After Zheng Shi finished speaking, before Lin Ruochu could respond, Shao Mu urgently interjected:
"Mother! Regardless of whether Aruo has committed any major offense, even if she were at fault, she should be disciplined within the residence. How can we casually send her off to a Taoist temple?!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingwan also chimed in with persuasion:
"That's right, Mother-in-law. Concubine Lin merely spoke in a moment of anger. She's still young—how could she endure the austere life of a Taoist temple? Moreover, the Three Purities Hall is a royal temple; not just anyone can go there under the marquisate's name…"
Although inwardly she wished to have Lin Ruochu sold off to some distant place,
She couldn't afford to openly oppose Shao Mu and could only echo his sentiments.
And indeed, the Three Purities Hall wasn't a place for a lowly concubine like Lin Ruochu to enter.
Having played the role of the gentle persuader, Matron Song stepped forward to play the harsh one:
"Heir Apparent, Young Madam, this wasn't the Marchioness's idea. It was this Concubine Lin who knelt outside all night, begging and pleading with the Marchioness to send her to the temple."
"In her pleas, she praised the Marchioness's kindness, even knocking her head and volunteering for punishment by kneeling. How could the Marchioness go against her wishes then?"
"Aruo is young and doesn't know better, Mother. There's no need to take it to heart," Shao Mu frowned.
Matron Song snorted coldly: "No matter how young, she's been in the residence for two years now. Injuring the Heir Apparent is no small matter—it can't be lightly dismissed with just 'she's young and doesn't know better.'"
Bringing up last night's incident left Shao Mu at a loss for words.
He had tried to seal the news, but with the residence filled with his mother's spies, he knew he couldn't hide it from her.
Yet even knowing he couldn't, he had hoped to brazen it out.
He had planned to leave the residence first thing in the morning and return only after recovering. After all, it was his injury—if he didn't acknowledge it, his mother couldn't do much to Aruo.
He had promised her she would be his only one, with no other concubines. Sun Shi's entry into the residence and pregnancy had been his breach of promise. Though Aruo's endless fussing was tiresome, it ultimately stemmed from her deep care for him.
Burdened by guilt, Shao Mu wanted to let the matter slide lightly.
Little did he expect she would take the initiative to cause a scene before his mother!
Now, with his head injury still unhealed and everyone in the rear courtyard aware he had returned to his study from Linlang Pavilion last night, there was simply no hiding it!
Zheng Shi could fully invoke household discipline over this.
Injuring the master warranted forty cane strikes on the back—enough to cripple or kill. Aruo wouldn't survive it!
Shao Mu fell silent, his face cold and stern.
Observing his rigid demeanor, Zheng Shi let out a long sigh and spoke with immense weariness:
"Enough, enough. Causing such a fuss early in the morning over someone from the inner courtyard is truly not worth it. Wan'er is right—the Three Purities Hall is a royal temple, not some place any random creature can waltz into. With her status going there to pray for blessings, I'd fear she might actually diminish our marquisate's fortune!"
"The White Cloud Temple at Lianhua Mountain regularly receives our support, and it's only half a day's journey away. You shall go there to reflect on your actions."
"Mother…"
Shao Mu still wanted to say more.
But Lin Ruochu directly bowed her head and said:
"Thank you for your leniency, Marchioness. I pray for the health and profound blessings of the Marchioness, the Heir Apparent, and the Young Madam."
With her words, the matter was settled.
Even Shao Mu ultimately said nothing more, merely casting a cold glance or two at her before storming off in anger.
Zheng Shi couldn't bear to spare her another look, waving her hand dismissively for her to leave.
…
Jinque supported Lin Ruochu as they stepped out of the courtyard. The moment they crossed the threshold, her legs gave way and she nearly collapsed, only saved by Lin Ruochu’s quick reflex to steady her.
"Concubine, the Marchioness and her attendant Matron Song are truly terrifying…"
She leaned weakly against Lin Ruochu, murmuring softly before suddenly remembering the distinction between mistress and servant. Straightening immediately, she stepped back.
Lin Ruochu patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t be afraid. I promise you won’t have to live in fear anymore."
Jinque didn’t grasp her meaning at first.
It wasn’t until they returned to Linlang Pavilion and saw Lin Ruochu summon Steward Chen, pressing broken silver into his hand while requesting new assignments for the three sisters, that Jinque understood: Lin Ruochu intended to send them away.
Jinlan wept with joy, dropping to her knees with a thud to express fervent gratitude for being permitted to seek new employment within the estate.
Younger Jinyu, not fully comprehending the implications, knelt silently beside her.
Only Jinque felt conflicted. She knew begging to stay would undermine Jinlan’s position, yet remaining silent meant being cast out.
She was well aware there was no future serving Consort Lin. The Heir Apparent’s favor could vanish like morning mist any day.
But what servant didn’t live in constant trepidation?
Back when she served in the Heir Apparent’s courtyard, the head matron had been the strictest in the estate. Under the Marchioness’s watchful eye, young maids suffered most—the slightest negligence brought beatings and punishments.
Even exchanging smiles among sisters earned accusations of being "hussies trying to seduce the Heir Apparent."
Every day was lived with bated breath, more dreadful than the Court of Hell.
Her mother worked as an odd-job matron in the outer court, her father merely a horse-tending groom. With younger siblings to feed, money was always tight—the whole family survived on meager means.
It was only after serving the Concubine that she finally felt like a human being.
Bringing home extra rewards had put genuine smiles on her parents’ faces.
She truly didn’t want to leave.
Even if Consort Lin were being sent to a Taoist temple, she wished to follow.
Steeling herself, Jinque knelt weeping at Lin Ruochu’s feet. "Concubine, this servant begs to stay and continue serving you."
Lin Ruochu paused, surprised. "The Marchioness has approved my departure for White Cloud Temple with no return date set. Who knows how long I’ll be gone? You should remain in the estate and seek your own path."
Jinque had assumed this temple visit was merely to evade domestic punishment. But hearing Lin Ruochu’s words and seeing the resolve in her eyes, realization dawned:
Was Consort Lin planning never to return?
How could that be?
At barely eighteen, even low-status life in the estate was better than becoming a Taoist nun!
Jinque wanted to stay as head maid of Linlang Pavilion—not leave the estate for monastic life. This revelation left her speechless, kneeling in silence.
Jinlan snorted nearby, a brief, mocking sound questioning her sincerity.
Jinque flushed crimson, rendered speechless.
It was then that the silent Jinyu suddenly spoke:
"This servant is willing to accompany the Concubine to White Cloud Temple at Lianhua Mountain to serve you."
Jinque was startled, Jinlan froze in surprise, and Lin Ruochu also looked curiously at this youngest and most frail girl: "Do you truly wish to go?"
"This servant truly wishes to serve the Concubine."
Jinyu's voice carried both childishness and determination.
Seeing her resolve was firm, Lin Ruochu nodded: "Very well, then come with me."
Jinque bit her lip, her face flushing red, as if wanting to say something more, but Lin Ruochu interrupted her: "Jinque, since you don't wish to go elsewhere, remain in Linlang Pavilion for now and watch over my quarters. We can make further arrangements later."
Jinque immediately prostrated herself and kowtowed: "This servant will certainly take good care of the courtyard, awaiting the Concubine's return!"