Qin Shi then said softly to Lin Jinlou, "She serves your grandmother, makes excellent soup, and knows how to amuse others. Playing cards with the elderly to make up numbers is also a pleasure..."
Qin Shi had originally intended to persuade Lin Jinlou to let the matter pass out of consideration for Old Madam Lin. Unexpectedly, Changfa's wife, supported by two maids, groaned as she stood up and said, "Madam need not speak for me. It seems the Eldest Master is displeased with me... Ah, what a pointless effort, wasting my sincere devotion in thinking for the Eldest Master..."
Han Mama immediately scolded, "You old fool! Shut your mouth at once!"
Lin Jinlou said indifferently, "I am indeed displeased with you. Tonight, have her pack her belongings, dismiss her from her duties, and send her away. Tomorrow I will personally report this to Old Madam."
Changfa's wife was instantly dumbfounded. Fearing she might spout more nonsense and further annoy Lin Jinlou, Han Mama quickly ordered two maids to drag Changfa's wife away. Qin Shi, who had always doted on her eldest son, comforted Lin Jinlou with a few gentle words before the situation finally settled down.
During the earlier commotion caused by Changfa's wife, everyone had been watching her and Lin Jinlou, failing to notice Huamei glancing up at Rushuang kneeling beside the curio cabinet. Their eyes met, and Huamei gave an almost imperceptible nod. Rushuang nodded slightly in return before quickly lowering her head again.
Lin Jinlou sat down in the seat at the lower left and was about to speak when he saw Rushuang shuffle forward on her knees a few steps. She kowtowed twice with a thud and said, "Reporting to Madam and the Eldest Master, I... I have something to say."
Lin Jinlou said, "Speak."
Rushuang's face flushed crimson. She glanced at Nuanyue, bit her lip, and said, "Madam, Eldest Master, this Talisman... was placed by Nuanyue."
Nuanyue trembled all over, wide-eyed and speechless. Cold sweat seeped from her back as she pointed at Rushuang and said, "You're lying! I've been in the residence all along. When Taoist Cui came last time, I was with Third Miss. I haven't gone home during this period—where would I get a Talisman?"
Ignoring Nuanyue, Rushuang took a deep breath and said, "After Nuanyue was taken in by the Eldest Master, she kept striving to climb higher and gain his favor. But since the Eldest Master paid her no attention and favored Xianglan instead, Nuanyue grew resentful. She would cry and then shut her door to curse Miss Xianglan, telling me, 'I must teach that slut a lesson someday!' I advised her several times, but she wouldn't listen. Later, I once saw her whispering with Miss Luanr. Afterward, Miss Luanr took off her gold hairpin, removed a bracelet and a ring, and pushed them all to Nuanyue. Finally, she pulled something from her sleeve—Nuanyue turned it over in her hands for a while before quietly tucking it into her sleeve... I was hiding behind the room that day and saw it clearly."
At this, Nuanyue cried out frantically, "I didn't! I didn't! Luanr never gave me anything!" Her eyes red with rage, she stood up and rushed at Rushuang, shouting, "You vile wretch, why are you slandering me?" She was forcibly restrained by the matrons on either side and pressed back to the ground.
Lin Jinlou asked, "What happened next?"
Rushuang, her face pale, said, "After that, Nuanyue always acted furtively. Since we shared a room, I couldn't help but notice. I saw her secretly bring back some characters written by Miss Xianglan and practice writing them with brush, ink, and paper. When I asked her, she said she was copying scriptures, so I thought nothing of it... Later, when the pillowcases in the room were changed, it was Nuanyue who took them to be mended..."Nuanyue let out a piercing shriek, crying, "It wasn't me! It wasn't me! It was Huamei—she gave me the talisman and taught me what to say! Rushuang, Rushuang, I've never wronged you, I've always treated you like my own sister! Why! Would! You! Do! This! To! Me!" Her voice echoed through the night sky, chillingly eerie.
Qin Shi furrowed her brows and gave a meaningful glance. Wu Mama promptly stuffed a rag into Nuanyue's mouth. Nuanyue struggled, whimpering and sobbing, large teardrops rolling down her cheeks as she glared venomously at Rushuang.
Rushuang lowered her head, seemingly unable to meet Nuanyue's gaze, and said, "Nuanyue once mentioned that Miss Xianglan and Concubine Mei don't get along. If something happened, Miss Xianglan would surely suspect Concubine Mei as the mastermind, making her the perfect scapegoat..."
Lin Jinlou suddenly chuckled lazily and said, "You cunning servant, why didn't you say all this earlier?"
Rushuang's face paled again, and she trembled all over. "This servant had sensed something amiss earlier but didn't dare jump to conclusions. It wasn't until Miss Xianglan suspected Concubine Mei that I realized the gravity of the situation... This servant deserves death. I beg the masters to punish me." After speaking, she kowtowed repeatedly with a thudding sound.
Lin Jinlou paid no heed and let her continue.
Rushuang kowtowed with great effort, breaking her forehead after just a few times, and beads of blood trickled down.
Qin Shi, after all, was a woman. Though she had once been ruthless, years of peaceful living had softened her heart. Seeing this, she couldn't help but feel pity.
Huamei began to sob, wiping her tears with her sleeve. "Madam, Eldest Master, you've heard it all... I truly knew nothing about this. Earlier, I wrongly accused Sister Xianglan, but it was only out of desperation and concern... All the fault is mine... It's all my fault. I deserve to die for nearly implicating my sister and giving villains an opportunity... Wuwuwu..." She knelt weakly on the ground, her gaze sincere and filled with tears, her slender shoulders trembling as she wept pitifully. At first, she sobbed softly, but her cries grew louder and more heart-wrenching, as if she genuinely regretted wronging Xianglan and wished she could end her life on the spot.
Qin Shi glanced suspiciously at Nuanyue, then at Rushuang, who was still kowtowing incessantly, and Huamei, who was curled up weeping. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Lin Jinlou stand up and walk to the doorway, calling out, "Which lad is on duty outside under the corridor?"
After his call, an old maidservant promptly responded. Shortly after, Gui Yuan came running while fastening his belt, kneeling on the ground and saying repeatedly, "Eldest Master, it's me."
Lin Jinlou said, "Go summon Jixiang."
Gui Yuan acknowledged the order and left.
Jixiang had just gone to bed when Gui Yuan rushed into his room in a flurry, yanking off Jixiang's quilt and saying, "Manager Jixiang, my dear brother, still sleeping? Get up quickly!"
Jixiang sat up drowsily, displeased, and slapped Gui Yuan on the back of his head, grumbling, "What's all this commotion in the middle of the night? Are you trying to raise the dead?"
Gui Yuan said, "Something's happened in the rear courtyard—it's brightly lit. The Eldest Master wants you to go over immediately."Jixiang's drowsiness vanished instantly upon hearing this. He immediately fumbled for his clothes while complaining, "You little monkey, hurry up and light the candles! How can I get dressed in this pitch darkness?" As he spoke, he dared not delay. After putting on his clothes, he hurried to the Hall of Knowing Spring. Upon entering the courtyard and seeing it brightly lit, he knew something was wrong. His heart began to tremble with fear. Hunched over and keeping his head lowered, he cautiously entered the main hall, not daring to let his eyes wander. He then knelt down respectfully.
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