The Paranoid Male Lead’s "White Moonlight" Has Reborn - Chapter 22

Lin Rui had been an official for a long time and possessed an innate aura of authority. His intimidation of Jiang Zuoling was significant. Hearing this, Jiang Zuoling said with some embarrassment, “What does Brother-in-law mean by this? What fault do I have?”

He then looked toward Jiang Lin-shi, knowing in his heart that she had likely said something to Lin Rui. He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of displeasure, but with Lin Rui present, he did not let this dissatisfaction show. He said to Jiang Lin-shi with a smile, “Yueniang, your brother must be exhausted from traveling from the capital to our Huaizhou. Why haven’t you settled them in properly instead of bringing them to my courtyard?”

Jiang Lin-shi said with a half-smile, “Jiang Zuoling, what did you tell me before? That besides me, there would be no other women. Have you fulfilled that now?”

Jiang Zuoling found this somewhat unbelievable. “Yueniang, have I not done enough for you? You wouldn’t let me have other women, and I complied. What do you mean by this now?”

Jiang Lin-shi said flatly, “A few days ago on the street, I saw a child who looks very much like you. I asked him his name, and he said his name was Jiang Yaozong.”

Jiang Zuoling knitted his brows and said, “What are you talking about? Are you implying that I have an illegitimate son?”

Jiang Lin-shi did not speak. She looked at Jiang Zuoling, truly disappointed. What did he mean by giving that illegitimate son such a name? Was Chaoyun so insignificant in his heart? An illegitimate son had to be named Yaozong (Bringing Honor to the Ancestors)—where did that leave her son?

Jiang Zuoling said, “Impossible. You must be mistaken.”

Before he could finish, Lin Rui stepped forward and gave him a punch. “The illegitimate son is already that big, and you’re still lying! Jiang Zuoling, I used to see you as a fine man—though of humble birth, you at least had some courage, which is why I married my sister to you. Now, look at you. You’ve grown older, and your skin has grown thicker along with it? You won’t even own up to what you’ve done, will you?”

Lin Rui had possessed a fiery temper since he was young. Back when Jiang Lin-shi was arrogant, she was frequently lectured by him. When she first set her sights on Jiang Zuoling and was determined to marry him, Lin Rui had lost his temper many times, but eventually, his heart softened and he agreed to the marriage.

Now, after all these years, Lin Rui had heard nothing but good things about Jiang Zuoling from her; this was the first time she had ever asked him for help. It was only now that Lin Rui realized Jiang Zuoling had frequently neglected his sister over the years. He treated his nephews much better than his own son, and his sister had to beg him before he would act the part of a loving father.

How could a daughter of the Lin family suffer such an insult! His sister had been intelligent back then; if not for Jiang Zuoling, she would have married into another prominent family as the main wife. Now, married to this minor merchant, he not only failed to cherish her but trampled on her so!

The more Lin Rui thought about it, the angrier he became. He raised his hand and gave Jiang Zuoling several more punches, knocking him straight out of his wheelchair.

The servants behind him wanted to help, but Lin Rui shouted, “I dare anyone to help him!” The servants were terrified, trembling as they forced themselves to withdraw their reaching hands.

The servants outside, hearing the commotion within, were nearly scared out of their wits. “Will the Master be beaten to death?”

“Hurry and get the Old Madam! Go call her!”

“You go. The Madam’s brother said if anyone goes to call someone, he’ll cut out their tongue. I don’t dare take that risk.”

“You idiot! If the Master is beaten to death, see if we don’t all get sold off!”

Having said that, one servant pushed another out, sending him to fetch the Old Madam.

Inside the room, Jiang Lin-shi gave a faint wave and said, “Brother, stop hitting him.”

Lin Rui stopped and kicked Jiang Zuoling. “Get up. I didn’t use much strength; don’t fake it for me.” He was completely unceremonious with Jiang Zuoling, and had no reason to be. He wasn’t afraid that Jiang Zuoling would take it out on Jiang Lin-shi after he left; as long as the Lin family could support her, the Jiang family would have to swallow any grievances. This was one reason why Lin Rui had finally agreed to let her marry him—a family of small means was easy to control.

Jiang Zuoling spat out some blood and wiped it with his sleeve. “Yueniang, I know you are very angry right now, but I must tell you: I have no other children besides Chaoyun. How could I bear to make him sad?”

Jiang Lin-shi laughed in anger. “Do you believe those words yourself?”

Jiang Zuoling said, “I truly have no illegitimate son. If you don’t believe it, have them come here and confront me.”

Seeing his fearless appearance, Jiang Lin-shi gave a cold laugh and truly had the mother and son brought over. It was the first time she had seen the woman. To be honest, she wasn’t particularly beautiful, appearing rather ordinary instead; only her eyes were expressive and moving, with a certain seductive quality.

As for the one called Jiang Yaozong, he was quite handsome and had a sharp look in his eyes. But because of his appearance, Jiang Lin-shi felt a deep loathing the moment they met.

Lin Rui looked at Jiang Yaozong, then back at Jiang Zuoling, and said, “The two of you look as if you were carved from the same mold. How else do you want to quibble?”

Jiang Zuoling looked at Jiang Yaozong with a face full of surprise and shock. Jiang Yaozong met his gaze, his eyes darkening slightly, but he did not speak.

Jiang Zuoling turned his head and said to Jiang Lin-shi, “Yueniang, we have been husband and wife for over a decade; you cannot disbelieve me! I have no so-called illegitimate son at all, and as for this woman, I don’t know her at all!”

The woman also said, “I do not know this master. I ask the Madam to judge clearly.”

Jiang Lin-shi and Jiang Zuoling had been married for over a decade, after all; she knew his expressions and moods very well. Seeing him like this, he didn’t appear to be lying, and she couldn’t help but feel half-convinced. But Jiang Yaozong and Jiang Zuoling looked so much alike that it was impossible not to be suspicious.

Lin Rui said, “Whether you are father and son can be known by a blood-matching test.”

He had someone bring water and a knife. He grabbed Jiang Yaozong’s hand, preparing to cut it. The woman cried in a panic, “Master, please be gentle! My son is a scholar; he needs to study. His finger must not be scarred.”

Lin Rui pushed her aside. “Stop your nonsense. If he really is his son, it’s yet to be seen if his life will even remain.” Having said that, he used the knife to make a deep cut on Jiang Yaozong’s finger. Jiang Yaozong did not struggle, obediently allowing Lin Rui to proceed.

Fresh blood dripped into the clear water, blooming into a cloud of red. Lin Rui then grabbed Jiang Zuoling’s hand and did the same.

However, the two clouds of blood did not merge.

Lin Rui knitted his brows.

Jiang Zuoling let out a sigh of relief and said, “Yueniang, can you finally believe me now? No matter how much I might be at odds with you, I would not betray you. I said I would have no other women, and I meant it. Well? Do you believe me now?”

Jiang Lin-shi stood up, looking at the bowl of water repeatedly. She then had someone replace it with a fresh bowl of clear water and performed the blood-matching test again.

However, it did not merge the second time either. Jiang Lin-shi and Lin Rui looked at each other in confusion.

The woman kowtowed to them. “Master, Madam, my son truly has nothing to do with the Jiang family. I beg the Master and Madam to let me and my son go.”

Just as she said this, Jiang Lin-shi saw the child named Jiang Yaozong curl his lips. He was smiling—and it was a cold smile. Realizing she was watching him, Jiang Yaozong not only didn’t restrain himself but gave her a smile that was nearly provocative.

Jiang Lin-shi’s anger flared up instantly. She was absolutely certain: Jiang Yaozong was Jiang Zuoling’s biological child!

Her breathing became rapid, and she had to lean on a nearby chair to stand straight. It was at this moment that the Old Madam’s shrill voice came from outside: “I dare anyone to hit my son!!”

A large group of people crowded into the room. The already cramped main hall immediately became even more congested. The Old Madam looked at the fallen Jiang Zuoling, then at Jiang Lin-shi, her face full of fury. “Jiang Lin-shi, you are simply too much!!”