Chu Ruoyan was slightly surprised. "What a coincidence."
"Indeed! Look here, miss—it says Mrs. Feng fell gravely ill. She sent messages several times to the General’s Mansion in the North, but they all vanished without a trace. Her maiden family did send some medicinal herbs, but no one came to visit her." Yulu shook her head. "How pitiful..."
Chu Ruoyan pondered. "When did Mrs. Feng move to Huguo Temple?"
The shadow servant thought for a moment, gesturing ten, then five and six.
"Fifteen or sixteen years ago?"
The shadow nodded. Yulu gasped, "That would be around the time the second young lady was born!"
A cold glint flashed in Chu Ruoyan’s eyes. If that were truly the case, then Elder Feng’s suspicion was far too great!
"Nanny Zhou, return to the Duke of Chu's Mansion tomorrow. Tell them I have urgent business and request that my cousin, Tingfeng, come at once!"
Nanny Zhou assented and left early the next morning.
Shortly after noon, Chu Tingfeng arrived in a hurry, bowing as he greeted her. "Cousin, what do you need?"
Chu Ruoyan measured her words. "No need for formalities. I’ve heard you’ve long admired the young lady from the fourth branch of the Lin family. I thought perhaps I could meet her..."
Chu Tingfeng froze, then his heart leaped with joy.
This cousin of his was now the wife of the Chief Imperial Secretary—her words carried even more weight than those of his aunt, the Duchess of Chu. If Yunshi could win her favor, perhaps the obstacles in their marriage could finally be overcome!
"Thank you for your kindness, cousin! I’ll go find her at once!"
Watching him dash out in a flurry, Chu Ruoyan blinked, then chuckled. "Such impatience—nothing like Second Uncle and Aunt at all."
Nanny Zhou smiled beside her. "Young Master Tingfeng fears you might change your mind. His engagement with the Lin girl is hanging by a thread, so he sees you as his savior."
"A savior? Hardly. But if he and that girl truly care for each other, I don’t mind lending a hand..."
Before long, Chu Tingfeng’s servant came running back—his face bruised and swollen, as if he’d been in a fight.
"Madam Chief Secretary, please stand up for our young master! The Lin family not only refused to let him see her but even mocked our Duke for raising another man’s child! The young master couldn’t bear it and fought back!"
"What? He struck first?"
The servant hesitated. "Yes, but they provoked him beyond endurance!"
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips tightly.
Right or wrong aside, whoever struck first would lose the moral high ground.
She rose immediately. By the time she reached the back gate of the Lin residence, Chu Tingfeng was already surrounded by over a dozen men. A crowd of onlookers had gathered, and her frown deepened as she glanced at Nanny Zhou.
The latter barked, "Enough!"
The Lin servants halted at once. Lin Sheng, the eldest son of the Lin family, who had been leaning idly by the gate, quickly stepped forward with an ingratiating smile. "Ah, isn’t this the Chief Secretary’s carriage? Which esteemed guest graces us today?"
Before Chu Ruoyan could speak, Chu Tingfeng scrambled up, his face battered, and shouted, "Cousin! They insulted Uncle, even said that he—"
"Silence!" Chu Ruoyan coldly cut him off as she lifted the carriage curtain.
Lin Sheng bowed hastily. "So it’s the Chief Secretary’s wife! Forgive our Lin family for failing to recognize your eminence."
In the capital, noblewomen retained their titles even after marriage, and outsiders addressed them accordingly. Yet Lin Sheng deliberately called her "Madam Chief Secretary"—clearly trying to use Yan Zheng’s status to pressure her into restraint.
A frosty glint flickered in Chu Ruoyan’s eyes as she stepped toward Chu Tingfeng. "Your servant just admitted you struck first?"
Chu Tingfeng, wiping blood from his nose, nodded.
"Apologize."
He stiffened, eyes flooding with indignation. "Cousin! I wasn’t the one who started this!"
"I said, apologize!"
Gritting his teeth, Chu Tingfeng squeezed his eyes shut as if swallowing humiliation. "I’m sorry! I was wrong!"
Chu Ruoyan turned to Lin Sheng. "Young Master Lin, my cousin acted rashly. I hope you can forgive his offense."
Lin Sheng’s eyes gleamed with barely concealed disdain.
So this was the famed Chief Secretary’s wife? Just as his father said—these so-called upright families prized reputation above all else. Even when her own cousin was beaten, she forced him to apologize...
Masking his contempt, he bowed again. "Madam Chief Secretary is too gracious. Your cousin merely acted in the heat of the moment. The Lin family won’t take it to heart."
Yet the moment he finished, her voice floated over, serene as a breeze. "Splendid. Since the Lin family is so magnanimous, let us consider this matter settled... However, Young Master Lin, shouldn’t your family also account for my cousin’s injuries?"
Lin Sheng gaped—
Slap! Slap! Slap!
A shadowy figure darted out, striking every Lin servant present. Even Lin Sheng himself was slapped so hard his ears rang.
The scene fell deathly silent. Chu Tingfeng stared, stunned.
"This explanation seems rather lacking..."
Chu Ruoyan sighed delicately. Nanny Zhou immediately scolded, "Guard Shadow, have you not eaten? Look at how badly our young master was hurt!"
The shadow servant bowed apologetically—then proceeded to slap the other side of each offender’s face.
When it was Lin Sheng’s turn again, he paled, raising his hands in panic. "Lady! Lady, let’s talk this over!"
Shadow glanced back at Chu Ruoyan, who sighed. "Young Master Lin, I’m doing this for your sake. Under Great Xia’s laws, mob violence warrants at least eight or nine days in prison. Wouldn’t it be better to settle this privately?"
Lin Sheng’s teeth ached.
None of those struck twice by Shadow could even stand. And that bastard hit like a blacksmith—his molar felt loose!
"Lady! The Lin family admits fault! We beg your mercy!"
As Lin Sheng kowtowed, Chu Ruoyan gave a slight nod, and Shadow withdrew.
Chu Tingfeng rushed forward. "Where’s Yunshi? What have you done with her?"
Lin Sheng shot a fearful look at Chu Ruoyan. "She... Seventh Sister is unwell and cannot receive guests..."
"Lies! Just yesterday her maid told me she was fine, only weeping day and night!"
When Lin Sheng clamped his mouth shut, Chu Ruoyan said softly, "Shadow—"
"Wait! I’ll talk!" Lin Sheng stamped his foot. "Father has already promised Seventh Sister to Vice Minister Yuan as a concubine. They’re sending her off today—"
As he spoke, several matrons dragged out a girl.
She wore no bridal robes, only thin undergarments. Her hair hung loose, stripped of all ornaments—less a bride than a plaything being delivered to a man’s bed.
Worse, her limbs were bound, a gag stuffed in her mouth. Though her face was streaked with desperate tears, the matrons shoved her forward ruthlessly.
"Seventh Miss, resign yourself. The fourth madam won’t let you marry into the Duke’s household, nor let you rise above her own daughters. This matter has Lord Lin’s approval. Today, you become Vice Minister Yuan’s Concubine Lin!"
