Digging Deep into Yu Linlang
The next morning, Yu Pianpian got up early as usual and went to the Huo residence to pay her respects.
Madam Huo and her daughter sat together, holding hands warmly as they engaged in private conversation. Just then, Madam Zhao entered with a bow and a smile.
"Madam, the servants sent to Xiaofu Village to fetch the people have returned. Would you like to see them now?"
Madam Huo's expression changed slightly as she stood up.
Yu Pianpian's face lit up with excitement. "That's wonderful! They're finally back. Madam Zhao, please bring them in so we can hear about Sister Linlang."
Madam Huo calmed herself and let out a cold snort. "It's been nearly twenty days, hasn't it? Why did it take them so long to return?"
"They said the roads were difficult to travel. On the way, they encountered a group of starving people who tried to steal their food. Several of our servants were nearly beaten to death."
Madam Huo slowly sat back down and nodded. "We'll discuss it after breakfast."
"Yes, madam." Madam Zhao nodded and left, instructing the servants to prepare breakfast.
Yu Pianpian shifted uneasily. "Mother…"
"Don't worry," Madam Huo reassured her. "Since they've returned, we'll know everything soon enough. Let's eat first so we have the strength to deal with it."
Yu Pianpian took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you, Mother."
Breakfast was served quickly—four side dishes and two bowls of peanut and corn porridge.
Madam Huo frowned. "Why is there no tremella bird's nest or candied date steamed cake?"
Breakfast usually consisted of eight side dishes. Why were there only four today?
Madam Zhao sighed. "The tremella bird's nest is out of stock. The shopkeeper said recent water and land transport has been dominated by rice, corn, and medicinal merchants, so shipments from Jiangnan haven't arrived.
"Our kitchen staff tried to buy supplies several times, but good-quality ingredients were scarce. Grain prices in the city have skyrocketed. They say that within another ten days, rice may rise to 17 or 18 copper coins per measure.
"Shopkeeper Cai Yixuan also mentioned that many stores will be closing temporarily until supplies are replenished."
Madam Huo's frown deepened. "That won't do. Pianpian must have her daily bird's nest and snow fungus, or how else will her skin stay so smooth?"
"If shipments from Jiangnan are delayed, have my family in the capital send a batch immediately."
"Understood, madam."
Yu Pianpian smiled softly. "Mother, you're always so good to me."
Madam Huo's mood improved, and she patted her daughter's hand. "Of course. If I don't take care of my daughter, who else would I take care of?"
After finishing breakfast, Madam Huo dabbed her lips with a handkerchief and casually asked, "When did she return last night?"
Madam Zhao was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood who her mistress was referring to. She replied with a smile, "The doorman said Miss Linlang returned home at nearly four o'clock in the morning. Prince Mu's carriage brought her back."
"Prince Mu?" Yu Pianpian covered her mouth with her handkerchief, her eyes widening in shock.
Madam Huo slammed her hand on the table, furious. "Four in the morning? What kind of behavior is that? Where are her manners? Is she still a daughter of the Yu family?! Go! Bring her to me at once—I want to hear exactly what she was doing last night!"
"Mother, please calm down," Yu Pianpian soothed her, gently rubbing her back. "Sister Linlang may have just been playing around. Perhaps she and the prince didn't do anything improper."
She sighed, her delicate brows furrowing. "It's just… sometimes she's seen with Prince Pingkang, sometimes with another prince… and now Prince Mu. It doesn't reflect well on our Yu family's reputation."
Madam Huo's anger flared even more. "Go and bring her to me! Right now! And you—fetch the family law from the ancestral hall!"
"Mother, Sister Linlang's maids are strong and have basic combat skills. I'm afraid the nannies won't be able to handle them."
Madam Huo slammed the table again, her voice sharp. "Then send the guards! All of them! Go, now!"
"Please don't be too harsh, Mother," Yu Pianpian said gently. "After all, Sister Linlang is still a delicate young lady. Is family law really necessary?"
"She has no sense of propriety or respect. If I don't discipline her now, she'll bring shame to our Yu family in the future!"
Madam Huo's servants rushed out, determined. However, before long, they returned with downcast faces.
"Madam, Miss Linlang is not in her courtyard. Her two maids and Cook Huang are also gone. The gatekeeper said they left the city early this morning."
Madam Huo was so furious she nearly collapsed. She gripped her handkerchief tightly, seething. "Summon all the women from Xiaofu Village immediately! I need to know everything!"
She clenched her jaw. "I will get to the bottom of this!"
Moments later, three elderly women and five middle-aged women entered, their heads lowered and shoulders hunched as they followed Madam Zhao into the hall.
Madam Zhao pointed to the woman in the center. "This is Lu, the head servant of Xiaofu Village."
She gestured to the woman on the right. "Deputy Supervisor Gao."
Madam Huo abruptly slapped the table.
The women immediately dropped to their knees, trembling. "Madam, please have mercy!"
"Speak the truth!" Madam Huo commanded. "What exactly has Yu Linlang been up to?"
Gao looked to Lu in a panic. Lu, however, remained composed. She bowed low and replied, "Madam, Madam Hu has questioned me before. I reported everything truthfully. Perhaps she did not relay the details clearly?"
Yu Pianpian took a sip of tea, glancing lazily at Lu. "Madam Hu's explanation was too vague. That's why Mother summoned you—to explain everything in person."
"Tell us everything you know. Leave nothing out."
Madam Huo's gaze turned icy. "Has that girl been in seclusion often over the past ten years? Did she really isolate herself just to study? What books did she read? Where did she learn medicine? Who taught her? I want answers!"
Gao shrank back, too afraid to speak. Lu, however, responded calmly.
"Yes, madam. The young miss frequently secluded herself. She often shut her doors to visitors and would not come out for ten days or more. She spent all her time reading medical texts. The village never hired a tutor for her."
"She is an introverted girl who prefers solitude. The few times we forced our way into her courtyard, her maids fought us off. The girls around her are highly skilled, fierce, and difficult to deal with, madam…"
Madam Huo's expression darkened.
"Madam Lu," Yu Pianpian interjected coldly, "do not deceive my mother."