Zhao Shuning tilted her head.
Why did she always have to encounter such endless, gloomy days?
Thankfully, the phoenix liked night pearls. Every time she came across one, she would collect one or two, and now it was just the right time to use them.
She reached into her Qiankun bag, rummaged around, gritted her teeth, took out the largest one, and threw it into the mid - air in the center of the main hall.
In an instant, the main hall lit up again.
The sudden brightness did make everyone feel a bit more at ease.
At this moment, Lady Haitang no longer looked like the virtuous and gentle, dignified mistress she used to be.
"What? Now that the matter is exposed, do you still want to trap us all here, Lady Haitang?"
"That's impossible. I just think there's still room for negotiation on this matter. There's no need for everyone to be so ruthless. It's not good for the Lin family, nor is it of any benefit to you."
Beauty Xiao stood aside. She had never seen Lady Haitang like this before.
There was a fierce look in Lady Haitang's eyes at this moment.
"If you want to negotiate, you should at least show a proper attitude. Lady Haitang, it's not terrible to make a mistake. What's truly terrible is that after you've made a mistake, you still try to shift the blame onto others. Oh, and you didn't make this mistake accidentally. You clearly knew it was wrong but still did it for your own selfish desires. In this case, it's even more unforgivable."
"Unforgivable? Hahaha—such a good word, unforgivable. I'm the mistress of the Lin family. What if I kill a maid? Do you even dare to punish me?"
Beauty Xiao said, "Sister, the maid Luwu never offended you."
"Her death is useful to me. She's a member of the Lin family, eating the Lin family's food. Being able to die for me, Luwu has fulfilled her value."
"Beauty Xiao, do you think I really like you? You're just a woman who can't be put on the stage. If it weren't for your looks and your coquettish ways, would our master be so infatuated with you?"
"I'm the first lady of the Lin family. You, a little vixen who came out of nowhere, how dare you think you can outshine me in every aspect? Don't you even know your own worth? If it weren't for your son, what would you be in the Lin family?"
Lady Haitang's words were sharp.
It was completely different from her gentle appearance before.
Only now did everyone see Lady Haitang's true face.
After Lady Haitang finished speaking, she looked at Situ Yun.
"Lord Situ, I have no intention of being disrespectful. I know that with my cultivation, I can't trap you. But I'd like to ask you a favor. For the sake of the Chu family behind you, please don't tell anyone about today's matter. The Lin family acts vigorously and resolutely. If this matter gets out, it will definitely affect the Lin family's reputation. Our master will surely hold everyone present today accountable."
Situ Yun looked displeased.
He was silent for a long time and finally slowly nodded.
Zhao Shuning could understand Situ Yun.
Situ Yun was the protector and the steward of the Chu family. Chu Wen and Chu Nuan were more like family to him. He would never endanger the interests of the Chu family for a maid.
Seeing Situ Yun nod, a smile appeared on Lady Haitang's face.
Among the people present, the only one she was afraid of was Situ Yun. The others posed no threat to her.
"Sister, if you did this, why did you have to frame me?"
"If you didn't cling to the master all day long, would I have to spend lonely nights alone? Xiao Meizhen, I've always been nice to you, but what about you? Arrogant and overbearing. How could a person like you win the master's favor? I just don't accept it. I just want to harm you. So what?"
"But for all these years, you've always been the first lady, and the master never removed you from that position."
"Xiao Meizhen! That's not enough! It's far from enough! I've accompanied the master all the way to this point. Why? Why did I have to go through all the hardships with him? And why do you get to enjoy the good times with him? It's not fair."
Zhao Shuning shook her head.
It was another case of intrigue in a noble family.
If these love affairs were so hurtful, then why did they choose to start in the first place?
Since they had chosen to start, why did they use other people's lives as a bet for their own love? How unfair it was to those girls.
"Lady Haitang, you're wrong."
Zhao Shuning slowly closed Luwu's eyes.
"I'm wrong? Where am I wrong? I've worked so hard to maintain the Lin family for so many years. How much effort have I put in? Why do I have to suffer like this?"
"What about Luwu? What did she do wrong? Why does she have to suffer all this? Beauty Xiao is right. A life for a life. No matter how many reasons you have, you can't deprive a young girl of her life."
Lady Haitang said, "What do you know? People are divided into different classes. These maids are born humble."
"Since you say people are divided into different classes, then why is it that you, a noble lady, can't win your husband's love, while Beauty Xiao, who came from the jianghu, can capture your husband's heart?"
Lady Haitang didn't say a word. She didn't know what to say.
"The problem isn't you, nor Beauty Xiao. It's the master of your Lin family."
"You're talking nonsense!"
These three words were shouted out by both Beauty Xiao and Lady Haitang.
It seemed that these two women were both blinded by that man, Lin Feng. Not only were their eyes filled with him, but they also couldn't tolerate anyone saying a single bad word about him.
Zhao Shuning said, "Everyone should know the truth. I know that the death of a single Luwu won't shake the Lin family, nor will it have any real impact on Lady Haitang."
"But I just want to tell everyone, and also warn Beauty Xiao and Lady Haitang."
"Heaven's wheel turns, and no one is spared. The sins and killings you've committed today will come back one day. They will appear in your dreams every night. How can you sleep soundly with the resentment of the dead souls on you every day?"
"The affairs of the Lin family are not for you, a little girl, to interfere in. Just do your own thing, and that's enough."
Zhao Shuning smiled. Look, this was reality, this was society. The Lin family, one of the four great families. In their eyes, human lives were as fragile as grass.
Zhao Shuning could fight back, but she couldn't do it now.
If she did it now, she would avenge Luwu, but her own life would surely be lost here. Then in the future, there would surely be thousands of other "Luwus" suffering.
So, why not preserve her strength and take it step by step?
In the end, when she stood at the highest position, she would have the strength to eliminate all these villains one by one.
If heaven didn't care, then she, Zhao Shuning, would.
"What a realistic drama this is."
Zhao Shuning pushed open the door of the main hall and slowly walked out.
Her back looked so lonely, but her steps seemed extremely determined.