Huamei laughed coldly, “Why not? Your current misfortune is half Lin Jinlou’s doing – don’t you hate him? He spends his days embracing beautiful concubines and maids while looking at the life you’re living here. Has he shown any care for old times’ sake, visited you even once?” She continued with sighs, “Ah, we women are truly like the water plants in opera songs – gathering and scattering with the wind, with no control over our fate. Sister, you once gave him your whole heart, wanting to stay with him forever, having someone to rely on. But how did it end? If not for him, with your talents and beauty, how could you have fallen into such circumstances? I hear he only cherishes Chen Xianglan, treating her like a precious treasure. If he had shown you even half such consideration back then…” As she spoke, she observed Su Meiyu’s reactions, noting how she gradually tightened her grip on the blanket until her knuckles turned white, her face growing increasingly ashen, and her eyes gradually filled with venomous resentment.

Huamei’s lips curled slightly as she leaned closer, lowering her voice, “Lin’s army is private – if he dies without an heir, and with his useless brothers, his father being just a civil official, wouldn’t everything fall to Second Master? If we succeed, I’ll help you dispose of that woman of his, and you’ll become the proper first lady, with gold and silver servants for life. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”

Su Meiyu’s whole body trembled as she looked over. Huamei reached out, slowly tucking stray hairs behind Su Meiyu’s ear, her face gentle and tender as she whispered, “My foolish sister, think about it carefully, hmm?”

Su Meiyu felt her mouth go dry. She licked her lips and asked, “How… how do you plan to do it?”

Huamei smiled slightly, lifted a bowl of hot soup, and fed Su Meiyu a spoonful. “You just need to convince Second Master. Don’t worry about the rest – someone will handle it.”

After Huamei left, Su Meiyu lay in bed staring blankly. She had thought she’d forgotten – yes, back then she had loved Lin Jinlou wholeheartedly, traveling from Yangzhou to be with him, content just to follow him. Who knew he would be so heartless, truly never coming to see her? She wiped her tears, thinking crying was useless – she had to survive, which was why she chose another path. Yet she still harbored a deep hatred for Lin Jinlou, but being powerless, she had no means for revenge and had to set it aside. But today, Huamei’s words had stirred up that old pain again.

She lifted the mirror again, looking at her haggard face, a tear falling as she gritted her teeth and said, “Mother Meng, go invite Second Master here.”

Shortly after, Lin Changmin arrived. Opening the door, he saw Su Meiyu sitting at the head of the bed, her face powdered, giving her better color, though her eyes were swollen and she still looked sickly – a consumptive beauty more pitiful than usual. Lin Changmin, who already loved her, was even more moved at the sight. He sat by the bed, took her hand, and called her “darling.”

Su Meiyu’s lips trembled as she said, “Such a heartless lord, not even coming to see me. Do you think I’m dead? Or am I worthless now that I’ve lost the child?”

Lin Changmin quickly embraced her, saying, “How could I not have come to see you? I came twice but you were sleeping – didn’t Mother Meng tell you? I’ll go beat her for this.”

Su Meiyu wiped her tears, saying, “What does Mother Meng have to do with it? If not for her, I wouldn’t even have anyone to serve me. Even the food is leftovers – I can’t even get a hot bowl of soup. No matter how long I’m unwell, I deserve at least one good day. How did I end up like this? How can I face life in the future?” She began crying again.

Lin Changmin hurriedly wiped her tears, saying, “Damn those bastards! I’ll make the cook kneel before you!” Then he softened his tone: “Aren’t these words meant to tear out my heart? You have no faults – I’ve said thousands of times, you’re ten thousand times better than that woman in my bedroom.” Lin Changmin meant these words sincerely. Lin Zhaoxiang was very strict, and although Lin Changmin came from a wealthy family, he had no real abilities and no money to spend. Unable to carouse outside and being extremely miserly, he couldn’t spend lavishly on women, so his concubines were household maids who didn’t last long. Then he met Su Meiyu, who was exceptionally beautiful, clever at pleasing people, and extremely intelligent, with countless charms in the bedroom. Moreover, she helped him scheme and amass wealth, making Lin Changmin unable to leave her even for a moment, wanting to elevate her status.

Su Meiyu cried, “So my lord will just watch me suffer here?”

Lin Changmin clicked his tongue, saying, “What can I do? My brother is watching this matter closely – when he speaks, I can’t argue. Just be patient. Once you’re better, I’ll take you to Jinling.”

Su Meiyu spat, “Pah! You just know how to hide when trouble comes, leaving me to fend for myself! You’re content to live like this!”

Lin Changmin’s face darkened, but he controlled his anger, saying, “For you, I even drove out my daughter. Isn’t that enough? What more do you want now – should I kneel before you? You know the family situation. I’m frustrated too, but what else can I do?”

Su Meiyu laughed coldly, “There’s a way to avoid frustration now if you have the courage.”

Lin Changmin couldn’t help asking, “What?”

Su Meiyu whispered two sentences in his ear. Lin Changmin was shocked and exclaimed, “Nonsense!”

Su Meiyu said coldly, “Nonsense? He’ll surely settle accounts with you when he returns.”

Lin Changmin frowned, “No, though he’s harsh, he protects his own. He mentioned this matter once – he probably won’t investigate deeply.”

Su Meiyu said, “You’re happy if he doesn’t investigate? Are you content to return to your former poor life, looked down upon by others?”

Lin Changmin fell silent again, his brows deeply furrowed, his face dark as a pot bottom. Su Meiyu whispered a few more words in his ear. Lin Changmin was somewhat tempted, muttering, “Tsk, my brother did ask me to handle something, but this… no, tsk, no…” He started to stand up.

Su Meiyu, angry at his indecision, pulled him back down and whispered a few more words. Lin Changmin just kept frowning, both tempted and afraid, his expression alternating between light and dark. But let us set that aside for now.

Two days later, at Changchun Hall, Lin Jinlou came inside wiping sweat with a towel after practicing two sets of martial arts in the courtyard. He saw Xianglan sitting lost in thought and sat down beside her, asking, “What are you thinking about?”

Xianglan said, “Nothing.”

Lin Jinlou looked at her and said, “This is exactly how you look when something’s on your mind. Such a small person, with thoughts taking up half your weight. Thinking too much – you’ll worry yourself into a little old lady… You’ve been distracted these past two days. Are you still thinking about what my father said?”

“No.” Xianglan looked at Lin Jinlou, but couldn’t help adding, “I just feel it’s not right for you two to have discord because of this. I really can’t be at ease. I understand why the Old Master thinks this way…”

Lin Jinlou squeezed Xianglan’s hand, stopping her from continuing. He thought about how earlier while practicing, Lin Jinyuan had sneaked over with his shifty eyes, saying, “Brother, don’t blame me for not telling you earlier – Father has somehow already arranged a marriage with the Wei family’s daughter. He’s going to report it to Grandfather. I overheard it in the study and risked my life to tell you. You must remember your brother’s loyalty!”

Lin Jinlou had expected his father would make a move but hadn’t expected it so quickly. Being forced like this, with people pressing in step by step, made his blood boil. But now the situation was like two armies facing off – even with eyebrows burning, he couldn’t lose his composure and needed to remain calm and collected. He looked at Xianglan – this girl was still foolishly worried about the discord between him and his father. How could she be so naive? After being bullied and feeling upset, she would quickly forget, feeling she owed others and couldn’t sleep peacefully. He grumbled internally, but his face unconsciously softened. Holding Xianglan’s hand, he said, “Just put your mind at ease. Didn’t I tell you not to worry? I’ll handle everything.”

Xianglan forced a smile. Just then, someone at the door announced that Lin Zhengzheng requested Lin Jinlou to come to the front. Lin Jinlou laughed coldly, “Tell him I’m busy and have no time.”

A moment later, Yuan Shaoren laughed in the courtyard, “Young Master Lin puts on such airs, requiring people to come to invite him personally.”

Hearing this, Lin Jinlou quickly came out, smiling, “What brings you here?”

Yuan Shaoren smiled, “Your father-in-law’s cabinet position is confirmed. Today he’s hosting an intimate family banquet for three or five good friends and asked me to come too. Didn’t you know?”

Lin Jinlou scratched his head, saying, “Don’t mention it – I’ve had a falling out with the old man these past few days.”

“Ah?”

“Tsk, it’s nothing.”

“Better go – several officials up front want to see you. It’s proper etiquette for hosting guests – you should at least make an appearance.”

Lin Jinlou had no choice but to return and change into formal attire. Before leaving, he said to Xianglan, “Don’t worry about anything. Wait for me to return and I’ll explain everything properly.”

Xianglan reached out to straighten his collar, softly saying, “Alright.”

After Lin Jinlou left, Xianglan sat down to read but couldn’t concentrate. Soon, a maid from the second branch came, saying, “Our Third Mistress requests Miss’s presence. Today’s family banquet is under the Third Mistress’s management – it’s her first time and she’s worried about oversights. She’d like Miss to come help make decisions.”

Hearing this, Xianglan put down her book and followed the maid. Just as they reached a secluded spot, someone suddenly lunged out and covered her mouth. Xianglan was shocked and struggled desperately. Someone grabbed her arms and twisted them behind her back, causing unbearable pain. Just as she tried to cry for help, a cloth was stuffed in her mouth, and someone tied her up thoroughly, put her in a sack, and carried her away. Terrified and panicked, she kept writhing and struggling. Suddenly she heard Guiyuan’s voice nearby asking, “Brother Xing, where are you going?” She was overjoyed and struggled harder, but was thrown up and felt a sharp pain as she landed heavily in a cart. She heard someone say, “Nothing much, just a troublesome maid. The master ordered her bound and sold off.” Guiyuan laughed, “Is that so? Was she formerly from Madam Su’s household?” The one called Brother Xing replied vaguely, then said, “I must go – if I’m late, the mistress will scold me.” He called out loudly, “Bao’er, where have you gone? Come quickly and drive the cart!”