Chapter 8: Conspiracy and Plotting

Mu Qingyang had no legal wife, but he had many women by his side. Aside from the powerful Second Madam Lin and the highly favored Third Madam Xia, there was the Fourth Madam Meng, who had raised a daughter, and the remaining two were concubines, Lady Liu and Lady Jiang.

After Liuyun woke up, several of the madams sent people to check on her. Following Liuyun's instructions, Wanqing dismissed them all, claiming that Liuyun was weak and had already taken medicine to rest, ensuring she did not see a single one of them.

Liuyun had not closed her eyes all night. Watching the pitch-black sky gradually brighten into a brocade of morning clouds as the sun rose, her heart slowly settled. The past pains and tribulations felt as if they had happened only yesterday; she knew she would likely never forget those tortures for the rest of her life. She stroked her lower abdomen—where a child had once been, a child she had yearned for, only to have him killed by his own flesh and blood.

At this thought, her lips suddenly curled into a faint smile. She was in no hurry; the vengeance she owed and the people who had harmed her—she would not let a single one go.

However, for now, she could not alert the enemy. She frowned inwardly. She was fourteen this year. In these past few years since her mother's passing, Second Madam Lin had already assumed the posture of a half-matriarch. Aside from the title of legal wife, her status in the manor was as solid as gold. If she wanted to seek revenge with her current influence, it would be nothing more than an absurdity.

She couldn't help but clench her fists. Lin's hypocrisy, Lanxi's cruelty, and that person's coldness—she recorded them all one by one in her heart. She took a silent, deep breath, warning herself not to act rashly. If she wanted revenge, she had to strike true in a single blow.

She closed her eyes. After a long while, a long, steady breath finally escaped her. When she opened them again, she had reverted to the arrogant and proud Eldest Miss of the Mu Manor, a flash of lofty, triumphant pride gleaming in her eyes, dazzling and striking.

She needed help; this was the conclusion she had reached after thinking all night. In her past life, she had failed because she could not read people, and she had failed because she had no assistance. Back then, the people who were originally by her side to protect her had grown disappointed in her one by one, eventually turning against her. Now, she was no longer a fool to be used as a pawn. If anyone wanted to use her as a stepping stone or make her take the fall, they had better first ask themselves if they had the ability.

"Has Miss woken up?" Outside the door, Wanqing's voice rang out.

"Mhm, come in." Liuyun sat up and rubbed her aching forehead. Having not slept all night, her face was slightly pale, still bearing traces of exhaustion.

Wanqing had always been sensitive. As she helped Liuyun change her clothes, she observed her imperceptibly, always feeling that something was strange about her Miss after this fall into the lake, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.

"Did Concubine Xia send anyone later?" Liuyun picked up a butterfly hair ornament made of purple jade and casually tucked it into her hair bun. She tilted her head slightly, watching the swaying tassels in the bronze mirror. This ornament was not the most precious in her collection, but it was indeed her favorite; the lifelike butterfly and the translucent, crystal-clear purple jade were of top quality.

This was the first time she had mentioned Lady Xia in such a flat tone. As expected, she saw the surprised look in Wanqing's eyes, though the girl masked it well, lowering her gaze almost the instant she looked up. Such a delicate and clever maid was truly one in a hundred.

"The Third Madam's health is heavy, but Lianying came by twice. She asked very detailed questions, saying that the Third Madam is very worried about Miss, but is simply feeling unwell and cannot come personally to look after you." After finishing, Wanqing looked at Liuyun, waiting for her instructions.

Although the Mu Manor was managed by Lin, Master Mu had always favored Xia, and everyone in the manor treated her with great respect, not daring to show the slightest negligence. Aside from Liuyun, the legitimate Eldest Miss, who had always ignored or even been aggressive toward Xia due to her relationship with Lin, it was strange that even though the Eldest Miss was so tyrannical, Xia remained devotedly caring toward her, which was quite baffling.

"Go to Concubine Xia's place first. Tell her that I have woken up and there is nothing serious. Tell her to take good care of her health, and that I will visit her once I feel better." At this point, she looked at Wanqing with implication. "Go yourself, and avoid certain people."

She did not miss the flash of joy and relief in Wanqing's eyes. Liuyun looked away; even though she knew in her heart that Wanqing was loyal to her, she still could not fully trust her.

Now, an almost invisible shadow had cast itself over her heart. She no longer dared to trust others as she had in her past life; she needed to cautiously verify the loyalty of those around her.

"Yes, this servant understands." Wanqing nodded happily. As the saying goes, the onlooker sees clearly; staying by Liuyun's side all the time naturally allowed her to see who truly cared for her. Although Lin pampered the Miss, Wanqing always felt Lin had ulterior motives. She had mentioned this to the Miss several times, but the Miss never took it to heart, which left her feeling helpless. After all, she was just a maid; although the Madam had instructed her to take good care of and protect the Miss before she passed, the Miss was stubborn, and there was nothing she could do.

Now that the Miss was actually willing to get closer to the Third Madam, Wanqing felt this was a wonderful thing. With this thought, she hurried toward Xia's courtyard.

Just then, Qianlan walked in, bringing the bright red embroidered silk robe that Liuyun loved most to assist her with changing. Unexpectedly, Liuyun's expression changed slightly, and she said coldly, "Change to something lighter in color."

The day she was trapped in the woodshed, she had been wearing a red embroidered silk robe just like this. She loved red. Lin had once said that Liuyun looked peerless in red, as it made her skin look snow-white. Later, in the entire Linyang City, no one dared to wear red except for the Eldest Miss of the Mu family. There was once a courtesan who wore red, only to be bought by the Eldest Miss's people and sent to a notorious abusive husband in Linyang, where she was tortured to death.

"But, Miss's clothes... are all red." Qianlan replied with a frown. The Miss usually loved wearing red, so the wardrobe was full of red silk robes. She had previously said that light-colored clothes were too plain and did not suit her status as the Eldest Miss; since then, no clothing workshop dared to send light-colored garments.

"Forget it, just bring it here." Liuyun sighed. It seemed there were indeed many things that needed to change.

At that moment, a maid's voice suddenly came from outside the door, "Miss, Second Madam's maid, Xiaosui, is here."

Liuyun's gaze darkened, and she commanded calmly, "Let her in."

The wealthiest person in the Mu Manor was undoubtedly Liuyun. When her mother passed away, she had left all her dowry to her. Lin also pampered her, sending all sorts of fine things her way, dressing her in flamboyant finery. She used to think this was what befitted the dignity of the Mu Manor's Eldest Miss, but thinking about it now, it was truly crude and unsightly. No wonder her father had never liked her.

Xiaosui was a senior maid in Lin's courtyard who frequently entered and exited Liuyun's courtyard. She was very sweet-tongued and quite enjoyed Liuyun's favor, receiving rewards of fine things every time. Sometimes Xiaosui would use a "retreat to advance" tactic to ask for things, and Liuyun would always indulge her with a sense of lofty nobility. Thinking back, people probably called her a fool behind her back.

But then... Liuyun smiled faintly. People who could be settled with money were not a problem, were they?