"Don't just stand there gawking, do as you're told and stop thinking about irrelevant things!"
Seeing his peculiar expression, Li Bangyan immediately understood what the man was thinking.
"Yes!"
Since Li Bangyan had spoken, the old butler dared not delay. After acknowledging, he immediately turned and headed towards the rear residence.
"My Lord, the Madam is here..."
A moment later, the old butler, accompanying Madam Lin, returned to the side hall.
After calming down for a while, Madam Lin's emotions had stabilized considerably.
Furthermore, knowing the gravity of the situation at this time, she dared not act presumptuously any longer.
"You may leave for now. I wish to speak with Madam alone!"
Although the events of this evening had deeply embarrassed Li Bangyan, after many years of marriage, it was impossible to say there was no affection between them.
Seeing Madam Lin weeping sorrowfully, Li Bangyan let out a long sigh and then instructed the old butler.
"Yes!"
Seeing that the two seemed unlikely to quarrel, the old butler cupped his hands to Li Bangyan and then slowly withdrew from the room, closing the door behind him.
Upon reaching outside, he thoughtfully sent away all the maids and servants attending outside into the courtyard.
"What happened tonight, let it never be mentioned again from this day forward..."
After the old butler left, a long silence fell within the room. After a considerable time, Li Bangyan let out another long breath and said again.
"Then my father..."
Having understood the severity of the situation, Madam Lin knew that Lin Daqian was likely beyond saving.
However, to have her father, who was already over sixty, suffer alongside her, Madam Lin's heart felt an unspeakable pang.
"You should know by now how this matter unfolded. I can only do my best to intercede for your father, but I cannot guarantee the final outcome..."
Carefully choosing his words, Li Bangyan spoke slowly.
"Let's put this aside for now. There is something I need you to do..."
"What is it?"
Hearing Li Bangyan's words, Madam Lin glanced at him with some confusion.
After all, after so many years of marriage, Li Bangyan had never spoken to her in such a tone.
"You know your brother's temper, and at this moment, he still doesn't understand the gravity of the situation..."
Li Bangyan trailed off at this point, but Madam Lin immediately understood.
Her brother had been spoiled since childhood. Coupled with Li Bangyan's increasingly smooth career in recent years, Madam Lin had actually heard whispers of their dealings in the region.
However, out of sisterly affection, and her own short-sightedness, she had never taken the matter to heart.
She always felt that no matter what, her husband, as a Hanlin Academy official, could still protect his family.
But she never expected that it was precisely her indulgence that had led to Lin Daqian's increasingly arrogant and violent temper, culminating in today's disaster.
After many years as husband and wife, she naturally understood what Li Bangyan was implying.
"I will set off tomorrow morning to return. Don't worry, I won't let him speak carelessly..."
Although Madam Lin couldn't help but shed tears again at this point, she also knew in her heart that this seemed to be the last resort to avoid implicating her father.
"When you arrive, do not seek anyone out. No matter who comes to you, just feign illness and refuse to see them. I will find someone else to handle the arrangements. You only need to tell that scoundrel to shut his mouth. At this time, only by him bearing the blame himself can the Lin family line be preserved..."
Although Li Bangyan knew that this approach was cruel, at this moment, it was the best possible solution.
"If possible, I will do my best to mediate for him, but you must also understand this..."
Mediate? How could such a case be mediated?
This was already a matter of irrefutable evidence. At this stage, even Li Bangyan could not think of any way to defend him.
"I understand..."
After speaking, Madam Lin, with red eyes, covered her face and sobbed again before rushing out of the room.
Li Bangyan had intended to chase after her, but after lifting his foot, he helplessly let it fall again.
He knew in his heart that Lin Daqian's life was now on a countdown.
If he were to forcibly intervene at this moment, not only would it be ineffective, but it would also have the opposite effect.
At this moment, the only reason to intervene in this matter was through his wife.
It was only natural for a sister to want to see her brother before his impending death.
Even the censors in the Censorate would find no fault with this.
"Did he agree?"
As soon as Yuan Xingchi returned to the carriage, the coachman couldn't help but ask.
"Does that even need to be asked? This matter benefits him in countless ways. If he didn't agree, would he still be Prime Minister Li?"
"Then when do we make our move?"
Hearing his words, the coachman excitedly rubbed his hands together.
"We'll make arrangements back tonight and act tomorrow morning. However, you cannot go. Find someone else suitable!"
"Yes!"
Although slightly surprised, the coachman didn't say much more. After acknowledging, he fell silent.
In the quiet night, as the carriage wheels slowly rolled out of Bianliang City, Yuan Xingchi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The task assigned to him by Han Mo was now almost complete. For him, the next step, although seemingly perilous, was the simplest part of the entire process...
"My Lord!"
Although Bai Shizhong had become a Shaozai, he had not relinquished his duties in the Ministry of Personnel at all.
However, a while ago, to avoid drawing Cai You's attention, he had intentionally stayed away from the Ministry of Personnel for several consecutive days.
After being reprimanded by Cai You last night, even though Bai Shizhong was unwilling, he had to come to the Ministry of Personnel today and copy all these people's résumés to send to Cai You.
"I have a list here. Please copy their résumés and send them to the office!"
He had been in the Ministry of Personnel for many years. Even after not visiting for many days, his subordinates greeted him with great warmth.
However, at this moment, he had no intention of joking with them. Instead, he took out his list of confidants from his sleeve and said with a grim expression.