C3 The Lau Family Had Changed!

The young girl sported a braid and appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen years old, slightly younger than Lau Mingzhu.

Her braid swung energetically as she skipped and hopped, exuding a vibrant, youthful energy.

Her words seemed to clear the eerie atmosphere that had settled around them, prompting Lin Han to turn his attention to the girl.

"Young Master?" Lin Han was momentarily taken aback.

"Young Master, did you sleep well last night? I truly apologize. I had intended to assist you with washing and dressing, but to my surprise, you were already awake. I assure you, I will be here early tomorrow to help you start your day!"

The young maid, Xiaoqin, gave Lin Han a playful wink. She didn't regard him as a stranger, but rather with the curiosity one might reserve for an intriguing new toy, much like the way a young girl might gaze at a Barbie doll.

Clearly, Xiaoqin was of a spirited disposition.

In ancient times, Lin Han's features would be considered handsome, despite his somewhat delicate appearance. His good looks were undeniable; otherwise, he wouldn't have been abducted and wed. Even Lau Mingzhu, who was in a hurry to marry, valued aesthetics. Faced with the choice between a rugged brute and a dashing scholar, she would naturally prefer a partner with appealing looks.

Humans have always been visual beings, regardless of the era.

"Xiaoqin, what are you talking about?"

Lau Mingzhu scolded her maid with a stern glance.

Xiaoqin had been Lau Mingzhu's personal maid since childhood. Typically, Xiaoqin would share her mistress's bed, but with Lau Mingzhu's marriage, that duty had shifted. In ancient times, it was common for maids to serve in this intimate capacity, but the Lau family was an exception. Given that Lin Han had been captured, he certainly wouldn't enjoy the privilege of a bed-sharing maid.

"You'd do well to remember our conversation. Regarding your amnesia…" Lau Mingzhu began, feeling a wave of frustration. After a brief pause, she continued, "I will find a cure for you. We will be even then; neither of us will owe the other anything."

Lin Han let out a sigh. There was no point in arguing; his wife was the kind of person who wouldn't listen to reason. It was as though she believed she was the one wronged, despite being the one who had apparently knocked him out and dragged him into marriage. Could it be that after all that, she still saw herself as the victim?

Women truly were an enigma, Lin Han realized in that moment, even if they had only just met.

...

After a simple breakfast, Lau Ming, being the registrar, naturally headed off to his place of work. Lau Mingzhu, on the other hand, returned to the courtyard to continue her training. With time to spare, Lin Han decided to take a stroll through the streets, but as soon as he stepped outside, he was stopped by a servant.

Lin Han arched an eyebrow, clearly annoyed. "I can't leave?"

"My apologies, Young Master. These are the young lady's orders," the servant replied stiffly, though his eyes betrayed his thoughts.

So, you were knocked out and brought here by the young lady, and now you think you can just walk out? If we let you go, what would become of us?

Lin Han was speechless.

Eventually, he confronted Lau Mingzhu. Before he could get a word out, she said, "You can't leave. Not until your memory returns. I'm worried about what might happen to you..."

"You're just worried I'll run away, aren't you?" Lin Han retorted, his irritation growing.

Everyone has their limits, and Lin Han was no longer the pitiful man he had been before.

"Interpret it as you wish. If you disagree, feel free to debate it with me. And if talking doesn't solve anything, I welcome you to challenge me in a sparring match. Choose any weapon you like," Lau Mingzhu stated calmly, showing no sign of remorse.

Lin Han was at a loss for words.

Here, might made right, and he felt utterly deflated, resigned to his fate.

Unable to win in a fight, Lin Han was overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness.

But just then, the maid Xiaoqin burst in, her face etched with panic. "Miss, terrible news, something awful has happened!"

"What's the matter? Take a deep breath and try to calm down."

Lau Mingzhu paused, her face etched with confusion as she watched Xiaoqin struggling to catch her breath.

"The master... the master has had an accident!"

Xiaoqin's face turned beet red as she blurted out the words in a panic, causing Lau Mingzhu to freeze momentarily before her expression shifted to one of alarm.

Lin Han, observing from the sidelines, arched an eyebrow. It appeared he had become entangled in a rather serious affair.

Having inherited the fragmented memories of the unfortunate scholar, Lin Han knew that trouble was brewing for Lau Ming. He just hadn't anticipated it would come to a head so swiftly. Clearly, the County Magistrate's family was no longer able to remain passive. A disgraceful incident had occurred just the day before, and by the following day, retaliation was swift and obvious. It was clear to any discerning eye that the County Magistrate was seeking revenge, but what could anyone do about it?

Absolutely nothing! Lau Mingzhu was more powerful than him, so he had to swallow any objections to her unreasonable demands. Similarly, the County Magistrate wielded more power than Lau Ming, leaving Lau Ming with no choice but to endure the consequences.

...

Lau Ming was apprehended due to discrepancies in the account books.

As the chief registrar, Lau Ming was responsible for the accounts. Any issues with the books inevitably pointed back to him. After questioning Lau Ming, they promptly threw him into jail, flouting the law. In this county, the County Magistrate reigned supreme, and the law seemed as distant as the Emperor himself. Who could hold the County Magistrate accountable? And even if someone could, who would be aware of Lau Ming's innocence?

Lau Ming was reputed to be an upright official, a claim Lin Han neither contested nor endorsed. The antiquated yet valuable items adorning his home suggested he wasn't corrupt. Whether Lau Ming was truly an upright official was, in the end, irrelevant. Some were more than capable of concocting false charges to bring him down.

The saying that an official outranks the masses held a grim truth.

Lau Mingzhu was visibly anxious.

It was an anxiety that Lin Han could easily perceive.

Yet anxiety served no purpose. Observing her, Lin Han shook his head in dismay. His perception of Lau Mingzhu shifted rapidly from that of a beautiful and powerful wife to one who lacked foresight, as evidenced by her brandishing a razor-sharp sword, gleaming with a chilling light, and eagerly heading for the door.

"Do you intend to get your father killed?"

Lin Han's voice was calm, his expression unchanging as he posed the question. The sword was double-edged. Was Lau Mingzhu planning a prison break?

Despite her occasional stubbornness, she had provided for him, and it seemed she realized she was out of line with Lin Han, as her attitude towards him had significantly improved.

Lau Mingzhu halted, panic evident in her eyes, the sword clattering to the ground from her grasp.

Her panic stemmed from the knowledge that if her father, Lau Ming, was convicted of corruption, the consequences could be dire—ranging from execution to dismissal and exile. The Great Ning Dynasty showed no mercy for corruption.

Hence her distress. She was at a loss for how to save her father, especially under these circumstances, with jailbreak as her only conceived solution.

"If you go through with this, your father will be doomed even if he's innocent..."

"My father is innocent!"

"Even so, the charges have been laid, which means there's evidence against him. The delay in sentencing likely indicates insufficient proof. Regardless of the evidence's authenticity, there's still a chance for leniency. But if you act rashly and attempt a jailbreak, do you understand the implications?"

Lin Han's question left Lau Mingzhu momentarily speechless.

"If you go through with the jailbreak, the crime will be irrefutably confirmed. If you evade capture, you and your father might flee and live as outcasts or seek refuge in another country. But if you're caught, the charges will be undeniable, and it will no longer be a simple matter of corruption," Lin Han explained with a detached tone. "Have you truly considered the consequences?"

"But... I..." Lau Mingzhu's eyes were vacant as she gazed at Lin Han. "What should I do now?"

"Start by telling me about the County Magistrate, including his hobbies, personality, and family relationships. The more details you provide, the better. I can only devise a strategy with that information. Now is not the time to panic," Lin Han advised.

Shaking his head, Lin Han sighed as he regarded Lau Mingzhu. He couldn't fathom how she had managed to navigate through such a treacherous society.