CHAPTER 136: CHAPTER 134: FRAMING

Lin Xu forcibly steadied his mind, carefully pondering what mistake he might have made. At present, Song Xian should not have figured out the whole matter yet; otherwise, he would not secretly call the Deputy General of the garrison for questioning.

If he knew everything, he should have come to arrest him by now.

While Lin Xu was anxious, a thought suddenly came to him: Could it be that Song Xian found out about his sister’s death, hence his anger?

"Master, you must go back and have a look," a breathless steward from the Lin Family ran up and said, "Something happened at home. General Song barged in, searching everywhere, and both Madam and the Miss are terrified."

Lin Xu’s body stiffened, and without a second thought, he quickly left the government office and headed home on horseback.

When Lin Xu arrived, the house was in chaos. Soldiers with cold expressions were shuttling through the courtyard. There was a table set up in the courtyard, piled with documents.

A tall figure stood with his back to him, picking through the pile of documents for reading.

Seeing this person, Lin Xu felt as if his heart was clenched tightly. He opened his mouth but could not make a sound for a long time. The one with his back to him must be Song Xian, no doubt.

Only Song Xian could behave in such an unscrupulous and arrogant manner.

"What are you doing?" Lin Xu finally spoke.

The person in front of him, as Lin Xu wished, slowly turned around.

Facing those eyes as calm as a cold pond, Lin Xu’s pupils involuntarily contracted, and the hairs on his body stood up; the momentum he had just built up dissipated by more than half.

"General Song?" Lin Xu feigned surprise, "What brings you here? Why are you searching my residence?"

Song Xian’s expression was indifferent, showing no emotion: "County Magistrate Lin is unaware?"

Lin Xu’s heart pounded violently as if Song Xian knew everything. He almost showed a panicked expression, but when his eyes glimpsed a wooden plank lying in the corner of the courtyard, his breathing seemed to stop.

Clearly, a person lay on the plank, or rather a corpse. Although covered with burlap, a human shape was discernible. Judging by the size and a piece of exposed black clothing, Lin Xu immediately guessed that it was the Death Warrior he had sent to assassinate his sister.

The Death Warrior was dead. What about his sister? Was she dead too?

Lin Xu wanted to understand the situation before him, but unfortunately, standing before him was Song Xian. As he hesitated slightly, Song Xian already noticed.

Song Xian said, "Does County Magistrate Lin recognize that person?"

Lin Xu shook his head: "Who is that? Why did General Song bring this person to my home?"

Song Xian’s expression became even more stern. The people beside him stepped forward and moved the corpse to Lin Xu’s side, then uncovered the burlap from the person’s face.

The Lin family’s servants suddenly saw the dead body and all cried out in shock.

Lin Xu breathed a sigh of relief. It was indeed the Death Warrior. The Death Warrior’s death was a good thing for him. The dead don’t confess, and without any evidence, even if he speculated, Song Xian could do nothing as long as he refused to admit it.

Song Xian asked, "Did County Magistrate Lin recognize him?"

Lin Xu regained his composure and shook his head: "I don’t know him."

After saying this, Lin Xu forced himself to meet Song Xian’s gaze: "Who is he? Why did he die?"

Lin Xu only felt Song Xian’s gaze was like a sharp blade, wanting to dissect him and see everything clearly.

Lin Xu wasn’t panicked by Song Xian’s actions. Instead, he was relieved. After all, Song Xian was a military general, young and unfamiliar with the deceit in the officialdom. Testing him this way clearly indicated that Song Xian couldn’t be sure that the Death Warrior was sent by him.

Song Xian’s cold voice came again: "Isn’t he the one sent by County Magistrate Lin to assassinate Su Lin?"

Lin Xu was astounded: "You say I sent someone to assassinate who? Su Lin? My sister?"

Before Song Xian could speak, Lin Xu’s expression turned even worse: "What happened to my sister? Who attacked her?"

Lin Xu’s expression was sincerely emotional, showing no trace of deception.

Song Xian still said nothing.

Lin Xu said sternly: "Who is framing this official? I am willing to confront the accuser.

If my sister is present, she would surely help me clear my name. We have always been close siblings. If it weren’t for my official duties, I would have accompanied her on her trip back to Zhenzhou. She knows all this. General, summon her..."

Before Lin Xu could finish, Song Xian interrupted, "You and I both know, Su Lin can’t come anymore."

Lin Xu’s eyes widened with joy; he had guessed correctly. His sister was dead, and Song Xian had failed to extract information from the Death Warrior, yet deduced it was his doing.

After Song Min’s incident, Song Xian never personally questioned his case. He was secretly searching for evidence, but never expected this outcome. Thus, in anger, Song Xian recklessly searched his residence.

He wouldn’t have left incriminating documents at home. After Song Min’s incident, he immediately cleaned up his estate inside out. Song Xian would not find evidence.

Lin Xu seemed immersed in the sudden blow.

Song Xian said, "Is County Magistrate Lin truly saddened by his sister?"

Lin Xu opened his reddened eyes, questioning: "My sister was attacked. What exactly made the General believe I was responsible? Does the General have evidence?"

Lin Xu thought Song Xian would struggle a bit but didn’t expect Song Xian to say, "No."

Lin Xu was about to continue speaking.

Song Xian continued, "Evidence is unnecessary; both County Magistrate Lin and I know the truth. County Magistrate Lin colluded with Song Min to frame me for treason with the Liao people.

With Su Lin dead, all charges would fall upon her, leaving County Magistrate Lin unscathed.

But the result could be what the government office presents, not mine.

Perhaps County Magistrate Lin doesn’t understand me; I am a person who seeks revenge for the smallest grievances and will never let go of someone who harmed me, even Song Min, let alone County Magistrate Lin."

Anger surged in Lin Xu’s eyes: "Does General Song wish to convict me this way? For things I haven’t done, I will never admit them, even if Shangguan comes to judge, I will say the same."

Song Xian slightly raised the corners of his mouth: "Does County Magistrate Lin know why I risked my life on the battlefield? For today, as long as I am convinced of something, I can act directly; others need not interfere."

As soon as Song Xian finished speaking, Lin Xu saw the Song Family’s House Generals carrying out several boxes from his inner residence. The boxes were set down and opened, revealing they were filled with silver.

Lin Xu clenched his hands in disbelief; these boxes were not his at all. Song Xian was framing him.

"You... you..." Lin Xu pointed at Song Xian, "You want..."

The smile on Song Xian’s face vanished: "I said, so long as I know, it’s enough."

After speaking, Song Xian commanded, "Arrest the criminal Lin Xu."

Seeing this, Lin Xu drew the sword from his waist, looking as if he intended to fight desperately: "Song Xian, I might be the magistrate of Qi State, but without concrete charges, you bring people to raid my residence and also frame me... even with your military achievements, you cannot act recklessly."

Cold sweat covered Lin Xu’s palms. He knew resisting could anger Song Xian and result in Song Xian acting directly, but now was an excellent opportunity. Framing a magistrate is not something the court would overlook. The Henghai Jiedu Envoy could use this to deal with Song Xian.

Lin Xu realized that if something happened to him, the Henghai Jiedu Envoy wouldn’t easily save him, but if Song Xian was involved, things would be different...

Lin Xu retreated step by step, giving a signal to the steward beside him.

The steward shouted, "Quick, protect the master."

Lin family servants hurried forward, trying to shield Lin Xu as he exited.

In the chaos, Lin Xu pulled a trusted aide close: "Send a message to the Henghai Jiedu Envoy, say that Song Xian couldn’t find evidence of our collusion with Song Min, so he brought silver to my house to frame me for embezzlement. It’s easy to check whether this silver was embezzled by me. Let the Jiedu Envoy seize this opportunity to act."

Lin Xu glanced at Song Xian and gritted his teeth: "No matter how Song Xian tortures, I will not confess. Please assure the Jiedu Envoy."

Lin Xu was confident that once the message reached the Henghai Jiedu Envoy, the Envoy would act.