Chapter 291 - 261: Retribution (Part 1)

Chapter 291: Chapter 261: Retribution (Part 1)

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Lin Xiaoyue spoke up, "Sister Jing, Wen Wan is my friend, do not be rude."

The gaze clearly lingered on the hairpin in Lin Jingjing’s hand.

She hadn’t known Wen Wan as long as these two cousins, but she understood Wen Wan’s temperament.

Such an introverted person, in ordinary circumstances, even if she saw her on the street, wouldn’t proactively greet her, so how could she take the initiative to ask for the hairpin on her head to look at it?

Thinking of this, she added, "Since this hairpin was given to me, it is mine. I’m happy to let Wen Wan take a look, so just let her have a look. If she finds it attractive, it means you have good taste, and it’s clearly something worth celebrating. Why are you tense?"

Lin Jingjing’s fingers gradually tightened around the hairpin.

She shouldn’t have been so impulsive, it’s just that seeing this woman named "Wen Wan" had already found the mechanism hidden with poison. Once she really pressed it, the poison hidden in the hollow hairpin would be exposed.

So she had to retrieve the hairpin in advance.

Now, upon reflection, her reaction was indeed a bit over the top.

To cover up her earlier behavior, Lin Jingjing stepped back, showing a bit of shyness on her face and speaking softly, "Miss Wen, please don’t be offended, I tend to stand by my family first when meeting strangers for the first time, so..."

So, her previous reaction was justified as defending her family?

Wen Wan still maintained her previous jovial demeanor, showing no signs of anger, and did not respond to Lin Jingjing. Instead, she said to Lin Xiaoyue, "The hairpin looks quite nice."

Completely ignored, Lin Jingjing’s expression worsened.

Lin Xiaoyue apologized, "My two cousins came to visit, and they’ll be leaving in a few days. Before departing, they wanted to gift me something. I didn’t expect to encounter you here. Earlier, Sister Jing was at fault, and I apologize on her behalf."

Wen Wan smiled lightly, her gaze sweeping over Lin Xiaoyue’s face, her tone unchanged, "I’ve heard that applying powders during pregnancy might affect the child, you should be cautious."

Advising her to refrain from using cosmetics meant to minimize dressing up.

Not dressing up elaborately, who would abruptly wear a golden hairpin?

Lin Xiaoyue wasn’t foolish; she immediately detected Wen Wan’s hints, becoming even more convinced that there was an issue with the hairpin in Lin Jingjing’s hand.

She nodded, subtly changing the subject, "Finished your studies?"

Currently in front of Lin Xiaoyue, Wen Wan was just a young girl still attending Hongwen Academy dressed in school uniform.

Seeing that the other party didn’t intend to expose her identity as a married woman, Wen Wan felt a silent gratitude and nodded, "Just finished, I passed through the market intending to buy something for my family."

"Then take your time, we’re taking our leave."

Lin Xiaoyue felt an indescribable guilt toward Wen Wan.

That day, she had approached herself, although she said nothing in the end, she believed in Wen Wan’s wisdom, having already guessed the purpose of her visit was not to confess goodwill but to express her stance before severing ties.

Encountering Wen Wan again today, Lin Xiaoyue realized this "breaking off" seemed to be just her unilateral wish.

In the other party’s eyes, they were still friends, hence the efforts to hint at the hairpin’s issues.

Lin Xiaoyue didn’t ponder on how Wen Wan knew Lin Jingjing had tampered with the hairpin, she just felt uneasy.

Lin Jingjing was, after all, a relative, and they had grown up together as sisters.

Now, the one causing harm was the one related by blood, whereas the one warning her was the one she intended to break up with.

This irony, like a loud slap, made Lin Xiaoyue’s face ache.

...

After a simple farewell, Lin Xiaoyue headed with Lin Jingjing and Lin An’an towards the Martial Champion Mansion.

This place was close to her home, so they didn’t take a carriage.

On the way, Lin Xiaoyue looked at Lin Jingjing, who was still clutching the hairpin, seemingly unwilling to return it.

Lin Xiaoyue smiled, "Wasn’t it supposed to be a farewell gift for me? How come I barely wore it, and you’ve already taken it back? Was it not sincerely given?"

Lin Jingjing’s mind was still in a turmoil, but upon hearing Lin Xiaoyue’s words, she quickly regained her senses, hastily composed her troubled expression, and handed over the hairpin. Thinking for a moment, she paused, "Rather, let me personally put it on for big sister!"

"No need." Lin Xiaoyue directly reached out, "Just give it to me, I’ll take it back, and when I’m in a better mood someday, it’ll still be time to wear it. After all, it’s a golden hairpin, which doesn’t match today’s attire."

Lin Jingjing didn’t hand over the hairpin but bit her lip, "Big sister, are you suspicious of my intentions with the hairpin just because of Miss Wen’s words?"

Suddenly, Lin Xiaoyue laughed, "Previously, Wen Wan spoke, and the three of us heard it with our own ears. When did she ever stir something up in front of me about you?"

Lin Jingjing lowered her head slightly, her eyes reddening faintly.

The look on her face was as aggrieved as it could be.

"Besides, you haven’t really done anything to wrong me, so why should I suspect you?"

Lin Xiaoyue said, reaching her hand forward again.

Lin Jingjing still didn’t hand it over, uncontrollably taking half a step back.

Lin An’an initially didn’t know about Lin Jingjing’s plan, but now that things had come to this point, even if she was a bit slow, she understood what was going on. Seeing Lin Xiaoyue being so aggressive, she chimed in quickly, "Since Big Sister doesn’t want to wear it, put it back in the box. My sister can hold it for you; it’s getting late, and we should return, or Mr. Qi will worry."

Lin Xiaoyue didn’t respond, just kept looking at Lin Jingjing.

After one glance at Lin Xiaoyue, Lin Jingjing suddenly lowered her head, tears streaming down.

Lin Xiaoyue hadn’t even said anything when her weak voice already came through, "Clearly, we are the sisters, yet Big Sister doubts me because of an outsider’s words. I have no face to see brother-in-law, it would be better if I died."

With those words, the hand holding the hairpin rose, the tip pressing against her delicate neck.

Those eyes, misty with tears.

Lin An’an was shocked, "Sister!"

Lin Jingjing remained silent, just looking at Lin Xiaoyue.

With an attitude as if she’d prove her innocence with death unless Lin Xiaoyue spoke a fair word.

Seeing this, Lin Xiaoyue was neither angry nor particularly worried that Lin Jingjing would do something foolish. Her smile slightly faded, "Sister Jing, you’re not a child anymore. If you’re guilty, you’re guilty, there’s no need to put on a show in public. If you want to press me with people’s opinions, go ahead, gather them around, and let’s confront the issue openly. That way, you’d stop thinking I’ve wronged you by believing others’ words. Even in court, they need evidence and witnesses; if you want to make a scene, you must give an explanation."

As soon as she finished speaking, a low male voice came from behind, "What’s all this fuss about?"

Lin Xiaoyue was slightly taken aback. Turning around, she saw it was Su Qing and was somewhat surprised, "Mr. Qi?"

Su Qing gave a light acknowledgment, "Why aren’t you back home yet?"

He had gone to the Ministry of War during the day and, upon returning, heard from a servant that Yue Niang had gone out to the silver building to fetch a hairpin. Seeing it was getting late and she hadn’t returned, Su Qing felt uneasy and decided to come out to find her after asking for her location.

Upon arrival, he stumbled upon the scene of Lin Jingjing pressing the hairpin to her neck, visibly displeasing him.

Lin Xiaoyue didn’t reply, turning back to look at Lin Jingjing, only to find that the hairpin in her hand had mysteriously disappeared.

At this moment, Lin Jingjing’s eyes were still red, as if she had suffered a tremendous grievance.

Realizing she had taken the opportunity to discard the hairpin and eliminate the evidence, Lin Xiaoyue had no grounds to accuse her, so she turned around, "Mr. Qi, let’s go. I’m a bit hungry."

Su Qing’s dark gaze, carrying a chill, swept over Lin Jingjing. He said nothing the entire time.

It was only when the two had walked far away that Lin Jingjing finally heaved a sigh of relief, lifting her hand to see her palm sweaty from tension.

——

Upon returning to the mansion, Su Qing immediately ordered food to be served.

She picked up her chopsticks but sat without moving for a while, deep in thought.

Su Qing looked over, "Didn’t you say you’re hungry? Why aren’t you eating?"

Lin Xiaoyue didn’t want to mention those troublesome people in his presence. "My stomach was a bit uncomfortable earlier, but it’s better now. I’ll eat."

After putting some food on her plate, Su Qing put down his chopsticks, "Are you still thinking about what Lin Jingjing did to harm you?"

Lin Xiaoyue paused her movements of eating, "You heard it all?"

Su Qing toyed with the wine cup on the table, "This matter could be trivial or significant; it depends on your attitude towards them."

Lin Xiaoyue fell into silence, and after a long while, she said, "I feel very disappointed. We are clearly sisters, yet they are killing each other over a concubine’s position, even resorting to poisoning. Had Wen Wan not appeared in time to warn me today, I and the child might have ended up dead."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing’s indifferent face showed displeasure.

——

To avoid further complications, Lin Jingjing and her sister Lin An’an set off for Jizhou the next day.

Even until their departure, Su Qing made no clear statement about the "poisoning incident."

Lin Xiaoyue thought that since they had left, there was no point in dwelling on it. Her body was slowly becoming heavier with pregnancy, and her energy was limited. She didn’t want to be constantly distressed over them.

She planned to let it go, but a few days later, word came that Lin Jingjing and Lin An’an had been violated by a group of people on their way back to Jizhou.