Huamei sneered, "Why not? Half your current misery is Lin Jinlou's doing. Don't you hate him? He spends his days surrounded by beautiful concubines and maids—what kind of life are you living here? Has he ever shown the slightest regard for past affection by visiting you even once?" She sighed dramatically. "Ah, we women are truly like duckweed in the water, as the operas sing—gathering and scattering with the wind, utterly at the mercy of fate. Sister, you once gave him your whole heart, determined to be with him and secure a lifelong refuge. But what came of it? If not for him, with your talent and beauty, how could you have fallen to such a state? I hear he only cherishes Chen Xianglan, cradling her in his palms as if she were a treasure. If he had treated you with even half that devotion..." She watched Su Meiru's expression closely and saw her gradually clench the quilt, her knuckles turning white, her face growing paler, and a venomous resentment welling up in her eyes.
Huamei curled her lips slightly, leaned in closer, and lowered her voice. "The Lin Family Army is a private force. If he dies without an heir, with his brothers being useless and his father a civil official, won't it all fall to Second Master in the end? If this succeeds, I'll help you eliminate his wife. You could become the rightful mistress, enjoying a life of luxury with gold and silver servants—wouldn't that be perfect?"
Su Meiru shuddered and looked over. Huamei reached out, gently tucking the stray hairs at Su Meiru's temple behind her ear, her expression tender and her voice soft. "My foolish sister, think it over carefully, hmm?"
Su Meiru felt her mouth go dry. She licked her lips and asked, "How... how do you plan to do it?"
Huamei smiled faintly, picked up a bowl of hot soup, and fed Su Meiru a sip. "Just persuade Second Master. Leave the rest to me—I have people who can handle it."
After Huamei left, Su Meiru leaned against the bed, staring blankly. She had thought she had long forgotten. Yes, she had once loved Lin Jinlou wholeheartedly, traveling all the way from Yangzhou to seek refuge, content just to be with him. Who could have expected him to be so heartless, cutting off all contact? She dried her tears, thinking crying was useless—she had to survive—and so she chose another path. Yet, her hatred for Lin Jinlou remained bone-deep. Helpless and powerless to seek revenge, she had pushed it aside. But today, Huamei's words had reopened that wound.
She picked up the Target Mirror again, looked at her haggard reflection, and shed a tear. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Nanny Meng, go invite Second Master here."
Moments later, Lin Changmin arrived. Pushing the door open, he saw Su Meiru sitting by the bed, her face powdered to give her a better complexion, though her eyes were swollen and she still looked sickly—a delicate, ailing beauty, more pitiable than ever. Lin Changmin, who adored her, felt his heart ache even more at the sight. He sat by the bed, took her hand, and called her "darling."
Su Meiru trembled, her lips quivering. "How cruel you are, Master, not even coming to see me. Do you think I'm dead? Or that I'm worthless now that I've lost the child?"
Lin Changmin quickly drew her into his arms. "How could I not have come? I visited twice, but you were asleep. Didn't Nanny Meng tell you? I'll scold her later."Su Meiru wiped her tears and said, "What does it have to do with Granny Meng? If not for her, I wouldn’t even have anyone to run errands for me. The food I get is leftovers, and I can’t even get a sip of hot soup. Even if I were bad a thousand days, I still had one good day—how did I end up in such a state? How can I face life from now on?" As she spoke, she began weeping again.
Lin Changmin hurriedly wiped her tears and said, "Damn it, that thunderstruck bastard! I’ll have the cook kneel before you later!" Then, softening his tone, he added, "Are you trying to break my heart with such words? Even if you had flaws, I’ve said it a thousand times—you’re ten thousand times better than that woman sitting by my bed." Lin Changmin meant every word of this sincerely. Lin Zhaoxiang was extremely strict in his discipline, and although Lin Changmin came from a wealthy and powerful family, he had little talent and empty pockets, unable to indulge in lavish outings. Moreover, he was notoriously stingy and unwilling to spend extravagantly on women, so his concubines were merely maids from the household, one of whom died within a few years. But upon meeting Su Meiru—a stunning beauty who knew how to charm, was exceptionally clever, possessed indescribable talents in the bedchamber, and even helped him scheme and amass wealth—Lin Changmin found himself unable to part with her for even a moment, willing to lift her to the highest honors.
Su Meiru tearfully said, "Then, Master, are you just going to stand by and watch me suffer here?"
Lin Changmin clicked his tongue and replied, "There’s nothing to be done. My brother is keeping an eye on this matter, and once he speaks, I can’t argue. Just endure it for now. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll take you to Jinling."
Su Meiru spat and retorted, "Pah! All you know is to shrink back when trouble comes, leaving me to face life or death alone! Are you really content to live like this?"
Lin Changmin’s face darkened as he suppressed his anger. "For your sake, I even drove out my own daughter—is that not enough? Why harp on this now? Do you want me to kneel before you? You know full well the situation at home. I’m frustrated too—what else can I do?"
Su Meiru sneered, "There’s a way to avoid this frustration, but I wonder if you have the courage for it."
Lin Changmin couldn’t help asking, "What is it?"
Su Meiru leaned in and whispered a few words in his ear. Lin Changmin was shocked and exclaimed, "Nonsense!"
Su Meiru said coldly, "Nonsense? I’m afraid he’ll settle accounts with you once he returns."
Lin Changmin frowned. "No, he may be ruthless, but he’s also protective of his own. He mentioned this matter to me and seemed unlikely to pursue it further."
Su Meiru retorted, "So you’re satisfied as long as he doesn’t investigate further? You’re willing to go back to that impoverished life where everyone looks down on you?"
Lin Changmin fell silent again, his brow deeply furrowed, his face as dark as a pot bottom. Su Meiru whispered a few more words in his ear. Lin Changmin felt tempted and murmured, "Tsk, my brother did ask me to handle something for him, but this... it won’t work, tsk, it won’t..." As he spoke, he made to stand up.
Frustrated by his indecisiveness, Su Meiru pulled him back down and whispered again. Lin Changmin remained frowning, his heart torn between desire and fear, his expression shifting uncertainly. For now, this matter rests.
Two days later, at the Hall of Flourishing Spring, Lin Jinlou finished practicing two sets of martial arts in the courtyard, wiped his sweat with a towel, and entered the room. He saw Xianglan sitting there in a daze and went over to ask, "What are you thinking about?"
Xianglan replied, "Nothing."Lin Jinlou glanced at her and said, "You always look like this when something's weighing on your mind. Such a small person, yet your worries make up half your body weight. If you keep overthinking like this, you'll turn into a little old lady before long... You've been restless these past couple of days. Are you still dwelling on what my father said?"
"No." Xianglan looked at Lin Jinlou but couldn't help adding, "I just feel it's improper. If you and your father become estranged because of this matter, I truly won't be at peace. Actually, I understand why the Old Master thinks this way..."
Lin Jinlou squeezed Xianglan's hand to stop her from continuing. His mind drifted back to when he was practicing martial arts earlier, and Lin Jinyuan had scurried over with a shifty expression, saying, "Brother, don't blame me for not warning you sooner. Father has somehow already settled on the Wei family's daughter and plans to report it to the Old Master. I overheard this in the study and risked my life to bring you this news. You better remember how loyal your little brother is!"
Lin Jinlou had long anticipated his father would make a move, but he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. Being forced into a corner like a stubborn ox being made to drink water made his blood boil with frustration. Yet in this current situation, akin to two armies facing off, even with fire singeing his eyebrows he couldn't afford to lose composure. Instead, he needed to remain calm and collected. He looked at Xianglan—this silly girl was still foolishly worrying about him becoming estranged from his father. How could she be so naive? She'd get upset and sad when bullied, then forget all about it moments later. If she felt she'd wronged someone, she couldn't even sleep peacefully. He mentally scoffed, yet his expression unconsciously softened as he held Xianglan's hand and said, "Just set your heart at ease. Didn't I tell you not to overthink? I'll handle everything."
Xianglan forced a smile. Just then, someone announced at the doorway that Lin Changzheng had summoned Lin Jinlou to the front hall. Lin Jinlou sneered, "This master is busy. No time."
Moments later, Yuan Shaoren's laughter sounded from the courtyard: "Eldest Master Lin, putting on airs? Must someone come personally to invite you?"
Hearing this, Lin Jinlou hurried out and asked with a smile, "What brings you here?"
Yuan Shaoren grinned, "My father-in-law's appointment to the Grand Secretariat is confirmed. He's hosting a family banquet today for a few close friends and asked me to come along. Didn't you know?"
Lin Jinlou scratched his head, "Don't even mention it. I've been at odds with the old man these past couple days."
"What?"
"Tch, never mind."
"Hurry up and come. Several dignitaries upfront have been asking to see you. It's only proper to attend to guests—not going would be impolite. Just make an appearance."
Lin Jinlou had no choice but to return, change into formal attire, and before leaving, he told Xianglan, "Don't worry about anything. Wait for me to return, and I'll have a proper talk with you."
Xianglan reached out to straighten his lapel and murmured softly, "Alright."
After seeing Lin Jinlou off, Xianglan sat down to read but found herself distracted. Soon, a maid from the second branch came and said, "Our Third Young Mistress invites you over. She's overseeing today's family banquet—her first time handling such affairs—and would like your input on some matters."Xianglan put down her book upon hearing this and followed the maid. Just as they reached a secluded spot, someone suddenly leaped out and clamped a hand over her mouth. Startled, she struggled desperately, but someone seized her arms and twisted them behind her back, causing excruciating pain. As she tried to cry for help, a cloth was stuffed into her mouth, and she was tightly bound from head to toe before being shoved into a sack and carried away. Terrified and frantic, she writhed and fought until she suddenly heard Gui Yuan's voice nearby asking, "Brother Xing, where are you headed?" Overjoyed, she struggled with renewed vigor but was abruptly lifted and thrown—a sharp pain shooting through her body as she landed heavily in a carriage. Someone remarked, "Nothing much. Just a troublesome maid. The mistress ordered her tied up and sold off." Gui Yuan chuckled, "Is that so? Was she formerly serving Concubine Su?" The one called Brother Xing answered evasively, "I must go now. If I'm late and delay matters, Madam will scold me." Then he shouted, "Bao'er! What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and drive the carriage!"
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