“Only in this way can the old lady and I feel more at ease. Otherwise, if word gets out that our Zhao family treats our guests so harshly,” Jiang Bai said with a smile.

Linglong suppressed her resentment, her face as beautiful as a peach blossom, and smiled charmingly, looking very endearing.

Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow slightly; it was this face that had bewitched countless people.

She sent someone to investigate and found that this Linglong was someone she knew from Jiangning. Two years ago, she worked as a singer in Suzhou and frequented singing boats.

It must have been quite a journey to the capital, step by step, to finally meet the old woman.

Moreover, she stubbornly stayed at the Zhao residence, demonstrating a more resilient character than ordinary women.

Jiang Bai had no choice but to take this seriously.

Linglong paused for a moment, then said, "I'm already better, there's really no need for you to trouble yourself, Madam."

Upon hearing this, the old lady said, "Linglong, be good."

Jiang Bai pressed her down, and saw that Linglong kept pressing her wrist, rubbing it every now and then.

Linglong's complexion was not good.

Cui'er stepped forward and said, "Madam, our young lady is injured and doesn't want everyone to worry, so she didn't want to trouble you, Madam."

Jiang Bai understood, and felt even more wary of Linglong.

It seems this woman is even more ruthless than she imagined.

The old lady stood up: "What's wrong?"

Linglong pretended to be quiet and said, "Cui'er, don't talk too much."

"Madam, Linglong is fine, she just tripped and fell."

Linglong lowered her head and remained silent.

Cui'er walked up to her and said, "Master, please take a look at the old lady."

Jiang Bai's gaze sharpened.

She then scanned the room to see if there were any sharp objects.

Sure enough, on the dressing table, I saw a hairpin with a drop of blood hanging from it.

Jiang Bai pursed his thin lips, his heart sinking even deeper.

Taking advantage of the lull in Linglong and the old lady's performance, she slowly got up and stood next to the dressing table.

Looking to the side, I saw that there were still slightly dried bloodstains on the hairpin.

When no one was looking, she stole the hairpin.

Cui'er and Linglong ignored Jiang Bai. Cui'er lifted Linglong's sleeve and said, "My young lady wanted to embroider a peace and good fortune for the old lady, but she was a little anemic after sitting for a long time and fell down because she was not steady on her feet."

"My wrist was also scratched by the corner of the table, breaking the skin."

The old lady looked at her wrist, which was wrapped in a handkerchief, and there were faint traces of blood seeping out.

"Good child, you are thoughtful."

The old lady's attention was completely drawn away, and she stopped talking about taking her pulse.

Jiang Bai stared at Linglong, touching the hairpin in his sleeve.

She's really a ruthless woman.

As she was sighing, the old lady said to her, "Jiang Bai, that's enough about taking her pulse. Send someone to bring some nourishing medicine for Linglong to help her recover."

Jiang Bai nodded and sat back down.

"My daughter-in-law understands."

After saying that, she said worriedly, "Miss Linglong, you must take good care of yourself."

"Thank you for your concern, Madam."

As they went back and forth, each of them had their own thoughts on their minds.

The old lady gave a few more instructions before leaving Linglong's courtyard with Jiang Bai.

Jiang Bai said to the old lady, "Old lady, Miss Linglong was already in poor health, and now she has added another wound. It pains me to see her like this."

The old lady patted the back of her hand: "You are a good child too. Come and see her more often these next few days."

"My daughter-in-law knows."

After escorting the old lady back to her residence, Jiang Bai returned to his own courtyard.

Jiang Bai took out the hairpin and examined it in his hand. The wound was clearly caused by Linglong this morning.

But he fabricated such a lie to completely fool the old lady.

Ying'er watched from the side and said, "Master, isn't that hairpin in your hand... the one from Linglong?"

Linglong really liked this hairpin and often wore it out, so Ying'er recognized it at a glance.

"It's hers."

Ying'er then understood why the lady had suddenly gotten up and walked around the room earlier.

Looking at the bloodstains on the hairpin, even Ying'er knew that Linglong's behavior today was all an act.

She was immediately furious: "This woman actually dared to deceive even the old lady?!"

Jiang Bai looked at the bright red bloodstains on the hairpin, which had already dried and covered it.

"Go and get me a box."

"yes."

A moment later, Ying'er brought the box over, and Jiang Bai carefully placed the contents inside.

"Put the things away, don't take them out, and don't make a fuss. Just pretend you don't know anything about it and it never happened."

“Ying’er understands.”

This hairpin is a good piece of evidence.

Now she knows that she can't do anything to Linglong with just a hairpin, but once she has gathered all the evidence, she will leave Linglong with no chance to turn the tables.

However, things turned out differently than Jiang Bai had anticipated.

Linglong brought about her own demise.

That night, Jiang Bai was to hand over the goods to the Su family, while Zhao Yi was busy dealing with the end-of-month accounts.

So Zhao Yi went back to his residence to handle some matters and, looking at the sky, prepared to go pick up Jiang Bai.

However, the old lady called him over, and Linglong was also there.

At the dinner table, Zhao Yi did not say anything.

Linglong poured Zhao Yi a glass of wine: "Master, this is Linglong toasting you."

Although the old lady had already discussed it with Jiang Bai, she didn't think much of Linglong's actions, as they were merely out of politeness.

Who knew there would be something in this wine?

Linglong tightened her grip on the wine pot, but Zhao Yi did not drink it.

Linglong glanced at the old lady.

The old lady also felt that this made the Zhao family seem rather rude: "Yi'er, what are you doing?"

Zhao Yi remained silent for a moment, then drank the wine and stood up: "Son, you've finished eating."

Linglong smiled slightly. Even though Zhao Yi didn't like her, her plan had already succeeded.

Finally, an opportunity was found.

Once tonight is over, she will be one step closer to becoming the matriarch of the Zhao family.

Zhao Yi returned to the courtyard and reconciled the accounts.

He felt a little dizzy, but he didn't think much of it.

He had only had one drink; he usually had a very high alcohol tolerance.

Linglong finished eating and stood up: "Madam, Linglong has also returned."

"Go ahead." The old lady did not linger.

However, after leaving the old lady's courtyard, Linglong did not return to her own room, but went to Zhao Yi's place.

At this moment, Zhao Yi's face was slightly flushed and his throat was dry.

He tugged at his clothes, feeling a burning sensation all over his body.

Linglong walked in: "Master."

Zhao Yi frowned: "Why are you here? Get out."

The study is a sensitive place; not just anyone can come in.

Linglong observed Zhao Yi; even with the strongest willpower, it would be impossible to withstand such potent medicine.

She walked up to Zhao Yi, her body exuding a captivating fragrance.

Zhao Yi frowned, surprised by his discomfort, and growled, "Get out!"

Linglong immediately hugged him, and Cui'er, seeing this, came out of the house and stood guard at the door.

Meanwhile, Jiang Bai looked at the night sky and muttered, "Didn't you say you were coming to pick me up?"

"Never mind, there's a lot of accounts to settle at the end of the month, I'll go back myself." Jiang Bai got into the carriage and headed towards the Zhao residence.