Chapter 35: Lin Xiaoyue Nearly Died Laughing

"Although I do not know who sent you to infiltrate the Chu residence and commit these acts against my eldest son, you have now been exposed. Even if you were to return to your master, you would face nothing but death," Liu Shuang'er said. "I can offer you a chance to live, provided you serve as a slave in my Chu residence for the rest of your life."

Lin Xiaoyue had already become a useless pawn. However, the fact that she had twice nearly harmed Hengyang and twice allowed her young daughter to witness her base behavior was undeniable. Liu Shuang'er did not intend to let her go, yet she did not wish to kill her either; she only wanted to make her live in hell, day after day.

Lin Xiaoyue understood the implication and nearly laughed out loud.

*Pfft—hahahahaha!*

She had expected this old woman to come here with some grand ultimatum for her survival, but she never imagined—this woman had actually mistaken her for a spy sent by some unknown party to destroy the Chu residence and ruin her eldest son.

She really never expected that this old woman was not only aged and wrinkled but also far less intelligent than she had imagined! She had no intention of destroying the Chu residence; she simply wanted to conquer all eight of her sons, make them her puppets and sycophants, and help her ascend to the position of Empress!

However, since the woman believed this, it would be fine to play along. After all, it was just a matter of serving as a slave in the Chu residence. It would actually make it easier for her to move about the estate freely, making it even more convenient to run around and seduce the eight ancient men she was targeting!

"Fine, I agree," Lin Xiaoyue said, desperately suppressing the urge to let her lips curl into a smirk. Her eyes were filled with self-satisfaction.

"Now, put your clothes on and get out!" Liu Shuang'er glanced at her and commanded.

Lin Xiaoyue smiled, intentionally trying to be repulsive: "Yes, Madam. This servant obeys."

Liu Shuang'er turned away, a silent, cold sneer appearing on her face. Lin Xiaoyue likely thought this servitude was nothing and would even make it easier for her to move about the Chu residence, didn't she? She truly looked forward to seeing if she would still be able to smile once she realized what being a slave actually entailed.

Chu Hengyang had been kept waiting outside by Liu Shuang'er to calm his murderous intent. Seeing her emerge, he hurried forward: "Mother, is there anything I can help you with?"

Liu Shuang'er shook her head faintly and said, "Hengyang, this courtyard is no longer fit for living. Go choose another one to move into."

"Yes." Chu Hengyang understood that this was Liu Shuang'er's signal for him to leave so that she could handle the situation. He soon walked out of the courtyard. However, looking at the gate where he had shared ambiguous interactions with Xiao Yixi, his eyes darkened with complexity. Ultimately, he chose a new residence that was quite similar to the one he had left.

In Chu Ying's bedchamber, A-Yu was clearing away the dishes and felt puzzled: "How strange, Miss. I don't know why the eldest young master suddenly moved to a different courtyard."

"Really?" Chu Ying asked, excited.

"Yes, Miss," A-Yu nodded.

Chu Ying’s eyes sparkled. What did it mean that her eldest brother had changed his living quarters? It meant that Mother had already dealt with Lin Xiaoyue in his courtyard without needing him to lift a finger! Perhaps it was already over! Her mother was truly incredible! She was indeed worthy of being the strong woman who had shattered her previous image of the world being dominated by men!

"Miss, are you going to sleep already?" A-Yu asked, surprised to see Chu Ying happily jumping toward the bed. Her mistress had slept the entire afternoon and had only just finished her meal; was she going to sleep again?

"Mmhmm," Chu Ying replied. She didn't know what had happened between her eldest brother and his wife, but it was clear that Mother had sensed their relationship was progressing poorly and might even face a major crisis! She had to sleep as much as possible to recover her strength so she could properly investigate tomorrow! She could not allow a situation where she slept through the afternoon again, letting the female lead take advantage of the opportunity!

"Then this servant will help you wash up and change into your nightclothes," A-Yu said.

Chu Ying nodded. Under A-Yu’s swift ministrations, she was quickly tucked into bed and fell asleep.

Elsewhere, Liu Shuang'er had not yet finished dealing with Lin Xiaoyue's placement. In the room, Lin Xiaoyue was still leisurely dressing herself when Li Xiu hurried in, her face etched with worry.

"What has happened?" Liu Shuang'er asked.

Li Xiu's heart was pounding. "Madam, I don't know what has come over Qiao'er; she cannot be woken up no matter how I call her. I have already had the residence physician examine her, but he could find no cause. He only said she was asleep and could discern nothing more."

Liu Shuang'er replied, "Do not worry. Lin Xiaoyue will be out shortly; we will know once we ask her."

"Yes," Li Xiu said, feeling relieved.

Liu Shuang'er did not know about Lin Xiaoyue’s use of "enchanting pheromones" to seduce Chu Hengyang; she only assumed Lin Xiaoyue had been hiding in his bed, naked, to lure him. She had never imagined that Lin Xiaoyue possessed such a skill to keep Li Qiao in a deep, unbreakable slumber.

Liu Shuang'er thought to herself: It was likely that the people behind Lin Xiaoyue had provided her with some extremely potent sleeping drug. *Hmph...* Looking at it this way, keeping Lin Xiaoyue under her own nose as a slave in the Chu residence was the best possible arrangement. Not only could she torture her daily as if she were in hell, but she could also keep a close watch on her to ensure she pulled no other tricks.

Lin Xiaoyue walked out. Seeing Liu Shuang'er and Li Xiu, she slouched as if she had no bones: "Greetings, Madam."

Li Xiu was startled at the sight of her. *This... is this Lin Xiaoyue?* How had she become so ugly? She looked completely different from the fresh, water-lily-like girl she had first met! And... what was that pungent smell? Could it be coming from her? However, the most important thing to focus on was not that, but—

"What is going on with Li Qiao?" Liu Shuang'er asked, looking at Lin Xiaoyue.

"Oh, that?" Lin Xiaoyue giggled. "Madam need not worry. Li Qiao has simply fallen asleep. She will wake up tomorrow."

*Heh,* seeing the anxious look on that old woman Li Xiu's face, she must have discovered her daughter lying on the ground, unable to be woken. They probably both thought something terrible had happened to Li Qiao and likely attributed it to some sleeping draught given to her by her "master." Truly... ancients were just ancients; they had no experience at all.

Li Xiu felt relieved. Since Lin Xiaoyue had been caught by the Madam, she surely would not dare to lie. Qiao'er must truly just be asleep, albeit by some method Lin Xiaoyue had used that made her impossible to wake.

"Mother Xiu," Liu Shuang'er said, "go to Hengyang's room, write out a deed of servitude, and bring it here."

"Yes," Li Xiu replied, moving swiftly to fetch it.

It seemed the Madam intended to make Lin Xiaoyue a slave of their Chu residence to punish her. Lin Xiaoyue was not afraid in the slightest. After all, her previous two failures were only due to the ancient man she was targeting...