Chapter 71: A Clever Scheme

He, Xue Tan… It was Xue Tan who saved her.

In an instant, Lin Jinhuan’s mind went blank. Yet there was little sense of humiliation in her heart, for Xue Tan had acted to rescue her; instead, she felt a deep guilt. Such a noble young man, forced to do so undignified a thing… Even though it was to save her, Lin Jinhuan still felt she had sullied his honor.

He continued to breathe air into her, slowly, until her head spun dizzy. It seemed even more exhilarating than the shock she’d felt moments before—she and he, to have shared such intimate proximity? Her heart fluttered somewhat, but more than anything, she felt lost.

Now that she had experienced such closeness with him, her choices were either to offer herself to him or become a nun. She’d never considered the latter, not even when her parents passed away; but for this matter, to send her to a convent? She’d rather die. Yet if she gave herself to him, would Xue Tan accept? If not, how could she ever face the world?

She felt the brush of lashes against her eyelids, a sign she was awakening. Xue Tan slowly opened his eyes, meeting her anxious gaze, then sat up, his tone calm: “Cousin Jinhuan.”

Lin Jinhuan also sat up, but unexpectedly, the robe slipped from her body, exposing her smooth arms and the pale undergarment that clung to her trembling chest. Only now did she realize all her clothes had fallen into the water—her outer garment had come undone when she fell, and perhaps something beneath the surface had caught and pulled away her inner layers. She turned to look at the water, but saw no trace of them; even if she wished to retrieve and wear the garments again, it would be impossible.

She quickly gathered the robe, covering her chest once more. Though soaked, it still carried a distinct scent—his scent—lingering at her nose, making her cheeks burn and her heart swirl with an indescribable shame, and yet, a sweetness mingled in.

Saving her had drained every ounce of Xue Tan’s strength; he could almost feel his blood freezing inch by inch, his legs stiff, arms powerless, nearly collapsing entirely. But he couldn’t let himself fall; he had to hold on. Lin Jinhuan’s robe rose and fell, her fair and flushed skin fleeting before his eyes. Xue Tan instinctively turned away, feeling their closeness was too much, and shifted a foot further to the side.

“Cousin Tan, I—I didn’t mean to,” Lin Jinhuan said, seeing his expression darken, her lips trembling like petals in the wind. Behind her, the lush green contrasted with her flushed cheeks, making her look all the more delicate and pitiable.

“I know you didn’t mean it.” Xue Tan didn’t blame her. He gently brushed away the moss sticking to his sleeve, frowned, stared at his uncooperative legs, and silently clenched his fists. His body had only just begun to recover, and he’d come to this garden for a stroll, but after falling into the water, who knew when he’d be well again.

Lin Jinhuan’s heart hadn’t settled, wanting to say more, but suddenly her nose tingled and she sneezed loudly. Embarrassed, she dared not meet Xue Tan’s eyes, hugging her wet body and pondering. Both were soaked through; if they lingered here, they’d surely fall ill. But in her present state, how could she leave the garden? Moreover, after all that had happened between her and Xue Tan, should she say what ought or ought not to be said?

But Xue Tan’s pale face was turning blue, his lips unnaturally flushed—he truly couldn’t endure any longer. Even if she wished to speak, now was not the time.

She wrapped herself in Xue Tan’s robe, rose, and reached beneath his arm. “Cousin Tan, let me help you back.”

Xue Tan shook his head, refusing. “You go ahead. At the main gate, call for Xue Zhu. Have him find you a change of clothes, then send someone to carry me.”

Main gate? Lin Jinhuan glanced around and saw only the small door she’d entered—no one was there now.

“The main entrance is on the other side of the pond,” Xue Tan raised his arm, pointing to a spot hidden among the bamboo.

Lin Jinhuan followed his direction, her brows knitting. “Cousin Tan, did you see the maid who led me here?”

“I did. When she saw you fall into the water, she went out to get help, but used the small door. If you want someone to come, it won’t be soon.”

Lin Jinhuan had come without hindrance, seeing not a soul, so she believed Xue Tan’s words. The maid’s behavior was suspicious, but now was not the time to worry about it. His robe was long, so she lifted half a foot’s length to walk, carefully holding the hem as she headed toward the bamboo grove.

Xue Tan’s eyelids felt heavy as lead; his vision blurred, watching her leave, and suddenly his body tilted, falling backward.

Lin Jinhuan had only taken a few steps when she heard the sound behind her. She hurried back, saw him collapsed, and frantically helped him up, calling out in panic, “Cousin Tan, Cousin Tan…”

“What’s happened?” It was Xue Zhu, rushing in after hearing the commotion, disregarding propriety. He saw Xue Tan on the ground, his robe now worn by Lin Jinhuan, both soaked and disheveled, stopping two yards away with his back turned. “Miss Lin, why are you here?”

“Never mind that now—quickly help the master outside!” Lin Jinhuan urged. Xue Zhu nodded, hurried forward, and carried Xue Tan out. The three rushed from the garden, running into Madam Xue and others who had anxiously come searching.

“Jinhuan, what’s happened? Jinhuan, you and Tan—this, this…” Madam Xue pointed at the robe she wore, unable to look directly, covering her mouth and turning away.

“I—I fell into the water by accident, and Cousin Tan saved me. That’s why…”

“What?” Madam Xue suddenly turned, seeing Xue Tan’s weakened state, soaked through, his hands pale and bruised. “Xue Zhu, why are you standing there? Hurry, carry the master to his room and call the imperial physician!”

Xue Huaijin and her sister had noticed Lin Jinhuan’s absence and, fearing something had happened, searched everywhere and finally summoned Madam Xue. Now, they could only focus on helping, instructing the servants to boil hot water and prepare ginger tea.

Liu Chuyan saw Lin Jinhuan emerge from Emerald Garden, still wrapped in Xue Tan’s robe, listening to her explanation, and noticed the guiding maid had vanished. She guessed what had happened, nearly to the letter. However, Madam Xue’s acting was so skilled, and she kept her composure, only asking Lin Jinhuan one question. It seemed the Xue sisters were unaware, while Madam Xue was waiting for Lin Jinhuan to panic and confess.

At this moment, Liu Chuyan could do nothing to help, and seeing Lin Jinhuan’s demeanor, she truly felt both grateful and guilty toward Xue Tan, who had indeed saved her life. Liu Chuyan silently stepped forward to support her. “Sister Jinhuan, perhaps you should return to Han Manor through the small gate and change into my clothes before coming back. The weather’s turning cold; you’ll catch a chill. Come.”

Lin Jinhuan nodded, agreeing, but as she walked ahead, Madam Xue suddenly turned back. “Ah, I was so worried I got confused. Huaijin, take your cousin Jinhuan to change into your clothes, and have someone make a big pot of ginger tea in your kitchen. Falling into water isn’t serious, but if you get sick, it could be fatal.”

“Yes.” Xue Huaijin didn’t know Madam Xue’s plan, but sensed something amiss in both the household and her mother’s attitude. It seemed Lin Jinhuan was destined to become Xue Manor’s daughter-in-law. Fortunately, she liked this cousin well enough. She called for the maid and supported Lin Jinhuan back to Yixiang Garden.

By the time the imperial physician had seen Xue Tan, prescribed and prepared medicine, it was nearly midday. But the matter was far from settled; Lin Jinhuan dared not leave on her own, and Liu Chuyan stayed with her, awaiting Madam Xue’s “interrogation.”

Sure enough, as soon as the physician left, Madam Xue stormed into Yixiang Garden in a fury. Upon her arrival, all the maids knelt on the floor, even her chief maid Xue Yao trembling on her knees.

“Who was responsible for leading Miss Lin? How did she end up in Emerald Garden?” Madam Xue slammed the table, making the teacups jump, yet no one dared approach to calm her.

Xue Huaijin looked around and asked Xue Yao, “Wasn’t it your arrangement? Who did you send?”

“It was Zhizhou’s cousin, but the girl is unfamiliar—I don’t know her name yet,” Xue Yao answered, head lowered.

“Zhizhou’s cousin?” Of course Madam Xue knew Zhizhou well, since she herself had assigned Zhizhou to Xue Huaijin, sneering, “Zhizhou’s parents are servants from my natal family; when have they had other relatives? Where did this cousin come from? Huaijin, do you not know the backgrounds of those around you?”

Suddenly singled out, Xue Huaijin didn’t know how to respond, her lips trembling with grievance, tears brimming in her eyes. “Mother, Zhizhou is yours, assigned last month to replace Lier, who got married. But Xue Yao is also yours—if she doesn’t know, how would I?”

Madam Xue quickly put on a smile, squeezing her hand. “Huaijin, don’t blame your mother—I’m just upset and confused.”

Was it confusion, or shirking responsibility? Who could tell. Xue Huaijin was unconvinced, pursing her lips but saying nothing.

Madam Xue didn’t mind, pointing at Xue Yao. “Xue Yao, hurry and find that impostor cousin.”

“Yes,” Xue Yao responded, immediately leaving to search.

Liu Chuyan found Madam Xue amusing; that so-called cousin was likely Madam Xue’s own invention. Soon, Xue Yao would report back that the girl had vanished, evaporated from existence. Then Madam Xue’s scheme would lack a witness, and the matter would be left unresolved. Afterwards, she’d only need to admonish Lin Jinhuan as she had done before. And Lin Jinhuan, genuinely indebted to Xue Manor, would surely respond to kindness with greater gratitude.

At present, Lin Jinhuan still lay in bed in the inner chamber. This was merely a performance; should rumors spread, outsiders would have nothing to criticize. Madam Xue’s strategy was truly clever.

Just as Liu Chuyan anticipated, in the time it took for a cup of tea, Xue Yao returned—the “cousin” was nowhere to be found, vanished as if into thin air. Instead, the old matron who had disappeared earlier came back with Xue Yao, whispering a few words in Madam Xue’s ear.

Madam Xue hadn’t heard more than a few sentences before her rage burst forth, nearly jumping with fury, unable to contain her anger even in the presence of Liu Chuyan and Han Shuwei, the younger generation.

Author’s Note: The power outage lasted so long tonight, I thought updates wouldn’t be possible. Luckily, it worked out. But lately things have been so frustrating…