Chapter 542.1: Opening the Coffin

Sun Yi Lin saw Sun Yi Jia’s expression, reaching out to stroke the top of her head, just like when they were little. Although at their current age, even if blood-related siblings, this kind of move was still somewhat over, but regardless of whether it was they themselves, or the others by their side, all didn’t feel there was anything inappropriate. It was just that the atmosphere right now was strangely stifling.

Just, such a warm move seemingly wasn’t able to alleviate the atmosphere much.

“Little sis, I feel quite good, don’t worry about me.”

But, this kind of thing, was it just saying to not worry, one will just not worry?

Sun Yi Lin stared at Sun Yi Jia. Despite knowing her thoughts inside, he still didn’t mind that much, because her life right now was very good. From the moment she married, her center of gravity already changed, and the person that was able to let her sacrifice everything for also indeed didn’t let her down. That’s why, right now, even if worried for him, in fact, even if he were to die, believe that after a period of time, she can still recover. Of course, with her current situation, Sun Yi Lin also won’t do anything to deliberately provoke her.

“Younger brother-in-law, little sis will be given to you to take care of. I’ll be going out for a stroll. After all, I’ve been gone from the capital for two three years.”

“Don’t worry brother-in-law, I will take care of Yi Jia. Just, should I send two people to go together with you?” Sun Yi Lin right now appear to be okay, but Luo Jing Bo kept feeling that letting him go out alone wasn’t too good.

“No need. No matter what, it’s still the place I’ve lived in for more than ten years. I, a grown man, where do I still need someone to follow.” Sun Yi Lin waved his hand, and shortly after, called his own servant boy and left the Luo Manor.

Sun Yi Jia and Luo Jing Bo mutually glanced at one another. With the tacit understanding between them, they saw the worry in the other party’s eyes seemingly becoming even more worried.

Speaking of which, Sun Yi Lin actually had quite a few friends in the capital, but those were all simple acquaintances. Using friend to describe seemingly was too belittling this word. As such, it goes without saying, Sun Yi Lin’s target wasn’t them.

Sun Yi Lin was dressed plainly, damaging his ‘noble image’, and the place he went also wasn’t a place those of the upper class will easily set foot in. As such, even if some things have spread out, for those that don’t recognize him, even if standing before him enthusiastically gossiping, they also won’t know who the main party was. And in reality, the matter won’t spread that quickly.

Sun Yi Lin went to the most ordinary teahouse, randomly ordering a pot of tea, pouring himself a cup. It was drinkable.

Sun Yi Lin appeared to be completely indifferent, but his servant boy would always heartache for him at times like this. Speaking of which, he has been following Sun Yi Lin for almost ten years. In his eyes, his young master was someone born with a golden spoon in his mouth, noble and esteemed. In the past, his food and clothing were all of the best quality. Even drinking a cup of tea, it was all meticulously handling. Just this kind, a handful of tea leaves thrown in a pot and then adding boiling water, he wouldn’t even spare a glance at. Afraid, even the lowest ranking servants of Ding Duke Manor would all disdain. Yet now, his young master would drink without batting an eye.

Also, just these worn out tables, not having any elegant decorations, a place anyone from the streets can set foot in, his young master in the past, even if inadvertently approaching, would all hesitate somewhat. But now? Starting from two years ago, similar places, his young master would nevertheless frequently visit when free.

His young master clearly should be like an immortal that lived on the moon, not having a speck of dust under his foot.

Sun Yi Lin inadvertently saw his servant boy’s expression, just like those opera masks, immediately knowing what he was thinking. Sun Yi Lin picked up a salted bean, flicking it on his face, “What are you blanking out for, sit down.”

The servant boy had a pitiful and distressed look, hesitantly sitting down, like as if sitting on needles, unable to sit peacefully. It couldn’t be helped. He was a servant, so how can he sit together with his young master. If still back at the Ding Duke Manor, afraid he would’ve long gotten beaten to death. However, he was also aware, in this kind of place, if still having the distinction between master and servant, then it will really attract attention, and don’t know how strange others will look at his young master.

TN: All

Just, this kind of thing, no matter how many times, he still wasn’t able to get used to.

Sun Yi Lin was also too lazy to deal with him. Because sometimes he indeed needed someone to go do some things, and this servant boy was loyal and devoted to him from beginning to end, as such, even if a bit dim-witted, he ultimately still kept him around.

This kind of place, although didn’t have any insider secrets, it was nevertheless a good place to hear about some small channel news. Although not always a hundred percent accurate, but Sun Yi Lin has already mastered the ability to distinguish between the true and false. Spinning the silk from the cocoons, one eventually will obtain some useful information. The state of affairs of the capital, the battle between the princes, those all weren’t his focus. What he wanted was just some ‘gossip’. If his luck is good, then he’ll be able to know without needing to do anything. If unlucky, then it was also just spending a bit of money.

In reality, Sun Yi Lin’s luck today was pretty good.

Just the table to the side was just gossiping about Jin Qinwang Manor. In the last two three years, Jin Qinwang’s presence had weakened, but Jin Wangfei was always able to create some conversation from time to time.

Sun Yi Lin’s elbow propped against the table, holding a teacup that had a small crack. The cup was a finger away from his lips, not moving for a long time. Those that didn’t know would just think that he was distracted, thinking of something too deeply, not having any reaction towards the outside.

But, as his servant boy, this while, he was nevertheless a bit alarmed, also finally understanding the reason why his young master came out. He endlessly complained inside. How come young master was still thinking of Jin Wangfei? There were that many good girls in the world, just like for example, that Min Xiao Yuan, Miss Min, who very much liked young master. How come young master was just this stubborn? That was a qin-wangfei! No matter how he thinks of her, it was all useless. Not only will one not get what one wants, one will even have oneself tormented miserably———Just like right now, clearly very concerned, yet unable to even openly inquire, why do this to oneself, why, why!

However, regardless of how colorful the servant boy’s thoughts were, he still didn’t dare to say a single word, unable to even tactfully express. He was certain, if he says a single word, he will immediately get driven away by his young master.

Sun Yi Lin just sat there for four hours. For this little teahouse, it was quite rare, because the people that came through were all ordinary people, so who would be that idle? To be able to have a few minutes was already not bad. Those street thugs rather had time, but would those people quietly sit for a few hours to drink tea?

The people coming and going didn’t feel anything, just the shopkeeper and the waiter had glanced at him don’t know how many times.

The servant boy although didn’t sense his young master’s distinct mood, but he kept feeling it was very scary, tremblingly cowering in fear. When just arriving in Jiangnan, because he was the only one by his young master’s side, that’s why he was very busy. It can be said to be the feet not resting. Gradually, the things he needed to do lessened, and at present, the majority of the times, he was idle to the point of growing mold. His young master also won’t get angry at him, but he wanted to say, young master right now really was increasingly hard to serve. Although he didn’t want to slander his own young master, this was nevertheless the reality. In the past, he was still able to guess his thoughts a little, but now, it was incomprehensible and hard to predict.

Sun Yi Lin finally settled the bill and left, no longer going anywhere else, returning to the Luo Manor, taking out a book and quietly flipping through.

Knowing that Sun Yi Lin returned, Sun Yi Jia finally relaxed a breath. Unable to learn certain things from her older brother’s mouth, she just had her brother’s servant boy called over to ask. However, the servant boy was ‘very busy’.

Sun Yi Jia also understood. Her older brother was determined to not let her know more things. As such, she could only give up.

Meanwhile, Sun Yi Bin was striving to defame Sun Yi Lin, evidently just not wanting to let him have any leeway in rising up again. That’s why, he didn’t spare any effort in spreading rumors. This while, he also completely didn’t care whether or not it was a family scandal.

Originally, Sun Yi Lin right now simply didn’t hinder Sun Yi Bin at all, but Sun Yi Bin was narrow-minded, overly jealous and liked bearing grudges, insisting on having Sun Yi Lin stomped to death.

Did others not know this bit? They know, and moreover, quite a few knew. Even Sun Old Madam knew, but she didn’t stop him. It wasn’t that because she was disappointed with Sun Yi Lin, she thus just allowed others to degrade him, but rather, because she knew, that grandson of hers, at present, simply wasn’t able to be hurt by rumors and slanders. Reputation already wasn’t able to bind him anymore. That’s why, she just coldly watched Sun Yi Bin jump around. Each and every one just a brainless moron, unable to see the Ding Duke Manor’s approaching crisis, not doing proper work, instead just thinking of these crooked practices.

Regarding Sun Yi Lin’s matter, the people of Jin Qinwang Manor actually all unanimously kept from Jing Wan.

Actually, she was also somewhat curious inside. That kind of curiosity was just equal to the kind towards a stranger that one knew. Just like for example, knowing someone recently seemingly having met with a bit of something, that’s why, when talking with others, one would just naturally ask about, that’s all. Just, Sun Yi Lin’s identity ultimately was a bit ‘special’, just fearing a certain someone causing trouble for no reason. That’s why, she just didn’t ask anything. If she doesn’t know, then it won’t affect her.

Jing Wan didn’t know, but Li Hong Yuan nevertheless knew. In comparison, his complexion wasn’t that great, because Li Hong Yuan was very clear, once a person no longer cares about their reputation, how scary of a matter it will be, especially for someone like Sun Yi Lin that didn’t lack intelligence and wisdom. If he really wanted to do a bit of something, then others might not be able to guard against it.

For a person to have great changes, there certainly will be a reason, especially if this change happened within a short amount of time.

Li Hong Yuan passed down an order, letting someone go to Jiangnan to investigate Sun Yi Lin’s matters in the last two three years. It wasn’t him making a big deal out of a small matter, but rather, because of knowing that the other party was still thinking of his wife. Everything else, he perhaps can all not care about, but only this matter, there was nothing to discuss. He ultimately needed to guard against the unexpected. When time comes, it was just deciding according to the situation. If it exceeds certain boundaries, then Li Hong Yuan didn’t mind secretly eliminating Sun Yi Lin. Letting a person die in an accident wasn’t anything difficult.

T/N: Min Xiao Yuan appeared during the Jiangnan arc along with the Min family. At the time she was just referred to as Yuan Yuan, first appearing in chapter 312-313, although she was a very minor character. Her great uncle was the man that the Imperial Noble Consort was originally suppose to marry, Min Yu Han.