Chapter Nine: Foolishly Brokenhearted

Lin Zhaozhao was at a loss and asked a nearby servant, "Where is Lin Wanyue waiting for my father?"

“Miss Wu, Fourth Miss said she’s waiting for the master in the study!”

The study? That can’t be right. Behind the study is the lotus pond. When the ladies from various households come to enjoy the banquet, they naturally pass by the study en route to admire the flowers.

“No, I have to check on my father in the study first.”

Without hesitation, Lin Zhaozhao hurriedly rushed toward the study with her short legs. As soon as she entered, she noticed a second breath in the room.

Her gaze swept the space until she spotted a figure behind the folding screen.

She couldn’t help but scoff—

That height, that figure—definitely not the scrawny Lin Wanyue!

It was Zhao Shuangshuang!

In other words, Lin Wanyue never actually came to the study. She had just sent Zhao Shuangshuang in her place!

“What a shameless little white lotus,” Lin Zhaozhao muttered, deliberately trying to scare her. She kicked the desk, causing the hidden Zhao Shuangshuang to tremble in fear.

* * *

Outside the manor, Lord Lin got out of the carriage and walked expressionlessly into the estate. He inquired, “Why are there so many people here today? Where is the Marquis?”

“Master, the Marquis prepared a banquet. He should be in the study by now.”

“That unfilial son! Didn’t the Emperor instruct him and Qingwu to prepare for the reception of the great prince from the Northern Rong? Instead of preparing to host the guests properly, he’s wasting time here with a banquet. I’ll make sure to punish him!”

* * *

Inside the study, Lin Zhaozhao stared at the wine pot and cups on the table, her lips twitching.

Why!

If you’re going to poison someone, at least put some thought into it. Are you Parkinson’s-afflicted? When you sprinkled the powdered drug into the cup, couldn’t you wipe up the powder you shook onto the table? That white dust smeared all over the desk—who would dare drink the wine now?

But Zhao Shuangshuang was inexperienced in such underhanded schemes and had been nervous to begin with. Fearful the Marquis might suddenly enter and catch her, after stirring the wine with her finger, she naturally licked the wine off her fingertip.

Regaining her senses, Zhao Shuangshuang thought, “Am I out of my mind?!”

Lin Zhaozhao wasn’t sure whether the powder was a knockout drug, but regardless, taking advantage of Zhao Shuangshuang’s hesitation, she swapped the two wine cups without a word.

Clapping her hands, she said, “Ah, Father’s not in the room, so I’ll be going now!”

She was giving Zhao Shuangshuang a chance—if she had any conscience, she would stop and leave with her. But Zhao Shuangshuang had no such intention.

Just then, Lin Yuanzhi entered. Being a martial artist, he immediately sensed something amiss behind the screen. “Wanyue? Why are you hiding there? Come out at once!”

Zhao Shuangshuang had intended to wait until he drank the wine before revealing herself. Seeing he had no such plan and was instead trying to catch her, she reluctantly stepped out and said, “Marquis, it’s me!”

The beauty before him had tear-filled eyes, a slender waist like a willow, and a gaze full of tenderness. At that moment, Lin Yuanzhi felt a chill run down his spine—he was in deep trouble—and turned to leave.

“Marquis, don’t go!” Zhao Shuangshuang reached out to stop him, but seeing his defensive expression, she hurriedly added, “Marquis, I have admired you for some time, which is why I repeatedly tried to seduce you. But you and the lady have a deep love; these past few days I’ve thought it over and realized you both have taken great care of me. It’s wrong of me. Now that I’m no longer young, it’s time I find a good family to marry into.”

Lin Yuanzhi stopped as if fleeing, then turned back and agreed, “It’s good you think that way, cousin. You’re a good girl and deserve a better man.”

Not me, he silently added.

“I’ve caused you much trouble before, Marquis, so before I leave, I want to apologize with tea instead of wine.”

She raised a wine cup and handed it to Lin Yuanzhi.

Seeing his wary expression, she tilted her head obediently. “Marquis, why not drink? Afraid the wine is unclean?”

Then, she took the cup from his hand and drained it in one gulp. “Now, Marquis, you can rest assured, right?”

Lin Yuanzhi wasn’t so much concerned as he was—

Forget it; he was a grown man.

Meeting Zhao Shuangshuang’s earnest eyes, he poured the wine into his mouth and was about to drink when he suddenly recalled Zhaozhao’s warning—

“At such a sensitive time, if Lin Wanyue and Zhao Shuangshuang aren’t conspiring together, then something’s amiss.”

Indeed, although Wanyue had invited him to the study, why was only his cousin there?

Uneasy, he instinctively raised his wide sleeve to wipe his mouth.

* * *

Elsewhere, in the front hall of the Qingyuan Marquis’s mansion.

Lin Wanyue checked the time and then put down her chopsticks, clutching her stomach. “Grandmother, Mother, I can’t eat anymore! This banquet is making my stomach ache.”

“Exactly!” Lady Li, wife of the Minister of Justice, said, “I say we shouldn’t just sit here idly. Sister Bai, you’re from a Marquis’s household; isn’t there anywhere you can take us to see flowers?”

Before Lady Bai could speak, Lin Wanyue’s clear voice chimed in, “Lady Li, we have a lotus pond in our estate. The lotuses are in full bloom. If you don’t mind, I’ll lead everyone to take a look.”

[I really can’t believe this. Looking at flowers, my foot! First, she helped Zhao Shuangshuang lure my father to the study, and now she’s using sweet talk to lead everyone to the lotus pond!]

[I bet you’re not really interested in flowers. You’re helping Zhao Shuangshuang stab my parents in the back!]

[You’ve been played by that scheming little white lotus!]

Lady Bai looked puzzled.

What about inviting people to the study, what about betraying her father and mother?

Had Wanyue really helped Zhao Shuangshuang trap the master?

Unease gnawed at Lady Bai’s heart. She was about to refuse when Lin Wanyue stood up and said, “Let’s go, Lady Li, Lady Wang, Lady Ma. The lotus pond is just across that small bridge!”

Lady Bai couldn’t stop them and instructed a nearby maid, “Quick, see if the master is with the male guests.”

The maid, swift on her feet, ran over and shook her head from afar.

Lady Bai’s heart sank.

Her husband had organized this banquet, yet he wasn’t even present.

And Zhaozhao said Wanyue was scheming against her father…

Since men and women historically maintain propriety and avoid close contact, if this young man and woman were seen alone together in a room—

The consequences could be dire.