Xiyu Tower was the tallest pavilion within Zhaoping Marquis’s estate.
He Jiulin most enjoyed working here—whether watching crimson clouds reflect the sunset or observing autumn shadows as wild geese first took flight, it was always fascinating.
Most importantly, standing by the window provided a clear view of Crabapple Courtyard.
Just then, his personal attendant Chang An entered the room, stepping aside to reveal another figure in black following behind.
“My lord, Chang Sui has arrived.””
He Jiulin stood by the window, quietly gazing toward Crabapple Courtyard.
“Hmm, have you gathered all the information?”Reporting to the lord, the new maid was named Du Du by the madam.” She sold herself into service because she has many younger brothers at home. Zhang Momo selected her immediately upon entry—her background is clean, with both parents being honest farmers. We’ve investigated collateral relatives and ancestors—no issues found.”
“How is Yue Yiniang faring?”
“She woke upon returning to Qingzhu Courtyard. Currently only experiencing slight dizziness and nausea. The estate physician says she’ll recover in two or three days.”
“Chang Sui, if I gave you a pair of chopsticks, could you knock someone unconscious?”
“Without using internal energy, this subordinate couldn’t accomplish it. But if employing internal energy, the chopsticks would likely pierce straight through Yue Yiniang’s skull—she certainly wouldn’t survive.”
He Jiulin leaned forward, resting his hands on the windowsill railing, emitting a soft “heh” of laughter.
His hands were beautiful—well-proportioned knuckles, slender fingers, neatly trimmed nails. Even this casual pose against the railing was elegantly composed.
“Indeed. Yet the madam’s strength was precisely measured—just enough to render someone unconscious without causing injury.”
Chang Sui remained silent, though his eyes reflected equal puzzlement.
“And that horse—what exactly did she say to it?”
Chang Sui: “This subordinate was too distant to hear clearly.”
“Never mind.” He Jiulin continued watching Crabapple Courtyard’s direction. “Have a small toolkit custom-made for the madam to store her silver chopsticks.”
“As you command.”At this point, Chang An spoke up: “My lord, Yue Yiniang’s offense of disrespecting her superior certainly can’t be concealed.” You must administer proper punishment. Otherwise, if the other concubines learn of this, they’ll surely use it against you before His Majesty.”
He Jiulin watched the candlelights extinguish in Crabapple Courtyard, sighed slowly, then closed the window and turned around.
Flickering candlelight in the room illuminated the man’s features.
Silken robes and fox fur, every inch radiating grace.
His tone turned cold:
“Didn’t Zhang Momo say she complained about Crabapple Courtyard’s meals being unpalatable? Then let her eat plain fare! No meat allowed, one month confinement, twenty face-slaps.”
Pausing momentarily as if recalling something, he added:
“Give the order—anyone visiting the madam at Crabapple Courtyard must bring gifts. Empty-handed visits are forbidden.”
If memory served, Zhang Momo had mentioned Yue Yiniang’s empty-handed visit being what upset her.
…
The next day, Zhang Momo entered the bedchamber.
“Madam, time to rise.”
Lin Yu’er was pulled upright, swaying drunkenly in circles, her eyelids stubbornly sealed shut.
“Didn’t we bring back plenty of food yesterday? With reserves, no worries. If the future Demon Lord doesn’t get enough sleep, I’ll have O-Pao devour you all…”
So saying, Lin Yu’er collapsed back onto the bed.
Zhang Momo hauled her upright again. “Madam, several concubines are waiting outside.”
Lin Yu’er wriggled and twisted free, lying back down and wrapping the quilt around herself like a silkworm cocoon, nuzzling her head against the brown teddy bear:
“I don’t care, I need more sleep! I’m the madam—what I say goes!”
Zhang Momo thought to herself: Well, that actually makes sense.
There’s no rule saying a concubine must be received just because she wants to see the mistress. Whether to receive them or not depends entirely on the mistress’s mood.
So when Du Du entered carrying toiletries, Momma shushed her.
“Let the mistress sleep a little longer.”
Du Du quickly nodded to show she understood.
She craned her neck to glance at the bed, put down her things, and went out.
The several yiniangs waiting outside had been there for a long time, drinking cup after cup of tea, but Lin Yu’er never appeared.
Yiniang Wu put down her teacup and held her stomach:
“Please inform the mistress that this humble concubine isn’t feeling well and must take her leave.”
Yiniang Miao also stood up.
“This humble concubine just remembered she promised to visit Caiyi Pavilion with Madame Zhang today, so I’ll take my leave now!”
After both yiniangs had left, Consort Liu finally stood up, wearing a warm smile: “The Marquis put me in charge of household purchases, and the deliveries should be arriving now. This humble concubine needs to go supervise.”
All the yiniangs left behind the gifts they had brought, making excuses to slip away.
By the time Lin Yu’er woke up, it was almost noon.
Seeing the pile of items on the table, she approached happily, touching one item and tapping another.
“Where did all these things come from? They’re beautiful, so beautiful! This green one, and the patterns on this one are lovely, oh my, this shiny golden one is even prettier!”
Du Du brought in the meal and glanced at the items.
“These were all gifts from the yiniangs. Since you weren’t up yet, Madame, they left the things and went away.”
Lin Yu’er widened her eyes, speaking with surprise: “They just gave gifts and left? They didn’t ask to stay for a meal?”
“Not at all,” said Zhang Momo.
Lin Yu’er held the items in her hands, wriggling restlessly on her stool, her eyes shining.
“Then tell them to come every day from now on.”
As long as she slept this late every day, and they wouldn’t insist on staying for meals while she was asleep.
This way, she could wake up to a big pile of gifts every day, with no one to compete for her food.
Hehehe!
This demon girl is so clever!
Du Du was utterly stunned by these words!
Her eyes filled with disbelief.
Zhang Momo served Lin Yu’er a bowl of rice and said matter-of-factly: “The mistress may have mental illness, but she’s not stupid. Why are you so surprised?”
Du Du replied: “But this servant heard the mistress used to scatter silver notes everywhere…” If that’s not stupidity, what is? How could she suddenly become not stupid?
Zhang Momo couldn’t explain properly.
The previous behavior was an act, but this – this is genuine mental illness!
While the two were talking, Lin Yu’er had already gathered all the boxes and carried them into her room.
“Madame…”
“Leave her be.” Zhang Momo leisurely picked bones from the fish, placing the prepared fish meat in Lin Yu’er’s bowl: “She’s definitely hiding her things.”
Du Du went to look and found Lin Yu’er squatting in front of the wardrobe, stuffing everything underneath and covering it with clothes. When she came out, she exclaimed in amazement.
“Momma, your guess was spot on! The mistress is really hiding things!”
Zhang Momo raised an eyebrow.
Perfectly normal.
Lin Yu’er has Freud Syndrome, meaning compulsive hoarding, regardless of an item’s value.
She wants everything given to her!
But try to take anything back from her – that’s impossible.
After coming out, Lin Yu’er began eating her fragrant meal enthusiastically, speaking between bites:
“Zhang Momo, I had a dream last night. I dreamed that the pouting woman who came to see me yesterday got slapped repeatedly—her face was so red, red like a monkey’s bottom, hahahaha…”
Du Du gasped sharply, her face changing color.
The mistress hadn’t left Crabapple Courtyard since waking up, and no one had told her—how did she know Aunt Yue had been slapped?
How eerie!
The more Du Du thought about it, the more she felt a chill running down her spine.
She stole a glance at Zhang Momo.
She found her calmly combing Lin Yu’er’s hair. This task should have been done at the dressing table, but since Lin Yu’er wasn’t cooperating, they had to do it while she was eating.
Just as the hairdo was finished, a guard dressed in black requested an audience outside the courtyard.
After being brought in by Du Du, the guard spoke with visible urgency.
“Mistress, the Marquis has relapsed! Could you please give me the antidote!!”
Lin Yu’er: ?