Lu Yichen's shout echoed through the courtyard, but it was too late; everyone had heard what Ruoyu said already.
Ruoyu's heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear anything else. She stared at Lu Yichen, her eyes widening until they trembled.
Bairan let out a soft, pained laugh that sounded heartbreakingly fragile. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip gently, her eyes reddened. Her lips trembled as she said, "If... if only I had known he loved you..."
Hanyue, who was watching from the side, almost laughed. Miss Bairan's performance was frightening. She switched between thunder and pitiful rain with unnatural ease. He continued watching the show.
Ruoyu's breath caught in her throat.
Lu Yichen panicked. "A'Rou—NO! It's not like that!"
He looked toward Bairan, shaking his head so hard veins bulged on his neck. "I don't love her! A'Rou, look at me—I only love you. Only you!"
His words were like blades; each one cut deep into Ruoyu's chest. Her lips parted. She looked at him as if seeing him for the very first time. She whispered, "You... only love her...?"
Lu Yichen's eyes flickered. He tried to signal this stupid woman with his eyes—he was trying hard to save them both, but she kept making the situation worse.
He said in a gentler tone, "Third Miss, please tell the truth. Do not say something you will regret later."
But Ruoyu's vision blurred. Which truth should she say? The words he had sworn to her? The nights he held her, whispering promises? Or the jade pendant he gave her?
Bairan wiped her eyes, her voice trembling; "Please, Sister... tell me the truth. Was there anything between you? Did my absence that night... have anything to do with that...?"
Ruoyu's breath stopped. Her fingers curled weakly around the hem of her dusty sleeve.
She felt the courtyard get colder, and the surrounding air tightened.
Her gaze became unfocused. That night, they snuck out through the wall. She had been sure Young Master Lu was already gone. In fact, she had planned to say they missed the time because of Qing'er's lie and Young Master Lu had already left. But her sister had forced her to go to the cliff to at least see the carriage.
Then, at the cliff—
"Don't," Ruoyu whispered, so softly no one could hear. Her eyes locked onto the cloud-shaped pendant Master Lin still held.
Bairan noticed and said soft tone, "Whoever gave you this pendant, Sister, he should protect you and take responsibility for you."
Lu Yichen swallowed hard.
Ruoyu shook violently. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked Bairan straight in the eyes and gritted her teeth. "But... you didn't say this... that night."
Her lips trembled; "Because of this pendant, you said terrible things to me. You called me dirty, lowborn."
Her brows tightened more and more, and her voice rose to a screech. "You said he bought it for YOU, and that I stole it from you! Why, huh? Because in your eyes, he would never look at a concubine's daughter, right!"
She pushed forward, pointing a trembling finger at Bairan. "You remember everything, don't you?! Stop acting pitiful! You're arrogant and selfish... tell everyone the truth! Tell them it wasn't my fault you fell! You were trying to snatch my pendant from me!"
Master Lin's face turned deathly pale. His voice shook as he roared, "A'YU... What did you say?"
Ruoyu cried harder. "Father—she forced me to go to the cliff to see Young Master Lu's carriage! She slipped—her own feet slipped! I didn't push her—I swear I didn't! She's lying! She remembers everything!"
Bairan's gentle expression vanished instantly. She raised her eyelashes and said coldly, "Fell... because of slipping?" She tilted her head, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. "But you didn't save your sister afterward. You simply told everyone she ran away with a man." Her gaze slid to Lu Yichen. "And it seems I was in your way tonight as well... so you two tried to harm me again."
Lu Yichen froze. His whole body trembled.
Master Lin had reached his limit. He strode toward Ruoyu, shaking all over. "You harmed your sister once—nearly killed her—and after she returned, you still didn't repent! You even tried to harm her again today and had an affair with your future brother-in-law!"
His chest rose and fell violently. "You disgrace! Ungrateful thing!"
He pointed towards the servants. "Take her! Lock her in the ancestral hall to kneel! Without my permission, no one can give her anything, or take a single step out!"
Two maids stepped forward immediately.
Ruoyu backed away, shaking her head wildly. "No—NO—Father, please! I didn't push her! I didn't! And tonight's plan wasn't mine—they're lying!"
But the maids seized her arms. Ruoyu screamed desperately. "Young Master Lu! Save me!"
Lu Yichen's face turned ashen.
Ruoyu's scream rose in the air like a dying echo. She reached toward him with both hands, struggling against the maids' grip until her wrists reddened. "Young Master Lu! I did all of this for you! She doesn't love you anymore—believe me! Say something—please—just one word!"
But Lu Yichen stood frozen. His fingers clenched into a fist. He didn't look at her—nor could he look at Bairan.
Ruoyu's expression twisted. "You said... the pendant is two halves, only complete when they are together..." she sobbed, her voice turning hoarse. "You said I'm smart—you promised—I still choose you even after finding out what you've done—"
Master Lin thundered, "Enough! After all the sins you committed, you still dare to shout his name in front of me? Have you no shame left?! Shut her mouth. Take her away now!"
The maids tightened their grip, putting their hands over her mouth and dragging her away. Her sleeve brushed against the dusty ground; her hairpin fell. Her cries grew fainter, swallowed by the night.
Lu Yichen shut his eyes, jaw tightening. He knew the next person would be him.
As expected, Master Lin turned. "And YOU—!"
Lu Yichen's head jerked up, his body stiffening.
Master Lin rushed to him and grabbed his collar with both hands. Lu Yichen stumbled forward. Master Lin's voice was harsh: "You vile, shameless thing! You dare stand here after what you've done?!"
Lu Yichen's face drained of all color. "Master Lin—listen to me—please—"
Master Lin roared, "Silence! You call yourself a gentleman? A future son-in-law? I thought you were worthy of my Lin family, but you're just a scumbag!"
Master Lin continued, every word louder than the last: "Someone go to the Lu family and tell them what their precious son has done! Tomorrow, their elder should be here to settle the engagement."
Lu Yichen flinched. His chest tightened; his breath grew shallow. "Master Lin... let me explain. It's misunderstanding—I truly only loved A'Rou..."
"misunderstanding?!" Master Lin barked a harsh laugh, eyes blazing. "What kind of misunderstanding is this—where you give her sister hope so that she committed crimes against her own blood for you?! Come, take him! Lock him in the West Courtyard until the Lu family arrives!"
Lu Yichen's pupils shrank. He staggered back a step, face ashen. "A'Rou..." he shouted.
Bairan slowly lifted her lashes, but she didn't look at Lu Yichen. Her eyes immediately swept to Hanyue, and then briefly landed on the fully recovered paralyzed man.
Hanyue understood the signal. He stepped forward respectfully. "Master Lin, this is a family matter, so I won't interfere. However, you must send this man to the Yamen." He pointed at the accomplice. "Entering a private residence without permission is a grave crime."
Master Lin nodded stiffly.
Hanyue added, "And regarding the poison, Master Lin, based on my observation, it appears to be rare and expensive. Not all herb sellers sell it, making it unlikely for Third Miss to earn it alone."
Master Lin's jaw tightened until it trembled. His bloodshot eyes snapped toward Lu Yichen; "You shameless person, what were you trying to do to my daughter?!" he roared at the servants; "What are you waiting for?! Take him now!"
Lu Yichen tried to take one step toward Bairan, but servants seized him from both sides, dragging him away. "Wait—wait! Let me speak to her! A'Rou—A'Rou, look at me!"
Bairan turned slightly, but only toward Master Lin, not sparing the struggling Lu Yichen a glance.
She said softly, "Father, may I make a request?"
Master Lin frowned. "What? If it's about him, don't..."
She shook her head gently. "No. It's not about him."
She raised her steady gaze. "You are the head of the Lin family. This matter stains not only my marriage, but the entire Lin family's honor. I know you will make them pay for disrespecting you... not taking you and the Lin family seriously."
Master Lin's brows knotted; he nodded strongly.
Bairan continued: "The only thing I wish to ask... is about Qing'er." She lowered her eyelashes. "Please... let me deal with her myself."
Qing'er lifted her head weakly, her lips trembling. "Y–Young Miss..."
Master Lin followed her gaze and felt his veins pulse. This girl—this little thing—if she had locked the shed door, the shame on his face today would have doubled.
His temples throbbed. He snapped, waving his hand impatiently, "Fine—fine! Since A'Rou wants to. You can do whatever you want."
He turned and roared at the servants and Madam Luo, who were watching in fear. "What are you all staring at?! Get back to your places!"
They scattered instantly like frightened birds.
Master Lin exhaled and turned to Hanyue. His brows furrowed, but his voice regained a forced composure. Cupped his fists. "Master Pei... tonight, I have caused you to witness foolishness in my household. I am truly ashamed."
Hanyue cupped his fists too. "No need for courtesy, Master Lin. Every family has its own troubles."
He lifted his hand slightly. His men immediately seized the paralyzed man, who swallowed hard, not having the guts to look into Bairan's calm gaze. After everything that had happened tonight, being taken to the Yamen alive was already fortunate enough.
Master Lin rubbed his forehead. His voice softened slightly. "A'Rou... go rest. I will handle the rest. I will give you justice."
Bairan bowed. "Thank you, Father."
Master Lin hurried away.
Only Bairan, her two maids, Hanyue, and Dongpo remained.
Bairan gave a graceful curtsy. "I am profoundly grateful for Master Pei's help. I will certainly remember it."
Hanyue smiled gently and cupped his fists. "Miss Bairan is too courteous. It was merely a slight effort on my part."
Just as Bairan parted her lips to say farewell—
A black shadow dropped beside Hanyue's feet. One of his men knelt, trembling. He clasped his hands and cried out, "Master... it's not—it's not good!"