Lin Jinlou removed a waist token and said, “Go gather some guards and bring the two personal guards who are watching the front tonight. Have them go to Shuijing Temple and bring Daoist Priestess Cui to me.”

Jixiang repeatedly acknowledged the order, accepting the waist token with both hands before turning to leave. Though he dared not run, his quick walking was as swift as flying. Once he passed through the ornamental gate, he finally let out a long breath. Earlier, a room full of people had been kneeling, even the Madam had come. Nueyue’s face was pressed against the ground while held down by the old women, and even someone as shrewd as Concubine Mei had a sickly pallor while kneeling on the ground – something serious had happened. Though curious, he didn’t dare to inquire, only hurrying away with the wind at his feet to gather people.

Madam Qin called Lin Jinlou to the east side room and quietly told him about how Mother Wu discovered the talisman, how she came to collect evidence, and everything about Luan’er.

Lin Jinlou nodded and said, “Mother, it’s getting late. Please go rest, I will handle this and send the news to you tomorrow.”

Madam Qin waved her hand – she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight without seeing this matter resolved. Lin Jinlou didn’t try to persuade her further. He ordered Lianxin to make tea for Madam Qin, and seeing her weary expression, invited her to rest in the west side room. Madam Qin, wanting to clear her mind by not witnessing what was to come, allowed Mother Han to help her there.

Lin Jinlou then returned to the main hall, where Rushuang had kowtowed until she saw stars and finally collapsed weakly on the ground.

Lin Jinlou stroked his chin in contemplation for a moment, yet didn’t question further. He pointed at Rushuang and ordered, “Someone strip this insolent servant and give her ten strikes with the paddle, then make her kneel in the courtyard.” Rushuang’s body went limp as two sturdy old women came forward, one covering her mouth while the other grabbed her arms and dragged her away. Lin Jinlou then pointed at Nueyue and commanded, “Take her away for a beating too – beat her hard!”

In her dizzy state, Rushuang thought hazily that even if the Master was angry, it would just be a beating with the paddle and being driven from the mansion, or at worst being sold off… “Nueyue, don’t hate me. My cousin now works for Concubine Mei’s brother. He was originally betrothed to me, but when his family became wealthy and mine fell into poverty, forcing me to be sold as a maid to the Lin family, his parents broke off the engagement. But my cousin still loves me. The last time I went home, he met me secretly and told me to follow Concubine Mei’s instructions. Once I complete this task, Official Du will arrange for him to marry me. Sister, I’m only doing this for my future… Dear sister, you also framed Xianglan for your future, surely you’ll understand…”

We’ll leave aside how Rushuang was dragged away and beaten. Lin Jinlou stood perfectly straight and silent, the room so quiet a falling pin could be heard. Xianglan stood quietly to the side, thinking to herself: “I wonder how Lin Jinlou will handle this, how this drama will end. Huamei and the others framed Luan’er, they must be completely confident. Luan’er is bound to suffer.” She glanced at Huamei, who was still kneeling on the ground, looking dejected with disheveled hair, her rouge and powder mixed with tears into a mess, revealing her yellowish complexion. Looking carefully, one could faintly see freckles on her face. Xianglan suddenly realized why Huamei always insisted on wearing heavy makeup before seeing people. This appearance was quite different from her usual heavily made-up, flirtatiously charming self – though there was a kind of fragile beauty to it, her allure had diminished significantly.

Huamei no longer cared about her appearance. Cold sweat drenched her, her undergarments soaked through, feeling as if a gleaming sword hung over her head. Lin Jinlou was incredibly astute and ruthless – his harsh punishment of Rushuang and Nueyue suggested he had seen through the escape route she had planned for herself…

The more Huamei thought, the more terrified she became, until she collapsed on the ground. Chunling brought over a handled teapot and tremblingly poured tea for Lin Jinlou before hurriedly retreating.

Lin Jinlou lifted his teacup for a sip, then beckoned Xianglan over and said, “The Madam is resting in the west side room. Go attend to her properly.” Seeing Xianglan lower her head as if reluctant, he glared and said, “Ungrateful girl, I’m doing you a favor – you think just anyone can serve the Madam? Hurry up and go.”

Xianglan had no choice but to slowly make her way there.

Lin Jinlou pinched between his eyebrows, thinking to himself: “What a foolish girl, I can’t tell if she’s truly clever or truly stupid.”

Xianglan entered the west side room and glanced up slightly to see Madam Qin seated in the chief sandalwood armchair, eyes half-closed, fingering a string of prayer beads while murmuring something. Mother Wu stood to the side and, upon seeing Xianglan, gave her a look indicating she should pour tea for Madam Qin.

Xianglan took up the pot and quietly filled a cup.

Madam Qin slightly lifted her eyelids to look at Xianglan once before closing them again, the room falling silent. Xianglan retreated to the doorway and stood with hands lowered, staring absently at the sash of her skirt. Suddenly hearing a servant at the door report that Jixiang had returned, Xianglan quietly stepped out and hid behind a curtain to watch as Jixiang knelt, kowtowed, and reported: “Master, when I arrived, Daoist Priestess Cui had already hanged herself, locked in her room. We don’t know how many days she’d been hanging there. This was found on her body.” He took out a note and presented it.

Lin Jinlou unfolded it to see it was a receipt Luan’er had written to Daoist Priestess Cui for buying death talismans. Lin Jinlou’s face darkened like water as he dismissed Jixiang and ordered, “Bring Luan’er here.”

Luan’er had already regained consciousness. Now shocked and regretful, knowing she was finished yet unwilling to accept it, when she saw Lin Jinlou she was overcome with fear and grievance. A wave of wronged feelings welled up from her heart as she covered her face and wept.

Lin Jinlou stood up, flicked the receipt, and said, “Tell me, how many talismans did you buy, and who did you intend to curse?”

Luan’er’s face went white as she only cried without speaking. Huamei’s heart was also in her throat as she lay prostrate on the ground, wishing she could simply disappear.

Lin Jinlou glanced at Huamei, then coldly said to Luan’er: “Starting tomorrow, you need not stay in this household anymore. I’ll have your parents come collect you and take you away, rather than have you embarrass yourself here and vex me by having to look at you!”

Luan’er was stunned. She suddenly lurched forward to grab Lin Jinlou’s leg, crying: “Master, Master I beg you! Don’t send me away – I’d rather die than leave this house!” She pleaded pitifully: “Master, I truly know I was wrong. I beg you to think of my deep devotion to you, think of our past affection… I was just confused for a moment, I’ll never dare do it again…”

Lin Jinlou stood motionless, his face seemingly covered in frost. After a long while he said: “I enjoyed your singing talent, and if you had been careful in your words and actions, you would always have had a place in the Lin family. But you were arrogant and repeatedly caused trouble, finally resorting to such despicable methods. There’s no place for you here anymore. I’m already showing mercy by not punishing you further – unless you’d prefer to have your clothes stripped off to kneel in the courtyard and be sold off tomorrow morning. Is that what it would take to make you willingly leave?”