"So that’s how it is. I really must thank Young Master Mo. If it weren’t for your intervention, Xuelan and Elder Han would likely have been doomed."

Upon hearing what Lin Xuelan said, the expressions of the people in the hall slightly changed, and then Hu Clan smiled and expressed gratitude to Chen Mo.

"Young Master Mo, this is my mother, and this is my second uncle..." Lin Xuelan introduced in a low voice beside Chen Mo.

"Madam Lin is too kind; it was just a small effort." Chen Mo said softly. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"A life-saving grace deserves a grand thank you. Someone..." Hu Clan called out toward the outside of the hall, and a servant walked in. Hu Clan said, "Have the kitchen prepare a banquet; I want to host our esteemed guests."

"Yes."

"And prepare a few superior rooms for Young Master Mo and his companions—they’ve traveled a long way and should not be neglected." Lin Xuelan’s second uncle also spoke up, then looked towards Han Yang: "Elder Han, please escort our benefactors to rest downstairs."

Han Yang knew that the Lin family had gathered to discuss important matters that were not suitable for outsiders to hear, so he smiled at Chen Mo, "Young Master Mo, please this way."

Chen Mo also understood that the Lin family had encountered some turbulence and had important discussions, so he naturally would not stay as a conspicuous outsider. He followed Han Yang downstairs.

Once Han Yang led Chen Mo and his group downstairs, Lin Xuelan couldn’t wait to ask, "Mother, Second Uncle, what exactly happened to father?"

"Alas, it’s people from the court who arrested your father, put him in jail, and even confiscated the goods, claiming that your father colluded with Louwo." Hu Clan sighed, worriedly said.

"Colluding with Louwo? How is that possible?" Lin Xuelan didn’t believe it for a second. Yelang just fought with Ju Ting and Louwo not long ago, having a blood feud, and Louwo’s strength is far inferior to Yelang’s. How would a shrewd person like father collude with Louwo?

Yu Zhu, standing nearby, noticed something and said, "Madam, even if the master colluded with Louwo, how did the court know about it?"

"This..." Just as Hu Clan was about to speak, Lin Xuelan’s second uncle interrupted, "Sister-in-law, let me explain.

I’ve investigated, and it’s the Diao Family. The Diao Family has always wanted to monopolize Jin City, constantly at odds with our Lin Family, and seeks to annex our businesses. Brother once did business with Louwo, and the Diao Family used this as an excuse to report us to the court, falsely accusing our Lin Family of colluding with Louwo, leading to the arrest of Brother by the court," Lin Xuelan’s second uncle said.

"The Diao Family?" Lin Xuelan frowned, "Didn’t the Diao Family also do business with Louwo? Why are they unaffected? Plus, when father did business with Louwo, Yelang and Louwo were on friendly terms. Many from our country did business with Louwo at that time; did the court arrest all those people?"

"The charge of collusion with Louwo is just a pretext for arresting Brother. The real intention to destroy the Lin Family comes from the Diao Family." Lin Xuelan’s second uncle said sternly. "Recently, Diao Hong, for some inexplicable stroke of luck, has caught the Third Prince’s attention, surely influenced by this scheme."

"Diao Hong?"

Lin Xuelan knew of Diao Hong, who had always been an official at the court, and the eldest son of the Diao Family’s patriarch, supposedly aligned with the Third Prince. But among those following the Third Prince, there were so many, and Diao Hong held no real power, always overlooked by the Third Prince. Besides, the Lin Family also had backing at the court, so the Diao Family couldn’t suppress the Lin Family officially through administrative means.

Now that her second uncle mentioned Diao Hong had caught the Third Prince’s eye, it meant he had gained considerable attention.

Lin Xuelan’s face turned grim, "Second Uncle, what should we do now?"

"We can only think positively. Maybe the Diao Family is just bluffing, using the Third Prince’s name to act privately, and the Third Prince himself is unaware. If that’s the case, then by going to the capital and pulling some strings, Brother might be released," Lin Xuelan’s second uncle said.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s head to the capital at once," Lin Xuelan said anxiously.

"I know we have to head to the capital, but now the Diao Family has their eyes on us. In the city, with the populace around, the Diao Family dares not act against us. But if we head to the capital, they might ambush us en route; with just Elder Han, we may not be adequately protected," Lin Xuelan’s second uncle said gravely.

After all, traveling from Jin City to the capital takes several days, including passing through a deserted wasteland where a death would leave no remains.

The Diao Family, if indeed bluffing, would most certainly attempt to prevent them from reaching the capital.

Within the Lin Family, only Lin Xuelan’s father and Han Yang were Middle-Grade Martial Artists. Now, with Lin Xuelan’s father imprisoned, only Han Yang remained.

The Yelang Kingdom isn’t like the previous chaotic Great Song.

This type of family is not allowed to maintain private soldiers, and there is a limit on the number of guards, not exceeding fifty people.

Hiring an escort agency, the agencies in the city surely have been prepared by the Diao Family.

So this journey to the capital is fraught with danger.

"Indeed, the Lin Family is in quite a predicament this time." The members of the Lin family were equally worried.

"True, since Young Master Mo could save Xuelan and you from peril and safely escort you to Jin City, if we ask him for help, the Diao Family would not dare ambush us on the journey," Lin Xuelan’s cousin suggested, thinking aloud.

"Yes, Xuelan, what is Young Master Mo’s capability? Could you ask him for this favor?" Hu Clan also inquired.

The father of the Lin Family is the backbone; the Lin Family cannot do without him, so he must find a way to be rescued.

"Grandpa Han said, Young Master Mo’s strength is likely beyond that of my father," Lin Xuelan said.