Qi Huan leaned out of the window and, following the sound, saw Lu Yueming dressed in a red robe billowing in the wind. She sat gallantly atop her horse, the whip in her hand crackling with determination, urging the horse to run swiftly.
As she neared the inn, she abruptly pulled on the reins, causing the horse to rear up, while she gracefully leaned back, yet firmly remained seated in the saddle.
Qi Huan waved to her from the window, and she tilted her head back, forcing a smile, before stepping into the inn.
Once in the private room, she casually tossed her whip onto the table and gulped down a cup of tea.
"Yueming, what's wrong? Are you upset?" Qi Huan inquired.
"Yes, I am, very much so," she replied, her voice tinged with urgency and anger, as she blurted out, "My mother must be blinded by greed to agree to take in that wild son of the Lu family under her wing."
Unable to criticize Mrs. Lu outright, being a friend's mother, Qi Huan had plenty to say about the sudden appearance of Yueming's 'stepbrother'.
"Yueming, since you can't persuade your mother, perhaps you should approach this from a different angle. Besides securing lineage, Lord Lu's insistence on placing his son under your mother's care likely stems from a desire for inheritance. If you can grasp control of these assets, no matter how they maneuver, it will all be for naught," Qi Huan advised.
Knowing the lure of wealth, Qi Huan pondered for a moment before adding, "Pay close attention to what goes in and out."
"You're right, Ah Huan. Their aim is nothing but my mother's dowry. Whether through coquettishness or tantrums, I will persuade her to transfer all assets to my name," Yueming affirmed.
Taking heed of her friend's advice, Yueming swiftly grabbed her whip and rose, hastening back to the Lu residence.
Concerned for her friend, Qi Huan turned to knock on the door of the adjacent room.
"Come in," came the reply.
With permission granted, Qi Huan pushed open the partition and entered. Seeing Chen Jinyou rinsing his mouth, she patiently waited for a moment.
"Why, Ah Huan, what brings you here? Isn't your business bustling?" Chen Jinyou set down his tea cup, dismissed the servant carrying the washbasin, and warmly engaged in conversation.
Qi Huan began with some flattery, "After giving it some thought, among all the officials at the Mo County government office, Chen Gongzi, you are the one I'm most familiar with. Your generosity and sense of justice..."
Pausing briefly, she swiftly searched for words and continued, "are commendable."
With that, she handed over Chen Jinyou's "sense of justice" — a hundred taels of silver.
Feeling uplifted by the praise, Chen Jinyou caught sight of the silver ticket suddenly flashing before his eyes. Acting on instinct, he reached out to accept it, but then hesitated.
"Ah Huan, what's the meaning of this?" he questioned.
"I wish for Chen Gongzi to assist in handling affairs at the county office. If Miss Lu were to seek help with transferring ownership of her shops, I would appreciate swift assistance," Qi Huan explained.
Yueming was not versed in mundane matters, nor skilled in social niceties. As a friend, Qi Huan wished to smooth her path, to prevent more troubles from arising.
With four shops to her name, yielding substantial monthly income, a hundred taels was but a trifle for her. Since she could afford it, why not do something for a friend?
Chen Jinyou, despite his carefree demeanor, was the son of the county magistrate, and everyone in the county office acquiesced to his ways. Although Magistrate Chen often swatted him with a broom, he seldom suffered any injuries. Thus, the astute individuals in the county office held him in high regard.
Understanding her intention, Chen Jinyou waved his hand, "Ah Huan, we've been old friends for so long, there's no need to talk about money."
...How about discussing something practical instead? Can you save a portion of those delightful pastries for me every day? I came late today, and the waiter said they were sold out before I arrived..."
"Alright. I'll instruct them to save a portion for you regardless of whether Master Chen comes or not," Qi Huan replied with a smile.
Seeing her agree so readily, Chen Jinyou felt elated. The first thing he did after finishing his meal was to go find Chief Clerk Liang, who was in charge of deeds, to discuss ideals, life, and the speed of handling matters.
On the other side, after much crying, tantrums, and threats of suicide, Mrs. Lu finally agreed to let her daughter Lu Yueming manage the dowry prepared for her, allowing her to practice her skills.
With the deed in hand, Lu Yueming, being impatient as always, rushed to the county office to have her name changed by Chief Clerk Liang.
When the incident occurred the next day, she was immensely grateful that she had acted swiftly and the county office had acted efficiently.
That day, Mrs. Lu suddenly fell ill, her eyes tightly shut, and she couldn't speak. Lu Yueming anxiously sent someone to fetch the doctor, and remembering how Qi Huan had saved her when she was feverish before, she sent for her as well.
Qi Huan comforted her, but she was helpless.
Beside the bed, after examining and questioning, Doctor Sun's expression turned grave: "Miss Lu, Lady Lu may have been poisoned."
"Poisoned?"
Just as Lu Yueming was surprised, her younger brother, Lu Zhi Ming, pushed the wheelchair-bound Lu Baiian into the room.
"Poisoned? How could this happen? Quick, someone, investigate!"
Seeing his furious appearance, Lu Yueming sneered, "Putting on a show."
Then she turned to Doctor Sun, "Doctor Sun, how can this poison be neutralized?"
"It's a slow-acting poison. We can only administer detoxifying decoctions and hope for the best. It might remain like this forever, or she might wake up," Doctor Sun sighed softly, then followed the maid to write a prescription.
Hearing this, Lu Baiian's face was full of sorrow. Even though the doctor said there was a possibility of her waking up, he couldn't help but think, it didn't matter. He could deal with this disobedient girl first; the life or death of this jealous woman, Du Wansheng, was still in his hands.
As the sound of the wooden board being hit in the yard echoed, Mei Chun, the senior maid by Mrs. Lu's side, confessed quickly after being dragged in. Weakly, she said, "Don't... don't beat me. I confess. It was Miss who instructed me. She gave me a bag of jewelry to bribe me."
After speaking, she closed her eyes, seemingly fainting.
Regaining her senses, Lu Yueming's eyes were as sharp as knives as she stared at Mei Chun. Mei Chun had come with her mother from Du's Mansion as a maid, and they had always treated her well. Yet she had betrayed them.
As Lu Yueming glared at Mei Chun, Lu Baiian coughed several times, raising his voice, angrily scolding, "You unfilial girl, how dare you harm your mother?"
Lu Yueming didn't flinch, sneering, "This is my real mother. I'm not as heartless as you. How could I harm her?"
"How is it not possible? Your mother told me that ever since Lu Yueming acknowledged his ancestry, you've been arguing with her all the time. I comforted her, thinking you would come to your senses eventually. Who would have thought you'd have such a temper, resorting to poisoning and plotting against her!"
Lu Baiian's accusation was feeble, yet he remained composed as he spoke. These words were meant for the gossipy and brainless maidservants, to be spread by their tongues, veiling the shame of his crime of killing his wife and daughter, shifting the blame onto Lu Yueming.
Lu Yueming was the only male descendant of the Lu family, and now that he had lost his military position to support him, Lu Baiian was determined to seize the dowry of the Du family and pass it on to him.
Having made up his mind, Lu Baiian bellowed, "Guards, seize this disobedient daughter for me."
The guards of the Lu residence were all his former subordinates, and upon hearing his command, they immediately rushed in, with even archers lying in ambush outside.
"Lu, I'll fight you to the end!"
In extreme anger, Lu Yueming drew the soft sword from his waist, his red clothes blazing, aimed straight at Lu Baiian.
"You wicked girl, after murdering your mother, now you want to murder your father!"
With these words, the maidservants and maids who had originally only believed three-quarters of what Lu Baiian said now believed ninety percent of it.
At this moment, Qi Huan called out, "Yueming."
