Xianglan observed Qin Shi's expression and personally offered her a cup of tea. She had already heard the commotion outside earlier and deduced that something serious must have occurred; otherwise, Qin Shi would never have made such a fuss right after ancestral worship, coming to raise a disturbance in the middle of the night. Shortly after, two matrons entered and ordered everyone to stay put, confined to the room. Chunling muttered under her breath, while Xiao Juan considered going out to gather information, but upon seeing the matrons' stern and unyielding faces, she abandoned the idea, not daring to act rashly.
Seeing Qin Shi's grim expression, Xianglan grew inwardly alert. After presenting the tea, she stood silently to the side.
Qin Shi glanced at Xianglan and said coldly, "What airs you put on! I dare not accept tea served by you, lest people say I, at my age, still act frivolously."
Xianglan knew full well that Qin Shi had never liked her, and since entering the household, she had yet to pay her respects to Qin Shi. Thus, she felt no anger at these words, merely lowering her head without a sound.
Qin Shi asked, "How has Lou Ge'er been these past few days?"
Xianglan weighed her words carefully. "I seldom see the Eldest Master, but he should be well."
Qin Shi raised her eyebrows sharply. "Aren't you supposed to attend to him closely? What do you mean by 'should be well'? Are you trying to deceive me?"
Xianglan replied, "The Eldest Master rises before dawn to practice martial arts and often returns from his study after midnight, washing up before going straight to bed. I exchange only a few words with him, but he appears to be in good spirits." This was largely true, though Lin Jinlou would often chat with her about various topics—such as "vanguard cavalry," "mandarin duck formations," and "the eighteen spear techniques"—which Xianglan neither understood nor cared for, listening merely as a passive audience. Later, he also discussed the profits from his shops and the expenses of the military, astonishing Xianglan with the immense gains and staggering costs, though she dared not inquire further. Occasionally, he would broach more refined subjects, like renowned calligraphers or famous landscape paintings, which piqued Xianglan's interest enough to respond. But the conversation would inevitably veer toward which young actress sang novel tunes or which courtesan performed risqué ditties, even pressuring Xianglan to mimic a few lines. Her budding interest would then vanish like smoke, and thereafter, whenever Lin Jinlou spoke to her, she would respond perfunctorily.
Qin Shi fixed her piercing eyes on Xianglan, a faint, mocking smile playing on her lips. "You're a clever, cunning little monkey—do you think I don't know it?" She then glanced deliberately at Nuanyue and added, "You're not some neglected maid relegated to the outer rooms. Everyone knows Lou Ge'er favors you now. To claim he only speaks a few words with you—who would believe such nonsense!"
Nuanyue bit her lip hard, her hands clenched tightly inside her sleeves.
Xianglan was inwardly astonished, thinking, "There must be a spy for Qin Shi in this room. She even knows Nuanyue was taken by Lin Jinlou." Growing more cautious, she said, "I wouldn't dare deceive you, Madam. This is truly the case. If you don't believe me, you can ask Lianxin or Shu Ran. In my spare time, I only do needlework or occasionally paint to pass the time, strolling in the backyard but rarely venturing into the garden. With such a dull temperament, I don't particularly please the Eldest Master, so he doesn't speak much with me."
Since Lin Jinlou had always favored those who were clever and sweet-tongued, Qin Shi was somewhat convinced but still sneered, "You seem quite sharp-tongued to me—hardly the dull type."Xianglan knew that saying more at this moment would only lead to more mistakes. Qin Shi had taken a dislike to her, so everything she did was wrong. If she argued back, it would only add fuel to Qin Shi’s anger. She stopped speaking, lowered her head, and stood to the side.
This was the first time Changfa’s wife had entered Lin Jinlou’s room. She was dazzled by the splendor and felt completely out of place, unsure where to put her hands and feet. She wanted to pocket a few items but was too afraid of Lin Jinlou’s ruthless authority. Swallowing hard, she inwardly resented that none of the treasures in the room belonged to her and began rummaging through things even more recklessly. Wu Mama was carefully inspecting the trunks when she caught sight of Changfa’s wife tugging at a silk garment from a bundle. Startled, she quickly stopped her and whispered, “What are you doing? These are the Eldest Master’s clothes! How dare you mess with them?”
Changfa’s wife retorted sourly, “What Eldest Master? Would the Eldest Master wear such floral patterns? Clearly, these belong to that little hussy. Tsk, tsk, look at this fabric—it must cost at least two taels of silver per foot outside. The Eldest Master is certainly generous!”
Wu Mama frowned repeatedly.
Changfa’s wife had never seen such grandeur. She had won Old Madam’s favor thanks to her skill in making excellent soups, her talent at playing cards, and her smooth, flattering tongue. Qin Shi had thus assigned her a respectable position on Old Madam’s orders. Changfa’s wife had valued the opportunity and had always been diligent in her duties, though she had a minor habit of pilfering small items. Since the losses were insignificant, others usually turned a blind eye. Today, however, seeing Qin Shi repeatedly disparage Xianglan and wanting to avenge Huamei, she grew bold and unrestrained.
Wu Mama urged, “Enough, don’t push your luck. Can’t you see none of the other stewards’ wives dare to touch anything? Only Han Mama and I are supposed to search.”
Changfa’s wife glanced at Qin Shi and curled her lip. “Madam hasn’t said anything, so you should worry less, Mama.” She brushed off the warning as if it were nothing.
Wu Mama flushed crimson with suppressed anger.
Just then, a sudden “Ah!” drew everyone’s attention. Han Mama had retrieved a white cloth bundle from the head of the bed in the bedroom and brought it to Qin Shi. Qin Shi unwrapped it and found a talisman inside, inscribed with characters that read, “May Lin Jinlou die utterly.”
Qin Shi trembled with rage. She slapped Xianglan and threw the talisman in her face, pointing and cursing, “You vile wretch! How vicious you are, wishing death upon my son!”
Xianglan was stunned. The moment she saw the talisman, she understood everything and quickly pieced together most of the story. She thought to herself, “Someone has framed me. They spread word of this talisman to Madam, which is why she mobilized everyone to search tonight. Luanr and Nuanyue aren’t clever enough for this, and Yingge is too timid. This has Huamei’s fingerprints all over it.” Her mind raced. If she admitted to this now, Qin Shi, in her fury, might expel her from the estate—which would be ideal. But then she remembered Lin Jinlou’s temper and grew fearful. Last time, over a mere fan, he had nearly strangled her. If she confessed to creating this talisman, that Living Yama might exterminate her entire family.
Qin Shi pointed at Xianglan and scolded the others, “Lately, I’ve been preoccupied with miscellaneous matters and haven’t been able to keep a close watch. But are all of you deaf and dumb? How could you let such a demonic creature stay by Lou Ge’er’s side, scheming to take his life, and do nothing about it?”Before the words had fully left her mouth, she saw Huamei walk in. At the sight of the talisman, Huamei let out a startled cry and threw herself to the ground, weeping, "How foolish you are, sister! Even if you resent the Eldest Master, you should remember the kindness he has shown you in the past. How could you do such a wicked thing!"
OpenNovel