Lin Jinlou unfastened a waist token and said, "Go select a few guards, and call the two personal soldiers on duty tonight. Have them go to Water Mirror Temple and bring Daoist Gu Cui to me."
Ji Xiang responded repeatedly, accepted the waist token with both hands, turned around, and left. Not daring to run, he walked swiftly with vigorous strides, disappearing through the Hanging Flower Gate in a flash before finally letting out a long sigh. Earlier, the room had been filled with kneeling people, even Taitai had come. Nuanyue was pressed face-down on the floor by old women, and even someone as shrewd as Concubine Mei was kneeling on the ground with a pale face. It seemed something serious had happened. Though curious, he didn't have the nerve to inquire, and simply hurried off with wind at his feet to gather the men.
Qin Shi called Lin Jinlou to the eastern side room and quietly recounted to him how Wu Mama had discovered the talisman, how she had come to seize the evidence, along with the matters concerning Luan'er.
Lin Jinlou nodded and said, "Mother, it's late. Go back and rest. I will handle this and send you news tomorrow."
Qin Shi waved her hand. Without seeing this matter through to its conclusion, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. Lin Jinlou didn't press further and ordered Lianxin to brew tea for Qin Shi. Seeing Qin Shi looked weary, he invited her to rest in the western side room. Qin Shi, also wishing to be out of sight and out of mind, leaned on Mama Han and left.
Presently, Lin Jinlou returned to the main hall. By then, Rushuang had kowtowed until she saw stars and finally collapsed weakly on the floor.
Lin Jinlou stroked his chin in thought for a moment, then surprisingly ceased his questioning. Pointing at Rushuang, he said, "Someone, strip this cunning maid of her clothes, give her ten strokes with the board, and have her kneel in the courtyard." Rushuang went limp. Two sturdy old women came forward, gagged her, grabbed her arms, and dragged her away. Lin Jinlou then pointed at Nuanyue and said, "Drag her away and beat her too, beat her hard!"
Dizzy and disoriented, Rushuang thought hazily, Even if the Master is angry, it's just a beating and then expulsion from the estate. Even if I'm sold off, I'm not afraid... Nuanyue, don't hate me. My cousin is now making a living under Concubine Mei's brother. He was originally engaged to me, but after his family became wealthy and mine fell into poverty, my family sold me to the Lin Family as a maid. His parents called off the engagement, but my cousin still loves me. Last time I went home, he secretly met me and told me to act according to Concubine Mei's wishes. Once I complete this task, he will have Official Du intervene, come back, and marry me. Sister, I'm doing this for my future... Dear sister, you also framed Xianglan for your own future, so you'll understand me, won't you...
Leaving aside how Rushuang was dragged away and beaten, Lin Jinlou stood straight and silent. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Xianglan stood quietly to the side, thinking to herself, "I wonder how Lin Jinlou will handle this and how this drama will conclude. Hua Mei and the others framed Luan'er, surely they were completely confident. Luan'er is going to suffer." She glanced at Hua Mei again, who was still kneeling on the ground, looking dejected, her hair slightly disheveled. The rouge and powder on her face were mixed with tears, revealing her sallow complexion. Upon closer look, one could faintly see freckles on her face. Xianglan suddenly realized why Hua Mei always wore heavy makeup before seeing people. This appearance was different from her usual heavily made-up, charmingly smiling self. Though there was a fragile beauty to it, her looks had diminished considerably.Hua Mei could no longer care about saving face. Cold sweat dripped from her, soaking through her undergarments, as she felt a gleaming sword hanging over her head. Lin Jinlou was exceptionally shrewd and ruthless. Having just dealt so severely with Rushuang and Nuanyue, he must have seen through the escape route she had reserved for herself...
The more Hua Mei thought about it, the more terrified she became. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor. Chun Ling brought over a handled teapot, trembling as she refilled Lin Jinlou’s tea, then hastily retreated.
Lin Jinlou lifted the tea bowl and took a sip. He beckoned, calling Xianglan to his side, and said, "Taitai is resting in the western side room. Go and attend to her properly." Seeing Xianglan hanging her head as if unwilling, he glared and snapped, "Ungrateful wretch. I’m elevating you—do you think just anyone gets to serve Taitai? Hurry up and go."
Xianglan had no choice but to trudge off slowly.
Lin Jinlou pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking to himself, "What a foolish girl. Who knows if she’s truly clever or just plain stupid?"
Xianglan entered the western side room and glanced up slightly. Qin Shi was seated in the sandalwood official’s armchair at the head of the room, her eyes slightly closed, fingers moving over a string of prayer beads, murmuring under her breath. Wu Mama stood to one side and, upon seeing Xianglan, signaled for her to refill Qin Shi’s tea.
Xianglan picked up the teapot and quietly poured a full cup.
Qin Shi lifted her eyelids slightly, glanced at Xianglan, then closed them again. The room fell into silence. Xianglan retreated to the doorway, standing with her hands at her sides, staring blankly at the sash around her waist. Suddenly, she heard an old woman reporting at the entrance that Ji Xiang had returned. Xianglan slipped out quietly and hid behind the curtain to watch.
Ji Xiang knelt on the ground, kowtowing as he said, "Reporting to Master, when I arrived, Daoist Gu Cui had already hanged herself. The door was locked, and it’s unclear how many days she had been dead. We found this on her." He presented a slip of paper.
Lin Jinlou unfolded it and saw it was an IOU from Luan’er to Daoist Gu Cui for purchasing a life-claiming talisman. Lin Jinlou’s face darkened like water. He dismissed Ji Xiang and ordered, "Bring Luan’er here."
Luan’er had already regained consciousness. Now, she was both terrified and regretful, knowing she was finished, yet unwilling to accept it. When she saw Lin Jinlou, fear and distress overwhelmed her, and a wave of self-pity surged from the depths of her heart. She covered her face and sobbed.
Lin Jinlou stood up, flicked the IOU, and said coldly, "Speak. How many talismans did you buy? Who were you trying to curse?"
Luan’er’s face was pale. She only wept and said nothing. Hua Mei’s heart leaped into her throat as she lay prostrate on the floor, wishing she could vanish into thin air.
Lin Jinlou glanced at Hua Mei, then turned his icy gaze back to Luan’er. "Starting tomorrow, you are no longer to remain in the mansion. Have your parents come to collect you. Spare us the disgrace—I can’t stand the sight of you!"
Luan’er froze, then suddenly threw herself forward, clinging to Lin Jinlou’s legs, and wailed, "Master, Master, I beg you! Don’t drive me out—I’d rather die than leave these gates!" She pleaded desperately, "Master, I was truly wrong. Please, for the sake of my devotion to you, for the sake of our past affection... I was momentarily confused, I’ll never dare again—"Lin Jinlou stood motionless, his face as if veiled in frost. After a long pause, he finally said, "I admired your fine singing voice. Had you been prudent in speech and conduct, you would have secured a place in the Lin Family. But you grew arrogant and repeatedly stirred up trouble, ultimately resorting to such despicable means. You can no longer stay here. I’ve already shown leniency by not punishing you. Do you wish to be stripped of your clothes, kneel in the courtyard, and be sold off tomorrow morning before you’re satisfied?"
Working overtime over the weekend and feeling unwell, I couldn’t update—my apologies! Thank you to .05111039283 and zhaolushd for the Peach Blossom Fan; 121130145223649 for two sachets; bubu8915, Mingzixi, and qian20051978 for the sachets; damima, bubu8915, Mingzixi, and .05111039283 for two Peace Talismans each; jojomomo, Kuangben de Yangcong, 130921220536492, MiaomiaoTTT, Bai Xi, Chenxiang Yun, and qian20051978 for the Peace Talismans. If I missed thanking anyone, Xiao He bows in apology! Also, thank you all for the pink votes! Once I get through these busy days, updates might return to normal. Again, I bow in apology!
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