Rebellious Girl
"But this Tianyin Master has always been a mysterious figure. No one has ever seen what they truly look like—only occasional rumors and whispers."
"The descriptions from various major forces are vague at best, just a few scattered words."
Jiujin sighed. "It will likely be difficult for Prince Mu to find the Tianyin Master to extend his life."
Yu Linlang let out a soft "Ah," her expression blank. She followed her maid and said seriously, "I think so too."
"Oh, my lady." Jiujin sat upright and looked at Yu Linlang. "That farmer's family was terrified when they were brought to the governor's office yesterday. They confessed everything."
"That old woman is heartless. Her daughter-in-law gave birth to a girl last year, but she had desperately wanted a boy. When it turned out to be another girl, she was so enraged that she tried to drown the child on the spot. It was only due to the mother's desperate struggle that the baby was spared—at least for a while."
"Then why couldn't she protect her later?" Yu Linlang raised an eyebrow.
"If she had tried harder, perhaps she could have." Jiujin sighed. "But the girl was born weak and sickly. Eventually, even her own mother gave up on her."
"On the day of the tragedy, the child's parents were fighting over money. The mother-in-law joined in, attacking the daughter-in-law. In the chaos, she grabbed the baby like an object and used her as a punching tool."
"When the three of them finally came to their senses, the child had already bled to death, with blood seeping from both ears."
"Their panic was immediate. But that old woman was cunning—she quickly thought of sending the child to Huichuntang in the west of the city, pretending to seek medical treatment. And you know the rest, my lady."
Jiujin clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. "The depths of human cruelty are beyond words. Not only did they kill that poor child, but they even tried to use her death to extort money. Despicable!"
"Yet, under Daqi law, there's punishment for children who disobey their parents—labeled as great unfilial piety. But there's no law to punish parents who murder their own children."
"The crime of unfilial behavior is punishable. But if parents drown or beat their own children to death, they go unpunished?" Jiujin said bitterly. "It's beyond unfair."
Yu Linlang sighed and nodded.
Yes. It was unfair.
But the world was filled with unfairness. Where could ordinary people seek justice?
Under imperial rule, fairness was a fleeting illusion. The king ordered a minister's death, and the minister had no choice. A father wished for his son's demise, and the son could not resist.
Who could they turn to?
Yu Linlang gently closed her eyes, absentmindedly fiddling with the prayer beads on her wrist.
The carriage left East City and followed Chongyuanfang Street, heading back to the governor's mansion.
As they arrived, silence stretched for too long. Jiujin's patience wore thin.
With her strength, she could easily kick down the doors if the doormen delayed any longer.
Fortunately, Madam Hu rushed over just in time to prevent a disaster.
The old woman smiled. "Miss Yu, you've returned so late? The rules in the mansion are strict. A young lady must return before the Shen hour. Besides, Weizhou Prefecture has been unsafe lately. Madam is only thinking of your well-being."
Neither master nor servant paid her any attention. They continued toward their courtyard.
Madam Hu hurried after them, calling out, "Miss Linlang, wait! Madam requests your presence."
---
Yuchun Garden
The warm glow of lanterns filled the room.
As Yu Linlang entered, the first thing she saw was Huo Yupian and her daughter sitting on the imperial concubine couch, chatting intimately.
Madam Hu, following closely behind, eagerly watched for a reaction from Yu Linlang.
She would be disappointed.
Yu Linlang's face remained expressionless. Watching the affectionate display between mother and daughter, she seemed entirely unmoved.
Wack!
The maids and attendants held their breath.
Huo's smile vanished the moment she noticed Yu Linlang. Her gaze turned cold. "Something serious happened in the mansion, yet you still had the time to go gallivanting outside? Why can't you learn from your sister and do something worthwhile?"
"Mother." Yu Pianpian clung to Huo's hand, smiling sweetly. "Sister Linlang just returned home. It's understandable that she doesn't know all the rules yet. We can teach her slowly. Please don't be upset."
Huo's gaze softened as she patted her daughter's hand. "My Pianpian is always so understanding."
Then, turning back to Yu Linlang, her expression hardened again. She straightened, her presence commanding.
"Stop causing trouble in front of others."
Her words were sharp, but Yu Linlang remained unfazed.
"This time, I brought you back at the old lady's request. When she returns from the temple tomorrow, you will greet her—but do not speak nonsense in front of her. Do not bring unnecessary trouble into this household."
"Remember, we've always told outsiders that you were recuperating in a small village in Hongcheng. You are only here for the old lady's birthday. Once that's over, you will return to the village."
"The master and I will arrange for a suitable match for you in Hongcheng. Consider it our way of compensating you."
"Also," Huo narrowed her eyes, "I heard you've been spending money lavishly these past two days. That's unnecessary. You're only staying for a short while—there's no need to make a fuss."
"What's the point of not getting used to your sister's things?" Huo's voice turned colder. "At your age, I don't know who spoiled you into being so vain. It's one thing to act like this on your own, but you will not touch anything in Pianpian's room. If anything is damaged, I will hold you responsible."
"Don't touch what isn't yours. And don't covet things that don't belong to you."
Yu Linlang remained still.
The lack of reaction only seemed to infuriate Huo further. Her face darkened.
She abruptly picked up a teacup and hurled it at Yu Linlang's feet, the sharp crack of porcelain breaking echoing through the room.
"Did you hear me?" she snapped. "Are you deaf?"
Jiujin clenched her fists. If her lady hadn't subtly held her back, she would have charged forward and beaten this hateful woman to the ground in three strikes.
Yu Linlang, however, stood quietly, a trace of sarcasm flitting across her lips.
"You've spoken so much, Mistress. Am I just supposed to stand here and listen without saying a word?" She tilted her head. "Or do you feel unsatisfied because I haven't played along with your act?"
"If you continue working yourself up like this, you'll harm your own health." Her tone was calm. "I see that your complexion is already pale, a clear sign of stagnant liver qi. In your condition, you likely experience dizziness, headaches, and flushed skin."
"If you don't control your temper, you'll be the one to suffer. The more you let anger consume you, the worse your condition will get. If this continues, the disease qi will settle into your bones, making it incurable."
Silence fell over Yuchun Garden.
Only the sound of Huo's heavy breathing remained, along with the faint tinkling of broken porcelain pieces on the floor.
"You…!" Huo's face twisted with fury.
"Rebellious girl!"