Lin Yu’er indeed remained seated steadily, just as she had said.
She didn’t ask anyone to rise.
While munching on her pancake with crunching sounds, her gaze drifted toward the gifts held by the maids behind them.
Lady Wu was the first to lose patience. She turned to Zhang Momo and said, “Zhang Momo, if the Lady has issues with her mind, do you have them too? Why haven’t you taught the Lady proper etiquette yet? Are you just going to watch us kneel here like this?”
Zhang Momo replied, “Lady Wu is right. This servant will take note and ensure the Lady is properly taught in the future.”
But then, she turned to look at Lin Yu’er.
“Lady, Lady Wu insulted you, saying you have no brains and no manners.”
Lin Yu’er had half a pancake dangling from her mouth, her eyes fixed on the large box held by the last maid. It looked sizable, and she wondered what treasures it contained. Her heart was already itching with curiosity, eager to tear it open.
Hearing Zhang Momo’s words, she shoved the pancake into her mouth, grabbed a pair of chopsticks, and hurled them.
“Disrespecting this Lady, scorning your superior! You’re the one with no brains and no manners!”
With a thud, Lady Wu collapsed.
The chopsticks clattered to the floor, startling the other concubines so much that their eyelids trembled.
It felt as if a giant bell had been struck loudly in their hearts.
This madwoman.
She resorts to violence at the slightest disagreement!!
“Du Du, throw this brainless, ill-mannered one out!” Lin Yu’er commanded.
“Yes,” Du Du promptly stepped forward, hoisted Lady Wu over her shoulder, and headed outside.
Only then did Lady Wu’s maid, Xiao Ya, snap out of it and rush to stop Du Du.
“Lady!”
“What are you doing? Don’t touch my Lady!”
Lin Yu’er tilted her chin mischievously. “Momma, hurry.”
Zhang Momo, as if reading her mind, went over, took the gift from Xiao Ya’s hands, and placed it on the dining table.
Lin Yu’er glanced at the box several times, pretending nonchalance as she averted her gaze.
She picked up a bowl of congee and gulped down two mouthfuls, exhaling with satisfaction afterward, looking utterly bold and unconstrained.
“Anyone else who wants to call me brainless and ill-mannered, go ahead.”
Her hand had already reached for the leather pouch at her waist.
The thought of driving these people away and immediately getting her hands on the gifts made her eyes gleam.
The other concubines were unsettled by the light in her eyes.
Eventually, they exchanged nervous glances, swallowing hard.
Lady Ye spoke up, “Momma, are you just going to stand by and watch the Lady hit someone without intervening? If she behaves like this outside, she’ll surely bring disaster upon the Marquis’ household!”
At that moment, a deliberate cough from a man sounded at the doorway.
The concubines all turned to look and saw Chang An standing there with a smiling face.
“Oh, Chang An, you dogspawn, what brings you here?!” Lin Yu’er exclaimed in surprise.
The smile on Chang An’s face froze: “…”
“The Marquis specifically sent this humble servant to deliver a message to you, Lady.”
Lin Yu’er shrunk her neck guiltily.
So that man didn’t die?
Well, Zhang Momo did say that this Marquis is a big shot in this realm.
Big shots always have some life-preserving tricks up their sleeves.
It definitely wasn’t because the esteemed heir of the Demon Realm lacked attacking power!
The moment he woke up, he sent his lackey over. This posture surely meant he came to issue threats!
Lin Yu’er stood up, feeling that she couldn’t afford to lose her momentum.
But the thought of everyone standing while she alone sat made her appear domineering and unshakable, so she abruptly sat back down.
“Speak, speak! Use his exact words!”
Chang An watched as the mistress stood briefly before sitting again, scratching his nose in confusion.
“The Marquis said: The mistress is kind-hearted and would never provoke anyone. If someone gets beaten, it must be that person’s fault. The mistress may do as she pleases without concern for others’ opinions.”
After delivering this message, Chang An bowed to Lin Yu’er and withdrew.
The concubines felt stifled resentment but dared not show it.
They simply couldn’t understand why the Marquis would show such consideration toward a madwoman!
Finally, Consort Liu forced an awkward smile: “Mistress, this humble one was thoughtless and improper. This engraved copper hand warmer is my gift to you – I hope it pleases you!”
Chen Yiniang: “This blue jade-inlaid mirror with its lacquered stand is a set – I hope it finds your favor, mistress.”
The remaining concubines successively presented their gifts.
“What’s this called? A hand warmer? Hmm, I like it… and it’s actually warm too.” Lin Yu’er hugged the warmer against her cheek. “Bring me several more of these next time, but make them different designs.”
Consort Liu gritted her teeth: “As you wish.”
“Ah, I know this one – it’s a mirror.”
Lin Yu’er tilted her head at the mirror, noticing it only showed a faint reflection where facial features were indistinguishable, then casually tossed it aside.
“This mirror gives such a blurry reflection – worthless trash. Bring something else next time.”
Chen Yiniang, who had presented the mirror, clenched her fists: “Understood, this humble one will remember.”
The other concubines’ gifts also received critical comments from Lin Yu’er.
By the time they left Crabapple Courtyard, all the concubines wore unpleasant expressions.
…
Magnolia Pavilion.
After venting her anger, Miao Yiniang sat gloomily on her stool.
Soon, her personal maid entered the room.
“Did you find out? Why does the Marquis tolerate that madwoman so much?”
“This servant has heard some news.”
Miao Yiniang took a sip of tea: “Speak quickly.”
Shiliu began: “Hasn’t the mistress always suspected the Marquis keeps someone special in his heart? They meet every mid-month. Yesterday was the fifteenth, and Rain Creek Pavilion was tightly guarded again – not even a fly could get in! But this servant heard the mistress entered the Marquis’ Rain Creek Pavilion yesterday, yet the lockdown was lifted before evening…”
A curious glint appeared in Miao Yiniang’s eyes.
If Lin Yu’er had entered Rain Creek Pavilion, how could she have left unharmed?
Could it be the Marquis wasn’t meeting his beloved?
Or perhaps there was another possibility…
Was the mistress actually the Marquis’ beloved?
Previously, Rain Creek Pavilion would remain locked until dawn every fifteenth – why was it unlocked before evening this time?
Shiliu continued: “This servant also heard something else. The night before last, Yue Yiniang was also beaten by the mistress. Not only did the Marquis not punish the mistress, he sentenced Yue Yiniang to ten slaps and one month confinement! The kitchen staff say they’ve been serving Yue Yiniang nothing but cabbage for three days now, and she must eat it for a full month – all by the Marquis’ order.”
Miao Yiniang started in shock.
“What?!”
“A full month?!”
She quickly stood up.
Remembering she had just visited Crabapple Courtyard today, her heart filled with panic.
“Shiliu, think carefully – did I… did I offend the mistress today in any way?”
Pomegranate: “There shouldn’t be. Besides paying respects and delivering gifts at Crabapple Courtyard, the mistress hasn’t spoken much.”
Miao Yiniang sat limply on the stool, her expression somewhat uneasy: “I don’t know why, but I always have this premonition: opposing the madam won’t end well. Pomegranate, from now on, stay away from the people in Yue Yiniang and Wu Yiniang’s courtyards!”
“Yes.”
“And also, from now on, pick the very best from the fine things my family sends and deliver them to Crabapple Courtyard for the madam! No, that’s not right either – which madam would want to see her husband’s concubines hovering around? From now on, I won’t go to deliver gifts myself, you go instead!”
Pomegranate didn’t understand why Miao Yiniang was so afraid: “Mistress, even if the madam is the marquis’s most cherished person, you needn’t be like this. You and her are naturally in competition anyway.”
Miao Yiniang’s eyebrow twitched, and she quickly pressed and rubbed it with her hand.
“The madam gives me a more dangerous feeling than the marquis himself. Say no more, I trust my intuition!”
“Yes, this servant has taken note.”