freenovelworld Chapter 484: Another Side of Madam Lin
Chapter 484: Another Side of Madam Lin
A short while later, a servant came to report that a scholar was making a scene at the door, demanding justice for Liu Mei. Madam Lin was somewhat puzzled. She knew that Liu Mei had accidentally drowned in the water vat, so she assumed that the scholar was trying to extort money from their Fuxiang Pavilion by taking advantage of his status as Liu Mei's old flame. She then instructed the servant to give him some silver to send him away.
Fang Xiaoxiao, however, felt that the matter was not so simple. She said, "Madam Lin, since this scholar dared to cause trouble, he must not be after money."
Madam Lin glanced at her and said, "What does the young lady mean?"
Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps he knows some inside information about Liu Mei's death."
Li Wan'er chimed in, "Yes, Madam, why don't we call him in and ask him?"
Madam Lin hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, bring him in."
A moment later, the scholar was brought in. He was dressed in a blue robe, his face haggard, and his eyes filled with grief and indignation.
Upon seeing Madam Lin, the scholar exclaimed, "Madam, Liu Mei died unjustly!"
Madam Lin frowned and said, "Tell me, how is she wronged?"
The scholar gritted his teeth and said, "Liu Mei could not have drowned; someone must have harmed her!"
"Do you have any evidence?" Mrs. Lin asked.
The scholar shook his head: "Although I have no evidence, Liu Mei once mentioned to me that she offended someone at Fuxiang Pavilion, and that person threatened to make her pay."
Fang Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and she asked, "Did she say she offended anyone?"
The scholar looked at Fang Xiaoxiao and said, "She didn't say it explicitly, but I suspect it must be related to someone in this pavilion."
Madam Lin's expression changed slightly: "Don't talk nonsense. Liu Mei drowned by accident. What does it have to do with anyone else?"
The scholar said excitedly, "Madam, you can't let this go so easily. You must find out the truth!"
Just then, another person rushed over and whispered a few words in Madam Lin's ear. Madam Lin's face grew even more pale.
Fang Xiaoxiao and the others all looked at Madam Lin, waiting for her to speak.
Madam Lin was silent for a moment, then said, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. You may go back now."
The scholar wanted to say something more, but was forcibly taken away by the servants.
A brief silence fell over the room. Fang Xiaoxiao broke the silence, saying, "Madam Lin, there is probably more to this than meets the eye."
Mrs. Lin sighed: "I hope it's just a misunderstanding."
After leaving Madam Lin's courtyard, Fang Xiaoxiao and the two returned to the small house. Li Wan'er asked curiously, "Xiaoxiao, what exactly is Madam Lin's identity?"
Hongxiu chimed in, "I think it must be the big boss behind Fuxiang Pavilion. I heard Jin Sanniang mention it before; the big boss behind Fuxiang Pavilion is a young woman."
After listening, Fang Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said, "Let's not worry about her identity for now, let's talk about it in a few days."
The next morning, Fang Xiaoxiao got up early to practice her singing. Her clear voice echoed in the courtyard, but because it was so loud, it annoyed the other girls in the courtyard.
"It's so noisy! Can't a person get any sleep?!" a girl shouted as she opened the window.
“Exactly, it’s such a nuisance!” another girl chimed in.
Fang Xiaoxiao, however, didn't take it to heart and said with her hands on her hips, "I love my job, why should you stop me?"
Just then, Jin San Niang appeared, her face dark as she looked at Fang Xiao Xiao: "Fang Xiao Xiao, what are you doing? You've made a huge fuss over the whole courtyard!"
Fang Xiaoxiao became more reserved when she saw Jin Sanniang: "Sanniang, I'm just trying to practice properly so that Fuxiang Pavilion can earn more money."
Jin Sanniang snorted coldly: "Don't give me any excuses. If there's a next time, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Fang Xiaoxiao pouted: "Okay, Third Aunt."
Jin San Niang glared at her, then turned and left.
Li Wan'er ran out of the house and grabbed Fang Xiaoxiao's arm: "Xiaoxiao, you're too impulsive. You'll regret offending Jin Sanniang."
Fang Xiaoxiao said nonchalantly, "What's there to be afraid of? What can she do to me?"
Hongxiu also came out: "It's best to be careful. Things haven't been peaceful at Fuxiang Pavilion lately. Let's not cause trouble for ourselves."
Fang Xiaoxiao frowned: "I understand, but we can't always swallow our anger like this."
Just then, a mysterious man appeared at the entrance of the courtyard, looking at Fang Xiaoxiao and the others with a sinister gaze.
"Are you Fang Xiaoxiao and the others?" the man asked.
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at him warily: "Who are you? What do you want with us?"
The man sneered, "Someone asked me to pass on a message: don't meddle in other people's business, or you'll face the consequences!"
After saying that, the man turned and left.
Fang Xiaoxiao and the other two looked at each other, their hearts filled with doubt and worry.
"What exactly is going on?" Li Wan'er asked fearfully.
Fang Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth: "No matter what, we must find out the truth."
That evening, Nuonuo came to find Fang Xiaoxiao again, blinking her big eyes and saying, "Sister, my mother asked me to invite you to dinner."
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at the adorable Nuonuo and readily agreed, going with Li Wan'er and Hongxiu to follow Nuonuo.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they found Jin Sanniang chatting with Madam Lin. Jin Sanniang had a fawning smile on her face, while Madam Lin's expression was indifferent.
Upon seeing Fang Xiaoxiao and the others enter, Jin Sanniang's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "Oh, you've arrived."
Mrs. Lin smiled and stood up to greet her: "Please sit down, the food is ready."
Fang Xiaoxiao and the others sat down as instructed, but secretly wondered about Madam Lin's intentions in hosting the banquet.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was subtly awkward. Fang Xiaoxiao broke the silence first, saying, "Mrs. Lin, thank you for your hospitality."
Mrs. Lin gently shook her head: "No need to be so polite, I just wanted to have a meal and chat with you."
Jin Sanniang chimed in from the side, "Yes, we're all on the same side."
Fang Xiaoxin sneered inwardly, thinking, "Who says we're on the same side as you?" But she maintained a polite smile on her face.
Li Wan'er couldn't help but ask, "Madam Lin, what are your plans regarding Liu Mei?"
Madam Lin frowned slightly and said, "This matter is still under investigation, and we will definitely give everyone an explanation."
Jin San Niang quickly said, "Madam has her own arrangements, so you don't need to worry about it."
Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Liu Mei's death is suspicious, and everyone is in a state of panic. We still hope that the truth can be found out as soon as possible."
Madam Lin glanced at her and said, "Don't worry, we won't keep you waiting too long."
Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the door.
"What happened?" Mrs. Lin asked.
A maid rushed in: "Madam, it's a group of troublemaking guests."
Madam Lin's face darkened: "Go and deal with it."
The maid obeyed and left, and soon the noise subsided.
Everyone had their own thoughts while eating the meal. After the meal, Fang Xiaoxiao and the others left the courtyard, discussing the events of the evening all the way.
“I always felt that Madam Lin and Jin San Niang were hiding something from us,” Li Wan’er said.
Hongxiu nodded: "Yes, it doesn't feel that simple."
Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "Let's wait and see."