"Father, let this be the last cup we share. From now on, you will be at your Pri Minister’s Mansion, and I will be at my Lin Mansion. The children have grown, and their futures will be theirs to decide. I’ve lived a diocre life for decades without achieving anything; now I don’t intend to struggle anymore."
"Let’s let go of the past; I no longer resent the world’s unfairness, and I ask father not to impose the idea of bringing glory to the family on our Lin Family."
"What is yours will always be yours; what isn’t yours cannot be forced. I understood this long ago. Now, I tell it to father, and from now on, let’s stop acting like a loving father-son duo. Let’s each go our separate ways."
There was a touch of mockery and bitterness in Mr. Lin’s words.
Once, he longed for a father’s love.
But as he grew older, started a family, had children, and faced difficulties, he began to understand that his father’s love was never solely his.
Moreover, he didn’t really have any opportunity to feel fatherly love.
So, much of his energy was devoted to his children.
Perhaps because of his own unfulfilled longing, he cherished his children more.
Now, he simply hopes the children are not pushed by external forces onto a path that shouldn’t belong to them.
Nothing more.
Lin Xingzhi and Lin Muzhi were filled with emotions after hearing their father’s words.
Pri Minister Lin’s slightly dim eyes conveyed a complex aning.
Before he could speak, soone outside strode in.
Imdiately began to berate angrily.
"I thought Eldest Brother was truly here to accompany father for a al today, so I didn’t intrude much. But I didn’t expect you ca to beat the old man when he’s down! Do you really feel you’re so illustrious that you can abandon us the suffering relatives?"
Mr. Lin used to disdain talking much with Lin Family, but today, hearing bit by bit outside, old and new grievances all welled up.
Of course, he had to seek "justice" for his father.
Upon hearing his words, Mr. Lin laughed instead of getting angry.
Looking at his half-brother, he felt no emotion.
Perhaps, he had been jealous in the past, jealous of father’s favoritism and affection for him.
But now, there’s nothing.
After all, why would anyone have unnecessary feelings for a stranger?
So, without a word, he stood and said to Pri Minister Lin.
"With all said, I bid farewell. After a hundred years, I’ll still burn incense for you. As for anything else, it’s futile to force it."
Then he took all of Lin Family and prepared to leave.
The attitude was so nonchalant that it almost suffocated Mr. Lin.
Since Prince Zhan Mansion’s downfall, his path in the court has been extrely tough.
Originally, he was supposed to rise another rank after the new year, but now those prospects are just an illusion.
Hate returning ho as it is lifeless there.
His proud mother, Princess Rong Kang, fell ill from anger.
The illness struck hard, her entire being dimd severely.
As a result, Mr. Lin doesn’t like returning ho.
Adding a wife like Mrs. Wang who only knows how to cry and lant, the West Wing is chaotic.
Only with Aunt Guo could he find so peace.
Everything else was either noisy or tearful, extrely vexing.
Just as Lin Family returns, he intends to see if relationships can be nded now that the Pri Minister’s Mansion has declined, while Lin Family’s upward montum looks promising.
No grudge between brothers lasts long.
He plans to see if relations can be reconciled.
Yet unexpectedly, he hears this!
Naturally furious.
He grabbed Mr. Lin’s arm and then said vehently.
"Don’t think you can cleanly split from us. Prince Zhan Mansion and Pri Minister’s Mansion have always thrived and fallen together. Do you think all your current success is solely due to your efforts? Without the Pri Minister’s Mansion backing you, would your career paths have been so smooth?"
Lin Xingzhi couldn’t help but smile coldly upon hearing this.
"Second Uncle, you truly are thick-skinned. No wonder, being born of Princess Rong Kang, your usual tactics are to bully others, right? How about today; we decide to divide Chu Han, what can you do?"
Lin Xingzhi’s temperant increasingly resembles the Fourth Prince.
Assertive, ticulous, and sharp-tongued.
Mr. Lin almost exploded in rage at his retort.
Pointing at Lin Xingzhi, he began to curse.
"Bah, what makes you worthy of ntioning my mother! For decades, you’ve leaned on the authority of my mother and Prince Zhan Mansion to live comfortably, and now you’ve learned to turn against us ruthlessly? Want to divide Chu Han? You’re dreaming!"
"Comfortable life? You dare boast! Would you want such a comfortable life? Turning against us, so what? Aren’t you aware of Prince Zhan Mansion’s cris? Or do you wish to be as united and broken together with them? Then as a nephew, I’d gladly assist, perhaps ntion a word to the Emperor. After all, nephews caring for uncles isn’t wrong, right, Second Uncle!"
The threat in his words was evident.
Now Lin Xingzhi is no longer the child they can bully.
He has grown to be the guardian of Lin Family.
A nation has ministers, a family has its elders.
Therefore, things his parents cannot retaliate, he will, what his parents cannot fight back, he will handle.
Mr. Lin lived his whole life smoothly.
He was a favored child from birth, his maternal family strong.
Later, his father repeatedly promoted, making him the prized toast of Shengjing City.
His parents were his support; coupled with his diligence, his career was bright and smooth.
Had it not been for the Prince Zhan Mansion incident, he might’ve beco the youngest Chief of Staff in Da Wei.
But now, he considers himself lucky not to have been demoted.
Forr friends and subordinates who praised him now avoid him like a plague.
Even when wanting to go out for a drink, no one accompanies him.
The blow is unprecedented for him.
Thus, his pride and cold intellect have greatly changed.
He clings to Lin Family with vengeance.
Acting as if Lin Family forced upon Prince Zhan Mansion those accusations.
"Don’t try to threaten . Even if separated, you’re still part of Lin Family, carrying Lin blood. Now that father suffered setbacks and lost court support, you don’t wish to help but instead sever ties, it’s simply laughable."
Then pointed at Lin Muzhi.
"Isn’t he studying morality and ethics at Imperial College? Or shall I file a report to Academic Administration Departnt to see whether they’ll still accept him! What if he’s distinguished? In the end, he’s still useless!"
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