Chapter 69: Irrevocable

Madam Liu sat by the pavilion, letting the breeze clear her mind. She felt her head grow much lighter. There was tea already prepared in the pavilion; Madam Liu poured a cup for each of them. “Qingyun, have some tea to sober up,” she said.

Shen Qingyun held the cup. They were supposed to have arrived here by chance, yet the tea was still hot, suggesting it had only just been prepared. There was no sign of anyone nearby. She grew wary and set the cup aside. “It’s too hot, I’ll drink it later.”

She wanted to warn Madam Liu, who had just taken a sip but choked on it, coughing and unable to steady the cup. She had to put it down first.

Shen Qingyun hurried over to pat her back, scolding gently, “Look at you. You mustn’t drink anymore tonight; you still need to take your medicine later.”

Madam Liu smiled a little shamefacedly, dabbing at the water stains on her dress with her handkerchief. Her voice carried a note of resigned despair. “My days are numbered. I might as well enjoy myself while I still can.”

“The great physician said so: as long as you keep calm and take your medicine on time, you’ll get much better.” Shen Qingyun’s gaze was tinged with sorrow and encouragement. “Enjoy yourself, by all means, but didn’t we agree not to speak such hopeless words?”

Madam Liu reached back and gently placed her hand over Shen Qingyun’s. “Qingyun, don’t blame me.”

These words were laden with meaning, as if she were carrying many secrets.

Shen Qingyun lowered her eyes, her long lashes veiling them, her voice soft and subdued. “Why would I blame you?”

Madam Liu mumbled a few words, leaned against a column, and closed her eyes, as though she had fallen asleep from drink.

Suddenly, Lin Zhiyuan emerged from the room beside the pavilion, as if he had only just noticed them. “Miss Shen, Madam, why are you here? Have you been drinking too much? Miss Shen, would you help me carry her to her room? The wind out here will give her a headache when she wakes.”

He seemed every bit the concerned husband.

Shen Qingyun said nothing. She looked back and saw the boat had been rowed away by the maidservants, clearly premeditated. She quietly followed, helping Madam Liu to her room, seating her in a chair by the main door, refusing to enter the inner chamber.

Lin Zhiyuan looked at Shen Qingyun greedily. Her attire today made her skin appear porcelain-pale, cool and noble, yet the flush from the wine lent her a hint of languor and allure.

“Miss Shen, forgive my boldness, but you are truly beautiful today.”

He could not help but reach out to touch her shoulder.

Shen Qingyun stepped back, her gaze icy. “Young Master Lin, please conduct yourself with propriety.”

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Lin Zhiyuan’s expression was unnaturally excited, unable to restrain his inner agitation, and he moved forward, intent on embracing Shen Qingyun.

“Miss Shen, it’s all right. Once that woman dies, I’ll make you my wife. Don’t worry, I’ll treat you well. Let me hold you now—don’t shout, I’ve sent all the servants away, no one will hear you.”

Shen Qingyun gripped the whistle in her palm tightly. In the shadows, Han Yu’s face was dark, barely restraining herself from rushing in to thrash this beast in gentleman’s clothing.

As Lin Zhiyuan lunged toward Shen Qingyun, Madam Liu suddenly awoke, grabbing his arm, her face confused and frightened, stopping him.

“I’m still here—what are you doing, are you mad?”

Lin Zhiyuan’s eyes reddened. He threw off Madam Liu’s hand with such force that she fell to the ground. He shouted angrily, “Out of my way!”

Something was clearly wrong with him.

Madam Liu, however, clung to Lin Zhiyuan’s leg, shouting to Shen Qingyun, “Qingyun, go! Run!”

Shen Qingyun was stunned by the sudden turn of events, but her first instinct was to dart toward the door. She glanced back—Madam Liu was holding fast to Lin Zhiyuan, tears streaming down her face as she cried, “Qingyun, go! I’ll hold this beast. I’m sorry, I endangered you, but for the sake of saving you, look after Yuan for me.”

“I’ll go get the servants!” Shen Qingyun frowned and called out, running outside.

But this pavilion was tucked away in a remote corner; Shen Qingyun searched and searched, but found no servant or maid.

“This is bad.” She blew her whistle and called to Han Yu in a stern voice, “Go back, save Madam Liu.”

Han Yu hesitated. “Miss, what about you?”

“Hurry, I’ve already escaped, I’ll be safe.”

She suddenly remembered Madam Liu’s words: “Look after Yuan for me.” It sounded like a farewell.

When Han Yu arrived, Madam Liu had indeed dragged Lin Zhiyuan into the lake.

The two struggled in the water, choking and gasping. Han Yu jumped in to save them, realizing there was no danger to their lives, and quietly withdrew.

Shen Qingyun came over. Seeing no one around, her expression grew cold. She picked up a stone and smashed it against Lin Zhiyuan’s vital parts.

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She should have done this to Jiang Lin in her past life. This time, she would rid Madam Liu of this calamity.

She plucked the hairpin from her head, twisted it open to reveal the sleeping powder that caused amnesia and unconsciousness, and sprinkled it into Lin Zhiyuan’s mouth.

She shook Madam Liu awake and shouted loudly, “Someone’s fallen into the water, help!”

The boat carrying Lin Xueying had drifted far away, but hearing the cries, they quickly rowed back. Seeing the eldest young master and mistress soaked and in a stupor, they were alarmed and hurried to summon help.

Shen Qingyun escorted Madam Liu back to her courtyard, while Lin Xueying fetched the family physician for Lin Zhiyuan.

Madam Liu slowly regained consciousness, still dazed, but realized Shen Qingyun had brought her home. She reflexively asked, “Qingyun, are you all right?”

Shen Qingyun shook her head. “Why did you do it? Why did you help Lin Zhiyuan lure me over?”

She had never thought Madam Liu would harm her, but she noticed Madam Liu had not drunk the drugged tea and had only pretended to fall asleep.

She could not understand.

Madam Liu covered her face and wept, instructing her senior maid to guard the door, finally confessing everything. “That beast has never forgotten you since he saw you. For your sake, he prepared food to hasten my death, so he could marry you.”

“He wanted me to arrange a private meeting with you. Since I won’t live much longer, I decided to die with him. He deserves it. The only thing I regret is setting you up—I am ashamed.”

Shen Qingyun was silent.

Madam Liu knew Lin Zhiyuan was plotting against her, so she turned the tables, hoping to save Shen Qingyun and then drag Lin Zhiyuan to his death.

Yuan would become the sole child of the main branch, raised by Minister Lin and his wife. And perhaps, Shen Qingyun would always look after Yuan out of gratitude.

“But did you ever consider—even if I escaped, with both you and Lin Zhiyuan dead, how could I clear myself? No matter how well you arranged things, could Minister Lin, bereaved of his son, not blame me?”