Although the Shi family’s influence had deteriorated, its vast manor stands as proof of their former glory when they were still in their prime.
The gates were huge and the yard spacious.
Their front entrance had four pillars and three doors. It was an imposing sight to behold.
Early in the morning, Lin Jin could see the Shi family servants cleaning out the entrance as he approached with the deer.
“Sir, may I ask who are you looking for?” one of the servants asked upon seeing Lin Jin standing at the gates.
Lin Jin smiled and answered, “I’m looking for Wu Chenwei.”
“Oh, you’re looking for our lord. May I have your name to inform them of your arrival?” The Shi family’s servant was amiably well-mannered.
After Lin Jin gave his name, the servant disappeared into the building to inform the master of his presence.
Lin Jin intentionally asked to see Wu Chenwei just to see how the man would react to him showing up.
After a brief period of waiting, Lin Jin heard a flurry of footsteps followed by more than ten servants rushing out with clubs in their hands. Besides this, they also made sure to bring about eight black dogs with them, all barking madly at Lin Jin.
Prominent families often let their servants keep black dogs as pet beasts because they were cheap and black dogs were good at guarding territories. A few black dogs would be more than enough to deal with thieves and burglars.
“Release the dogs!” someone shouted from the inside.
That voice sounded like Wu Chenwei’s.
The servants immediately released the hounds but something baffling happened right after they did so. All eight hounds scampered backward together with their tails between their legs before disappearing in the blink of an eye.
As they had never witnessed something like this before, the servants were at a loss of what to do.
Hiding behind the door, Wu Chenwei was just as shocked by this. He stepped out to glare at Lin Jin before noticing the deer behind him.
The pitiful large deer was wrapped up in bandages. But after receiving treatment from Lin Jin, it could at least walk around now.
A savage look appeared on Wu Chenwei’s charming face. “This person is here looking for trouble. What are you all standing there for? Chase him away!”
After hearing his orders, the servants were about to attack the unwelcome guest.
Suddenly, Lin Jin said, “I’ve handed those ruffians over to the authorities and they’ve probably sold you out by now. Paying arsonists to do dirty jobs for you is a pretty serious crime, don’t you know?
Wu Chenwei’s expression faltered. Feigning composure, he retorted, “I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is the Shi Manor, not a place where you can do as you please. Get lost!”
Lin Jin couldn’t be bothered with this guy. He wasn’t afraid of beasts so why would he be afraid of some human servants?
Patting the deer, Lin Jin asked, “Do you still recognize this person?”
When the deer saw Wu Chenwei, it whimpered. The sorrow in its tone was clearly audible.
“Is… Isn’t that the lord’s pet beast? What happened to it? Why is it injured?”
“It can’t be. Didn’t the Lord say that it died in the jaws of wild beasts? Why is it still alive?”
The Shi family’s servants began discussing among themselves.
Wu Chenwei was practically scowling at this point.
At that moment, an elderly man dressed like a steward came out from the manor’s yard. He raised his hands to salute Lin Jin and said, “Appraiser Lin, our patriarch would like to invite you inside for a chat.”
Wu Chenwei turned to glance at the old steward with color draining from his face. The old steward said to Wu Chenwei, “My Lord, the Lady has requested for you as well.”
After shooting the old steward a glare, Wu Chenwei flung his sleeve before turning to leave. However, he was obviously flustered.
Lin Jin patted the deer, a signal for it to follow him.
To be honest, Lin Jin had no plans of exposing Wu Chenwei for abusing the deer. Too bad his attitude changed when the guy ordered men to burn down his shed.
And so, Lin Jin wouldn’t just let things be.
The Shi Manor’s interior was indeed impressive. The houses were massive, and they were flanked by equally spacious gardens. Having visited the Zu Manor, he concluded that the Shi family obviously had more profound a background.
Standing at the main hall’s entrance was a woman.
She seemed to be of similar age to Wu Chenwei but wore a stern expression on her beautiful face. It wasn’t too outrageous for one to describe her as an Ice Queen.
Needless to say, she was probably the Shi family’s current head of household, Shi Wenjun.
Wu Chenwei stood at the bottom of the stairs with his head hanging low, without uttering a single word.
His imposing aura from earlier had diminished.
As a kept man, perhaps being in an inferior position and oppressed at home for so long turned Wu Chenwei into a ‘pervert’.
But that was just Lin Jin’s wild guess.
With an act befitting of a patriarch, Shi Wenjun proactively descended the stairs to welcome Lin Jin.
“I’ve heard how the Beast Appraisal Association is filled with talents and how Appraiser Lin stands out among them all. I’ve been thinking about meeting you and it seems like my wish has been fulfilled today.”
Shi Wenjun flashed him a subtle smile. Her tone was just nice without sounding too frail, nor too bright like a man’s.
Moreover, she spoke decently, leaving Lin Jin a good impression.
However, Lin Jin was used to going against the flow. Since he was here for trouble with Wu Chenwei, things were bound to turn ugly with the Shi family so why should he put on a pretentious act?
And so, Lin Jin said, “Patriarch Shi, I am here to make a complaint.”
Simple and straightforward.
Without changing her expression, Shi Wenjun waved the servants away. “Leave us.”
Shi Wenjun clearly had absolute authority here. After issuing her order, the servants hurried away, leaving only Shi Wenjun, Wu Chenwei, and Lin Jin in the yard.
Wu Chenwei wanted to leave as well but Shi Wenjun stopped him. “Honey, this is something to do with you so you can’t just leave like that, can you?”
Wu Chenwei gritted his teeth and stayed put.
“Appraiser Lin, let’s have a seat inside and talk.”
Having said that, Shi Wenjun gestured for Lin Jin to enter.
In the guest hall.
Without beating around the bush, Lin Jin pointed to Wu Chenwei and said, “Your spouse here has hired ruffians to set fire to my quarters in the middle of the night. Had I not noticed the fire, not only would my house be gone, but even my life would have been lost!”
Shi Wenjun’s expression visibly changed at this. She turned to Wu Chenwei. The latter obviously wanted to defend himself, but now that Lin Jin had already mentioned that the ruffians were caught, they would definitely sell him out so denying it would be useless.
And so, Wu Chenwei kept quiet.
He also seemed to be out of sorts.
“Honey, is what Appraiser Lin is saying true?” Shi Wenjun asked. Feeling anxious, Wu Chenwei nodded impatiently.
Shi Wenjun’s expression darkened. “Honey, a human life was on the line! How could you do something that outrageous? It’s fortunate that Appraiser Lin wasn’t harmed, otherwise, you might be convicted of murder.”
Although she was reproaching him, Shi Wenjun clearly sounded biased.
At the sight of Shi Wenjun’s anger, Wu Chenwei got scared. He looked solemn and stayed silent.
Needless to say, it was Shi Wenjun whose words held weight in the family.
Furthermore, Lin Jin noticed one amusing fact. All this while, it was only Shi Wenjun talking while Wu Chenwei never uttered a word.
“Appraiser Lin, my husband was wrong so I’d like to apologize to you on his behalf. I’m willing to compensate ten times the value of the damage done to your home. This isn’t an attempt to nullify his wrongdoings as I will personally bring him to the government office later to explain himself. If he should be imprisoned, so be it. If he is to receive punishment, he deserves it. The Shi family will remain impartial, rest assured.”
Lin Jin couldn’t find a single flaw in Shi Wenjun’s answer.
This woman was something else.
It was no wonder she could shoulder the Shi family. The woman was smart and domineering enough, even when speaking to another man.
Generally speaking, Lin Jin’s interaction would have ended right then and there. She had apologized, compensated, and admitted to their wrongdoings. What else could he ask for? He came all this way, intending to lash out at them. But this felt like throwing a punch at thin air instead. Although his goal was achieved, he didn’t feel any better.
Lin Jin planned to take his leave.
His purpose was fulfilled so there wasn’t a need to stay any longer.
Lin Jin got up and headed outside while Shi Wenjun escorted him to the door. It was then that Shi Wenjun noticed the large deer waiting outside.
She was stunned.
She hadn’t noticed it earlier.
But after taking a closer look, her expression changed.
“Appraiser Lin, please wait!”
Shi Wenjun’s voice no longer sounded composed as before.
Lin Jin turned to glance at this accomplished and dignified female patriarch only to see her hurry toward him. Standing behind them, Wu Chenwei’s face turned gray.
Shi Wenjun was staring at the deer, and upon getting closer, she studied the creature.
Finally, she tried calling out, “Duo’er?”
The deer immediately stepped forward and nuzzled its head into Shi Wenjun’s palm. Tears began streaming down Shi Wenjun’s face.
“Duo’er, weren’t you attacked and killed by wild beasts? You… you’re alive?” With her intelligence, Shi Wenjun immediately figured out what was wrong.
She turned to Wu Chenwei but the latter avoided her gaze, too afraid to look back at her.
In this close proximity, Lin Jin could see Shi Wenjun’s fingers trembling. This deer must have had a close relationship with Shi Wenjun or she wouldn’t have reacted this way. After Wu Chenwei tortured and killed the deer, he probably assumed the creature would die so he lied to Shi Wenjun thereafter.
Otherwise, Shi Wenjun wouldn’t be reacting this way.
As she touched the many wounds on the deer’s body and the part where its antlers were broken off, Shi Wenjun’s expressions kept changing. Suddenly, she said, “All this while I’ve found it odd. While the things you’ve done were always atrocious, you wouldn’t go as far as to harm a human life. I understand it now. The reason you arranged for arson was because you wanted to kill Duo’er, weren’t you?”
Wu Chenwei kept quiet, not daring to look at her.
Then, Shi Wenjun bowed at Lin Jin and asked, “Appraiser Lin, could you tell me how you rescued Duo’er?”
By Duo’er, she was was obviously referring to the deer.
As there was no reason to keep it from her, Lin Jin told Shi Wenjun how the deer was found two days ago and sent to the Beast Appraisal Association where it received treatment and was later cared for.
Shi Wenjun took a deep breath and bowed one more time. “If it weren’t for Appraiser Lin’s extraordinary medical skills, Duo’er might not have survived this ordeal. I’ve shown you an embarrassing sight earlier. Please don’t mind me, Appraiser Lin. It’s just that I’ve just had Duo’er around since a very young age and we have a deep relationship so I couldn’t control myself.”
Lin Jin was surprised by this.
Then, Shi Wenjun added, “Appraiser Lin, I hope you can excuse us for now as I’d like to deal with some family matters.”
Even in this situation, Shi Wenjun could maintain her civility and keep her family issues from outsiders.
Prominent families couldn’t afford to air their dirty laundry out in public so any issues had to be dealt with behind closed doors.
However, Wu Chenwei was at his limit. He suddenly gave a chilling laugh before saying, “Shi Wenjun, you can stop your pretentious act. You just want to send everyone away so you can ask me, interrogate me, do everything to belittle me, don’t you? There’s no need for that. I’m telling you now that I’ve had enough. I was the one who wounded this animal. I specifically aimed to kill back then but who knew this animal would be so lucky? It survived even after I’ve stabbed its organs. And this Lin guy here is just being nosy. When I saw him bring this animal out of the Beast Appraisal Association that day, I’ve made a decision to kill it once and for all. That’s why I arranged for his place to be burned down.”