Last night, a cold wind blew again all night, and the shallow water in the pool also froze into thin ice.

  The sky was clear and bright, with only a few wisps of dark clouds hanging low on the horizon. The rooster crowed loudly, and the maids and old women in the outer quarters also got up one after another. Hearing no movement from the inner quarters, they thought that Master would sleep in for a while longer, so they quietly washed their faces and went to the Moon Gate of Xishu Garden to discuss with the other maids and old women from different courtyards about how Seventh Madame had stabbed Lin Zhong to death.

  "Lin Zhong wanted to get rid of the second young master, but unfortunately didnt have the guts."

  "The mother of Lin Xiucui followed Seventh Madames parents and died on the way to exile. The second young master wanted to deal with Lin Xiucui, but Seventh Madame would definitely not agree. In recent days, everyone said that Lin Xiucui had died outside, I saw Seventh Madame secretly crying several times?"

  "But to kill someone just because you want to, Seventh Madame is just a woman, how can she be so ruthless?"

  "Thats right, if anyone offends her in the future, wont they be killed by her with one knife?"

  "Whats the use of killing? Its just a fine of 20 taels of silver!"

  "Then youd better not offend Seventh Madame. In the Lin family, if Lin Zhong had disobeyed Masters orders, it wouldnt have ended like this. If he had disobeyed Second Young Masters orders, it still wouldnt have ended like this. But he just had to treat Seventh Madame as a soft persimmon and squeeze her, isnt that asking for death?"

  "Seventh Madame used to be fierce, but she wasnt this kind of person."

  "Seventh Madames uncle is now a high-ranking official, with someone backing him up from behind, so its natural that he does things differently!"

  "We, as servants, just need to carefully observe the situation and react accordingly."

  She was muttering to herself, and as the sky brightened up, she didnt hear Master Lin calling from inside. The meticulous wife thought that every day Master Lin would get up early to take a stroll in the garden, but today there was no sign of him stirring. She shooed away the maids who were chatting idly, telling them to prepare for serving Master Lin at his wake-up time. She took a hand warmer and walked inside, gently pushing open the door to the inner chamber. Looking over, she saw that Master Lin was sleeping soundly, but when she called out softly twice, there was no response. As she stepped further in, she saw that Lin Tingxuans eyes were half-open with a glazed look, his mouth askew and drooling a pool of saliva onto the pillow, staining a patch on his white silk shirt collar.

  "Clang!" The copper hand warmer slipped out of the old womans hands and hit the stone floor, spilling hot coals with sparks all over the place. The maids who were preparing in the outer room were startled, their hearts racing as they rushed over to see what had happened.

  News of Master Lins stroke spread instantly throughout the mansion. The first and second madams had already passed away, so now Third Madam, the birth mother of Second Young Master Lin Xuzong, was the principal wife. Fourth Madam, Fifth Madam, and Sixth Madam all rushed over from their respective courtyards, shouting to bring hot water to bathe Master Lin, shouting to prepare a sedan chair to invite Doctor Lang, shouting to invite Second Young Master and the elder members of the clan to come, in case there was anything left unsaid, so that Master Lin could leave behind a few words.

  If Lin Tingxuan really fell down, it would be like a beam collapsing for the Lin family.

  On a winter morning 8 years ago, the panic in the Lin familys mansion was imaginable. Lin Tingxuns several wives usually stayed at home and didnt know how to deal with the situation in front of them. Without anyone able to take charge, the first wife felt as if the sky had fallen, and her only option was to cry bitterly.

  Gu Changshun, Lin Tingxuans attendant, was still lying in bed when he heard the wailing of the ladies in the inner courtyard. He thought that Master had just gone out for the night, after all, he was already 66 years old and might have passed away at any moment. Perhaps none of the ladies had expected it, but these servants could see that Masters health had been declining over the past few years, and his departure was only a matter of time. Gu Changshun didnt go to the inner courtyard to investigate further, but instead rushed to the stable, grabbed a horse, and rode to the south bank of the Shanglin Creek to inform Second Young Master Lin Xuzong. He ran all the way to the Wangxiang Tower Garden, almost bursting into the room where Lin Xuzong and Lin Zonghai were discussing matters, panting heavily as he exclaimed: "Master is dead!"

  Lin Xuzong was stunned and couldnt speak, the weight that had been pressing on his heart for over a decade suddenly lifted, he was at a loss for what to do next. He subconsciously asked Gu Changshun, "Has anyone gone to Huyan to deliver the message to Seventh Aunt?"

  "Its not yet, I heard a mournful sound from inside the house, so I came over to inform you, Second Master."

  "You quickly go back, block the way and dont let anyone go to Lake Weir to report the news. If its really not possible, send someone to seal off the road from Shanglin to Lake Weir." Lin Xuzong suddenly felt a thrill of being in control of the overall situation, and his first thought was to deceive Seventh Aunt Gu Yanshou for now, and wait until things had become settled before informing her.

  "Second Master, shouldnt we go to the main house first? The old master might have left some instructions." Lin Zonghai reminded Lin Xuzong with a gloomy face that he should not be so excited.

  Lin Zonghai, like Lin Fu and Lin Jingchang, was a collateral branch of the Lin family. After passing the Wu Xiucai examination, he was heavily reused by Lin Tingxuan and entered the county camp, step by step becoming the current commander of the county camp. He also married the younger sister of the first lady as his wife, naturally getting closer to the eldest son Lin Xuwen born to the first lady.

  Although the eldest son Lin Xuweng succeeded in inheriting the family business and became an official in the capital, it does not mean that after Lin Tingxuns death, the Lin family will completely fall into the hands of the second son Lin Xuexong. In fact, Lin Xuexongs handling of affairs over the past few days has been far from satisfactory, even making Lin Zonghai, who had been loyal to him, start to worry about the future of the Lin family.

  Lin Xuzong suddenly came to his senses, realizing he had been too pleased with himself. He quickly changed into a sorrowful expression and said: "Big Brother Zonghai is right, I should hurry to the north and see if my father left any words behind."

  They rushed to the ferry and took a boat to the north shore. The servant who was sent by the inner house to report the news came over in a flurry, and Lin Xuzong only then learned that his father had suffered a stroke and had already sent someone to invite a doctor. Lin Xuzong stood at the bow of the boat, dazed for a moment, before raising his hand and slapping Gu Changshuns face with a loud crack: "You heartless beast! My father treated you like a son or nephew, but you came early this morning to curse him to death!"

  Lin Zonghai didnt go to see him, standing at the bow of the boat and looking towards the northern shore of Linxi Creek, which was already bustling with people, he calmly said: "Master has suffered a stroke, I think its better to send someone to notify Madame Qi in Huyan"

  *******************

  The Lin familys messenger rushed to the Gus house in Lake Weir on horseback, and Gu Yingxu was having breakfast with her aunt Gu Shi and cousin Gu Junxun in the inner courtyard. She quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks and asked Zhao Shi to prepare a carriage to return to Shanglinli immediately.

  The Gu familys large mansion, although dilapidated, still occupied a vast area of land. The twelve or thirteen courtyards were a testament to the familys grandeur. Gu Wu Chen had someone clean up one of the courtyards for Lin Xuan and Zhou Pu to stay in. Meanwhile, Gu Ying Cui was hastily preparing the carriage. Lin Xuan, who had also heard about Lin Ting Xuns stroke that night, rushed over and said to Gu Ying Cui as she was about to get on the carriage: "The master is seriously ill, I must go back to visit him even though I have offended the second young master."

  Zhou Pu had already led the horse to follow behind, Gu Yings sleeve slightly hesitated, and then said: "I dont know what a mess Shanglin is in, taking a carriage is too slow, Ill ride a horse back" She instructed Zhao Shi, her personal maid, and the messenger, "You all take the horse carriage and follow."

  Gu Ying led the horse from the messengers hand, mounted it, and Lin Xie and Zhou Pu also got on their horses. They bid farewell to Gu Wu Chen for the time being and left the village together. It wasnt until then that Zhao Hus mother, Zhao Shi, realized that Madame Qi might have had some private instructions for Lin Xiucui, so she delayed getting into her carriage for a while before finally setting off with Madame Qis personal maid, Cui Er, and the messenger back to Shanglin.

  "Slow down, slow down, the horse is running too fast, I dont dare to take my mind off speaking." Lin Xuan wanted to tell Gu Ying to slow down a bit. His riding skills were really not good enough, stiffly sitting on the back of the galloping horse, his muscles tense, afraid that if he wasnt careful, he would be thrown off the horses back.

  Before, Lin Xianer was timid and rarely wanted to delve deeper into understanding the Seventh Lady. She really didnt understand how the delicate girl who used to be hidden in her boudoir, Gu Rous little daughter Gu Junxiang, could become so strong and survive in the ruthless Lin family mansion, and even learn such excellent riding skills.

  "The old masters illness is still unknown whether its serious or not, if its serious, you should go back, otherwise Lin Xuzong might catch up with us." Gu Ying slowed down the horse and walked side by side with Lin Xian, while Zhou Pu followed far behind, leisurely admiring the winter morning scenery of Iron Curtain Mountain.

  "I know," said Lin Xie, "Id like to know, if the master of the house falls seriously ill and cant get out of bed again, what plans does Elder Sister Ying have?"

  Gu Yingxu was speechless for a moment, she had considered this issue before, but now there is a big difference, who can know that Lin Xuan will change his previous appearance when he comes back? She only whispered, "You could have stayed to help me." And felt that saying this was somewhat ambiguous, added another sentence, "You stay and get married and have children, the Lin family will eventually have a place for you." In her heart, she was clear that Lin Xuan had deliberately offended Second Master Lin Xuexiong and then took advantage of the situation to escape to Jiangning. She still didnt understand why Lin Xuan wanted to go to Jiangning, always thinking it was because of Su Mei, who was famous throughout Jiangning.

  "I must go to Jiangning now, I cant tell you, sister Yingxiao, its not that theres any bitter intention or lofty ambition, but a responsibility that must be shouldered!" Lin Fu said, seeing some displeasure on Su Yingxiaos face, he added another sentence, "Nor is it for Miss Su Mei."

  Lin Mou said something inexplicable, Gu Yings face turned red with anger and she scolded: "What nonsense are you spouting? Im your aunt! Your words are too frivolous, if others hear them, theyll drag you to the ancestral temple to cut off your tongue. Those things in Baisha County were all Zhao Neng coming back and talking nonsense, theres no need for you to explain."

  Lin Xian smiled awkwardly, and it was clear that previously Gu Ying had been entangled in saying that he went to Jiangning for Su Mei. He looked at the distant mountain ridge and said: "Yesterday at the banquet, I saw several older generations of the Gu family who seemed unreliable. Yingxiao sister, among the younger generation, who else can become a powerful tool to revive the Gu family?"

  "Why ask this?"

  "I assist the Lin family, but I will only become a chess piece for the Lin family. If I assist the Gu family, I will be freer," said Lin Xie.

  "Lets see how youll help." Gu Yingru smoothed out her hair, which had been blown astray by the wind, and tucked it behind her ear. She glanced at Lin Xie, feeling that this time he had returned with an air of mystery about him, and his origins were also shrouded in mystery, as were those outsiders who came to sell horses.

  "Perhaps you should let Zhao Hu stay and help you," Lin Fu said, "The master of the house is in his twilight years, having suffered a stroke, even if he doesnt die, hell only be lingering on for a few days. Although Lord Gu is backing you up, but if you want to do something in the Lin family, you need people who can take orders from you."

  Gu Ying furrowed her brow in thought, remaining silent for a long time; Lin Xuan beckoned to let Zhou Pu come over.

  Gu Yingxu suddenly raised her head and asked Lin Xie: "I killed someone yesterday, what do you think of me?"

  "Im so ignorant?" Lin Xuan smiled and asked back, seeing Gu Yings very serious expression, he seriously told her, "I also killed people in Baisha County, not just one or two, if I didnt kill people, I wouldnt be able to survive, so this time I came back like this. Zhou Ye also kills people."

  "But I am a woman." Gu Ying said, although she was calm and composed in front of the Gu family members, her heart had been entangled with this matter all along.

  "This is nothing but murder! This world isnt just about killing, its simply a matter of eating each other. Either you eat him or he eats you, whats the point of talking about cruelty? Ive seen real cases of cannibalism before. In the fifth year of the Chongzhen Emperors reign, there was a severe drought in Huaiyang, and by June not a drop of rain had fallen. That spring, the wheat harvest was completely lost, people were dying, and some even exchanged their babies to be cooked and eaten. Fourth Sister-in-law encountered one such case, killed the person, and took back the baby, but it had been starved for too long and couldnt be saved." Zhou Pus face twisted as he stuck his head out to recount past events.

  Zhou Pu said things that Gu Ying had never experienced before, and she turned pale after hearing them.

  "If you agree," Lin said, "Ill leave sixty of the good horses we saw at the mule market yesterday for you, and Ill also leave seven men with you. These seven men may not all have the bravery to take on ten men alone, but theyre not afraid to kill two or three people. Im not asking for your help, I want you to help me. I hope you can help me clear their names, exchange the horses for boats, and get boats that can sail up the Yangtze River and into the nearby seas."

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