The hidden compartment was empty.
That item was far too important to be stored carelessly. She truly couldn’t think of any other place in the house where it could be hidden.
Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her anger and disappointment, recalling the events of the past two days.
Reflecting on her past life and considering her present one, she suddenly realized something: that mother and daughter must have already made contact!
If that were the case, then the item should be in the Marquis’ residence…
Thinking of Ye Jintang, she recalled the death note—perhaps it could be of use to her.
It seemed she needed to pay a visit to Ye Jintang’s Bright Moon Courtyard.
Returning to the lakeside, she found not only servants from the Marquis’ residence but also the village chief and villagers waiting there.
Li Jinu hadn’t expected all these people to be seeing her off.
Despite her normally aloof nature, their sincerity moved her to the point where her eyes reddened.
Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump
The village chief beat the drum while the villagers chanted, sending Li Jinu off.
With the first drumbeat, evil spirits would clear the path for a safe journey;
With the second drumbeat, misfortune would vanish, bringing peace and joy;
With the third drumbeat, gods and buddhas would grant protection for a smooth life ahead;
…
The villagers’ blessings were beautiful, but Li Jinu knew her path ahead was fraught with thorns.
Though the journey back to the capital was bumpy, fortunately no further anomalies occurred. The group finally reached the inn before sunset.
Several superior rooms were adjacent to each other. Li Jinu, needing no attendants, bolted her door, changed clothes, darkened her face with soot, then leaped out the window to secretly monitor Cuiliu’s room.
For a long time, Cuiliu showed no unusual behavior.
Li Jinu even began to think she was overthinking—perhaps the young servant had left early simply because he had matters to attend to back at the residence.
Though suspicious, she remained vigilant. Cuiliu was a venomous snake who had developed murderous intentions toward her—she couldn’t afford to put herself in danger.
While deep in thought, faint footsteps suddenly echoed in the corridor—almost imperceptible without exceptional hearing.
Moments later, the young servant emitted several owl-like hoots. Then Cuiliu pushed open her door, glanced around to confirm safety, and stepped out.
Extremely cautious under the corridor’s candlelight, Cuiliu pointed toward Li Jinu’s room. The servant poked a hole in the paper window, pulled out a bamboo tube from his robe, and prepared to blow into it.
Seeing the medicine bottle in the servant’s hand, Cuiliu nearly gasped aloud and reached out to stop him:
“Are you insane? If she’s found poisoned, we’re both dead!”
The servant clicked his tongue, put away the medicine bottle, and prepared to blow into the room again. Noticing Cuiliu about to erupt, he whispered impatiently:
“Relax, it’s just a stupefying drug. It’ll keep her asleep till morning so she won’t overhear us.”
After administering the drug, they stared intently at the door. Estimating the drug had taken effect, Cuiliu pressed her ear against it and softly called out several times:
“Miss? There are freshly made pastries downstairs. Would you like some?”
“Miss?”
Hearing no response from the room, she cautiously enlarged the hole in the window paper. Seeing the motionless figure on the bed, she finally felt relieved and entered the room with the servant.
Li Jinu raised an eyebrow, her murderous intent toward Cuiliu growing stronger.
Fortunately, she’d been cautious enough to place an autumn quilt beneath the cool blanket earlier.
Quickly moving to the rooftop, she quietly shifted a tile and clearly overheard their plan:
Forked roads, bandits, wife of the chieftain…
Once accomplished, they’d not only clear themselves of suspicion but also eliminate their enemy.
After all, bandits were nomadic—once captured, the victim would become untraceable.
What an exquisitely cunning scheme.
Cuiliu had always been favored, and the fabric of her clothing was of the finest quality. Now, with the addition of the valuable hairpin, she carried herself with the air of a wealthy young lady.
This was precisely the effect Li Jinu had intended. At this moment, only a single silver hairpin remained in her own hair. Without another glance at the gleeful Cuiliu, she slowly boarded the carriage.
Cuiliu, however, was no fool. She had not forgotten the important matter that lay ahead.
Although the bandits had accepted their money, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t be tempted by further riches. Reluctantly, she tucked the hairpin into her bundle and secured it carefully.
Once inside the carriage, Li Jinu removed her fine dress and changed into coarse hemp clothing before instructing the driver to set off.
Li Jinu rode in one carriage, while Liu Momo and Cuiliu shared another. The group traveled under the blazing sun, heading toward the main road.
When they reached a village, Li Jinu called out to the driver, “Let’s take that road instead.”
Her voice was loud enough to be overheard. Cuiliu, upon hearing this, hurriedly pulled aside the carriage curtain and protested anxiously, “Young lady, you must be joking! This road is the shortest route. Don’t you wish to return quickly to see the master and mistress?”
Liu Momo was also puzzled, unable to comprehend why Li Jinu would suddenly choose a detour.
But she was elderly and weary from days of travel, longing only to return home as soon as possible. Thus, she did not intervene as Cuiliu voiced her objections.
Cuiliu continued her frantic attempts at persuasion until, at last, Li Jinu seemed swayed and fell silent.
A cold smile curled within Li Jinu’s heart. She had given Cuiliu a chance, but if the girl was so eager to rush to her doom, then she had only herself to blame.