Lin Zhong ignored Li Yanchen's struggles and directly took him to Wei Shiwan's courtyard. "Reporting to Secondary Consort Wei, the Eldest Young Master is waiting outside."
"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Lin." Wei Shiwan gave a light smile to Lin Zhong, then softly instructed her personal maid, "Xiao Tao, so many things happened today, Chen'er must be tired. You take Chen'er to the Nuanming Courtyard to rest first."
"Yes," Xiao Tao performed a curtsey and then had the guards restraining Li Yanchen follow her.
Lin Zhong cupped his hands respectfully. "Secondary Consort Wei, this servant must still report the matter of the Eldest Young Master to His Highness the Prince. I will not disturb you further."
Wei Shiwan nodded slightly, watching as Lin Zhong left.
Li Yanshen, frowning, walked towards Wei Shiwan. "Mother, Li Yanchen is just the son of a maid, utterly insignificant. Why are you giving such a good place to him?"
Li Yanshen felt that any random place would do for him to live in, why give the best courtyard in the estate to Li Yanchen?
Wei Shiwan smiled meaningfully. "Shen'er, didn't Mother teach you that you cannot just look at the surface of things? Li Yanchen's origins are low, but he still holds the status of the eldest son. Zhou Xiaoru won't just do nothing. Rather than being on guard every moment, it's better to keep Li Yanchen close by. Only then can Mother feel at ease. Besides, Li Yanchen is still young. By building him up like this, Mother might reap some unexpected rewards."
Li Yanshen still felt dissatisfied. "Mother..."
"Does Shen'er not trust your mother?" Wei Shiwan narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at the nine-year-old Li Yanshen.
"This son doesn't mean that." Li Yanshen shivered involuntarily and subconsciously changed the subject. "This son just wanted to know... since Li Jin is crippled, does this son need to keep pretending?"
"Don't be hasty." Wei Shiwan curled the corners of her mouth. "Shen'er, your mischievous nature is, after all, deeply ingrained in people's minds. You cannot change too much at once lest it arouse suspicion. A gradual change is just right. As for how you treat Li Yanchen, act as you usually would, no need to deliberately get close to him. It's just a pity about Liang Wenliu, such a useful pawn. I originally intended to use her a while longer."
"Yes, this son will carefully follow Mother's teachings."
____
As soon as he returned to Li Jin's Courtyard, Ping'an said with a face full of admiration, "Young Master, you are truly amazing. With just one look you figured out it was that Liang Wenliu who did it. This servant thinks the Princess Consort would be very comforted if she knew."
"Ping'an, I am somewhat thirsty. Go and brew a pot of tea for me."
"Yes, Young Master."
Seeing that Li Jin did not wish to discuss the earlier matter further, Ping'an nimbly picked up the teapot from the table and ran out.
With an expressionless face, Li Jin walked to the window, opened the wooden window frame, and looked up at the night sky. "Mother, although this time I only exposed the pawn Liang Wenliu, good and evil will eventually be repaid. Please watch from the heavens above. I will strip away Wei Shiwan's false mask step by step."
That Liang Wenliu was a pawn was something Li Jin had known in his previous life. He had even intended to use Liang Wenliu to lure out Wei Shiwan, but unfortunately, Wei Shiwan still managed to escape.
Seeing the stunned look in Liang Wenliu's eyes moments ago when the tung wood doll found in her room was presented, Li Jin was certain it had been prepared by Wei Shiwan as a precaution. Otherwise, Liang Wenliu's expression wouldn't have been like that.
Wei Shiwan's move was truly clever.
Given Li Shiyun's nature, finding a tung wood doll carved with his own name and birth date would anger him far more than finding one for anyone else.
Furthermore.
Seeing the vicious glare Li Yanchen fixed on him, Li Jin didn't believe Zhou Xiaoru was truly innocent. But now was not the best time to move against Zhou Xiaoru, or Li Yanchen.
Li Jin slowly closed his eyes. "Li Yanchen, Wei Shiwan... this is just the beginning."
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