"What? Consort Lin is kneeling at the entrance of He Xi Courtyard?"
Zhang Jingwan, who had just emerged from the study and intended to head straight to He Xi Courtyard, was intercepted by Baizhi.
"The servant from the courtyard reported clearly: the moment the master left, she started making a scene by banging her head against the pillar until her face was covered in blood. As soon as Physician Liu finished examining her, she went straight to He Xi Courtyard."
"She went there without making any noise or fuss, simply kneeling at the entrance. She's been kneeling for over half an incense stick's time now."
Zhang Jingwan frowned, feeling somewhat perplexed.
Although she had only interacted with Lin Ruochu for two years, with meetings countable on one hand, she had already formed a definitive judgment of her character—a deranged woman who defied conventions, cared not for family honor above, and knew nothing of propriety and shame below.
Sharing a husband with such a woman filled her with deep humiliation, even making her a laughingstock among the marchionesses at one point.
Most infuriating was that the Heir Apparent was precisely taken by her antics, with his eyes and heart completely devoted to her.
She had exhausted all her tactics, and it was only after bringing Sun Yiting into the residence that she finally managed to create a crack in their seemingly inseparable bond.
Before her marriage, Zhang Jingwan had once seen Lin Ruochu.
At the Maqiu Hui, she sat in the stands while Lin Ruochu was on the field—heroic and spirited like a swallow on horseback, displaying exceptional skill with the mallet that none could thwart.
She carried the imposing aura of General Lin on the battlefield.
Admiring the Lin young lady's valiant demeanor, she had begged her aunt to learn horseback riding.
In the end, she never became particularly skilled at riding.
And Lin Ruochu turned out to be completely different from what she had imagined.
Zhang Jingwan pulled herself from her memories and asked Baizhi, "How has Mother-in-law responded?"
Baizhi replied, "There's been no movement from the Marchioness's chambers. She must be asleep, unaware of the commotion outside."
Zhang Jingwan lowered her gaze.
Since Concubine Sun entered the residence, Shao Mu's attitude toward that Consort Lin had significantly cooled.
Two years ago, to keep her in the residence, Shao Mu had willingly endured corporal punishment, his back torn and bleeding, confined to bed for a month, yet he never yielded. He forced the Marquis and Marchioness to turn a blind eye and allow him to keep her in the rear courtyard.
The people in the courtyard addressed her as Consort Lin.
But without official documentation or contract, she was essentially a mistress kept within the walls!
Zheng Shi had remained silent these past two years, permitting Shao Mu to shower Linlang Pavilion with a continuous stream of gold, silver, and jewels, all in wait for his infatuation to fade.
Both Zheng Shi and she had been raised in the palace and knew better than anyone that a man's true heart was unreliable.
In his youth, the Marquis too had a concubine he cherished dearly, but looking at them now, how many of them met a good end?
The same would hold true for the Heir Apparent.
Zheng Shi's three-month sealing of the courtyard had been a test, and at that time, Shao Mu had not objected.
Now, he had been pushed from his bed, cracking his head in such a disgraceful manner, and was enraged.
If they could use this momentum to drive Lin Ruochu out, the entire residence would be relieved!
Zheng Shi was waiting for precisely this opportunity.
If Shao Mu still showed no reaction by tomorrow morning, then this matter would likely succeed.
Zhang Jingwan, who had intended to go to He Xi Courtyard, halted her steps and instead returned to her own Jingyi Courtyard.
She had originally planned to add fuel to the fire, but now that Lin Ruochu was seeking her own demise, it saved her the trouble.
"Baizhi, pass the order: the Heir Apparent's injuries have not yet healed, and he has suffered a fright. There's no need to wake him early tomorrow morning."
Having said this, she gracefully returned to her courtyard.
…
The cold wind swept through the hall, cutting across faces like a knife.
Jinque couldn't help but shrink back slightly, turning to look at Lin Ruochu. She saw her slender figure standing as erect as a sturdy winter pine in the darkness.
Though kneeling, her back remained perfectly straight, as if bearing unyielding pride. This made Jinque think inwardly: Consort Lin truly seems completely different from before after that collision…
Just as she was lost in thought, she heard her mistress whisper to her:
"Jinque, I'm sorry for involving you in suffering this cold with me. But if you hadn't come, I'm afraid the Marchioness and Heir Apparent would punish you. Since I can't protect you, I can only wrong you to kneel here with me temporarily."
Seeing Consort Lin like this, Jinque suddenly felt something strange. Consort Lin had never spoken this way before – it was as if she had become a different person.
Yet when this thought emerged, she suddenly froze for a moment, as if influenced by something. Her train of thought abruptly ceased, and when she regained awareness, she had already forgotten what she was just thinking. She only felt that Consort Lin should be exactly like this.
She had always been this way.
Thinking this, Jinque spoke:
"Consort Lin, it's alright. I'm tough and sturdy, not afraid of the cold. But you have a delicate constitution – you should wrap your cloak tighter to avoid catching a chill."
Lin Ruochu nodded.
Her health had indeed weakened considerably compared to three years ago.
Her family had practiced martial arts for generations, and she was no exception. As a child, she had even disguised herself as a boy to accompany her father and brothers to military camps for horseback riding practice.
While not completely free from illness, she was much hardier than typical noble young ladies.
But these past three years, she had neglected much.
Still, her foundation remained – she could endure this.
Deathly silence stretched the long night infinitely.
Zhang Jingwan leaned against her bed, sleepless throughout the night. When the watch drum sounded, Baizhi came to report: "The Marchioness has opened the courtyard gate and had someone bring Consort Lin inside."
Her heart skipped two beats. Still unbelieving, she repeatedly confirmed: "Did she truly kneel outside all night?"
"Absolutely true! A full four hours of kneeling!"
Lin Ruochu actually managed to kneel for four hours in the cold wind!
Remembering how she would cling to Shao Mu's side with that delicate, boneless, seductive appearance, Zhang Jingwan tightened her grip on her handkerchief, sensing that something had changed.
She had thought it was all just an act for Shao Mu's benefit!
How had she suddenly developed such fortitude?
"It seems this attempt has failed as well."
She sighed softly, calling her maids to help her wash and dress before heading to Zheng Shi's courtyard with Baizhi.
On the way, a servant reported that the Heir Apparent had also risen early. Hearing that Consort Lin had knelt all night, he too was heading to the Marchioness's courtyard.
Zhang Jingwan frowned, quickening her pace even more.