"Master, do you think I don't know what you're planning? After you die, you'll put Zheng Yu in charge of the household, and then marry Zheng Heyi off to someone with real power. Will the Minister's mansion still have a way to survive then?"
Lin leaned close to Minister Zheng, her tone extremely vicious.
"Let me tell you, you'd better be sensible and hand over the land deeds and shops, otherwise..."
Minister Zheng, barely holding on, said, "Otherwise what? You can't possibly kill me, can you?"
"Kill you?" Madam Lin smiled sinisterly, approaching Minister Zheng like a venomous snake. "Why should I do it myself? Once you're dead from anger, I can rightfully handle your funeral arrangements. I can then forge a will and leave all your assets to Yu Tang. What do you say?"
Having said that, Lin secretly glanced outside, thankfully no one was coming.
Indeed, Minister Zheng is often delirious these days. Even if he wakes up and tells Zheng Yu about this, what good will it do? After all, Zheng Yu can't possibly kick him out. After all, Lin is still Minister Zheng's concubine.
Before the master passed away, she was still a concubine.
[Forged will? Lin family, how dare you!]
This is murder for money! It's so vicious!
[Master, hang in there! Don't let yourself get so angry you die!]
Minister Zheng was so enraged by her words that he was furious. "You...you...you heartless, vile woman!" As he spoke, Minister Zheng grabbed the jade ruyi by the bedside and was about to smash it.
But he had no strength. In his rage and agitation, Minister Zheng felt a rush of blood to his head, his vision went black, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood with a "poof." His body went limp, and he fainted completely.
"Master? Master!?"
Upon seeing this, Madam Lin quickly approached and checked Zheng Shangshu's breathing. Finding that he was still a little angry, the smugness on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of panic.
She reached out again to check Zheng Shangshu's breathing, but it was even weaker and more faint than before. Lin gritted her teeth, worried that someone would find out what she had done, and hurriedly left the bedroom.
[The old man vomited blood and fainted! His condition is critical!]
[Did Madam Lin just leave without a care? Is she leaving the master to fend for himself?]
The night grew deeper.
The Minister's residence was shrouded in a deathly silence. In his bedroom, Minister Zheng lay on the cold bed, barely breathing. Meanwhile, Madam Lin hurriedly returned to her courtyard and immediately sent someone to the gambling den in the west of the city to deliver a message to Sun Sanlang.
Zheng Yutang hid in her room, clutching the "Yin Yang Harmony Powder" tightly in her hand, listening to the faint sounds coming from outside, her heart filled with confusion.
Her mother's madness, her father's critical illness, and the impending doom—all of this sent chills down her spine.
Before dawn, Zheng Yu arrived at the Princess's residence. He had important matters to discuss with Zheng Heyi. When the servants saw that it was Zheng Yu, they quietly opened the door.
"Oh dear, young master, you've arrived." Zheng Yu hurried forward, and after taking off his cloak, a guard took it and patted it off. It had just rained, and fine raindrops were still scattered on Zheng Yu's cloak.
The past few days of running around had left Zheng Yu exhausted. When he stepped into the tranquil room, he was slightly taken aback. Unlike the usual laxity when Granny Li was in charge, the night watchman under the eaves was still full of energy, even though it was late at night.
The lanterns on the eaves were polished to a shine, and there wasn't a single fallen leaf or weed in the cracks between the blue bricks. When he came here a while ago, everyone was lazy and listless, like a donkey struggling to ride a millstone.
Wow! The Princess's mansion has changed so much!
Back when Granny Li was in charge, the area outside the gate was like a bustling market. Granny Feng truly is a master housekeeper!
[Detail-oriented people will be overjoyed! Not even a single leaf has fallen between the cracks in the blue bricks; this is how a princess's mansion should look.]
Suddenly, scenes from several months ago flashed into my mind. With He Yi backing her up, Granny Li managed the inner quarters in a mess. It was common for servants to slack off and cheat, and the storeroom was also full of messy accounts.
The last time I came here, I was surprised to see two rough-looking old women chatting and eating melon seeds on a stone stool by the door, the ground of which was filthy.
Looking back now, it's clear that in just over a month since Granny Feng took over, she has managed to clean up this mess. Her cleaning, shopping, and night watch are all exceptional. Even the little maid who delivers messages walks with a light step, exuding energy and vitality.
When Hongyu, a maidservant guarding outside the hanging flower gate, saw Zheng Yu arrive, she smiled and bowed softly.
Her tone was extremely respectful. "The princess instructed that if you come, you should be led to the warm pavilion to rest. Ginger soup and snacks are prepared." Zheng Yu nodded, feeling much more at ease.
He Yi, being thoughtful, had prepared ginger soup well in advance, knowing he would arrive on a rainy night. He didn't go to He Yi immediately, but stood outside the door, gazing across the street. In the lamplight, a slender figure seemed to stand by the window…
[A deep bond between siblings! Zheng Yu, despite being exhausted, still came to visit He Yi.]
[Ginger soup served in the warm room! He Yi is simply the embodiment of the Snail Fairy!]
[This window lamp makes my heart soften. Is the villainous female supporting character also waiting for her brother?]
As dawn approached, Qingju tiptoed into the room. Seeing that Zheng Heyi had already woken up, she hurriedly said, "Princess, the eldest young master arrived before dawn and is resting in the warm pavilion. He said he was afraid of disturbing your sleep."
Zheng Heyi sat up, her delicate brows furrowing slightly: "It rained last night, and he got soaked again. Qingju, why didn't you wake me up sooner?" Heyi quickly got up and ordered: "Quickly get my cloak, and have the kitchen make more ginger soup to warm me up. Oh, and send someone to Tianxiangfang to buy some freshly baked walnut shortbread. My brother loves that the most."
[Here it comes! The little angel is showing her heartache for her brother online.]
[A long coat, ginger soup, and Tianxiangfang dim sum—this care is simply meticulous!]
[Male lead: With a sister like this, what more could a husband ask for!]
A moment later, Zheng Yu saw his younger sister, He Yi, walk in carrying a food box. He Yi's eyes still seemed to show signs of drowsiness, but she insisted on rousing herself to serve him. The ginger soup on the table was still steaming, and next to it were delicate pastries. When opened, they were his favorite snacks.
"Brother, I'm sorry, I just got up. Please drink this ginger soup to warm yourself up." Zheng Heyi handed him the bowl of soup. Zheng Yu took the bowl, and the warmth went down his throat into his stomach, then seemed to spread to every part of his body. The fatigue of the past few days seemed to disappear completely in that instant.
Zheng Yu felt incredibly soothed and comfortably nestled in the armchair. She noticed He Yi looking at her with exceptional concern, which warmed her heart. She then said, "But you, why didn't you sleep a little longer? Look at your dark circles under your eyes, they're as big as cartwheels."
Zheng Heyi's cheeks were burning. "Hurry up and eat some snacks. I heard from Qingju that you're investigating Sun Sanlang's matter?" Yes, Qingju had just been chatting with Zheng Yu to find out why Zheng Yu had come here.
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