When Zi Qing returned, she also mentioned that many of Yin Ruoxuan's shops had closed down. Back when I was at Cai Die Xuan, my business was only slightly better than theirs, but because I could produce those specific items, they sent people to try and kill me. Now that I’ve caused them such trouble, it would be strange if I didn’t take some action in return.

However, since this person can connect with Dong Yu from Lin Family Village, they must be familiar with it. Therefore, the one who has been doing these things for years is likely not someone from the Zeng family, but my own Third Uncle, Zeng Weiliang.

Lin He let out a cold laugh. This so-called Third Uncle truly lacked any humanity. Both Yu’er and I are his own nieces. He used to hunt me down, and now he uses Yu’er’s man to threaten her. Does he have no other way to deal with family besides this?

Lin He hadn't originally intended to pursue the old matters he committed against her, but since he repeatedly targeted her now, it seemed she no longer needed to cherish any so-called kinship.

Thinking this over, Lin He spoke to Yu’er and Madam He: "Yu’er, don't worry too much about Zhao Yu’s situation for now. You only heard about this from Dong Yu; it might not even be true. I will send someone to the neighboring county to investigate this for you. From my perspective, there must be some other hidden story behind Zhao Yu’s matter. If he really killed someone, it’s unlikely an ordinary person could hide it so easily. If it’s truly as Dong Yu described, I will have someone visit that family and ask around. At worst, we can offer some money and settle the matter privately. I'll lend you the funds first."

Yu’er saw that even after she committed such a wrong, Lin He was still willing to help her. At that moment, she knelt before Lin He, raised her hand, and slapped her own face repeatedly, murmuring, "He’er, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Lin He had people stop her and help her up, saying, "However, Sister Yu’er, things have come to this point, I certainly cannot let you continue working in the ointment workshop. I will have someone pack your things shortly, and you should return home. As for whether you want to tell Eldest Uncle about this, that is up to you both."

After explaining everything clearly, Lin He had Yu’er and Madam He sent back to Lin Family Village. Meanwhile, she instructed Ling Xiang to investigate where the Zeng family members were currently residing. Their shops in Qinghe County were already closed, meaning the whole family might have relocated.

As for Dong Yu, Lin He had already instructed Zi Qing to send people to track her. She would likely make contact with someone soon. Once they figured out how they were communicating, they could confirm that Zeng Weiliang was the one behind everything.

Once confirmed, they would find the Zeng family and directly inform his father-in-law and his wife that Zeng Weiliang had been married before and had children, and that for the past few years, he had disowned his relatives. Most importantly, they would tell them that Cai Die Xuan, the competitor currently challenging them, was opened by Zeng Weiliang's own niece. Finally, they would add a concluding remark: "Thank you, Third Uncle, for all your help over the years; without it, Cai Die Xuan could not have crushed so many of Yin Ruoxuan's shops so quickly."

Zeng Weiliang had been doing all these things for years, all for the sake of taking over all the Zeng family shops. After hearing these words, would the Zeng father and daughter still entrust him with managing the business? This was a betrayal of affection to the daughter and a betrayal of commerce to the father. It would be considered generous if those two didn't throw him out of the Wen family altogether.

Originally, Lin He felt that letting Zeng Weiliang off so easily was too simple, but in her current mindset, it was sufficient. After all, at this time, people lacked an awareness of intellectual property rights. What if she found evidence proving he intended to steal her formula? He never showed his face throughout the entire process; reporting him to the authorities was useless. Lin He couldn't be bothered to arrange other means. The Wen family had too many issues recently. Taking away the thing he desired most was satisfying enough.

As for Dong Yu, didn't she want to go to a brothel? Well, once this matter was settled, her wish would be granted: she would be sent to a brothel to live out the rest of her life until she died of old age. Lin He always felt such methods were inhumane, but for Dong Yu, treating her too humanely would be letting her off too easily.

After giving these instructions, Lin He was supported by Zi Qing and the others back home. Upon arriving, that scoundrel Wen Ningxuan was actually home this time. He was waiting for Lin He at the door, speaking with a tone of reprimand: "Your belly is already this big, why are you still running around everywhere?"

Lin He looked at Wen Ningxuan. He must have been back for a while. After a few days apart, the weariness and sorrow from the previous days had vanished, and he had regained his former dazzling radiance. Lin He felt a surge of joy and immediately asked, "Did you find Father? How is Father?"

"Father is fine, just a bit weak. He’s recuperating at the Wen Manor now. We’ll go see him tomorrow," Wen Ningxuan said as he helped Lin He walk toward the house.

Only after Lin He was settled on the small couch inside did she ask about the whole ordeal. Although Wen Ningxuan was largely certain that the Old Madam was behind the events, he couldn't find a single clue on her. The Old Madam had remained at the Wen Manor these past few days, never venturing out, nor visiting Master Wen.

When Wen Ningxuan and his brothers went to pay their respects, she showed no sign of abnormality, chatting with them just as before, which made Wen Ningxuan even suspect he was looking in the wrong direction.

So, Wen Ningxuan had people keeping a close watch on the Old Madam, while he took Ling Xiao and a few others, and Wen Ningmo took the Wen Manor retainers to search relentlessly inside and outside the city for any trace of Master Wen, but they couldn't find any leads whatsoever.

After searching for several days, Wen Ningxuan realized this couldn't go on. Since they couldn't break through the Old Madam’s front, perhaps they should start with the Second Master and the others. The Old Madam couldn't possibly manage a kidnapping alone; if she needed help, she would surely turn to the people closest to her.

Thus, Wen Ningxuan assigned people to tail the Second Master and Third Master day and night, hoping to see where they went. However, the Second and Third Masters also mostly stayed indoors. But they certainly weren't as composed as the Old Madam. Whenever someone mentioned Master Wen being kidnapped, their expressions would become somewhat unnatural, confirming for Wen Ningxuan that the Old Madam was behind it.

Wen Ningxuan pondered deeply. If someone was kidnapped, they would need guards. But the Old Madam and her sons never left the house. Given the Old Madam's caution, she would never allow outsiders to handle such matters. This left only one explanation: Master Wen was very likely still under the Old Madam's surveillance, meaning Father was probably locked up somewhere within the Wen Manor.

Last night, Wen Ningxuan planned to have people secretly search the neighboring Wen Manor, but after dinner, the Fourth Master actually came to call. He directly revealed the likely location where Master Wen was being hidden, suggesting Master Wen might be under the dry well in the Old Madam's courtyard.

For more novels, visit storyread.net.