Shuxiang watched Lin Jingchu’s group leave, the arrogant look on his face cracking apart. He hurried off to report back to Lu Qingyu.
Lu Qingyu’s expression darkened. “You didn’t tell her I was the one inviting her to dine?”
Shuxiang’s heart trembled. “This servant… forgot…”
Lu Qingyu grabbed the teacup from the table and hurled it straight at Shuxiang’s forehead. Scalding tea, tea leaves, and blood streamed down his face together.
Shuxiang didn’t dare move. He knew how ruthless his master could be and immediately dropped to his knees, kowtowing frantically.
“This servant knows his wrongs! Master, spare me! Spare me…”
“Useless trash!”
Lu Qingyu’s voice was icy as he rose and strode away.
Shuxiang collapsed limply onto the floor, face ashen.
In the past, because Lin Jingchu adored Lu Qingyu, he had gotten away with countless mistakes. Lin Jingchu would often plead on his behalf since he was Lu Qingyu’s personal attendant. Over time, he had nearly forgotten how vicious his master truly was.
This time, when he returned, even if he didn’t die, he’d lose a layer of skin.
The servants sent to find Lin Shuyi returned with no news. Suddenly, Lin Jingchu recalled the scene she had overheard near the rockery in the Marquis Manor garden.
After watching too many palace intrigue dramas, everyone looked suspicious to her now.
Then two young servants came rushing over in panic.
“Something terrible has happened! Eldest Miss has been detained!”
Lin Jingchu frowned. “Detained by whom?”
The two servants looked frantic, gesturing wildly toward a direction and attracting the attention of passersby.
Lin Jingchu lowered her voice. “Quiet down.”
Nanny Fei panicked. “What should we do?”
“One moment Eldest Miss was shopping, then a maid approached and whispered something to her. After that she went to Tianxiang Tower. We followed behind, but those guards stopped us. Eldest Miss hasn’t come out for a long time, and we were afraid something happened, so we came to ask Second Miss what to do.”
Everyone turned to look at Lin Jingchu.
Her mind spun rapidly.
The most likely culprit was the First Prince she had met before. But this kind of matter absolutely could not be publicized. If it became a scandal, only Lin Shuyi would suffer.
By nature, Lin Jingchu was an ostrich—if something didn’t concern her, she preferred to avoid it. But this was ancient times. If something happened to Lin Shuyi, her own future wouldn’t be much better.
Nanny Fei hesitated. “When I left the residence, Madam gave me her name card. Perhaps we should seek help from the Imperial City Bureau?”
“No rush. Let’s find her first,” Lin Jingchu decided.
This matter absolutely could not become public.
Outside Tianxiang Tower stood a massive osmanthus tree whose branches covered nearly half the roof. Since it wasn’t flowering season, the establishment leaned toward understated elegance. Wooden plaques painted like seasonal blossoms hung from the windows and partitions.
One servant glanced toward the entrance. “Those officers have withdrawn.”
The innkeeper stepped forward to greet them.
Lin Jingchu asked, “Which is your finest private room?”
Based on her experience, rich and powerful people always chose the best suites.
“Our finest rooms are all on the third floor. There are five in total. Two are occupied, three remain available.”
Lin Jingchu said nothing, but Nanny Fei immediately understood.
“We’ll take one private room. Bring several signature dishes as well.”
The innkeeper respectfully escorted them upstairs.
Each private suite on the third floor was enormous. Even the corridor outside a single room stretched twenty or thirty paces.
Above the staircase hung a wooden plaque written in elegant script: Boya Hall.
Inside, the sound of a pipa drifted through the air—so hauntingly beautiful that even someone like Lin Jingchu, who knew nothing about music, could feel the endless longing hidden within it.
“Third Young Master, you’re late today. You should punish yourself with three cups!”
“Exactly. Miss Zhou waited so long for you. Just listen to that pipa—she practically wants to hang herself on you.”
“Young Master Xue, don’t tease me. Song of the Frontier tells the story of Wang Zhaojun leaving for the frontier. But Young Master Zhang did arrive late, so he really should drink as punishment.”
“Then I’ll pay for tonight’s wine and punish myself with three cups first!”
Clearly a gathering of aristocratic young masters.
Not the target.
Passing Boya Hall, the only remaining room guarded by armed men became their final suspect.
There was no sound from inside.
Lin Jingchu stopped listening more carefully, but a guard immediately stepped forward to block her path.
Nanny Fei quietly reminded her those guards were Imperial Guards from the palace. After exchanging glances with the servant who brought up the news, she confirmed this was indeed the room where Lin Shuyi had been held.
Lin Jingchu frowned deeply, thinking hard about how to rescue Lin Shuyi.
She chose the room adjacent to it. Once the attendant left, she pressed her ear against the wall and twisted herself into a bizarre position to get closer.
The maids and servants: “…”
They couldn’t hear anything.
Lin Jingchu instructed Nanny Fei to buy several large hammers.
Stretching out her arms, she measured the wall.
It was hollow—and not load-bearing.
People who dined here were either rich or noble. Hollow walls were used for soundproofing, so private conversations wouldn’t leak out.
Nanny Fei returned with four burly servants carrying iron hammers wrapped in black cloth.
Lin Jingchu pointed at the wall opposite them.
“Smash it.”
Nanny Fei blinked. “What?”
“I heard you all used to serve in the army. How long would it take to break this wall down?”
The oldest servant answered, “If it were just me, less than half a quarter-hour. But if the wall supports the rafters, the whole room might collapse.”
Lin Jingchu pointed around the room. “I have checked it already. The wall is still three feet away from the support pillars. It’s only a partition.”
Truthfully, she couldn’t think of any brilliant strategy.
Whether they could save Lin Shuyi now depended entirely on luck.
The servants hesitated.
“Tianxiang Tower’s walls probably aren’t cheap…”
They all came from poor families. After decades in the army, the Marquis had granted them work guarding the estate.
Everyone in the capital knew Tianxiang Tower.
“Heavenly Fragrance gathers the finest scents.”
One dish here cost more than their yearly wages.
If Lin Shuyi herself gave the order, they’d obey without hesitation. But this was Second Miss. Rumor said her relationship with the mistress wasn’t good. What if she refused to take responsibility afterward?
Lin Jingchu sighed helplessly. “Break the wall and you’ll all be heavily rewarded when we return.”
She didn’t blame them for doubting her.
Being a laborer wasn’t easy. Clarifying who would pay absolutely matters.
In the neighboring suite, Zhao Jin smiled leisurely while holding a wine cup.
“Shu’er, I only invited you here for a drink and a chat. Why are you so suspicious?”
Lin Shuyi’s hands hidden in her sleeves, dug deeply into her palms. Her eyes reddened like autumn water.
“Your Highness, please mind your words. A man and woman alone together is already improper. Please let me leave.”
All her attendants had been removed by Zhao Jin. The entire room was now filled with his people.
Zhao Jin smiled lightly. “What are you afraid of? I’ll take responsibility.”
Lin Shuyi felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.
She didn’t dare provoke him.
“Marriage should be based on mutual affection. I am ordinary and insignificant. Your Highness is a dragon among men. We are not suited to one another.”
Zhao Jin set down his wine cup. His dark blue dragon robe shimmered as he slowly walked behind her.
A pair of hands landed on Lin Shuyi’s shoulders.
She instantly stood up and turned—
Slap!
She struck Zhao Jin across the face.
A red handprint bloomed half his face, yet he smiled even more beautifully.
“This is the Shu’er I know.”
Lin Shuyi trembled with fury.
This Zhao Jin was a complete lunatic!
She could only hope the servants she had deliberately sent away earlier had managed to report back to the Marquis Manor —and that someone would come save her.
“What exactly are you dissatisfied with?” Zhao Jin leaned closer, radiating pressure.
Lin Shuyi’s expression was cold. “You already have a principal wife. If I married you, I would only become a concubine. The Lin family has a rule: no Lin daughter shall ever become a concubine.”
Zhao Jin suddenly laughed, assuming she was jealous. His tone softened.
“When I married her, circumstances forced my hand. I promise you—once you enter my household, you will manage everything. And when I ascend the throne, I’ll make you Empress and give you the greatest honor any woman in the world could possess.”
Lin Shuyi only found it absurd.
“The things in this world that are missing remain missing. Since Your Highness has already married, you should treat your lawful wife well. The First Princess Consort was once my close friend. She is kindhearted. I hope you won’t fail her.”
Months ago, the emperor ordered his sons to gain administrative experience.
The First Prince had overseen the salt administration and uncovered over a million taels of silver missing from the accounts.
Too eager for success, Zhao Jin pushed too hard, causing the Salt Commissioner to leave behind a confession before committing suicide.
The missing silver has never recovered.
The emperor flew into a rage, stripped Zhao Jin of his position, and confined him to his estate.
To save her son’s future, Consort Liu begged the former Grand Chancellor to marry his elderly daughter Liu Feiying to Zhao Jin.
Only after the Grand Chancellor interceded was Zhao Jin allowed back into court.
Liu Feiying had been Lin Shuyi’s closest friend.
Before her marriage, she had repeatedly confessed to Lin Shuyi that she never wanted the match.
The Liu family belonged to the civil officials. The Lin family commanded heavy military power.
Zhao Jin’s intentions couldn’t have been clearer.
So, whether emotionally or politically, Lin Shuyi had no desire to marry him.
“Shu’er, you really are heartless. Do our feelings mean nothing to you?” Zhao Jin laughed in anger.
Seeing her expressionless face, he sneered.
“My mother always said noblewomen are cold-hearted and only care about benefits and gains. Today I finally understand.”
Lin Shuyi wanted to retort, but being trapped under someone else’s roof, she feared angering him and stayed silent.
The room fell into tense silence.
Then suddenly—
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The wall beside them began to shake.
At first, it sounded like raindrops, faint and scattered. But the blows grew heavier. The entire floor trembled.
Zhao Jin’s face darkened with irritation. He signaled a servant.
Outside, hearing the knocking, Nanny Fei glanced uncertainly at Lin Jingchu.
Lin Jingchu pointed at several maids. “Block the door. Don’t let anyone in.”
The maids hesitated.
Nanny Fei barked, “Didn’t you hear Second Miss?”
They hurried over to brace the entrance.
Inside, only Lin Shuyi, Zhao Jin, and one attendant remained.
As the attendant stepped out, Lin Shuyi slowly raised her hands before her waist, cautious, and tense.
Zhao Jin poured tea calmly. “Don’t worry, Shu’er. I’m not shameless enough to force you.”
“I came out today with my younger sister. If I remain missing for too long, she will hear about it. If this becomes public, it will not benefit Your Highness.”
Zhao Jin pushed the tea toward her and smiled deeper.
“No hurry. Do you know who occupies the room opposite?”
Lin Shuyi remained silent.
“The host is Third Young Master Zhang. His aunt visited your residence this morning to propose marriage between the Zhang family’s eldest son and the eldest daughter of the Pingyang Marquis household.”
He leaned closer.
“If he sees you and me alone together, suspicion will arise. Then you’ll have no choice but to marry me.”
The sheer amount of information nearly suffocated Lin Shuyi.
Has her marriage with the Zhang family succeeded?
Then Zhao Jin’s final words shattered her composure completely.
“You’re insane!”
“I—”
BOOM!
The wall exploded inward.
Chunks of stone crashed directly onto Zhao Jin, who sat at the head seat.
Lin Shuyi instantly looked toward the opposite room and saw Lin Jingchu standing there with an innocent expression.
Hearing the commotion outside, Lin Shuyi reacted immediately. Grabbing her veil hat, she stepped over the collapsed wall into the neighboring room.
Lin Jingchu’s eyelids twitched wildly.
The rubble pile reached knee height, yet Lin Shuyi crossed it effortlessly despite wearing skirts.
Footsteps thundered outside.
The guards slammed on the door.
“Your Highness, are you alright?!”
Zhao Jin took a long moment to recover. Wiping his forehead, he saw blood staining his hand.
Slowly rising, he locked eyes with the entire crowd in the opposite room.
He laughed in extreme anger.
“Good. Very good.”
The door burst open.
Not only Zhao Jin’s attendants entered, but also Zhang Chuxiao and the others from the neighboring room who had come to investigate the commotion.
All three groups froze, staring at one another.
Naturally, Zhang Chuxiao and his companions recognized Zhao Jin. Seeing him bloodied and battered, they greeted him respectfully before asking what happened.
Zhao Jin cast a sinister look at Lin Jingchu.
“I’m not sure about myself. Why not ask Second Miss?”
Liang Fifth Young Master asked, “Which Second Miss?”
During the greetings, Lin Shuyi had already donated her veil. Though shocked to discover the eldest miss had been alone in a room with the First Prince, Nanny Fei quickly covered Lin Jingchu with a veil as well.
Lin Jingchu: “…”
Nanny Fei immediately announced, “We are from the Pingyang Marquis residence.”
Zhang Chuxiao’s eyes flickered.
The innkeeper arrived carrying dishes, only to see the room completely destroyed. Looking at the servants still holding iron hammers, he felt as though the sky had collapsed.
Lin Jingchu quickly bowed.
“Your Highness, my sister and I made a wager over whether the wall was hollow or solid, so we ordered the servants to smash it. The Marquis Manor will compensate all damages tenfold.”
Her voice trembled as if frightened.
If Zhao Jin pursued the matter against two young ladies over a childish wager, he would appear petty and lacking in magnanimity.
Zhang Chuxiao quickly stepped in.
“There’s a medical clinic nearby. I’ll send for a physician to treat Your Highness.”
If nothing unexpected happened, one of those two girls was likely his future sister-in-law. He couldn’t ignore such a situation.
Grinding his teeth, Zhao Jin forced out a single word.
“Fine.”
Zhang Chuxiao bowed toward the veiled women.
“The physician will soon arrive. It would be inconvenient for the ladies to remain here. Please withdraw first.”
Xue Dalang and Liang Fifth Young Master also helped smooth things over.
“We’ll stay here. His Highness is broad-minded and surely won’t hold this against you.”
At court, the question of succession was a sensitive issue.
The First Prince was born to the favored Consort Liu, whose family background was weak. Only through the Emperor’s affection had he gained the ability to compete with the legitimate second prince.
The Liang and Xue families had long-standing ties with the Zhang family and belonged to the circle of upright civil officials.
For the sake of his reputation, Zhao Jin couldn’t openly make things difficult for the girls.
Lin Shuyi grabbed Lin Jingchu’s hand, bowed quickly, and hurried away.
The crisis ended quietly.
Back in the carriage, neither sister was in any mood left for shopping.
Lin Shuyi held Lin Jingchu’s hand for the entire ride home, repeatedly thanking her.
Lin Jingchu drifted off in thought before suddenly asking:
“About that wall… I promised the Marquis Manor would compensate them tenfold. Do you think the family will pay?”
By market price, the wall alone had to cost at least twenty taels of silver. Since it was a luxury restaurant, the markup was probably double.
Forty taels.
Tenfold compensation meant four hundred taels.
Six years of her allowance.