Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 622 - 620: Buried Secrets

Lin Wanwan left with a box of books and a set of lavish gifts, while the Dugu and Xiao matriarchs felt conflicted on their journey back.

Xiao was no longer interested in stirring trouble. Without children of her own, Xiao Chong was the sole heir of their branch of the family, hence, she couldn’t afford to act recklessly for her own sake.

No matter whose child Xiao Chong was, he would have to provide for her as his stepmother.

But if Xiao Chong were also gone, she would have no offspring to rely on. If her husband passed away before she did, she might end up destitute.

This predicament couldn’t be compared to the distress of watching Xiao Chong; regardless of her feelings toward him, her current interests aligned with his.

Moreover, she didn’t care for the Dugu Yan her mother-in-law favored.

Today’s observation of Lin Wanwan revealed that she was unsophisticated and lacked a powerful family to rely on, yet she was so wealthy, perhaps she was indeed a good choice.

Xiao wasn’t concerned about Xiao Chong’s offspring aligning with prominent families; it was irrelevant to her. As long as her current lifestyle was maintained, she could live comfortably during her lifetime.

As for the future generations? That’s the Xiao Family’s concern.

The Dugu matriarch still felt that Lin Wanwan was of lowly birth, unworthy of her eldest grandson, but since the marriage was decreed and approved by her sister-in-law, she had to accept it and cease further consideration.

She just didn’t understand why her sister-in-law regarded the rural-born Lin Wanwan so differently.

Clearly, today’s flower-viewing banquet was purely to introduce Wanwan formally to everyone, initiated by her sister-in-law.

The gift of a box of books by her sister-in-law was certainly due to her own indifference.

To avoid losing face for her sister-in-law, she immediately removed a blue diamond ring from Persia she wore on her hand, giving it to Lin Wanwan as a meeting gift.

As for the intentions of Dugu Yan, she naturally understood, but they were useless; Xiao Chong’s marriage was decreed by the Emperor, and unless Lin Wanwan died suddenly, it would not change.

The thought of bringing another into the household simultaneously never crossed the Dugu matriarch’s mind. The Dugu Family’s direct lineage could only be a proper wife, and any lesser position was a disgrace.

Alas, hopefully, Yan can figure things out on her own.

Why did Empress Xiao regard Lin Wanwan so differently, could it really be because of a fateful encounter?

Of course not.

It was only because of Xiao Chong’s performance when he visited before leaving Chang’an City.

This child specially came to make a request, and it was the first time from childhood to adulthood. As his aunt, she had to comply with his wishes.

In the carriage on the way back, Lin Wanwan looked at the day’s gains and sighed deeply; they were all grand treasures!

Upon returning to Mao County, she would give them all back to Xiao Chong.

Even Qingyu received many meeting gifts, though quite nice, but they were common on the market, incomparable to those received by Lin Wanwan.

The carriage shook as it traveled through the fields under the setting sun, and Qingyu, having played all day, leaned against her lap asleep.

Lin Wanwan gently lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at the waves of wheat and the farmers busy in the fields, her lips gently curled. This is the leisurely life she yearned for; no matter how bustling Chang’an City was, it couldn’t surpass the tranquility and freedom outside the city.

She had already planted sweet potato vines, potatoes, and corn; she had also given many seeds to Li Tai.

The land around Chang’an City was very suitable for planting potatoes; with its high yield, it wouldn’t be long before the people of Chang’an City rushed to grow them.

"Huh, there’s a scoop wheel along the riverbank here too." While casually observing the rural scenery, Lin Wanwan suddenly discovered something new.

This was surely related to Li Tai; after that day, he came twice more to see the scoop wheels and also asked Lin Wanwan for the blueprints.

Li Tai was indeed an ambitious prince; regardless of whether he did these things to showcase himself, to pave the way for his ascendancy, it was all good for the ordinary people.

Lin Wanwan had never thought of getting involved in their palace intrigue; the futures of Li Tai and Li Chengqian were irrelevant to her. Speaking of it, historically, the only prince who could survive rebellion was Li Shimin’s direct son.

He killed his nephews without hesitation, but when faced with his own direct sons, he couldn’t bring himself to act. When Li Chengqian’s rebellion evidence was exposed, he remained indecisive, unable to be ruthless.

Some ministers were rebuked for suggesting execution as per the law. A Seventh Rank minor official who suggested exile out of compassion for father-son relations was promptly promoted three ranks. Later, in Li Zhi’s reign, this former Seventh Rank official was appointed Prime Minister, showing how crucial it was to perceive the Emperor’s moods.

It was said that everyone discussed together, but you still had to discuss according to my wishes, because I am the supreme ruler. Even when I kindly consult you, you dare to openly criticize me.

Xiao Chong’s grandfather, due to his esteemed status, was too fond of speaking his mind, resulting in his six ups and downs in the Prime Minister’s position.

Meanwhile, in modern times, Lu Shouyue received information about the hidden messages behind the pit bulls.

After reporting to the police and utilizing their resources, investigating these lurking threats became very straightforward. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

All this was, indeed, no mere coincidence; these two pit bulls had long been part of a plan. This encounter was accidental, but their existence was not.

Previously, Lin Wanwan presented several antiques at the ancient city’s antique market, drawing the attention of shadowy figures the antique world.

Alas, she was still too careless; dealing in antiques wasn’t quite so simple, especially given her approach of low prices and discretion. It loudly signalled problems, encouraging others to act without consequence.

Lin Wanwan had been under surveillance for quite some time. The tomb robbers and intermediaries had rented houses around, laid ambushes for a long time, devised detailed kidnapping plans, even prepared for the worst-case scenario of silencing.

The two specially trained pit bulls were meant to erase any traces if absolutely necessary.

This covert operation temporarily stalled after Lu Shouyue retrieved a once-stolen antique from an antique shop.

The opposition might be assessing Lin Wanwan’s relationship with him before revising their plans for the next step.

Fortunately, the woman handling the dogs was unaware, allowing the matter to be exposed prematurely; any situation can easily be undone by details. Otherwise, Lu Shouyue couldn’t imagine the consequences.

You can only steal for a thousand days, but not guard against theft for a thousand days; over time, there will be lapses.

Now that it’s clear, Lu Shouyue wouldn’t be so polite.

These tomb robbers and intermediaries exploiting Huaxia’s cultural heritage, selling them abroad, deserve to die. He had no intention of dealing with them, simply because it wasn’t his responsibility. But now that they’ve entangled himself, failing to deal with them thoroughly would be unworthy of himself.

After working through the night, spending money and calling in favors, Lu Shouyue finally got everything as he wished, and then went to sleep.

Throughout all this, Lin Wanwan remained completely unaware.

As an ordinary, small citizen, who wouldn’t unconsciously doubt everything? Growing up, her environment provided her ample security, lacking any crisis awareness to detect conspiracies.

People might say she’s poor, yet she lived with her grandparents in a villa; they may say she’s unfortunate, yet she possessed a Space-Time Bracelet given by her grandmother.

Her only hardship was the loss of both parents, followed by the passing of her grandparents, preventing her from spending money recklessly like other relocated families’ children.