Chapter 53: One by One

Hearing Shen Qingyun say this, hope flickered in the stewardess’s eyes, and she nodded frantically.

“I’ll let you speak. Whatever I ask, you answer honestly. Maybe you’ll be spared. But if you dare scream or shout, I’ll send you to your death immediately. Do you understand?”

The stewardess whimpered, wishing she could tear her heart out to prove her sincerity to Shen Qingyun.

Shen Qingyun smiled faintly and made a gesture. After a sharp pain, the stewardess suddenly drew a deep breath and realized she could speak again. “Second Miss, I’m sorry, Second Miss, I truly know nothing.”

“You know nothing?”

“Yes, yes, Miss, I didn’t know there was poison inside. I was just frightened, Miss, please let me go.”

Shen Qingyun sighed, a look of regret on her face. “If that’s the case, there’s no need for you to speak further. Zhenzhu, gag her and have her sold. Her entire family—since they conspired to harm their mistress—should all be sent to the lowest brothel.”

Zhenzhu frowned. “Miss, aren’t you going to interrogate her further?”

“There’s no need. I’ve already given her a chance, and she didn’t cherish it.”

How could she possibly spare those who harmed her mother? Even an accomplice deserves to pay. She only wanted the stewardess to taste hope and then lose it, not truly to learn anything.

Such minor characters likely don’t know much of the deeper secrets anyway.

The stewardess’s mouth was stuffed with a handkerchief and Zhenzhu went out to summon someone to take her away.

She struggled desperately, her eyes full of utter despair. Perhaps even to her last breath, she regretted not seizing this final opportunity.

They searched her quarters and found no small amount of embezzled valuables—caught red-handed, her whole family was sold off.

When Madam Han heard about it, she was worried, but Shen Qingyun quickly soothed her concerns.

She didn’t want her mother to fret, and besides, she had no proof that Shen Zhifeng was behind it. She didn’t want to alert the enemy, so she twisted the story for outsiders, claiming the stewardess was caught stealing and tried to harm her mistress to cover her crime.

It was said that not long after being sold, the stewardess was silenced for good.

Shen Qingyun didn’t care in the slightest. Strike where it hurts the most—she knew that apart from himself, Shen Zhifeng cared for only one other: his only son, Shen Minglei.

When the day arrived for the banquet hosted by Lin Xueying, daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Shen Qingyun was fully prepared to meet her half-brother for the first time.

Though it was just a small gathering, she found upon arrival that there were more than a dozen young men and women present.

Fortunately, the Minister’s residence featured a unique attraction: on the lake in the rear garden was a secluded island. The island wasn’t tall but quite spacious, with rockeries and pines, parasol trees, and the like, all lush and verdant in early summer. Several pavilions and a tower dotted the island, making it a charming spot for a gathering.

Everyone first walked to the large Autumn Waters Pavilion halfway up the slope. The tables were laden with fruits and pastries, and the group ate and drank, enjoying themselves immensely.

The Minister’s family was large. Lin Xueying was the only legitimate daughter, with two full brothers who doted on her at home. There were also two illegitimate daughters and one illegitimate son.

As the hostess, Lin Xueying naturally took the lead in creating a lively atmosphere, introducing those present.

Besides her own family, there were sons and daughters from the Ministers of Rites and Works, two young ladies from the Grand Tutor’s residence, a young lady from the Censorate, and so on.

Since nearly all were acquaintances of Lin Xueying, everyone was familiar and didn’t need elaborate introductions.

Only Shen Qingyun was new—not only new to the capital, but also unknown to them—so Lin Xueying briefly explained her background.

Everyone was quite curious about her. Rumor had it she came from the countryside and was mocked for her lack of learning, but at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, she’d won the praise of both the Empress Dowager and the Empress, and her fame had soared overnight.

“Now that everyone knows each other, do take care of Qingyun in the future,” Lin Xueying said with a bright smile. She’d loved Shen Qingyun’s zither playing at the birthday banquet, and since Shen Qingyun’s status was not low, she was eager to befriend her.

This was also Shen Qingyun’s first gathering of the sort, and her presence, in turn, enhanced Lin Xueying’s own reputation, making her all the more warm toward her guest.

The young men and women present were all easygoing and soon relaxed, conversation flowing and the mood growing lively.

Lin Xueying chatted with Shen Qingyun for a while and found her nothing like the rumors—she was poised and thoughtful. “Qingyun, just call me Xueying. We must meet more often, and you must teach me to play the zither.”

Shen Qingyun nodded with a smile, not at all put off by Lin Xueying’s friendliness.

Lin Xueying wore a light yellow ruqun with a high-waisted skirt, while Shen Qingyun was dressed in a lilac gown embroidered with scattered blossoms. The two stood together, chatting and laughing—one sweet and charming, the other dazzlingly beautiful. They made such a lovely sight that the young gentlemen present could not help but steal glances their way as they spoke.

Outwardly calm, Shen Qingyun was in fact quietly observing the young man to her left—none other than Shen Minglei.