The atmosphere in the hall stagnated as soon as Luo Ziying finished speaking.
"Sixth Brother and Eighth Brother were there as well."
Luo Ziying did not hesitate to drag the other two down with her. Meanwhile, everyone turned to look at the two boys in question upon hearing her words.
The Eighth Young Master was Luo Ziying's younger brother of the same mother, the Third Madam, so he would naturally side with his elder sister.
"I didn't see it since I was hiding. I only came out when I heard a loud splash," the Sixth Young Master said, choosing to take a neutral stance.
The Sixth Young Master was Madam Luo's son and Luo Ziqi's younger brother, so he naturally wouldn't side with the Third Madam. However, while he might not have voiced his agreement with Luo Ziying's words, he didn't openly disagree with her, either.
The sudden change of the situation stunned the Second Madam. Quickly, she started analyzing the situation in her mind.
"It seems Fifth Brother's behavior has not changed in the slightest. What right do you have to ask for my people when you can't even keep your son in check, Second Mother? Even if Yuanyuan is mentally disabled, she is still my wife. For Fifth Brother to lay his hands on his sister-in-law… Father, do as you see fit.
After saying so, Luo Minghuan turned around and left, not bothering to continue the argument any longer.
Meanwhile, Lord Luo wore a dark expression on his face as he looked at his crying concubine, his timid children, his indifferent children, and his spectating concubines. All of these people were waiting for a reaction from him.
After Luo Minghuan's lonely figure disappeared into the darkness…
"Enough!"
Lord Luo smacked the table beside him, giving everyone a scare.
…
When Luo Minghuan heard her father's shout coming out of the front hall, she more or less knew how he would handle this matter.
She felt a little weary as she walked back to her courtyard, the swaying trees around her looking like spirits and monsters hiding with their mouths wide open.
Those people would only ever place their sights on Lord Luo, the owner of the Luo Manor. Often, Luo Minghuan would find it contemptible to even compete with them. It made her feel narrow-minded and bored.
Those people were merely a bunch of greedy women whose only abilities were to fight and scheme against each other. They couldn't even educate their children properly, evidenced by how low her siblings' sights were set. However, this could also be considered normal.
Most of the family's businesses were in her hands right now. None of her little brothers had yet to reach an age where they could take over these businesses, so it was only natural that they didn't know anything.
It's a pity that none of them would get to grow up to learn anything, Luo Minghuan thought as she revealed a smile that carried no warmth.
Ruyun led the way back to the courtyard with a lantern in her hand.
Partway through their journey, someone walked past them and whispered something to Luo Minghuan.
"No need to keep him around. Since he can't take care of that hand and thing of his, I will help him as his elder sister," Luo Minghuan softly said, her voice sounding a little creepy on this cold and windy night.
That person nodded and left in a hurry.
When a breeze blew past them, Ruyun felt her feet trembling slightly.
This… This was why she was afraid of her master.
However, Ruyun kept her thoughts to herself as she continued walking forward, subconsciously gulping and raising the lantern she held a little higher.
Luo Minghuan had originally thought to spare that little brother of hers and merely have him lose something important. However, after giving it some thought, she felt he might still create some problems in the future. Even if he no longer could do so, it still wasn't right to let him harm other women.
Most importantly, Luo Minghuan did not wish for her little dummy to get dragged into trouble.
So, she decided to be more decisive and rid herself of the disease once and for all.
When Luo Minghuan returned to her bed-chamber, she saw someone dozing off at the table, the person's face looking exceptionally cute under the glow of the candlelight.
"Tired?"
"Husband, you're back."
Jun Zishu revealed a silly smile and leaned into Luo Minghuan's embrace fawningly.
Luo Minghuan rubbed Jun Zishu on her head, her smile gradually deepening.
…
For some inexplicable reason, the Fifth Young Master's illness worsened, and he passed away in less than three days.
The Second Madam crumbled mentally, and she washed her face with tears throughout the entire day.
Although a funeral hall was set up in the Luo Manor, few people visited it with sadness in their hearts.
When Jun Zishu appeared in front of the Second Madam, the latter looked at her with hatred in her eyes. Pretending to be afraid, Jun Zishu hid behind Luo Minghuan. Then, her eyes quickly shifted to the little girl standing beside the Second Madam.
Jun Zishu noticed that the girl's eyes also carried hatred toward her. However, Jun Zishu paid the girl's hatred no heed and simply blinked her eyes curiously at the other party.
Although she didn't personally kill Luo Ziyao, she had pushed her into the well.
However, did that make Luo Ziyao innocent? Luo Ziyao might have lived in the original storyline, but the original owner had died.
Did the original do anything to deserve death? Not at all.
Luo Ziyao was only 13 years old this year, yet he was already infatuated with women. Moreover, he even had perverse fetishes that led to the deaths of two maids.
Yet, did the Second Madam grieve over those two maids' deaths? Did she do anything to punish her son? Of course not. On the contrary, she had even helped him cover those deaths.
People like them would only ever consider their own lives to be of value while everyone else was expendable.
In Jun Zishu's opinion, such people were better off dead.
Not to mention, had Luo Ziyao survived this incident, only a much more gruesome death would await him in the future.
…
Lord Luo had called Luo Minghuan to his study. However, he did not say anything, choosing only to look at his daughter. Meanwhile, Luo Minghuan also calmly looked at her father, her hands crossed in front of her chest.
After a long while, Lord Luo let out a sigh.
"Minghuan, did you need to take such drastic measures?"
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Since they dared to set their sights on my people, they naturally have to be prepared to pay the price."
"He is your little brother."
"He is not my little brother. Since when have I acknowledged it? Not to mention, Yuanyuan is my wife," Luo Minghuan responded, a contemptuous smile on her face. Then, she continued, "When they forced Sixth Mother to go crazy and Seventh Mother to kill herself, were the children in their stomachs not their siblings? Were they not your children? I refuse to believe that you would think that Seventh Mother was really having an affair with someone. It is you who killed her.
"What right do you have to criticize me? Is it not your fault that the situation has devolved into its current state?"
Luo Minghuan's words were sharp and carried undisguised disgust.
Lord Luo wanted to say something to defend himself, but he eventually chose to keep quiet, his face looking a little older. Then, he waved his hand, gesturing for Luo Minghuan to leave.
Luo Minghuan looked very calm when she left the study. Nobody could tell that she had gone through a mood swing just a moment ago.
…
Jun Zishu leisurely sipped on a cup of tea as she watched the show in her room.
Although Jun Zishu had expected retaliation from the Second Madam, she did not think that it would come so quickly.
Jun Zishu fell into thought as she looked at the wooden tub in front of her.
Logically, she should be taking off her clothes and getting into the bath right now. There was even a layer of flower petals on the water's surface, giving the bath a beautiful look.
However, according to Little Fairy, hidden underneath the flower petals was a snake.
If Jun Zishu got into the tub unprepared, the snake would probably bite her immediately.
Is this snake venomous, Little Fairy?
[It is.]
This type of snake is typically docile. If I don't touch it, it won't bite me. But it should have a powerful venom, the kind that kills in a short period.
Jun Zishu pondered over her options as she stared at the flower petals floating in the tub.
[What are you trying to do, Host? Don't tell me you're planning to get bitten?]
What do you think the chances are that I will survive?
[It depends on how quickly you get treated.]
Check if Luo Minghuan has any antivenom in her medicine stash.
[Hold on.]
Jun Zishu twirled the ends of her hair, two paths appearing in her mind.
The first path was to "accidentally" discover the venomous snake and run to Luo Minghuan in a panic. She could also use it as an excuse to cling to Luo Minghuan tightly and deepen their relationship.
The second path was to let herself get bitten. The goal was the same as the first, but the plot would thicken, and Luo Minghuan would have her nerves stimulated.
Jun Zishu wanted to give Luo Minghuan happiness. However, she didn't know what kind of ending Luo Minghuan herself wanted.
Was it familial love or romantic love?
Jun Zishu was more geared toward the latter since familial love had brought Luo Minghuan a lot of harm in the past. Moreover, her current identity was that of Luo Minghuan's wife.
But…
[I'm done checking, Host. There is antivenom. Do you really want to take the risk? You will fail the mission if you don't get saved.]
It won't hurt to try.
Jun Zishu ruffled the petals with her hand, her white hand looking slightly more beautiful with the addition of the colorful petals.
Even though Jun Zishu knew a deadly snake lingered inside this water, her expression remained unfazed. She even looked a little indifferent.
Leaning lazily against the wooden tub, Jun Zishu circled her finger around the water's surface, a hint of coldness coloring the face that was typically cute and obedient.
Since she had decided to go through with the second path, she naturally had to act out the play to the best of her abilities.
Little Fairy.
[Hm? I'm here, Host. What's up?]
Do you think she will like me?
[What?]
Luo Minghuan.
Little Fairy was confused about why Jun Zishu would ask such a question. However, Jun Zishu didn't seem like she was worried. Instead, she merely looked a little dazed.
Little Fairy did not ask why Jun Zishu would ask such a question. Instead, she dutifully provided her host with an answer.
[Yes. She will fall in love with you.]
How are you so certain? Jun Zishu curiously asked, her interest piqued.
After thinking for a moment, Little Fairy gave her answer.
[Because you're a wonderful person, Host.]
Because she has Lord's energy signature on her, Little Fairy thought. Although I don't know the reason, she would always fall in love with you whenever she meets you. It doesn't matter whether it is openly or secretly.
Jun Zishu let out a short laugh when she heard Little Fairy's flattering answer. Then, she stood up and started undressing.
A gentle breeze blew in through a partially opened window at this time, the wind carrying a hint of coldness.
After placing her clothes on the bathing screen, Jun Zishu chose to sacrifice her right leg.
When the snake inside the water got stepped on, it immediately retaliated by biting the offender.
In response, Jun Zishu promptly withdrew her foot from the bath and let out a scream. Then, she grabbed the nearby clothing and tried to cover as much of her body as possible.
Upon hearing the noise, the maid on duty outside hurriedly knocked on the door and asked, "What happened, Second Young Madam?"
"Something bit me in the water. It hurts."
The maid quickly entered the room and found Jun Zishu on the floor. Then, when she saw the swelling on Jun Zishu's right foot, she promptly realized what had happened as she shouted, "It's a snake! Someone! Help!"
The maid's shouting immediately alerted the other servants nearby.
When Ruyun learned of the news, she hurriedly had a maid go find a doctor while she ran to search for Luo Minghuan.
"Second Young Miss, the Second Young Madam has been bitten by a snake."
"Go to the secret compartment in my room; second row, third bottle," Luo Minghuan instinctively responded.
"Understood."
Luo Minghuan's expression was incredibly ugly as she hurriedly walked toward Jun Zishu's location.
When Luo Minghuan arrived, Jun Zishu had already fallen into a half-conscious state. The swelling on her foot had also gotten worse, and she found it difficult to even breathe. The incessant ringing in her head didn't make things any better.
Sure enough, the venom is very powerful, Jun Zishu absent-mindedly thought.