“You’re quite clever. But what if I refuse to let go?” Luo Chi was kept tightly under control by Wu Shi in the mansion and disliked being ordered around by women.
“Then your stomach will suffer.” Lin Tangtang applied more pressure, causing a sharp pain in Luo Chi’s abdomen.
He looked down and realized Lin Tangtang was holding a dagger pressed against his stomach.
He immediately released his grip.
“You bitch, how dare…” Before he could finish the curse, Lin Tangtang increased the pressure.
He immediately fell silent.
This woman was not to be trifled with.
Lin Tangtang relit the room’s candle.
Outside, Xiangxue breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
At least for now, Miss Lin was safe.
“General Luo, what brings you here today?” Lin Tangtang tucked the fire tinder back into her sleeve.
“I came to deliver some news.” Luo Chi’s eyes held a hint of malicious delight.
Lin Tangtang: “Go on.”
“Your fiancé and your cousin seem to have an… unusual relationship.” He deliberately slowed his speech.
“So what?” Lin Tangtang’s expression remained unchanged.
“You woman! Your fiancé is getting involved with your cousin, and you’re not even concerned?” Luo Chi found her reaction too calm.
Could Lin Tangtang truly not care if Yang Chen had other women?
He didn’t believe it.
She was just pretending to be magnanimous.
If it were that tigress Wu Shi, she would have skinned him alive and turned the entire General’s Mansion upside down.
“The Young Lord is beyond my control. Worrying would be pointless.” Lin Tangtang sighed softly.
How could she not see through Luo Chi’s scheme?
He wanted to use her against Yang Chen to find Song Ru Er’s whereabouts.
But he couldn’t possibly know that this entire situation was of Lin Tangtang’s own making.
“Why don’t we cooperate? I can help you…” Seizing the opportunity, Luo Chi whispered his proposal to Lin Tangtang.
Lin Tangtang neither accepted nor rejected the offer.
After Luo Chi left through the window,
Lin Tangtang opened the door.
Before it was fully ajar, Chunxue rushed in, one hand firmly grasping Lin Tangtang while the other held Ruanjian, scanning their surroundings.
“Alright, he’s gone. Everything’s fine.” Lin Tangtang patted Xiangxue’s hand with a smile, feeling deeply moved.
Xiangxue’s protective stance reminded her of how her elder brother used to shield her from bullies when they were children.
He had worn the same tense expression back then.
“Really?” Xiangxue remained rigid, carefully inspecting the room before finally releasing Lin Tangtang’s hand with a relieved sigh.
“Don’t underestimate your mistress. I’m someone who escaped from the Manyi.” Lin Tangtang teased.
“That’s true.” Xiangxue knew some of Lin Tangtang’s past experiences.
After a moment’s thought, she added, “Miss, with your skills, why do you hold back? Why not just teach these people from the Marquis Estate a physical lesson?”
“Where would be the fun in that? Besides, some sufferings are far more painful than mere beatings.”
In her previous life, she had been slowly tormented to death by the Marquis Estate.
This time, she would return the favor slowly.
This was her revenge, and her redemption.
After chatting for a while, Lin Tangtang sent Xiangxue to rest.
She wanted to wait in the room alone.
Tomorrow was the Flower Viewing Banquet. She wondered if the Crown Prince had transferred her two shops yet?
She picked up a book and read for a long time, but the Crown Prince never appeared.
Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep leaning against the bed.
Over there, after watching the physician tend to Yang Chen’s wounds, Yu Shi returned to the South Courtyard.
Granny Zhou took her cloak and hung it on the clothes rack.
“Fortunately, Chen’er only suffered superficial injuries today, otherwise I would have had a serious confrontation with that Luo Chi,” Yu Shi said.
She then recalled Lin Tangtang’s indifferent demeanor.
“That Lin Tangtang also needs to be taught a proper lesson. Is everything prepared for tomorrow’s banquet?”
“Rest assured, Madam, everything has been arranged according to your instructions without any omissions,” Granny Zhou replied. Having accompanied Yu Shi from her maiden family and having organized dozens of banquets of all sizes at the Marquis Estate, she was thoroughly familiar with every detail.
“That’s good. Remember to seat those gossipy women at separate tables tomorrow,” Yu Shi added as a reminder.
“Don’t worry, Madam, the seating arrangements have already been finalized.”
Yu Shi nodded in satisfaction, a sly smile playing on her lips.
Tomorrow’s Flower Viewing Banquet would be a moment for the Marquis Estate to shine and for Lin Tangtang to suffer.
Since she refused to be obedient, she deserved to be properly disciplined.
Thinking of the future, Yu Shi felt her prospects were bright and full of promise.
At dawn, sunlight filtered through the tree branches and fell upon the side chamber.
In her drowsy state,
Before even opening her eyes, Lin Tangtang caught the scent of cedar.
“Your Highness, you’ve come!” Lin Tangtang exclaimed excitedly, scrambling out of bed and standing before Qin Mo’an.
“You wake early indeed.”
Qin Mo’an observed the woman before him—her hair loose yet not disheveled, her collar slightly open yet not indecent, her face free of makeup yet not vulgar.
“This official daughter has been waiting and longing for Your Highness,” Lin Tangtang said, curtsying respectfully.
Since learning that the rescue army had departed for the Northern Territory, Lin Tangtang had developed greater respect and affection for the Crown Prince.
Qin Mo’an replied, “It is good that you hold such loyalty. The matter of the property transfer has been completed. As for when to transfer it back, you may decide.”
He provided Lin Tangtang with the detailed information about the shop transfer.
“Did Your Highness come specifically to inform me of this?” Lin Tangtang asked, feeling a warmth blossom in her heart.
“Just passing by. I came to remind you not to neglect your military authority,” Qin Mo’an stated in a businesslike manner.
Lin Tangtang was slightly taken aback, her eyebrows lifting faintly.
After Qin Mo’an left, Chunxue brought water into the room to help Lin Tangtang wash and freshen up.
The scab on Lin Tangtang’s forehead had already fallen off, leaving no trace of the wound.
The palace medicine was truly exceptional.
“Miss, would you like to wear makeup today?” Xiangxue thought her mistress was exceptionally beautiful.
When she had worn the bandage, she had only seemed delicate and fair.
But without it, she appeared even more stunning, far surpassing Lin Jiaojiao in beauty.
If she applied just a touch of powder to brighten her complexion…
“No, continue with the usual attire,” Lin Tangtang said, opening a drawer and taking out a fresh roll of gauze. “Wrap this around my forehead again.”
“But…” Xiangxue was puzzled, “Miss, your wound has clearly healed. Why continue wearing this unsightly bandage?”
“Beauty and ugliness mean little to me. What matters is how my appearance serves my purpose,” Lin Tangtang explained.
She then dabbed a spot of red rouge in the center of the bandage, making it resemble dried blood.
She added, “Later, go find two people for me…”
Lin Tangtang leaned in and whispered instructions into her ear.
“Yes,” Xiangxue acknowledged.
Soon after, Hongmei arrived at the West Garden with two others carrying food boxes.
“The Madam has instructed that with today’s banquet, the estate has prepared breakfast for the two young ladies.” She handed a dark brown food box to Xiangxue and passed a light brown one to Cuizhu.
Under Yu Shi’s arrangement, Cuizhu had now become Lin Jiaojiao’s personal maid.
Xiangxue opened the food box to find a bowl of exquisite meat porridge and several pastries.
“Young lady, the Marquis Estate’s meals are quite good today. It smells delicious,” Xiangxue said as she arranged the bowls and chopsticks on the table.
“Yes, it smells almost too delicious,” Lin Tangtang rose and came to the table.
She instructed Mother Wu, who was attending to duties in the room, “I have no appetite today. Please dispose of this breakfast for me. If the Madam of the Hou Estate asks later, tell her I ate it.”
Mother Wu nodded and carried away the breakfast.
She then called in Mother Gao and Granny Li, who were cleaning in the outer chamber, “Go inquire what color food boxes were delivered to the other courtyards for breakfast.”
The two mamas accepted the order and left.
Xiangxue: “Young lady, are you suspecting…”
Lin Tangtang: “When has the Madam of the Hou Estate ever sent me such fine breakfast? Unusual occurrences must signal mischief.”
One hour before the banquet began, Yu Shi summoned Mother Wu for questioning.
“Did you personally witness Lin Tangtang consuming all her breakfast?”
“Yes, this old servant saw it with my own eyes.” Mother Wu’s response lacked conviction.
She struggled to suppress her drowsiness, fearing she might be discovered.
“Good.” A subtle crease of smile appeared at the corner of Yu Shi’s eyes.
She wanted to see how Lin Tangtang would escape today?