Chapter 3: I Have Come to Collect a Debt

Madam He gradually fell into a deep sleep. Yuetang yielded her seat to the maid and stepped out of the main chamber, gazing up into the pitch-black sky, then strolled along the deserted corridor to the small garden.

Hualin approached from behind and handed her a pill. “How was the timing on today’s batch?”

Yuetang unwrapped the wax pill, chewed it, and glanced toward the distant long house. “Still need one more furnace of fire.”

Hualin nodded, lowered his head, and withdrew.

There was no moon in the sky—only darkness as black as ink.

Like every night thick with hidden dangers and deadly intentions.

Yuetang raised her hand to touch the scar behind her ear, beneath the hairline, then swept aside the floral branch and stepped into the garden.

…

Only a single oil lamp flickered inside the long house.

Madam Zhang was utterly exhausted from the ordeal; after her hoarse screams faded, she collapsed into a corner.

Her heart was filled with terror—she could not fathom that He Xu was truly dead, right under her very eyes!

Though jealous and resentful of his debauchery, she had never wished him dead!

If he was gone, she would become a widow!

Fear gnawed at her heart—now not only was he dead, but she was branded a murderer!

The He family would surely exact vengeance!

What was she to do?

Zhang’s family was humble and small; she had never owned a single decent piece of jewelry until three years ago when fortunes changed. She became a young mistress, took charge of the household, and handled vast wealth beyond anything she had known.

But now, after merely three years, she faced execution as a murderer—how could she accept this fate?!

“Let me out!”

But no sound came from outside; once she was locked in, the servants had withdrawn from the courtyard.

They found her noisy—they even dared to find her noisy!

“Squeak—”

Suddenly, a faint noise came from beneath the back window.

She jumped in alarm and spun around—

Only to see the previously bolted window now open, and a figure lightly leapt inside, settling in with a smirk directed at her.

Zhang scrambled upright.

“Lin?… You wretched woman!”

Yuetang strolled into the room. “You still have some spirit left.”

“I’ll kill you!”

Zhang’s voice tore out, hoarse and distorted, as she grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it.

The He family’s accusations were vile enough, but this harlot was even worse!

If not for her, He Xu wouldn’t have argued with her; if not for that quarrel, the He family wouldn’t have used it as grounds to frame her for murder!

And if not for her, Madam He wouldn’t have been manipulated into insisting that Zhang was the culprit!

This sly, venomous vixen!

Yuetang caught the vase and slapped her across the face.

Zhang was stunned.

Yuetang then patted her cheek gently. “Be good, don’t make a fuss.”

Zhang’s expression twisted suddenly.

Yuetang lowered her hand and produced a badge.

Zhang’s eyes shifted at the sight of it. “A token from the Imperial City Guard… How did you get this?!”

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