It was deep autumn, and the weather was cold. Outside the door, the autumn wind howled mournfully, like a ghost wailing. It seemed that a chill seeped in through the window slits, dropping the temperature inside the room to freezing point. The two ladies of the Xiang family felt this coldness penetrate their very souls, leaving them shivering all over.
"Jinyu, this, this..."
Song Jinyu shifted her cold gaze from the maid who had died from poison. When her beautiful eyes fell on Lady Xiang, they softened a bit, but the solemn look remained.
"Sister-in-law, I know you're kind and gentle. But this inner courtyard is fraught with perils. You mustn't be soft - hearted, or you'll only harm yourself."
Opening the secret compartment in the food box, Song Jinyu placed several porcelain bottles on the table. "When elder brother returns during the Mid - Autumn Festival, I'm sure the Second Lady won't dare to act rashly."
After saying this, Song Jinyu thought for a moment. Then, gritting her teeth, she took out a silver hairpin from the compartment and handed it to Lady Xiang.
"Sister - in - law, this silver hairpin can detect poison. If you accidentally get poisoned, crush the pearl on it. There's an antidote pill inside that can counter all poisons in the world."
The pearl on the hairpin glistened. Song Jinyu stared blankly at the hairpin, her thoughts churning. Come to think of it, if it weren't for saving that mysterious guy, she wouldn't have so few antidote pills left.
It was really heart - wrenching...
"Jinyu, you're often out. You must need such life - saving treasures more..."
Song Jinyu snapped back to reality. She knew Lady Xiang couldn't possibly read her mind. Relieved, she regained her composure. "Sister - in - law, don't decline. I have many such antidote pills. You should take good care of yourself. You still need to manage the household affairs."
Hearing this, Lady Xiang didn't decline anymore. Song Jinyu chatted with Lady Xiang for a few more words and then took her leave.
Lady Xiang stared blankly in the direction where Song Jinyu had left for a long time. After a while, as if talking to herself or asking Fang Qiao, she murmured softly, "Can I still take on the responsibility of managing the household?"
"Don't worry, my lady. The eldest miss is right. Even if you don't fight for it, there are people who want you dead. In that case, it's better to fight back. Only in this way can we preserve our lives."
Outside the window, the autumn wind was desolate. Lady Xiang didn't reply. Sadness flashed in her clear eyes. After a long silence, she let out a deep, mournful sigh.
Back in the Bamboo Elegance Courtyard, Song Jinyu dragged her tired body into the room.
"Cough!"
The sudden cough startled Song Jinyu. She let out a yelp and looked at the man sitting by the bed in terror.
The silver - masked man's cold and clear eyes held a hint of a smile. His ethereal and dust - free aura made him seem like an immortal, detached from the mortal world.
How dare he enter her room?
Song Jinyu flipped her jade hand, and three poison needles instantly appeared in her palm. She raised her hand and flicked her wrist. The poison needles were about to fly through the air.
"Little wildcat, what? Do you still want to poison me?" Along with the words, the silver - masked man appeared beside Song Jinyu.
There was a certain distance from the bed to the door, but even she, a disciple of Tianmen Mountain, didn't see how he got there.
The wind arrived, and so did the man. By the time he finished speaking, her wrist was already in his grasp. The scorching masculine breath wafted towards her, making Song Jinyu blush.
She struggled a bit, but the bastard had such a strong grip that his hand on her wrist didn't budge at all. Helpless, Song Jinyu had to turn her head to avoid the man's hot breath.
Huh? As she turned her head, Song Jinyu caught a glimpse of the man's hand out of the corner of her eye. She suddenly felt something was amiss. When her gaze fully landed on it, the silk gloves on the man's hand amazed her.
This kind of fabric was imported from the Western Regions and was very rare even in the palace. If the concubines in the harem could receive even a few inches of it as a gift from the emperor, it would be a great honor. This was enough to show the silver - masked man's noble status.
For a moment, she forgot her shyness. The carefree woman stared at the man's hand in wonder.
The silver - masked man released Song Jinyu and discreetly withdrew his hand into his sleeve. His voice was still as cold and otherworldly as that day.
"Don't think too much. I'm here to give you three signal flares. If you're in danger, light them. I'll surely come quickly."
Rubbing her slightly painful and delicate wrist, the woman made a face behind the man and scoffed at his words. Who was she, Miss Song? Did she need him to save her?
Song Jinyu pretended to be aloof and replied coldly, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I don't need it!"