Chapter 54: The Murderer

Orlan hurried into the garden and suddenly grabbed hold of Emerald Bamboo, both their hands icy cold. “Useless servant!” Orlan trembled as she squeezed Emerald Bamboo’s hand, forcing herself to suppress her panic.

“Princess…” Emerald Bamboo, feeling aggrieved, let Orlan squeeze her hand painfully. She had pushed Lotus Wind into the well herself; now her only hope was for the princess to spare her life. She was about to kneel and beg Orlan.

“What are you doing!” Orlan, seeing Emerald Bamboo about to kneel, cast her a contemptuous glare.

“Princess, you must stand up for me! Emerald Bamboo has done everything wholeheartedly for your sake,” Emerald Bamboo, startled by Orlan’s glare, forgot to kneel.

“You pushed her in—what does that have to do with me?” Orlan quickly shrugged off any responsibility.

“No, princess, if you hadn’t wanted to feed Yan’er that abort—”

Smack—

Orlan slapped Emerald Bamboo, cutting her off. “Fool! As long as I am here, nothing will happen!”

“You four, return to the palace with me!” Orlan strode toward the garden, Emerald Bamboo hastening to follow.

“I’ve heard that Pin’er takes a walk in the garden every day?” Orlan suddenly smirked wickedly at Emerald Bamboo.

Emerald Bamboo, long accustomed to the palace’s intrigues, caught the hint in Orlan’s words and her eyes flashed. “Princess, you’ve just woken up. The weather is cold—you must be careful with your health.” Her voice rose slightly.

“Madam, it’s the princess, the chief lady,” Dodo tugged at Pin’er’s sleeve, fearful of both Orlan and Emerald Bamboo.

Pin’er, originally intending to turn away, was forced to look back by Dodo’s tug, cursing Dodo’s stupidity inwardly.

“Pin’er, the humble maid, greets the princess and lady.” Pin’er spoke and began to kneel.

“Oh, we’re sisters.” Orlan pulled Pin’er up, warmly taking her along toward Yunlu Courtyard.

Pin’er arched her brow. She wasn’t afraid of any tricks Orlan might play, but Orlan’s excessive warmth made her suspect this matter was connected to Yan’er. Her own task was already done; though she cared for Pan Yueyang, it was wiser now to protect herself.

“Indeed, if Yan’er hadn’t been so willful, she wouldn’t have suffered such punishment. Orlan plans to plead for her once father’s anger subsides.” No matter how sincere Orlan sounded, Pin’er let it pass with a smile.

A sudden thought came to Pin’er. The master hadn’t yet sent instructions, but… this encounter with Orlan today might not be a bad thing.

“Princess, lady, I suddenly feel…” Pin’er hesitated to speak.

Orlan patted Pin’er’s hand reassuringly. “Sister, speak freely. No need for formality.”

Pin’er smiled and played along. “Though I don’t know Yan’er well, I still wish to visit her, if…”

“That’s wonderful—all sisters together. My status isn’t convenient, why don’t you visit on my behalf? To be honest, if Yan’er hadn’t been so impulsive that day…” Orlan showed a look of regret.

“Rest assured, princess, lady. Yan’er is sensible. She’ll understand.” Pin’er had no wish to waste words. “Pin’er will take you to visit her now.” She bowed.

“Oh, no need for that—go quickly.” Orlan’s smile deepened.

Pin’er bowed her head with a smile, taking Dodo with her. Orlan and Emerald Bamboo exchanged triumphant smiles at their retreating backs. Emerald Bamboo couldn’t help but admire Orlan. “Princess, your mind is truly profound.”

“Go and keep an eye on them!” Orlan ignored her, turning back.

Emerald Bamboo pouted but followed Pin’er’s shadow, trailing her all the way to the shabby little courtyard, naturally not entering. She peered through the doorway, observing for any movement inside.

Pin’er, turning aside, scoffed inwardly at Orlan’s petty schemes. That maid, Emerald Bamboo, every move she made was under Pin’er’s scrutiny.

“Yan’er? Yan’er?” Pin’er entered the courtyard with Dodo, unhurried. From afar she saw the chaos, Yan’er slumped by the well, face pale and unconscious, the hem of her gown stained with blood.

Orlan, you are truly vicious. Pin’er quickened her pace to the well’s edge. Yan’er was already unconscious; Pin’er lifted her skirts, revealing black-red blood beneath Yan’er, staining the ground.

“Yan’er!” Pin’er shook her vigorously, feeling her nose—her breathing was barely perceptible.

“Madam, what’s happened to Yan’er?” Dodo, seeing the blood after Pin’er lifted the skirt, was shocked at how much more was seeping out.

“Can’t you see? She’s lost her child! Go call Dan Yunji!” Pin’er scolded Dodo, then added, as Dodo’s silhouette receded, “Tell Dan Yunji to summon a doctor—say Yan’er’s child is likely lost!”

Pin’er rose helplessly, intending to press Yan’er’s acupoints to stop the bleeding, but remembered her martial skills were sealed by the master—now she was no different from any ordinary woman. If she acted rashly, it might cause further trouble.

She looked at the blood pooling beneath Yan’er, realizing this child’s tragic death was partly her own sin. Even if Orlan hadn’t acted, the child wouldn’t have survived. With great effort, she half-carried Yan’er into the room, leaving a trail of blood behind—truly disturbing.

“Yan’er, Yan’er, wake up.” Pin’er pressed her philtrum, hoping to revive her. After a while, Yan’er remained unconscious; Pin’er anxiously glanced at the door, hoping Dan Yunji would hurry. Yan’er was so weak, even her life was at risk.

Footsteps rushed over; Emerald Bamboo slipped behind a distant tree. Dan Yunji and Dodo dashed into the courtyard, while Emerald Bamboo sneered and went to report.

“What happened?” Dan Yunji, sweating profusely, looked at Yan’er lying on the bed, blood soaking the bedding, her face devoid of color—a scene of horror.

“Steward, Yan’er was unconscious by the well when Dodo and I arrived. She’s still not awake.” Pin’er’s blood-stained white dress made her uncomfortable—she felt almost like a murderer herself.

“I’ve already sent for a doctor. The general was summoned to the palace last night and hasn’t returned. What should we do?” Dan Yunji knew Pan Yueyang cared most for the child in Yan’er’s belly. Now, with him absent, such disaster had struck…

“If Yan’er survives, it will be a miracle—forget the child, saving her is paramount!” Pin’er couldn’t stand Dan Yunji’s indecision.

“I’ll go report to the princess then, sigh!” Dan Yunji turned to leave.

“Wait!” Pin’er stood. “You and Dodo stay; I’ll report to the princess.” With that, Pin’er left the room. Since the princess had sent her to see Yan’er, there must be further schemes. If she wanted to leave the general’s residence, it was better to seek a reason from the princess than to vanish without explanation.

Orlan, hearing Emerald Bamboo’s whispered report, smiled triumphantly. She hadn’t expected to kill two birds with one stone—using Yan’er to eliminate Pin’er. Even if Yan’er survived, Pin’er would surely die.

Emerald Bamboo pouted—princess was truly formidable, able to sweep away both those little wretches!

Voices sounded outside; Emerald Bamboo looked toward the source. “Princess, that wretch Pin’er is here.”

Orlan’s smile grew fiercer. “Tell her I’m asleep.” She lay back on the imperial couch, feigning rest.

Emerald Bamboo, understanding, went to the outer room with a smile. “Madam Pin’er.”

“Emerald Bamboo, I wish to see the princess, lady.” Pin’er was unhurried; she calculated that Orlan would stall, and intentionally played along.

“But the princess is resting; I dare not disturb her.” Emerald Bamboo replied obediently.

“Very well, Pin’er will wait here then.” Pin’er sat down; besides the princess, everyone here was a servant.

Emerald Bamboo glared at Pin’er and entered the bedroom. “Princess, princess,” she whispered in Orlan’s ear, “that wretch Pin’er is surprisingly calm, sitting outside saying she’ll wait for you to wake.”

“Let her wait.” The prey was already trapped—why rush? Orlan closed her eyes, smiling in satisfaction.

“But princess…” Emerald Bamboo whispered again, causing Orlan’s eyes to snap open.

Yes, Pan Yueyang was still detained in the palace. If he suddenly returned, he might protect the two wretches, and all her efforts would be in vain.

“Let her in.” Orlan picked up a grape.

“Princess, lady, this humble maid greets you,” Pin’er bowed, kneeling.

“Oh! Sister, how is it you’re covered in blood?” Orlan feigned alarm, dropping her grape.

“Princess, lady, Pin’er went to see Yan’er—she’s at death’s door. The blood is not mine,” Pin’er answered steadily.

“What happened?” Orlan raised her voice.

Pin’er reported everything she had witnessed, and Orlan sneered coldly. “Call Dan Yunji to me!” Her phoenix eyes flashed.

Soon Dan Yunji, trembling, knelt before Orlan with Pin’er and Dodo.

“Speak—what happened?” Orlan touched her jade earring, face dark.

“The maid Dodo called me to the courtyard, where I found Yan’er covered in blood on the bed, a trail of blood behind her. Madam Pin’er told me to fetch a doctor. When the doctor arrived, Yan’er had already miscarried and hasn’t regained consciousness.” Dan Yunji reported truthfully.

“Oh? So you weren’t the first to see Yan’er?” Orlan hinted.

“No, only Madam Pin’er was there when I arrived.” Dan Yunji sweated for Pin’er.

“What do you have to say?” Orlan looked at Pin’er, her white dress stiff with dried blood.

“I have nothing to say; as the steward said, I was indeed the first to find Yan’er,” Pin’er replied calmly. Dodo’s heart raced—after all, it was the princess who sent them there.

“Why did you suddenly visit Yan’er?” Orlan stared intently at Pin’er.

What do you think? Pin’er smiled inwardly. “I am Yan’er’s sister; today I simply thought of her and went to visit.”

Crash! A teacup shattered.

“How dare you! You all know Yan’er carries the general’s child. I merely punished her, keeping her in my courtyard to guard against ill intentions. Who would have thought, among you, someone would dare commit such a crime under my very nose!” Orlan unleashed royal authority; the three on the floor all kowtowed.

“Princess, please investigate,” they said in unison.

“Humph, lock Pin’er up first! I refuse to believe this wretch’s stubborn mouth will remain so… forever!” Orlan sneered; Emerald Bamboo sneered with her.

“I admit my fault! Yan’er was indeed harmed by me!”