CHAPTER 306: CHAPTER 275: POISONOUS SCHEMES, FIRE, LAYING LOW (PART 1)

Within less than a quarter-hour of entering, the atmosphere had already become tense.

As the topic shifted to their own family, the eldest mistress, who had been watching from the sidelines, could no longer remain indifferent. She secretly glared at the fourth mistress and smiled at Lin Xiaoyue, "Sisters-in-law chatting and laughing together, who would be idle enough to spread such words to the palace?"

Without giving Lin Xiaoyue a chance to speak, she continued, "The girl is truly beautiful. Has she been named yet?"

Lin Xiaoyue said she had been named Su Pingting.

"Pingting? A nice name." The eldest mistress praised, her smile indistinguishable in its sincerity.

"It was Mr. Qi who named her before he left." Lin Xiaoyue said, gesturing for the maid to serve tea to the mistresses.

Though not serving a meal, one had to drink tea at least, given they all came bearing gifts, even if there was dissatisfaction, they couldn’t just straightforwardly slap someone in the face.

Since marrying into the Su Family, Lin Xiaoyue had not only curbed her temper as a young lady but had also learned to deal with these women artfully.

The eldest mistress held the little girl for a while, then asked Lin Xiaoyue, "Did the Seventh say when he would return?"

Lin Xiaoyue shook her head, "I don’t know."

The fourth mistress, having been rendered speechless earlier by Lin Xiaoyue, finally found a chance to retaliate, her expression somewhat insincere, "You’re the Seventh’s wife. Your husband’s been away for more than half a year, didn’t you write to ask?"

"I did ask," Lin Xiaoyue half-truthfully replied, "I just happen to be of humble origin, not very educated, clumsy with words. With great difficulty, I mustered up the courage to write a letter, only to offend him directly. Mr. Qi’s reply clearly showed displeasure, telling me to manage the household and myself, and not to meddle."

These words had a double meaning, especially the last sentence.

Everyone present was sharp-minded, even Lin Xiaorou reacted quickly.

The expressions on their faces varied, presenting quite a spectacle.

The eldest mistress remained relatively calm, not revealing too much emotion, merely casting a deep glance at Lin Xiaoyue, then faintly curling her lips, "The Seventh has really become something."

In the past few years, he had been timid, yet unexpectedly turned the tables, after splitting off, he didn’t even bother with pretense anymore.

The year Lin Xiaoyue first entered the mansion, she was foolish and naive, yet to have become so sharp and eloquent today was undoubtedly due to Su Qing’s influence.

Still, no matter how capable fleas might be, they cannot overturn the sky.

Recovering her emotions, the eldest mistress resumed her usual social smile, "By the time the Seventh returns, the Prime Minister should be reinstated."

The words were clearly spoken with a smile, yet Lin Xiaoyue heard a warning in them.

It was obvious she was being reminded not to be too complacent; once the Prime Minister returns to court, what position could Su Qing hold?

Indeed, the Su Family had not only produced a Prime Minister but also had the Fifth Young Master serve as the Second Grade Cao Yun Governor. Despite the tarnish from the coal mine case, the former glory could not be erased.

Su Qing, whether in family status or position, ranked at the bottom in this household.

"Then let me congratulate Sister-in-law in advance," Lin Xiaoyue smiled lightly, appearing as if she didn’t understand the subtext of the eldest mistress’s words.

The others assumed Lin Xiaoyue truly didn’t understand, all looking at her as if she were a fool.

The eldest mistress stood up, leaving a remark, "The Seventh merely separated from the family, not expelled. If there are difficulties, Sister-in-law should speak up; don’t treat us as outsiders. Sharing joys and misfortunes, standing together, is the spirit the Su Family should uphold."

Lin Xiaoyue’s smile remained unchanged, "Sister-in-law’s words are wise. For now, Yue Niang is still enduring hardships with Mr. Qi. When he returns to share the sweetness, I’m sure he’d be happy to let everyone taste."

No matter how subtly the hints were given, the reaction from the other side remained lukewarm, as if a punch landing on cotton, neither painful nor itchy.

Even with the best temperament, the eldest mistress could not help but have her face darken slightly, quickly leaving with her group.

The eldest mistress was originally the leading figure among them, and her departure prompted the others to follow suit.

Once everyone had left, Lin Xiaorou finally turned to look at the still dazed Lin Xiaoyue and suddenly sneered, "Is this how you’ve survived four years in the Su Family?"

Lin Xiaoyue collected her thoughts, returning a calm gaze, "This is just a little skirmish. As time goes on, you’ll see all sorts of filth."

Lin Xiaorou furiously said, "That eldest mistress, old enough to be your mother, comes with so many people to bully you, it’s inhumane!"

Humane?

This word, used to describe the women in the Su Family’s inner court, Lin Xiaoyue found laughable.

...

This day’s clash ended with a small victory for Lin Xiaoyue. She anticipated that those few wouldn’t let it go, so she instructed Su Qing’s trusted subordinates to strengthen the vigilance.

However, no matter how she prepared, she couldn’t outwit the scheming minds—late that night, someone took advantage of the wind to launch a Kongming Lantern, which happened to float over the Champion Scholar Mansion, only to be shot down accurately with an arrow, its falling position targeting the rear courtyard.

The fuel inside had been tampered with, and within less than a quarter-hour, thick smoke billowed in the courtyard.

The fire wasn’t in Lin Xiaoyue’s main house but wasn’t far. It wouldn’t take long to reach it if the wind picked up.

It was already late at night, and Lin Xiaoyue was deeply asleep with her daughter, while the maid dozing off in the outer room.

The Hidden Guard stationed outside Lin Xiaoyue’s door went to the latrine and returned to see the eastern side house engulfed in flames.

After recovering from the shock, the Hidden Guard knocked heavily on Lin Xiaoyue’s main house door.

The night-shift maid awoke with a start, hurriedly opened the door, and angrily said, "What are you doing in the middle of the night? You’ll disturb Granny Qi and the girl!"

The Hidden Guard, ignoring all else, said loudly, "Quickly wake Granny Qi, there’s a fire; we must leave the main courtyard immediately."

The maid listened in stunned silence.

"Why are you standing there, go quickly!"

The maid immediately turned around and stumbled toward the inner room.

"Granny Qi, it’s not good, there’s a fire!"

...

The night guard maid’s exclamation woke the mother and daughter. The month-old Ah Nuan started crying loudly.

The heavy smell of smoke filled their noses. Lin Xiaoyue saw through the window that there were flames outside, countless servants carrying water buckets to extinguish the fire, but the wind was strong tonight, and the fire burned too fiercely to be suppressed for the moment.

"Quickly fetch two sets of Sister’s clothes from the wardrobe. I’ll take her out first."

Lin Xiaoyue hastily put on her outer garment, pulled a thin blanket to wrap Ah Nuan tightly in her arms, slightly bent down, and rushed out.

Ah Nuan’s frightened cries, the crackling of the blazing fire, the heavy crashing of falling beams, and the clamor of servants fighting the fire all mixed together, turning the entire mansion into chaos.

The Hidden Guard informed them in time, and Lin Xiaoyue was escorted to a safe courtyard. Holding the still crying Ah Nuan, she stood under the eaves, looking at the burning courtyard, her heart chilled bit by bit.

All she said was "I don’t know" earlier that day, yet those wicked women were ruthless enough to want their mother and daughter’s lives!

"Granny Qi."

The voice of the night guard maid came to her ears; she had brought out Ah Nuan’s clothes.

Lin Xiaoyue turned to look at her ashen-faced appearance and asked, "Were you hurt anywhere?"

The maid shook her head, indicating no.

Lin Xiaoyue asked again, "How’s the fire?"

Still slightly shaken, the maid said with trembling lips, "It’s already burned to the main house. Besides the two sets of clothes I brought out, I’m afraid nothing else is left."

Lin Xiaoyue’s heart sank.

She thought she had been cautious enough, but who knew they would still fall for it.

If they had run any slower earlier, by the time Su Qing returned, he would have seen only their memorial tablets.

"Granny, it’s better to go inside, it’s cold out."

At the maid’s urging, Lin Xiaoyue carried Ah Nuan, who had finally cried herself to sleep, indoors.

With such a major incident, the Hidden Guard did not look good either and promised to investigate the matter as soon as possible in front of Lin Xiaoyue.

Lin Xiaoyue already knew without thinking who was behind it.

"No need to investigate, prepare the carriage quickly, I must leave immediately."

The Hidden Guard hesitated: "It’s late now, and Granny Qi is startled. Why not rest and wait for dawn to discuss everything?"

Lin Xiaoyue, becoming impatient, shouted angrily, "Didn’t Mr. Qi order you to listen to me before he left? Why, are you now disobedient?"

The Hidden Guard hurriedly said they didn’t dare.

"If you don’t dare, then quickly prepare the carriage for me!"

Lin Xiaoyue shouted angrily while dressing Ah Nuan.

She could no longer care that Ah Nuan was asleep; the only thought in her mind was to leave the mansion and find a safe place to stay temporarily.

A quarter of an hour later, the carriage was ready, and the Hidden Guard came in to notify her.

Lin Xiaoyue held her daughter tightly and followed the Hidden Guard straight out the gate.

The maid Jin Zhi came up with her.

Apart from Jin Zhi, Lin Xiaoyue did not bring anyone else, instructing the Hidden Guard to drive the carriage.

The Hidden Guard asked, "Where are we going?"

At this hour, all the inns are closed, and the city gates have long been shut. Where can we go?

Lin Xiaoyue pursed her lips for a moment, then said firmly, "To Academy Street, Song family."

...

Sure enough, not long after they left, people arrived at the mansion, saying the eldest lady received word that there was a fire here, and knowing that Granny Qi and her daughter must have been quite frightened, she specially arranged for them to be taken to the main house to stay for a while until the house here was repaired.

Earlier, the situation was urgent, and Lin Xiaoyue had her heart set on her daughter, paying no mind to Lin Xiaorou.

When Lin Xiaorou chased after them, Lin Xiaoyue was already far gone. She met the housekeeper of the main house at the door and, hearing they came to get Lin Xiaoyue and her daughter, and thinking about how it was the dead of night and how desperate Lin Xiaoyue was to run out, she could figure out what was going on even if she was dull.

Frankly, Lin Xiaorou had never seen people so terrifying from youth to now. All it took was a disagreement, and they wanted the lives of her and her daughter.

She was scared, her legs a bit weak, but still managed to stand upright, then scolded the two housekeepers relentlessly, saying they looked human but lacked humanity. The Champion Scholar Mansion was burned that badly, and instead of finding a doctor to check on them, they just said they’re taking them away without asking if they were alright. Sister Ting was just a month old, bringing her out in the cold wind late at night would only cause trouble. If anything happened, they would face a lawsuit, and it would all be on their heads, teaching them to rot in jail.

The two housekeepers: "..."