Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Before Catching the Culprit Lingxin entered the Third Prince’s Residence and, having long been familiar with the place, easily found Ling Ziqi’s room. Ling Ziqi was startled when she saw Lingxin arrive. “Why have you suddenly come here?” Lingxin said, “Madam Ru, Master fainted again. Could it be that the medicine we gave him was too strong? You said it wouldn’t affect Master’s health.” Ling Ziqi couldn’t understand it either. It had clearly been several days since they stopped administering the medicine, so how could Ling Taian have suddenly fainted again? “Could it be that you secretly gave him more medicine?” Lingxin said aggrievedly, “Madam Ru, without your orders, how would this servant dare administer it secretly? I thought you had found someone else you trusted to work for you in the residence.” Ling Ziqi realized that Lingxin suspected her and reassured her, “Don’t worry. In the Ling Residence, you’re the person I trust most. Since you didn’t secretly give him more medicine and no one else did either, then how did Ling Taian faint?” The more Ling Ziqi thought about it, the less she understood. “Could Ling Taian have had some hidden illness? After we poisoned him, perhaps his body simply couldn’t hold up any longer?” Lingxin, however, said, “Madam Ru, Master has always been in robust health. He certainly wouldn’t have a hidden illness. Perhaps Miss Ling Zixue was the one who did it?” “Zixue? That isn’t impossible. But Ling Zixue doesn’t know that we’ve been poisoning Ling Taian.” Ling Ziqi grew even more puzzled. At that moment, the young male servant who had followed Lingxin had already dashed back to the Ling Residence to report everything to Ling Jiaxuan and Ling Jiayue. The siblings were in the inner hall. Ling Jiaxuan took a sip of tea and said, “The person behind this has finally revealed a flaw.” “Older Brother, I’ll have to trouble you to go fishing next.” Ling Jiayue smiled slyly. “Yes, it’s time to go fishing. Otherwise, all the effort we put into casting such a large net would be wasted, as would Father lying in bed for so long. This time, I intend to uproot them completely!” As Ling Jiaxuan spoke, a trace of ruthlessness seemed to flash through his eyes. “Then I’ll stay home and await your good news, Older Brother.” Ling Jiayue set down her teacup and spoke leisurely. “You stay here and wait for my good news with Father and Mother. Don’t forget to search Lingxin’s quarters.” “Of course, Older Brother. I should be going to the reception hall too. Doctor Lin, General Luo, and the Seventh Prince are probably there by now. It wouldn’t be proper for Mother to be the only one receiving them.” As Ling Jiayue spoke, she rose to her feet. Lingzhu immediately brought over Ling Jiayue’s cloak, and the three master and servant girls prepared to head to the reception hall. “Little sister, wait.” Ling Jiaxuan stuffed a hand warmer into Ling Jiayue’s hands. “With your absentminded nature, what would you do without me?” Ling Jiaxuan teased. “Then I won’t leave Older Brother. I’ll cling to the Ling family for the rest of my life.” Ling Jiayue answered playfully. Ling Jiaxuan pinched Ling Jiayue’s nose. “All right, you little freeloader. I have to hurry to the Third Prince’s Residence. We have to catch the thief and seize the evidence.” With that, Ling Jiaxuan took the cloak from the young male servant, put it on, and headed outside. “Lingzhu, let’s go to the reception hall. Lingxue, go take a look at Lingxin’s quarters.” “Yes, Miss.” As they spoke, Ling Jiayue and her servants split up, heading toward the reception hall and Lingxin’s quarters. At that moment, Madam Liu was entertaining General Luo and the Seventh Prince, Mu Yuheng, in the reception hall. As soon as Ling Jiayue entered the courtyard, she heard the Seventh Prince say, “Madam Ling, Prime Minister Ling will certainly recover. Besides, Doctor Lin’s medical arts are unparalleled. Prime Minister Ling’s recovery is just a matter of time.” Madam Liu dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief and said hoarsely, “My husband was unfortunate enough to fall ill. We are deeply grateful that the two of you have kept him in your thoughts and come to visit him. I only hope that he will recover and wake up. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold on either.” Lingzhu lifted the curtain for Ling Jiayue, who entered and bowed to everyone. “Greetings, Mother, General Luo, Seventh Prince.” “Yue’er, rise quickly.” “Thank you, Mother.” Ling Jiayue stood and comforted Madam Liu. “Mother, please don’t worry. I’m here now, aren’t I? Doctor Lin will be coming shortly as well. We’ll certainly be able to cure Father. Please don’t let your thoughts run wild.” “That’s right, Madam Ling. With your daughter here, Prime Minister Ling will certainly recover,” General Luo added. Mu Yuheng, however, only looked at Ling Jiayue, as though he had completely forgotten that he had come to visit the critically ill Prime Minister Ling. He gazed at her and thought, Her complexion is rosier now, and she looks more spirited too. After recuperating at home for several days, she’s become even more radiant. But when will I be able to marry her? Mu Yuheng remained lost in thought, staring blankly at Ling Jiayue. Feng Yan, standing behind him, quietly called out, “Your Highness? Your Highness?” Only then did Mu Yuheng abruptly return to his senses. “Is the Seventh Prince feeling unwell?” Ling Jiayue asked. Mu Yuheng coughed and said, “It’s nothing, nothing.” A suspicious flush had already appeared on his face, but Ling Jiayue failed to notice anything unusual. Hearing him say it was nothing, she simply assumed he was fine. Meanwhile, Ling Jiaxuan had led the young male servants to block the rear entrance of the Third Prince’s Residence, waiting for Lingxin to come out. Lingxin was still in Ling Ziqi’s room, discussing what to do next with her. Lingxin asked, “Madam Ru, now that Master has fainted, will they suspect us? Should I continue administering the medicine?” “Don’t act rashly yet. Go back and observe for a while first. See whether Ling Taian is truly failing. For the next few days, don’t come here unless absolutely necessary, lest you expose yourself.” “Yes, Madam Ru. What about Miss Ling Zixue? Should I give her any instructions?” Lingxin asked. “That won’t be necessary. Don’t involve Ling Zixue unless we have no other choice. I still have great use for her.” At that moment, Ling Ziqi was so cold that she seemed to have no sisterly affection left at all. “Yes, Madam Ru. This servant will take her leave.” Lingxin was about to leave when Ling Ziqi stopped her. “Wait.” Ling Ziqi removed the gold bracelet Mu Yuyang had rewarded her with and put it on Lingxin’s wrist. “This is part of the dignity that comes from working for me. Even though I’m now Madam Ru, I’m still your Miss. Whatever I have, you’ll have as well.” Ling Ziqi was winning Lingxin over. Lingxin weighed the bracelet in her hand. It was quite heavy, and she beamed with delight. “Thank you for the reward, Miss.” “Mm. Go back, and stay alert. Don’t let anyone discover you.” Ling Ziqi instructed her. Lingxin rose and took her leave. Having received the news that Ling Taian was gravely ill, Ling Ziqi was still puzzled, but she was overjoyed all the same. She hurried off to report the good news to Mu Yuyang, hoping that his happiness would lead him to promote her to side consort. What she never expected was that a storm was already bearing down on her.