The Plague God!
"Have you rested well?"
"Well, I finally got some peace and quiet after a long time." Honglai helped Yu Qiuping comb through her long hair, gently taking care of her. "That guy really doesn't know his place. He still thinks he's a lady from a noble house."
Yu Qiuping sat on the embroidered stool, staring at her sallow reflection in the mirror, momentarily lost in thought.
She was born into an ordinary family, and unlike those with naturally fair skin, she had always been a little insecure about her complexion.
She used to think that someone with snow-white skin like Yu Pianpian was rare. However, today, when she first met Yu Linlang, she was surprised. Though Yu Linlang's facial features were unremarkable, her jade-like, flawless skin made her appear strikingly elegant.
If only she had such creamy, smooth skin herself…
"Miss?"
Yu Qiuping snapped back to reality. "Any news about the pear paste from Yuyanfang?"
Honglai immediately pulled a bitter face. "Miss, I send people to wait there every day. That pear paste is really in high demand. Ever since someone snatched a bottle for five thousand taels half a month ago, we haven't seen another one hit the shelves."
"The reputation of Sydney Paste is growing. I hear that even the nobles in the capital can't get enough of it, and they have to travel thousands of miles just to find some."
"I doubt we could even afford it if we did come across a bottle."
Yu Qiuping closed the rouge box on her dressing table with a sharp snap. "Then just keep watching. Why are you wasting time telling me all this nonsense? I already understand the situation."
She stretched out her slender neck, staring at the yellowed reflection in the mirror. In a quiet voice, she murmured, "It will happen… soon."
---
A Sudden Disturbance
"Hey, who's knocking so early in the morning? I'm coming!" The doorman groggily pulled back the bolt, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
Two men, carrying a large Huanghuali wooden screen, squeezed their way through the doorway.
"Hey, who are you?"
Jiujin barged in, pushing past the doorman. "Move, move! Bring everything inside."
"What? You—!"
"Step aside. Don't block the way." Jiujin shoved the doorman out of the way without hesitation, directing the workers to carry in furniture and tools.
Madam Hu, hearing the commotion, rushed over and was startled by the scene. "Miss Jiujin, what are you doing? How can these strange men just walk into the backyard like this?"
"Alright, alright, call some female servants to help carry everything to my lady's courtyard," Jiujin ordered impatiently.
"Miss Jiujin, this—?"
"What now?" Jiujin waved dismissively. "I still need to rush to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for my lady! Just bring more people to help."
Seeing no alternative, Madam Hu called for additional servants to move the items. As she followed Jiujin, she hesitantly said, "Miss Jiujin, the kitchen already has a schedule. You should inform us in advance if you need anything…"
Before she could finish, the two of them stepped into the kitchen courtyard—only to find a group of people huddled around the entrance.
Madam Hu furrowed her brows. "Why are you all standing around? Have you prepared the old lady's lotus seed soup with thigh fungus? Where's breakfast?"
The kitchen steward stepped forward, rubbing his hands nervously. "Madam Hu, it's not that we don't want to work… The kitchen door is locked from the inside. We can't even get in."
Madam Hu frowned and pushed at the door, but it wouldn't budge.
"What are you waiting for? Get some tools and pry it open."
"No need for that." Jiujin stepped forward. "I've got it."
With that, she kicked the double doors. A loud crack echoed as the wooden bolt inside snapped.
The kitchen steward cautiously stepped inside—only to scream in horror.
Jiujin's eyes immediately locked onto the ghastly sight inside. A woman's corpse stood upright against the wall, her face pale, eyes lifelessly staring upward. Her abdomen had been completely hollowed out, leaving behind an empty cavity.
"Urgh!" The kitchen staff recoiled, gagging and vomiting in the corner.
Madam Hu and the steward staggered backward, their faces drained of color. With shaking legs, Madam Hu managed to stammer, "Hurry—hurry! Inform Madam immediately! Something terrible has happened!"
---
A Suspicious Arrival
Early in the morning, Yu Qiuping was startled awake by a series of loud noises. Frustrated, she threw a jade pillow in anger.
Honglai stormed out, ready to curse at the disturbance—only to freeze at the sight before her. Yu Linlang's maid was working on a wooden frame, smoothing it with a plane. When she noticed Honglai, she turned and smiled.
Honglai's breath hitched. Something about Miss Linlang and her maid felt eerily unsettling.
Jiujin inspected the polished wooden doors and windows before nodding in satisfaction. She quickly installed them, securing them with a sturdy copper bolt. Even when she pushed with all her strength, they barely budged.
"Miss, it's done," she said, packing away her tools.
Inside, Yu Linlang sat by a small copper stove, calmly eating breakfast noodles. Seeing Jiujin enter, sweating, she handed her a handkerchief.
"I told you we could finish this after breakfast. No need to rush."
"It's fine." Jiujin casually took a sip of water. "Miss, eat quickly. I suspect someone will come asking questions soon."
Yu Linlang nodded. Jiujin had already informed her about the murder in the kitchen.
Fortunately, the two had come prepared, bringing their own tables, chairs, cabinets, bedding, bowls, cups, and even a stove. With a simple setup, boiling noodles had been effortless.
Just as they finished tidying up, rapid footsteps echoed outside the courtyard.
It was Madam Zhao, the dowry steward.
Yu Qiuping hurried forward with a bright smile. "Madam Zhao, why have you come so early? Did my mother send something?"
Madam Zhao's expression was grave. "The Lord of the Criminal Prison Department has arrived. The master has summoned all the ladies to the main hall for questioning."
"The Criminal Prison Department? Questioning?"
Yu Qiuping was taken aback—clearly unaware of the murder in the kitchen.
She turned sharply. "Miss Linlang! Hurry up and come with me!"
Yu Linlang stepped out of her room, meeting Yu Qiuping's gaze.
"Come along, Miss Linlang. Bring all your maids. Do not keep the madam waiting." Unlike yesterday's polite tone, Madam Zhao's voice now carried an unmistakable hostility.
Even Yu Qiuping noticed the change—how could Yu Linlang not?
Honglai and Lüse exchanged uneasy glances.
Without another word, Madam Zhao led Yu Linlang, Yu Qiuping, and their maids toward the front yard.
Upon arrival, she directed them through the back hall, where an angry voice suddenly rang out—
"Plague god!"
A delicate porcelain teacup shattered at Yu Linlang's feet.
Jiujin instinctively reached out, steadying her lady.
Yu Linlang slowly raised her gaze.
A strikingly beautiful woman, barely in her thirties, sat in the Grand Master's chair, her sharp glare fixed directly on her.