Lin Guanguan’s expression shifted slightly as she saw the approaching figure, a bad feeling rising in her chest. Instinctively, she tried to step back.
“Miss Lin,”
Granny Wu raised her voice to stop her, her face stern as she stepped forward. “I’ve heard that you’re here to inventory the items and return what belongs to the First Young Madam.
“I’ve come on Madam’s orders to act as a witness.”
Her intentions were clear: she was here to support Song Zhiyao.
Lin Guanguan’s heart sank further. She had suspected this when Granny Wu arrived, and now her suspicion had come true.
Before Lin Guanguan could speak, Suxin stepped forward. “Thank you for coming, Granny Wu.”
Granny Wu nodded at Suxin.
Then their gazes both turned to Lin Guanguan, waiting for her to start the inventory.
Lin Guanguan still clung to a faint hope: Yan’er hadn’t returned yet.
“Oh, right,” Granny Wu said, as if remembering something, smiling faintly. “Miss Lin, in the future, if there’s any matter regarding the inner house, you can report directly to Madam.”
As Granny Wu’s words fell, Lu Yan’s figure appeared outside Qingshan Courtyard.
Lin Guanguan understood immediately. Lu Yan had gone to see Master Lu, but it was useless.
“Miss Lin,” Suxin spoke up, “it’s getting late. Let’s start with the list.”
She bowed slightly to Granny Wu and then began the inventory.
Today’s inventory revealed a large number of items, but both Suxin and Granny Wu frowned.
Granny Wu had been present when Song Zhiyao married in, and had witnessed the richness of her dowry.
Suxin had been Song Zhiyao’s maid accompanying her dowry.
Yet the items counted today did not match the list Song Zhiyao had left.
Not only did they not match, but many items were missing.
Both Granny Wu and Suxin fixed their eyes on Lin Guanguan.
Suppressing her rising anger, Lin Guanguan said, “I want to speak with Song Zhiyao.”
Song Zhiyao had really pushed her into a corner this time!
“Then let’s move these items first,” Suxin said. “These items have been inventoried. If there are no objections, Miss Lin, please stamp your seal on this list. This avoids any future disputes.”
Suxin handed over the list, which naturally reflected the items counted today.
Lin Guanguan felt humiliated. “I said I want to talk with Song Zhiyao!”
Even though the items were being moved, it was only because they were moved that she realized how much had been taken.
To just move them away… it felt like her heart was being ripped out.
She tried to leave.
“Miss Lin,” Suxin blocked her, “it’s getting late. Please stamp the list so the servants can move the items.”
In anger, Lin Guanguan raised her hand to strike Suxin.
“You insolent maid! Do you not trust me?”
Her hand was stopped. “Miss Lin, you worry too much. This is only a formality, a record of proof.”
Though Lin Guanguan was in Lu Jinyu’s household, she had no official status. Showing her some respect made her half a mistress at best. In reality, she was nothing.
Suxin, being Song Zhiyao’s trusted aide, had her orders beforehand and feared nothing.
Granny Wu frowned further, disdaining Lin Guanguan even more. She said, “Miss Lin, hurry. I must report this matter to Madam soon.”
Under the watch of the two of them, Lin Guanguan had no choice but to stamp the list.
Suxin said, “Three copies have been made; Miss Lin, you also keep one copy.”
She then looked at Granny Wu. “Granny Wu, please have Madam keep the third copy.”
Granny Wu nodded.
Lin Guanguan took her copy and quickly left, balling it up in her hand.
The servants then began moving the items.
At that moment, a sharp voice rang out: “Mine! Mine!”
It was Lu Yan.
Some of the items being moved belonged to his room, and he loved them dearly.
Seeing this, he ran out immediately, refusing to let the servants take them.
The servants, seeing him, froze in surprise, unsure what to do and unwilling to intervene. After all, he was the young master.
Lin Guanguan ignored him and left the courtyard.
After all, the servants wouldn’t dare harm Lu Yan, and slowing down the moving process was a bonus for her.
Suxin scolded Lu Yan’s personal attendant, “Take Young Master Yan down immediately. If anything happens to him, you’ll answer for it!”
Lin Guanguan’s steps faltered briefly, then she continued on.
Lu Yan was taken away.
He naturally fussed, but as long as it didn’t interfere with moving the items, Suxin and Granny Wu pretended not to hear.
Lin Guanguan went straight to Zhimou Courtyard but was stopped at the gate.
After Lu Yan had hurt Lu Jianwei, Lu Yanzhi had replaced the staff in Zhimou Courtyard. These people no longer dared let anyone in at will.
“Song Zhiyao, come out!”
Lin Guanguan shouted from outside the courtyard. “Song Zhiyao!”
Song Zhiyao soon stepped out. “Miss Lin, did you need me for something?”
“You come out. I have something to say to you.”
Lin Guanguan, who could once still pretend in front of Song Zhiyao, no longer bothered. Seeing that Song Zhiyao genuinely wanted her things back, she showed her true face, speaking bluntly.
Behind Song Zhiyao, Lu Jianwei and Lu Jianwei also followed out. The two children stepped outside, and Lu Yanzhi came along as well.
Lin Guanguan’s eyes flicked to Lu Yanzhi, then back to Song Zhiyao with a meaningful look. “Just the two of us.”
“All right,” Song Zhiyao said, stepping out willingly.
“What is it that you want to say, Miss Lin?” Song Zhiyao raised an eyebrow.
Lin Guanguan bit her lip, a face full of humiliation. “Song Zhiyao, you win!”
Song Zhiyao: “???”
She truly did not understand what Lin Guanguan meant.
Lin Guanguan’s expression now was as if she had suffered some grave injustice.
“I’m willing. I’m willing to give Brother Jinyu to you,” Lin Guanguan said, her face full of humiliation and reluctance.
Song Zhiyao: “…”
Stop grossing her out.
She instinctively stepped back, disgusted. “That’s really unnecessary.”
“Just say what you mean,” Song Zhiyao urged, wanting Lin Guanguan to get to the point.
Lin Guanguan was stunned.
She hadn’t expected this reaction from Song Zhiyao.
Quickly, she took a deep breath. “Song Zhiyao, stop pretending. I know your intentions.
“You’re pressuring me because you want Brother Jinyu, aren’t you? Now I’ve agreed, so stop acting in front of me.”
Song Zhiyao understood immediately.
She had thought Lin Guanguan was trying to gross her out, but Lin Guanguan really came to say this.
Seeing Song Zhiyao frown in silence, Lin Guanguan assumed she was weighing her response.
“Song Zhiyao, these past years Brother Jinyu has remained unmarried because he’s been waiting for you.
“His usual attitude toward you was only because you were already married.
“I believe once you are free again, Brother Jinyu will surely change his attitude toward you.
“And I will help you.” Lin Guanguan grabbed Song Zhiyao’s hand. “I will help you marry Brother Jinyu, become his wife.”
Song Zhiyao felt as if she’d been electrocuted, yanking her hand away. “You said this before, didn’t you?”
That’s why “Song Zhiyao” insisted on divorce.
If she had truly believed it over a few words, she would have been a complete fool.
Lin Guanguan: “Yes, I’ve said this before. I like you. Yan’er likes you. Brother Jinyu has feelings for you too.
“As long as you divorce…”
“Lin Guanguan,” Song Zhiyao interrupted, piercing through her true intention. “You just don’t want to return the money.”
Lin Guanguan pressed her lips together.
Of course she didn’t want to. She had grown accustomed to those things; returning them would practically be fatal.
Song Zhiyao found it somewhat amusing. “You don’t want to return the items, so you want Lu Jinyu to offset the debt.”
On second thought, it made sense. Previously, Lin Guanguan had gotten so many things from Song Zhiyao—wasn’t it just using Lu Jinyu as bait?
Only, the fishing had been perfect.
Lu Jinyu didn’t give anything, and Song Zhiyao had dumped a pile of items.
Lin Guanguan’s expression darkened. “How can you say that? I’m trying to help you.”
“And isn’t this what you wanted?”
Song Zhiyao shook her head. “I don’t want it.”
The one who ever wanted Lu Jinyu was never her.
Song Zhiyao met Lin Guanguan’s eyes, her gaze serious and calm, making Lin Guanguan’s heart sink further.
Previously, Lin Guanguan was skilled at manipulating Song Zhiyao.
No matter what she said, Song Zhiyao the fool would believe it.
But now…
Lin Guanguan felt a chill down her spine, as if the person she faced now wasn’t the same as before.
Song Zhiyao said, “Even if Lu Jinyu were given to me for free, I wouldn’t want him.”
Buying him with money?
Lu Jinyu wasn’t worth that much.
Lin Guanguan opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. “Song Zhiyao, you’re regretting it.”
Song Zhiyao smiled. “Return the money.”
At that moment, Suxin approached from nearby. “Young Madam, the inventory list has been organized. Please review it.”
Song Zhiyao took it and checked.
Suxin continued, “The items have been moved back to Guipu Courtyard and are being stored in the inventory.”
Moved back?
Lin Guanguan turned pale, feeling a hollow space in her chest, her heart aching almost to death.
“Well done,” Song Zhiyao praised Suxin, having reviewed the list completely.
She now fully understood Lin Guanguan’s intentions.
It wasn’t just reluctance—it was also that she couldn’t repay.
“What about the remaining items?” Song Zhiyao asked, explaining further. “The rest, though not enough for three exiles, are enough for one.”
“You didn’t return them just to experience it?”
Lin Guanguan snapped, “Song Zhiyao, don’t push your luck!”
Too much?
Before, Lin Guanguan had taken so many things through coaxing and deceit—wasn’t that bullying?
Song Zhiyao said, “The legal notice has already been sent to Qingshan Courtyard. Didn’t Miss Lin see it?”
Lin Guanguan’s eyes widened. Song Zhiyao was serious?
Swallowing hard, she finally admitted, “I have no money.
“Even if you sued me right now, I wouldn’t have the money.”