Lin Yanxi's bright eyes sparkled like scattered stars, and a mischievous glint accompanied her elegant smile.
She glanced at Madam Xu and said, "Young Madam Xu just complained that managing the household was too taxing, spending all the mansion's silver on my sister and me, leading to yearly deficits."
"Yet, my sister and I wear and use things inferior to our half-sister's. Our food and drink are no different. The flow of silver needs a thorough investigation."
Madam Xu, eager to argue, was cut off by Lin Yanxi.
"Aunt, rest assured, your diligence in the mansion is recognized, and I am certainly not suspecting you. It's just that the mansion's silver passes through many hands, and purchasing is a complex matter. With too many ambitious individuals, it's easy to be misled."
"Moreover, the authority to manage household affairs has always rested with the main residence. My mother is in poor health and dislikes such trivial matters. Now that I have regained my senses, I wish to act on my mother's behalf and assume the responsibility of managing the household."
"May I?"
Madam Xu's face contorted in distress, her jowls trembling with suppressed rage. She had never imagined Lin Yanxi would boldly demand her household authority.
This fool, only just regaining her senses, dared to covet her possessions?
Over the years, she had amassed considerable wealth by inflating accounts. How could she willingly relinquish this fat piece of meat she had feasted on for so long?
She flatly refused, "Of course not! The authority of managing the Grand Tutor's mansion is not a child's play. What could a young girl, not yet of age, understand about household management? I treat you all equally, with no disparity in food, clothing, or daily expenses."
Jiang Wan remained silent, her sharp eyes silently observing Lin Yanxi and Madam Xu's mother and daughter.
Lin Yanxi wore simple clothing made of soft fabric, of decent quality. Her fair wrists were bare, adorned only by two hairpins in her coiffure. One was a plain silver hairpin.
The other, however, was more interesting. Though a wooden hairpin, its design was quite unique.
In contrast, Madam Xu was decked in opulent jewelry, a full set of pure gold ornaments, vulgarly ostentatious.
Lin Yuan wore no jewelry, save for a white jade hairpin in her coiffure. Her clothes' fabric subtly shimmered with a flowing iridescence, and her skirt hem was bordered with silver thread embroidery, indicative of rare, fine material.
It was evident that while she was away, Lin Yanxi had not lived well. And the fact that her younger daughter, Lin Ruoyan, was sent to study under a female master was likely not a simple arrangement.
Lin Yanxi cautiously observed Jiang Wan's expression. Seeing that Jiang Wan had no intention of interrupting her scolding, Lin Yanxi's stern face relaxed slightly, her voice losing its taut edge. She breathed a sigh of relief.
In her previous life, the dowry Jiang Wan brought had been squandered by Madam Xu under various pretexts. After the Grand Tutor's mansion was wiped out, Lin Yuan suddenly acquired many shops and land. This wealth was accumulated by Madam Xu over years of managing the household, incrementally siphoning funds from the mansion.
"But you just said you treated us children without disparity, and even favored me and third sister more. It seems you manage the household in a muddled way, Aunt, unable to comprehend it clearly."
"Father is a loyal minister serving as the Chief Assistant to His Majesty, who values him greatly. Besides his monthly salary, he receives many rewards. My sister and I eat, dress, and live with ordinary items. The 'attentive care' you mentioned earlier was never experienced. Instead, the mansion's finances were always tight, and much of my mother's dowry was indeed used."
Madam Xu hastily tried to defend herself, "The dowry was used to supplement living expenses with the First Madam's consent. I did not embezzle it privately."
Lin Yanxi's dark eyes concealed a chilling ferocity as she sneered, "Embezzle privately? How dare you?"
In the next moment, she suppressed her ferocity, lowered her long lashes, and said obediently to Lin Ze, "Father, how about this: I will sort out all the accounts within three months. I guarantee I can maintain the household's expenses and even have a surplus. If I fail, I will hand over the household authority with both hands and never bother with it again."
Madam Xu glanced at Lin Ze in panic and said, "Sir, this is a joke. This is not some game. A three-month deadline? She is just a child with a childish mind, what does she know about managing a household?"
Lin Ze pursed his lips, casting a displeased glance at Madam Xu, "One can learn if they don't know how to manage a household. As long as Zhaozhao wants to learn, what is the mere authority of household management? Furthermore, I find Zhaozhao's reasoning to be very sound. For years, your management of accounts has been a mess, and the mansion's finances are always short. Very well, this matter is settled."
Madam Xu was unwilling to relinquish her household authority so easily and was rendered speechless. She knew Lin Ze's temperament; once he made a decision, it was final.
A suffocating pressure built in her chest, unable to rise or fall.
Lin Yanxi's delicate face lit up with joy. She took two steps forward, approached Madam Xu, and feigned familiarity, saying, "If there are any discrepancies in the past accounts, I will need Aunt's guidance. I trouble you."
Madam Xu's expression tightened, and she trembled with anger. Glancing at Lin Ze's impatient look, she dared not enrage him further and resolved to make other plans.
Seeing Lin Yuan supporting Madam Xu back to their rooms, Jiang Wan walked up to Lin Yanxi and said earnestly, "Zhaozhao, in the past, your mother neglected your upbringing. You must always have a kind heart. Such ruthless tactics are not to be learned."
Lin Yanxi's face remained expressionless, but her eyes refused to meet Jiang Wan's. A flicker of hurt and weakness crossed her eyes, and she remained silent for a long time.
Lin Ze, seeing the awkward atmosphere, quickly stepped in to ease the tension. "Zhaozhao, your mother is just concerned about you. Father absolutely supports you. Managing a household is nothing. Our Zhaozhao is no longer foolish; a few account books are surely no challenge."
"Father, I am tired. I will return to my room to rest." Lin Yanxi's voice was childish, laced with a profound sense of disappointment.
Ruthless tactics? Heh, if not for these tactics, she would have suffered the same fate of ruin as in her previous life.
Lin Yanxi walked out of the hall, and the sound of an argument reached her ears from behind.
"Madam, why must you speak to Zhaozhao like that? We can teach her slowly."
"Her current methods are too devious. What other way do you want me to speak?"
Lin Yanxi took a few steps, but couldn't help but feel wronged. A tear traced a path down her cheek.
----
Silence reigned as the moon hid behind the clouds.
Within the young girl's chamber, the furnishings were simple and neat. Behind two pale pink curtains, Lin Yanxi soaked in a wooden tub. Flower petals floated on the water's surface, their calming fragrance mingled with hints of sandalwood, bringing a sense of relaxation.
Yet, she couldn't bring herself to be happy. The household management was temporarily secured.
The next step was to break off the engagement with the Crown Prince. Their engagement had not been formally bestowed, so breaking it off would require some maneuvering.
However, Shen Muzhou had inexplicably become involved now.
She suddenly recalled the hairpin Shen Muzhou had given her at the hairpin gathering. Her slender, pink arm, as delicate as white jade, reached up to touch the wooden hairpin in her hair.
The wooden hairpin featured a simple little rabbit at the front, with two round, small red gems for eyes.
Her fingertip traced the edge of the little rabbit, feeling the slightly uneven lines of the carving.
"It's so ugly."
She fiddled with the wooden hairpin, muttering to herself.
Yet, her mind drifted to Shen Muzhou saving her at the hairpin banquet. In their close proximity, his peach blossom eyes held a profound, clear depth like starlight, yet always remained unreadable.
"Oh? This was carved by my own hand, Your Highness."
"?"
!!!
Lin Yanxi, facing the wall, revealed a small portion of her smooth, tender back towards the door. Her figure was so slender that the bones of her spine were visible through a thin layer of skin. Through the two layers of gauze, it took on a somewhat alluring, hazy quality.
She turned her head towards the doorway and saw a figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist leaning against the doorframe, watching her.
"Ahhh! Shen Muzhou, why are you so persistent!" She yelped like a startled kitten, her small face flushed, grabbing a bathing towel to cover herself.
"Mmm, call out louder, preferably loud enough for everyone in the Grand Tutor's mansion to know I am in your room, watching you bathe."
"..."
Lin Yanxi instantly fell silent, gritting her teeth and asking, "What exactly do you want? Are you insane? This is the Grand Tutor's mansion, I, in my own boudoir!"
Shen Muzhou's voice remained cool and unattainable as he said, "I am here to fulfill your wish."
"Wish? What wish?"
Heaven forbid, her biggest wish right now was for him to get out quickly!
He feigned innocence and said, "You said earlier that you wished to be by my side day and night. How about it? Your dream has come true, aren't you surprised?"
"I... Is this the time for that? You get out first!"
Seeing Shen Muzhou remain silent for a long moment, she patiently softened her voice. "At least wait until I'm dressed."
Shen Muzhou responded with a "Mmm," and then turned around.
Lin Yanxi was speechless. He merely turned around? She was an unmarried young lady of noble birth; how could a strange man be present while she dressed?
"Hurry," his voice came again, carrying a hint of impatient, chilling murderous intent.
She suddenly remembered that in her previous life, Shen Muzhou had massacred an entire city. There were even rumors that he had killed his own mother in his youth. Goosebumps rose on her skin, and she dared not anger him further.
Fortunately, Shen Muzhou seemed to be as rumored, not fond of women, and did not turn back to take advantage of her.
Lin Yanxi changed her clothes. Through the gauze, she could still see Shen Muzhou standing with his hands behind his back, facing away from her. His right hand was clenched behind his back, holding the Soul Ring.
It was the Soul Ring!
If she were to launch a surprise attack from behind, what were her chances of obtaining the Soul Ring?
She held her breath, her bare feet treading on the floor. She quietly walked behind him, getting closer and closer, her small hand tentatively reaching towards his loosely clenched fist.
Shen Muzhou smirked and suddenly turned around, startling her. She immediately straightened her body and looked up at him.
They were now mere inches apart. Lin Yanxi's warm breath, carrying a natural sweetness, wafted onto his face. Her youthful face was flushed, with a hint of nervousness and panic.
Shen Muzhou was a head taller than her. He lowered his gaze, his eyes falling on the fair, tender skin of her neck, which seemed even more delicate and smooth than white jade. His thumb, calloused from exertion, held her chin.
He swallowed and took her wooden hairpin, re-inserting it into her hair. "The hairpin is removed. It seems you truly don't want the Soul Ring. Seeing me, you show no joy, indicating that what you said earlier was all lies. Do you know how much I despise deception?"
His voice was hoarse, his eyes flashing with a hint of obsession and coldness.
Perhaps due to her recent bath, her lips were even redder and more inviting. Fearing she might provoke this malevolent deity, she quickly forced a smile, "Not at all. I merely believe that a hairpin from Your Highness should be carefully cherished. I wear it daily for fear of damaging it."
"Heaven and earth bear witness, every word I spoke today was sincere. If I have uttered a single false word to Your Highness, I shall... be pierced by ten thousand arrows."
Her gaze was resolute, making it seem quite convincing. She secretly prayed, "Oh heavens, this is a matter of circumstance, please do not take it seriously."
"Every word is sincere," he repeated in his heart, somewhat satisfied with the answer.
Her bare feet stood on the floor. The room was paved with white jade tiles. Despite it being June, a chill still crept up her feet.
For the first time, a smile appeared on his lips, carrying a seductive charm, exceptionally beautiful. It evoked a strange sense of familiarity that made her heart flutter.
In the next instant, Shen Muzhou swept her up into his arms. Her eyes widened in panic, and the sensation of falling caused her to instinctively grip his neck tightly.
"Where are you taking me? Put me down quickly!"