Chapter 9: Killing and Arson

In the Murong Estate, within the Spring View Courtyard, the First Madam paced the room restlessly. "That little brat is truly hard to kill; she didn't even die from that fall. The Old Madam has always favored that vixen Su Ying, so when she returns this time, she will surely come to help that little wench. The Master was blinded by rage at the time, but as he has come to his senses these past few days, he seems to have grown suspicious. Luyi, has the matter been handled cleanly?"

These words were disjointed and lacked context, but Luyi, as the First Madam's confidante, understood them perfectly. She replied, "Rest assured, Madam. Midwife Huang has returned to her hometown in Jizhou. It would be for the best if Shen Mingyuan and Su Ying do not return; however, if they do, I have arranged assassins outside the city as per your instructions. As for that little brat, I await only your command..."

The First Madam's face was distorted, completely lacking her usual dignified and graceful demeanor in public; she was practically a different person, her eyes filled with a chilling, cold light. "Murong Aichen must die. Only if that little brat dies will Su Ying, given her temperament, never forgive the Master if she ever truly returns. Of course, it would be best if she never returned at all. Go and make the arrangements tonight. Only when she is truly dead can I rest easy."

Luyi bowed slightly. "I will go and arrange it immediately. I believe the Master will surely treat Madam as he did in the beginning."

Watching Luyi's receding figure, the First Madam felt a strong sense of unease, thinking silently, "I hope so."

Aichen lived in a small courtyard within the Jingyue Temple, located behind the main temple hall. The layout was simple and very tranquil. There were only a few people in the courtyard: two medicine boys sent from the Baicao Hall, who were about the same age as Lianqiao; two Taoist nuns arranged by Abbot Huiyin to do rough chores like sprinkling water and cleaning; plus the two maids left by the Old Madam and Aichen and her servant, totaling only six people. At night, the medicine boys and the nuns would all retire to their respective rooms, leaving the courtyard in absolute silence.

Aichen sneezed twice forcefully. Gazing at the hazy night outside the window, the clouds were thick, and there wasn't a single star in the sky. A half-moon hung on the horizon, half-hidden and half-revealed; it was indeed a night of dark skies and high winds.

Lumei yawned, closed the window, and turned to Aichen. "Miss, it is getting late. Please rest early. Miss Lianqiao, you should go to sleep as well. Zhu Lan and I will take turns keeping watch here for the Miss."

Hearing this, Lianqiao felt a bit guilty. Since Lumei and Zhu Lan had arrived, the two of them had been looking after the Miss. However, they were ultimately people from the Old Madam's side, and acting this way made her appear lazy, so she hesitated to leave. "I will stay and keep watch for the Miss tonight instead."

Lumei and Zhu Lan, being people from the Old Madam's side, could not fail to see through Lianqiao's little thoughts. Zhu Lan half-dragged, half-pulled Lianqiao out of the room. "Good girl, I know you care for your mistress, but do you not trust us sisters?"

Seeing Zhu Lan say this, Lianqiao dared not say anything more and hurriedly apologized, "It is just that I feel bad for Sister Zhu Lan and Sister Lumei having to work so hard."

Aichen watched them with a smile, saying nothing, but she had made her own calculations in her heart. The Old Madam still held some genuine affection for her, so she went to sleep.

In the middle of the night, Aichen vaguely smelled a scent of incense. In her daze, she felt it was strange; she did not like fragrances and never lit incense. At this thought, she suddenly jolted awake. Indeed, a faint scent of smoke lingered in the room.

Aichen softly called out to Lumei, who was supposed to be keeping watch leaning against the armchair, but Lumei showed no reaction at all. Aichen hurriedly got out of bed and felt for Lumei's breath. She breathed a sigh of relief; she was just sleeping too deeply. However, Lumei was always steady and composed; it was impossible for her to sleep this soundly while on duty. It seemed the fragrance in the room was a stupefying incense. Aichen reached this conclusion, feeling a mix of excitement and tension in her heart—the First Madam had finally been unable to restrain herself and had made her move!

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