Qin Shi took it and looked, her face drastically changing as she sprang to her feet, accidentally knocking over a cup of tea on the table in her haste. The object was a talisman drawn with cinnabar on yellow paper, adorned with flamboyant, swirling patterns and a green-faced, fanged demon mask. In blood-red characters, it bore the name "Lin Jinlou" and his birth date, with the words "May you die without sons or grandsons" inscribed below.
Lin Jinlou had no heirs to this day, and these four words struck straight into Qin Shi's heart. Trembling with rage, her legs gave way and she sank back down, her face ashen. It took a long moment before she gritted out through clenched teeth, "What heartless beast would do such a thing!"
Wu Mama wept bitterly, sobbing, "This old servant found it wrapped in white cloth near the back door of Knowing Spring Pavilion. I knew it was something foul, but I never imagined it would contain such venomous words when I unwrapped it!"
Furious and anxious, Qin Shi pressed, "Besides you, who else has seen this?"
Wu Mama hurriedly replied, "No one else. I recognized the master's name and birth date, but for the remaining characters, I copied them and asked Qiang Wei from Taitai's room about them, without showing her the actual object."
Qin Shi helped Wu Mama to her feet, forcing herself to calm down as she took a deep breath. "This was found at Knowing Spring Pavilion. It's no surprise someone knows Lou Ge'er's birthday since we celebrate it every year, but the hour wasn't written on the talisman, so they likely don't know that. Who could hate Lou Ge'er so much as to create such a curse?" Qin Shi's face flushed purple, her palms icy cold as she seethed, "Lou Ge'er still has no children, and those he did have died young. It must be the work of these black-hearted curs casting spells on him!"
Wu Mama said, "Taitai is right. Perhaps it was Madam Zhao, who was divorced and left with resentment, deliberately leaving this behind."
Qin Shi closed her eyes, while Wu Mama stood by with hands clasped, not daring to make a sound. After a long pause, Qin Shi opened her eyes and said, "No, Madam Zhao has been gone for so long, and all the servants she brought with her were sent away long ago—not a single one remains. The white cloth wrapping the talisman is still clean, clearly recent. It must be someone in Knowing Spring Pavilion causing trouble."
Wu Mama suggested, "Perhaps it's one of the maids or old women in Knowing Spring Pavilion who harbors a grudge after being scolded or beaten by their master, and has turned to such dark curses."
Qin Shi declared, "I fear there are treacherous servants hiding in our midst, waiting for the right moment to strike and harm their masters. Using a talisman like this shows a truly malicious heart—we must root them out!"
Though Qin Shi was usually composed and astute, her concern for her eldest son's safety clouded her judgment. She stood up, intent on going to Knowing Spring Pavilion immediately, but Wu Mama managed to hold her back and summoned Qin Shi's confidante, Mama Han, to explain the situation. Mama Han advised, "Taitai, please don't be angry. We've just finished the ancestral rites today, and the Old Master and Old Mistress are exhausted and about to rest. Causing a commotion would only disturb them and add to their worries. It's better if we go quietly, inform the Master, and discuss this carefully to plan our next steps."
Qin Shi sneered, "As the saying goes, 'A licentiate's rebellion takes three years and still fails.' Discussing this too much will only leak the news and let the little devils escape. In the past, I've been too lenient, allowing such things to happen. Among the concubines and maids in Lou Ge'er's household, only a few are decent; the rest are all seductive and scheming. It's time to properly manage them. Now, gather everyone here—we'll get to the bottom of this tonight!"Mama Han immediately went to summon people. Soon, two elderly matrons and four senior stewardesses, all of whom she valued highly, arrived. Among these stewardesses was Changfa's wife, a woman in her mid-thirties with a short stature and a fair, oval face. Hua Mei had always curried favor with her, occasionally bestowing small favors and sweet-talking her, so Changfa's wife had become friendly with Hua Mei. Hearing Hua Mei often lament about not gaining favor in front of the Master, she would occasionally offer a few words of comfort.
Now, upon hearing that Qin Shi was going to the Knowing Spring Pavilion to investigate, she immediately sensed an opportunity and said, "Taitai should have taken charge of this matter long ago. The Master's courtyard is in utter disarray—they’ve actually put that Xianglan to sleep in the main house’s master bed! This... this is simply outrageous! If word gets out, what will become of the Lin Family’s reputation?"
Qin Shi frowned but replied, "Lou Ge'er mentioned this to me—he wants her to serve closely."
Changfa's wife hurriedly added, "There’s nothing wrong with having her serve closely, but that Xianglan is a ruthless character. She monopolizes the Master all by herself, forbidding him from going anywhere, and she doesn’t even regard Concubine Mei, Miss Yingge, or Miss Luan'er—who came before her—with any respect. She struts around the Knowing Spring Pavilion, acting more imposing than a proper mistress."
Qin Shi frowned again. She had never liked that little maid Xianglan, finding her too beautiful and clever—hardly the obedient type, unlike the simple-minded Qing Lan. But after all the twists and turns, she had actually returned to the Lin Family, and since coming back, she hadn’t once paid her respects or even kowtowed to her. Qin Shi had already been holding a grudge against Xianglan but thought it best to ignore her, especially given Lin Jinlou’s playboy nature—he might forget about her any day. So she had let it be. But now Changfa's wife brought it up again, adding fuel to the fire, and Qin Shi’s expression darkened.
Seeing the situation turning sour, Wu Mama stepped forward and scolded Changfa's wife, "Shut your mouth! Do you live in the Knowing Spring Pavilion every day? You’re talking about baseless rumors as if they were true. Who gave you permission to gossip here?"
Changfa's wife was taken aback and took half a step back.
Wu Mama whispered to Qin Shi, "Taitai, this isn’t true. Xianglan is a good girl..."
Qin Shi waved her hand impatiently and said, "I’ll decide for myself whether she’s good or bad." With that, she stood up and led the group to the Knowing Spring Pavilion.
At that time, Lin Jinlou was in his study at the front. When Qin Shi arrived with her people, she ordered them to search each room first while she turned and went to Hua Mei’s room. Hua Mei was wearing a casual embroidered spring jacket, her makeup faded, and was about to wash up. Seeing Qin Shi enter, she hurriedly offered her a seat and made to brew tea herself.
Qin Shi said indifferently, "No need." Then she signaled to Mama Han with a glance.
Mama Han immediately led the others in searching the room, pulling out all the trunks and boxes, turning over the bedding, and even using scissors to cut open the pillow. Qin Shi glanced over and saw Hua Mei standing meekly by the door, not saying a word or asking questions, appearing very cautious.
Before long, one of the stewardesses said, "Taitai, we found this in the pillow." She brought it over to Qin Shi.
Qin Shi looked and saw a small red cloth bundle that seemed to contain a talisman. She asked, "What is this? Where did you get it?"Hua Mei twisted the corner of her clothes, looking quite embarrassed. After hesitating for a moment, she finally said: "Reporting to Taitai, this contains a talisman. Last time when Daoist Gu Cui came to the Inner Chambers, I asked her for it..."
Apologies for the slightly shorter content recently~
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