Zi Lin Ling exclaimed in alarm, "What, did I misunderstand my second aunt?"
She paused for a moment, then suddenly realized, "So second aunt doesn't want me to die outside! Do you want me to die at home?"
Lady Wang's face was a riot of colors, as if it had been dyed in a vat, a vibrant kaleidoscope.
While she did want to get rid of Zi Lin Ling, could such words be spoken openly? Sudanshu.com
Alas, when had this little wretch become so difficult to handle? Her words were so sharp, they cut to the bone.
Lady Wang suddenly had a headache. Last night, she had been discussing with Zi Wen Chang how to trick this little wretch into handing over the Patriarch's Token!
But with this little wretch suddenly becoming so tenacious, things had become more complicated.
Regardless, she had to placate the girl first.
Thus, a smile appeared on Lady Wang's face. "How could that be? Second aunt is just worried that if something were to happen to you, how could your second uncle and I explain it to your parents?"
Zi Lin Ling put on a show of deep gratitude, but inwardly sneered.
Hmph! The original owner was simple and easily fooled, but she, the Ghost Hand Poison Doctor Zi Lin Ling, had seen it all. How could she be easily deceived and manipulated?
Moreover, this Lady Wang was no easy adversary. She outwardly showered the original owner with affection to gain a good reputation, yet secretly treated her with utmost harshness and bullying.
Now, why was she suddenly so amiable? She could even tolerate being retorted to?
Unsolicited kindness often hides malicious intent!
Coupled with the flickering light in Lady Wang's eyes, Zi Lin Ling felt that Lady Wang's intentions were impure.
Oh well, since the other party had come knocking, she would collect some interest for past grievances and present resentments.
Acting, who couldn't do it?
"Oh! So second aunt really is worried about me!"
Zi Lin Ling feigned being overwhelmed with emotion, her demeanor returning to that of the original owner's delicate fragility.
Lady Wang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although this little wretch was slightly different from before, she was still easy enough to appease.
Just then, Zi Lin Ling's voice rang out again.
"However, this Luo Yu Pavilion is drafty, and the walls were knocked down by two idiots yesterday. If someone were to try and rob and kill me tonight, I'm afraid I would truly die in my own home!"
Lady Wang froze.
Two idiots? That was the Crown Prince and her second daughter!
Anger flared within Lady Wang. How could this slut dare to insult her daughter to her face? She couldn't help but be enraged!
But Zi Lin Ling's words had truly cornered her, forcing her to swallow her anger.
"How about this, second aunt will have someone come to repair this place later. Tell second aunt if you need anything else."
Lady Wang forced a smile that even she found disgusting.
"Then I thank second aunt in advance, but..."
Zi Lin Ling glanced around, wanting to say something but hesitating.
This made her even more certain that Lady Wang had ulterior motives.
As for what those motives were, combining them with the original owner's memories, she quickly guessed.
But Lady Wang's heart skipped a beat. This "but" suddenly made her uneasy.
"But what?"
A hint of slyness flickered in Zi Lin Ling's eyes.
"The Luo Yu Pavilion can be repaired and lived in for a while, but this place is too remote. If something were to happen, I would have nowhere to turn!"
Lady Wang froze again.
When she had driven Zi Lin Ling to this place, it was so that she would fend for herself, and ideally, die unnoticed.
But now, according to Zi Wen Chang's speculation, they really couldn't let this little wretch have an accident anytime soon.
However, if she didn't address Zi Lin Ling's concerns, the girl would definitely think she was just putting on a show.
That would make her even more wary, backfiring spectacularly.
"Then second aunt will help you redecorate a courtyard. Which courtyard do you like? Second aunt will send someone to arrange it!"
Zi Lin Ling sneered inwardly, but outwardly appeared overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Really? Second aunt! Can I really have whichever courtyard I like?"
Although Lady Wang was extremely reluctant, she said amiably, "Of course! Second aunt has been neglecting you all these years, and you've suffered much. Consider this compensation!"
She thought to herself, "If I don't give her a little sweetness, how can I make her let down her guard? If she doesn't let down her guard, how can I get her to hand over the Patriarch's Token?"
Zi Lin Ling pretended to be ecstatic and said, "Thank you so much, second aunt! I thought second aunt didn't love me and wanted to kill me without anyone noticing!"
Lady Wang's expression once again became a colorful mess.
Why did this little wretch's words stab so deeply?
But could Lady Wang lash out? No!
So, she took a deep breath, put on a benevolent smile, and said, "How could that be? Second aunt loves you the most. Tell me, which courtyard have you set your sights on?"
Zi Lin Ling thought for a moment and said, "Zi Jin Pavilion? Without my parents, it's too empty and uncomfortable to live there. Zi Xin Pavilion is more suitable. Let's go with Zi Xin Pavilion!"
"No!"
Zi Jin Ling was the first to jump out in opposition.
If Zi Xin Pavilion was given to Zi Lin Ling, where would she live?
When Lady Wang heard "Zi Jin Pavilion," her heart skipped another beat.
Zi Jin Pavilion was originally the courtyard of Zi Guo Chang and his wife. But after Zi Wen Chang became acting patriarch, he had occupied it.
If Zi Lin Ling were to move back to Zi Jin Pavilion now, Lady Wang simply couldn't agree.
Fortunately, Zi Lin Ling didn't ask for Zi Jin Pavilion back, but specifically requested Zi Xin Pavilion.
But Zi Xin Pavilion belonged to Zi Jin Ling. How could it be given to Zi Lin Ling?
Lady Wang took a deep breath again, trying to keep her voice steady. "Lin'er, Zi Xin Pavilion is your second sister's courtyard. How can second aunt arrange it for you?"
Zi Lin Ling said somewhat angrily, "So second aunt was just teasing me! You said I could have whichever courtyard I liked."
After speaking, she ignored Lady Wang and turned to go back to her room.
As she walked, she muttered to herself, "I originally thought if second aunt truly loved me, I would give her that thing Father left behind, but who knew..."
The thing Zi Guo Chang left behind? Could it be the Patriarch's Token?
Lady Wang's heart stirred.
You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a cub!
It was just a courtyard. Once she got the Patriarch's Token, wouldn't this little wretch be at her mercy?
So, she looked at Zi Jin Ling and transmitted her voice, "Jin'er, just bear with it for now. Once mother gets the Patriarch's Token and your father becomes the legitimate patriarch, we'll deal with this little wretch properly."
Zi Jin Ling also knew the importance of the Patriarch's Token and could only reluctantly agree.
"Mother, I can give up Zi Xin Pavilion, but once you get the Patriarch's Token, you must hand this slut over to me to deal with as I please!"