Each snake flicked its long forked tongue, presenting a spine-chilling and terrifying sight.
Lin Pianran suppressed her profound fear and revulsion, instantly storing all the snakes into her Space.
Only then did she let out a soft sigh of relief.
She had an innate dread of these limbless reptiles.
These repulsive creatures should be returned to where they came from.
They absolutely shouldn’t go to waste.
Making the perpetrator suffer the consequences of their own evil schemes would be the most fitting outcome.
As for who was behind this, Lin Pianran could guess with absolute certainty—it was Lin Chuyao.
That woman had always been arrogant and domineering, believing she could take advantage of others while refusing to tolerate the slightest loss.
Having suffered such a humiliating lesson today, she would never let the matter rest.
Hence, this vicious scheme of using venomous snakes to attack her.
What she didn’t know was that Lin Pianran was even more relentless in seeking revenge and equally unwilling to suffer losses.
Moreover, she believed in immediate retribution.
Any grievance should be settled on the spot.
Those snakes couldn’t be kept in the Space for too long—if they died, it would be a waste.
Better to return them right away, one by one!
With this thought, Lin Pianran headed outside, making straight for Lin Chuyao’s side room.
But then she reconsidered—if venomous snakes appeared only in Lin Chuyao’s room, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
She decided to implement “Rain and Dew for All,” delivering several snakes to each of the Lin family women’s side rooms. After all, there were more than enough snakes to go around.
As for who would get hurt? Who would survive?
That was no longer her concern!
The Lin family women all lived close together, making her task more convenient.
Since these were women’s quarters, there were no guards—only maids and matrons from each household keeping watch.
Lin Pianran crouched low and first infiltrated Lin Chuxi’s side room, which was the closest, just a few steps away.
Unexpectedly, the woman was sleeping like a log, even emitting soft snores.
Lin Pianran took the opportunity to clear out all the valuable items and furniture from the room.
Only a solitary bed remained for the room’s owner.
She then transferred several venomous snakes from her Space, scattering them throughout the room, before quietly slipping out through the rear window.
Next was Second Madam Wang Yanwan’s room. Surprisingly, she was still awake, with faint lamplight visible inside. Lin Pianran hid beneath the window to eavesdrop.
Inside, Wang Yanwan sat by the bed, weeping incessantly. Between sobs, she lamented, “I never imagined Xuan’er’s leg injury would be this severe! He’s still so young—what will become of him? My son! Wuwuwu…”
Her personal matron stood nearby, patiently comforting her: “Madam, tomorrow we can seek other imperial physicians for further consultation. Don’t put too much stock in the opinions of one or two physicians—there are many illnesses they cannot cure.”
“The world is vast and full of wonders, and there are numerous highly skilled doctors. We should explore all possible options!…”
“Moreover, I’ve heard that Director Wang of the Imperial Hospital possesses even more exceptional medical skills. Tomorrow, you could plead with Consort De to summon Director Wang for a diagnosis—wouldn’t that be more reliable?”
“Madam, you mustn’t grieve so excessively. We can devise new strategies tomorrow!”
“Crying now serves no purpose. If you ruin your health with weeping, what will become of the young master? He’s counting on you to find a way to save him!”
Wang Yanwan finally took these words to heart and quickly stopped her sobbing. “Then I’ll go to sleep now and first thing tomorrow morning, I’ll request an audience with Consort De to ask her help in finding Director Wang to treat Xuan’er’s leg. I believe Xuan’er’s leg will definitely recover!…”
After she finished speaking, another series of rustling, chaotic sounds came from the room. Lin Pianran guessed they were probably washing up.
After waiting another incense stick’s worth of time, the lights inside were extinguished, and complete silence fell.
The weather in February was still bitterly cold outside.
Fortunately, Lin Pianran was dressed warmly, otherwise crouching by the wall corner in this season would have been truly miserable.
After another incense stick’s time, for safety’s sake, Lin Pianran first sprayed some knockout drug inside.
Then, wearing a mask and with her face covered, she entered the room. She quickly cleared out all the belongings inside, then tossed in several snakes before hastily leaving.
Using the same method, Lin Pianran went to Lin Chuyao, Lin Chuyan, and Zhao Yurou’s rooms, emptying their possessions without anyone noticing, like locusts sweeping through—not a single hair remained.
The only difference in dealing with these few was that she specifically left a few extra snakes for Lin Chuyao, considering it special treatment for her.
Tomorrow, who would live? Who would die?
It would depend on these people’s fate!
Finally, Lin Pianran arrived outside Old Madam Lin’s side room.
In the Lin family, the most vicious, detestable, and shameless was this over-sixty-year-old matriarch.
She appeared kind and gentle on the surface, speaking softly like a breeze, but in reality, it was this cunning, rotten-hearted “old venomous woman” who strategized and made the final decisions in the Lin family.
She was the one who initially bridged the connection with Jing Wang Manor, arranging for Lin Pianran to become Prince Jing’s concubine to secure a splendid future for her eldest grandson;
Later, she was the one who forced her eldest son Lin Aodong to escort Lin Pianran onto the wedding sedan, compelling her into marriage;
She was also the one who bribed the matron by Su Qingfeng’s side to administer slow-acting poison, leaving him bedridden with illness for years;
Even having Lin Chuyan steal Lin Pianran’s jade pendant to usurp her identity as the Duke of Protectorate Estate’s young lady—this too was the doing of this old hag.
…
It could be said that the evil deeds committed by this old woman were too numerous to record.
Behind every vicious decision made by the Lin family, behind every wicked act, her shadow loomed, or it was carried out under her command.
This old woman was thoroughly rotten from head to toe, inside and out—truly an irredeemable “old venomous woman.”
Regarding this malignant tumor, Lin Pianran’s resolve was to eliminate her first, absolutely not giving her another chance to harm her.
Only then could she achieve a permanent solution.
It was also the best resolution.
First, pluck out this venomous fang of the Lin family, stripping them of their greatest support.
Lin Pianran believed the Lin family would then disintegrate, turning into scattered sand, no longer possessing any destructive power.
Without Old Madam Lin mediating and balancing in the middle, her two sons and two daughters would easily be incited to act independently.
They would no longer unite in their wicked collusion.
Thinking of this, Lin Pianran grew even more determined to deal the first fatal blow to Old Madam Lin.
She walked to Old Madam Lin’s window; inside was utterly tranquil.
Lin Pianran first sprayed the knockout drug inside.
After a while, she opened the window and climbed in from outside.
The old madam’s chamber was exquisitely and luxuriously furnished, clearly demonstrating considerable investment and meticulous thought.
To her surprise, Lin Pianran discovered a pair of delicate White Jade Ruyi and a Yellow Jade Comb in the room – all items that originally belonged to her. After being seized by several young ladies of the Lin family, they had unexpectedly ended up in Old Madam Lin’s possession.
She also spotted a Four-Panel Landscape Screen, whose paintings were said to be from a renowned artist’s hand and quite expensive. Lin Pianran had fallen in love with it at first sight and purchased it for over three thousand taels of silver.
About two months ago, it had been taken by Lin Chuyan.
Now, it was actually here with the old madam too.
The old thing actually had the audacity to display and use these items openly.
How utterly shameless!