Volume One, Chapter 19: What Else Can Be Done But Endure?

Aside from Zhixin and Zhiyi, there were six maids and four menservants standing in the courtyard. Every one of them was a face that those present remembered all too well. It was only natural that Lin Qingyun and the Lady Jiang, having only entered the estate three years ago, did not recognize them. However, Lin Wenyuan and his son remembered clearly that these were the original servants from the Purple Bamboo Pavilion.

They had not been assigned to Lin Qingwu by the estate; she had hand-picked and brought every one of them back from the outside herself. They were not only fiercely loyal and obedient to Lin Qingwu, but each possessed formidable martial arts skills. This was precisely why, the moment trouble befell Lin Qingwu years ago, he had ordered them to be transferred away from the Duke’s estate—unrestrained, they posed too great a danger to Lin Qingyun and her faction.

"Why did you provoke them?" Lin Wenyuan asked, his face darkening as he looked at Lady Jiang.

"How can you say that, my lord?" Lady Jiang looked at him, bewildered, and defended herself, "Lin Qingwu brought such a group into the estate on her own authority. As the mistress of the house, should I not have questioned it?"

"Sigh," Lin Wenyuan cast a frustrated glance at her. "These were originally Qingwu’s own servants. Now that she has returned to the Purple Bamboo Pavilion, it is only reasonable for her to recall her own people."

In truth, Lin Wenyuan was quite reluctant about the matter himself, but he understood that now that Lin Qingwu had recovered her status, this day would come sooner or later. He simply had not expected her to act so quickly. Seeing that Lin Wenyuan had spoken, Lady Jiang and Lin Qingyun could only swallow their grievances and remain silent.

"Does anyone have any objections?" Lin Qingwu asked them. Seeing their silence, she turned to Lin Wenyuan. "Since you have no objections, Father, I shall take them back."

Lin Wenyuan frowned and waved a hand. "Go. Just see that they are kept in line and don't cause trouble in the estate."

Lin Qingwu smiled. "Rest assured, my people are only here to guard the Purple Bamboo Pavilion. As long as everyone else keeps to their side of the line, we shall naturally have no issues." She cast a meaningful glance at the group, her eyes lingering on Lin Qingyun with a smirk, before turning to leave.

Watching her leave with her entourage, Lin Qinyan gritted his teeth. "Father, she struck Yun’er! How can you let her off so easily?"

"Indeed, my lord, you are far too indulgent with her," Lady Jiang added, full of resentment.

Lin Wenyuan looked at them impatiently. "Then what would you have me do?"

The two exchanged a look and fell silent. Lin Qingwu was like a plague; they could not out-argue her, they could not defeat her, and they could not move against her. They had no choice but to endure.

"Father, I have a brilliant plan," Lin Qingyun suddenly said, breaking the silence.

The crowd turned their curious gazes toward her, but Lin Qingyun did not reveal it immediately. She stepped forward, leaned into Lin Wenyuan’s ear, and whispered a few words. Upon hearing this, the irritation in Lin Wenyuan’s eyes was instantly replaced by a smile. "Good. In times of crisis, I can always count on my Yun’er." He looked at the bewildered Lady Jiang and Lin Qinyan, warning them with a hint of disdain, "In the future, unless you are absolutely certain of success, do not provoke her, lest you bring trouble upon me." Having said this, he called for Lin Qinyan and departed.

At 7:00 PM in the Purple Bamboo Pavilion, after Yunshang had finished attending to Lin Qingwu’s bath, she helped her change into a simple white nightgown before she prepared for bed. Suddenly, Zhiyi pushed the door open, her expression grave. "Miss, they are about to make their move."

"Heh, so they couldn't hold back after all?" A playful smile tugged at the corners of Lin Qingwu’s lips.

Seeing this, Zhiyi suggested, "Miss, would you like me to go and take care of them?" A clear glint of murderous intent flashed in her eyes.

"No need," Lin Qingwu chuckled. "If they all die, it won't be any fun." She beckoned to Zhiyi, who hurried over. She whispered a few instructions into her ear and said, "Go and do it."

"Yes," Zhiyi acknowledged and quickly retreated.

Watching Zhiyi’s hurried departure, Yunshang asked curiously, "Miss, what has happened?"

Lin Qingwu merely gave her a mysterious smile. "You will know soon enough."

"Ah! Help! Someone’s dead!"

Just after 5:00 AM, a terrified scream pierced the morning silence, jolting the entire Duke of Ru’s estate awake. Yunshang, who had been sleeping soundly on the outer couch, sat bolt upright. "Who? Who is dead?" She had barely regained her senses when she saw that Lin Qingwu was already dressed and heading out.

"Miss, why are you up?" Yunshang asked, dazed. Her mistress usually detested such commotion; why was she so quick today?

"I just heard the shouting, I'm going to take a look," Lin Qingwu replied.

Even though Yunshang felt it was abnormal, she nimbly put on her shoes. "Miss, this is an ill omen. I should go take a look and report back to you; you should go back to sleep for a while longer."

Before Yunshang could finish, a series of urgent knocks sounded at the gate. Soon, the sisters Zhixin and Zhiyi spoke from outside the door: "Miss, the Master has sent a maid to summon you."

Lin Qingwu shrugged helplessly. "See? I have no choice but to go."

"Then I shall accompany you!" Yunshang declared with a look of grim determination.

"It's alright, I'm just going to have a look," Lin Qingwu smiled. "You wait here; I’ll just take Zhixin and Zhiyi."

Watching Lin Qingwu leave with the two, a sense of indescribable disappointment welled up in Yunshang’s heart. But then, she took a deep breath and consoled herself, "It’s fine. Zhixin and Zhiyi are skilled in martial arts; it is safer for the Miss to have them with her." While she muttered to herself, she kept busy, rolling up her sleeves and heading to the small kitchen in the courtyard to prepare breakfast.

The morning air still carried a chill. When the three of them arrived at the scene, people from the other courtyards were already there. Hanging from an old locust tree in the garden was a figure. As a breeze blew, the body swayed gently, and a pale face turned toward the crowd. The eyes were bulging and the tongue slightly protruded—it was clear that life had long since departed.

"Nanny Zhao! It’s Nanny Zhao!" A maid recognized the deceased and collapsed to the ground in terror. Her scream immediately sparked panic among the crowd. Lin Qingyun shrieked, hiding behind Lin Qinyan.

Seeing this, Lin Wenyuan roared, "Quiet, all of you!" He turned to two of the menservants and gestured, "What are you waiting for? Get her down at once!"