Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Means to Dissolve an Engagement

Lin Rou had stepped forward because she couldn’t bear the County Magistrate and Lin Yuanzhou’s arrogant attitude. Yet she had already devised a plan, so she told Jiang Chen, “It’s all because of you that my whereabouts have been exposed. You must protect me and not let anyone sent by my family take me away!”

“Do you understand?”

Lin Rou’s strategy was simply to throw the trouble onto Jiang Chen and let herself relax, doing nothing, because she knew Jiang Chen still needed her help and would do everything in his power to keep the Lin family from finding her. The problem, however, was that Guanshan Town was such a small place that once the Lin family arrived, they would inevitably find Lin Rou.

What should they do then?

Jiang Chen thought it through and quickly realized that hiding was never a real solution. He could conceal Lin Rou for a few days, but not for a lifetime. As long as the marriage between the Lin and Shi families remained unbroken, all their efforts would be meaningless. Moreover, this young lady could never stay in the countryside for long. So there was only one true solution: the marriage alliance between the two families had to be completely shattered.

“Are you suggesting we kill Shi Guangjun?” Lin Rou, after listening to Jiang Chen’s analysis, arrived at a conclusion so unexpected that Jiang Chen was taken aback.

“Hey, Miss, you’re misunderstanding something here. We only need to break off the engagement, not commit murder!” he protested.

“Then tell me, aside from getting rid of Shi Guangjun, what other way is there to end the engagement?”

That was indeed the question. Lin Rou explained that the marriage between the two families was being pushed by Shi Wanli; her father, Lin Song, had only agreed casually at first, but Shi Wanli was so eager that he sent his son over directly.

“Didn’t you say your father listens to you? If he refuses the marriage, wouldn’t that solve everything?”

“Shi Wanli is a high official. Even my father can’t refuse outright; he needs a reasonable excuse to do so. But Shi Guangjun is so good at putting on airs, pretending to be concerned for me, that even my father is quite impressed with him!” Lin Rou spoke of Shi Guangjun with gritted teeth.

For someone born into a prominent family, Lin Rou’s insight into Shi Guangjun’s true nature was rare, and Jiang Chen’s opinion of the man was much the same. For the first time, it seemed they found common ground—they both disliked Shi Guangjun. Jiang Chen also wanted to find a chance to avenge Wu Yue for Shi Guangjun’s rude words on that day.

At this moment, Jiang Chen asked, “You said just now that Shi Guangjun is good at acting?”

“Absolutely. That scheming villain always pretends to care about me in front of my father. Seeing his face makes me sick!” Lin Rou replied.

Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up, and he said with delight, “If that’s the case, I think I know how to deal with him.”

Meanwhile, Tang Yong had rushed to Ziyang on horseback and returned by the next evening, bringing news that set the entire county office in turmoil.

“This... Is this really the personal belonging of Miss Lin Rou, the daughter of the Lin family?” the County Magistrate stammered, so frightened he could barely speak.

Tang Yong told him that upon entering Ziyang City, he heard that Miss Lin was missing, and the entire Lin residence was in chaos. Hundreds of people had been sent out to search for her whereabouts. He had brought this jade pendant to the Lin residence, where the steward immediately recognized it as Miss Lin’s personal item. The Lin family then sent their men straight to Guanshan Town, and by now they were likely searching for Jiang Chen.

“Master? Please, make a decision!” Tang Yong called repeatedly until the County Magistrate finally came to his senses and cursed, “That damned Lin Yuanzhou made me offend Miss Lin Rou, and now she’s run off to Guanshan Town. I think I’d better lay low for a while!”

“No, Tang Yong, spread the word that I am suddenly gravely ill and bedridden. No matter what, no one is to come looking for me!”

The County Magistrate, completely panicked, chose to feign illness to avoid the Lin family’s wrath. Tang Yong shook his head and withdrew.

As dusk approached, a group of well-dressed people arrived at Jiang Chen’s door. Though their attire hinted at high status, on closer inspection they looked like servants.

“Where is she? Where did she go?” The steward leading the group urgently questioned Wu Yue, who happened to be watering flowers in the neighboring courtyard.

“I don’t know. It seems this household hasn’t been home since yesterday,” Wu Yue replied.

The steward scratched his head, sighed in frustration, and then asked Wu Yue if she had seen a refined, elegant young lady in the area.

Wu Yue shook her head again. “I haven’t seen her.”

“Let’s go, we’ll try the county office first!”

The steward, at a loss, could only head to the County Magistrate to ask after Miss Lin Rou. According to Tang Yong’s information, the county office had caused trouble for the young lady, but now couldn’t hand her over. Who else could they turn to but the Magistrate?

Watching the group leave, Wu Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Wu Qingshan came out from the house and said uneasily to Wu Yue, “Sister, aren’t you worried at all?”

“I am worried, but Brother Chen said he could handle it, so worrying won’t help. I just trust him.”

“No, I mean, isn’t it improper for my brother-in-law to spend all day with that Lin family young lady? Two people, a man and a woman alone together, and it’s not like they’re close friends. Why does he have to help her so much? Surely there’s nothing between them?”

Wu Yue immediately grew serious. “Don’t talk nonsense. Brother Chen isn’t that kind of person. It’s understandable that he wants to help Miss Lin—no one wants to be forced by their family to marry someone they don’t like.”

“If it were me, I’d hope someone would help me too.”

Wu Qingshan sighed deeply. “Ah, my dear sister, you’re so bewitched by Brother Chen that every word you say is in his favor.”

“Achoo!”

At that moment, Jiang Chen, still at the Drunken Immortal Tavern, sneezed several times in succession, feeling strongly that someone must be gossiping about him behind his back.

“Has the wine been delivered?” he asked Lin Qingxuan, who was passing by.

“Who do you think you are, that I have to deliver wine myself?” Lin Qingxuan retorted.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be put out. If things go smoothly, it’ll only benefit you, never harm you,” Jiang Chen assured him.

Lin Qingxuan replied, “That’s what you say, but now that Lin Yuanzhou has crushed Lin Lidong, the next to suffer will be me. You’d better come up with a plan, or I’m doomed.”

As Lin Qingxuan complained, a young gentleman entered the Drunken Immortal Tavern, and a smile spread across Jiang Chen’s face.