At that moment, Madam Qin heaved a long sigh and stood up, saying: “It’s late, and this matter is settled. You should rest early.”

Lin Jinlou also stood and said: “I’m an unfilial son, causing Mother such worry.”

Madam Qin shook her head and said: “Enough, why such formality between mother and son? If your household had someone properly managing it, these troublemakers wouldn’t have emerged.” She glanced at Xianglan standing far to the side, then said to Lin Jinlou: “Starting tomorrow, have her come to my quarters every morning.”

Lin Jinlou immediately furrowed his thick brows and said: “What for? Hasn’t this matter been resolved? It had nothing to do with her. She’s foolish, doesn’t like dealing with people, and every word she speaks can irritate one to the core. If she goes and offends you, it could make you ill.”

Madam Qin glared at Lin Jinlou and said: “Am I a wolf who’ll eat her? Is this how you protect someone you cherish?”

Lin Jinlou coughed and said: “No, no, no, I was just wondering.”

Madam Qin said irritably: “Is it too much to have her learn proper manners by my side for a few days?”

Lin Jinlou finally smiled and said: “Of course not, it’s her good fortune.” He beckoned to Xianglan: “Quickly come thank the Madam for her grace. Her teaching you is quite an honor.”

Xianglan didn’t want this “honor” at all. Every moment spent with Madam Qin felt exhausting and constrained. Thus, she merely stood by the screen and gave a slight curtsy.

Lin Jinlou glanced at Madam Qin, seeing her dismiss it with a wave of her hand: “Enough, enough, I’m tired after all this commotion.” She then left, supported by Mother Wu and Mother Han, with Lin Jinlou personally escorting her out.

The room fell quiet. Lianxin, Tinglan, and Chunling slowly tidied up. With two respectable maids suddenly gone from Zhichun Hall, everyone felt uneasy and remained silent. The outer serving girls and night-duty old women were also quiet.

Xianglan sat on the chaise lounge, exhausted in body and mind, staring blankly without speaking.

Chunling approached carefully and said: “Miss is tired, please go rest in your room. The kitchen still has some food – would you like some night snacks?”

Xianglan shook her head. After such a chaotic night, with someone still lying between life and death, her thoughts were jumbled and she had no appetite. After thinking, she said: “If there are any snacks, take some to Xiaojuan.” Then she rested her head on the autumn-scented pillow and closed her eyes slightly.

Chunling fetched a blanket and gently covered her, then helped Lianxin and others refold the scattered clothes in the cabinet before quietly withdrawing.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou personally carried a lantern to escort Madam Qin back, then made rounds checking on things. Seeing the night-duty women at their posts and the outer guards maintaining strict watch, he finally returned.

Entering the courtyard, he saw two benches still placed near the main chamber door. Nueyue lay motionless on them, seemingly unconscious, with blood seeping through her clothes.

The punishing old woman wrung her hands and said: “Master, please look… any more beating will surely kill her…”

Lin Jinlou glanced aside to see Rushuang and Huamei kneeling under a banana tree nearby. Rushuang wore only a water-green undershirt, exposing her pale arms and legs. She was shivering blue-lipped from cold and, having been beaten, couldn’t kneel properly and lay crumpled on the ground. Though a serving maid, she had never suffered hardship, living better than most young ladies in the Lin household. Her constitution was inevitably delicate, and now she was in agony, nearly fainting. Huamei’s face was severely swollen, her features indistinguishable after receiving fifty slaps. Though the autumn night wind chilled to the bone, she wore only a padded jacket, shivering pitifully as she knelt.

Lin Jinlou had intentionally made Huamei watch the beatings. He merely raised an eyebrow and walked forward. The old woman hurriedly raised the lantern for him to see clearly – Nueyue’s face was like gold leaf, having fainted. Following Lin Jinlou’s order to “beat her hard,” she now barely breathed, more than half dead.

The old woman observed Lin Jinlou’s expression, thinking to herself: “This girl had bad luck, offending both the Madam and Master. For minor offenses, some silver and light beatings would suffice. But she got caught up in serious trouble. Tsk tsk, Nueyue was quite pretty with delicate features. Usually so proud, not even glancing at others, but now she’s like a fallen phoenix worth less than a chicken. Even if she survives, she’ll likely be lame.”

She glanced at Rushuang, thinking: “With Jixiang coming back and forth, seeing her stripped and beaten here, she’s lost all dignity. Fortunately, it’s night – if it were broad daylight, being beaten outside the second gate with all the servants watching, Rushuang would be better off dead.”

Then Lin Jinlou ordered: “Take Nueyue and Rushuang away. Sell them first thing tomorrow morning.”

The old woman repeatedly acknowledged them and hurriedly dragged them away.

Huamei kept her head down, shaking violently. Suddenly she saw a pair of blue satin boots before her. In the flickering candlelight, she could faintly make out the crane patterns, and above them, the cloud-embroidered hem of his robe floating in the wind.

Huamei lowered her head further, shaking even more severely, wishing she would faint. She heard Lin Jinlou say coldly above her: “Huamei, do you know why I dealt with you this way today?”

Huamei spoke through her pain: “Master is merciful…”

Lin Jinlou gave a derisive laugh: “Don’t think you have such favor with me. Your brother once took a knife for me – for that alone, I spare your life today and leave you some dignity.”

Huamei clenched her teeth, her body crumpled on the ground, voice trembling: “This slave will never dare again…”

Lin Jinlou stared at the large red lanterns swaying by the main door and said slowly: “Huamei, you should know crystal clear what you did. Did you think you could play me for a fool? Your schemes might temporarily fool the Madam, but did you think you could fool me?” He paused, looked down at Huamei shaking in a heap, and continued, “You have two choices now: either pack up and go home immediately – whether you marry or not in the future has nothing more to do with the Lin family…”

Huamei’s whole body shook violently as she knocked her head on the ground repeatedly, crying out: “Master! Master! Master, I was wrong, I truly know my mistake, and I’ll never dare again… I won’t even leave my room in the future, I…”

Lin Jinlou said coldly: “Or wait until spring next year when the Lin family temple is renovated, and go there to chant sutras. You’ve served me after all, and you’re a clever person – you know which path is best.” With that, he turned and left.