Chapter 365 - 359 - _1
Lin Yue glanced at the servant’s expression and understood what he was thinking. She smiled and said, "No matter what, my brother is still a Scholar, a man with a title. Now that he has been beaten to this state, it wouldn’t be excessive to take the matter to court. The Magistrate is a decent official who understands justice, and he will definitely stand by us. However, since this is after all an academy matter, making a big fuss isn’t good, so that’s why we came to find the dean. I must trouble you, young brother, to accommodate us."
As Lin Yue spoke, she also quietly slipped a piece of Silver into the servant’s hand—a two-pronged approach, offering both carrot and stick. By making him realize the seriousness of the matter while offering a reward, she ensured he would willingly help. Dealing with the Government Office and its people was always like this; Lin Yue had long since mastered the technique.
The servant was originally disdainful, but his attitude began to waver after hearing what Lin Yue had to say. Moreover, this young woman seemed quite familiar with the Magistrate and was dressed decently; perhaps she really did have some connection with the Magistrate. If the matter escalated because of his refusal to announce them, the dean would blame him just the same. Weighing the piece of Silver in his hand, the servant took Lin Yue, the poor scholar’s sister, more seriously and decided to announce their arrival. Whether the dean chose to see them was not his place to decide, as long as he had fulfilled his duty.
Lin Yue and the others waited outside, and soon the servant came out, saying the dean had agreed to see them. Lin Yue, supporting Lin Qing, went ahead, while Liang Wei and the others followed behind. Originally, the servant had intended to stop Liang Wei and his party since the dean had only summoned Lin Qing and his sister.
"Young brother, we’re also involved in this matter. There’s a reason behind the scuffle with Lin Qing. We can’t let the dean hear only one side of the story. Besides, even if we do not enter now, the dean will surely send for us. It would be best if you could facilitate this," Liang Wei said as he too pressed some Silver into the servant’s hand as a bribe.
Realizing it was these individuals who had beaten someone to such a state, the servant, although dismayed at their lack of gentlemanly conduct, weighed the Silver in his hand. Though it was not as much as the young woman had given, it was not insignificant either. Moreover, the man was correct: the dean would have to be informed anyway. It would be better to let them all enter together. Surely the dean wouldn’t blame him for that.
"Alright, alright, just go in. Be gentle and try not to disturb the dean’s peace. If the dean gets angry, he won’t be inclined to show you any mercy," the servant said impatiently, waving them in with an attitude that was no nicer to Liang Wei’s group than it had been to Lin Yue’s.
Liang Wei was somewhat irritated internally. How dare this servant treat him with such disdain? If this had happened at his own home, he would have had the servant beaten and cast out. Yet, here in the dean’s courtyard, they dared not act rashly, especially since they had been accused, and a scolding from the dean was unavoidable. If they were caught in another misdeed, they would not get off easily.