"Master Mu seems to be quite busy. Speaking of which, I have yet to meet your husband, Madam. However, with your exceptional beauty and intelligence, I believe your husband must also be a remarkable man." Yi Ling said with a smile.
Xin He smirked slightly, "He has been rather busy these past few days, leaving early in the mornings and coming home late at night. Today, he said he’d be coming home late again."
A subtly strange smile flickered in Yi Ling’s eyes as her grin grew wider: "I see."
The horse carriage proceeded at a steady pace with Yi Ling casually conversing with Xin He - some chit-chat here, probing questions there. Ji Xin He truly felt that it was quite exhausting being around such a person.
Doesn’t she get tired?
Xin He smiled and shook her head. Would someone blinded by lust and ambition feel weary? Especially someone as proud and conceited as she was.
The Qing Shui Temple wasn’t far and they soon arrived. By the time they got to the temple, it was late afternoon and it wasn’t particularly crowded. They strolled through the temple, offering sincere prayers to Buddha.
Although Xin He had come with a specific purpose this time, she still prayed sincerely. In the past, she didn’t really believe in such things. However, times had changed. Now, there was a tiny life in her womb and she hoped to exchange everything she had for the child’s safe and smooth life.
Kneeling devoutly on the cushion, Xin He pressed her palms together in prayer, praying silently in her heart: May Buddha protect my child in my belly, grant him safety and health, and a peaceful and joyful life.
After the prayer, Yi Ling helped Xin He to stand and leave the great hall. Yi Ling smilingly asked, "I noticed that you prayed with such sincerity, Madam. Were you praying for your unborn child?"
Xin He nodded and smiled in answer, "Yes."
"Now that Madam has married the man of her dreams and is even carrying his child, you are truly enviable. This child will undoubtedly be incredibly intelligent and extraordinarily beautiful in the future."
Xin He wasn’t particularly interested in Yi Ling’s deliberate flattery and simply responded casually.
"The host of the Qing Shui Temple is a high monk. Before coming here, I had arranged for him to preach sutras for us. This can serve as a kind of blessing for the child in your womb." Yi Ling proposed.
Xin He had expected Yi Ling wouldn’t leave so early and had no objections to her arrangement. She immediately agreed, "Alright."
However, Yi Ling suddenly wiped a thin layer of sweat from her forehead and laughed, "I’ve been moving a lot and now I’m all warmed up. Really, it’s rather hot today. Maybe I overdressed. Allow me to change my clothes first. Why don’t you go ahead, Madam? I’ll join you shortly."
Xin He clearly understood Yi Ling’s intentions but she didn’t mind and simply nodded, "Alright."
Yi Ling was slightly taken aback. Madam was very easy to deal with today.
Ji Xin He is a sharp-minded person. Could she really have no objection, or even a little suspicion or caution regarding her arrangement?
As Yi Ling watched Ji Xin He leave, she suddenly noticed a little maid peeking around a corner. It was Cui Cui, the personal servant of Song Ya Lan.
Yi Ling went over, her expression grave, "Didn’t I say not to show your face?"
Cui Cui spoke irritably, "Our Miss is getting impatient and specially sent me to ask how reliable your plan is. She is really anxious right now."
Only then did Yi Ling say, "Let me check."
Cui Cui huffed before leading the way.
Song Ya Lan didn’t completely trust Yi Ling, especially when it came to matters concerning her lifelong happiness. How could she be rash?
She was already somewhat restless and unsatisfied. Now, as the time drew closer, the more anxious Song Ya Lan became. She paced back and forth anxiously in her room.
When she finally saw Yi Ling arrive, she asked impatiently, "What happened? Why haven’t you come earlier?"
Her tone was full of reproach as if she was speaking from a position of authority.
All Yi Ling could do was patiently placate her, "Didn’t I have to invite Ji Xin He over first? I successfully invited her and now she’s in the meditation room listening to the sutras. We absolutely cannot overlook her in this playing out of ours."
Song Ya Lan considered what she had to do tonight and couldn’t help but blush, becoming more and more restless, "Will this plan actually work? My mother said that even if I have to... to interact with him, it must be after he divorces his wife. Otherwise... otherwise I will be at a disadvantage and may feel wronged."
The idea Yi Ling proposed to Song Ya Lan indicated a plan to force the issue - hence the late-night engagement.
Yi Ling reassured, "Don’t worry. Once today passes, you will be the undisputed mistress of the Mu family."
Song Ya Lan, full of doubt, asked, "Are you telling the truth?"
"If I only wanted to get you into the Mu family, why would I go through all this trouble? All the schemes I have plotted for you aim to replace Ji Xin He with you. After you and Master Mu are discovered tonight, which I will make sure of, Master Mu will be stuck in a difficult position. Even if he didn’t want to, he would be left with no choice but to marry you." Yi Ling explained.
Only then did Song Ya Lan feel a bit reassured. That’s right, if everyone knows about her illicit relationship with Master Mu, even with the authority of the Song family, Master Mu wouldn’t dare not to marry her.
"But... but what if he just takes me as a concubine..." Yi Ling still wasn’t at ease, "After all, he already has a legitimate wife who’s carrying his child. I’m afraid he won’t easily agree to divorce her!"
After putting in so much effort, Song Ya Lan wasn’t willing to enter the Mu family just to be some concubine!
But Yi Ling gave a cold laugh, "Rest assured. After tonight, there won’t be a Ji Xin He anymore. The only Madam Mu will be you."
Song Ya Lan’s eyes suddenly lit up, showing a hint of excitement, "What do you mean by that?"
"What do you think I invited Ji Xin He for? She is currently pregnant. If she unexpectedly discovers your affair with Master Mu, and sees her husband entangled intimately with another woman in bed, do you think she can bear this shock?" Yi Ling’s smile filled with a hint of dread anticipation and even a sense of triumph.
Song Ya Lan’s eyes widened, excitement apparent in her voice, "Are you saying that she is likely to succumb to rage, leading to an accident?"
"She’s six months pregnant and emotionally unstable right now. It’s inevitable that something might go wrong with the baby. Not only do I think we can’t save the baby, but I don’t believe we can save her either." Yi Ling said coldly.
"What ... what if there’s just a scare, but no real danger? What if..."
"There are no such ’what ifs’!" Yi Ling’s eyes were filled with madness: "There won’t be a ’what if’! I will ensure she dies tonight, I have arranged everything. I won’t give her a chance to escape. After tonight, everyone will know that you and Master Mu are the perfect couple and that Ji Xin He died due to severe anger, losing her baby as well. Then, no one will be able to obstruct us. You will become the legitimate Lady Mu!"
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