Lifelike
After the old woman with a bitter face took the two girls away, Jiujin closed the door and asked, "Why did you keep that woman?"
"I'm too lazy to argue with them. Sooner or later, they'll start paying us some attention. Madam Hu seems pretty sharp—let her stay," Yu Linlang replied casually as she walked directly to the window rack, tending to her beloved potted plants.
On two half-meter-tall bamboo racks sat dozens of flower pots, some with only budding sprouts, others already showing tender green leaves. One particular pot, with red, green, and yellow flower buds, was beginning to bloom beautifully.
Yu Linlang pulled out a plastic watering can seemingly out of thin air and carefully sprinkled water on the plants. Then, she took out a jade bottle from her waist and dripped a few dewdrops onto them.
For once, her face showed a trace of joy—an expression more fitting for a young girl.
"Judging by this, it should be in full bloom in another month and a half," she murmured.
Seeing her so pleased, Jiujin couldn't help but smile. "Miss, judging by the days, Sister Huang and Baliang should be arriving tomorrow." As she spoke, she pulled out a set of clean clothes from the cabinet and laid them neatly on the bed.
Yu Linlang's eyes lit up. "Then go welcome them at the city gates. At noon, have Madam Hu and the others fetch some food from the kitchen for me. I'll be in seclusion, painting."
"Understood."
Just then, Madam Hu entered, panting, with Xiangling and Xiangye struggling to carry a wooden bucket of water. "Miss Yu, we've brought the water."
Yu Linlang put away the watering can, took a towel, and wiped her hands.
Jiujin opened the door, took the heavy wooden bucket from the girls with ease, and carried it inside in one swift motion.
Madam Hu and the two girls stood there, stunned, unable to react for a moment.
"Why are you still standing there? Go get another bucket. Should the lady bathe in dirty water?" Jiujin chided. "This should be common sense by now."
Madam Hu bit her lip, almost on the verge of tears.
The kitchen was quite far from the courtyard, and carrying water back and forth had nearly broken her back.
Jiujin continued, "I'll be heading out tomorrow. The three of you should prepare lunch. Otherwise, don't disturb the lady—she'll be working."
Madam Hu nodded weakly and led Xiangling and Xiangye away to fetch more water.
Jiujin shut the door and muttered, "Useless. Carrying one bucket of water and they're already panting like dogs."
In the West Wing
Across a small patio, in the west wing, Honglai pressed her ear against the door, listening intently. After a moment, she turned to her mistress.
"Miss Hu and the others have gone to fetch water from the kitchen again."
Yu Qiuping, calmly embroidering a mandarin duck pattern onto a silk handkerchief, didn't even look up. "How extravagant. Two whole buckets just for a bath. She doesn't even have the status of our young lady, yet she still wants to act so refined."
Honglai sneered. "The eldest lady sure is tolerant. But everyone in the house knows she's nothing but an outsider."
"In the past, Miss Zhihuan was called the third daughter, but now, another one has popped up out of nowhere. I wonder how the people in Miss Zhihuan's courtyard feel about that."
Yu Qiuping's hand paused slightly before she smirked. "Aunt Su never fights for anything, and her daughter may act tough, but she's just a paper tiger."
Honglai walked closer, admiring her work. "Miss, your embroidery skills are becoming more exquisite."
Yu Qiuping sighed softly. "What a pity. No one truly appreciates it."
Just then, her maid, Lucai, entered with an ugly expression. She bowed and said, "Miss."
Yu Qiuping looked up, her mood souring further. "You came back empty-handed? What did she say?"
"My aunt said she wishes she could give something to the lady, but she barely has any money left." Lucai clenched her hands.
"And the jewelry in the brocade box? Tell her to pawn some to cover the urgent expense!"
"I already suggested that, but she claims she has no valuable jewelry left. Everything was used to prepare the old madam's birthday gifts. Even the twenty taels she deposited at Babao Pavilion had to be pieced together."
"In recent years, the master has rarely visited my aunt's quarters, so there haven't been any rewards. Our only perfume shop isn't doing well, and the monthly income is pitiful."
Yu Qiuping's face darkened as she clutched the silk handkerchief tightly, wrinkling it.
"Useless woman. She couldn't even keep a man properly."
Lucai hesitated before asking, "Miss, what should we do now? Manager Wu from Babao Pavilion sent someone today to demand payment."
Yu Qiuping clenched her jaw.
"He said that the jade Guanyin is exquisitely crafted and highly sought after by the noble ladies. If we don't settle the balance by tomorrow night, he'll sell it to someone else."
Yu Qiuping slammed her embroidery down, frustration boiling over.
"Why is he in such a rush? If I said I'd buy it, I will! Does waiting two more days really make a difference?"
She paced around the room. "Summon Ma Gui tomorrow morning. I refuse to believe that, as the eldest daughter of the Governor's household, I can't buy a single jade Guanyin!"
She sneered, "That aunt of mine is absolutely useless. No money, no connections, nothing."
A flash of envy crossed her eyes. If only she had Yu Pianpian's luck—if only she had been born into the prestigious Huo family in the capital—would she still be worrying over such a trivial amount of money?
"No. I'll go to Changle Gambling House myself tomorrow."
---
The Next Day
By noon the next day, Yu Shoudao, Chen Buyu, Wei Ling, and others were gathered at the Mu Mansion's pavilion to admire a portrait painted by Yu Linlang.
Governor Yu studied it for a long time before finally speaking. "It's too... lifelike."
The image of the deceased was so realistic, it felt no different from an actual person.
"The portrait arrived before noon," Mu Zhao said with admiration. "Miss Yu completed it several hours in advance, showing diligence and responsibility. It's evident that she worked tirelessly throughout the night. Such noble character is rare."
Mu Feng, who had been silently admiring the painting, couldn't help but interject. "Governor Yu, Miss Linlang is truly talented! Why has she been left outside all these years instead of being brought home?"
Governor Yu smiled awkwardly. "My daughter has always been in poor health, so we kept her in the countryside. It is her honor to assist in this case."
Chen Buyu waved a hand. "This is more than just a small favor—her work is invaluable."
Governor Yu frowned slightly. "Is it truly him? Is the deceased really this person?"
Lu Qian stepped forward. "I've already sent painters to make several copies. They're being distributed to gambling houses for verification."