At that moment, Qin Shi let out a long sigh and stood up, saying, "It's late, and this matter is settled. You should rest early."
Lin Jinlou also rose to his feet and said, "I am an unfilial son, troubling Mother with worries."
Qin Shi shook her head and replied, "Enough, why be so formal between mother and son? If there were someone in charge in your household, all these spirits and demons wouldn't dare to cause trouble." She glanced at Xianglan, who was standing far to the side, and added to Lin Jinlou, "Starting tomorrow, have her come to my room every morning."
Lin Jinlou immediately furrowed his thick brows and said, "Why? The matter has already been cleared up—it has nothing to do with her. She's clumsy and foolish, doesn't like to socialize, and her words can make one's heart, liver, and lungs ache with anger. If she goes over and offends you, it might cause you harm."
Qin Shi glared at Lin Jinlou and said, "Am I a wolf that would eat her? Is she the one you hold so dear in your heart that you protect her like this?"
Lin Jinlou coughed and said, "No, no, no, I'm just puzzled, that's all."
Qin Shi said impatiently, "I just want her to learn some manners by my side for a few days. Is that too much to ask?"
Only then did Lin Jinlou smile and say, "Of course not, it's her good fortune." He beckoned to Xianglan and said, "Come quickly and thank Taitai for her grace. Her willingness to teach you personally is an honor."
Xianglan had no desire for such an "honor." Every moment spent with Qin Shi made her feel mentally exhausted and uncomfortable, so she merely curtsied from beside the screen.
Lin Jinlou glanced at Qin Shi and saw that she didn't mind, waving her hand dismissively and saying, "Enough, enough, I'm tired after all this commotion." With that, she leaned on Wu Mama and Mama Han and walked out, with Lin Jinlou personally escorting her.
The room fell silent for a while. Lianxin, Tinglan, and Chun Ling slowly tidied up the room. The sudden dismissal of two respectable maids from Knowing Spring Pavilion left everyone uneasy, and they remained silent. The lower-ranking maids and the old women on night duty also stayed quiet.
Xianglan felt physically exhausted and weary. She sat on the Imperial Concubine Couch, staring blankly without speaking.
Chun Ling approached cautiously and said, "You must be tired, miss. Why not go inside and rest? There's still some food in the kitchen—would you like a late-night snack?"
Xianglan shook her head. The night had been chaotic, and with someone lying in the room whose fate was still uncertain, her thoughts were tangled, and she had no appetite. After a moment's thought, she said, "If there are any pastries, bring some for Xiao Juan." Then she leaned back on the autumn-scented pillow and closed her eyes slightly.
Chun Ling fetched a blanket and gently covered her with it. After she, Lianxin, and the others refolded the clothes that had been rummaged through in the cabinet, they quietly withdrew.
Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou personally carried a lantern to escort Qin Shi back, then made a round of inspections. He saw that the old women on night patrol were all at their posts, and the guards outside were vigilant. Only then did he return.
As he entered the courtyard and approached the Main House, he saw two spring stools still placed near the front door. Nuanyue lay face down on one, motionless as if she had fainted, with bloodstains faintly visible through her clothes.
The old woman in charge of the punishment wrung her hands and said, "Master, look... if we continue beating her, it will surely cost her life..."Lin Jinlou glanced sideways and saw Rushuang and Hua Mei kneeling under a banana tree not far away. Rushuang wore only a water-green waistcoat, her pale arms and legs exposed. Her lips were blue from the cold, and her body trembled violently like a sieve. Unable to kneel properly due to the beating, she slumped sideways on the ground. Though a maidservant, she had never endured hardship and lived more comfortably than most young ladies in the Lin Family, leaving her constitution delicate. Now, she was in such agony that she nearly fainted. Hua Mei’s face was swollen beyond recognition, clearly from the fifty slaps she had received. The autumn night’s chill pierced to the bone, yet Hua Mei still wore only a lined jacket, shivering pitifully as she knelt.
Lin Jinlou deliberately made Hua Mei watch the old women administer the caning. He raised an eyebrow slightly and strode forward. An old woman hurriedly lifted a lantern so Lin Jinlou could see clearly: Nuanyue’s face was as pale as gold foil, and she had fallen unconscious. Since Lin Jinlou had ordered her to be "beaten severely," she was now barely breathing, her life hanging by a thread.
The old woman studied Lin Jinlou’s expression and thought to herself, "This wretched girl must have had a nightmare to offend both Taitai and the Master. If it were a minor matter, a bribe of silver and a light punishment would have sufficed, but she’s landed in serious trouble. Tsk, tsk. Nuanyue was quite fair and neat, with delicate features, but she always held her head high and looked down on everyone. Now she’s like a phoenix fallen into water—worse than a chicken. Even if she survives, her legs will likely be crippled." She then glanced at Rushuang and thought, "Ji Xiang passed by repeatedly earlier and saw her stripped bare for the beating. All her dignity is gone. Luckily, it’s nighttime. If this had happened in broad daylight, with her dragged outside the second gate to be beaten, countless young men would have stared. Rushuang might as well dash her head against something and die cleanly."
Then Lin Jinlou said, "Take Nuanyue and Rushuang away. Tomorrow morning, have them sold off."
The old woman repeatedly assented and hastily dragged them away.
Hua Mei had kept her head lowered, trembling uncontrollably, when she suddenly noticed a pair of black satin court boots before her. In the flickering candlelight, she could faintly discern the pattern of cranes embroidered on them, and above that, the cloud-patterned hem of a robe fluttering in the wind.
Hua Mei lowered her head even further, shaking like a sieve, wishing she could faint on the spot. Lin Jinlou’s calm voice came from above her: "Hua Mei, do you know why I’ve dealt with you like this today?"
Hua Mei endured the pain and mumbled, "The Master is merciful…"
Lin Jinlou scoffed. "Don’t think you hold such favor in my eyes. Your brother once took a knife for me. For that alone, I’ve spared your life today and left you some dignity."
Hua Mei clenched her teeth, her body going limp as she collapsed to the ground, her voice trembling. "This servant will never dare again…"
Lin Jinlou gazed at the large red lanterns swaying in the wind at the entrance of the Main House and said slowly, "Hua Mei, you know exactly what you’ve done. Did you really think you could fool me like some easy mark? Your tricks might have temporarily deceived Taitai, but did you think they’d work on me?" He paused, then looked down at Hua Mei, who was shaking violently, and added, "Now you have two choices: either pack your things and leave immediately. Afterward, whether you marry or not, you’ll have no further ties to the Lin Family…"Hua Mei trembled violently, knocking her head against the ground with frantic thuds as she wept uncontrollably, "Master! Master! I was wrong, I truly know my mistake, I dare not do it again... I won't even step outside from now on, I..."
Lin Jinlou said indifferently, "Perhaps by next spring, when the Lin Family's ancestral temple is renovated, you can go there to chant sutras. After all, you've served me once and are a clever person—you know which path is best." With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Today, I'll repay the debt of He's Jade Disc~
OpenNovel