Flaw (Repair)
He was so drunk last night that he spent the whole night alone in his study, but he woke up this morning looking very energetic, as if he had almost sobered up from his hangover.
He walked to the bedside, sat down casually, and his several-inch-long blue hair ribbon swayed gently.
Lin Xu rubbed his eyes, smelling the faint scent of pine trees that wafted from his face as he drew closer, and whispered:
"My husband seems unusually energetic today. Is there something important on your mind?"
The Land Reclamation Bureau was the second bureau under the Ministry of Works. On weekdays, all the assistant secretaries and clerks worked in the yamen, seemingly in charge of the land and houses of the whole country, the public land of various departments, and the residences of officials. However, a minor official like Dou Yanxun was actually only busy at the end of the year, and was mostly idle on weekdays. He was never seen dressed so radiantly on weekdays.
Dou Yanxun is currently just a junior official in charge of official estates. I heard that there are more than ten junior officials in the Ministry of Works, many of whom are Jinshi graduates. Dou Yanxun is naturally not very noticeable among them.
After being punished by the Bai family last time, he took a period of rest and recuperation, claiming to be ill and on leave. It was thanks to Dou Yanzhou and a few capable people in the Ministry of Works who were able to speak on his behalf, and also because of Dou Huaisheng, that he was able to get things done with some influence from the Dou family.
Now that things have improved, I have no choice but to go to my post. If I delay any longer, I'm afraid Bai will have another attack.
Dou Yanxun, however, seemed completely unaffected, not only in high spirits but also enjoying his leisure time. No wonder Bai Shi used to always scold him for having no ambition.
He sat beside Lin Xu, unaware of her thoughts, but slowly curved his lips into a clear smile and reached out to pinch her chin.
Lin Xu's chin was already just a small corner, but after a period of hard work, it had become even more pointed. He gently pinched it and felt it was a bit rough, so he frowned.
"Madam, why are you getting thinner and thinner? It's as if our Dou family has mistreated you."
Granny Qin and several maids were waiting in front of the hall. When they saw Lin Xu wake up, they diligently brought hot water and clean towels to help her wash up.
Dou Yanxun's expression was gentle, a rare tenderness for him in the morning. Even though they knew it was just a few playful words between husband and wife, the young maids could only lower their heads and suppress their laughter.
He remained calm, only glancing back at Granny Qin.
"Tell the kitchen to prepare more nourishing meals for Madam every day. If Madam is still this weak next month, don't blame me for cutting your salaries."
Upon hearing this, Granny Qin quickly agreed.
Dou Yanxun had always treated his servants with a mild attitude, neither strict nor indulgent, and it was extremely rare for him to speak in such a serious manner what could be considered a threat.
Lin Xu couldn't help but glance at him, then stood up, grabbed a light pink jacket hanging on the clothes rack, and draped it over her shoulders.
“Husband, why do you have to be like this? The servants in the courtyard have always served me well. It’s just that I have too many worries on my day. I can’t blame others.”
Dou Yanxun stood up with her, casually adjusting the jade belt at his waist, the smile that had just faded from his lips returning:
"...Then may I ask my wife what is causing you so much worry? I hope I can offer some relief..."
He was so close to her that his warm breath brushed against her face, making her feel a ticklish sensation.
She's getting more and more unserious, even joking with the maids and servants in front of her.
Lin Xu couldn't help but frown. Although she knew he was always like this, after seeing Dou Yanxun's serious and aloof side, whenever she saw him with this expression, she couldn't help but feel a huge difference in her heart, and found it hard to get used to. She also couldn't tell which one was the real him.
Well, since the enemy is cunning, she can't always stick to the old ways.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Xu walked closer and stopped in front of him, hooking her arm around his neck.
Her arms were long and slender, and she wore only a very thin blouse. The sleeves fell down as her arms stretched out, suddenly revealing most of her arms. They were white and tender, like freshly peeled lotus roots.
Despite looking sleepy from just waking up, she showed no signs of dishevelment. Instead, her face was rosy, revealing a hint of naivety rarely seen on her usual face.
Those red lips were incredibly beautiful, possessing a mesmerizing allure, yet they also seemed like those of an innocent child curiously exploring the unknown, carrying a touch of naivety and childishness.
Dark black eyes stared at him intently, and before he could react, they suddenly moved closer to him.
He could almost smell the faint, unique sweetness of her lips.
Dou Yanxun lowered his eyelashes, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. He didn't back down, but stood still, letting her get closer and closer. He looked into those clear, bright eyes and saw a familiar slyness flash across them.
Sure enough, the next moment, that delicate bright red dodged his expectations and flashed by quickly, landing on his chin.
She placed a gentle kiss on his chin.
It was clearly only half an inch away from his lips.
Although he had already anticipated that she was probably eccentric and wouldn't play by the rules, Dou Yanxun still caught his breath for a moment when he was kissed so gently.
Lin Xu saw this and couldn't help but feel smug.
In a moment of distraction, the arms that had been wrapped around him suddenly loosened. Dou Yanxun felt a sudden emptiness at the loss of warmth on his neck.
The culprit took advantage of his momentary distraction and ran far away.
The person who had just been throwing herself into his arms was now soaking a towel in steaming water and beginning to wash her face. The steam rose, and with her eyes slightly closed, she wore an incredibly serious expression, as if nothing had just happened.
...How dare she tease him!
Dou Yanxun was displeased, but seeing that it was already late and he could not delay any longer, he had no choice but to give up in resentment. He gritted his teeth at Lin Xu, who was washing her face, before turning around and leaving the palace.
Zhu Ling watched Dou Yanxun's angry figure gradually disappear into the distance, and only now did she finally smile. She had been trying hard to hold back her anger, and finally whispered:
"You seemed quite troubled just now, Second Master. I'm afraid... if you hadn't been in such a hurry to leave, you certainly wouldn't have been able to escape."
Lin Xu smiled slightly and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It was just a matter of pretending to be a loving couple; she could do it effortlessly and was no less skilled than him.
She handed the handkerchief to Zhuling and then wiped her hands clean.
As her eyes darted around, she failed to notice a figure flashing quickly past the window. A chill ran through Lin Xu's heart.
There was clearly someone through the window. And judging from their appearance, they seemed to have been quietly spying on the room from the shadows.
It's still daytime, and people are already so impatient?
First there was the obsequious and servile Granny Chang, then the seemingly kind but actually ruthless and calculating Fu Lian. Now, a pair of eyes has quietly appeared in the shadows of the villa…
Lin Xu pretended to be nonchalant, but a moment later he had already begun to think about it.
It was broad daylight, and Dou Yanxun had just left, so that figure couldn't possibly be one of his trained bodyguards. Moreover, although it had only flashed by, she clearly saw that it was more like a slender woman. Upon reflection, she realized that this wasn't the first time she'd felt there were eyes outside the window.
This small courtyard house actually harbors several powerful factions, lurking and spying, making it quite a lively place.
She couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
Dou Yanxun must have already realized this matter.
This morning, as he adjusted his appearance in front of the mirror, he may have noticed the figure in the courtyard. No wonder Dou Yanxun has been subtly becoming much closer to her these past few days.
In front of Bai, he still loved to put on a show of marital bliss with her as always.
Fortunately, she reacted very quickly and never got angry; she would simply continue to feign compliance with him.
Thinking this, Lin Xu quickly finished his breakfast, drank tea, rinsed his mouth, took a clean handkerchief to wipe his hands clean, and then slowly said after catching his breath:
"...Now that the year has begun, I've heard that our villa has gained quite a few new faces. I've finally managed to gather everyone here today so I can have a chat with you all."
Zhu Ling stopped smiling, lowered her head and obediently replied "Yes," then turned to deliver the message.
Lin Xu sat on the soft couch, gazing quietly into the distance.
Outside the window, in the shaded area, some snow still lingered, and a gentle breeze brought in a chilly gust of wind, causing her to instinctively wrap her cloak tighter around herself.
Her fingertips lightly traced the teacup on the table, but her eyes revealed a sharp, cold glint.
...No matter who that person is, if they dare to harbor thoughts of hiding in the shadows, they shouldn't blame her for catching them.
Before long, the servants from the villa were summoned one by one and stood neatly in the courtyard, each with a very respectful expression. Dou Yanxun was a carefree person and rarely concerned herself with family affairs. Lin Xu was now the apparent mistress of the villa, and given the precedent set by Granny Chang, the servants naturally listened to this lady more.
Lin Xu quietly observed the people standing in the courtyard; there were fifty-nine people in total. This was all the personnel currently employed at the villa. She took in everyone's expressions, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
“There have been quite a few new faces in the courtyard lately,” Lin Xu said gently, though her voice carried a hint of nonchalance.
"You all work hard every day. Serving others is not easy. I don't usually set many rules. As long as you behave yourselves, I will definitely not treat you unfairly."
She paused, and when she spoke again, her voice suddenly turned much colder, carrying an air of authority that commanded respect without anger.
"But if anyone has ulterior motives, doesn't serve their master properly, or does something outrageous, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Everyone who knew Lin Xu was usually gentle and calm; they had never seen her lose her temper like this before. They were all startled and hurriedly bowed their heads in agreement, their hearts filled with unease. What was wrong with the Second Madam? Had something serious happened? They dared not look at each other, and could only speculate wildly in their hearts.
Lin Xu's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, taking in their restrained faces. Apart from the few elderly people she had brought from the Lin family to serve her and groom as her confidants, the rest were confined to her quarters, only tasked with menial chores. These were all people who had served in the other courtyard for a long time; they were all old members of the Dou family…
Who could it be?
Among the crowd, only one little girl's face looked particularly clever, unlike the others who appeared reserved. Her eyes sparkled, and although she maintained a respectful bowed posture, a hint of mischievousness shone through her eyes. The peach-pink jacket she wore also looked newer than the others.
Lin Xu secretly compared the figure she had just seen with the one before her, her delicate fingertips lightly tapping the rim of her cup. With just a sharp glance, she lazily spoke:
"What's your name? You look unfamiliar."
When the little girl heard Lin Xu call her, she hurriedly looked up.
She was indeed beautiful, with a delicate charm and even a hint of cleverness. She was a beauty in the making.
The young maid replied in a soft yet clear voice, "Madam, my name is Fangxing. I was recently transferred to this separate courtyard. I used to serve Aunt Zhen."
As expected, he's new here.
Lin Xu lowered her eyes. Zhen Shi usually stayed ill and didn't go out much. She didn't seem like a person with her own ideas. Would she send spies to cause trouble so obviously? Did the interests of the villa affect Zhen Shi? Aunt Zhen had not given birth for many years and had always been alone. She was not favored in the Dou family.
The person who can manipulate the servants using the name of Consort Zhen is the one who has the final say in the household and wields real power...
So it's nothing more than the Bai family stirring up trouble behind the scenes, playing tricks to sow discord within the inner quarters.
After thinking it through, Lin Xu curled the corners of her lips, looked Fang Xing over carefully again, and smiled calmly:
"You are quite handsome, and I imagine the people around Aunt Zhen are very meticulous. Now that you are here, do your job well and don't be too reserved. The other courtyard has a clear system of rewards and punishments, and if you work hard, you will naturally be rewarded."
Her gaze swept over, and Zhu Ling understood immediately, so she stepped forward and gave Fang Xing some reward money.
Fangxing quickly thanked her, a hint of undisguised joy flashing in her eyes. The smile on her lips deepened, but she soon lowered her head again, resuming her previous polite and humble demeanor.
Lin Xu gently patted the handkerchief in her hand and smiled slightly at everyone:
"Alright, everyone, please disperse. Now that spring has arrived, there must be many things to do. We must do our best in everything. If there are any newcomers who are unfamiliar with the rules of our courtyard, Zhuling, please take the time to remind them."
Zhu Ling bowed slightly. "Yes, Madam."
The crowd agreed and soon quietly dispersed.
Lin Xu looked at the sparse red plum blossoms in the courtyard. Winter was coming to an end, and even the most proud plum blossoms could not hold onto the lonely spring colors. Spring had come again.
She glanced back at Zhu Ling and said softly:
"If there are any unusual developments in the courtyard while I am away, you don't need to report them to me. You have full authority over them. Just keep it in mind. If anything seems amiss, Zhou Qi and Zhou Quan are loyal and trustworthy. You just need to discuss things with them."
Zhu Ling nodded seriously.
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