Unconquered Heir

According to Chief Chen, the young man in the courtroom was the son of a first-rank baron.

In the Great Xia, the nobility is divided into three ranks: duke, marquis, and baron, each further subdivided into three grades. Unless there are special circumstances, the rank decreases by one grade with each inheritance. The offspring of a first-rank duke would become a second-rank duke, and the offspring of a first-rank baron would become a second-rank baron. Lin Xiu's father was a third-rank baron, and the title could no longer be inherited.

By Lin Xiu's generation, the Lin family would be completely removed from the ranks of the capital's elite.

The first-rank baron seemed to wield considerable influence, capable of extricating his son from the Clear Officials Bureau. Even if Lin Xiu had stood up for justice, it would have changed nothing.

Yet, some things must be done, even if they seem futile. Lin Xiu sought only to have a clear conscience.

After spending some time in the Records Repository, Lin Xiu prepared to return home. As he left the bureau, he was startled by the scene before him.

A multitude of commoners had gathered. The elderly man from the courtroom, upon seeing Lin Xiu, fell to his knees, repeatedly bowing his head in gratitude. "Thank you, my lord, for avenging my daughter! Thank you, my lord!"

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

"If not for this noble, Old Wang's daughter would have died with her name sullied."

"In the courtroom, no one dared to speak for Old Wang, but he stood up."

"This noble is truly a just official..."

Amid the murmurs, Lin Xiu helped the old man to his feet. "No need for such formality; it was my duty."

For Lin Xiu, it was a simple act, but for the old man and his family, it was profoundly significant. Within his means, Lin Xiu had always been generous with such acts of kindness.

Finally extricating himself from the crowd, Lin Xiu did not wait for Sun Dalì and walked alone towards the Lin residence. The aristocracy of the capital resided in the southern or eastern districts, while the fallen Lin family lived in the commoner district, their home only slightly more opulent than those around them, with a few servants and a larger courtyard.

For the past few days, Lin Xiu had dined alone, but tonight, two others joined him at the table.

Lady Pingan continuously served food to Lin Xiu, saying, "Xiu, you must eat more. You've grown thin these past few days..."

Lord Pingan set down his chopsticks and said, "Tomorrow, I will invite an imperial physician to examine you and see if your amnesia can be treated."

Lin Xiu shook his head. "That won't be necessary. It would cost a great deal of silver."

Lin Xiu knew that as a third-rank baron, the Lin family was not well-off. They had recently spent a substantial sum to secure his position at the Clear Officials Bureau. Inviting an imperial physician would be another significant expense.

Lord Pingan waved his hand. "Do not concern yourself with the silver. Your health is paramount."

He then personally served Lin Xiu a bowl of soup, saying, "This chicken soup was prepared by your mother. Drink it; it will do you good."

Lin Xiu took a spoon and silently drank the warm soup, feeling a sense of warmth in his heart. For a long time, he had dined alone, often on takeout or instant noodles. It had been ages since he had enjoyed a home-cooked meal, and even longer since he had shared a meal with others.

After dinner, Lin Xiu retired to his room. Interacting with Lord and Lady Pingan, feeling their care and affection, was still somewhat unfamiliar to him. It was almost comical that what he had never felt from his biological parents, he now experienced from two strangers. This newfound warmth made the solitary Lin Xiu feel somewhat disoriented.

To avoid being alone with them, Lin Xiu left early the next morning after breakfast.

Soon, at the Clear Officials Bureau, Lin Xiu slowly perused a dossier. The case of the woman from yesterday had been closed.

A thief had come forward, confessing to breaking into the woman's home, stealing money, and, in a moment of lust, accidentally strangling her. To avoid detection, he had staged her death as a suicide.

With the confession, Qin Cong was promptly released. The dossier was riddled with inconsistencies, the most glaring being that the thief, who would have otherwise gone undetected, had turned himself in, clearly to exonerate Qin Cong.

The first-rank baron's influence was greater than Lin Xiu had anticipated. Thus, all of Lin Xiu's efforts were rendered meaningless.

Placing the dossier back, Lin Xiu left the repository and, upon entering the courtyard, encountered the magistrate.

Lin Xiu stopped, bowed slightly, and said, "Greetings, Magistrate."

The magistrate, the head of the Clear Officials Bureau, had intended to close the case quickly but was forced to detain Qin Cong due to Lin Xiu's intervention. He must have been displeased.

The Twenty-Four Bureaus were directly under the central government, and their magistrates held significant power. Lin Xiu feared he might lose his hard-earned position.

The magistrate, with a sharp gaze, looked at Lin Xiu, who met his eyes without flinching. After a moment, the magistrate nodded and passed by, as if nothing had happened.

Lin Xiu, puzzled, watched him go. It seemed the magistrate did not intend to punish him. Directly blaming Lin Xiu would confirm his unfairness, but whether he would retaliate subtly remained uncertain. Lin Xiu remained cautious.

In the main hall, an official following the magistrate suggested, "Sir, the son of Marquis Pingan is reckless and untrained. Perhaps we should find a reason to dismiss him, to prevent future trouble..."

The magistrate turned, giving him a cold look. "Are you instructing me?"

The official immediately bowed. "I would not dare, sir."

The magistrate replied, "Mind your own business. Do not meddle where you do not belong."

"Understood, sir..."

"Dismissed."

"Sir, I take my leave."

The official hurried away, and the magistrate stood in silence, gazing at the plaque above, which read, "Justice Prevails."

...

Leaving the bureau, Lin Xiu headed to the Academy of Extraordinary Arts. At the entrance, a figure blocked his path.

The young man from the courtroom stood before him, smiling. "The son of Marquis Pingan, quite knowledgeable, aren't you?"

As expected, he harbored resentment. If not for Lin Xiu, Qin Cong would not have spent hours in the stench of the bureau's prison, a humiliation that made him remember the meddlesome youth.

Qin Cong, having easily discovered Lin Xiu's identity, now stood with a chilling smile. Lin Xiu, undaunted, asked, "What do you want?"

Qin Cong extended his arm, which covered in a layer of hardened, earthy armor. "You made me spend hours in that filthy prison. I'll break two of your ribs. Fair, isn't it?"

Seeing the transformation, Lin Xiu's pupils narrowed. Qin Cong was an awakened ability user, and his power had likely awakened twice.

Lin Xiu, newly awakened, was no match. Retreating, he said, "Remember, fighting is forbidden within the academy!"

Qin Cong sneered. "True, but we are outside the academy..."

Before he could finish, he lunged at Lin Xiu. Tensing, Lin Xiu suddenly relaxed. Qin Cong, thinking he had given up, added force, but then felt a chill. Ice rapidly formed beneath his feet, freezing him in place.

A faint fragrance wafted near as Zhao Lingyin approached, her gaze icy. "You want to break his ribs?"

Qin Cong, numb and shivering, pleaded, "Fighting with abilities is forbidden in the academy! Release me!"

Zhao Lingyin glanced at him. "True, but we are outside the academy..."

With that, Qin Cong was hurled into the air and crashed to the ground, pain searing his chest. His ribs were surely broken.

Lin Xiu, speechless, noticed Zhao Lingyin wearing trousers under her skirt. What an unexpected fashion choice, he thought, trust indeed was scarce...