The "Three-Lacks" Young Mistress?
Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow. The Inspecting Censor wasn't even bothering to pretend anymore, directly throwing this title out to mock her.
Thanks to Aunt Mu's explanations, she certainly wasn't unaware of this resounding nickname of hers.
The so-called "three lacks" referred to Lin Zhiqing lacking family background, lacking talent, and lacking moral character.
This was certainly not a pleasant nickname.
For the Inspecting Censor to call it out in front of everyone was clearly a sign of his disdain for her, an attempt to humiliate her.
"Zhiqing thanks Your Lordship for the praise." Lin Zhiqing lifted her skirt slightly and gave a shallow curtsy.
These words quickly drew a sneer from the Inspecting Censor, and Lin Congli's expression also soured.
The reason was none other than that only a fool would take this statement as praise.
The servants of the Lin family dared not say anything, but those brought by the Inspecting Censor laughed without restraint.
"It's said that none of the Lin family's young ladies are presentable. Seeing it today, it's indeed true."
"This Lin Zhiqing's appearance is impeccable, but she really has no brains, unable to even distinguish between good and ill words."
"Don't you see who her parents are? What good can a traitor teach?"
Seeing the crowd's words becoming increasingly excessive, Lin Zhiqing's eyes swept over them and landed on the Inspecting Censor, who was sitting comfortably like an angler on a fishing platform:
"It is recorded in the Book of Rites: Confucius at Leisure, 'Music without sound, rites without form, mourning without attire, this is called the three withouts.'"
Her voice carried a hint of a smile: "These three refer to inner cultivation, but without a specific external shape or form. Lord Censor uses these words to praise my inner soul. Zhiqing is immensely grateful."
With just a few words, she had changed the meaning of "Three-Lacks Young Mistress," and she had even used a famous quote from the Book of Rites. If anyone were to refute it, it would mean they disagreed with the Book of Rites.
These words made it somewhat difficult for the Inspecting Censor to save face. His brows furrowed tightly, the corners of his eyes lifted, and his pupils dilated.
This was a very typical expression of surprise.
Lin Zhiqing understood in her heart that he was surprised she could actually articulate such a response.
The original owner's parents had died early, and her position in the Lin family was awkward, receiving no favorable treatment.
Lin Congli and the others naturally wouldn't inquire about the education or learning of such a person.
This led to the original owner growing into a "wooden beauty with only looks but no substance," becoming an object of ridicule for various young ladies.
But from today onwards... Lin Zhiqing lowered her eyes. She would no longer numbly face that malice.
Lin Congli also hadn't expected Lin Zhiqing to be able to say such things. While surprised, he also felt a sense of relief.
No matter how bad Lin Zhiqing was, she was still a member of the Lin family. The Inspecting Censor's unreserved humiliation of her was a slap in the face to the Lin family.
If his "Three-Lacks Young Mistress" remark spread today, it would not only harm the Lin family's reputation but also affect the marriage prospects of the Lin family's young ladies.
The Inspecting Censor calmly picked up his teacup and took a sip: "N-not... not surprising for Lin... Lin Congrong's daugh... daughter. Indeed, sh-sharp-tongued!"
At the mention of Lin Congrong, the faces of those who had just begun to see Lin Zhiqing in a better light instantly showed expressions of disgust.
This expression remained in Lin Zhiqing's mind even after the Inspecting Censor had departed.
When returning to her courtyard, Aunt Mu, seeing Lin Zhiqing's low spirits, couldn't help but comfort her: "Miss, that Inspecting Censor is a harsh man. Don't take their words to heart."
Lin Zhiqing nodded. That wasn't what she was thinking about.
Today's events had made her realize a point she had overlooked.
After sending Aunt Mu away, Lin Zhiqing looked at the flickering candle and once again took out that Wangshu Mirror.²
Under the dim candlelight, a lingering trace of sorrow hung in her eyes.
The Lin family was not her safe harbor.
Previously, she had always wanted to "start a new stove" with Aunt Mu after the matter of her cousin's poisoning was resolved, to strike out on her own.
Because she always felt that she still had her own two hands; she wouldn't starve to death.
But these past few days, from the behavior of Aunt Mu and those around her, Lin Zhiqing had discovered a very tragic reality.
Women in this world were subject to many restrictions. Not only were they not allowed to do business, but their education also only went up to the age of twelve.
For a woman like her to leave the protection of her family was almost a dead end.
Furthermore... Lin Zhiqing stroked the Wangshu Mirror in her hand and sighed.
The biggest trouble now was that she realized she was inextricably bound to the three words "Lin Congrong."
Who was Lin Congrong?
He was the great hero in Aunt Mu's words, the blood brother Lin Congli was unwilling to mention, and also the "traitor" known throughout the entire capital city of Shengjing.
Not just her, but the entire Lin family had been branded with the mark of "Traitor Lin Congrong."
And as his daughter, Lin Zhiqing's every move would be monitored by countless people.
Just the fact that the court had planted people in the Lin family made Lin Zhiqing feel a chill down her spine.
Moreover, this matter was an unspoken secret among the Lin family members; no one dared to pierce this layer of window paper.
If one day the Lin family made any unusual move, the first to suffer would be Lin Zhiqing, whose identity was the most sensitive. She believed the Lin family would abandon her without hesitation.
The title of "traitor" was like a large blade hanging over her neck; the slightest misstep could lead to death. This feeling was certainly not pleasant.
Yet, the path to starting anew had been blocked. If Lin Zhiqing wanted to survive and seize the initiative, she could only operate within the Lin family.
Thinking of this, her gaze gradually firmed.
If she wanted to control her own destiny and protect herself, there was only one path to take – control the Lin family.
Only by controlling the Lin family could she exclude external forces, cultivate her own power, hold the initiative in her own hands, and preserve her life.
Currently, the Lin family ostensibly had only Lin Congli in charge, but there was also a Great-Grandfather and a Fourth Uncle who rivaled him.
These three were currently the true power holders in the Lin family.
If Lin Zhiqing wanted to control the Lin family, she first had to pass the hurdle of these three people.
This was not a simple matter.
First, Lin Congli. During this investigation, his opinion of her should have changed somewhat.
But this man was an inflexible old fossil. If Lin Zhiqing, a woman, wanted to take power, he would likely have strong objections.
The second was Fourth Uncle, which posed an even greater difficulty.
After all, Lin Zhiqing had personally sent his daughter back to their old hometown. This kind of conflict was irreconcilable.
Excluding these two, only Lin Zhiqing's Second Grand-Uncle remained.
Since she had transmigrated here, she had not yet met this elder.
According to Aunt Mu, he controlled the Lin family's finances and had been doing business outside.
The Lin family's businesses seemed to have been struggling these past two years, and this Second Grand-Uncle was overwhelmed with work.
To put it simply, it was a problem of money.
Following this line of thought, Lin Zhiqing felt that at this stage, the money problem was relatively easier to solve.
She clenched her fists. In that case, she should find a time to meet this Second Grand-Uncle.
Having made up her mind, she let out a long sigh of relief.
Make money!
Make big money!
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