Lin Jinlou felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his head. He swayed on his feet, his eyes turning crimson as he grabbed Zhang Shiyou by the collar, gritting his teeth and demanding, "What did you say?"
Qin Shi exclaimed in alarm, "Lou Ge'er, mind your manners!"
Lin Jinlou felt a chill run through his body, yet sweat beaded on his forehead. He had personally watched Xianglan drink that bowl of medicine... He dared not think further. Having faced life and death multiple times on the battlefield, he had remained unshaken even when Mount Tai collapsed before him, but this time, he felt weak all over, with shock, fury, and regret surging through his mind. No wonder Xianglan had no trace of color in her face, lying frail and emaciated on the bed. What sin had brought this upon her?
Zhang Shiyou was startled and hurriedly said, "General Lin, please calm down. Allow this humble official to finish. Although the potency of the pill is severe, fortunately, it hasn't fully dissolved, reducing the dosage. There is a thirty percent chance of curing this illness. Moreover, last time, this humble official changed the prescription, using medicines that counteract the effects of the sterilization pill, further neutralizing its potency, adding another twenty percent certainty. Just now, the Concubine was promptly treated with medicine—a secret formula passed down in my family—which increases the benefit by another thirty percent. With an eighty percent chance of success, careful recuperation in the future, avoiding fatigue and cold, the rest will depend on medical fate." He licked his lips and added nervously, "Even the finest medicine in the world cannot cure every ailment. This humble official... this humble official will certainly spare no effort..."
Lin Jinlou closed his eyes and took a deep breath, releasing his grip. He personally smoothed the wrinkles on Zhang Shiyou's robe, his gaze icy but his words gentle: "Then I must trouble Doctor Zhang. Doctor Zhang has exerted great effort for my family's affairs, and Lin will surely repay you generously."
Zhang Shiyou felt the murderous aura emanating from the man before him, and cold sweat rolled down his back. He hastily stepped aside, bowing repeatedly and saying, "I dare not, I dare not. This is merely my duty, my duty..."
Lin Jinlou said softly, "I must also trouble Doctor Zhang to stay at our residence for the next few days. Someone will prepare a superior guest room for you, fully equipped with all necessities. Do not hesitate to use the best medicines for this illness. If anything is lacking, please speak directly."
Zhang Shiyou agreed to everything. Lin Jinlou called for Shuangxi and ordered him to escort Zhang Shiyou away. Lin Jinlou then turned, lifted the curtain, and went out, returning to the bedroom. Xianglan still lay with her eyes closed, like a wilted little flower. Lin Jinlou stared at her for a long while before beckoning Shu Ran over and asking, "Where is the maid who decocted the medicine?"
Shu Ran whispered, "It was Chunling... I've already had her tied up and locked in the woodshed. But she's been crying, making a fuss, and swearing oaths, insisting it wasn't her doing, that it was..." She hesitated, stammering, and glanced up at Lin Jinlou's gloomy expression, shuddering before quickly adding, "Chunling says it was Fourth Miss of the Jiang family." Having said this, she shut her mouth tightly, bowing her head and waiting. She heard Lin Jinlou say, "Bring her to the courtyard."
Lin Jinlou took another look at Xianglan and turned to leave. The moment Lin Jinlou was gone, Xianglan opened her eyes and let out a soft sigh. Xiao Juan and Hua Shan crowded around her. Hua Shan asked tearfully, "Where does Madam feel unwell? Would you like something to eat or drink? The kitchen is simmering a nourishing soup, and Ling Qing is personally watching over it. Would Madam like some?"Xianglan looked at Xiao Juan and said, "Go keep watch at the front for me. If the Eldest Master questions Chunling and then leaves, don’t interfere—just come back and tell me. But if he questions Chunling and decides to drag her out to be beaten to death, you must inform me immediately. I will go and save Chunling’s life."
Xiao Juan said, "Madam, after she has done such a vicious deed, are you still being soft-hearted and showing womanly compassion?"
Xianglan shook her head and replied, "It wasn’t Chunling. Though she has her flaws, she would never do something so ruthless. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have risked so much to save me back then."
Xiao Juan, her eyes reddening, said, "That’s hard to say. Madam, you didn’t see how insolent she was… Please rest well and don’t involve yourself in this matter."
Xianglan said to Xiao Juan, "After all, I have a past with her. Say no more—go now." Xiao Juan acknowledged and withdrew.
Meanwhile, Chunling had been dragged into the courtyard by two matrons. She was already terrified out of her wits. Not long after she had delivered the medicine, Shu Ran had arrived with the matrons and seized her aggressively. Only then did she learn that Xianglan had taken the medicine and fallen gravely ill. Chunling felt as if she had been plunged into a basin of cold water and desperately tried to defend herself, but Shu Ran listened coldly without uttering a single word. Now Lin Jinlou had come for her, and Chunling trembled with fear, her body devoid of any vitality. She knelt straight on the ground, only to see Jixiang and Shuangxi standing in the room, holding large paddles.
Lin Jinlou kicked her sideways to the ground and said coldly, "You thieving slave, do you admit your guilt?"
Chunling trembled uncontrollably, shaking like a sieve, and couldn’t hold back a loud wail. "Eldest Master, please see the truth! Eldest Master, please see the truth! Even if you lent this slave ten thousand times the courage, I would never dare to do such a vile deed!"
Lin Jinlou said, "If not you, then who? You were the one who decocted the medicine and personally brought it over."
Chunling cried, "When I was decocting the medicine in the tea room, only Fourth Miss and Fifth Miss of the Jiang family came by. They both sat in the tea room for a while. Fifth Miss Jiang drew me to the doorway to talk, leaving Fourth Miss Jiang alone in the room…"
Lin Jinlou sneered, "Still stubborn and falsely accusing others? Beat her with the paddle!" Immediately, Jixiang and Shuangxi stepped forward. Jixiang held her down while Shuangxi took up the paddle and struck her over twenty times, breaking her skin and drawing blood until she was a bloody mess. Chunling wailed in agony, crying "I’m innocent!" with every strike.
After the beating stopped, Chunling’s face was as pale as gold leaf, but she still insisted on her innocence. Lin Jinlou cross-examined her several times, and her account of the events remained consistent. He turned around and saw Qin Shi standing at the door of the main hall, clutching a handkerchief, hesitating to speak.
Lin Jinlou walked over and said calmly, "Mother, it would be best if you did not interfere in this matter."
Qin Shi said, "Don’t forget your engagement with the Jiang family. If this escalates, how will the elders on both sides save face?"
Lin Jinlou suddenly glared at Qin Shi, nearly grinding his teeth, and said, "If the Jiang family did not do this, I certainly won’t wrong them. But if they really did, Mother, they had better not push me too far. Even if they are favored by The Emperor, so what? If they want to play dirty in my household, fine! Let’s see who’s tougher. By the time the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Jiang family will still not be favored. Let’s see who outlasts whom!"Qin Shi looked at Lin Jinlou's sinister expression and recalled a childhood fight he had with other aristocratic boys. Back then, he was only six or seven years old, surrounded and beaten by three or four boys. Yet he stubbornly refused to beg for mercy, even with his head bloodied and one eye blinded by blood, he kept fighting desperately. The expression on his face then was exactly the same as it was now.
Qin Shi felt her legs go weak, and with a "thump," she sank into a chair.
In the Mengfang Courtyard, Jiang Xiyun sat by the kang table sketching floral patterns. She would draw for a while, then pause, lost in thought, until ink dripped from her brush onto the paper, startling her. She quickly set the brush down and sighed softly as she watched the ink slowly spread across the pristine paper. Jiang Mu remained half-reclined with her eyes closed, sitting cross-legged at the head of the bed, slowly turning a string of eighteen sandalwood prayer beads engraved with golden millet and the character for longevity. Suddenly, she asked, "What’s the matter? Losing your composure?"
Jiang Xiyun was taken aback, then lowered her head and replied, "No."
Jiang Mu said calmly, "Your elder brother came today specifically to go with Lin Jinlou to Duke Zhenguo’s residence and invite him to serve as the official matchmaker. They have already left. Once the matchmaker is confirmed, unless the Lin family is willing to sever ties with us, this marriage will be set in stone."
Jiang Xiyun said, "I understand the current situation. The Emperor still intends to keep the Jiang family, and Father will surely be reinstated to office. Given his previous position as a Grand Secretary, his future official rank will undoubtedly be significant. Since the official matchmaker has been arranged, even if the Lin family suspects it was our doing, they wouldn’t risk causing a rift with us over a mere concubine. The elders of the Lin family are all in favor of this marriage and will never allow Lin Jinlou to stir up trouble over a concubine. A concubine may be treasured like a novelty for a while, but in a few years, when the infatuation fades and she fails to bear children, what trouble could she possibly cause? I will treat her well in the future." As she spoke, she walked to the window and closed it, saying quietly, "Besides, although Chen Xianglan may seem somewhat foolish and timid, she is an extremely intelligent person. If she were a shrew or an idiot, I would truly be worried."
Jiang Mu asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Jiang Xiyun’s eyes were clear and calm as she replied, "A shrew or an idiot would act recklessly in a fit of rage, lashing out, crying, and making a scene, not caring if the whole world knows. But an intelligent person would weigh the pros and cons, understand the situation, and compromise rather than lose their head and cause a storm that destroys everything. She ought to know that even if she makes a scene, the marriage is already decided, and there’s no turning back. The fact that she can no longer bear children might even be an opportunity for her. I can tolerate her and ensure she enjoys a life of wealth and luxury. She should calculate this clearly in her heart—right now, aside from enduring, she has no other path to take." With that, she smiled faintly, revealing two pear-shaped dimples. "As for me, if I cannot win Lin Jinlou’s heart in the future, no man lasts forever. I’ll save up some private funds, enjoy a leisurely life, and focus on raising my children well. Why should I worry about not living a good life?"
Jiang Mu opened her eyes and studied Jiang Xiyun carefully. She reached out, drew her into her arms, and held her tightly for a long time before letting out a deep sigh.
Just then, Liu Su called from outside, "The Eldest Master has returned."
Jiang Mu and her granddaughter exchanged startled glances. Jiang Mu said, "Invite him in quickly."Liu Su lifted the door curtain as Jiang Shangxian strode in, his brow furrowed with displeasure. Shortly after, Jiang Danyun also entered the room. After exchanging greetings, Jiang Shangxian's expression darkened, and he fumed, "This is utterly vexing. I hadn't even settled into my seat at Duke Zhenguo's residence, nor broached a word of serious business, when Marquis Yongchang arrived. After exchanging some words with Lin Jinlou, Lin Jinlou hurried off, whipping his horse into a gallop until he vanished from sight in no time. I thought some grave matter had occurred at home, only to find out upon returning that one of his concubines had fallen ill. It's absolutely ridiculous."
Jiang Xiyun's heart sank, though she feigned distress, saying, "But... that concubine is Eldest Master's beloved. Her falling ill makes his hasty return understandable."
Jiang Shangxian tapped Jiang Xiyun's head reproachfully and gritted his teeth. "You fool. What kind of family principles do the Lins uphold? Such a disorderly household—if Fifth Sister marries into this family, wouldn't she suffer?"
Jiang Xiyun sighed, her face clouded with worry. "Given our family's circumstances, what choice do I have but to marry?"
Jiang Shangxian was taken aback and fell silent for a long moment before heaving a sigh of his own. Just then, agonized screams from a woman echoed from outside. Mother Jiang frowned and asked, "What is happening?" Liu Su entered and reported, "Master Lin is interrogating a maid in the courtyard, accusing her of malicious intent and drugging the family's Concubine."
Jiang Danyun, who had remained silent until then, turned deathly pale upon hearing this. Her hands and feet trembled, a sharp pain seized her chest, her vision darkened, and she fainted. The room erupted into chaos as everyone rushed to her aid. Amid the commotion, Shu Ran entered and announced, "The Eldest Master requests Miss Danyun and Miss Xiyun to come to the Hall of Flourishing Spring."
Meanwhile, in the Hall of Flourishing Spring, Xianglan sat up in bed and instructed Hua Shan to open the clothing chest. She selected a lilac-colored gauze blouse and a dark green skirt. Defying persuasion, she struggled to dress herself, then ordered Hua Shan to style her hair with a few gold hairpins adorned with symbols of fortune and longevity. Noticing Hua Shan's anxious expression in the mirror as she combed, Xianglan remarked, "Why worry? The sky hasn't fallen yet."
"Madam, the Jiang family... if it wasn't Chunling, then it must be the Jiangs who drugged you... most likely Jiang Xiyun, right? But we have no evidence against her. What will you do in the future..."
Xianglan smiled faintly. "Jiang Xiyun is exceedingly clever—she plans meticulously before acting. Catching her red-handed won't be easy." She shook her head. "Her resentment toward me is natural. Resorting to schemes is also expected. What I didn't anticipate was that someone of her 'innately kind nature' would strike so viciously."
Seeing Xianglan's unnervingly calm demeanor, Hua Shan couldn't help but whisper, "Madam, if... if you're upset, you should cry..."
"Cry? Why should I cry?" Xianglan adjusted her clothes in the mirror and smoothed her hair, her expression growing even more serene. "In truth, I am furious beyond measure. Chunling showed no regard for past affection, Jiang Danyun administered the drug, and Jiang Xiyun deliberately allowed it, fueling the flames and killing with a borrowed knife. Ah, what a masterstroke—using others to do her dirty work. Does she truly believe this matter will be easily forgotten?"
"Then you're...""I've cried enough these past two years—nearly exhausting tears for two lifetimes. All for unavoidable circumstances, for grievances, for all sorts of unspeakable sorrows. This time, I'm so enraged I can't even shed tears." Xianglan turned to look at Hua Shan and said slowly, "Jiang Xiyun is shrewd at scheming. She thought she had my temperament figured out, believing that after this incident, I would continue to endure." Xianglan removed the magnolia pendant from her neck and tossed it aside casually, letting out a cold laugh. "But this time, she miscalculated. I'm fucking done putting up with it!"
Hua Shan was stunned. She never expected such coarse language from the usually gentle and refined Concubine!
As a maid Xianglan had brought from the Chen Family, Hua Shan was naturally devoted to her mistress. She sensed something different about Xianglan today and couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart. Swallowing hard, she asked, "Then, Madam, what will you..."
"What will I do? Watch her marry into the Lin Family in glory, while my fate depends entirely on her mercy? She has harmed me to this extent, and I'm supposed to gnaw at my heart day and night, placing her above me? After careful calculation and weighing the pros and cons, I should indeed endure—but now, I simply refuse!" Xianglan sighed as she spoke. "There was once the daughter of a disgraced official who married into a wealthy family as a concubine and was bullied to death by her superiors. I lamented her fate and thought it unjust. Now, the same play is about to unfold with me. I naturally disdain using despicable tricks to harm others, but when bullied to such an extent, I must demand justice for myself."
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