Lin Shu was led to an elegant private room on the third floor, where only a stick of sandalwood incense was burning, its fragrance bringing peace to the mind.
A woman in a deep purple gown sat by the window brewing tea. Her figure was graceful, and her face was veiled with a matching gauze, revealing only a pair of captivating eyes that sparkled with life.
“Sit.”
The woman’s voice was pleasant, like a clear mountain spring, yet carried a subtle aloofness.
Lin Shu sat opposite her.
“What information are you looking to buy?” The woman pushed a freshly brewed cup of tea toward her, her movements fluid and effortless.
“Chancellor’s residence, Liu Yiniang,” Lin Shu said without preamble, getting straight to the point. “I want to know everything about her, especially whether she is well-versed in pharmacology.”
The woman’s hand paused briefly before resuming its natural grace. She chuckled softly. “Young master, your appetite is quite substantial.”
“A concubine of the Chancellor’s residence is an official’s family member. Such information doesn’t come cheap.”
“Name your price.” Lin Shu’s hand tightened imperceptibly around the stack of banknotes hidden in her sleeve.
The woman extended a slender, jade-like finger.
“Ten thousand taels?” Lin Shu’s heart sank, feeling the price was already exorbitant.
The woman shook her head, a playful curve forming beneath her veil.
“No.”
“The number I want is this.” She dipped her finger in tea and traced the character for “ten” on the table.
Lin Shu’s pupils contracted sharply.
One hundred thousand taels!
Highway robbery!
What could the five thousand taels she carried possibly accomplish?
“What, young master finds it expensive?” The woman observed her leisurely. “You get what you pay for. At this price, we can not only trace the source and formula of the poison but even help you find witnesses to the poisoning.”
Lin Shu’s heart raced wildly.
She knew the other party wasn’t lying.
Chun Feng Lou had such capabilities.
In the original storyline, Lin Wan’er frequently purchased information about Xiao Che here to win his favor and ultimately secure him.
But she had no money.
An overwhelming sense of helplessness washed over her.
No.
She couldn’t give up like this.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Shu raised her eyes and met the veiled woman’s gaze directly.
She decided to gamble once more.
Using her life-threatening trump card.
Her mental focus intensified, the world around her seeming to fall silent, leaving only the mysterious woman before her.
She spoke slowly, her voice soft yet carrying undeniable authority.
“This price is too high.”
“You will give me the information for free.”
The moment the words left her lips, Lin Shu felt a sharp, piercing pain in her head, her vision blurring momentarily.
Across from her, the woman’s hand, holding the teacup, indeed froze mid-air.
A fleeting look of confusion and struggle flashed in her eyes.
Lin Shu’s heart leaped to her throat.
Had it worked?
But the next second.
The confusion in the woman’s eyes vanished completely, replaced by an intrigued scrutiny.
She shook her head slightly, as if dispelling an uncomfortable sensation, then chuckled softly.
“Young master, what did you just… do to me?”
Lin Shu felt as if struck by lightning, her blood seeming to freeze in an instant.
It had failed!
Her Incantation had actually failed against this woman!
No, not entirely ineffective—the other’s willpower was too strong, only briefly affected before breaking free immediately.
“Nothing.” Lin Shu forcibly suppressed the turbulent waves in her heart, her voice involuntarily carrying a hint of hoarseness as she abruptly stood up.
“I’ve disturbed you today. Farewell.”
If she stayed any longer, she feared she would give herself away on the spot.
“Take care, young master.” The woman didn’t stop her, only adding softly as she reached the door, “Chun Feng Lou’s rule is to recognize money, not people. Whenever you gather enough money, you may return at any time.”
Lin Shu didn’t look back, practically fleeing in panic.
Only after leaving Chun Feng Lou and being struck by the clamorous cold wind outside did she regain some sense of reality.
Leaning against the corner of a wall, she gasped for breath in large gulps, her back already soaked with cold sweat.
Incantations weren’t omnipotent.
This realization frightened and overwhelmed her more than the exorbitant price of ten thousand silver taels.
Money.
She urgently needed money now.
A large sum of money.
But where could she get so much money?
Where could a confined and unfavored Eldest Miss like her obtain such a large sum? By robbing someone?
Lin Shu rubbed her throbbing temples, pulled her veil hat lower, and dragged her unsteady steps toward the direction of the Prime Minister’s residence.
She hadn’t walked far when a familiar black carriage came into view.
The emblem of Jing An Marquis Estate gleamed coldly in the setting sun.
It was Xiao Che.
Lin Shu’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively shrank into a nearby alley.
In her current wretched state, dressed in men’s clothing, she really didn’t want to run into him.
But it was too late.
“Halt.”
A cool voice cut through the bustling crowd, accurately striking her ears.
Lin Shu’s steps froze.
She slowly turned around and saw Xiao Che beside the carriage, holding the reins as he looked down at her from his height.
He wasn’t riding in the carriage today but was astride a magnificent black horse, dressed in fitted attire that made his figure appear even more upright and imposing.
Damn.
Caught red-handed.
Lin Shu stood still, quickly calculating excuses in her mind.
Xiao Che dismounted, tossed the reins to a guard nearby, and with long strides, reached her in just a few steps.
His tall figure completely enveloped her in shadow.
“Where have you been?”
“Just taking a walk, getting some air.” Lin Shu lowered her voice, making it sound rougher.
Xiao Che didn’t speak, merely looked at her.
Lin Shu felt her scalp tingle under his gaze.
His eyes were too penetrating, as if they could see through her veil hat and peer directly into her heart.
“Grandmother is awake,” Xiao Che finally shifted his gaze and spoke indifferently after a long moment. “Her condition has improved significantly. Mother asks you to come over and join us for dinner.”
Lin Shu was taken aback.
Old Madam Xiao was awake?
That was good news.
But inviting her to dinner? That didn’t seem right.
After all, she was a suspect in the poisoning case. The people of the Marquis Estate probably wouldn’t welcome her.
“I’m not feeling well, so I won’t go. I’ll visit Grandmother Xiao another day,” Lin Shu refused without a second thought.
“Grandmother specifically asked to see you,” Xiao Che’s tone brooked no argument.
Lin Shu: “…”
Well, there was no refusing now.
“Get in the carriage,” Xiao Che tossed out the two words and turned to walk toward his horse.
Lin Shu looked at the spacious carriage, then at her own trembling legs, and surrendered without pride.
A free ride was a free ride—no reason not to take it.
The interior of the carriage was spacious, furnished simply but exuding an understated luxury.
The air was permeated with the same crisp, cold scent of soap that clung to him.
Lin Shu found a corner to sit in, diagonally opposite him, doing her best to minimize her presence.
Xiao Che, however, seemed determined to challenge her, his gaze fixed on her the entire time, making her thoroughly uncomfortable.
“What are you staring at? Never seen a patient before?” Lin Shu retorted irritably.
“Where have you been dressed like that?” Xiao Che countered instead of answering.