Li Jinu was pondering how to let the Marquis see the Death Note more naturally when she suddenly sensed a gaze upon her.
She looked up and met Ye Zeyu’s eyes directly.
In that instant, she sensed something was wrong.
Something was wrong—this scoundrel was acting strangely!
In her previous life, if she had been glancing around Bright Moon Courtyard like this—or even if she had merely looked at something valuable for too long—he would have scolded her harshly and might even have resorted to physical violence.
This was one of the reasons she had become increasingly timid in her past life.
But now, besides hostility, Ye Zeyu’s gaze held a hint of contemplation.
What was he contemplating? How to torment her? Or…
Could it be that the items she had sent over yesterday were having an effect?
The thought made her slightly nauseous.
For the first time in both her lives, she felt grateful for having been raised in the countryside.
Ye Siyuan, meanwhile, was growing increasingly uncomfortable in the room’s oppressive atmosphere and spoke impatiently:
“What exactly is going on?”
Ye Zeyu remained silent. Su Yun was still gently patting her daughter’s back, and Ye Jintang appeared to be weeping, clearly unable to speak.
Only Cuizhi cautiously spoke up:
“A short while ago, the young lady suddenly sent us to the small kitchen to make osmanthus cakes, saying she wanted to welcome the eldest young lady back.”
She carefully observed the Marquis’s expression and, seeing nothing unusual, continued:
“This servant noticed there was very little dried osmanthus left in the small kitchen and wanted to ask the young lady if we could make something else. But who would have thought… who would have thought…”
“When I returned, I saw a letter on the table and the young lady hanging from the ceiling beam.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Jintang could no longer control her sobs, and a sorrowful atmosphere spread through everyone present.
Li Jinu had no time to participate in this green tea’s act. Putting on an innocent expression, she pointed at the letter and spoke clearly:
“Since younger sister is so distraught right now, she naturally doesn’t wish to speak. Since there’s a Death Note, we should open it and read it to understand what happened.”
Cuizhi looked at Li Jinu as if she were seeing a monster.
Meanwhile, Ye Siyuan stared at the folded paper, that strange feeling returning to him.
He could sense that Li Jinu was guiding him.
He didn’t want to fall for it, but he was genuinely curious—what could the daughter he had raised for over a decade have written?
Ye Zeyu listened to his beloved sister’s continuous weeping, his heart breaking with each sob, and his dislike for Li Jinu grew stronger.
He did want to use Li Jinu to legitimize his relationship with his sister, but that was merely exploitation—
He would never allow such a lowly woman to surpass his sister!
His eyes turned colder as he sneered:
“Hah, Jintang is so heartbroken, and you’re still concerned about a piece of paper? How cold-hearted!”
Li Jinu mentally cursed him as a fucking idiot while maintaining her innocent expression:
“To untie the bell requires the one who tied it. Similarly, we need to know the reason to help solve younger sister’s problem!”
At the same time, she remained vigilant, observing everyone to ensure the Death Note wouldn’t fall into someone else’s hands.
With everyone harboring different thoughts, Ye Jintang grew extremely irritated by Li Jinu’s words.
She couldn’t understand—how could this country bumpkin, who shouldn’t even be allowed in proper company, be so clear-minded?
When scolded, shouldn’t she be kneeling and begging for mercy, obediently following her brother’s every word from then on?
In her bad mood, her sobs grew heavier, causing the Black Aura between Su Yun’s brows to become active again.
Su Yun rubbed her temples and spoke impatiently:
“Your brother is right. You’re new here and indeed lack some discipline.”
The words were spoken without any courtesy, making even Ye Siyuan unconsciously furrow his brow. Thinking of Qian Gugu and the Crown Prince’s eldest grandson, he felt a headache coming on.
Ye Jintang curled her lips into a faint smile and softly comforted:
“Mother, please don’t be angry. Elder sister is new here after all, she surely didn’t mean it. If you make yourself ill with anger, your daughter would be heartbroken.”
Her soft, slightly nasal voice warmed Su Yun’s heart immensely. She tapped her daughter’s forehead with her index finger, chiding gently,
“If you care for me so much, why did you attempt suicide? You’re tearing your mother’s heart out!”Stimulated by these words, Ye Jintang’s tears fell like rain as she repeatedly expressed how reluctant she was to part with her mother, yet never mentioned the reason for her suicide attempt.”
Unable to withstand the crying and wanting to understand her daughter’s thoughts, Su Yun said to her son:
“Zeyu, bring that piece of paper.”
Ye Zeyu had been wanting to see it anyway, so without hesitation he stepped toward the desk.
Inadvertently, a small stone struck his ankle, causing him to stumble forward and fall, his waist hitting the corner of the desk with a pained cry.
To outsiders, it appeared he had simply tripped over his own feet.
But Ye Siyuan, being skilled in martial arts, looked from where his son fell to Li Jinu, rubbed his nose, and said nothing more.
Li Jinu looked up, her eyes filled with confusion:
“Does Father wish to see it? Then this daughter will bring it to you.”
Ye Siyuan: ?
While Ye Zeyu was still on the ground recovering, Li Jinu walked gracefully over and picked up the Death Note.
At that moment, she felt an intense gaze upon her. Looking up, she saw Ye Jintang holding Su Yun, looking at her with provocation.
If this were her past self, seeing such a Ye Jintang would have made her angry, afraid, and envious, but now, she only found it amusing, both laughing at Ye Jintang’s arrogance and her own past cowardice.
She returned a slightly foolish-looking smile.
Since Ye Jintang regarded her as a fool, she might as well play the part, after all, an enemy’s arrogance is one’s best weapon.
Just as she was about to look away, she suddenly noticed a barely perceptible wisp of Black Aura around Su Yun’s forehead.
Thinking her eyes were deceiving her, she blinked and utilized her Inner Force, confirming she wasn’t seeing things.
The Black Aura was extremely faint – without her naturally exceptional eyesight, she would never have detected it.
Seeing Su Yun about to look up, she quickly lowered her gaze and walked back with bowed head, then presented the letter respectfully with both hands to her father, appearing utterly obedient.
After standing properly, she performed a perfectly standard bow toward the three unfriendly gazes,
“Does Mother and Elder Brother have any other instructions?”
Her bow was so impeccable that even those looking for faults couldn’t find any.
Su Yun and her son looked astonished, while Ye Jintang was completely shocked.
She kept comforting herself that Liu Momo must have taught her all this, that this wretched girl must have practiced diligently these past two days to achieve such perfect etiquette.
What does knowing some etiquette matter? The noble ladies of the imperial city have their established circles – they’re both aloof and exclusive, how would they accept a country bumpkin!
Moreover, in a few days will be the Minister’s flower-viewing banquet, where there will naturally be ways to make her embarrass herself!
But lost in her thoughts, she unconsciously tightened her grip until Su Yun cried out in pain, making her quickly release her hold.
Sitting nearby, Ye Zeyu stared intently at Li Jinu, sinking into deep contemplation.
The room fell into an eerie silence until a furious roar snapped everyone back to reality.
Ye Siyuan’s face darkened with rage as he snarled:
“Bastard!”