Chapter 94: A Protector

Li Zhiyun glanced back at Linshi and her entourage, then looked down at the cold, lifeless body of Ah Mu in his arms. Overwhelmed with grief, he asked, “Then what should we do now? Are we just going to let this go?”

Lady Wan gently stroked his head and reassured him, “Of course not. Mother will find the evidence and deliver justice for you and Ah Mu.”

Her words brought some comfort to Li Zhiyun, and he silently followed Lady Wan toward Yuxiu Pavilion. Once they were out of sight, Linshi addressed the remaining crowd. “It’s over now. You may all leave.”

The women dispersed as instructed, but Yunyi and Jiang Caiping remained rooted to the spot. They knelt before Linshi and expressed their gratitude. “We are deeply grateful to Esteemed Lady Three for saving our lives.”

“Rise,” Linshi responded casually. After signaling for them to stand, she raised an eyebrow and asked pointedly, “That dog—was it truly not killed by you?”

Jiang Caiping shook her head vehemently. “Of course not! How could we possibly do such a thing?”

Yunyi hesitated before replying cautiously, “Does Esteemed Lady Three not believe us?”

Linshi studied her briefly. “Wu Meixue, I remember you. That female assassin managed to attack Lord Li because of you.” She chuckled softly. “I’ve only exchanged a few words with you. What makes you think I trust you?”

Her response puzzled Yunyi. “If that’s the case, why did you defend us earlier?”

Linshi reached out to adjust a silk flower in Yunyi’s hair and smiled enigmatically. “Because I like…” Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she continued, “Anything that displeases Lady Wan—I simply adore it! So, there’s no need to thank me.”

Yunyi bowed respectfully. “Regardless, you saved us both. We owe you our gratitude.”

Linshi chuckled lightly and, leaning on Jichun’s arm, moved to sit in the pavilion. “For now, you’re safe. But Lady Wan won’t give up so easily. Who knows when she might summon you again?”

“But she has no evidence!” Jiang Caiping protested.

Linshi smoothed the delicate embroidery on her wide sleeve and replied coolly, “Evidence is static, but people… are dynamic. You’d best tread carefully.”

While Jiang Caiping pondered this, Yunyi knelt once more. “Please, Esteemed Lady Three, save us.”

Linshi laughed softly. “Oh? Saving you once wasn’t enough—you want me to rescue you a second time?” As Yunyi nodded earnestly, Linshi plucked an unknown purple flower and twirled it between her fingers. “Give me a reason.”

Yunyi gathered her thoughts and explained, “Earlier, when Esteemed Lady Three defended us so fervently, both Lady Wan and others likely assumed we’re aligned with you. If we were punished or expelled from the residence now, it would reflect poorly on you—as though you feared Lady Wan.”

Linshi lowered her head to sniff the flower, her tone icy. “Your reasoning holds some merit, but… it’s still not quite enough to sway me.”

Yunyi remained calm and composed. “Esteemed Lady Three mentioned earlier that you enjoy anything that displeases Lady Wan. Coincidentally, so do we.”

Linshi locked eyes with her for a long moment before breaking into a smile. She placed the flower in Yunyi’s hair. “This reasoning barely passes muster, but very well. From now on, stay quietly in the music hall. As long as you don’t make mistakes, no one will be able to touch you.”

Realizing Linshi had agreed, Yunyi quickly pulled the bewildered Jiang Caiping into a bow. “Thank you, Esteemed Lady Three.”

“That’s enough. If anything happens in the future, come find me at Cailan Pavilion.” After Linshi departed, Jiang Caiping, utterly confused, turned to Yunyi. “Sister, what were you two talking about? I didn’t understand any of it.”

Yunyi sighed. “Lady Wan spared us this time only because of Lady Three’s intervention. But she won’t stop here, especially with Ji Rong whispering in her ear. To survive in this governor’s residence, we need a protector—and Lady Three is the best ally to counter Lady Wan and ensure our safety. Second Young Master could also help, but he’s a generation below Lady Wan, which limits his influence.”

Jiang Caiping nodded uncertainly, then fumed angrily. “I thought Ji Rong might be better than Feng Chunxiu, but she’s even worse! How could she devise such a cruel scheme to harm us? Why does Lady Wan trust her so much?”

Yunyi replied indifferently, “Have you forgotten the Yimucao Facial Recipe? Lady Wan’s complexion today was far better than the last time we saw her.”

Jiang Caiping finally understood. “So that’s why. No wonder.” Then, defiantly, she added, “Just wait and see. Hmph! I’ll expose her schemes sooner or later. Even if she has a thousand Yimucao recipes, Lady Wan won’t forgive her.”

Yunyi said nothing, merely gazing coldly at the dry leaves swirling in the chilly wind.

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Meanwhile, Lady Wan had summoned Ji Rong to Yuxiu Pavilion. Upon entering, Ji Rong immediately asked gravely, “When did Wu Meixue and the others become Lady Three’s allies?”

Ji Rong answered honestly, “I don’t know. To my knowledge, they have no connection with Lady Three. That’s why I found it strange when she defended them so fervently earlier.”

Lady Wan replied icily, “She delights in opposing me.”

Zhaixing frowned. “Esteemed Lady has repeatedly tolerated her out of sisterly affection, yet she grows increasingly brazen. To humiliate you in front of everyone like that—it’s infuriating!”

Ji Rong stole a glance at Lady Wan and ventured cautiously, “Esteemed Lady, could it be… that Lady Three orchestrated Ah Mu’s death through Wu Meixue and the others?”

Lady Wan stared at her for a moment before responding coldly, “Ji Rong, do you know the consequences of deceiving me?”

Ji Rong’s heart skipped a beat, but she feigned confusion. “What do you mean, Esteemed Lady?”

Lady Wan’s expression remained impassive. “Wasn’t it you who deliberately pulled those silk threads from Wu Meixue’s garment?”

Ji Rong gasped in shock. “Do you really believe Jiang Caiping’s nonsense—that I killed Ah Mu?”

As a servant handed her a teacup, Lady Wan sipped her tea and remarked coolly, “Judging by the wound on Ah Mu’s abdomen, the effects of your tendon-repairing muscle-regenerating powder aren’t very impressive.”

“Are you suggesting…” Ji Rong adopted a look of grievance. “That I used Ah Mu to test the medicine? Esteemed Lady, you’re wrongfully accusing me!”

Lady Wan skimmed the foam off her tea with the lid and took another sip of the pale green liquid. “Didn’t you kill Ah Mu to test the efficacy of the tendon-repairing muscle-regenerating powder?” She had harbored suspicions ever since Jiang Caiping mentioned Ji Rong grabbing Yunyi’s garment—but being deeply calculating, she had waited until now to voice them.

Ji Rong shook her head vigorously. “I had never seen Ah Mu before today. Besides, how could I possibly determine the medicine’s efficacy in just one day?”

“Bone-mending might take longer, but stopping bleeding can yield results within hours. Otherwise, why would you pretend to faint from a chill, using that excuse to grab Wu Meixue’s garment?” Lady Wan had seen Ji Rong’s self-inflicted wound and was somewhat aware of the miraculous properties of the tendon-repairing muscle-regenerating powder.