Chapter 93: Lady Three, Linshi

Lady Wan cast a cold glance at them and ordered sharply, “Enough. Whatever you have to say can wait until we reach Yuxiu Pavilion. Take them away.”

“Esteemed Lady...” Jiang Caiping, unwilling to accept this outcome, tried to protest further. But before she could finish her sentence, Lady Wan interjected, “Zhaixing, if anyone continues to speak out of turn, slap them!”

“Yes, esteemed Lady.” Zhaixing gave a slight bow, a cold smirk playing on her lips as she moved closer to Jiang Caiping. Yunyi hastily tugged at Jiang Caiping’s sleeve, signaling her not to provoke trouble unnecessarily.

Jiang Caiping clenched her teeth so tightly that her face turned red with suppressed frustration. Finally, she swallowed her words just as a soft, melodic voice drifted into the ears of everyone present. “Who is it that my sister wishes to slap?”

At the sound of this voice, Lady Wan’s expression subtly shifted. The women, upon recognizing the figure approaching gracefully, quickly knelt down in unison. “Greetings, Esteemed Lady Three.”

The newcomer was none other than Lady Three, Linshi, of the residence. She wore a rose-red brocade robe embroidered with gold thread, which shimmered brilliantly under the winter sun. A pair of exquisitely crafted golden butterfly hairpins, adorned with ruby stones and lifelike antennae, were pinned into her sleek, coiled hairstyle, adding an extra layer of elegance to her already radiant beauty.

“Rise, all of you,” she said gently, supporting herself with Jichun’s hand as she curtsied elegantly to Lady Wan. Smiling warmly, she continued, “I just heard that you mentioned slapping someone. What has happened? Or has some foolish servant angered you?”

Lady Wan replied indifferently, “Zhiyun returned yesterday with a puppy gifted by his master. The servants failed to keep an eye on it, and it ran off. We only found it today—but it was already like this. Not only was its belly slashed open, but its limbs were also brutally broken.”

Linshi glanced at the lifeless dog cradled in Li Zhiyun’s arms and shook her head sympathetically. “How pitiful.” After a few sighs, she asked, “Has my sister found the culprit yet?”

Lady Wan pointed to the garment held by the servants. “There were silk threads caught in the dog’s claws, and Wu Meixue’s garment of the same color and fabric has noticeable damage. It’s highly suspicious. I was about to take her back for further questioning.”

Jiang Caiping hurriedly pleaded, “Esteemed Lady Three, my sister is kind-hearted and feels compassion even for ants. She would never commit such an act—it’s Ji Rong! She deliberately framed my sister.”

Linshi raised her delicately painted eyebrows in surprise. “Is that so?”

Jiang Caiping nodded vigorously, recounting yesterday’s events in detail. She then implored, “We are truly innocent! Please, Esteemed Lady Three, grant us justice.” She wasn’t foolish—she knew that at this moment, Linshi was their only hope, and she clung to it desperately.

After listening carefully, Linshi turned to Lady Wan and remarked, “My sister concludes that Meixue killed the dog based solely on a few silk threads—isn’t that rather hasty?”

Lady Wan suppressed her growing irritation and responded coolly, “Then, according to my younger sister, what would be considered unhasty?”

Linshi smiled faintly. “That’s hard to say. But surely, one must have both eyewitness testimony and physical evidence, no?” As she spoke, she took the garment from the servant and examined it briefly. “Such fabric is not uncommon in the residence. Jichun also owns a piece, doesn’t she?”

Jichun curtsied slightly. “Yes, esteemed Lady. I previously had one, and later Aunty Fang distributed more fabric. Besides me, Lüxia should also have some.”

Linshi glanced at her and asked casually, “I recall your garment had a tear around the sleeve, didn’t it?”

Jichun froze momentarily before catching on. Bowing respectfully, she replied, “Yes, esteemed Lady. I accidentally snagged it some time ago and forgot to mend it.”

Linshi chuckled softly. “My elder sister has heard it now—Jichun’s garment is torn as well. Does that mean she’s also implicated in killing Fifth Young Master’s dog?”

Lady Wan’s gaze darkened as she stared at Linshi. “What exactly are you implying, younger sister?”

Linshi feigned innocence. “Imply? I wouldn’t dare. I’m merely advising my sister not to jump to conclusions too hastily.” With that, she stepped toward Yunyi and spoke soothingly, “As the saying goes, appearances reflect one’s heart. This Wu Meixue appears delicate and refined—hardly the type to commit such an act. It’s likely all a misunderstanding. Please, esteemed Lady, don’t make things difficult for these two.”

“When did you become adept at reading faces?” Lady Wan’s tone dripped with sarcasm.

Linshi, seemingly unfazed, smiled sweetly. “If I truly had such skills, I’d first read my sister’s fortune. Perhaps I’d see... how long your life may last!”

A flash of cold light flickered in Lady Wan’s eyes as she replied evenly, “Younger sister still enjoys jesting as always.” She adjusted her sleeves and continued, “Well, I have other matters to attend to and won’t linger here. If it turns out they’re truly innocent, I’ll release them accordingly.”

“You’ve already declared they’re not guilty, yet you remain stubborn. Should we let Jichun and Lüxia accompany you for questioning as well?” Linshi challenged.

Lady Wan glared at her. “Are you overstepping your bounds, younger sister?”

Meeting her gaze steadily, Linshi laughed lightly. “Perhaps. But everything I do is for your own good. Moreover, even if they did kill the dog, will you really demand their lives? Our lord is known for his benevolence. If he learns of your actions, he might disapprove.”

Li Zhiyun, heartbroken over Ah Mu’s brutal death, exclaimed passionately, “An eye for an eye is justice!”

Linshi covered her mouth and giggled. “Fifth Young Master speaks wisely. But no one ever said killing a dog requires a life in return, did they? If word spreads, people might accuse our household of abusing power.”

Li Zhiyun couldn’t counter her argument and fell silent. Lady Wan spoke calmly, “I never said I’d kill anyone. Younger sister imagines too much.”

“All the better,” Linshi patted her chest in mock concern. “I was truly worried you’d act rashly in anger.” Glancing at Yunyi and Jiang Caiping, she added, “Let them go for now. Once you investigate further, you can summon them again. They’re still within the residence, after all—they’ll come whenever called.”

Ji Rong grew anxious inwardly. Strange—it was unheard of that Meixue or others had ties with Linshi. Why was she defending them so fervently? She hoped Lady Wan wouldn’t be swayed and release Wu Meixue.

Lady Wan’s eyes gleamed as she demanded icily, “What if I insist on taking them?”

Linshi smiled sweetly. “If you’re determined, I, as your younger sister, won’t stop you. However... I was planning to visit Lord Li soon. I wonder how he’d feel knowing you detained people without proper cause?”

Lady Wan’s fingers tightened imperceptibly before she relaxed into a serene smile. “It was just a jest, younger sister. No need to take it seriously. Very well, I’ll follow your advice and await further investigation.” With that, she pulled Li Zhiyun away.

Li Zhiyun resisted, attempting to break free several times, but Lady Wan held him firmly. Frustrated, he snapped, “It’s obvious who killed Ah Mu! Why is Third Aunt defending her?”

Lady Wan’s voice turned icy. “Perhaps this matter isn’t unrelated to her.”