Leaving the main hall, the master and servant walked slowly along the winding corridor.
After walking for a long time and finding no one around, Ling Xue couldn't help but ask, "Miss, you are usually gentle and polite to people, and you always leave room for maneuver in your words. Why were you so ruthless to Miss Jiang today?"
"Huh?? Is this how you see me?"
Lin Xihe didn't stop walking, her gaze fixed on the willow branches swaying in the wind in the distance. She explained slowly, "That girl's mind is as simple as a blank sheet of paper; all her emotions are clearly written on her face. Her coming with Madam Gu this time was obviously at Madam Gu's behest. Did you notice the jade Guanyin she gave her? The texture is warm and delicate; it's obviously a priceless treasure. It's clear that she put a lot of thought into preparing this gift."
Ling Xue nodded slightly, then asked, "But our young lady has always been low-key and has little interaction with Miss Jiang. Why is she trying so hard to please you?"
"What do I have that makes her so attentive? I suppose the only reason is her cousin. She probably wants to get closer to him by pleasing me. But how can I make decisions for her cousin? If I accept the gift, wouldn't that just give her false hope and make her think that I have tacitly approved of something? That would only cause trouble for both of us."
"Does Miss Jiang have feelings for General Gu?"
Ling Xue's eyes widened, filled with disbelief. "Miss, you've only met Miss Jiang twice. How did you figure that out?"
"It's not difficult at all, all you need to do is have eyes." Lin Xihe's lips curled up slightly, revealing a mysterious smile.
She naturally couldn't tell Ling Xue that her certainty stemmed from her knowledge of the book's plot.
She knew in her heart that Jiang Huairou had obviously come here today on the advice of Madam Gu.
Perhaps Madam Gu is planning to make Jiang Huairou Gu Qinghuai's concubine.
Otherwise, why would they specifically arrange for an unmarried girl to please someone who is pregnant?
After finishing her meal, Lin Xihe strolled back to her courtyard.
In the courtyard, most of the apricot blossoms on the apricot tree branches have fallen, leaving only a few stubbornly blooming on the branches, replaced by small and exquisite fruits.
She lay lazily in the rocking chair, as usual.
The afternoon sun was warm and cozy, and the surroundings were quiet except for the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the occasional chirping of birds.
In this tranquil atmosphere, drowsiness washed over her like a tide.
Although she had only just gotten up, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and she couldn't resist the overwhelming weariness. Lin Xihe soon drifted off to sleep.
Suddenly, a dull thud sounded beside her.
Lin Xihe shuddered violently and woke up instantly.
Her eyes opened in terror. The sudden sound made her heart leap into her throat, pounding as if it were about to jump out of her throat.
She instinctively reached out and tightly covered her stomach, her eyes filled with vigilance as she quickly scanned her surroundings.
Ling Xue was already standing guard not far from Lin Xihe, but she looked away for a moment.
Upon hearing the noise, they immediately rushed over to investigate like arrows released from a bow.
There was a cat lying on the ground, but its head had been cut off and its neck was covered in blood, a very horrifying scene.
"What fell down?" Lin Xihe said, getting up to investigate.
"Don't look, young lady."
Ling Xue quickly stepped forward and blocked Lin Xihe's view with her body, stopping her from doing so.
At the same time, she quickly looked around, carefully examining the rooftops, walls, and courtyard, but found no trace of anyone else.
But she was filled with unease, feeling as if a pair of eyes were watching her from the shadows.
"What's wrong?" Lin Xihe became even more uneasy at Ling Xue's nervous reaction, and her voice rose a few decibels as she quickly lay back down.
"A dead cat. Don't look, young lady, you might get scared." Ling Xue was standing not far away and hadn't heard any noise. To kill a cat so cleanly and efficiently and dump it here without anyone noticing, the person must have ill intentions.
"A cat?" Lin Xihe frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, but she didn't insist on looking at it anymore.
Her hands were still tightly clutching her stomach, and her body was trembling slightly.
"The way it died was rather gruesome. I'll get someone to deal with it right away." Ling Xue looked at the cat on the ground, her brows furrowed into a deep frown.
The cat's head looks like it was chopped off with a sharp sword; the cut is clean and the technique is swift and precise.
The cat was still warm, indicating that it had only recently died.
Lin Xihe was still extremely nervous, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
"Xiaoru, Xiuxin, come in," Lingxue called out loudly to the outside.
Soon, two burly maids strode into the courtyard.
Hearing the shouts, they knew something must have happened, and their faces showed signs of tension.
Ling Xue took out a handkerchief from her person and gently covered the cat's head, instructing, "Xiao Ru, take this away. When Ling Shuang comes back, let her see it. Make sure no one else can look at it."
Then he said to another maid, "Xiuxin, go and find a few more people to guard around the young lady's courtyard. Also, gather everyone in the mansion here; I want to question them one by one."
Ling Xue made the arrangements methodically, and the two maids quickly got to work after receiving their orders.
Seeing Xiaoru carry the cat's body away, Lin Xihe quickly said to Ling Xue, "Ling Xue, did you touch the cat? Go wash your hands quickly, be careful of viruses."
Although Ling Xue didn't quite understand what Lin Xihe meant by "virus," seeing the girl's serious expression, she nodded in understanding and turned to wash her hands.
Just then, Lin Xihe stood up, supporting herself on both sides of the rocking chair.
But as soon as she stood up straight, everything went black before her eyes. Her head felt as if it had been hit by a heavy hammer, and a wave of dizziness washed over her. She fell forward uncontrollably.
Ling Xue had been keeping a close eye on Lin Xihe's condition, and upon seeing this, she reacted extremely quickly, rushing forward to firmly support Lin Xihe.
"girl!"
Lin Xihe's consciousness was already fading. With her last ounce of strength, she managed to squeeze out a few weak words: "Call the doctor, the child..."
Before he could finish speaking, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep coma, his body limp and collapsing into Ling Xue's arms.
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