"Mr. Lin, you can leave now."

"So soon? Mr. Feng, have you found the person who poisoned Shang Youwei?" Lin Miao exclaimed in surprise, expecting it would take at least three to five days to get a result.

He had mentally prepared himself to stay in the Arresting Department’s prison for a few more days.

Unexpectedly, he was released after just one day and one night.

Feng Sheng shook his head, "No, we haven’t."

"Then why is this?"

"The three supervisors from the Imperial Pharmacy testified that the prescription you gave to Shang Youwei had no issues. Since the prescription was not problematic, whether the patient didn’t follow medical advice, took the medication incorrectly leading to poisoning and death, or was poisoned by someone else, it has nothing to do with you," Feng Sheng explained.

Lin Miao finally understood why he was released so quickly. It turned out someone helped him, but Mr. Jia and Guan Biyun would not voluntarily interfere with local investigations and trials.

Unless Feng Sheng took the initiative to ask for their assistance.

Only then would Mr. Jia and the others cooperate. If they actively proved something, they’d be suspected of colluding with the people under "trial."

Because of this, the Dongshan Medical Bureau could lodge a complaint to the Imperial Pharmacy, requesting the replacement of the previous supervisors.

Supervisors couldn’t interfere in local affairs voluntarily but could record their observations in a report submitted to the Imperial Pharmacy. The court could then send people to investigate, or locals could request assistance in investigations without issue.

"Thank you, Mr. Feng, and also thanks to the three supervisors for clearing my name," Lin Miao expressed his gratitude.

"You should also thank your fiancée, Youwei. She pleaded your case in court today, leaving Mr. Song from Anning Hall speechless and ashamed," Feng Sheng chuckled.

"My senior sister..." Lin Miao was surprised to hear this. His senior sister had always been gentle, never harsh with words. He could only imagine her confrontation with people.

He stepped out of the prison of the Arresting Department.

He glanced at the afternoon sun, which was not too dazzling but warm enough.

"Junior brother." A sweet soft voice called out from behind, and Lin Miao turned to see his senior sister, Sun Youwei.

Sun Youwei jogged a few steps until Lin Miao approached. After all, this wasn’t her home, and she needed to be a bit reserved.

"Senior sister, thanks for your hard work. Let’s go home." Lin Miao proactively reached for Sun Youwei’s hand.

Xia Zhu followed closely behind, her eyes naturally showing a hint of envy. She had no particular feelings for Lin Miao; she merely envied Lin Miao and Sun Youwei’s relationship, having grown up together as childhood sweethearts.

"Head of the household, you’re finally out. This day and night had our Miss Youwei worried sick..." Mr. Xie was waiting outside the Arresting Department with the carriage.

"You’re such a smooth talker!" Lin Miao glared at Mr. Xie, then helped Sun Youwei onto the carriage, followed himself, and finally Xia Zhu.

They also brought out clothes and bedding from the prison, with Mr. Xie jumping onto the carriage last, then vanishing down the road towards home.

...

Shanyuan Square, Ye Mansion.

"Gently, be gentle; you’re hurting me..." The maid was applying medicine to Ye Mi Yuan’s backside, possibly unfamiliar with the force needed, making him cry out.

At this moment, Ye Shengyuan entered with a gloomy expression, waving the maids out. He came over, sat down, and personally applied the medicine for Ye Mi Yuan.

"Gently... why is it you, Patriarch?" Ye Mi Yuan was about to erupt in anger, but upon seeing Ye Shengyuan, he swallowed his words.

"I just received news that the Arresting Department has released Lin Miao."

"Released? Why?"

"Zheng Dan couldn’t substantiate his charge of ’poisonous prescription’ against him. The agent he found, Song Yunzhong, was as useless as mud that couldn’t stick to a wall—having troubles himself; he was left speechless by a young lady. Had he not quickly cut ties with Song, he’d be in trouble himself," Ye Shengyuan explained, face darkened.

"Weren’t we supposed to pick some contentious elements from Lin Miao’s prescriptions to target him?" Ye Mi Yuan asked. "Directly charging ’poisonous prescription’ won’t pin him down."

"They aimed to deliver a crushing blow, feeling subsequent actions unnecessary," explained Ye Shengyuan.

"Wasn’t it the result of Mr. Zheng trying to curry favor with Mrs. He?" Ye Mi Yuan coldly laughed. "What about the Tang couple?"

"Do they still have any use?"

"Of course they do. Let them go back, set up a trap if Lin Miao approaches—one move to finish it once and for all..." suggested Ye Mi Yuan.

"So you’re saying, the moment Tang returns home, if that Lin boy seeks him out for answers, then..." Ye Shengyuan grasped Ye Mi Yuan’s intent, "Wouldn’t this be against morality?"

"Patriarch, this grants them a family reunion in the afterlife, an act of virtue."

"Hmm, it’s worth a try. If it works, even if we can’t kill him, we could land him back in the Arresting Department’s large prison. If not, we lose nothing," agreed Ye Shengyuan.

"Doesn’t the Green Blade Sect hate Lin Miao deeply? Let them handle it—a task shared," added Ye Mi Yuan.

...

At the Lin Family’s entrance.

"Here, here, step over the fire basin and burn away all the bad luck..." Yun personally led people at the entrance to welcome Lin Miao home.

Apparently, humanity’s customs transcend space; this "fire stepping" ceremony to dispel misfortune is well-traveled through the universe.

"All goes smoothly!"

Crossing the fire basin and patting yourself with mugwort leaves completes the ritual.

"Alright, it’s all good. Everyone, back to your tasks," Lin Miao waved, signaling everyone not to crowd around him.

After dinner, Sun Youwei followed Lin Miao into the bookroom. There were many details about today’s events that he still didn’t understand.

"Junior Brother, after I visited you at the Arresting Department and returned home, Mrs. Qin came and told me that Mr. Song Yunzhong from Anning Hall went to the South City District office to reveal you. I was immediately anxious when I heard this. At that time, she brought out evidence and facts of Song Yunzhong’s harm to the people over the years, and told me that only by going to the Arresting Department and exposing his crimes in public could I save you."

"So you went?" Lin Miao was slightly startled.

"Hmm, as long as I can save you, I naturally have to go." Sun Youwei nodded, her eyes resolute, without a trace of hesitation.

Lin Miao was deeply touched and immediately held Sun Youwei in his arms: "Senior Sister, we agreed that I would protect you, but unexpectedly, it’s you who saved me."

Sun Youwei’s cheeks flushed, she closed her eyes shyly, this embrace was so warm, she was truly too fond of it.

Reluctant to part, yet knowing she couldn’t enjoy it alone.

This silly girl, she’s truly too trusting, although Si Miaoxue has a close relationship with him, he still has some caution towards her.

Who knows if this woman is the type to "fly apart when disaster strikes," he couldn’t say for sure.

Some couples live together for a lifetime, and may not fully understand each other, let alone trust completely.

He’s seen many promises of eternal love but too often there’s a betrayal when real trouble hits.

In a lifetime, if one can truly trust themselves and maybe two or three others, then it’s worth living.

Senior Sister is someone he can completely trust.

"Youwei, when no one’s around, I don’t want you to call me Junior Brother anymore." Lin Miao whispered in Sun Youwei’s ear, "I want you to be my wife, is that okay?"

"Junior Brother..."

"Call me Mr. Lin." Lin Miao corrected.

"Lin...Mr." Sun Youwei called out shyly and timidly.

The change in address signifies greater intimacy, and the relationship steps further.

"Si Miaoxue, this woman, can be trusted, but not completely. Though I’ve crossed that line with her, more importantly, we’ve reached an alignment of interests. She’s willing to help me now because I hold enough value for her." Lin Miao seriously explained to Sun Youwei.

"Value?"

"Simply put, I can help her with some things, likewise, I also need to leverage her power." Lin Miao said, "As for whether she can become part of the Lin Family in the future, it’s difficult to say now, so in future dealings with her, keep a bit of caution, do you understand?"

"Mr., Lin, since she’s your woman, why isn’t she part of the Lin Family?"

"She’s not part of the same circle as you. The people there have wicked hearts, and the deceit is something you cannot comprehend, she won’t give me all her heart either, so there’s no need to dwell on this, we simply satisfy our mutual needs." Lin Miao said.

Sun Youwei seemed to understand as she nodded.

"You’ve worked hard today, let me take you back to rest, tomorrow morning I’ll come to check your pulse." Lin Miao said.

...

After sending off Sun Youwei, Lin Miao returned to the bookroom.

Si Miaoxue’s graceful figure had already seated herself in his spot, pouting, her face seemed to have a bit of displeasure.

"What’s wrong, listened to others’ conversation and got upset yourself?" Lin Miao immediately understood that Si Miaoxue must have been hiding behind the secret passage entrance, listening to the conversation between the two.

"You say I’m not sincere to you, but am I not sincere?" Si Miaoxue couldn’t help but feel sorrowful. Initially, she did exploit him a lot, but now, her heart is entirely attached to this man, yet he says she’s insincere to him, that they’re just using each other.

This is too heartbreaking.

If it were someone else, hearing this would have chilled their heart.

But Si Miaoxue wasn’t a brainless woman. Lin Miao is such a cautious and intelligent person. If he wants to say these words, there’s no need to remain in the bookroom. Doesn’t he know about the secret passage in the bookroom?

She could be listening behind the wall at any time?

So, what Lin Miao said wasn’t just for Sun Youwei to hear, but also for her, the one eavesdropping inside the wall.

These words, understanding them from another perspective, mean only sincerity can exchange for sincerity. If you won’t reciprocate with sincerity, naturally, he won’t offer sincerity either.

It’s both a reminder and a warning.

Dealing with different people requires different approaches; Sun Youwei and Si Miaoxue are not the same kind of people; different methods must be used.

"You shouldn’t have encouraged Youwei to do today’s thing."

"In the end, aren’t you just worried about her?" Si Miaoxue’s eyes reddened, saying crossly, but clearly not as angry as before.

"Youwei has a simple mind, she doesn’t have such complexity. I hope she always stays that way, not wanting her to get involved in some dirty business." Lin Miao said.

"You want to protect her, but have you ever thought, once you can’t even protect yourself, what would she do?" Si Miaoxue retorted, "If you want her to be the main wife of the Lin Family, that’s not just a title; she must shoulder the responsibility. She may not know martial arts but she can’t be ignorant of world affairs, can’t lack intelligence, can’t lack the ability to manage the household, and besides, she won’t stay like that; she needs growth, she wants to fight alongside you, she needs to prove her value and not be just a delicate flower needing your constant protection, with no ability to fend for herself!"

"Wouldn’t living simply be better?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Life in itself is not simple, you wish for simplicity, but will the world give you the chance?" Si Miaoxue said, "Lin, you must let her grow and not bind her under the name of love, understand?"

"I understand the reasoning more than you do, I just don’t want her to be hurt in any way, do you understand?"

"Doing so is the biggest harm to her." Si Miaoxue said, "Have you truly considered what Youwei wants in her heart? You’re arrogant, narcissistic, but very foolish!"

"What did you say?" At that moment Lin Miao was truly enraged, he admits to being arrogant and narcissistic, but to say he’s "foolish," that he absolutely won’t accept.