Chapter 201: The Crisis of Betrayal

The moment they stepped out of the Art Courtyard, Baizhi beat her chest, pouted her lips and said, “What’s awry? How come I didn’t feel anything was amiss?”

Lately, Lin Mengya had been busy over lots of things everyday, but she did sense that the strangest person in the Art Courtyard was none other than Concubine De.

“Master, you’re busy day in and day out, so you don’t sense anything amiss. However, I heard that ever since Concubine De came back from the palace that day, Jing Yue was no longer her favorite, but that new maid named Yun Ruo!”

Baizhi was like the little paparazzi who somehow had an idea of everything that happened in the prince’s mansion.

At this moment, she was wearing a professional paparazzi look as she reported her findings to Lin Mengya.

Shaking her head, Lin Mengya smiled.

There must be something outstanding about Yun Ruo, otherwise she would not be specially favored by Concubine De.

Despite knowing this, Lin Mengya did not intend to have any contact with Yun Ruo.

“Please bear in mind not to probe or meddle with the matters of the Art Courtyard from now on. Just do what is within your duty of work. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

Lin Mengya was thankful all of her four maidservants were very obedient. It would be the Winter Solstice in one month’s time.

She supposed her elder brother and father would make it home before the Winter Solstice.

It was would such a nice thing to have a family reunion.

However, it was going to be difficult for her to tell her brother about what happened to Elder Sister Yue Ting.

Lin Mengya sighed. Then she headed back to the Liuxin Courtyard with her four maidservants.

The moment she turned the corner along the corridor, she saw a nervous Steward Deng’s coming up to her.

“You’ve finally returned, Master. The tenants from the land had sent their men to pay their rents. How should we manage them this year?”

Although Prince Yu resided in the Capital City, being a prince, possessed feudal fiefdom.

Lin Mengya, however, had overlooked this matter.

She pondered for a moment, and then sent Baishao to attend to the matter.

“You follow Steward Deng to draw up a statistics sheet on the rental of the tenants so I can have a look at it. Do be careful and not make any mistakes.”

“Yes, Master.”

Baishao was the one who was in charge of keeping accounts at home, so Lin Mengya did not have to worry over it.

Yunzhu had reported to her that the work of Sanjue Hall was proceeding smoothly.

The family members of Baiji were doing a good job. It seemed like a good idea to make a visit at this moment.

“Come, let’s go into the streets to check out what’s happening.”

The case of the skinned corpse in the palace had eventually died down.

It was said the King Ming threw a fit just before he left.

The Queen actually gave him a princess as a gift just to pacify him.

In addition, she also offered him with many gifts, which prevented a fallout between the two.

Although strictly, Hu Lunan was not a prince, he had after all died in the territory of Dajin. with the addition of the death of Princess Ming Yue, King Ming was naturally heavy-hearted.

Sending a princess as a gift to King Ming at this moment gave the idea that they could do anything to her.

The royal family was indeed such an unsympathetic community.

The streets were not as busy as during summer time perhaps because the weather had turned frigid.

Lin Mengya was cladded in a dark red coat embroidered with the pattern of clouds that were orange in color.

The embroidery was exquisite to the point of perfection.

The coat felt warm and fitting. It was obviously the work of Baiji.

“Look, Baiji’s hands are truly skillful. I don’t feel like taking this coat off once I got into it.”

While travelling in the horse carriage, Lin Mengya began singing praises to her maidservant.

Baiji started to blush on her pretty face. Ever since she came, Lin Mengya had never worn any other pieces of clothing made by other people other than Baiji.

“That’s so true. Elder Sister Baiji is the best. All the clothes we wear were tailored by her and Aunt Bai and they are much more comfortable to wear than the ones bought from the shops.”

Baizhi was the youngest of the maidservants. She had grown a great deal in the last half a year, but was still behaving much like a kid.

“My dear!”

Lin Mengya tapped Baizhi’s forehead with a finger and incidentally turned to look at Baiji.

It was then that Lin Mengya realized that Baiji looked troubled.

“Baiji, are you keeping anything from me?”

Baiji was stunned for a moment at Lin Mengya’s words, but eventually shook her head.

Nevertheless, an awkward smile appeared on her face afterwards.

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Could she have fallen in love with someone in the mansion?

On reflection, Baiji had reached a marriageable age at this moment.

Apart from Baisu, the matter of the marriage for the other three maidservants was weighing on Lin Mengya’s mind.

“We are like sisters. Although we have not been together for long, you surely know my thoughts.”

Lin Mengya spoke with sincerity and earnestness as she held on to the hands of her maidservants.

“I don’t wish to deprive you of your happiness, so I’ve acquired a manor on a piece of feudal land. Although it’s not luxurious, it is sufficient to support all of you. I’ve allocated 20% share of it to each of you, so that the manor is equally divided among the five of us. Baishao may not be with us now, but I’ve accounted her portion in this. If you happen to take a fancy on anyone, I will back you up.”

Lin Mengya’s kind words brought warmth to the hearts of the three maidservants like a bowl of ginger soup.

Even Baisu, who was usually reserved showing her feelings was welling up with tears in her eyes.

She quickly made an excuse that it was getting too stuffy in the horse carriage and got out of it.

“No, Master. I have pledged to remain with you from the day I entered the mansion. I will stick with you until the day I die.”

Baizhi spoke the words with tears, but what she said amused Lin Mengya.

“Why would I want a dead girl? You’d better go on living well, otherwise all the candied fruits and the sweet desserts in my courtyard would be eaten up by mice!” .

Lin Mengya tapped Baizhi’s forehead with her fingers and burst out laughing with Baiji.

The group of them had a great time chatting and laughing in the horse carriage until they arrived at Qinghu’s Restaurant Ruyi, where they alighted from the horse carriage. Through the back door of the restaurant, they secretly slipped into the back gate of Sanjue Hall.

The courtyard of Sanjue Hall was no longer in a state of emptiness as when they first visited.

It had turned into a cozy little courtyard under the management and care of Old Uncle Bai and his wife.

Baisu and Baishao could not wait to check out their rooms.

They were soon making themselves at home in their respective rooms and refused to come out.

This brought a smile to Old Uncle Bai and his wife’s faces.

“As long as the girls liked the way we’ve set up this place, we’ve lived up to the expectation of our master.”

Old Uncle Bai took out his water pipes and started smoking tobacco, while his wife glared at him, telling him that he might cause Lin Mengya to choke on the smoke.

A sudden feeling of envy rose in Lin Mengya when she saw the two old people arguing.

To her, passionate love paled in comparison with this ordinary but steady companionship.

If Mother was still alive, would she be living such a blissful life with Father?

“Master, I’ve something to discuss with you. Shall we go into the house?”

Seeing that the others were checking out the courtyard, she quietly tugged at Lin Mengya’s sleeve.

Lin Mengya gave her a nod. She could sense that Baiji must have something important to discuss with her.

The two of them quietly went into the room where the medicinal herbs were kept and Baiji seemed to be struggling with idea of whether to say something.

“You can keep it to yourself if you feel too awkward. I understand that you have your reasons, so I won’t blame you.”

Lin Mengya said, being understanding. However, the more kind words she said, the more Baiji felt guilt-stricken.

Finally, with a soft voice, she started, “I’m sorry, Master. I didn’t keep an eye on the three of them. You can punish me any way you like.”

Baiji got down on her knees and by now, her face was streaked with tears.

“Please get up. What’s happened? You’re being silly. I’m more than grateful to all of you. Why would I want to punish you?”

Lin Mengya helped Baiji up on her feet. If she had known that it would make Baiji feel so bad, she would not have inquired about why she looked worried.

Baiji shook her head and continued.

“A while ago, Baishao and I were doing our night shifts. One day, she disappeared after dinner and came back after dark. When I inquired of her, she simply said that she had gone to do some chores with the older servants in the kitchen. I did not suspect anything in the beginning, however, later on I discovered that she had begun wearing a jade bangle of high quality. I’m certain that she did not obtain that jade bangle from outside the prince’s mansion. Moreover, I’m sure you were not the one who rewarded her with the bangle.”

On hearing Baiji’s words, Lin Mengya breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought that something serious had happened.

Turned out it was only a matter regarding a jade bangle.

“You’re overthinking. Baishao takes care of the accounts, so her subordinates could give her the bangle as a thank-you gift.”

However, Baiji shook her head and continued.

“I actually approached her to inquire about it, but she only faltered when she answered me. I’m sure something is not right. Subsequently, I asked Aunt Fan from the kitchen and she said none of them gave her a jade bangle. After that, Baishao disappeared again on a few more occasions. I decided to check out on her and realized that she had been to the Art Courtyard a few times, and each time, it was Yun Ruo who saw her out. Do you realize that Yun Ruo may look unremarkable, but she is actually rather arrogant. She doesn’t acquaint herself with just anyone, but she was very intimate with Baishao like they are sisters.”

This was what upset Baiji. Baishao and she had come to the prince’s mansion at the same time and they both worked in the Liuxin Courtyard together.

Their master treated them well, so Baishao and she had always had their master’s interest at heart.

Never would Baiji expect Baishao to turn to doing things which disappointed her.

“Really? I think they must have something to ask her because Baishao was in charge of the accounts. You’re being silly, I have confidence in you and Baishao. I don’t believe there are traitors in our courtyard.”

Lin Mengya handed a handkerchief to Baiji to wipe away her tears.

It ought to have been very difficult for Baiji, who was a loyal friend, to speak out about this. She ought to keep this in for a long time and endure much torment.

It had been tough for her.

“Master, I know this is all Baishao’s fault. However, if she were to do anything that brings harm to you, please give her a way of escape, given our close relationship in the past. Is that alright?”

Baiji had seen how ruthless Lin Mengya was when dealing with her enemies.

In light of this, Baiji had been very cautious to keep this quiet for some time in order to preserve her friend’s life.

Given that their master had treated them exceptionally well, Baiji knew that there was no way Lin Mengya would be sympathetic if Baishao ever kicked her benefactor in the teeth.

“Silly girl, I won’t blame you no matter what happens.”

Lin Mengya consoled Baiji with a gentle voice while she wiped dry the tears on Baiji’s cheeks.

“It is fate that brought us together. It is my destiny no matter how you treat me. If Baishao— Baishao ever betrays me, I would take it that I had been blind.”