Perhaps it was the understanding between kindred spirits.
With just one glance, Yun Yueyin felt she understood Lin Qingluo.
There was something similar between them, except that Lin Qingluo, truly from a poor background, possessed the same ambition as herself.
She didn't believe Lin Qingluo could truly save the Crown Prince; it might well be a pre-planned scheme.
Lin Qingluo walked with her head bowed, so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice someone watching her.
By the time she realized it, she nearly bumped into someone.
She was startled and quickly looked up at the person in front of her, "I'm sorry, I..."
The woman before her was far too beautiful! Lin Qingluo was slightly lost in admiration, as the woman before her was even more beautiful than the Princess.
Could it be that the woman before her was the Second Young Master's wife?
The Second Madam who, like herself, came from a poor background but was instantly smitten by the Second Young Master, who then insisted on marrying her?
"It's alright, you seem preoccupied?" Yun Yueyin suddenly asked in a gentle tone.
Hong Ling was surprised; why would Madam suddenly strike up a conversation with Lin Qingluo?
She had heard that the Princess disliked Lin Qingluo intensely, and that Lin Qingluo might not be able to stay in the Prince's manor for long.
Lin Qingluo was currently in distress. In the vast Pingyang Prince's manor, she couldn't find anyone to speak a few words with. She could feel that many people looked down on her humble origins and were waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
But the Second Madam before her was different; the Second Madam shared the same background as her!
She would surely understand her current predicament.
Perhaps she could even point her in the right direction!
Thinking this, she sighed helplessly, "Alas, I have indeed encountered some trouble."
Seeing that Lin Qingluo had no defenses against her and was convinced they shared the same background, Yun Yueyin sneered inwardly before continuing with a gentle smile, "If you have nothing else, would you accompany me for a cup of tea?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingluo's eyes lit up. Indeed, the Second Madam wanted to befriend her!
Recalling her situation in the Pingyang Prince's manor, she believed the Second Madam was in a similar position. Surely many people in the manor secretly looked down on the Second Madam's origins!
But the Second Madam had succeeded!
She had become the Second Young Master's principal wife! In the capital, many young ladies must be envious.
"Okay!" After a few fleeting thoughts, Lin Qingluo quickly agreed, fearing that if she delayed, the other party might leave.
Yun Yueyin curved her lips. This Lin Qingluo was truly foolish. How could Ningde County Princess allow such a foolish person to be near Zhen Lin?
However...
It was not good for Zhen Lin and Ningde County Princess, but it was good for her! If used properly, she could ensure Zhen Xu became the Crown Prince.
Some stumbling blocks, if they needed to be removed, must be removed. She couldn't give Zhen Lin any chance to detoxify or cure his illness.
Fortunately, Zhen Lin didn't know Yun Shu.
Otherwise, if Yun Shu had intervened to save him, Zhen Lin's life would have been harder to claim.
"I heard you know some medicine and saved the Crown Prince's life? So, you are the Crown Prince's savior." Yun Yueyin coaxed him with a soft tone.
Although Lin Qingluo felt a kinship with Yun Yueyin and believed they shared the same background, she wasn't foolish enough to reveal certain truths to anyone but herself.
"I only have a slight understanding of acupuncture; I don't know much about medicine. Saving the Crown Prince was merely a stroke of luck, I happened to use a family heirloom medicine," Lin Qingluo explained.
Where in the world were there such coincidences! Yun Yueyin inwardly mocked, "So that's how it is. You and the Crown Prince truly have a destined connection. Had you not saved him, he might have been in mortal danger."
Lin Qingluo dared not meet Yun Yueyin's eyes, fearing her true intentions might be revealed, so she nodded and said, "Actually, if I hadn't saved the Crown Prince, someone else would have."
Now, when she recalled the woman who saved the Crown Prince that night, she felt uneasy.
What if that woman suddenly appeared before her and exposed her?
At this moment, Yun Yueyin was unaware of Lin Qingluo's thoughts. Her mind was racing, contemplating how to make Lin Qingluo completely useful to her.
Preferably, a very useful pawn!
...
Qin Yiqing returned after going out early in the morning.
She was carrying a large pile of things.
Before she even arrived, the aroma wafted in.
The three little ones ran out upon smelling the fragrance.
"Come quickly, freshly baked roast duck, fragrant, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, incredibly delicious! Look, and this, osmanthus crisps, beef jerky, each one more delicious than the last! Auntie Qing has tasted everything; I only bought what's delicious!"
The three little ones almost drooled at the sound.
"Wow! So fragrant! Auntie Qing, you're the best!"
"Thank you, Auntie Qing!"
"Auntie Qing is so good!"
Seeing Qin Yiqing successfully win over the three little ones with food, Yun Shu smiled inwardly. Qin Yiqing truly lived up to her reputation as a child whisperer. While others struggled to connect with children, Qin Yiqing could instantly become one with them. Almost no child disliked Qin Yiqing.
Seeing that the three treasures had started eating, Qin Yiqing approached Yun Shu and gestured for her to take a walk with her.
Yun Shu and Qin Yiqing then went for a stroll in the backyard.
"Yun Shu, I went out and inquired with friends here. Prince Jin appeared almost out of nowhere. No one knows how the Emperor of Western Xia suddenly recognized him, and the Emperor of Western Xia genuinely wants to pass the throne to him. If, as you say, Prince Jin is the Night King, how could the Night King become the son of the Emperor of Western Xia?"
"My friend said that the Emperor of Western Xia is not a kind-hearted person at all. If the Night King were not his son, he would never want to pass the throne to the Night King. Therefore, this matter is too outrageous, too bizarre! Also, you need to be prepared. There seem to be several groups of people in the capital looking for you and do not wish for you to appear in Western Xia. This is clearly a measure to guard against you."
Qin Yiqing relayed the information she had gathered with a solemn expression.
Yun Shu nodded slightly, "I already know about these matters. Don't worry, I've been prepared for a long time."
Relieved, Qin Yiqing continued, "As for that Killing Palace, it's truly mysterious. They've done a lot of dirty deeds in secret. As for the Palace Master of the Killing Palace, my friends haven't met them either; they are also very mysterious. When Ruan Xi arrives, he is very skilled at gathering information, so perhaps he can quickly find the Palace Master of the Killing Palace after he gets here."
"Ruan Xi sent a message two days ago by carrier pigeon. He will arrive in a couple of days," Yun Shu replied.
"That's good! Sometimes I find Ruan Xi annoying, but I have to admit that in some matters, Ruan Xi is unparalleled," Qin Yiqing chuckled.
Just as Yun Shu was about to say something else, she keenly heard a knock on the door!
They lived in a very secluded place, with no neighbors nearby. How could there suddenly be a knock on the door? And she was certain it wasn't one of their people. Their people had a specific knocking code: a few knocks, a pause, then a few more knocks.