The Old Madam and Lin Ruhai hadn’t given up. They screened through the Lin residence again and again.

They actually did find several spies from other families, though all denied involvement in this incident.

This made them unable to relax their guard.

It was also at this time that Jia Min learned what had happened while she was in confinement giving birth.

Her life had hung by a thread—she had been harmed by someone.

Jia Min was furious. Who had done this?

To this day, they still hadn’t discovered the culprit.

Then she watched as the Old Madam dealt with the Jia family people, and had nothing to say.

Although they hadn’t committed any unforgivable major crimes, neglect of duty was unavoidable.

She had nearly failed to wake up, and had implicated her daughter as well.

Even though they were her dowry servants, Jia Min couldn’t forgive them. Combined with other instances of sneaking around and stealing, Jia Min not only didn’t plead for them, but added more charges and dismissed many people.

She didn’t lack personnel. Since they weren’t capable, then she would replace them with capable people.

She still didn’t know that she would basically have no more opportunities for childbirth. If she knew, she would be even more distressed.

The Old Madam and Lin Ruhai both decided to conceal this matter for now, to tell her after she recovered, or perhaps never tell her at all.

Because there was no evidence, Nanny Qian was also ordered to publicly apologize, and received other punishments like having her monthly silver deducted.

After Nanny Qian apologized with a flushed face, for quite some time she didn’t dare step foot in the Lin residence again.

She had lost tremendous face this time. In the future, her prestige within the Lin residence would also decline dramatically.

Unwilling to accept it, yet she had no way to insist it was Yun Shi who had acted.

When the Old Madam showed the Madam all the details, she also saw that if it had been Yun Shi who did it, she would have to be able to fly through the heavens and burrow through the earth.

But if it wasn’t her, then who could it be?

Nanny Qian eliminated suspects one by one.

Not Yun Shi.

Not Mei Shi.

The three of them—Lv Lan, Lv Liu, and Xinghua?

Lv Lan and Lv Liu were in the study and rarely returned to the inner courtyard.

They were indeed born as household servants with relatives in the inner courtyard, but they didn’t have a single connection in the main courtyard.

Xinghua was in the inner courtyard, and right there in the main courtyard, but her quarters were surrounded, she had only two points on her daily route—either the needlework room or her quarters—and there were people watching her.

How could she have such capability?

Could it really have been someone from outside?

Then she also learned publicly that Lv Lan was pregnant and had been promoted to concubine.

Could it be her!?

When Jia Min heard this news, she held Daiyu in a daze for a while, then shifted her arms.

She was pregnant. Her luck was quite good.

She had served the Master for seventeen years, while the other hadn’t even reached ten years yet.

However, it couldn’t be compared that way. Both concubines had conceived within less than a year of entering the household.

Lv Lan’s surname was Chu. Thus, Lin Ruhai’s concubines changed from two to three.

After Jia Min finished her confinement month, she resumed her daily routine of paying respects. The first day she went, Lv Lan also came.

Because she needed to make up the tea ceremony, only then would it be proper. After this tea ceremony was complete, she would peacefully nurture her pregnancy in her assigned small courtyard. Given her temperament, she would probably rarely leave.

Seeing Jia Min again after so long, Yun Shuyao noticed her complexion was truly not good now. Her face had no color, and her body carried a heavy medicinal smell.

Luo Yu and Chen Yu also looked at her. She wore very thick clothing, her complexion was greatly diminished compared to before, and her speaking voice was softer, sounding somewhat lacking in vigor.

This gave the children a rather direct impression of childbirth—giving birth truly was passing through the gates of death.

The children together expressed their filial piety, then asked about their younger sister.

Jia Min smiled: “Wait until you finish your lessons and come back, then you can chat with your sister. She’s nursing right now.”

Thinking of her Daiyu, Jia Min’s expression became increasingly gentle.

When Chen Yu went out to socialize, he discovered that others’ attitudes toward him had warmed again.

Because he was currently his father’s only son, even if other concubines gave birth to younger brothers, he still held the status of eldest son.

This made Chen Yu, who realized this point, see everyone’s two-faced nature. He understood more deeply some of the things his concubine mother had said and re-examined himself.

The praise and affection he had received before wasn’t because he was truly that good, but because of his status.

Remove this halo, and he was just an ordinary person.

——

News of her daughter’s delivery reached the Rong residence. Besides being disappointed that she had yet another granddaughter instead of a grandson, Grandmother Jia was extremely furious: “The Lin family hasn’t found who committed this vicious act?”

“They haven’t found them yet.” The Jia family woman who came to report wore a face full of bitterness.

The main courtyard had been repeatedly questioned. Anyone with even a hint of problems had been detained. They were terrified and also very ashamed, not knowing where things had gone wrong.

Grandmother Jia was very dissatisfied with Old Madam Lin: “What is wrong with her? After all this time, she still hasn’t found who tampered with things. How can she be so incompetent?” This method clearly sounded like inner quarters people acting—examine those women one by one, and she refused to believe they couldn’t find the culprit!

The woman knelt on the ground, not daring to speak.

This wasn’t something she could comment on.

Before long, Grandmother Jia received another letter. They still hadn’t found the mastermind, but all the women had been screened through. Looking at the charges of sneaking around and stealing listed there, Grandmother Jia’s face darkened.

Finding any excuse to impose serious charges—was this clearing out the personnel around her daughter?

Could she be paving the way for those concubines?

Moreover, although this letter didn’t explicitly accuse anyone, the meaning in it was reproaching the servants she had trained as incompetent and useless, wasn’t it?

Grandmother Jia was so angry she slammed the table hard. The enormous sound made everyone serving around her drop to their knees. After quite a while, someone finally dared to cautiously advise: “Old Ancestor, please don’t be angry. If you damage your health from anger, what will we do? Calm down, calm down.”

Grandmother Jia waved her hand. At this moment, she no longer had her usual kind and benevolent smile. Seeing this, the others didn’t dare advise further: “All of you, leave.”

Everyone withdrew one by one.

Who knew what the young madam’s letter said to make the Old Ancestor so angry.

Second Madam Wang had eyes and ears in Grandmother Jia’s quarters and knew she had gotten angry, though she didn’t know the reason. She had originally planned to go see Baoyu, but after thinking it over, she decided not to go yet. She would wait until the Old Madam’s anger passed—it wouldn’t be too late to go then.

However… was it because of Jia Min’s matter?

Thinking of the daughter she had given birth to, Second Madam Wang wanted to laugh. After so many years before conceiving, the result was a daughter.

She couldn’t help but feel superior. She had given birth to three—two sons and one daughter. Her eldest son was intelligent and filial, already about to take the scholar examination. Her eldest daughter was also very clever and had grown a beautiful face. And her youngest son was even more remarkable, born extraordinary.

What did Jia Min have? Just one daughter, and who knew if she could even raise her.

No matter how famous and talented she was before marriage, so what?

She was about to become a mother-in-law soon. Thinking of this, Second Madam Wang felt somewhat troubled.

She was already looking at suitable daughters-in-law for her son. Not to brag, but her Zhu’er was worthy even of princesses and county princesses!

Thinking of some mockery she had heard while out socializing, Second Madam Wang was quite displeased.

Her Zhu’er was actually being disdained—he was the legitimate eldest grandson of the old Duke!

If only the old Duke hadn’t passed away…

Thinking of this, Second Madam Wang felt a wave of irritation, then went to her son’s courtyard to see if he was studying properly.

Arriving there and seeing her son bent over his books, Second Madam Wang smiled: “My son, you must be tired from reading. Mother had someone stew nourishing soup to strengthen your body. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask your tutor.” She watched her son’s studies very closely, waiting for him to pass the imperial examination as the top scholar so she could hold her head high and make those without vision regret missing such a golden son-in-law!

——

Yun Shuyao’s group went out. They were going to Shanglin Temple, having already reported to the Old Madam and others.

This outing was because Ying Yu and Luo Yu had a young friend who had received word that her grandmother was seriously ill and she needed to return to her hometown with her mother. Once she left, who knew when they would meet again, so they came here to see their friend off.

They also needed to give their friend’s birthday gift in advance.

When departing, Concubine Mei and Ying Yu took one carriage, while Yun Shuyao and the twins took another.

Arriving at Shanglin Temple, Ying Yu and Luo Yu met up with their friend who had already arrived. Yun Shuyao took Chen Yu to offer incense and view the scenery, while Concubine Mei casually paid her respects, then said she would walk around, but actually went to meet up with her aunt, Gao Shi.

After meeting up, Concubine Mei urged her: “Aunt, is there really no way to obtain another dose of medicine?”

She didn’t yet know that Gao Shi was already working on it. Watching the people in the inner courtyard conceive and give birth one by one, she had grown anxious.

With more children in the Lin residence, they became less valuable.

Gao Shi helplessly shook her head: “Why are you rushing? Just don’t let this slip out. I’m already inquiring about it, and you’re not old either—only twenty-six. People can still give birth at thirty!”

Gao Shi herself wasn’t without anxiety, but she wouldn’t let others see it.

Concubine Mei stamped her foot: “Must I really wait until I’m thirty…”

From afar, Yun Shuyao saw the two of them talking about something, but the distance was too great. Even though her hearing and vision were now sharp, being able to recognize who those two people were at this distance was already her limit.

Originally, the Old Madam would have come to Shanglin Temple too. Ever since hearing a certain master’s sermon, she would come here at intervals.

As long as she came, basically that master would have free time.

So in ancient times, transmigrating as a common person was hard mode, but if one was lucky enough to transmigrate as part of the privileged class, that was different. However, calculating the ratio, those fortunate enough to become part of the privileged class were always the minority within the minority. No one could guarantee they would be the lucky one.

If one could choose for themselves, of course modern times were better.

This time the Old Madam didn’t come out, mainly because she was still managing the household affairs. Although Jia Min had finished her confinement, that didn’t mean she had recovered or had energy. She now couldn’t even hold Daiyu for long before losing strength.

From this, one could tell how weak her physical condition was now.

While household matters didn’t seem numerous, trivial matters consumed mental energy. There were also matters she had to personally handle, and in this Guangzhou, high-ranking officials weren’t scarce. Third rank wasn’t at the very top of the pyramid either. Social interactions also greatly taxed one’s mind and wisdom.

This also couldn’t afford any mistakes.

At times like this, the Old Madam would look at her grandson’s age and sigh. If her eldest grandson had been born earlier, by now her grandson’s wife would have entered the household and could help share the burden.

Now she could only support things herself with her old bones and handle everything personally.

Originally, the Old Madam hadn’t been very willing to let them go out this time either. It was just that the two children pestered her insistently, so she relented.

Just worried that someone might be watching their family in secret and would take advantage of the children going out to act, she sent many more people as escorts. Only then did she feel somewhat reassured and let them go out.

Everything went smoothly on the way there. On the return journey, a small incident occurred. This incident wasn’t bandits or any reactionary forces seeking revenge, but someone blocking their carriage to appeal for justice.

The person nearly got crushed by the carriage wheels, throwing themselves directly forward like that. The person driving the carriage in front was startled and quickly stopped the horses, while the people around them stayed alert and on guard.

It wasn’t unheard of for officials and their family members to encounter assassinations during outings. These assassins would generally disguise themselves as ordinary common people.

Fortunately, this time it was simply someone appealing for justice.

Not an assassination.

Because Yun Shuyao’s ears were rather sharp, she heard it.

The young man’s wife had been abducted by a passing official’s son because of her beauty. When he went to demand her return, he was beaten until one leg was broken and thrown out. He had no other recourse, so he came to stop people.

The second steward was escorting them out today. Today’s outing involved all the young saplings of their household’s next generation, so no carelessness could be permitted. He often accompanied Lin Ruhai when going out, so handling such matters could be considered routine for him.

He skillfully pacified him, had people understand the specific situation, then went to verify the truth. If it was true, he would then transfer it to the relevant officials in the appropriate area. Unless it was a special circumstance, he wouldn’t handle it by overstepping jurisdiction.

After returning, the Old Madam learned of this matter and comforted her grandchildren: “Were you frightened?”

Ying Yu was very embarrassed. Her face flushed as she shook her head. She didn’t even know what had happened.

Chen Yu had asked and knew a bit: “Grandmother, we’re fine. Was what that person said true? Why didn’t he go report to the authorities?”

The Old Madam smiled warmly, maintaining appearances: “He’s just an ordinary commoner. He was probably too panicked and forgot. He acted rashly. Someone will teach him what he should do.”

Even without knowing the details, the Old Madam knew that if what the man said was true, for him to take such a desperate risk, either he feared officials protecting their own, or he had already reported to the authorities but no one paid attention.

It was also possible that those two families had connections to begin with. Hard to say.

Chen Yu frowned, nodding as if understanding but not quite.

Yun Shuyao followed up on the aftermath.

When Lin Ruhai’s people verified the truth and sent people to intervene, the official’s son’s family sent people to clean up the matter. So the person who had blocked the carriage to appeal and his wife divorced, he received a sum of money, and then his wife became that person’s concubine.

It looked like the man had sold his wife for glory, but if he still wanted to live properly in this area, did he have any choice?

And his wife had even less choice. From the moment she was taken, it was very difficult to return to how things were before.

Even if her husband didn’t mind her loss of chastity, would her parents-in-law not mind?

According to local customs, there was also a high possibility she would be dragged to be drowned in a pig cage.

Many people didn’t want to hear explanations—they would only pour dirty water on the woman.

Yun Shuyao was secretly furious. She noted down that official’s second-generation son’s identity and name, planning to find an opportunity to teach him a lesson.

She had two methods to teach him a lesson: one was to find an opportunity to act herself, the other was to use pillow talk.

Acting herself required finding an opportunity. Pillow talk just required saying a few words.

Lin Ruhai was that official second-generation’s father’s superior’s superior’s superior. Otherwise, after his people intervened, there wouldn’t have been results so quickly.

If you have power but don’t use it, it expires!

Lin Ruhai, who received the pillow talk: “…”

Having seen too many similar matters, he basically wouldn’t have major emotional fluctuations anymore. Now seeing Shuyao’s indignant appearance, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“If I do this, how will you thank me?”

Yun Shuyao had prepared for this early on.

To get a superior to help with something, sending a small gift increased the success rate.

“I’ll paint you a picture.”

She had wanted to paint for a long time.

The deal was struck.

Much later, looking at the lifelike image of himself, Lin Ruhai was shocked.

When viewing scenery and objects before, he hadn’t felt it this strongly, but now that what she painted had become a person, this震撼 was even greater than before, as if seeing another version of himself.

So this was how he appeared in her eyes?

Lin Ruhai carefully stored this painting away: “Paint one for Mother too.”

Yun Shuyao agreed readily: “Or should I paint a family portrait directly?”

Family portrait?

He savored these three characters, slowly smiling: “Then paint a family portrait.”

“That will take a long time.”

“No rush.”

Yun Shuyao smiled and nodded.

This single-person painting had taken her several months. A family portrait would naturally need to be calculated in years.

——

Zhao Xinghua kept waiting. After waiting a long time, she finally found an opportunity to dig out a small cloth bundle buried in the ground beside the latrine and extract the medicinal powder inside.

This substance was harmless to ordinary people, but if a pregnant woman smelled it often, she would easily miscarry. Moreover, it had the effect of making people’s bodies go weak and want to sleep.

Watching the days pass one by one, thinking of Lv Lan walking around with her belly growing larger day by day, the flames in her heart never extinguished, but grew more and more vigorous.

This fire burned away her rationality.

Finally, before Lv Lan was to give birth, she found an opportunity to make both mother and child die together.

She succeeded halfway.

Lv Lan had a difficult labor. With great difficulty, she gave birth to the child, but that son was suffocated until his face turned purple. When he was first born, the midwife couldn’t even detect his breathing.

The reason it was only halfway was because the medicine’s effect was cut in half—Zhao Xinghua had been caught.

Unable to find an opportunity, she had risked acting personally and was caught by the strictly guarding Old Madam.

Now both the person and the medicine had been found.

But where did the medicine come from?

The Old Madam personally interrogated her.

After severe torture, Zhao Xinghua finally spoke: “I have some words I only want to say to the Madam and the Master.”

Beyond this, she wouldn’t speak another word.

So the Old Madam summoned both her son and Jia Min to see what exactly she wanted to say.

When Jia Min saw Zhao Xinghua, it was as if she were looking at something filthy. She averted her eyes.

Zhao Xinghua laughed: “Madam, why do you look at me this way? I succeeded—are you happy?”

Jia Min’s expression changed: “Nonsensical raving! Complete nonsense!”

Was she saying that her actions were done under her instigation?

Would she harm herself?

Zhao Xinghua laughed coldly: “Madam, the previous incident was indeed due to my personal motives, but this time, I was following the Old Madam’s instructions. The next generation of the Lin family must come from the belly of a Jia family woman. All that medicine was given to me by the Old Madam. Otherwise, how could a lowly little maid like me have such fine things?”

That wasn’t ordinary medicine. To obtain it, she had given all her savings to that nanny, and it was only because she knew about one matter that the other party was willing to sell it.

The information in these words was overwhelming.

Not to mention Jia Min—even the Old Madam and Lin Ruhai were stunned for a moment, then their faces darkened.

The Old Madam in Zhao Xinghua’s words was obviously Grandmother Jia of the Jia family.

Medicine she provided? What was the Jia family trying to do?!