Chapter 9: Taking Precautions

“Is the Eldest Miss feeling any better? This servant has made the snowflake fish slice porridge that you love most. Please eat it while it's hot, Miss.” As she spoke, Xiao Sui had already ladled out the fish slice porridge and handed it to Liu Yun with great enthusiasm, her eyes blinking brightly in a particularly endearing manner.

Liu Yun elegantly scooped up some porridge and did not hold back her praise, “Xiao Sui’s skills are getting better and better.”

Having received a compliment, Xiao Sui was overjoyed, but her gaze fell upon the beautiful jade-and-silver hairpin on the dressing table. It emitted a faint fluorescence, making it stand out instantly among the many pieces of jewelry; it was quite special.

Liu Yun naturally noticed her gaze. She cast an seemingly unintentional glance at Qian Lan, who immediately understood. Qian Lan walked over to pick up the hairpin, and Liu Yun said nonchalantly, “The quality is quite good; I heard it even glows at night. However, I have never cared for green. How can such a plain hairpin match my clothes? Next time, have Furong Workshop send some brighter colors.”

“Yes,” Qian Lan responded.

Liu Yun cast a casual glance at Xiao Sui. Qian Lan, standing to the side, saw a flash in her eyes and walked over with a beaming smile to help pin the hairpin into Xiao Sui's hair bun. “The green color suits Xiao Sui very well.”

“Thank you for the reward, Eldest Miss!” Xiao Sui knelt to thank her in great surprise, her dark eyes shining as she looked at Liu Yun.

After a few more words of idle chatter, Liu Yun pushed away her small bowl, wiped the corner of her mouth, and spoke slowly, “My father is busy day to day, and the affairs of the manor rely entirely on Concubine Lin to manage them. I cannot help, so I can only rely on you all—who serve the Concubine all day long—to be more attentive. If the Concubine feels any discomfort or displeasure, I hope someone will come to tell me, so that my people here don't end up adding fuel to the fire.”

Despite her words, her expression grew increasingly inscrutable. Liu Yun looked at Xiao Sui with a half-smile, making Xiao Sui feel an inexplicable sense of panic. It took a great effort for her to calm down before she nodded vigorously in agreement.

Seeing her so nervous, Liu Yun actually let out a chuckle. “I was merely chatting with you, why are you so tense? Go back quickly; the Concubine must be waiting for your report.”

“Yes, this servant takes her leave.” Xiao Sui nodded submissively and then withdrew.

Only then did Liu Yun turn her gaze toward Qian Lan. In the past, although she had heavily relied on Qian Lan and Wan Qing, she had never scrutinized their personalities as carefully as she was doing now. Because of the incident where she had struck Qian Lan, the girl had harbored resentment and become an informant for Lady Lin and the others. Later, Qian Lan would always find excuses to show off in front of Liu Yun; Liu Yun relied on Qian Lan to devise strategies for her, and even her later affair with Shen Yi had been fueled by Qian Lan's maneuvering.

Although Qian Lan was not as cautious and composed as Wan Qing, she understood medicine. Though somewhat timid, she was a person who knew how to repay kindness. If she had her support in the future, it would surely be like adding wings to a tiger. Furthermore, Qian Lan had a gentle temperament and blended well with the servants of the Mu Manor, making her an excellent hand at gathering information.

Thinking back, if she treated her well, she would never betray her as she had before.

However, Qian Lan was ultimately not as reserved as Wan Qing; her temperament still possessed a hint of impetuosity and needed further tempering before she could become a truly good helper.

“Xiao Sui is not having an easy time at the Second Madam's place.” With just a single glance from Liu Yun, Qian Qing had already guessed something. She immediately made an ambiguous comment, but upon sensing her Miss's scrutinizing gaze, she hurriedly lowered her head. She didn't know why the Eldest Miss's gaze had been so investigative these past two days, making her feel unsettled.

Liu Yun curled her lips into a smile without saying a word. She was clear on these matters in her heart; after all, she had four more years than anyone else.

Xiao Sui was a person of short-sightedness. Although she was a head maid by Lady Lin's side, she ultimately could not compare to the other two dowry maids. Someone of her status could only act important in front of other servants; in Lady Lin's courtyard, she was likely the one being ordered around.

However, this was for the best. The more such a person was, the easier it would be to make them her own. Having stayed awake all through the previous night, she had recalled the past events from beginning to end and had finally figured out many key figures. Now, she needed to plan ahead carefully.

Lady Lin had begun her layout since her mother passed away. Her largest chess piece had now jumped off the board to become the player. She was somewhat looking forward to seeing when Lady Lin would discover that her chess piece had become an opponent, and was no longer that Eldest Miss who could be used at her whim.

“Miss, the housekeeper sent someone to inform you that the Master will be coming to see you in a moment.” A maid entered from outside the door, reporting with her head lowered before turning to leave.

Qian Lan hurriedly asked Liu Yun, “Does Miss want to lie down on the bed?”

Liu Yun had known her father would come, which was why she had so urgently sent Wan Qing to Lady Xia's side first. Based on her deductions regarding Lady Xia, she would certainly come along with her father.

If she remembered correctly, in her past life, she had hurriedly rushed back to bed and then used the pretext of her illness to cause a great scene. She had intended to win her father's sympathy, but unexpectedly, it only made him loathe her more. At that time, Lan Xi had timely brought up the matter of her punishing Qian Lan, and her father had placed her under house arrest in her room, forbidding her from going out.

Thinking of it now, it was truly vivid in her memory.

Liu Yun's body was still somewhat weak, but her complexion had improved significantly. Although she had fallen into the water, after a night of rest and taking medicine, there was actually no great issue. She waved her hand. “No need. Help me sit on the chaise lounge.”

Since the Miss had said so, Qian Lan did not ask further and stood by to serve.

Sure enough, Master Mu arrived together with the Third Madam. Lady Xia's face was slightly pale, and she possessed a quiet, gentle, yet somewhat cold and distant temperament, very much like a lady of a great family. Master Mu did not seem like an ordinary merchant; he lacked any sense of vulgarity, and his resolute, stern features exuded a shrewdness that made one not dare to underestimate him.

As they reached the door to Liu Yun's room, they heard low, shallow coughing coming from within. Their hearts stirred, and they pushed the door open. They saw Liu Yun leaning against the chaise lounge, holding a book and reading. That indifferent and composed manner caused the two of them to daze for a moment, pausing at the doorway.

“Father, Concubine Xia.” Liu Yun set the book aside and called out softly, followed by another bout of low coughing. She could not help but press her fist against her lips, looking as if she were struggling quite hard to suppress it.

“Such nonsense.” Master Mu's brow furrowed deeply as he glared at Qian Lan. “The Eldest Miss's health is not yet recovered, how could you let her get out of bed? Hurry and help her back to the bed to lie down!”

Qian Lan immediately knelt on the floor, lowering her head to accept blame.

On the contrary, Liu Yun let out a light laugh, her beaming expression making one feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. “Father, do not be so tense. I am already fine. Qian Lan, go quickly and brew Father's favorite Biluochun tea; don't just stand there.”

Master Mu was accustomed to Liu Yun's overbearing manner, so he viewed her rare display of magnanimity and leisure with a hint of scrutiny, narrowing his eyes in silence.