The moment this thought popped into He Yi's head, she was terrified by her own madness.

No way! Zheng Yu is my older brother! Although... although we're not blood-related, he's still my brother in name only. How can I have such strange ideas?

She paced back and forth in the yard for a long time before finally convincing herself, "He's the older brother, it's only right that he's good to his younger sister. I just... I haven't felt the care of my family for so long, that's why I misunderstood."

But another voice quickly emerged, "Zheng Heyi, if you like someone, you like them. Aren't you afraid to face your own feelings? What's wrong with your brother? He's not even related to you, what are you afraid of..."

Even so, He Yi knew in her heart that the flutter in her heart was real, and that she cared about him. What He Yi didn't know was that Zheng Yu hadn't actually left outside the courtyard at that moment.

He stared blankly at the tightly closed courtyard gate, his expression complex and unreadable.

[Is this the villainous female supporting character's self-inflicted wound? She thinks she can just go for it because he's not her brother?!]

Zheng Yu hasn't left yet! Is he also standing outside in a daze?

The plot is getting more and more intense; looking forward to what happens next!

After Zheng Yu returned, the steward, Uncle Gong, came in and whispered something in his ear. Zheng Yu remained expressionless, but Uncle Gong seemed very anxious.

"It's truly hard to guard against a thief within the family. The master is in a bad state right now, confused one day and lucid the next, while she's starting to act recklessly..."

Zheng Yu sighed deeply, and Gong Shu reminded him, "Why not do it now?"

"No, we need solid evidence first. Let's rest for now." Gong Shu withdrew.

That night, the air was cool and still. Moonlight filtered through the sparse shadows of the trees and spilled into the back alley of the Minister's residence, casting a cold, eerie glow on the puddles.

Lin tightened her black cloak and prepared to go out again to the Red Beauty Gambling House to deliver silver and valuables to Sun Sanlang. Recently, the master had fallen ill and the mansion was in a mess, which gave Lin an opportunity.

Lin looked around the back door for a while before slowly pushing it open, crouching low.

The door hinges creaked softly in the quiet night. This was the third time she had sent money to Sanlang. Judging from the current situation in the mansion, it was impossible for Minister Zheng to recover.

After the old man passes away, she will receive a sum of money. At that time, Lin's wishful thinking will be realized, and she will immediately elope with Sun Sanlang and leave this place.

She had just taken one step when she suddenly froze.

Not far away, under the moonlight, a tall figure appeared. The figure stood with his hands behind his back, and although he was just standing there silently, he exuded a sense of oppression. When the door creaked open, the person turned around and looked at Lin.

Lin was speechless and turned pale. She tried to back away, but it was too late.

She saw that the man standing below, in the dim moonlight, was none other than Zheng Yu. Lin was about to retreat, but Zheng Yu intercepted her.

Zheng Yu's voice was calm and undisturbed—"Where is Mother going?" His tone was completely devoid of emotion, but this steady and specific question suddenly made Lin's heart pound.

A hint of panic flashed in her eyes. When Zheng Yu asked her that question, she felt a sudden chill run through her body, as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Looking at Zheng Yu again, she realized that the ignorant little kid from back then was now a capable adult.

Especially Zheng Yu's eyes, which were staring at him, were so wise and sharp, and seemed to be filled with the glint of swords.

As Lin looked at the clothes, she became uneasy. The hand hidden under her cloak involuntarily tightened around the hem of her clothes. She forced a dry laugh and said awkwardly, "It's Yu'er. I couldn't sleep at night, so I came out for a walk to get some fresh air."

Lin was talking nonsense, his eyes darting around.

Zheng Yu also saw it; she didn't dare to look directly at her. Lin stared intently at Zheng Yu.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Zheng Yu toying with a bright green jade pendant in his hand. It was the very pendant she had secretly given to the Red Beauty Gambling House before…

This jade pendant should have been in Sun Sanlang's hands, but who knew that it would end up in Zheng Yu's hands by some strange twist of fate?

Zheng Yu raised an eyebrow, took a slow step forward, and said in a voice with a hint of barely perceptible anger, "Oh? Auntie has nothing to do, so you've come here to cool off?"

Mrs. Lin was terrified, but she could only bite the bullet and say, "I just came out for a casual stroll. Let's go back. I'm so bored."

But Zheng Yu didn't let Lin Shi off the hook. He raised his voice and spoke with conviction: "Auntie, do you know that I was walking back from outside just now and happened to pass by the Red Beauty Gambling House? I saw the manager there sighing over a jade pendant, so I bought it."

"That man also said with certainty that a certain lady had promised to come and take him away tonight, but he has yet to arrive." Hearing this, Madam Lin felt a chill run down her spine.

Looking at Zheng Yu again, Lin found his eyes to be as cold as ice. The story Zheng Yu told was obviously made up, and it made Lin tremble.

[Holy crap, it's obvious Zheng Yu was prepared all along!]

[Here it comes! A head-on confrontation with the Lin family!]

[Judging from Lin's expression, she must be terrified!]

Upon hearing this, Lin's face turned as white as the moon, and her lips trembled even more violently. She was speechless for a long time.

"Red Beauty Gambling House..."

She murmured, beads of sweat the size of soybeans appearing on her face, "Yu'er, you...you listen to your aunt's explanation, your aunt was just...confused for a moment..."

"Foolish?" Zheng Yu's voice suddenly turned cold and sharp, his gaze turning sharply to Lin Shi. "Father is still ill, and you are already so reckless?"

Zheng Yu pressed on relentlessly, forcing Lin to retreat until her back pressed against the hard door, leaving her nowhere to go.

"Me!" Lin was flustered and tried to explain, but what nonsense could she make up to deceive Zheng Yu, whose eyes were as sharp as lightning?

“I just…” Zheng Yu interrupted her, her tone full of disappointment, “If Aunt can abandon evil and do good, the previous things will be over. Otherwise, they will inevitably get worse. There are many rumors in the capital. Now that my younger sister is a princess, please give her some face and give everyone a way out.”

Seeing the cold and resolute light in Zheng Yu's eyes, Lin knew that she had no other choice.

She bit her lip hard, "I understand, I'll never go again."

Zheng Yu snorted coldly, "Auntie had better not pretend to comply and do things half-heartedly." Although Zheng Yu's tone softened slightly, it still carried a coldness and authority, "There are gods watching over us, so you'd better behave yourself. If there's a next time, don't blame me for not showing any mercy!"

After reprimanding her, Zheng Yu didn't look at Lin Shi again and turned to leave. Watching Zheng Yu walk away, Lin Shi almost collapsed to the ground.

It's as if a drowning person has just been pulled from the abyss.