Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Ling Zixue’s Strange Behavior Lingxin had just been beaten senseless by the steward matron. Now that Ling Jiayue began asking her one question after another, Lingxin could no longer keep track of what was being asked. She merely lay prostrate on the floor, crying out in pain. Seeing her like this, Madam Liu ordered, “Steward matron, go wake her up.” The steward matron immediately stepped forward, grabbed Lingxin by the collar, and hauled her up. She shouted angrily, “Lingxin, I advise you to confess honestly. Plotting to harm Master is already a grave offense. If you confess truthfully, perhaps Madam will show mercy and leave you an intact corpse.” Lingxin’s face was already swollen, and she spoke indistinctly. “Steward matron, I have nothing to confess.” “Lingxin, you’re a household-born servant of the Ling Residence. How could you have obtained this kind of poison? Aren’t you going to tell us who was directing you from behind the scenes?” Ling Jiayue asked. “Elder Sister, please don’t be angry. Lingxin was determined to harm Father, and she even managed to obtain this poison. She must be set on making an enemy of our Ling Residence. We won’t get anything out of her by questioning her. Why not execute her?” Ling Zixue feared that Lingxin would expose Ling Ziqi and wished nothing more than to have her executed immediately. Hearing that Ling Zixue wanted her executed, Lingxin said in confusion, “I always thought you looked so delicate, Little Sister. Who would have thought you could be so ruthless once you hardened your heart?” Ling Zixue gave an awkward smile. “I’m only thinking of Father and our Ling Residence. Elder Sister, please don’t take offense.” “You’re thinking of our Ling Residence with all your heart. How could I take offense? Little Sister is right. A servant who betrays her master may as well be executed.” Seeing Ling Zixue’s inexplicable ruthlessness, Ling Jiayue changed her mind and went along with her words. When Lingxin heard that Ling Zixue wanted her dead, she began struggling frantically. The steward matron saw her struggling even harder and, afraid that she would disturb the madams, forced her back down onto the floor. Although Lingxin was pinned down, she was unwilling to die just like this and continued struggling wildly. Ling Jiaxuan seemed puzzled when he heard that Ling Jiayue also wanted Lingxin executed. He asked, “Little Sister, are you really going to execute Lingxin? Weren’t we going to use her to draw out the person plotting against our Prime Minister’s Residence?” Hearing this, Ling Jiayue gave Ling Jiaxuan a meaningful look while Ling Zixue was not paying attention. She wanted him to agree to her plan to “execute” Lingxin. Then she said, “Older Brother, Little Sister Zixue is right. Lingxin was able to betray our Ling Residence and obtain this poison powder to harm Father. She must be determined to betray us. We won’t get a confession out of her. It would be cleaner simply to execute her.” Seeing this, Ling Jiaxuan smoothly followed along. “In that case, execute her.” When Lingxin heard that her death had been decided just like that, she seemed unwilling to accept it. She spoke indistinctly, “Miss Ling, I… I… I’ll confess. I’ll tell you everything.” Ling Jiayue pretended not to hear her and merely instructed Lingxue, “Go stuff a handkerchief in her mouth. Drag her out quietly and beat her to death.” As she spoke, Ling Jiayue exchanged a glance with Lingxue. Lingxue naturally understood her meaning. She stepped forward, stuffed a handkerchief into Lingxin’s mouth, and ordered the young male servants nearby to drag Lingxin out. Even with her mouth blocked, Lingxin continued to whimper unwillingly. Seeing Lingxin dragged away, Ling Zixue finally breathed a sigh of relief. She thought, Sister hadn’t exposed her. Thank goodness. However, the moment Ling Zixue raised her head, she saw Ling Jiayue staring at her with a seemingly significant look. Feeling guilty under her gaze, Ling Zixue forced a smile and said, “Elder Sister, what’s wrong? Why are you staring at me?” “Nothing. I simply never imagined that you, who have always seemed so delicate, could be so decisive and ruthless. This time, our Ling family was able to deal with the menace Lingxin thanks in no small part to you.” Ling Jiayue’s words were laden with meaning. “Elder Sister is joking, joking. This was all thanks to you. I merely made a small suggestion. Besides, easing Father’s and Elder Sister’s troubles is only what Zixue should do.” Ling Zixue spoke with difficulty. The moment she finished speaking, the sound of a beating board came from outside. Lingxin’s mouth had been blocked, so she could not cry out; all she could do was listen as the board struck her again and again. As Ling Zixue listened to the sound, her face grew increasingly pale. By then, Madam Liu saw that the matter had more or less been settled. She turned apologetically to the Seventh Prince, Mu Yuheng, and General Luo. “This is a family scandal of the Ling Residence. I’m afraid we’ve made fools of ourselves before you both. I have not managed the Ling Residence well, so I hope you will be generous and overlook it.” Mu Yuheng had been busy watching Ling Jiayue. Upon hearing Madam Liu’s words, he withdrew his gaze from Ling Jiayue and replied courteously, “Madam Ling, how could you say that? The Prime Minister has yet to recover, and everything within and outside the residence depends on you. If you speak like this, whom will this vast Ling Residence rely on?” General Luo also chimed in, “That’s right, Madam Ling. You mustn’t say such things. We were the ones who came in such haste today, and the timing was truly inopportune. Please don’t take offense.” Madam Liu said, “It is you two who mustn’t take this to heart.” General Luo and Mu Yuheng continued offering words of comfort to Madam Liu. Madam Liu then said to Doctor Lin, “Doctor Lin, I must trouble you to take great care in treating the poison in my husband’s body. Once my husband has recovered, the Ling Residence will certainly thank you with a generous gift.” “Madam Ling, there is no need to say that. This old man is merely doing his duty,” Doctor Lin replied. “Then I will have to trouble you, Doctor Lin.” Doctor Lin took the poison powder and went to the guest room to formulate an antidote. Seeing that it was getting late, General Luo and Mu Yuheng rose to take their leave. Madam Liu instructed, “Xuan’er, see General Luo and the Seventh Prince out properly. Remember to carry a few more lanterns.” “Your son understands.” Ling Jiaxuan rose and escorted General Luo and Mu Yuheng out. Seeing that everyone had dispersed, Ling Zixue also rose to take her leave. “Mother, Elder Sister, it’s getting late. I’ll return as well.” “Aren’t you going to see Father?” Ling Jiayue asked. Ling Zixue had not expected Ling Jiayue to suddenly ask her that. She replied, “I do want to see Father, but I’m feeling somewhat unwell today. I’m afraid I might pass my illness to him, so I’ll go another day.” “Oh? Doctor Lin is right here. Why not have him take your pulse?” “That won’t be necessary. I only have a headache; there’s no need to trouble Doctor Lin. I’ll be fine after lying down for a while.” After saying this, Ling Zixue bowed and hurried away, afraid that Ling Jiayue would summon Doctor Lin to examine her. Ling Jiayue watched Ling Zixue’s rapidly retreating back, a smile appearing at the corners of her lips. When Ling Zixue reached the courtyard, she saw only a woman lying facedown, beaten until her flesh was a bloody mess. Her heart jolted. Without looking closely, she hurried away in panic. Seeing that the mole within the residence had been caught, Madam Liu also breathed a sigh of relief. She simply had not expected it to be Lingxin, a household-born maid. For a moment, sorrow filled her heart, and she let out a sigh.