She folded the Death Note and returned it to its original place, then carefully searched every corner of the room.
In her previous life, she had visited Bright Moon Courtyard several times, but back then she was timid and terrified by Ye Zeyu. While staying near Ye Jintang, she never dared to look around freely, so she had no idea where valuable items might be hidden.
Though she searched meticulously now, she found nothing.
Observing the opulent room, she concluded there must be a secret chamber or passageway somewhere.
While pondering, her sharp hearing suddenly caught a series of footsteps.
“Jintang, are you asleep? Your brother needs to speak with you.”
Li Jinu’s heart jolted—she recognized Ye Zeyu’s voice. Memories of past suffering flooded her mind, intensifying her hatred.
She wanted to kill this pair of siblings, but she had more important matters to attend to and couldn’t act recklessly. Moreover, there was still a skilled expert lurking outside.
After leaving the courtyard, a cold breeze brushed past, clearing her chaotic thoughts.
Suddenly, a bizarre idea struck her.
Holy shit!
Does Ye Zeyu… have feelings for Ye Jintang?
Connecting this with events from her past life, she suddenly laughed—a genuine, heartfelt laugh.
Her eyes glinted with cunning as she changed direction and headed toward Ye Zeyu’s quarters.
…
By the time she finished everything, the moon was already setting in the western sky.
She left the city feeling unburdened. Strangely, the white horse was still there, as if it had been waiting for her all along.
She urged the horse into a gallop, completely unaware that atop the city walls, Ye Langting in his dark robes was squinting as he watched her retreating figure.
With rare admiration in his tone, he remarked, “This girl—are we certain she was raised in the countryside?”
A mature female voice sounded beside him as Shu Lan spoke softly:
“We’ve investigated. The farthest she ever went as a child was Phoenix Cry Mountain. She has met Qian Gugu.”
Ye Langting paused, then seemed to grasp something, exclaiming in realization:
“So she’s someone from my imperial great-grandmother’s circle. No wonder. From now on, discreetly protect her. Consider it this prince’s act of filial piety toward our great-grandmother.”
Shu Lan’s expression turned peculiar. She didn’t understand how her master connected such unrelated matters, but she wouldn’t question his decisions.
Besides, she too felt growing curiosity about that girl. Every time she saw those eyes, she felt an inexplicable excitement.
Li Jinu had no idea that the woman she had avoided in her past life—the one she never wished to see again—would soon become her maidservant.
…
The night passed quickly. Early the next morning, Ye Siyuan led the group, and they soon reached the city gate.
The gate was bustling with activity, but oddly, a melon seed vendor in gray clothes looked listless.
Unlike other vendors who hawked their wares loudly, he responded half-heartedly to price inquiries. His eyes remained fixed on the city gate, never wavering.
After shooing away another customer, his eyes lit up at the sight of a newly arrived procession entering the gate.
He rubbed his eyes vigorously and, upon recognizing the rider, scrambled to his feet. Abandoning his stall, he rushed to the side, mounted a horse, and galloped toward the Marquis’ residence.
Meanwhile, Li Jinu drew back the carriage curtain to look outside.
It was the same lively imperial capital, the scene both familiar and alien. A faint smile touched her lips.
She was going to add more fuel to this bustling fire.
The Marquis’ residence wasn’t far from the city gate. Soon, the group arrived at their destination.
Liu Momo placed the footstool and carefully extended a hand to help Li Jinu disembark, fearing that she might stumble.
This attentive attitude surprised Li Jinu, but upon reflection, she understood the reason behind it.
She had always been clear about gratitude and grudges. Since Liu Momo had shown her kindness, she was willing to offer some respect in return.
Softly thanking the matron, she stood behind Ye Siyuan without stepping forward.
She understood the principle of elders going first and wouldn’t risk displeasing her father at such an important moment.
But she had misunderstood—Ye Siyuan wasn’t testing her at all at that moment.
Frowning at the servant, his tone stern with a hint of displeasure, he said:
“The eldest young miss has returned to the manor. On such an important day, where are the madam and the others?”
Just then, Cuizhi hurried over with quick, small steps, her pale face still streaked with tear tracks.
Li Jinu raised an eyebrow, knowing the show was about to begin.
As expected, Cuizhi hastily bowed, her voice urgent:
“Marquis, please come quickly! The second young miss has tried to take her own life!”
Though Cuizhi’s expression was anxious, she felt no real urgency inside. She stole a glance at Li Jinu, waiting for this country bumpkin to speak up, hoping she would delay the Marquis—the longer, the better.
Once the madam and the eldest young master found out this lowborn had held back the Marquis, they’d surely skin her alive!
Hmph, so what if she’s the biological daughter? With no looks, no education, no talent, and no cunning—entering the Marquis manor like this, she’s nothing but a stepping stone for her young lady!
Li Jinu sighed inwardly.
In her past life, the Marquis hadn’t come to fetch her, but she could still figure out the schemes of this mistress and maid.
Such simple, transparent plots—why hadn’t she seen through them in her previous life?
Shaking her head, she quickly filled her eyes with tears and anxiously grabbed Ye Siyuan’s sleeve.
Cuizhi struggled to suppress a smug smile, her triumph barely concealed.
Just as she prepared to add fuel to the fire, Li Jinu spoke up urgently,
“Father, let’s hurry to see my younger sister! Though she isn’t your biological daughter, you’ve raised her for over a decade!”
She shot a reproachful look at Cuizhi. “Why are you just standing there? Lead the way! If anything happens to my sister, you’ll pay for it!”
Cuizhi was dumbstruck. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go! Those weren’t her lines! She was supposed to stop the Marquis, you fool!
But she didn’t dare say anything more and could only lead the way.
Ye Siyuan narrowed his eyes, studying the tearful, anxious girl before him. That sense of dissonance washed over him again.
Strange, very strange!
Even he, an outsider, could guess Ye Jintang’s intentions—how could this girl not see it?
He didn’t believe it.
Each lost in their own thoughts, they soon arrived at Bright Moon Courtyard.
Before even stepping into the courtyard, unrestrained sobs reached their ears.
“My darling, how could you be so foolish? If you leave me, what will I do…?”
Stealing a glance at Li Jinu, Ye Siyuan felt a twinge of embarrassment. He didn’t know how hurt the girl would be hearing such words.
Was Li Jinu hurt? She had no time for that now.
She knew the room must be in chaos, with no one paying attention to the Death Note.
She was thinking about how to ensure that Death Note ended up in the Marquis’s hands.
She didn’t trust anyone else—Su Yun was unpredictable and might destroy the note upon seeing its contents.
As for Ye Zeyu, needless to say, he would never let anyone else see such a thing.
So, she had to make sure everything went perfectly later. That was why she had followed them here.
They quickly entered the courtyard.
The courtyard was beautiful—in her past life, she hadn’t dared to look; last night, it was too dark, and even with the moonlight, she couldn’t see it clearly.
Only then did she have the chance to carefully survey Bright Moon Courtyard.
This was likely the largest courtyard in the estate aside from the main residence.
The green jade floor tiles showed not a single stray weed, while peonies of various colors bloomed in splendid profusion, each vying for attention in their vibrant display.
Of course, she paid no mind to the beautiful scenery. Her thoughts were occupied with where hidden compartments or secret passages might be located if they existed here.
Her actions were observed by Ye Siyuan, and as if guided by some unseen force, he spoke words that even surprised himself: “If you like it, we could plant some flowers and plants in your courtyard in the future.”
Li Jinu was somewhat taken aback, but she wouldn’t refuse her father’s kindness, merely nodding her thanks.
As the group entered the bedroom, they saw Ye Jintang curled up in Su Yun’s arms weeping, while Ye Zeyu stood nearby, his eyes overflowing with concern.
After a brief glance around, Li Jinu spotted the folded Death Note on the desk.
Her eyes lit up—it indeed hadn’t been opened yet!