Chapter 139 - 119: Stealing Half a Face (Extra 2-in-1)
This day passed quickly, and the fifth day since returning from the underground palace arrived.
There was no rain today. Xiuhe reported to her that there had been a ferocious quarrel in the main hall last night. The second and third branches of the family were demanding that the chief branch change their surname back from Lin to their original family name, Cui, in order to distance themselves from the Lin Party. However, Lin Bu of the chief branch refused to agree under any circumstances. Even bringing forth their deceased father’s teachings had no effect. The commotion eventually reached their matriarch, but nothing had been decided yet.
Currently, the Prince of Annan is away from the capital, so it is unwise for chaos to erupt in the court. As such, even though some officials have presented memorials accusing Lin Yan and others of treason, the empress dowager’s ill health has been used as an excuse to keep the memorials suppressed in the Chief of Staff’s office.
Rumors abound in the streets that the crime of treason requires the execution of nine generations, yet truly, cases of such punishment throughout history are rare, countable on one hand. Besides, the laws of Great Yu are lenient. According to "The Laws of Great Yu," for treason or great rebellion, the perpetrators—whether masterminds or accomplices—are to be executed; their fathers and sons over sixteen years of age are to be hanged; those guilty of severe crimes have their mothers, wives, concubines, and children under fifteen punished by demotion to servile status.
Now, whispers have circulated about leniency in handling the matter. Heavy punishment is unlikely, and the families by marriage are not expected to be implicated. Thus, the second and third branches seek to seize this opportunity to change their surname, aiming for an early escape and a fresh start elsewhere.
It had long been anticipated—when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—but if, back then, that West Factory Thousand Households officer had spared Lin Yan’s life, there might still have been room for maneuver. Lin Wanxiao couldn’t stop thinking about it. But life doesn’t deal in "ifs." The relentless currents of that underground river carried Lin Yan’s corpse away entirely.
As for her, even if Lin Yan’s treason condemned her to servile status, she was determined to remain a widow. At worst, she could end things with the white silk of a hanging. That way, she would preserve her purity both in life and in death.
The weather was fine. Though still chilly, the sunlight was warm and gentle as it shone upon the deep courtyard—uncertain whether it belonged to the Lin Family or the Cui Family. The gardened estate carried an unseasonal hint of spring. Xiuhe brought her an assortment of cloth in different colors for her embroidery work. It was only the fifth day of her widowhood, yet Lin Wanxiao already felt a fog of loneliness settling in.
The thought of spending a lifetime embroidering, like a wandering ghost existing in an almost unvisited wing of the estate, filled Lin Wanxiao with an inexplicable dread.
According to the laws of Great Yu, widows were required to mourn for three years; after which, remarrying would be permissible. But gossip often disregarded legal stipulations. In scholarly families, widows generally mourned for life. The husband could remarry, but there was no text permitting the wife to do the same!
Lin Wanxiao’s hands and feet turned icy cold as her mind wandered to that man’s face. She used to call him "Uncle." But what came of that in the end? The splattering sound of blood filled her ears, rendering her dizzy.