My Sword Immortal Wife Has Gone Berserk - Chapter 19:

Chapter 19: Do You Hate the Lin Family?

Throughout history, there have been many who sacrificed personal ties for the greater good. Such actions, lauded as acts of righteousness, were revered because they demanded what ordinary people could not bear—to forsake family for the sake of the nation and the people.

But if done purely for self-preservation, such actions were not righteous at all—they were cold-blooded and ungrateful.

Muzhou was infamous for its rampant corruption. When the court launched its investigations, entire households were confiscated and exterminated. In such a context, Zhao Sui’s actions to save himself could hardly be called righteous.

In fact, many now sympathized with Zhao Sui’s father—raising a son who would betray him to survive.

“What a brilliant poem! Absolutely marvelous!” Wu Sheng’an clapped the table in admiration.

With a mocking smile, he continued, “Young Master Lin comparing a needle to a man—how subtle and exquisite. This poetry gathering is worth it just for you, truly eye-opening.”

The other scholars nodded in agreement.

Only Zhao Sui stood there, trembling all over.

His last shred of dignity had been ripped away. He wanted to vanish on the spot. Yet no one cared about how he felt—waves of ridicule washed over him, fueling the hatred in his heart.

“Thank you, Young Master Lin, for the poem. I’ll remember this!” Zhao Sui gritted his teeth and left, eyes bloodshot and terrifying.

“Hahaha, finally! I thought he was going to explode on the spot.”

“A guy like that, sharing a room with us is already his honor. Instead of sitting quietly, he dares to bark out loud? Serves him right.”

“Looks like he won’t last long in Bianjing.”

The scholars didn’t hold back their mockery. They laughed and chatted, while Wu Sheng’an expertly managed the room, instantly reigniting the lively mood of the poetry gathering.

Lin Ce frowned slightly.

He looked in the direction Zhao Sui had left, lost in thought.

“Not even an outburst?” Lin Ce smirked, a little displeased.

A dog that bites doesn’t bark. Lin Ce hadn’t intended to let Zhao Sui off the hook. But if he didn’t retaliate, there was no reason to press him further. People like that were more dangerous.

“This man needs to be eliminated at the earliest chance.”

A flash of cold light flickered in Lin Ce’s eyes. He wouldn’t allow a hidden, patient enemy to survive. While Zhao Sui’s wings hadn’t yet spread—he had to die.

“Brother, what are you thinking?” Li Jiayin nudged him curiously. Wu Sheng’an was raising his wine cup in his direction. “His Highness is calling for you.”

Lin Ce came back to his senses and smiled apologetically.

“Young Master Lin, in a few days I’ll be leaving the capital. Who knows when we’ll meet again? Tonight, let’s drink to our hearts’ content and not leave until we’re drunk!” Wu Sheng’an laughed heartily, though his eyes never left Li Jiayin.

That gaze—it could practically melt.

Lin Ce’s lips twitched. If you like her, just say so. You’re about to leave Bianjing—say it now or miss the chance forever. But Lin Ce didn’t plan on letting Wu Sheng’an leave at all. If he left, he would be assassinated!

“Your Highness, why not stay a few more days?” Lin Ce asked tentatively.

“No, my father is urging me to return. Besides, I don’t have many close friends here in the capital. These past years have been aimless.” Wu Sheng’an shook his head, a trace of regret in his voice.

Bianjing’s waters ran deep. He had witnessed firsthand the political turmoil over the years.

If he didn’t leave now, who knew when the flames would reach him?

Even the Prime Minister had fallen. No one could say who’d be next.

Lin Ce frowned slightly. He couldn’t let him go. Once he did, he would never come back.

Suddenly, Lin Ce leaned in close to Wu Sheng’an’s ear and whispered, “Your Highness, what if I told you that you’d be assassinated on your way back?”

The moment those words landed, Wu Sheng’an’s face froze.

He looked at Lin Ce in disbelief, his expression growing strange.

He was the son of the Prince of the Southwest—who would dare attempt his life?

“Young Master Lin, you must be joking,” Wu Sheng’an took a deep breath and arched a brow, his tone slightly displeased.

Lin Ce shook his head and raised his wine cup, “Just some drunken rambling, Your Highness. Don’t take it to heart. Let’s drink—we won’t leave until we’re drunk.”

Seeing that Lin Ce didn’t want to say more, Wu Sheng’an became even more curious.

Once curiosity is stirred, it’s impossible to suppress. Until he had answers, it would feel like a million ants crawling under his skin—unbearable.

This so-called poetry gathering was actually just a large-scale networking event.

The scholars were showing off their literary skills, reciting verses in hopes of impressing Wu Sheng’an, hoping he’d recommend them for court positions.

But what they didn’t know was that Wu Sheng’an was about to return to the southwest. Even if he recommended them, the court wouldn’t accept it.

These scholars were just extras in Wu Sheng’an’s courtship of Li Jiayin.

…

“Hmph! One day, I’ll crush you under my feet!”

On the street, Zhao Sui’s eyes burned with hatred.

He stormed toward his inn. He couldn’t stay in Bianjing anymore—his secrets had been exposed, and remaining would only invite more ridicule.

But before he got far, he collided head-on with a burly man.

The man was dressed in black brocade, arms folded around a long blade on his chest. His face was cold, and his sharp, triangular eyes were filled with menace.

Zhao Sui frowned and turned to leave.

He couldn’t afford to provoke this man.

“Stop. Someone wants to see you.” The man’s voice was icy.

Then he reached out and grabbed Zhao Sui by the neck, lifting him like a chick.

Zhao Sui panicked and began to curse.

“Lin Ce! Are you trying to silence me?!”

“Your grandfather ruined my father, and now you’re trying to kill me? You’re truly vicious!”

“Even if I die, I’ll haunt you as a ghost!”

Zhao Sui screamed in fury, but no matter how he struggled, it was useless. The burly man dragged him into a secluded alley.

In the alley, there was an inconspicuous ox cart.

From inside, a warm voice called out.

“Do you hate the Lin family?”

Zhao Sui froze. He furrowed his brow and tried to see into the cart, but the burly man shoved his head down and slammed it against the ground.

“My time is short. Answer me.”

The voice was soft, almost like a woman’s. But upon closer listen, it was clearly a man.

“I hate them!” Zhao Sui’s face was pressed against the stone pavement. He steeled himself. So be it—death was death!

“I’ll give you a chance to take revenge. Can you seize it?”

The voice continued, now tinged with a trace of anticipation.

Zhao Sui’s pupils contracted. Just as he tried to rise, the burly man pushed him down even harder. Seeing this, Zhao Sui shouted at once, “I don’t care who you are! If you give me the chance, I swear I’ll uproot the entire Lin family!”

“Whether it’s the Lin family’s influence in court or their hold in Yuzhou—I’ll kill them all!”

“No—Lin Ce can’t be allowed to die so easily.”

Zhao Sui gritted his teeth, his breath heavy. “I’ll crush his bones piece by piece. I’ll make him kneel before me and watch as I destroy the Lin family!”

The voice in the ox cart was clearly satisfied.

A figure stepped out casually and waved a hand.

“Raise your head.”