Li Yaoqin’s foot, which had just begun to step inside, stopped upon hearing Suoxin’s words.
Should she step in or retreat?
“Yao’er, you’re here?” Li Sinian’s voice carried over. Li Yaoqin had no choice but to steel herself and walk in.
“Father, Aunt Xin,” Li Yaoqin greeted.
Li Sinian said, “It’s fortunate you’ve arrived, Yao’er.”
“Does Father have something?” Li Yaoqin asked, feigning ignorance.
“Mò Lián is dead,” Li Sinian stated slowly.
“Mò Lián… she… how?” Li Yaoqin stammered, taking several steps back, finding it hard to believe.
Li Sinian sighed. “She is indeed dead. Her body was retrieved from the well in the back courtyard.”
“Impossible. Yesterday, I spoke with Mò Lián. How could she… have… just…” Li Yaoqin shook her head, still in disbelief.
“Eldest Miss, did Mò Lián have something to discuss with you yesterday?” Suoxin suddenly inquired.
Li Yaoqin glanced at Suoxin and offered a faint smile. “Just some trivial matters.”
Upon hearing this, Suoxin mused, “But after Mò Lián returned, she jumped into the well. Perhaps there is a connection.”
Li Yaoqin looked at Suoxin, her expression as cold as frost. “What? Are you suggesting I harmed Mò Lián?”
“Eldest Miss, concubine does not mean that,” Suoxin quickly replied.
“Didn’t you just say that Mò Lián’s death is related to her visiting me yesterday?” Li Yaoqin raised her eyes, looking coldly at Suoxin, enunciating each word.
“My Lord, concubine did not mean that.” Suoxin was on the verge of tears from distress.
“Yao’er, Suoxin didn’t mean anything by it. You’ve wronged her.” Li Sinian was also somewhat displeased with Li Yaoqin’s attitude towards Suoxin, his tone becoming stiff.
Hearing this, Li Yaoqin quickly amended, “Father, Yao’er was rash. Aunt Xin, please do not take offense.”
“How could I? Eldest Miss is merely concerned about Mò Lián. How could concubine blame Eldest Miss?” Suoxin said.
“I knew Aunt Xin was a reasonable person.”
Suoxin smiled.
As they walked out of Li Sinian’s study, Lianxin, who was by her side, couldn’t help but ask, “Why didn’t Eldest Miss tell Master what Mò Lián said when she visited yesterday?”
“Would it be useful if I told him?” Li Yaoqin asked Lianxin.
“Those were evidence,” Lianxin replied.
“Evidence? Who is the witness? Me? Or you? Do you think Father would believe it?”
“Then what should we do? Are we going to let Sister Mò Lián die in vain?” Lianxin asked, her eyes reddening with urgency.
She had been a servant in the manor for a long time, and it was Mò Lián who had brought her into the household. At that time, Mò Lián was still young, not much older than her. Two people of similar age quickly found common ground, and Mò Lián took good care of her.
Later, she was assigned to Eldest Miss as a maid, while Mò Lián became a maid to the Master.
Mò Lián’s status also rose steadily, but she did not become arrogant. Instead, she became even more humble.
All the servants in the manor liked Mò Lián.
Lianxin’s expression grew considerably dimmer.
Li Yaoqin sighed. “Mò Lián will not die in vain, but it is not yet time. Otherwise, even I might be implicated.”
Lianxin nodded. “This servant understands, but she feels Sister Mò Lián’s death is rather strange.”
Li Yaoqin naturally knew this, but even if she knew the killer, what then? Her father doted on Suoxin so much now. Her plan needed to be expedited. She absolutely could not let Suoxin’s influence grow any further.
“Are Qiuxin and Xíaxin prepared?” Li Yaoqin asked Lianxin.
Lianxin replied, “Replying to Eldest Miss, this servant believes Xíaxin may not be suitable for this task. Qiuxin is capable in all aspects.”
“What do you mean?” Li Yaoqin asked.
Lianxin explained, “Qiuxin is bold yet meticulous, unlike Xíaxin who is too timid. This servant fears she might not be able to fulfill Eldest Miss’s instructions.”
“Very well, let Qiuxin do it,” Li Yaoqin decided.
In the evening, Li Yaoqin asked Lianxin to keep watch at the entrance for Li Sinian, and to quickly invite her father to her when he returned.
After waiting for a long time and seeing no sign of Lianxin, Li Yaoqin sent Yanxin to check. A moment later, she saw Lianxin returning with her head hanging low.
Upon inquiry, she learned that Suoxin’s people had invited Li Sinian over as soon as he entered the manor.
Li Yaoqin sneered. “Suoxin is indeed quite bold, not only vying for status but also vying for Father?”
“Eldest Miss, I never thought Suoxin would be such a difficult person to deal with,” Lianxin said dejectedly.
Li Yaoqin poured herself a cup of tea.
“Does she think this way I am helpless? Ridiculous. I, Li Yaoqin, have never admitted defeat since childhood, not in the past, and certainly not now. Lianxin, go and do something for me.” Li Yaoqin instructed.
On his way to the imperial court, Li Sinian’s carriage was blocked in an alley and could not move. Seeing that the time to enter the palace was fast approaching, he quickly lifted the carriage curtain. “Go quickly and see what has happened!”
The coachman alighted and went to investigate. After a short while, he returned. “My Lord, it’s Mister Storyteller from Chá Fú who has started telling stories again.”
Li Sinian frowned. “Storytelling? What are they saying?”
Ever since Yao’er had asked him to find a storyteller to criticize the Empress, he had paid little attention to them. Had something happened again?
Thinking this, he wasn’t even anxious about being late for the palace. “Stop the carriage to the side, I’ll go in and take a look.”
Saying this, Li Sinian got out of the carriage. He was wearing plain clothes and a hat today, making it easy for no one to recognize him.
Moreover, most of the people who came to drink tea and listen to stories were idle, and they wouldn’t know what court officials looked like.
Li Sinian entered the tea house, gave a silver ingot, and was arranged a seat by a window on the second floor.
Amidst the cheers from below, the storyteller finally arrived. He struck his gavel and said, “Today, I shall tell a story about the private affairs within the household of a certain court minister.”
“Tell us quickly,” the crowd urged.
The storyteller began, “This minister’s household has a wife and a daughter, and their lives are quite happy. However, the only regret is that he has no son in his middle age. Although the minister does not say it, his wife and daughter know. Especially his daughter, who is exceptionally intelligent. She knows that her father might still desire a son, but if she were to casually arrange for a concubine for her father, it might also affect her own status in the household, as she is merely a daughter.
After much thought, this talented young lady devised a plan.”
The storyteller always paused for dramatic effect, and the crowd urged him on, “What plan did she come up with?”
The storyteller smiled and said, “She sent over the most capable maid by her side.”
A sigh of regret rippled through the crowd.
Only Li Sinian’s entire body stiffened. This was clearly about him.
“What happened next?” someone asked.
The storyteller replied, “Naturally, the minister was quite pleased. He doted on the maid, and soon after, he also took the maid as a concubine.”