Plum Blossom Decree

Lin Yuejiao gave a shy smile. "I never intended to hide my skills, but I have always been close with Sister Sheng. Among us, her embroidery is the weakest, and Grandmother is quite strict. If she knew Sister Sheng’s work lagged so far behind ours, I fear Sister Sheng would have to suffer for it."

That was certainly true. Lin Qingliu’s Hui-style embroidery and Lin Yuejiao’s double-sided embroidery were both top-tier. In contrast, Lin Qing-sheng’s skills were abysmal, barely even at the beginner level.

"Sheng’er is indeed far behind you both. I am very pleased to see you showing such sisterly affection, Yuejiao," the Matriarch said with a look of relief.

Encouraged by the praise, Lin Yuejiao seemed to become more talkative. She chirped, "Exactly! Sister Sheng’s embroidery is usually quite a sight to behold—in the worst way. This time, she must have performed well beyond her usual level to produce something so lovely."

The speaker meant no harm, but the listener was sensitive. Lin Qing-sheng’s face instantly drained of color, and her eyes darted around in a panic.

"Oh?" The Matriarch’s gaze fell upon Lin Qing-sheng’s hibiscus embroidery, and her eyes suddenly narrowed.

Furious, the Matriarch snapped, "Lin Qing-sheng, Yuejiao treats you with such kindness, yet where is your sisterly love? To slander her without a shred of evidence—get down on your knees at once!"

"Grandmother, please forgive me, I, I..." Startled, Lin Qing-sheng knelt down, trembling with cold sweat.

Qian Yaoxian quickly intervened. "Matriarch, please calm your anger. Sheng’er did not know that Lin Yuejiao could do double-sided embroidery. She spoke out of ignorance..."

"Hmph! If one is ignorant, one should keep their mouth shut! Instead, she spouted such nonsense. How have you been teaching her as her mother?" The Matriarch’s temper only flared further. She realized that today’s entire disruption had been orchestrated by Lin Qing-sheng. Fortunately, Lin Yuejiao had provided a pleasant surprise; otherwise, not only would it have been embarrassing, but the Lin family would have become the laughingstock of Xinzhou.

"Slandering a cousin—drag her out and give her ten lashes, then confine her to her quarters for a month," the Matriarch ordered.

Qian Yaoxian and Lin Qingliu were both shocked. Before they could react, Lin Yuejiao pleaded, "Grandmother, Sister Sheng didn't mean it. We have guests present today; please show some leniency."

"Yes, Matriarch, Yuejiao is right. Sheng’er’s offense does not warrant such a harsh punishment. Please, be merciful," Qian Yaoxian added hastily.

"No need to plead. The Lin family has always maintained strict discipline and etiquette, yet we have produced such an unfilial and worthless girl as Lin Qing-sheng. Drag her away, give her twenty lashes, and confine her for a month," the Matriarch said sternly.

"This..." Qian Yaoxian was bewildered. How had their pleas only resulted in a heavier sentence?

"Grandmother, have mercy! Please, no, Grandmother..." Terrified, Lin Qing-sheng wailed.

Lin Yuejiao was satisfied with the punishment and stopped pleading. Had the Matriarch not given Lin Qing-sheng twenty lashes, she would have continued to "accidentally" let more things slip, ensuring the Matriarch would not stop until Lin Qing-sheng was punished.

"Take her away!" the Matriarch said, looking displeased. Making such a scene in front of guests was utterly shameful.

Qian Yaoxian was heartbroken and tried once more. "Matriarch, Sheng’er is my own flesh and blood, I..."

"So, it is the fault of the parents and me, her elder sister, for not teaching her properly. Liu’er and Mother will surely discipline Sheng’er strictly upon returning. Please, Grandmother, set aside your anger," Lin Qingliu interjected, cutting off Qian Yaoxian with a warning glance that spoke volumes.

Qian Yaoxian finally realized the situation and dared not say another word.

The Matriarch’s expression softened slightly as she looked at Lin Qingliu. "Liu’er, you are always so thoughtful. You need not blame yourself; this has nothing to do with you."

Lin Yuejiao watched the scene in silence. She knew that Lin Qingliu held the most weight in the Matriarch’s heart. She herself had only just begun to make an impression and was in no position to challenge her yet.

***

After admiring the embroidery, Lin Ruijie took Li Moqian and Rong Yu to view the Lanting Preface.

Upon leaving the Mingli Hall and returning to the West Courtyard, Lin Yuejiao saw Jing Mingge standing at the gate. As soon as she returned to Youran Garden, the Matriarch’s rewards arrived: a pair of jade ruyi, a pair of jade hairpins, a pair of jade bracelets, two sets of Shu-embroidered summer skirts, and a round fan made of ice-silk.

"Sorry to trouble you for the trip, Aunt Qiu. Please, take this for tea," Lin Yuejiao said politely to the maid who delivered the items.

Aunt Qiu weighed the silver in her hand—it was a substantial amount. Surprised by the Fourth Miss’s generosity, she said, "The Matriarch was in high spirits today and kept speaking of you. If you have the time, you should visit her more often."

"I shall pay my respects to the Matriarch every day," Lin Yuejiao replied with a faint smile.

Once Aunt Qiu left, Jing Mingge couldn't help but ask, "Yuejiao, what is all this?"

Iris recounted the events at Mingli Hall, adding proudly, "Our Miss is the most talented! Even Young Master Li asked for her name, and the Matriarch rewarded her with so many things. She likes our Miss so much!"

Lin Yuejiao smiled without a word.

"Good, this is wonderful. Knowing the Matriarch favors you, Mother can finally rest easy," Jing Mingge said, her eyes welling with tears of relief.

"Mother, please don't worry," Lin Yuejiao comforted her. She handed the round fan to Jing Mingge and smiled. "This is called an 'Ice-Silk Flowing Wind Fan.' The fan surface is embroidered with crystal-silk, making it much cooler than ordinary fans. Late spring is here, and summer will soon follow; the house gets very stifling then. You and Yi’er will surely find it useful."

In the past, Lin Yuejiao wouldn't have bothered giving them even a stray piece of pastry, and the family had lived like enemies. Yet now, she was giving away the most precious of her rewards.

"Yuejiao, this is worth a thousand gold pieces. I doubt there are many like it in the entire Lin estate. The Matriarch gave it to you, so you must keep it for yourself. Yi’er and I will be fine," Jing Mingge said urgently.

Lin Yuejiao pressed the fan into her hand. "Yi’er is frail and cannot handle the heat. This fan is a gift for him. Let’s go see Yi’er, shall we?"

"Yuejiao, you... you are willing to visit Yi’er?" Jing Mingge had never been as surprised in her life as she was today.

Lin Yuejiao and Jing Mingge went together to the Red Maple Garden where they lived.

"Sister." The frail Lin Yi looked at Lin Yuejiao, calling out timidly. His clear, black-and-white eyes were filled with unease, fearing that his sister would turn and leave at the sight of him.

Looking at her thin, small brother, a sharp pain pierced Lin Yuejiao’s heart. Jing Mingge handed him the fan, and a smile blossomed on Lin Yi’s small face.

Watching him, Lin Yuejiao made a silent vow: she would obtain the Plum Blossom Token, hire a master physician, and ensure her brother could live like any normal child.

***

Over the next two days, Lin Yuejiao seemed distracted. Lin Qing-sheng, bedridden from twenty lashes and confined to her quarters, harbored deep hatred but was unable to act for the time being. Lin Qingliu received the same rewards as Lin Yuejiao, while Lin Qingxu received similar gifts, albeit without the ice-silk fan.

Every morning, Lin Yuejiao paid her respects to the Matriarch, then visited the Red Maple Garden to see her mother and brother, helping her mother with embroidery and checking on her brother’s studies. As dusk fell, she would close her doors, dismissing her maids and keeping only Iris to guard the entrance.

She was waiting for the man in black, terrified of missing him. Yet, three or four days passed without a sign, leaving her waiting in agonizing anticipation.

Suddenly, a crisp sound echoed from the window. Lin Yuejiao turned to see a man in night-garb standing in her room. He wore a hideous black mask, and the dagger in his hand glinted with a lethal chill.

Lin Yuejiao stared in shock. He had come! Finally, he had come!

Upon seeing her, the man moved in an instant, hooking his arm around her shoulders and pressing the dagger to her throat. His voice was raspy, clearly disguised. "Make a sound, and I will kill you!"

He pulled her into his embrace, their faces nearly touching. Through the ink-black mask, Lin Yuejiao could only see his eyes—pure, obsidian orbs that shone with a cold light, like the most magnificent treasures in the world.

"Fourth Miss, the First Madame is coming to search your room," Iris’s voice rang out from outside the door.

"Sir, someone is coming immediately. You must hide. Don't worry, I will never betray you. If you are discovered here, they will surely frame me for having a lover and accuse me of being your accomplice," Lin Yuejiao said, her mind racing. "Hide, and I will handle this."

The man’s deep eyes bored into her, as if trying to see if she was trustworthy.

"If you do not trust me, then we shall both be caught together," she said, every word dripping with sincerity. For the sake of the Plum Blossom Token, she had to ensure he escaped safely.

The man glanced at her, then suddenly leaped, pressing himself against the door. Lin Yuejiao understood his intent and silently marveled at his agility.

The voices of Qian Yaoxian and the others grew closer in the courtyard. Lin Yuejiao’s gaze turned cold; she pulled down the bed curtains and rolled up the quilt, making it look as though someone were lying in bed.

*Bang!* The door was pushed open unceremoniously. Behind Qian Yaoxian and Lin Qingliu followed a large group of maids and servants.

Lin Yuejiao remained calm. "Greetings, Madame. May I ask why you and Sister Liu have come to visit so late at night?"

"A thief entered our Lin estate and headed for your courtyard. I am here to search," Qian Yaoxian said bluntly, her eyes filled with undisguised malice.