Chapter 56 This Younger Sister Isn’t Very Sensible

Chapter 56: This Younger Sister Is Quite Ignorant

"Are there many types of things that can manipulate people's feelings?" Lin Sui asked.

A Chan nodded: "There are several kinds—some are fine jade pieces that must be worn at all times, while others are herbs that can be consumed. As long as one uses them, they can make others unconsciously develop fondness for the user."

"Such powerful things—if used on princes or nobles, couldn’t they disrupt the court?" Chen Hui couldn’t help but interject.

Lin Sui also nodded, feeling that using such things in the Lin family seemed excessive. Her father was only a Grade-Two General, which sounded impressive, but among military officers, he wasn’t particularly distinguished.

"These things have a weaker effect on cultivators, and they take a long time to influence others. This requires the user to employ them continuously." A Chan smiled lightly. "And here we must mention their fatal flaw—they consume the user’s life force, that is, their lifespan."

Lin Sui shuddered in shock: "If Lin Ting really used them, wouldn’t she…?"

"She was sent to your family right after birth and received your mother’s favor. If she truly used such things, by that count, it’s been over a decade. She likely has less than ten years of life left." A Chan declared.

Chen Hui mused: "It seems Lin Ting’s true parents are orchestrating an elaborate scheme, even willing to sacrifice their own daughter. I suspect Lin Ting doesn’t know the consequences of overusing such things."

Thinking of Lin Ting’s haughty attitude in front of her earlier, Lin Sui suddenly stopped caring. She had thought it was a case of a cuckoo taking over the nest, but it turned out to be the mantis hunting the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

She wondered what the Lin family possessed that was worth such a long-term scheme, lasting over a decade without interruption.

By evening, Gao Luo woke up again, this time staying conscious longer than before. The siblings exchanged updates before he fell back asleep.

Since Gao Luo’s condition made it unsuitable to move him, A Chan couldn’t very well leave him alone in He Garden. She decided to ask Bai Xiuming if they could temporarily borrow his courtyard for a couple of days.

But after searching everywhere, she couldn’t find him. Finally, the gatekeepers informed her that Bai Xiuming had already left He Garden with his men, instructing before his departure to let her stay in his courtyard.

Returning to the courtyard, A Chan thought to herself, Lord Bai really was kind.

As dusk fell, Hui Niang went to fetch food, Lin Sui tended to Gao Luo, and A Chan idly wandered aimlessly around the courtyard. Moments later, she witnessed the lotuses in the pond bloom one after another, the entire water surface illuminated by their glow.

She stared at the pond full of lotuses, transfixed for a long time.

So these were the flowers Bai Xiuming had specially come to see—truly beautiful.

The group stayed in the courtyard for another night. The next morning, the doctor checked on Gao Luo again and said he was recovering quickly, his wounds healing well. After one more day, he could return home to recuperate.

Lin Sui and the others breathed easier. While discussing their plans for the next day, they heard a guard announce that someone was looking for Lin Sui.

Stepping outside, Lin Sui was surprised to find Lin Ting waiting for her.

Lin Ting and her maid stood outside the courtyard, both clearly annoyed at being barred entry.

Seeing Lin Sui emerge, the maid sneered, "The first young miss has become increasingly difficult to meet. One might think she’s some highborn lady, refusing entry even when my mistress comes in person."

Lin Sui glanced at the two tall, imposing guards beside her. "If you’re unhappy, you can go ask the Grand Princess why she posted them here to guard this courtyard."

"Enough, be quiet." Lin Ting glared at the maid, who immediately fell silent.

"We’re returning home today. Father sent me to ask if you’ll come with us. If so, be ready outside He Garden by the third quarter of the hour of si."

"Understood. I’ll be there on time."

"Don’t be late." With that, Lin Ting left with her maid.

Once they were gone, Lin Sui turned to one of the guards. "Brother, could I trouble you for a favor?"

"Young lady, please speak," the guard replied politely.

Though none of the women in the courtyard were noble ladies, given that they were staying in Lord Bai’s residence, they weren’t to be slighted.

"Could you please find General Anxi for me and ask when and where he plans to depart for the capital?"

The guard didn’t ask further and immediately agreed. "Wait a moment, young lady."

In no time, the guard returned and said, "Young lady, General Anxi said the carriage will be ready outside He Garden at the beginning of the hour of si."

"Thank you, brother."

Hearing a completely different departure time from what Lin Ting had said, Lin Sui barely reacted.

This wasn’t the first time she’d been subjected to such spiteful behavior. She had once argued with Yao Shi about it, but no one thought Lin Ting was at fault—they just called her childish. Meanwhile, Lin Sui was accused of maliciously suspecting her sister and was made to kneel for an hour.

Lin Sui quickly pushed aside these unpleasant thoughts. When she turned back to the courtyard, she was startled to find Gao Luo standing outside the room.

She rushed over to support him. "Xiao Luo, why are you out here?"

Gao Luo waved her off. "It’s fine, just a bit dizzy. I came out to relieve myself and stretch a little. Lying down for days has made my whole body ache."

Seeing him stand steadily, Lin Sui eased up a little but didn’t let go. "Wait until you’re better before walking around. Go back and rest—don’t risk pulling your wounds open."

"Got it." Gao Luo agreed, but his gaze lingered toward the gate.

"Sis, who were those two people who came looking for you earlier?"

"Oh, that was Lin Ting and her maid," Lin Sui answered casually, helping him slowly back into the room.

"So that’s Lin Ting…" Gao Luo seemed to recall something. "Sis, I think I’ve seen her before."

"Who? Lin Ting?" Lin Sui looked surprised. "Where did you see her?"

Gao Luo racked his brains. "I think… she bought something from me once. Sis, do you remember three years ago when I dug up a mountain ginseng in the mountains? When I came to the city to sell it, I happened to run into her entering the herbal shop."

Lin Sui nodded. Back then, their grandmother had just passed away. Though the family had some savings, there was no steady income, so Gao Luo often went into the mountains with the village adults. Once, he had good fortune and found a ginseng root, which helped tide them over.

"She bought your ginseng?"

"No, she bought a herb from me. I’d originally taken it to the shopkeeper to have it valued—to see if it was valuable. But the shopkeeper didn’t recognize it either. Then she took me aside and bought it for two taels of silver."

Selling a random herb for two taels was memorable enough that Gao Luo never forgot it.

"When did you ever sell a herb for that much? Why didn’t you tell me?"

Gao Luo suddenly looked guilty. "Well… the place where I found that herb was quite far into the mountains. I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d lecture me for going so far in."

"What did the herb look like?" A Chan, who had been listening to their conversation, finally spoke up.

Gao Luo thought for a moment. "It was about the length of my palm, bright green with lots of leaves. I remember it had yellow flowers. When I found it, there was a snake guarding it. After I chased the snake away, I remembered the village elders saying that herbs guarded by beasts were likely magic herbs, so I dug it up."

"A Chan, do you recognize this herb?" Lin Sui asked.

A Chan considered for a moment. "If I’m not mistaken, it’s probably Zhan Grass—the kind with unique properties that I mentioned earlier. Since Lin Ting bought it, she must know its use well."

"Truly… unexpected luck," Lin Sui murmured, unable to hide her astonishment.

Chen Hui chimed in, "Haven’t you wondered why she repeatedly used Lin Heng’s hand to harm your brother?"

Lin Sui immediately understood. "You mean she discovered Xiao Luo is my brother and decided to have him killed indirectly, fearing he’d reveal the herb’s existence to me?"

When the Lin family came to pick her up before, it was the family steward who arranged it, so the Lin family members had actually never met Xiao Luo.

Lin Sui hurriedly asked Gao Luo, "Xiao Luo, have you been to the capital recently?"

Gao Luo hesitated before nodding. "Someone from the village heard news about you in the capital, saying you stole someone's betrothed or something. I was worried, so I went to the capital to see how you were doing. I didn’t see you those two days, but I did encounter that steward who came to our house before."

Chen Hui shook her head. "Better safe than sorry. Lin Ting is quite meticulous—she even thought of killing him to keep him quiet. But she’s too greedy, wanting all the benefits, and ended up with nothing."

Gao Luo’s words finally helped them understand the truth of the matter.

Though it was still just speculation, the likelihood of it being true was nine out of ten.

The more Lin Sui thought about it, the more fearful she became. If Lin Ting had discovered earlier that Xiao Luo was her brother, she might have made a move against him without her knowledge.

As Hui Niang said, if not for Lin Ting’s greed—wanting to kill two birds with one stone by using Lin Heng to eliminate Xiao Luo while also turning her against the Lin family—none of this would have happened.

Chen Hui patted Lin Sui’s shoulder. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Don’t worry."

The tension eased from Lin Sui’s face, but then she hesitantly asked A Chan, "A Chan, since you recognize Zhan Grass, is there a way..."

She trailed off, feeling she might be asking too much.

A Chan smiled. "There is."

"There is?" Lin Sui was stunned.

"There are ways to counteract Zhan Grass. Once we’re back in the city, I’ll prepare some incense powder for you. Find someone affected by Zhan Grass and have them inhale the fumes for two days. It’ll temporarily counteract the effects."

"Really? Then please help me prepare some."

"Sure. Come to my place the day after tomorrow to pick it up." A Chan then asked curiously, "Have you figured out how to deal with Lin Ting?"

"I have." Seeing Lin Sui’s confident expression, A Chan grew even more curious.

But since Lin Sui didn’t say more, she didn’t press further. Knowing Lin Sui’s temperament, she suspected a major surprise was in store.

The day after Lin Sui left with the Lin family, A Chan and the others escorted Gao Luo away.

Before Lin Sui departed, they had agreed to let Gao Luo recover at A Chan’s estate until he fully recovered, after which he could leave.

Gao Luo had no choice in the matter and could only let the three of them make all the arrangements for him.

Once Gao Luo was settled, Chen Hui and A Chan returned to the city with a wagon loaded with vegetables, grains, and two hens.

The bustling city stood in stark contrast with the quiet countryside. Though they’d only been gone a few days, it felt much longer.

On the way back, they made a detour to the Western Market.

A Chan went to the Hunting Shop and bought two jade-like bones. Fortunately, they were in stock, and she paid one hundred eighty taels to take them on the spot.

Chen Hui was amazed when she saw the bones. "Are these made of jade? They’re beautiful."

The two bones were the size of a palm, translucent, and gleamed like the finest jade in the sunlight.

After wrapping them carefully, A Chan explained, "These are the leg bones of female corpses. Zhan Grass grows from their bodies."

"Female corpses?"

"Legend has it they were the daughters of ancient emperors after death. Whether it’s true, no one knows. They’re small, humanoid, and subsist on vegetation and dew. After death, their bones don't decompose but turn into jade."

"Couldn’t they be sold as high-quality jade?"

A Chan sighed. "Yes, but they’re even more expensive than jade."

Though she wasn't lacking in silver now, every trip to the Hunting Shop felt like being robbed.

With the bones in hand, they returned home and began pulverizing them.

Thanks to Chen Hui’s help, A Chan soon had a quantity of powdered bone.

She then mixed it with several potent fragrances to mask the slight fishy odor of the bones, ensuring nothing appeared unusual when burned.

The next morning, Lin Sui arrived early.

A Chan, woken by Chen Hui, yawned as she stepped out, sipping the honey water handed to her to fully wake up.

"Why so early?"

"I was free after breakfast, so I came. I also have news." Lin Sui said mysteriously.

"What news?"

"Yesterday, I heard Lin Ting’s biological father has been recalled to the capital from Yongzhou. His performance was outstanding, so he’ll return as at least a fourth-rank official. In three days, his whole family will visit my father at the general’s residence."

"Whole family? How many children do they have?"

"Two sons. The eldest is the provincial champion from Qingzhou, and the younger earned his xiucai degree."

This surprised A Chan. "The sons are well-educated. Father and sons might soon serve together in court."

"Yes. I heard Lin Ting’s father was just an obscure seventh-rank official years ago. Now, they’re returning triumphantly."

A Chan handed Lin Sui the incense powder from the night before, hinting, "Whether they stay glorious depends on you."

Lin Sui took the incense and pulled out three silver certificates, with some embarrassment. "I know making this powder isn’t easy. I only have 300 taels now, but—"

A Chan stopped her, taking 200. "Between friends, this is enough."

Lin Sui paused, then smiled. "Alright."

A Chan added, "Use the powder in two applications. After finishing, the effect will last two to three days."

"That’s enough."

"One more thing—the scent is strong. You'll have to tolerate it."

"Okay."

Shortly after getting the powder, Lin Sui returned to the general’s residence across the street.

On her way back to her courtyard, she ran into her eldest brother, Lin Yi, who greeted her warmly, "Suisui, been out playing?"

Lin Sui was surprised. She was less familiar with him than with her father, as he was stationed with the imperial guards and was rarely home.

Her positive feelings toward him, like with Lin Cheng, came from his reaction after the mountain incident—he never blamed her, even comforted her privately and gave her 100 taels to treat herself to calm her nerves.

Of the 300 taels she’d just given A Chan, 100 had come from Lin Yi.

Putting aside the negative impressions caused by Lin Ting, Lin Yi was actually quite a good big brother.

"Yeah, my friend lives across the street. I stopped by her place for a bit." Lin Sui answered after a brief pause.

Noticing Lin Yi was dressed in casual attire, she asked, "Big Brother, don't you have duty today?"

"I traded shifts with a friend. I have two days off," Lin Yi patiently explained.

"Oh..." Lin Sui had initially planned to find an excuse to leave, but her gaze fell on the incense powder in her hand, and a new idea struck her. She looked up at Lin Yi and asked, "Father mentioned you’re very good at chess?"

Lin Yi was momentarily surprised, then smiled. "I’m slightly better than Father."

"Then do you have time later? Could you teach me?"

"Of course."

Lin Sui had never played chess before, so Lin Yi had to teach her from scratch. Unfortunately, after two games, he realized his younger sister, like their father, had no knack for it.

If she had merely lost, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but she even had her maid light incense in the room—so strong it gave him a headache—as if trying to cheat her way to victory.

He couldn't tell if it was his imagination, but while the incense burned, his head ached, yet after it burned out, his head felt surprisingly clear.

They played ten games, and Lin Yi won every single one. Still not satisfied, Lin Sui made him promise to play again the next day before finally letting him leave her courtyard.

As Lin Sui watched him go, she didn’t notice anything unusual in him and wondered if the incense had even worked.

Though she did notice her brother had become kind of preachy, even telling her to study chess strategies. She wondered if that was a side effect of the incense.

On his way back to the front courtyard, Lin Yi bumped into Lin Ting, who was carrying a food box. Her eyes lit up when she saw him.

"Big Brother, where were you? I couldn’t find you anywhere." As she approached, Lin Ting suddenly stopped, frowning.

"Big Brother, what's that awful smell on you? It’s awful."

She looked genuinely disgusted, even gagging twice.

Lin Yi took a sniff of his sleeve. The incense from his elder sister’s room had faded, and the lingering scent was actually kind of nice.

Instead of answering her question, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

Lin Ting covered her nose in disgust, so her maid spoke for her. "Young Master, our young mistress just baked some treats and wanted you to try them. Isn’t that right, miss?"

She tugged at Lin Ting’s sleeve, and Lin Ting quickly nodded, handing the food box to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi wasn't much for sweets, but Lin Ting seemed fond of giving him such treats. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, he didn’t refuse.

"Thank you, Second Sister." Just as he was about to leave with the box, he noticed Lin Ting hesitating, her expression too obvious to ignore.

"Is there something else, Second Sister?"

Lin Ting lowered her gaze to the jade pendant at Lin Yi’s waist. "Big Brother, that jade pendant is really pretty. Could you give it to me?"

Lin Yi glanced down at the pendant and shook his head. "This was a gift from Grandfather when I was born. I can’t part with it."

The pendant wasn’t of the finest quality—back when he was born, their father was only a fourth-rank general, and their grandfather’s position wasn’t high either. The family’s circumstances had been much humbler then.

His pendant was nothing compared to the jade pendant Lin Ting wore, so he didn’t understand why she wanted his. Besides, it was a masculine design—what would she even do with it?

This was the first time Lin Yi had ever refused Lin Ting, and she looked completely stunned.

"But... but I want it," Lin Ting said, she looked hurt. She couldn’t understand why he was acting this way—hadn’t he always indulged her before?

Lin Yi frowned, realizing for the first time how bratty his second sister was.

Compared to her, his elder sister—who had dragged him into playing chess and even tried sneaky tricks—was way more likable. The only thing was that she rarely smiled.

But that definitely wasn’t her fault. It was surely because Father was always so stern that she, too, always looked so serious.