Hearing her daughter’s emphasis, Yun Shuyao suddenly felt a sense of unease creeping over her.

Power and influence were certainly good things—after all, in this era, without power, one couldn’t even live properly as a human being.

With a single word from those above, a life could be extinguished.

If those in power were just and fair, that would be one thing, but if they were tyrannical and incompetent, rivers of blood were commonplace.

That’s why she often couldn’t muster up enthusiasm for such things.

While power was important, Yun Shuyao didn’t want her daughter to be blinded by it.

“Luo Yu, what are you thinking about?”

Luo Yu lifted her head and looked at her mother: “Just some passing thoughts.”

She said softly: “Mother, when do you think that Li Si’er will finally be dealt with? Right now, because our family intervened, she’s not pursuing the matter with my cousins anymore. But what if one day, Father retires, and I also fall out of favor here—what will she do then?”

Yun Shuyao was silent for a moment.

For Li Si’er to be dealt with, there was a prerequisite condition—either Longkodo would no longer favor her, or his power and influence could no longer protect her.

Only then would Li Si’er lose the capital to act so recklessly.

Once the situation Luo Yu described occurred, given her temperament, it would be strange if she didn’t teach the Lin family a lesson.

Luo Yu knew the answer in her heart too, frowning: “I’ve heard the other Ce Fujin talk about this Li Si’er.”

Yun Shuyao was somewhat surprised: “What did they say?”

Luo Yu: “They sympathize with Longkodo’s legal wife. She hasn’t left her quarters in a very long time. Some people are speculating whether she’s dead or alive. The Tongjia clan is really no good.”

She said this because Longkodo’s legal wife was his uncle’s daughter. He married Hesheli shi, and his mother was also a Hesheli. He also had a legitimate son, Yue Xing’a. Yet that Li Si’er was so arrogant, and his mother didn’t stand up for her niece, nor did other Tong family elders restrain her.

Yun Shuyao nodded thoughtfully.

This Li Si’er was indeed extremely arrogant.

Though this matter seemed to have passed, Li Si’er was notorious for holding grudges.

Even when the fault was her own, she would only push it onto others. She had already decided to teach her a lesson first. Now that quite some time had passed and she had provoked other people, as long as it was done without anyone knowing, who would know it was her doing? Even if Li Si’er suspected someone was taking revenge, she wouldn’t connect it to their family.

Luo Yu let out a breath: “Forget it, let’s not talk about this. Talking about it puts me in a bad mood.”

Li Si’er was arrogant toward minor families, but among the great noble houses, she wasn’t quite so domineering yet, so there was no need to worry for now.

Yun Shuyao nodded: “Alright, let’s not discuss this. Is Fourth Prince holding a banquet for his birthday?”

Her return this time had two purposes: one was to see her daughter, and the other was to deliver something to her—a potted flower she had cultivated.

This was Luo Yu’s birthday gift for Fourth Prince.

Luo Yu had also given her a sum of money. Between mother and daughter, accounts should be clear. This was purchased with her money to give to Fourth Prince. “I can’t let Mother simply give it to me.”

Yun Shuyao smiled: “As you wish.”

Neither of them lacked the money for a pot of flowers.

When Yun Shuyao was leaving, she glanced to confirm that Luo Yu was wearing the talisman she had drawn close to her body, then said nothing more: “I’ll come see you again in a while.”

As she was walking out, she saw a half-grown young lady standing at a railing in the distance, looking down—probably watching something below.

This must be the only Gege in Fourth Prince’s residence.

They were some distance apart. After a distant glance, Yun Shuyao withdrew her gaze.

In the carriage, Yun Shuyao was somewhat distracted. Her spirit mirror was recovering too slowly. Only in extremely rare circumstances could she obtain a treasure from heaven and earth to nourish it, and her own supernatural ability progressed slowly as well.

After all this time, that monk and Taoist hadn’t appeared again, leading Yun Shuyao to speculate that they had either passed away or were severely injured and hiding somewhere to heal. This was good news for her, because the cultivation method she obtained from the spirit mirror—she didn’t know if it was unsuitable due to her having cultivation abilities, or if this environment simply made cultivation this slow.

It wasn’t helping her that much. Apart from learning those three types of talismans, it had no other real use. If those two people came attacking, she would still have to rely on her supernatural abilities.

Yun Shuyao had her own guesses about why cultivation was so slow. One was that she had already missed the golden age for cultivation. The other was that she wasn’t the original host.

She had been reborn after the original host died.

Slow was slow—this lifetime was a bonus anyway.

Still, she harbored ambitions for cultivation, and she didn’t lack time now, so she would continue cultivating. Becoming even a bit stronger was still an improvement.

It was just too slow. Heavenly treasures could help her speed up, but those went to the fated. Her fate… wasn’t abundant, which left her with some regret.

On the way back, by sheer coincidence, her carriage crossed paths with the Tongjia clan’s carriage. Sitting there was Li Si’er.

Yun Shuyao’s heart stirred, and the thought in her mind became increasingly clear.

Just because those above wouldn’t discipline her, did that mean others couldn’t?

Of course not.

It just couldn’t be done openly and above board.

She should have someone inquire about when Li Si’er would next go out.

She wouldn’t resort to killing lightly, but her methods weren’t limited to killing alone.

When she returned, Old Madam asked about Luo Yu’s situation, then gave instructions for tomorrow’s arrangements.

Tomorrow, Da Chun and Ying Yu would be coming back. Da Chun was coming to submit his coursework, and Ying Yu was also taking the opportunity to visit her natal home.

Moreover, tomorrow Old Madam’s grand-nephew’s wife, Wu shi, would also be bringing her cousin.

She had an uncle who was an official in the capital. When Old Madam and the others were entering the capital, they had even encountered each other at the post station. After the assassin incident, they entered the capital together.

On the road, Master Wu’s two concubine-born daughters had become friends with Ying Yu and Luo Yu because they were close in age.

Now those two had already married. The person Wu shi was bringing now was an unmarried legitimate cousin who wasn’t yet betrothed—most likely it concerned marriage matters.

Old Madam had Yun Shuyao make the arrangements. This had become common since she received her imperial rank.

Unlike her previous part-time work without official status, this was like putting on another layer of identity. She worked with much more enthusiasm, and it was also more legitimate and proper.

Yun Shuyao had someone send the menu to Concubine Mei, asking her to confirm it. Since Ying Yu was coming back, she would definitely come out to speak.

Sure enough, after Concubine Mei received the menu she had sent over, she proposed modifications, listing all the dishes her daughter and eldest son-in-law liked, having the kitchen staff make changes.

Yun Shuyao glanced at it. As long as it wasn’t excessive, she didn’t interfere. These were all small matters.

The next day when she saw Ying Yu, because they hadn’t seen each other for a while, Yun Shuyao paused for a moment. Girls change greatly as they grow—she had changed somewhat too, becoming more radiant. And now that she didn’t need to conceal her appearance, she looked even more pleasing to the eye.

Looking at her, Yun Shuyao’s face broke into a smile: “Ying Yu is becoming more and more beautiful.”

Ying Yu’s face flushed red. Concubine Mei shot Concubine Yun a sidelong glance, somewhat proud. Her daughter was naturally beautiful!

Seeing Ying Yu’s appearance, Old Madam’s face also showed a smile, feeling that such days were truly comfortable.

However, after her initial joy at seeing her daughter, Concubine Mei asked: “Is there any good news?”

Luo Yu was already pregnant!

Her daughter had married even earlier than her!

Old Madam glared at Concubine Mei: “She hasn’t even been married a year yet. What’s your rush?”

“If there’s good news, she’ll naturally say so.”

She was afraid her eldest granddaughter would feel anxious hearing this.

Concubine Mei: “…” It was almost a year, actually not that early. Quite a few people had good news right after entering the household.

But under Old Madam’s watchful eye, she didn’t dare say more.

Ying Yu understood her mother well. She didn’t mean any harm by saying this, but it did put some pressure on her.

Yun Shuyao changed the subject, praising the cousin Wu shi had brought: “Jingying is growing more and more outstanding.”

Wu shi smiled: “Madam is too kind. This child is good in every way, just a bit shy.”

Old Madam: “Being shy just means she hasn’t been out much. Daiyu, take your sister for a walk. Our family’s garden is still worth touring.”

Then Wu shi explained that she had brought Jingying because she wanted to ask a favor of Yun Shuyao—she hoped she could introduce her to her younger brother’s wife, Chen shi.

Her cousin’s uncle had taken a liking to a young man from the Chen family, but the two families had no relationship and couldn’t discuss marriage directly. When they traced the connections, they discovered this Chen family was related to the Chen family of Yun Shuyao’s younger brother’s wife.

Yun Shuyao traced these connections—they really had the ability to figure this out.

She agreed immediately: “I’ll send you invitations to come view the flowers.”

Whether it would work out depended on fate. She was just a tool to introduce them.

Wu shi smiled and performed a courtesy: “Many thanks, Madam.”

Over there, Da Chun was with his father-in-law in the study. He had prepared thoroughly for his coursework this time and done it very conscientiously. Lin Ruhai’s attitude wasn’t strict, but this eldest son-in-law still felt somewhat apprehensive facing him.

Da Chun had participated in the district examination this year and passed, though at the bottom of the list. Still, he had passed—he was now a Xiucai.

In the Silin Gioro family, he was a source of pride. At his age, being able to pass the Xiucai examination, even at the bottom, showed exceptional talent. But coming to his wife’s family… well, his back couldn’t quite straighten.

His father-in-law appeared to be smiling amiably, but he was really not a good person.

In court, he had impeached quite a few people.

Every time with that same amiable smile.

The more he thought about it, the more tense his back became.

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai’s smile deepened.

——

Yun Shuyao’s people sent word that Li Si’er had gone out.

She was someone who loved going out to flaunt her power.

So Yun Shuyao also went out: “I have some matters. I’m going to the Yun family.”

Old Madam, thinking of what her grand-nephew’s wife had mentioned earlier, assumed she was going to discuss that matter, and nodded: “Go ahead.”

On the way to the Yun family, her carriage passed Li Si’er’s carriage going in opposite directions.

The two parties were heading different ways. As they passed, a gust of wind lifted the curtain of Li Si’er’s carriage. No one paid attention or realized that something mixed with the wind had been blown into the carriage.

They discovered nothing.

Li Si’er proceeded as usual to shop for jewelry. She didn’t lack jewelry, but she still frequently went out because she greatly enjoyed seeing the look in others’ eyes when she went out—angry but not daring to speak.

In the past, everyone looked down on me. Now, you all can only look up to me.

Angry? What can you do about it?

In most places in the capital, she could run rampant.

She had even greater ambitions.

When her son grew up, when her lord rose even higher in power and influence, she could stand even higher!

Today her outing went relatively smoothly. Nothing happened to affect her mood. She returned to the residence satisfied with a carriage full of goods.

After sleeping and waking up, she first went to Hesheli shi’s room to appreciate her sickly, bedridden appearance, then went to tour the garden. At first, there was nothing unusual, but later she felt increasingly itchy, more and more itchy.

The maid following her gazed at her with growing horror.

“Ma—Madam, on your body… on your body…”

Li Si’er frowned, scratching her arm through her clothes: “What is it? Can’t even speak clearly. What use are you?!”

“Madam has broken out in a rash!”

On Madam’s neck and face, red spots were appearing one after another!

Under her gaze, Li Si’er touched her own face, then let out a shriek. Her face! Her face!

“Imperial physician! You useless thing, quickly go fetch an imperial physician!”

Chaos ensued.

When the imperial physician arrived, he diagnosed it as hives.

She needed to rest quietly in her room for a period, apply medicine, couldn’t be exposed to wind, and moreover, no matter how itchy these rashes were, she couldn’t scratch them open or they would easily leave scars.

Li Si’er: “!!!”

Her face was livid. After a long moment, she asked: “How long until it’s cured?”

Imperial physician: “Seven to fifteen days approximately.”

Li Si’er shrieked: “I have to be confined this long? Aren’t you an imperial physician? How can you be so useless? I order you—within three days, cure me!”

Imperial physician: “…”

He picked up his medicine box and made to leave: “This one’s skills are inadequate. Madam should seek another expert.”

Longkodo hurriedly blocked him: “Imperial Physician Zhao is being too modest. Even the imperial consorts in the palace rely on Imperial Physician Zhao. She’s just ill and in a bad mood, she didn’t mean it. Please don’t take offense, Imperial Physician Zhao…”

Li Si’er: “!!!”

So this wasn’t a quack—then what was she supposed to do? Did she really have to be confined this long and keep enduring this itching?!

She was forced to be confined for half a month. During this half month, there was constant crashing and smashing in her room. Nearly everything was replaced, and she was extremely irritable.

Longkodo’s love for her was real. Seeing her like this, he only felt heartache, sending in the finest things for her to vent on.

After more than half a month, the rash on her body finally subsided.

Li Si’er was in excellent spirits and went out again. But after sleeping and waking up, looking at herself in the mirror, she stared in disbelief, eyes wide: “Ahhh!”

“Someone! Quickly call the imperial physician!”