Jiang Xiyun supported Grandmother Jiang as they arrived at Chun Tang Hall. There they saw Qin Shi and Lin Jinlou, both with grim expressions. Chun Ling lay prostrate on the floor, her face as pale as gold foil, moaning incessantly and barely able to kneel upright. Shuran and Hongjian stood to the side serving tea.
Grandmother Jiang glanced at Chun Ling and asked in surprise, "What is the meaning of this? Is this some kind of tribunal?" She then sat down with Jiang Xiyun's assistance.
Lin Jinlou remained seated without rising to greet them, his voice icy as he said, "Some evil wind has blown through our household today—daring to play tricks right under my nose. Concubine Dowager, wouldn't you say such audacity deserves severe punishment? If I don't deal with this properly, people might think Lin Jinlou is a coward. Tsk, tsk, how could I face others if this gets out?" With a sharp crack, he snapped a folding fan in his hand.
Jiang Xiyun glanced up and shivered at the sight of Lin Jinlou's chilling smile. Though he had always carried an imposing authority, he had previously treated the Jiang Family with warm courtesy. This was her first time witnessing his wrath, which evoked primal fear—like facing a man-eating beast, utterly different from any man she had known. A sudden dread gripped her heart.
Grandmother Jiang remained composed and said, "Lou Ge'er, have some tea to calm yourself. Be careful not to let anger make you ill." She then turned to Qin Shi and asked, "May I ask why my granddaughters were summoned? Dan Yu has been unwell and is now bedridden with illness." She sighed deeply. "Well, since Lou Ge'er insisted urgently, I assumed it was important and accompanied them here."
Qin Shi felt relieved at the change of subject and inquired, "What illness has Dan Jie contracted? Is it serious?"
With concern etched on her face, Grandmother Jiang replied, "She fainted earlier and just regained consciousness after we pressed her philtrum. She complains of chest pain, and we've already called for a physician."
Qin Shi asked, "How could someone so young develop chest problems?"
Grandmother Jiang shook her head and sighed, "The child has a delicate constitution. Perhaps she ate something too cold yesterday that stagnated in her system, and today's wind aggravated the illness."
Qin Shi sighed in sympathy.
Lin Jinlou tossed the broken fan aside and smirked coldly without speaking.
Jiang Xiyun felt a wave of panic but quickly steadied herself. Chen Xianglan, with her delicate appearance, was known to be clever and prone to tears—she might deduce the truth and appeal to Lin Jinlou. Fortunately, Jiang Xiyun had never openly quarreled with Chen Xianglan, especially in Lin Jinlou's presence, maintaining an appearance of harmony. She had merely gone with the flow and covered her tracks well. Even if exposed, she could extricate herself, though she worried about Jiang Danyu's fate. She glanced at the trembling Chun Ling and sighed softly, comforting Grandmother Jiang gently, "Grandmother, don't worry about Fourth Sister—" Then she presented a pair of shoe pads to Qin Shi, her face brightening with an adorable, ingratiating smile. "Aunt, as the weather turns colder, I made these thick fleece shoe pads to keep your feet warm." Her bright eyes blinked earnestly at Qin Shi's impassive face. Pouting slightly in a charming manner, she added, "But the fleece is so thick that each stitch pricks my fingers painfully." She spread her hands to show Qin Shi.Qin Shi looked down and saw red marks on the pale fingers, clearly caused by the thimble during needlework. She couldn't help but hold the hand and stroke it repeatedly. Earlier, Lin Jinlou had invited her to the main hall, instructing her not to comment on anything while urgently sending for the Jiang sisters. Qin Shi felt uneasy, vaguely guessing what might happen but not daring to confirm it. She feared Lin Jinlou might let things spiral out of control, yet thinking that the Jiang sisters were involved made her uncomfortable too, which was why she had been rather distant with Jiang Xiyun earlier.
However, Qin Shi had always appreciated Jiang Xiyun's coquettish and ingratiating ways. Seeing the innocent expression on that delicate face now, and recalling how the girl was usually obedient, perceptive, sincere, and amiable, she began to think she must have been mistaken. She said, "Good child, you've had a hard time," then shot Lin Jinlou a glare and added, "Dan is ill, yet Concubine Dowager and Xiyun have come all this way. What earth-shattering matter could you possibly have to discuss right now?"
Lin Jinlou smiled and said, "There's been quite an interesting development in the household today, so I specially invited Concubine Dowager and my cousin to hear about it." He tilted his chin toward Chun Ling and said, "Speak."
Jiang Xiyun's heart sank, thinking, "It's happening!"
Chun Ling immediately broke down, wailing, "Master! Every word I said earlier was true! I didn't put the sterilization pill in the new concubine's medicine—if I'm lying, may the heavens strike me dead! I was the one brewing the medicine. If anything happened to the new concubine, I wouldn't survive either, so why would I sabotage my own duty?"
Lin Jinlou said coldly, "If not you, then who?"
Chun Ling cried breathlessly, "When I was brewing the medicine... only the two Jiang young ladies entered the tea room—"
Lin Jinlou said slowly, "Oh, so you're implying these two intended harm to your mistress? I've heard from the maids that you've had disagreements with the new concubine but are quite close with Fifth Miss Jiang." After speaking, he looked up and gave Grandmother Jiang and Jiang Xiyun a meaningful glance.
Chun Ling seethed with hatred. Earlier, she had been beaten half to death when Shuran hurried over to report something to Lin Jinlou in a low voice. Lin Jinlou immediately went to the bedroom, and Shuran leisurely approached her, sneering, "Why bother? Clearly, the Jiang sisters can't stand the new concubine. They set a trap together—one lured you into talking, the other drugged the medicine, and then they pinned the blame on you. And you've been treating a venomous snake like a bodhisattva all along." Chun Ling wasn't utterly foolish; after piecing everything together, she realized Shuran's words fit perfectly. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I may have grievances against the new concubine, but I wouldn't dare use such a vile sterilization drug! Only those two young ladies came during the brewing—the drug must have been put in by them!"
Grandmother Jiang was furious, slapping the armrest and pointing as she scolded, "Nonsense!" Then she broke into a violent cough.
Jiang Xiyun patted Grandmother Jiang's back to soothe her while looking up with wide, innocent eyes. She glanced at Qin Shi, then at Lin Jinlou, and finally at Chun Ling, saying in a dazed tone, "Chun Ling... what grudge could I possibly have against you? How could you say such things?"Chunling cried out bitterly, "I always thought you were a good person, but I never imagined you were hiding such treachery! You and your sister—one deliberately lured me to the door to talk, while the other drugged me inside. I curse my own blindness for ever recognizing you!" Her voice grew increasingly shrill as she glared at Jiang Xiyun, her eyes seeming about to bleed.
Jiang Xiyun looked bewilderedly at Lin Jinlou and Qin Shi, tears suddenly welling up and falling like rolling melon seeds. Biting her lip, she choked out, "Does Aunt and Eldest Cousin truly believe I am the kind of person who would harm others?"
Qin Shi, recalling Jiang Xiyun's dignified demeanor, obedience, and cleverness, found it hard to believe she could do such a thing. She said to Lin Jinlou, "Could there be some hidden circumstances?"
Chunling struggled forward on her knees, weeping, "I beg Taitai and Master to summon Fourth Miss Jiang! I fear she is feigning illness out of guilt!"
Liusu stepped forward and pointed, scolding, "Nonsense! Our fourth young lady is lying ill in bed, unconscious, and you dare spout such reckless slander, tarnishing her reputation!"
Chunling gnashed her teeth, her voice sharp as she cried, "I did not! I did not! I did not!" She kowtowed repeatedly to Qin Shi and Lin Jinlou, sobbing until her voice grew hoarse, "Taitai, Master, if I did this, I would willingly accept a thousand cuts—this female servant is truly wronged!" Her head struck the ground with loud thuds, soon drawing blood.
Jiang Xiyun slowly clenched her hands inside her sleeves. If the Lin Family let this pass without inquiry, using Chunling as a scapegoat, the matter would sink like a stone tossed into a lake, causing only a few ripples before vanishing. But Lin Jinlou's current stance—insisting on investigating openly, even at the cost of breaking decorum—was beyond her expectations. Jiang Danyun was now terrified out of her wits; if she were brought here, she might cause further complications. As for Chen Xianglan, she was merely a concubine of servant origin—
She bit her lip, raised her head, and gazed at Qin Shi with a look of childlike devotion, saying, "Aunt, you have always been wise. Fourth Sister is truly ill—"
Qin Shi sighed and stroked Jiang Xiyun's hair, about to speak, when Lin Jinlou already instructed Shuran, "Go check on Fourth Miss Jiang's condition. If she still has a breath left, carry her over on a spring bench if you must!"
Grandmother Jiang instantly flushed with rage, slapped the table, and stood up, pointing angrily at Lin Jinlou, "You! How dare you!" She then sneered, "Fine, fine, fine! What a fine General Lin Jinlou, bringing your investigations to our Jiang Family, drawing blades against relatives. Now you've grown so bold as to act wildly in front of your elders. Fourth Girl is a member of our Jiang Family—let's see who dares lay a finger on her today!" She turned to Jiang Xiyun, "Fifth Girl, we won't stay here any longer. Go pack your things—we're leaving with your elder brother!" Seeing the situation deteriorating, Qin Shi hurried forward to mediate. Grandmother Jiang coughed loudly, swayed, and nearly fainted. Qin Shi quickly helped her sit down, while Jiang Xiyun, tears in her eyes, clung to Grandmother Jiang's arm, weeping repeatedly.
Lin Jinlou stood quietly nearby, steady as a rock, his expression unreadable. He declared, "This case will be investigated today. If I have truly offended, I will bear the blame and accept any punishment from the Concubine Dowager afterward. But if anyone dares to play tricks within my household—" With that, he drew a treasured sword from his waist with a sharp "clang" and flung it. The blade embedded itself squarely in the doorpost, gleaming coldly and striking fear into all who saw it.Everyone was startled, holding their breath and not daring to cry or speak again. Lin Jinlou swept a cold gaze around and declared, "No matter who he is, even if the Emperor himself were summoned today, it would be useless!" He then called out sternly, "Shuran!"
Shuran hurriedly stepped forward.
Lin Jinlou said, "Go and invite the Fourth Miss of the Jiang Family over!" Shuran acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Qin Shi was so anxious her eyes turned red, fearing Grandmother Jiang might be overwhelmed with anger. She stepped forward, grabbed Lin Jinlou's sleeve, and whispered, "Lou Ge'er, why—why must you do this! No matter who did it, things have already come to this. Why offend the Jiang Family? You—"
Lin Jinlou looked at Qin Shi and suddenly spoke, "The Jiang Family's young lady is a person, and my concubine is also a person. She even saved Mother and Sister!" With just this one sentence, Qin Shi was stunned.
Lin Jinlou turned back and sat down, picking up a cup of tea beside him. He took a sip and added, "The tea has gone cold. Someone, bring fresh tea for the masters."
First Update
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