Revenge must be exacted on the spot.

"Do you want to gather them all right now?" Rong Yu frowned.

Sai Huatuo replied, "For now, just one medicinal guide herb is enough. The remaining four can be collected within a year. But I believe, given Fourth Miss’s financial resources, she might never manage it in this lifetime. This illness cannot be delayed; if another year passes, even if a deity came, paralysis and bedridden fate would be inevitable."

"I have that herb here. Use it first. For the other four, procure them through the Four Seas Trading Company under their name," Rong Yu said calmly, not even asking what rare treasures Sai Huatuo needed, simply using it right away.

The heir is wealthy and headstrong.

Sai Huatuo’s eyes nearly popped out. "Young master, the herb you have is the Tianshan Sacred Spring, bestowed by the Emperor himself—unique in the world."

"I’m neither sick nor injured; what use do I have for it? Use it," Rong Yu waved dismissively, spending lavishly.

Sai Huatuo muttered, "Strange, when did our young master become so generous? Last time, when Princess Yuan’an personally offered a thousand gold to buy it, you didn’t give it. Now you give it away freely without a second thought, even though you always said you wouldn’t cover medical expenses. Truly hypocritical."

Li Moqian stifled a laugh nearby.

"What did you say, Old Sai?" Rong Yu raised an eyebrow.

The white-bearded old man immediately lost his nerve. "I said, I will dedicate myself fully to curing Lin Yi, not failing this mission!"

"Lin Yi’s condition, Lin Yuejiao is fully aware, right?" Rong Yu asked.

Sai Huatuo nodded. "Yes. Lin Yi’s illness is known only to her; even her mother is kept in the dark to avoid worry."

"You’ve done well. Lin Yi’s condition should indeed be told truthfully to her if she can bear the blow," Rong Yu said, then shifted tone, "But you must also tell her that with my prowess, I will surely gather the remaining four herbs within a year. She need not worry."

Sai Huatuo nodded again. "If even the young master cannot collect them all, then truly no one else in this world can. Fourth Miss is fortunate to meet the young master."

After Sai Huatuo left, Li Moqian spoke, "The Loyal and Righteous Young Master is usually profit-driven, never wasteful with kindness. You treat her so well—disciplining Lin Qingsheng, sending the divine doctor without hesitation, giving away Tianshan Sacred Spring without blinking, and now funding the rest through the Four Seas Trading Company. Such a huge investment—girl or not, she’s not worth that much even sold."

"She is worth it," Rong Yu said firmly.

Li Moqian did not argue. He knew Rong Yu’s plans were infallible. If he said she was worth it, there must be a grand purpose.

Rong Yu’s visit to Jiangnan ostensibly was to select scholars for Chaohuang Academy but secretly to investigate the old case of Jinghua Palace. Yet perhaps by now, he had already set a chess move for another matter, with his methods inscrutable—only when others are trapped by the game will his strategy be revealed.

***

For several days, the venerable doctor Sai Huatuo personally treated Lin Yi, using the precious Tianshan Sacred Spring to stabilize her condition and slow the disease.

Each time Sai Huatuo came to take Lin Yi’s pulse, Lin Yuejiao would personally greet him, preparing exquisite snacks. Over time, Sai Huatuo grew acquainted with the deeply devoted fourth miss and admired her greatly.

"After this treatment, I’ll return in ten days. I have left my apprentice, Kong Qing, to care for Lin Yi. He understands the properties of the medicines and will check each dose before administration. Fourth Miss, you may rest assured," Sai Huatuo said.

Lin Yuejiao was moved. "Thank you, sir, for your care of my younger brother. I am deeply grateful."

"Fourth Miss, you thank the wrong person. I am merely fulfilling my duty. If it were not for the young master’s command, how dare I use his Tianshan Sacred Spring? That is truly a precious treasure. No need for thanks; I must take my leave now," Sai Huatuo said, bowing to Lin Yuejiao and hinting, "I reside at Yunsheng Pavilion. Should Lin Yi’s condition raise doubts, feel free to come find me."

Meaning, she could use the pretext of visiting him to meet the young master.

Lin Yuejiao suspected this was indeed orchestrated by the young master behind the scenes.

"Yes, Fourth Miss will visit your residence tomorrow," she said.

After seeing Sai Huatuo out, Lin Yuejiao returned to Youyuan Garden.

She was fully aware of Lin Yi’s illness—more than anyone, she understood how grave it truly was.

***

Just as she returned, she saw Mu Gu with several servants burning mugwort, filling the courtyard with a choking herbal scent.

"Mu Gu, what’s going on?" Lin Yuejiao frowned.

Mu Gu’s face was sour. "Fourth Miss, please forgive me. This was ordered by Second Miss. It is late spring; all things are reviving, and mosquitoes are increasing. Second Miss ordered burning mugwort to repel them."

"Lin Qingsu?" Lin Yuejiao did not enter the courtyard—the smell was too pungent.

The eldest lady of the Lin family’s main branch was currently in seclusion, and eldest daughter Lin Qingliu was busy with family affairs and currying favor before the old matriarch, so no trouble had come her way yet.

Third Miss Lin Qingsheng had been punished with fifty lashes and was still moaning in bed.

It seemed the second branch was taking advantage.

"Miss, the second branch is too rampant. Their authority was only granted thanks to you, yet they neither thanked you nor refrained from causing trouble. Burning so much mugwort in such quantity—I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s clearly bullying," Yian said indignantly.

Tumi, stationed at Youyuan Garden, immediately knelt in apology. "Miss, forgive me. I failed to stop them."

Everyone in Youyuan Garden had been dismissed; this was the new second-class maid Ming Hua, along with several third-class maids, all kneeling neatly.

"Enough, all rise," Lin Yuejiao waved carelessly.

Was this the second branch’s ‘three fires’ of new leadership?

A show of power to the northwest’s four courtyards?

Lin Yuejiao had no intention of engaging with them.

"Mu Gu, is it the same at Hongfeng Court?" Lin Yuejiao asked.

Her mother and brother lived there.

***

"Where are Mother and Yi’er?" Lin Yuejiao glanced outside the courtyard but saw neither Jing Mingge nor Lin Yi. Her expression darkened instantly.

The sweeping maids knelt. "Mistresses, we could not find Madam or Young Master outside."

"Then what are you standing there for? If not outside, they must be inside," Lin Yuejiao snapped and charged in.

Lin Qingsu reached out to block her. "Yuejiao, there’s no one inside. If anyone was there, they would have come out by now."

"Lin Qingsu, move aside!" Lin Yuejiao pulled her hand away.

Usually low-key, Lin Qingsu was startled back a step by the cold, sharp glare.

Lin Yuejiao rushed inside; Yian followed without a word, Tumi and other maids quickly trailing.

Inside Hongfeng Court was thick smoke, the pungent mugwort stinging eyes until tears flowed. Lin Yuejiao endured the discomfort and found the door connecting the inner and outer courtyards had been locked from outside.

She hurriedly pulled out the bolt and opened the door, seeing Jing Mingge, Lin Yi, and others all fainted at the entrance.

"Mother! Yi’er!" Lin Yuejiao called anxiously, anger and worry surging.

She and Yian helped Jing Mingge up; Tumi carried Lin Yi, while other maids supported Ru Qiu and Kong Qing, rushing out.

They immediately fetched water. Lin Yuejiao examined them carefully; all had merely fainted and could be revived by splashing cool water on their faces with no other injuries. She finally felt relief.

***

Lin Qingsu clicked her tongue at the scene, unapologetic. "Oh dear, sorry, I didn’t expect Third Madam and the young master were still inside. I thought no one was there. Had I known, I would have sent someone to get them out. Yuejiao, you can’t blame me."

Lin Yuejiao stood up sharply, glaring at Lin Qingsu.

"Cough, cough..." The first to regain consciousness was the sturdier Kong Qing, coughing and saying, "You’re lying! So many of us were inside banging the door and shouting. Are you deaf?"

The apprentice left by the old doctor didn’t care for Lin Qingsu and spoke bluntly.

Lin Qingsu glanced sideways. "What insolent servant is this? How dare you speak to your mistress that way? I said I didn’t hear it—because I didn’t. Ask around; did anyone hear it?"

The maids, brought by Lin Qingsu, all answered in unison, "No."

"See, Yuejiao? I truly didn’t know anyone was inside. Don’t blame me. If you’re angry, go complain to Grandmother. You’re the best at tattling anyway," Lin Qingsu sneered.

Lin Yuejiao’s gaze turned icy. Suddenly, she grabbed Lin Qingsu’s hand and began dragging her toward Hongfeng Court.

No one, including Lin Qingsu, reacted before Lin Yuejiao dragged her to the gate, shoved her inside, flung open the door, slammed it shut, locked it, and pulled out the key.

"Lin Yuejiao, what are you doing? Cough, cough! Open the door! Let me out!" Lin Qingsu pounded on the door, tears and snot streaming from the smoke.

Lin Yuejiao sneered, "Sorry, Sister Xu, I can’t hear you."

The maids Ying Shuang and others anxiously rushed to open the door, but it was locked. They tried scaling the wall, but the smoke was so thick they couldn’t see and stumbled as soon as they neared.

"Fourth Miss, please give us the key, we beg you," Ying Shuang pleaded.

Lin Yuejiao glanced at her and casually tossed the key into the pond outside Hongfeng Court. "Sorry, it slipped. If you want it, dive in and fetch it."

Ying Shuang’s face changed. "You’re courting death! Our Mistress will never forgive you!"

"Yian, Tumi, take Madam and Yi’er to rest in the pavilion by the back garden," Lin Yuejiao ignored her and ordered.

Yian and Tumi lifted the fainted Jing Mingge and others, heading to the back garden.

Lin Yuejiao had no intention of worrying how the second branch would rescue Lin Qingsu. She only knew that debts must be repaid.

Even if it reached the old matriarch, Lin Qingsu was at fault first.

After a while, Jing Mingge woke and, hearing that Lin Yuejiao had locked Lin Qingsu inside Hongfeng Court, worriedly said, "Yuejiao, go free her quickly, or Second Madam will surely give you trouble."

"Mother need not worry; it’s fine," Lin Yuejiao shook her head, then looked at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi’s pale face was flushed red from the smoke. "Sister, I’m okay. Cough, cough..."

"Don’t worry. It looks serious, but since they were rescued in time, there’s no major harm," Kong Qing examined and said.

Seeing them safe, Lin Yuejiao finally relaxed and sat with them a while. She then told Jing Mingge, "Mother, you rest well. I’ll go visit Grandmother. Lin Qingsu should have been rescued by now and probably is crying and complaining to the old matriarch. I must go and outdo her in misery."

She would not give Lin Qingsu the chance to attack her before the old matriarch.