Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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“Have they stopped over there?”
“Yes, after all that commotion, it’s finally quiet.” Hong Lai gently tidied Yu Qiuping’s long hair. “That one is really something, haha, doesn’t she know her place? She still acts like a young lady.”
Yu Qiuping sat on the embroidered stool, looking at her sallow face in the mirror, momentarily lost in thought.
She was of average appearance, never as beautiful as Yu Pianpian, and her complexion was far less fair and lovely, hence her constant inferiority complex. She had always thought that Yu Pianpian’s snow-white skin was a rare find, but today, upon first meeting Yu Linlang, though her features were plain, her skin was as smooth and delicate as jade, giving her an impression of exquisite bone structure.
If it were me with skin as smooth as jade…
“Young Miss?”
Yu Qiuping snapped out of her reverie. “Still no news about the snow pear syrup from Yu Yan Fang?”
Hong Lai immediately frowned. “Miss, we’ve been sending people to keep watch every day, sigh, but that snow pear syrup is so sought after. Since someone spent five thousand taels to snatch a bottle half a month ago, we haven’t seen a second one appear.”
“The reputation of snow pear syrup is growing bigger and bigger. I heard that even the nobles in the capital don’t have enough for themselves, let alone have it transported all the way here.”
“I think even if we were to stumble upon a bottle by chance, we wouldn’t have that much silver to buy it.”
Yu Qiuping slammed a box of rouge heavily on the dressing table. “Just send people to keep an eye on it, stop with the nonsense. I know my limits when it comes to silver.”
Yu Qiuping stretched her long, slender neck, staring at her yellowish reflection in the mirror, and said softly, “We’ll get some eventually, soon.”
….
“Coming! Coming! What are you knocking for? Coming!” Early in the morning, the gatekeeper, looking bewildered, ran to unlatch the door upon hearing the noise.
Two men were seen carrying a large huanghuali wood screen, pushing their way through the door.
“Hey, you? Who are you?”
Jiu Jin pushed the door open forcefully, squeezing in front of the men and stepping inside. “Bring it in, bring it in, bring it all in.”
“Hey you? You!”
“What ‘you’? Get out of the way! A good dog doesn’t block the way.” Jiu Jin shoved the gatekeeper aside without ceremony, directing the group to carry the goods inside.
Besides the large screen, several other people were carrying or lifting pieces of timber and tools inside.
“Hey, hey, hey!” Mama Hu, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, was startled by the scene and hurriedly stepped forward to stop them. “Jiu Jin, Jiu Jin, what are you doing? How can these men from outside the family step into the backyard so casually?”
“Alright, then find some more maids to help carry all these things to my young lady’s courtyard.”
“Jiu Jin, this?”
“What’s with all the fuss?” Jiu Jin waved her hand impatiently. “I’m in a hurry to go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for my young lady! Hurry up and call more people to carry these things.”
Helpless, Mama Hu quickly pulled over a servant boy to call some maids to carry the things, while she followed behind Jiu Jin, saying repeatedly, “Jiu Jin, the kitchen also has its share. If you need anything, you have to let us know in advance…”
As soon as the two stepped into the kitchen’s backyard, they saw a group of people gathered there.
Mama Hu immediately glared and shouted, “Are you all just loafing around here? The old lady and the madam’s white fungus and lotus seed soup is ready? Breakfast is all prepared?”
“Mama Hu,” the kitchen manager stepped forward, rubbing his hands, “It’s not that we’re not doing our jobs, but the kitchen door is locked from the inside, and we can’t get in.”
Mama Hu pushed it, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Then what are we waiting for? Quickly find some tools to pry the door open.”
“No need for that trouble,” Jiu Jin strode forward, “I’ll do it!”
She then kicked the two wooden doors, and everyone heard a “crack” as the wooden bolt broke from inside, exchanging bewildered glances.
Urged on by Mama Hu, the kitchen manager and his group stepped inside one after another, immediately letting out terrified screams.
Jiu Jin immediately saw the woman’s corpse lying on the ground, her face deathly pale, her eyes vacantly staring at the sky.
Her entire belly had vanished, and a large portion of the inside had been emptied.
“Ugh!!” The kitchen helpers rushed out, vomiting violently against the wall.
Mama Hu and the kitchen manager, pale-faced and trembling, retreated outside, forcing themselves to remain calm. “Quick, quick, go inform Madam, something’s happened in the kitchen!”
….
Yu Qiuping was woken early by a series of thumping noises and angrily threw her jade pillow.
Hong Lai opened the door, intending to yell at the other side, but saw Yu Linlang’s maid, holding a plane, turn and smile at her.
She immediately fell silent, involuntarily taking a step back. She felt that Miss Linlang, who had returned home yesterday, and her maid were both quite eerie, looking rather ghostly.
Jiu Jin picked up the polished doors and windows, examined them closely, nodded in satisfaction, and turned to busy herself with installing them.
She was incredibly quick, installing all the newly made doors and windows early in the morning. She tested them with copper bolts, finding them difficult to push open even with her brute strength.
“Miss, it’s almost done.” Satisfied, Jiu Jin packed up her tools and entered.
Yu Linlang was sitting at the table eating breakfast noodles by a small copper stove. Seeing her enter, sweating profusely, she quickly handed her a handkerchief.
“I said we’d finish eating first, no rush.”
“It’s alright.” Jiu Jin casually grabbed a cup of water and gulped down a mouthful. “Miss, please eat quickly, they might send someone to question us later.”
Yu Linlang nodded; she had already learned from Jiu Jin that a murder had occurred in the kitchen’s backyard.
Fortunately, the two of them had come well-prepared, bringing all the usual tables, chairs, cabinets, beds, bowls, and stoves. A quick and convenient meal of noodles using the small copper stove was easy.
Just as they finished eating and were getting ready, they heard hurried footsteps outside the courtyard.
It was Mama Zhao, the lady’s dowry maid.
Yu Qiuping hurriedly led her maid forward, smiling broadly as she asked, “Why did you come so early, Mama? Is there something Mother needs to tell me?”
Mama Zhao replied solemnly, “The officials from the Ministry of Justice have arrived. Master requests that all the young ladies go to the back hall of the main room to await questioning.”
The Ministry of Justice? Questioning?
Yu Qiuping was utterly astonished, clearly unaware of the murder case in the kitchen.
“Where is Miss Linlang? Come out quickly and let’s go together.”
Yu Linlang stepped out of the east wing and exchanged a glance with Yu Qiuping.
“Let’s go, Miss Linlang. Take the maids with you. Don’t keep Madam waiting.” Compared to her amiable demeanour yesterday, Mama Zhao’s attitude was noticeably arrogant today.
Even Yu Qiuping sensed that Mama Zhao seemed somewhat hostile; how could Yu Linlang not notice?
Hong Lai and Lü Cai exchanged a glance, their faces showing utter bewilderment.
Mama Zhao pursed her lips and led Yu Linlang, Yu Qiuping, and their group towards the front courtyard.
Upon reaching the front courtyard, Mama Zhao led them around to the back hall. As soon as they entered, a furious shout of “Jinx!” rang in their ears.
A porcelain cup shattered at Yu Linlang’s feet.
“Miss!” Jiu Jin quickly reached out to support her arm.
Yu Linlang slowly looked up and saw a beautiful woman in her early thirties sitting upright in a grand chair, glaring angrily at her.
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