Seeing Jiang Lin’s serious expression, Chang’an knew the situation was critical. He nodded and ran off. "Young Master, don’t worry. I’ll find out everything."
After Chang’an left, Jiang Lin also went out. He first visited the Zhou family, wanting to ask Zhou’s father about Emperor Changde’s views on the disaster. Relief efforts were necessary, but there needed to be a clear plan and timeline for distributing funds and grain.
Jiang Lin explained the situation with the refugees and his suspicions to Zhou’s father. "Uncle Zhou, these refugees arrived too quickly and are too organized. I suspect someone is using them to cause trouble."
Zhou’s father was a smart man. As soon as Jiang Lin mentioned it, he understood the potential consequences if the refugees rioted. He asked Jiang Lin, "Do you want me to report this to the court as soon as possible?"
Jiang Lin nodded. "Not only that, but please also present this to the court." He handed Zhou’s father a bound booklet.
Zhou’s father opened it and saw that it contained drawings of locusts and instructions on how to eat them. He flipped through a few pages and found that it was all about consuming locusts, which made him feel a bit hungry.
"Can locusts really be eaten?" Zhou’s father asked.
Jiang Lin nodded. "Of course. They can also be used to feed chickens and ducks. People eat the large locusts, while chickens and ducks eat the eggs. Only by reducing the number of eggs can we truly solve the locust plague. Otherwise, the entire Dayue dynasty is in danger this year."
"I’ll present this booklet at tomorrow’s court session. As for the refugees, don’t get involved. The Emperor already dislikes the Wei family. If he accuses you of using the refugees to rebel, the entire Wei family will be doomed."
"Thank you, Uncle Zhou. Don’t worry, we won’t interfere. I’ll leave the booklet to you. I’ll take my leave now."
"Alright," Zhou’s father stood up and escorted Jiang Lin to the study door. He also called out his useless son to see Jiang Lin off.
Jiang Lin didn’t plan to return home immediately. He wanted to visit the Du family next. When Zhou Chengwang heard he was going to the Du family, he immediately said he would go too.
Once in the carriage, Jiang Lin carefully examined Zhou Chengwang, making him nervous. Zhou Chengwang hugged himself defensively. "Lin’er, you’re not having improper thoughts about me again, are you? I’m telling you, I won’t give in, even if you force me."
Jiang Lin rolled his eyes in disgust. "Stop daydreaming. I’m just wondering when you and Du Yuling plan to come clean to your families."
Zhou Chengwang’s expression became awkward, and he stammered, "C-come clean about what? There’s nothing between us."
"Hmph," Jiang Lin chuckled. "Xiao Wang, look at how guilty you look. Doesn’t it hurt to lie like that?"
Jiang Lin hadn’t thought much about it before, but seeing how inseparable the two were, like they were wearing the same pants, and how neither showed any intention of marrying, he wanted to ask about their future plans. He hadn’t expected to uncover their secret so easily.
[穿连裆裤 (chuān lián dāng kù): lit. Wearing shared pants; fig. Describes two people who are inseparable or always together]
"W-who’s guilty? I don’t even know what you’re talking about. How could I be guilty?" If his words weren’t stuttered and his eyes didn’t dart around, he might have been slightly more convincing.
Jiang Lin grabbed Zhou Chengwang’s face and made him look directly at him. "What? Are you two hiding this from me too?"
Zhou Chengwang quickly gave in, his whole demeanor deflating. "We weren’t trying to hide it from you. It’s just that we… only recently realized it ourselves. After spending so much time together, it just… happened."
Love born from long companionship, Jiang Lin understood.
"If you didn’t realize it before, how did you figure it out now?" Jiang Lin, now curious, pressed Zhou Chengwang for details.
Mentioning this, Zhou Chengwang became shy rather than dejected. "Du Yuling’s mother wanted to arrange a marriage for him. The thought of him marrying another woman and spending all his time with her made me uncomfortable. So I… figured it out," Zhou Chengwang said stubbornly.
"Oh," Jiang Lin was disappointed. "I thought there’d be some drama where you marry another woman, and we’d never see each other again, with you secretly drinking alone and crying under the covers. Turns out there’s none of that."
"Who cried? I definitely didn’t cry," Zhou Chengwang refused to admit it.
But Jiang Lin sensed there was more to the story. However, he didn’t press further. Instead, he asked about their plans. "Have you two thought about what you’ll do?"
Jiang Lin didn’t think there was anything wrong with two men falling in love. It wasn’t unusual. As long as it came from the heart, it was fine.
"No," Zhou Chengwang instantly became dejected again. "I’m afraid my father will break both our legs."
Jiang Lin corrected him. "Your father will probably only break your legs. Du Yuling has his own father to deal with. Maybe Wei Yunzhao will have a wheelchair companion soon."
Zhou Chengwang turned to Jiang Lin. "You’ve been through this. Give us some advice."
Jiang Lin didn’t consider himself an expert. His situation was different, he had been practically given away, so there was no risk of having his legs broken.
He looked at Zhou Chengwang seriously. "There’s not much advice to give. As long as you and Xiao Ling are sure that you’re willing to spend the rest of your lives together, even if it means having your legs broken, then nothing can stop you."
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