Lin Jinlou took off a waist token and said, "Go select a few household guards, and call the two personal soldiers on duty tonight at the front. Have them go to Water Mirror Temple and bring Taoist Cui to me."
Jixiang responded repeatedly, accepted the waist token with both hands, turned around, and left. Not daring to run, he walked briskly with swift strides, disappearing through the festooned gate in a flash before finally letting out a long sigh. Just moments ago, the room had been filled with kneeling people—even Madam had come. Nuanyue was pressed face-down to the floor by the matrons, and even someone as shrewd as Mei Yiniang knelt 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 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, and the matters involving Luanr.
Lin Jinlou nodded and said, "Mother, it’s late. Go back and rest. I will handle this and send you word tomorrow."
Qin Shi waved her hand. Without seeing this matter through, she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. Lin Jinlou didn’t press further and instructed Lianxin to brew tea for Qin Shi. Noticing her tired expression, he invited her to rest in the western side room. Qin Shi, also wishing to avoid the commotion, leaned on Han Mama and left.
Lin Jinlou then returned to the main hall. By this time, Rushuang had kowtowed until she saw stars and finally collapsed weakly to the floor.
Lin Jinlou stroked his chin and pondered for a moment but didn’t press further. Pointing at Rushuang, he said, "Someone, strip this cunning maid of her clothes, give her ten strokes, and have her kneel in the courtyard." Rushuang went limp. Two sturdy matrons stepped 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 Eldest Master is angry, it’s just a beating, then expulsion from the estate. Even if I’m sold off, I’m not afraid... Nuanyue, don’t hate me. My cousin is now working under Mei Yiniang’s brother to make a living. He was originally engaged to me, but after his family became wealthy and mine fell into poverty, I was sold to the Lin family as a maid. His parents broke off the engagement, but my cousin still loves me. Last time I went home, he secretly met me and told me to follow Mei Yiniang’s instructions. Once I complete this task, Lord Du will intervene and let him come back to marry me. Sister, I’m doing this for my future... Dear sister, you also framed Xianglan for your own prospects. Surely 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. Huamei and the others framed Luanr, so they must have been fully confident. Luanr is surely in for trouble." She glanced at Huamei, who was still kneeling on the ground, looking dejected, her hair slightly disheveled. The rouge and powder on her face had mixed with tears, revealing her sallow complexion. Upon closer look, faint freckles could be seen. Xianglan suddenly understood why Huamei always wore heavy makeup before seeing anyone. This appearance was a far cry from her usual heavily made-up, charmingly smiling self. Though there was a fragile beauty to her, her looks had diminished considerably.Huamei could no longer care about saving face. Cold sweat dripped from her, her inner garments soaked through, feeling as if a gleaming sword hung over her head. Lin Jinlou was astute 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 Huamei thought about it, the more terrified she became. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor. Chunling brought over a handled teapot, trembling as she refilled Lin Jinlou's cup before hastily retreating.
Lin Jinlou raised the teacup and took a sip, then beckoned Xianglan to his side. "Madam is resting in the western side room. Go and attend to her properly." Seeing Xianglan hanging her head as if unwilling, he glared and said, "Ungrateful wretch. I'm honoring you by raising you up. Do you think just anyone gets to serve Madam? Hurry up and go."
Xianglan had no choice but to trudge away slowly.
Lin Jinlou pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking to himself, "What a foolish girl. I can't tell if she's truly clever or genuinely stupid."
Xianglan entered the western side room and glanced up slightly. Qin Shi sat in the rosewood official's armchair at the head, eyes slightly closed, fingers moving over a string of Buddhist beads as she murmured prayers. Wu Mama stood nearby and shot her a meaningful look, signaling her to refill Qin Shi's tea.
Xianglan picked up the teapot and quietly poured a full cup.
Qin Shi slightly lifted her eyelids, 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, an old maidservant announced from the doorway that Jixiang had returned. Xianglan quietly slipped out and hid behind the curtain to watch.
Jixiang knelt and kowtowed, reporting, "Eldest Master, when I arrived, Taoist Cui had already hanged herself. The door was locked from the inside, and it's unclear how many days she's been dead. We found this on her." He presented a slip of paper.
Lin Jinlou unfolded it and saw it was an IOU from Luanr to Taoist Cui for purchasing Life-Reaping Talismans. His face darkened like water as he dismissed Jixiang, saying, "Bring Luanr here."
Luanr had already regained consciousness. Filled with both terror and regret, she knew she was finished yet couldn't accept it. When she saw Lin Jinlou, fear and anguish overwhelmed her, and a wave of self-pity surged from the depths of her heart. Covering her face, she began to sob.
Lin Jinlou stood up, flicked the IOU, and said coldly, "Speak. How many talismans did you buy? Who were you trying to curse?"
Luanr's face was pale as she wept without answering. Huamei's heart leaped into her throat; prostrate on the floor, she wished she could vanish from sight.
Lin Jinlou glanced at Huamei before turning his cold gaze back to Luanr. "Starting tomorrow, you won't stay in this mansion anymore. Have your parents come collect you. Spare us the disgrace—I can't stand the sight of you!"
Luanr froze, then suddenly threw herself forward, clutching Lin Jinlou's legs as she wailed, "Eldest Master, I beg you! Don't drive me out! I'd rather die than leave these gates!" She pleaded desperately, "Eldest Master, I was truly wrong! Please, remember my devotion to you, remember our past affection... I was momentarily confused, I'll never dare again..."Lin Jinlou stood motionless, his face as if veiled in a frosty chill. After a long pause, he finally said, "I admired your singing voice, and had you been prudent and well-behaved, you would have secured a place in the Lin family. But you grew arrogant and domineering, repeatedly stirring up trouble, and in the end resorted to such despicable means. There is no room for you here anymore. Not punishing you is already an act of leniency beyond the law. Do you truly wish to be stripped of your clothes, forced to kneel in the courtyard, and sold off tomorrow morning before you’ll accept this?"
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