Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Take a Look at This Sachet When Ling Jiayue heard this, she smiled and said, “Little sister, how could you not know what sachet this is? You specifically went to obtain it for me. You said it was to bless me with finding a satisfactory husband at the peach-blossom banquet. Have you forgotten?” Ling Yuwan had originally intended to pretend that she did not know, but when Madam Liu heard Ling Jiayue’s words, she suddenly remembered and said, “That’s right. Yue’er showed me this sachet before. It was clearly something you gave Yue’er, Yuwan. How could you not know? And why did the horses go berserk when they smelled it?” “This, this… Yuwan doesn’t know. Yuwan only wanted to pray for Eldest Sister’s good fortune, so I went to obtain this sachet.” When Ling Yuwan heard Madam Liu’s question, she grew even more frightened. On top of that, her body was in pain, so she could only try to change the subject, unwilling to linger on the sachet. Seeing that Ling Yuwan wanted to change the subject, how could Ling Jiayue let her off? Such a wonderful opportunity had presented itself, so of course she had to kick Ling Yuwan while she was down. Ling Jiayue continued, “Little sister, this matter concerns not only you, but me as well. Who knows what sort of scoundrel could be so bold as to plot against two young ladies of the Ling family? If we don’t expose this person, we’ll only be putting ourselves in danger. Just speak boldly.” Ling Taian also agreed. “Yuwan, Yue’er is right. Tell us properly how you obtained this sachet. I’d like to see who had the audacity to plot against two young ladies of my residence.” Hearing Ling Taian say this, Ling Yuwan shrank inwardly and had no desire to say anything at all. The pain in her body had left her mind in a daze, and she could only say, “Father, it hurts. It hurts so much. I can’t hold on anymore. It really hurts.” Madam Chen seized the opportunity to say, “Master, Yuwan has suffered such a disaster. Why don’t we let her rest for a while first? I can hardly bear to see her like this.” Tears began falling from Ling Yuwan’s eyes when she heard this. Madam Chen put her arms around Ling Yuwan and cried, “My poor daughter! Why is your fate so tragic? From now on, you’ll never be able to stand again. My poor, ill-fated daughter!” Ling Yuwan was Ling Taian’s biological daughter, after all. Seeing her in such pain, even Ling Taian could not bear it. He instructed the steward, “First carry Miss Ling back to her own courtyard and settle her there properly. Then go and summon Doctor Lin to examine her.” “Yes, Master.” Having received his orders, the steward left to summon Doctor Lin. When Madam Chen saw that Ling Taian had spoken, she prepared to leave with Ling Yuwan. That way, she would not be questioned further and could avoid the matter for the time being. But how could Ling Jiayue let Madam Chen leave so easily? This time, she was determined to strike while her enemy was down. Ling Jiayue said, “Concubine Chen, please stay for a while. Since little sister Yuwan has no strength to speak, you can explain instead. This happened in full view of everyone at the peach-blossom banquet, and the source of the incident turned out to be a sachet. My Ling Residence must investigate this matter thoroughly.” Madam Chen naturally knew about the sachet, but she did not want to stay. She pleaded with Ling Taian, “Master, Yuwan has become like this, and I can’t rest easy. I want to accompany her. Please let me go.” Ling Taian, however, flatly refused. “Yue’er is right. This matter involves two young ladies of the Ling Residence. Stay for now, explain everything about the sachet clearly, and then go back to accompany Yuwan.” Madam Liu also spoke up. “That’s right, Concubine Chen. If you’re worried, I’ll send the steward matron to accompany Yuwan. Explain the sachet first, then you may leave.” Although Ling Yuwan was in so much pain that she was nearly fainting, she was still worried about leaving Madam Chen there alone. She was afraid Madam Chen might let something slip. But the situation was no longer theirs to control. Ling Jiayue was determined to make Madam Chen stay. Thus, Ling Yuwan was carried away. As she left, she kept pulling at Madam Chen’s hand and refused to let go, but in the end, she was still carried away, leaving Madam Chen alone in the inner hall. The moment Madam Chen saw Ling Yuwan leave, she grew even more flustered. With a smile playing at the corners of her lips, Ling Jiayue asked in a gentle tone, “Concubine Chen, what exactly is the matter with this sachet? And what’s inside it?” Madam Chen inwardly lamented that things had gone wrong, but she maintained a calm expression and said, “This sachet was obtained by Yuwan for Miss Ling. She hoped Miss Ling would find a satisfactory husband at the peach-blossom banquet. I also don’t know how something that was perfectly fine could have caused the horses to go berserk.” After saying this, Madam Chen paused and glanced at Madam Liu and Ling Taian’s expressions. They seemed to believe her explanation, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Ling Jiayue, however, asked, “Then why did the sachet’s scent cause the horses to go berserk? Who put the contents inside it?” Seeing that she could not get around the subject, Madam Chen could only brace herself and continue. “Miss Ling, if this sachet could have harmed you, how would I have dared let Yuwan give it to you? Besides, it was Yuwan who ended up harmed by it. If Yuwan and I truly intended to hurt someone, why would we have harmed ourselves instead?” Ling Taian seemed to have been swayed by Madam Chen’s explanation. He relaxed his furrowed brows and ordered, “Enough. Those who do not know are not at fault. Sit down for now. We’ll wait until Doctor Lin has examined Yuwan before discussing this further.” “Thank you, Master.” When Madam Chen heard this, she seemed to relax. What Madam Chen failed to notice was that Ling Jiayue had been watching her the entire time. Ling Jiayue sat quietly and waited. The performance would become even more interesting once Doctor Lin arrived! After some time, the steward brought Doctor Lin over. Ling Taian exchanged greetings with him. “Doctor Lin, my daughter was injured at the peach-blossom banquet this time. I ask that you take extra care with her.” Doctor Lin nodded. “A physician should have the heart of a parent. This old man will certainly do everything in his power to treat Miss Ling. Prime Minister Ling, please rest assured.” “Then I’ll trouble you, Doctor Lin,” Ling Taian said. Doctor Lin went to the inner hall to examine Ling Yuwan. Ling Taian, Madam Liu, Ling Jiayue, and the others sat quietly in the main hall drinking tea. Madam Liu also instructed the steward matron to bring out some pastries. Everyone had endured a long journey and was somewhat exhausted, so they could eat a few pastries to fill their stomachs first. After a long while, Doctor Lin emerged from the inner hall. Ling Taian asked, “Doctor Lin, how is my daughter?” “Please forgive this old man’s incompetence, but I’m afraid Miss Ling will only be able to lie in bed for the rest of her life.” Doctor Lin spoke with a face full of guilt. “Alas.” Ling Taian sighed. Although Madam Chen had already learned the news from the imperial physician, she had still held on to hope. She had hoped Doctor Lin would be able to cure her daughter, but Doctor Lin had said the same thing. Overcome with grief, Madam Chen, who had merely been shedding silent tears before, now began to sob loudly. At that moment, Ling Jiayue handed the sachet to Doctor Lin and said, “Doctor Lin, please take a look at this sachet.”