Attracting the Evil
"Madam, she fainted at the gate again. Her health is really not good—she faints at any time."
Baliang was pacing outside but returned with a gloating expression. "It was Niu Erji's mother—she came demanding compensation and is making a scene in front of the mansion."
"The old woman is a fierce fighter. Even three or five strong men couldn't hold her back. She was threatening to die at the mansion gates, leaving the lady with no choice but to tolerate her."
"The two officials from the Demon-Suppressing Department tried to intervene, but to no avail. Now, the master has invited them to the back hall for a discussion."
"Then Yu Pianpian returned to her courtyard and hasn't come out since. She doesn't seem to be planning to complain to the madam. Strange, isn't it?" Baliang smirked. "But I suppose it makes sense. The lady is probably still fainting on her bed and has no one to cry to anyway."
Jiujin chuckled and shook his head. "That fake daughter doesn't seem like the type to admit defeat so easily. I bet she'll continue stirring up trouble."
Yu Linlang was tending to her precious flowers by the window. Even upon hearing their conversation, she didn't look up. "If this case involves the Niu family, Lord Chen might persuade Governor Yu to keep the woman under protection."
At that moment, Governor Yu paced back and forth in the flower hall, hands clasped behind his back, barely containing his anger.
"Keep that woman in my house? Absolutely not!"
"That arrogant, troublesome old hag has already upset my wife, and now you want me to shelter her here? Lord Chen, do you take me for a fool with too much free time?"
"Master Yu, please hear me out," Chen Buyu said calmly, undeterred by the governor's temper. "Based on our current investigation, this case is most likely an act of revenge."
"I told you last time it was revenge, but you didn't believe me! The murderer was clearly targeting the Niu family. Our mansion got dragged into this mess by mistake."
Picking up two troublesome souls had thrown the governor's household into chaos.
"I've sent people to investigate the Niu family. The household has two brothers, and their mother, Aunt Niu, has a notoriously aggressive personality. She also has a poor relationship with her neighbors."
"There have been minor conflicts, but nothing serious enough to warrant murder. The villagers wouldn't resort to such extremes."
Governor Yu stopped pacing and narrowed his eyes. "So you're saying the murderer isn't a relative of the Niu family?"
"When we found Aunt Niu on Chengdong Street, we spotted a suspicious individual. My men chased him halfway down the street, but he escaped."
Governor Yu's expression darkened. "If even the Demon-Suppressing Department couldn't catch him, what else could he be but a demon? This isn't the work of an ordinary human!"
Chen Buyu calmly set down his teacup. "Sir, have you considered that the murderer might be a martial arts master?"
"So what? Does that mean this old woman is in danger now?" Governor Yu muttered, resuming his pacing. "Lord Chen, that woman caused a huge commotion at my gate today. What exactly are you suggesting?"
Chen Buyu sighed. "You misunderstand me. The officials wouldn't take such matters lightly. However, Aunt Niu firmly believes that her son and daughter-in-law died because of your mansion, and she demands justice."
"This is where we stand now." Lord Chen studied the governor's face. "Since the murderer's next target is most likely Aunt Niu, why not keep her under the governor's protection?"
"If we can lure the culprit out, that would be ideal for everyone involved. What do you say, Governor?"
Governor Yu looked anything but pleased.
"You want to use my mansion as bait for a murderer? What about the safety of my wife and daughters?"
"If the Governor's Mansion in Weizhou City isn't safe, then where is?" Chen Buyu countered calmly. "This is for the sake of solving the case, Governor. Don't try to push this responsibility away."
"Or…" he added with a slight smirk, "shall I trouble the prince about this instead?"
Governor Yu's face twisted in frustration.
He recalled his private conversation with the prince, where he was explicitly ordered to assist Lord Chen in resolving this case as soon as possible. It left him feeling utterly stifled.
The mansion was already in turmoil, and matters outside were even worse.
Outside the city, dozens of starving refugees were falling ill every day, and the situation was deteriorating rapidly.
Experienced physicians warned that if things continued at this rate, an epidemic would break out.
That was the last thing Governor Yu wanted to deal with. Disease was no joke.
"Governor Yu?"
He had no choice but to handle one crisis at a time.
With gritted teeth, he relented. "Fine!"
---
That night, after bathing, Yu Linlang sat by her dressing table, idly flipping through a medical book.
Baliang and Jiujin finished tidying up her bed, then called out softly, "Miss, don't strain your eyes reading by candlelight. It's late—please rest."
Yu Linlang nodded. "Did the medicinal supplies arrive today?"
Baliang nodded. "Yes, along with rice and grain. Everything has been temporarily stored in the warehouse south of the city."
"Tomorrow, go to Chuntang and invite their doctor over. Have them prepare the medicinal ingredients we provided."
Everything had to be done precisely. One action, one step, one plan at a time.
"They've been in Weizhou for a long time and know where to find reliable female workers. Have them hire some diligent women—I have tasks for them."
"Understood!" The two maids didn't question her orders. Their mistress was always meticulous.
After setting up the room, they quietly stepped out.
Not long after Yu Linlang lay down, she heard rustling from the eaves.
She sat up in the darkness, her sharp eyes fixed on the window.
Moments later, the main courtyard burst into chaos—torches lit up the night, and loud voices filled the air.
Yu Linlang quickly dressed and stepped outside. She barely had time to react before Baliang rushed up to her, panting.
"Something's happened in the main courtyard!" Baliang gasped. "I just went over and saw someone sneaking into the mansion—heading straight for Aunt Niu!"
"Now, Lord Chen and Governor Yu have been alerted. The guards are searching the mansion for the assassin."
Yu Linlang raised an eyebrow. "So Chen Buyu stayed here tonight?"
"Yes. He said he wanted to remain in the mansion to see if Aunt Niu would draw the murderer out." Baliang grinned. "Well, it looks like the murderer came—but it seems they failed to catch anyone."
Master and maids sat at the doorway, each grabbing a handful of peanuts as they observed the commotion.
"Oh dear, I wonder how long this chaos will last."
Yu Qiuping, who lived across the courtyard, stepped outside to take a look. Seeing them sitting in a neat row, she chuckled and went back inside.
"The young lady seems more likable lately," Jiujin mused, popping a peanut into her mouth.
Just then, a sharp noise came from the roof.
The three of them looked up—
A dark figure sprinted across the rooftop, carrying a sack.
Lantern lights and shouts followed as guards poured into the Magnolia Courtyard.
Governor Yu, disheveled and frustrated, led the charge. His men stormed in, weapons drawn.
The hunt was on.