Madam Qin softly said to Lin Jin Lou, “She’s favored by your grandmother, makes good soup, can joke and chat, and plays cards with the elder – it brings her joy…”

Madam Qin had intended to persuade Lin Jin Lou to overlook the matter for Old Madam Lin’s sake. Unexpectedly, as Chang Fa’s wife was being helped up by two servants, still whimpering, she said, “Madam needn’t speak for me. I suppose Young Master is angry with me… ah, how meaningless, when I’ve only been thinking of Young Master’s welfare with all my heart…”

Mother Han quickly rebuked, “You old fool! Shut your mouth immediately!”

Lin Jin Lou said coolly, “Yes, I am angry with you. Tonight, have her pack her things and dismiss her. Tomorrow I’ll personally explain to Grandmother.”

Chang Fa’s wife was stunned. Mother Han, fearing she would further irritate Lin Jin Lou with her nonsense, quickly ordered two servants to take her away. Madam Qin, who had always indulged her eldest son, spoke a few more soothing words to Lin Jin Lou before things quieted down.

During Chang Fa’s wife’s scene, while everyone watched her and Lin Jin Lou, no one noticed Ru Shuang kneeling by the treasure cabinet exchanging glances with Hua Mei. Hua Mei gave an almost imperceptible nod, which Ru Shuang returned before quickly lowering her face.

Lin Jin Lou sat down in the lower left position, about to speak when Ru Shuang shuffled forward on her knees, kowtowing twice with loud thuds, saying, “Reporting to Madam and Young Master, I… I have something to say.”

Lin Jin Lou said, “Speak.”

Ru Shuang’s face turned bright red. She glanced at Nuan Yue, bit her lip, and said, “Madam, Young Master, this talisman was… was placed by Nuan Yue.”

Nuan Yue’s whole body trembled, mouth agape, cold sweat breaking out on her back. She pointed at Ru Shuang and said, “You’re talking nonsense! I’ve been in the mansion the whole time. When Daoist Cui came, I was with Third Young Lady, and I haven’t been home recently – where would I get a talisman?”

Ru Shuang ignored Nuan Yue and took a deep breath before continuing, “After Young Master had taken Nuan Yue, she constantly tried to gain his favor. But Young Master wouldn’t look at her and favored Xiang Lan instead. Nuan Yue was unhappy, crying and always shutting herself away to curse Miss Xiang Lan, telling me ‘I must teach that hussy a lesson someday!’ I advised her several times, but she wouldn’t listen. Later, I saw her whispering something to Miss Luan Er, after which Miss Luan Er took off her gold hairpin, a bracelet, and a ring, pushing them all to Nuan Yue. Finally, she pulled something from her sleeve – Nuan Yue held it, examining it over and over before quietly putting it in her sleeve… I saw all this that day, hiding behind the building.”

At this, Nuan Yue spoke frantically, “I didn’t, I didn’t! Luan Er never gave me anything!” She finished speaking, her eyes blood-red as she stared at Ru Shuang, standing up to rush at her, crying, “You cheap thing, why are you slandering me!” The servants firmly held her back and pressed her to the ground.

Lin Jin Lou asked, “What happened next?”

Ru Shuang’s face turned pale as she continued, “After that, Nuan Yue became very secretive. Living together, I couldn’t help but notice her stealing Miss Xiang Lan’s writing and secretly practicing with brush and ink. When I asked, she said she was copying scriptures, so I didn’t think much of it… Later, when the room’s pillowcases needed changing, Nuan Yue took them to sew…”

Nuan Yue let out a piercing scream, “It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! It was Hua Mei – she gave me the talisman and taught me what to say! Ru Shuang, Ru Shuang, I’ve never wronged you, always treated you like a true sister, why! Are! You! Doing! This! To! me!” Her voice echoed in the night air, particularly chilling.

Madam Qin frowned and gave a signal. Mother Wu took a cloth and gagged Nuan Yue, who struggled while whimpering, large tears rolling down her cheeks as she glared viciously at Ru Shuang.

Ru Shuang lowered her head, seeming unable to meet Nuan Yue’s gaze, and said, “Nuan Yue once said that since Miss Xiang Lan and Aunt Mei don’t get along if something happened, Miss Xiang Lan would surely suspect Aunt Mei as the mastermind, making her the scapegoat…”

Lin Jin Lou suddenly chuckled lazily and said, “Your servant, with such a story, why didn’t you speak up earlier?”

Ru Shuang’s face changed again, her whole body trembling as she said, “This servant felt something was wrong earlier but dared not make hasty judgments. Only when Miss Xiang Lan suspected Aunt Mei did I realize the impropriety… This servant deserves death, please punish me.” She kowtowed again repeatedly.

Lin Jin Lou ignored her, letting her continue.

Ru Shuang kowtowed so earnestly that she split her forehead, blood trickling down.

Madam Qin, being a woman, though sharp in her methods, had softened over these peaceful years and found this difficult to watch.

Hua Mei began sobbing, wiping tears with her sleeve, saying, “Madam, Young Master, you’ve heard… I truly knew nothing of this. I wrongly accused Sister Xiang Lan earlier, but it was only because I was anxious and confused in my concern… All mistakes are mine… It’s all my fault, I deserve death, almost harming sister and giving villains an opportunity… wuwuwu…” She knelt weakly, her gaze sincere and tearful, her slender shoulders shaking as she cried beautifully. She started with quiet sobs that gradually grew louder until she was crying as if her heart was breaking, seemingly truly regretful for wrongly accusing Xiang Lan, acting as if she wanted to end her life right there.

As Madam Qin looked suspiciously between Nuan Yue, the continuously kowtowing Ru Shuang, and Hua Mei crying in a ball, she was about to speak when Lin Jin Lou stood up and walked to the door, asking, “Which boy is on duty under the corridor outside?”

After his call, a servant woman immediately responded, and soon Gui Yuan came running while tying his belt, kneeling and repeatedly saying, “Young Master, it’s me.”

Lin Jin Lou said, “Go call Ji Xiang.”

Gui Yuan acknowledged and left.

Ji Xiang had just gone to bed when Gui Yuan rushed into his room, throwing off his cotton blanket, saying, “Manager Ji Xiang, my brother, still sleeping? Quick, get up!”

Ji Xiang sat up groggily, displeased, and smacked Gui Yuan on the back of the head, grumbling, “What’s this midnight disturbance? Are you rising from the dead?”

Gui Yuan said, “There’s trouble in the back courtyard, all lit up, and Young Master calls for you urgently.”

Hearing this, Ji Xiang’s drowsiness instantly vanished. He immediately felt for his clothes, complaining, “You monkey, hurry and light a candle – how am I supposed to dress in the dark?” While speaking, he didn’t dare delay, quickly dressed, and hurried to Zhi Chun Hall. Entering the courtyard, he indeed saw it brightly lit and knew something had happened. His heart began to quiver as he walked into the main hall with a hunched back and lowered head, not daring to let his eyes wander, and respectfully knelt.