Shulan, in her own little world, was unconcernally talking to Xin He while offering tea, without noticing Xiaoyu and Madam’s actions. With her head down, she said, "What’s going on with this world? Sun Yaowen drove the Sun Family to such ruin, first made Grandpa Sun ill, and then killed him with poison. But in the end, he becomes the biggest winner. How could Grandpa Sun be so blind!"
Xin He responded with a smirk, "Since you’re irritated, and feel God’s judgment is blind, I might as well lend a hand in this."
Shulan paused, "I was just rambling"
"But I wasn’t just listening." Xin He chuckled.
Panic-stricken, Shulan hastily added, "Madam, there’s no good to get from meddling in the mess at the Sun Family. The winners and the losers are none of our business. Let’s not do it!"
"There’s no need for me to personally dabble in this murky mess," Xin He calmly countered, "Aren’t we having the right person at hand?"
"What?"
Xin He posed, "Is Ji Xiulan outside?"
Xiaoyu nodded, "Yes, she is."
"Have her called in."
Shulan, her eyes bulging in surprise, exclaimed, "Madam, are you really going to help her?!"
"Don’t just stand there. Go." Xin He brushed her off with that.
With her head bowed, Shulan finally turned to leave.
Xin He could only smile and shake her head helplessly, then tell Xiaoyu, "You should go and watch them too. I am concerned about her dealing with matters in her current emotional state."
Smiling, Xiaoyu bowed and chased after Shulan.
In the courtyard, Shulan muttered to Xiaoyu, "I’ve really meddled in this, accidentally stirring up Madam’s benevolent heart. Why on earth would she help Ji Xiulan and meddle in this mess? If we were dragged into that by the Sun Family, we wouldn’t know how much trouble we’re in!"
While walking, Xiaoyu laughingly explained, "Madam’s kindness is never unrestricted. You really think a few words from you could suddenly stir her sympathy for Ji Xiulan?"
"Then why is madam doing this..." Shulan trailed off.
Xiaoyu continued in a melancholic tone, "Some things, it’s better to handle earlier than leave to pile up. Madam sees farther than we do."
Yi Ling was an exceptional figure. Her scheming and malicious nature was evident in how quickly she stabilized her footing amidst the murky waters of the Sun Family’s affairs and even gradually took control of the situation.
Although Ji Xiulan was not the sharpest tool in the shed, she wasn’t entirely dim either. The fact that she was completely fooled by Yi Ling clearly demonstrated how tough Yi Ling was.
If Yi Ling was merely just a prostitute, or an insignificant concubine in the Sun Family, Xin He wouldn’t be bothered about her. But at this moment, when she’s about to scoop up most of the Sun family’s fortune, it’s vital to address her now than later when Sun Yaowen takes over the family fortune. She would naturally become the true puppet-master and dealing with her might not be as easy as it was with Yihong Courtyard.
Shulan was at a loss, but after listening to Xiaoyu, she seemed to understand a deeper meaning. So, she didn’t react much and merely followed Xiaoyu to get the task done.
Ji Xiulan was still huddled at the mansion’s entrance, not because she didn’t want to leave, but because she didn’t know where to go. She had no relatives or friends to turn to. She could only guess that someone from the Sun Family was watching her family’s house. Members of the Sun Family were already searching for her throughout the city. She was sure to be apprehended no matter where she went.
Just then, the mansion gates flew open. Hastily glancing over, Ji Xiulan saw Shulan looking down at her from the entrance, "Our madam would like to see you."
——
Currently, the atmosphere at the Sun Family was somber. The death of Grandapa Sun left everyone in mourning clothes, and the place was covered in white silk, adding an eerie feel to the gloom.
"They still haven’t found her?" A frowned Sun Yaowen asked.
The young servant hastily shook his head, "Yes, we even sent people to Yangluo bay, but we couldn’t find that mean woman."
"Where could she possibly hide? I bet she hasn’t got far. Keep searching! I want to see the body if she’s dead, I won’t let her get away so easily." Sun Yaowen was furious.
Ji Xiulan knew many of his secrets, and now she’d been exposed. If she was still alive, she might become a threat to him someday. Of course, Sun Yaowen wasn’t going to take chances!
"Young master, don’t worry. Since we’ve already sent people to look for her, they’ll surely find her. Even if we don’t, we can just report to the authorities. As a lone woman, how far can she get? She can’t stir up much trouble." Yi Ling comforted him from the side.
Sun Yaowen was fuming, "That bumbling fool, she even buried the drug residue in her own courtyard. She’s practically announcing she’s a murderer. She almost implicated me!"
All along, Sun Yaowen was oblivious to the fact that it was Yi Ling who had set up Ji Xiulan, instead he believed that Ji Xiulan’s folly caused her downfall.
"Why are you so angry, young master? It’s fortunate that you’re clever and devised a plan to put the blame on elder brother for the drug incident, cleansing yourself in the process. Isn’t that great?" Yi Ling knew how to handle Sun Yaowen.
She wouldn’t parade her abilities in front of Sun Yaowen. The plan to frame and lay the blame was her idea, but she claimed it was Sun Yaowen’s brilliance. This flattery was quite to Sun Yaowen’s liking, and he found it very satisfying to hear.
"Indeed, we turned our misfortune into fortune by getting rid of elder brother. In the upcoming family division, I’m sure to land the lion’s share!" Sun Yaowen laughed heartily.
Yi Ling joined in the laughter, although her smile held a touch of contempt which, of course, Sun Yaowen couldn’t see.
The only problem that needed solving was Ji Xiulan.
At this thought, the smile in Yi Ling’s eyes faded slightly.
Just then, a young servant rushed in, "Young master, Aunt Yun, Ji Xiulan is back!"
"She’s been caught?" Sun Yaowen asked excitedly, "Why haven’t you killed her yet?!"
But the young servant shook his head, "No, she came back on her own. She came in and headed straight for Madame."
Yi Ling’s face changed, "She came back on her own?"
"Yes, I’m not sure what’s going on, but she’s with Madame now, so I didn’t intervene."
Upon hearing this, Yi Ling’s heart skipped a beat, this didn’t bode well. She quickly told Sun Yaowen, "Go to the Madame!"
Confused, Sun Yaowen was yanked away by Yi Ling.
As they were about to leave, several servants barged into Sun Yaowen’s courtyard.
"Search everything!"
Yi Ling turned pale, "What are you doing?!"
"Madame has ordered us to investigate Grandpa’s poisoning. Now we’re here on her orders to search the courtyard. Master Sun and Aunt Yun, please accompany us."
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