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Lin Yuan shuddered, feeling a coldness spreading across her back. Had Lin Yongle become so foolish that he still remembered it was her who broke his leg?

Actually, when she first laid hands on him, she had contemplated that Lin Yongle might come to settle the score with her, but she had her own excuses.

At that time, Lin Yongle had been wearing a mask, and she could claim she had no idea who it was, and since they were the ones picking a quarrel, even if she admitted it, others wouldn’t think she was at fault.

But what she hadn’t expected was Lin Yongle becoming dumb and dazed in prison. Was she also to blame for such an uncontrollable event?

Lin Yuan’s heart sank. She didn’t feel responsible for Lin Yongle’s death, nor was she planning to share her suspicions with anyone.

Just as she was thinking, people had already started to pay New Year’s visits outside. The first was Lin Jiaxin’s apprentice, Lin Changqing, followed by Lan Hua.

Unmarried girls didn’t need to make New Year’s visits. Why had Lan Hua also come out today?

While puzzled, Lan Hua had already pulled Lin Yuan aside. In a low, mysterious voice, she said, "Lin Yuan, I have something to tell you, about your uncle—no, he’s no longer your uncle—about Lin Jiazhong."

"What is it?" Could it have to do with Lin Jiazhong and his wife not being at home last night?

Lan Hua bit her lip, leaned in, and whispered, "My mother forbade me from speaking of this, but I’ll tell you quietly.

Last night, while our family was eating, Lin Jiazhong and his wife suddenly knocked on our door, wanting to borrow our ox cart.

You know, besides your family owning a horse cart, only our family has an ox cart in the village.

They must have needed it to leave the village.

When my brother was harnessing the ox cart, he specifically asked where they were going on such a big holiday, but Lin Jiazhong’s face darkened, and he said nothing while Lady Ma claimed she was unwell and needed to see a doctor.

Hmph, do they think we’re fools? What doctor would be open for business during the New Year’s celebration? "

Lan Hua continued to complain, but Lin Yuan quickly interrupted her, asking, "When did they return? Do you remember?"

"I remember, they came back the next day. After returning the ox cart to us, it wasn’t long before we heard Lady Ma crying."

That meant they had stayed out the entire night, no wonder Lin Yongle, who had no one to look after him, ended up frozen to death.

"When they returned, did they bring anything back? Objects or people?"

Lan Hua thought for a moment, "No, it was just the two of them, they didn’t bring anything back. Maybe, they went home first?"

Whether they went home first was not known, but Lin Yuan was certain of one thing: something serious must have happened to the couple, something they couldn’t share with others, not even with Lady Yang, the biological mother.

What on earth could it be?

Wait, with such a big incident occurring this morning, why were Lin Jiaxiao and his wife nowhere to be seen? And Lin Yongcheng, with his brother dead, why had the older brother not shown up?

After thinking for a long time and not coming to any conclusion, Lin Yuan decided not to dwell on it any longer.

After sending off Lin Changqing and his sister, Lady Liu glanced at the dispirited Lin Jiaxin and said sorrowfully, "Le Le was still a child, gone so soon. He won’t be able to be buried in the ancestral tomb, not even have a proper funeral. Alas."

Suddenly, Lin Yuan’s mind sank. She remembered what happened three years ago. At that time, Lady Liu had just given birth to her first son. The child had been frail from birth due to her injuries during delivery, and indeed, he didn’t live to see one month.

According to custom, children who died before reaching adulthood or getting married didn’t qualify for burial in the ancestral tomb. The poor child had only a small coffin hastily buried on the back hill without even a gravestone.

This had occurred three years ago, and Lin Yuan clearly remembered the scene when Lin Jiaxin bought a coffin for his little brother. Lady Ma had snidely commented, "A child who didn’t grow up wanting a coffin? What a waste of money!"

Although Lady Yang was also reluctant to part with silver, it was, after all, her grandson, and in the end, she gave Lin Jiaxin enough silver for the cheapest coffin.

Who would have thought, in just three years, it would be Lady Ma’s turn to experience the pain of losing a child. Could this be karma coming full circle?

While the matter of Lin Yongle affected everyone’s mood, the New Year still had to be celebrated. Watching his four children healthy and by his side, Lin Jiaxin’s smile slowly grew. After everything, having the family together was still the greatest happiness.