Mo Shujie was both shocked and terrified, never expecting this seemingly unremarkable young woman to be the elder sister-in-law of Marquis Ling!
These days, who in the court and beyond didn’t tremble at the mere mention of his name?
Though Mo Shujie was a lecherous man, he still knew whom he could provoke and whom he couldn’t.
Yet, he couldn’t help stealing another glance at Jiang Yueyao’s retreating figure. That woman was truly a rare beauty—her slender waist, delicate yet not bony, her graceful silhouette so alluring that he could hardly imagine how she would look undressed in bed.
He swallowed hard. Her husband must have been a man who knew how to enjoy life.
Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly overheard two maids whispering behind a nearby bush.
"That Lady Ling has quite the airs about her—a mere village woman, yet putting on such airs!"
"Exactly! And she dares to flaunt Marquis Ling’s name to intimidate others. Everyone knows how much he despises her! If not for the old madam being deceived by her, forcing him to endure this, Marquis Ling would have surely wanted her dead by now."
"Why is that?"
"You don’t know? They say Marquis Ling’s elder brother died because of her. She was unfaithful, seducing men outside, and drove her own husband to his grave."
"Really?!"
"How could it be false? It was the son of Rong Prefect of Yunzhou. Why else do you think the entire Rong family was wiped out? This is no secret. Marquis Ling loathes her but just hasn’t had the chance to deal with her yet. Just wait—she’ll get what’s coming to her!"
"Marquis Ling is filial, after all. He’s swallowed his anger for the old madam’s sake. But if someone were to help him rid himself of this woman, he might even be grateful."
Hearing this, Mo Shujie’s beady eyes gleamed with renewed interest.
He spat in disdain. "Playing the chaste and virtuous one in front of me, when she’s nothing but a seductive, low-born harlot!"
If she could murder her own husband, how dare she put on airs as the dignified Lady Ling in front of him?
Who did she think she was?!
The greed he had suppressed earlier now surged back uncontrollably. If such a promiscuous woman was fair game for others, why shouldn’t he have a taste?
After all, she had a history of scandal, and Marquis Ling despised her. If things came to light, he could always claim she had seduced him!
With this thought, Mo Shujie’s smile grew even more repulsive.
Yueyao could no longer stay.
She had originally intended to leave after a while to maintain appearances, but after seeing Mo Shujie here, she couldn’t care less about propriety.
She went straight to Chen Shiyun to take her leave.
Chen Shiyun was still in the waterside pavilion. Surprised by Yueyao’s early departure, she said, "Must you leave so soon, Madam? We haven’t even had lunch yet."
Yueyao shook her head. "I’m feeling unwell and shouldn’t stay much longer. I wouldn’t want to dampen everyone’s spirits."
"If you leave so early, people might think I’ve been a poor hostess."
Chen Shiyun sighed regretfully. "But since you’re unwell, I won’t insist. At least allow me to prepare a box of tea as a parting gift."
She turned to Yulan. "Go fetch it for Madam."
Then, to Chun’er, she added, "Chun’er, go help pick some out. You know Madam’s tastes—choose a few varieties she might like."
Yueyao was taken aback. Chen Shiyun was suddenly being so courteous.
Chun’er glanced at Yueyao for confirmation, and after receiving a nod, she followed Yulan out.
Once the maids had left, Chen Shiyun took Yueyao’s hand. "I must apologize for my earlier rudeness. I spoke out of turn and offended you. Please don’t hold it against me."
Yueyao’s brows lifted slightly. She hadn’t expected Chen Shiyun to humble herself like this.
Chen Shiyun continued, "After all, in a month’s time, I’ll be marrying into the Marquis’s household. As the elder sister-in-law, you deserve my respect. We’ll be family soon, and I’d rather there be no ill will between us."
Yueyao wasn’t sure if she was sincere, but it hardly mattered. If Chen Shiyun wanted to maintain appearances, she wouldn’t refuse.
"You’re right. There’s no need for such formalities between family."
Chen Shiyun smiled in relief. "I’m glad to hear you say that."
Just then, a young maid entered with tea. Yueyao was about to decline when the maid suddenly tripped over her own skirt, gasping as the tray slipped from her hands, drenching Yueyao’s dress.
"Stupid girl! What kind of clumsy fool are you?!" Chen Shiyun scolded.
The maid, pale with fright, dropped to her knees, kowtowing frantically. "This lowly one deserves death! It was an accident—please forgive me, Madam!"
"Someone drag her out and slap her!"
Chen Shiyun hastily dabbed at Yueyao’s skirt with a handkerchief. "Are you all right?"
Yueyao frowned. "I’m fine."
Fortunately, the tea wasn’t scalding, but her dress was soaked through, the fabric clinging uncomfortably to her legs.
Chen Shiyun fretted, "You must change out of this. The dress is ruined. You can borrow one of mine—we’re of similar stature, so it should fit."
Yueyao couldn’t very well leave in such a state, so she reluctantly agreed.
"Shancha, escort Lady Ling to the guest chamber to change."
"Yes." Shancha hurried forward. "This way, Madam."
Yueyao followed, her mood worsening. Today had been nothing but trouble.
She never should have left home.
One mishap after another left her too frustrated to think clearly. But as they walked, she realized the path was growing eerily quiet.
Shancha led her to a side chamber and ushered her inside.
The moment Yueyao stepped in, a strange fragrance hit her.
As someone who crafted her own perfumes, she was familiar with all manner of scents. This one was deceptively sweet, but beneath it lurked something off—something unnatural.
Not an ordinary incense, but rather… an aphrodisiac?
Her mind snapped to clarity, her back breaking out in cold sweat as she froze at the threshold.
Shancha had already entered. Seeing her hesitate, she turned. "Madam, please come in and change."
Yueyao’s grip on the doorframe tightened, her palms damp. In an instant, she understood why Chen Shiyun had suddenly acted so apologetic and accommodating.
They had no prior enmity—how could she be so vicious?!
"Madam?" Shancha called again.
Yueyao forced herself to calm down. She couldn’t act rashly—what if others were lying in wait? If she exposed the scheme now, would they simply drag her inside by force?
Chen Shiyun had lured her here willingly, likely to fabricate evidence of an affair. But if Yueyao tried to flee now, in this unnervingly silent place, she had no doubt hidden eyes were watching.
If she refused, they’d make sure she complied.
She scanned the chamber—it was small, just a single room with no place to hide except for Shancha.
Steeling herself, she released the doorframe and stepped inside.
Shancha closed the door and took out a set of clothes. "Madam, please change first. This servant will stand guard outside."
Jiang Yueyao nodded. "Very well."
She pointed to a cloth towel on the opposite shelf. "Bring that towel to me. I need to wipe myself."
"Yes."
As Shancha turned to fetch the towel, Jiang Yueyao seized the incense burner beside her and smashed it against the maid’s head.
"Ah—!"
Before Shancha could even cry out, Jiang Yueyao stuffed the skirt into her mouth to silence her.
Shancha collapsed to the floor, her face covered in blood, her eyes wide with pain and terror as she stared up at her mistress.
Without hesitation, Jiang Yueyao stripped the maid of her clothes and swiftly changed into them herself.
Once dressed, she took a deep breath to steady herself, then pulled the door open again and stepped out with her head lowered.
Meanwhile, Mo Shujie had already arrived with his men.
He had been itching for an opportunity to corner the little vixen, and when a maid mentioned that Jiang Yueyao had wet her dress and come to this side chamber to change, his excitement flared.
It was like a gift from the heavens!
He rushed over eagerly, sneering, "This little slut chose such a secluded place to change—she must be looking for a man!"
"Then isn’t the young master in luck today?" His lackey grinned obsequiously. "That woman can’t stay chaste even after her husband’s death. She’s practically begging for it!"
Mo Shujie’s throat went dry, and he licked his lips. "You lot, guard this place. No one comes in, no one leaves. Don’t ruin my fun."
"Yes, understood!"
The lackeys immediately blocked the path. The side chamber was so remote that none of the banquet guests would wander here—it was the perfect spot for a secret tryst.
Just as Jiang Yueyao was about to flee, she heard Mo Shujie’s voice and ducked behind a corner instead.
Her stomach churned with disgust. If she hadn’t realized his scheme, she couldn’t imagine what horrors awaited her.
But she wasn’t safe yet. Mo Shujie was already striding toward the chamber. Soon, he would discover the unconscious maid inside and send his men searching.
With the exit guarded, escape was impossible.
The realization struck her—this place was too isolated. Even if she screamed, no one would hear.
Cold sweat drenched her back as she frantically weighed her options. Seeing Mo Shujie charge into the chamber, she turned and hurried deeper into the row of side rooms, hoping to find another way out.
Once she had put some distance between them, she broke into a run, wishing she could sprout wings and fly away.
But suddenly, a hand clamped around her arm and yanked her back.
