Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Scheming and Cunning Plots Early the next morning, after having breakfast with Madam Liu, Ling Jiayue prepared to leave the residence. Madam Liu was naturally worried sick, but Ling Taian advised her, “Yue’er has grown up. Let her do what she wants. Just have Jiaxuan accompany her.” Madam Liu then repeatedly urged Ling Jiaxuan, saying, “This time, when you go out with your sister, you must take good care of her. If she loses even a single strand of hair, I’ll hold you responsible.” “Mother, I understand. She’s my own sister—how could I let anything happen to her? I’ll take good care of her. I guarantee I’ll bring her back without losing even one hair,” Ling Jiaxuan assured Madam Liu. Only then did Madam Liu feel at ease letting Ling Jiayue leave. Ling Jiaxuan whispered to her, “Sister, I must have been picked up by Mother, right? You’re the only one who’s really her child. Just look at how differently she treats us.” “Older Brother, if that’s what you think, I’ll be happy to tell Mother for you and ask whether you were really picked up. That way, you can finally put your doubts to rest,” Ling Jiayue teased him deliberately. “Don’t! Sister, for the sake of your handsome and distinguished older brother dropping everything to devote himself to accompanying you, please spare me.” Ling Jiaxuan raised his hands in surrender. The siblings, Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan, left the residence together, chatting and laughing. In her room, Ling Zixue was writing something furiously. Before long, she finished, placed it in an envelope, and handed it to Linger. “Linger, take this to Lingxin and have her tell Elder Sister that Ling Jiayue is going to the Xu Residence today. Tell Elder Sister to get ready.” Linger hesitated. “Miss, are we really going to do this? Forgive this servant for speaking out of turn, but Miss Ziqi can no longer be considered a member of our Ling family.” “Don’t say such things in front of me again. Mother is gone, and Elder Sister has fallen into this state. If I don’t keep watch for her here in the residence, how will I avenge Mother? How will I stand up for Elder Sister? Just go,” Ling Zixue said firmly. “Yes, Miss. This servant will go at once.” Linger bowed and headed for the kitchen. Elder Sister, I will definitely help you—help you return to the Prime Minister’s residence openly and honorably. Ling Zixue thought this to herself. Linger arrived at the kitchen and quietly found Lingxin, then handed her the letter Ling Zixue had written. After receiving it, Lingxin asked, “Did Miss Zixue have anything to say to Miss Ziqi?” Linger replied, “Miss said, ‘Ling Jiayue is going to the Xu Residence today. Please have Miss Ling Ziqi make preparations.’” “All right, I understand. You should go back now. Don’t let anyone see us together,” Lingxin said cautiously. “Then I’ll leave first. Be careful yourself.” Although Linger did not approve of Ling Ziqi and Ling Zixue secretly keeping in contact, she was ultimately afraid that the matter would be exposed and implicate her, so she reminded Lingxin carefully. “I know. You can go.” Lingxin said this and prepared to head to the Third Prince’s Residence. “Whoa~ Young Master, Miss, we’ve arrived.” The coachman respectfully called out from outside. “Yue’er, we’re here. Let’s get down. I’ll go first. Hold on to my hand as you come down.” Ling Jiaxuan climbed out of the carriage. Ling Jiayue slowly emerged after him, and he helped her down, afraid she might suffer even the slightest injury. “Older Brother, am I really so delicate that you have to help me down?” Ling Jiayue complained coquettishly. Thinking of how she had once been a great general who galloped across battlefields in her previous life, she could not help finding it amusing that everyone was now so nervous about her simply getting out of a carriage. “My little sister is naturally precious. Be careful. If you hurt yourself, Mother will skin me alive when we get home.” Ling Jiaxuan deliberately exaggerated his words. After the siblings got out of the carriage, the steward of the Xu Residence led them into the reception hall, where Elder Xu had already been waiting for quite some time. “Yue’er, girl, you’ve finally come! These past few days, without your acupuncture, I’ve been uncomfortable from head to toe. I sent you so many invitations—I’ve finally managed to wait for you,” Xu Hongjun said the moment he saw Ling Jiayue. “Elder Xu, you flatter me,” Ling Jiayue said with a smile. “I’m not flattering you. Didn’t I say I’d been waiting for you? Is this Young Master Ling? What an impressive bearing and fine appearance,” Xu Hongjun praised. “Elder Xu, you’re too kind. I’m Ling Jiaxuan. This junior pays his respects to Elder Xu.” Ling Jiaxuan performed the courtesy due from a junior and bowed. “No, no, you mustn’t. Young Master Ling, please rise.” Xu Hongjun helped Ling Jiaxuan back up. “Elder Xu, let me take your pulse first,” Ling Jiayue said. “Good, good. Someone, serve Miss Ling and Young Master Ling some tea,” Xu Hongjun ordered. By this time, Lingxin had already reached the rear entrance of the Third Prince’s Residence. A small side door had been left unlocked. After looking around and confirming that no one was watching her, Lingxin slipped inside. She moved with practiced ease, clearly having come here before. Before long, Lingxin arrived at the courtyard where Ling Ziqi now lived. She entered familiarly and bowed to Ling Ziqi. “This servant, Lingxin, pays her respects to Miss.” Seeing that Lingxin had arrived, Ling Ziqi excused her from the formalities and told her to sit. “Lingxin, what did Zixue say?” Ling Ziqi asked. “Miss, Miss Zixue is willing to help you. She also sent me with news: Ling Jiayue is going to the Xu Residence today to treat Elder Xu,” Lingxin answered truthfully. “Good. What a wonderful little sister I have.” Ling Ziqi was delighted. “Miss, this servant has one more matter to report,” Lingxin said. “What is it?” “Since the steward matron sent me to work in the kitchen, I’ve learned that Ling Jiayue has been preparing medicinal cuisine for the Prime Minister every day these past few days, changing the dishes each time to curry his favor. She’s managed to make him completely heed her every word. Whatever Ling Jiayue says goes.” “Hmph. That wretch.” Ling Ziqi spoke through her hatred. Lingxin was so frightened that she did not dare say anything, afraid of provoking Ling Ziqi. “Did Ling Jiayue prepare medicinal cuisine today as well?” Ling Ziqi asked. “She did. But judging by the time, it should only be ready by the time this servant returns,” Lingxin answered honestly. After a moment, Ling Ziqi rose and walked to the dressing table. From inside her cosmetics chest, she took out a small bottle. “Lingxin, come here,” Ling Ziqi called softly. Lingxin obediently walked over. “Hold out your hand,” Ling Ziqi ordered again. Lingxin obediently extended her hand, and Ling Ziqi placed the small bottle in it. “Miss, what is this?” Lingxin asked in confusion. “Sprinkle a tiny bit of the poison powder in this bottle into the medicinal cuisine Ling Jiayue prepared.” Ling Ziqi stared directly into Lingxin’s eyes as she spoke. Lingxin panicked. “Miss, what are you—?” Ling Ziqi merely smiled. “Why are you panicking? Do you think I’m going to poison him to death? It’s only a little medicine. Since Ling Jiayue is trying to curry his favor, I’ll make her efforts backfire. Just go without worry.” “Yes, Miss,” Lingxin replied. “That’s enough. Go back first, before the steward matron becomes suspicious. I still have great use for you.” Ling Ziqi dismissed Lingxin and sent her back to the Ling Residence.