; there was no longer any need for clandestine plotting.

Now that his position as Grand Commander of the Military Preparation Camp was official—the "acting" part of his title removed—he no longer needed to be so concerned with Lin Shou’s dignity.

He would make it clear to everyone that from this day forward, it was his word that carried the most weight in Changshan County.

"Lord Chen, please calm your anger! Please! The master... the master will be here at once, at once!" the old steward stammered, bowing hastily with an apologetic smile, his voice holding a faint tremor.

Before the words were even out of his mouth, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from within the mansion.

All eyes turned toward the sound. County Magistrate Lin Shou emerged from the inner courtyard with a dark expression, striding quickly. His gaze swept over Chen Sheng and the soldiers exuding Evil Qi behind him, and his face instantly contorted with shock and fury.

"Chen Sheng, what is the meaning of this? Surrounding my official residence with troops in broad daylight? Are you staging a rebellion?!"

Lin Shou forced himself to remain composed as he roared the question.

He had only just received a letter of reprimand from the Prefecture City, and he was already reeling with shock and anger. Now, faced with Chen Sheng’s blatant aggression, his rage became uncontrollable.

Chen Sheng’s expression was impassive, his voice perfectly calm:

"You exaggerate, County Magistrate Lin. This official has simply uncovered some leads regarding the remnants of the Gao Family. They seem to involve you, so I have come to verify the facts."

"’This official’?"

The term seemed to strike a nerve. Lin Shou’s voice rose sharply. "It’s one thing to put on airs in front of your own subordinates, but you dare to be so presumptuous before me?!"

He had always known Chen Sheng to be arrogant and domineering, but he never expected the man to be so blatantly disrespectful the moment he was officially appointed. It was a profound humiliation and a direct threat.

The corner of Chen Sheng’s mouth twitched into a nearly imperceptible sneer.

"And why not? Does County Magistrate Lin... have a problem with it?"

"You..."

Lin Shou was so taken aback by the casual retort that he was left speechless. His finger, pointed at Chen Sheng, trembled with absolute rage.

The onlookers, whether they were Lin Mansion servants or Chen Sheng’s own soldiers, watched the scene unfold with bated breath, silent as the grave.