"Mother?"
Nan Yu Jin was startled, unable to fathom the hidden meaning behind her knowing smile.
Madam Wang had no intention of discussing the festering secrets of the estate with Nan Yu Jin. She fiddled with her teacup, the porcelain emitting a soft creaking sound. "She remembers?"
"What do you mean, 'remembers'? Did she have amnesia back then?" Nan Yu Jin, consumed by grief over his sister's sudden death, was unaware of such a matter.
Madam Wang nodded. "After that bastard fell ill, her mind wasn't right. If that wasn't the case, do you think that bitch Liu would have allowed her to live until today?"
"Oh, no, perhaps she would have. Seeing that person's daughter live like a dog would have been the greatest joy in Liu's life."
"That person?"
"Mother, are you referring to Concubine Qin?"
Nan Yu Jin had little recollection of Nan Shi Ying's mother. His mother had died in childbirth when he was only three.
A flicker of envy crossed Madam Wang's eyes. She nodded grimly, changing the subject, unwilling to dwell on the woman who had long since died, yet felt as though she never truly left.
"Mother did suspect Yu Qing's death, but from your father down to every servant present at the time, everyone blamed Nan Shi Ying for Yu Qing's demise. I was ill when I gave birth to Yu Qing, and because she was a child I bore at the cost of my life, Mother naturally doted on her more. That is why, upon hearing the news of Yu Qing's death, I was so overcome with grief and despair that it damaged my heart. By the time I recovered, Madam Liu had already taken control of the entire Nan Estate. Even if I had the will, I was powerless."
"Moreover..."
Madam Wang glanced at Nan Yu Jin. If she had insisted on a confrontation with Madam Liu, she feared that the bitch Liu might have targeted Yu Jin.
She had lost one child, and she did not wish to lose another.
Nan Yu Jin seemed to understand. He reached out and grasped Madam Wang's hand, which trembled slightly from suppressed anger. "Mother, your son will uncover the truth behind my sister's death. If it truly was Madam Liu... I will grind her to dust to avenge my sister's deep-seated hatred."
Madam Wang looked at Nan Yu Jin, biting her lower lip so hard it almost bled. She shook her head with difficulty. "Jin'er, Mother only wishes for your safety."
Safety?
If Madam Liu could kill Yu Qing merely for control of the household, then for her son's future, how could she possibly let him off?
Nan Yu Jin lowered his voice, a ferocious beast lurking in his throat. "Mother, if it truly was her, my safety would be compromised. Mother, have you forgotten? Yu Jin still has a younger brother."
Madam Wang moved her lips, and suddenly, she smiled.
That was right. She had forgotten. Their relationship with Madam Liu was inherently irreconcilable.
"I understand!"
"Go tell your father that after the banquet, I will be in charge of the household affairs. But how the domestic management is handed back now, that I will decide!"
"Your son understands!"
...
"Did your mother really say that?" Nan Chao Yin was momentarily stunned upon hearing Madam Wang's words. Madam Wang had always seemed indifferent in his impression. In recent years, due to her chronic illness, during the few times they met, she appeared like a flower about to wither and fall at the slightest breeze. He wouldn't have been surprised by any choice she made, but her current statement was unexpected.
However, judging by her words, it seemed she intended to teach Madam Liu a lesson.
Looking at Nan Yu Jin standing with his hands at his sides, Nan Chao Yin couldn't be entirely biased. Moreover, Madam Liu's actions in recent years had indeed been excessive. Yuan'er, whom he had personally guided for so long, was still influenced by her mother. Perhaps it would be a good thing for Madam Liu to suffer a setback.
Thinking this, he nodded. "Very well, it shall be as your mother wishes."
"However..." Nan Chao Yin pondered for a moment before adding a reminder, "Don't go too far in anything. The state banquet between the two countries is imminent; it's best not to stir up more trouble."
Nan Yu Jin sneered inwardly, but maintained a respectful demeanor on his face. "Your son understands."
...
Nan Shi Ying was engrossed in organizing the data recorded from the live dissections, based on the different reactions presented by each experimental subject. Suddenly, a tall figure blocked the light from her right. Nan Shi Ying reached out and pushed him aside, saying without looking up, "Move, you're blocking the light!"
Ji Jin Mo rubbed his nose and moved to the left, only to block the light from that side as well.
Nan Shi Ying suddenly looked up and glared fiercely at him.
Ji Jin Mo lowered his sword-like eyebrows, looking like a wronged little wife. The shimmering light in his phoenix eyes made Nan Shi Ying pause. Did she perhaps seem too harsh? Seeing Nan Shi Ying's self-doubt and veiled guilt, Ji Jin Mo's pursed lips curved upwards slightly.
Nan Shi Ying: "..."
Oh no, he almost tricked her!
Nan Shi Ying gritted her teeth, shoved Ji Jin Mo away, pointed at his nose, and cursed him to get lost!
His scheme exposed, Ji Jin Mo dropped the pretense. He tilted his phoenix eyes and smiled, "I originally wanted to tell you about what happened at the Nan Estate after Nan Yu Jin's return. Since you don't want to listen, then forget it."
Saying this, he turned to leave!
Nan Shi Ying tsked.
"If you're not going to tell me, then don't. If you have the guts, keep it to yourself!"
"Oh, and also, don't step into my Xin Yuan Pavilion again."
Ji Jin Mo’s departing steps abruptly halted. Admitting defeat was something he was becoming accustomed to. Lu Wan watched as the Prince, who had seemed to have the upper hand, strode confidently outwards, only to be reined in by the Princess before he could fully assert himself.
The King of Hell of Lin Yuan had fallen!
Completely fallen!
She wondered if those who trembled at the mere mention of his name would suddenly get the illusion that he wasn't that terrifying if they saw this scene!
Ji Jin Mo glanced at the candlelight, walked to the side opposite Nan Shi Ying, where he wouldn't block the light, and sat down.
Nan Shi Ying withdrew her attention from the data in her hands and focused it on Ji Jin Mo. When Ji Jin Mo was completely relaxed, he exuded a clean and transparent purity. It was at times like these that Nan Shi Ying would suddenly realize that she was indeed an old cow eating young grass.
"What happened at the Nan Estate?" Seeing Ji Jin Mo just staring at her without speaking, Nan Shi Ying rolled her eyes and finally asked.
Ji Jin Mo did not keep her in suspense. He told Nan Shi Ying about Nan Chao Yin dismissing the guards of Li Wan Pavilion and handing over the domestic management to Madam Wang.
"Heh~"
Nan Shi Ying let out a cold laugh. It seemed Nan Yu Jin had informed Nan Chao Yin of the situation as soon as he returned to the Nan Estate yesterday.
"Your Highness, do you think Nan Yu Jin will tell Nan Chao Yin what I told him?"
"No!" Ji Jin Mo stated with certainty.
"Why?"
"Even a pig wouldn't willingly jump into a pot of boiling water."
"Pfft~"
"Hahahaha~~" Nan Shi Ying burst into hearty laughter.
She liked the Prince's analogy!