Lu Zhaoling had skillfully fashioned the original lantern cover into a round fan. On its surface, she painted the silhouette of a young girl.
As soon as she finished, Qingbao cried out in shock, "This looks just like Miss He!"
Qingyin was equally stunned. Even though it was only a profile view, the hairstyle, forehead, nose, and chin were identical to He Lianxin!
Their young miss actually had such a talent! Qingyin and Qingbao both felt that Lu Zhaoling was like a treasure trove; they were constantly discovering her prowess bit by bit.
Lu Zhaoling didn't intend to take He Lianxin's life. Therefore, she had dispelled most of the Death Qi and Resentful Energy from the round fan, leaving only a small amount roughly equivalent to the pair of green jade bracelets.
Regardless of whether the He family knew about the issue with the bracelets, the fact remained that they had sent old bracelets that had been worn for a long time. Either way, they had harbored intentions of bullying her.
"I'm merely returning the favor," Lu Zhaoling said, looking at the fan. "Even if the He family doesn't want to accept my gift, they won't be able to resist taking a closer look once they see the portrait."
As long as they held the fan to inspect it, they would succumb to it.
Qingyin found a brocade box and placed the fan inside. "Miss, I'll deliver the return gift to the He family immediately!"
"Mm, go on then."
Qingyin left with the box in hand.
Inside Prince Jin's Mansion, Zhou Shiyue was listening to the information his housekeeper had gathered.
"Those nine Thousand-work Lanterns Marquis Qingfu had were also gifted to him by someone else. After receiving them, he sent three to our mansion, three to the Fu Family, and three to the Lu Family."
"The Lu Family?"
"Yes, they were likely delivered to Madam Lu. I'm not sure if the Second Miss has seen them yet. Your Highness, should we send someone to check? The Second Miss said these lanterns contain Death Qi; we can't let them harm the Lu family."
Uncle Yun was feeling a bit anxious. He hadn't expected Marquis Qingfu to send lanterns to the Lu Family as well.
"And there's the Fu Family. It would be trouble if Physician Fu hangs them up."
"Qingfeng," Prince Jin called his guard. "Send someone to the Fu Family to retrieve those three lanterns and take them to Lu Zhaoling. Also, inform her that the Lu Family received three as well."
"Understood." Qingfeng left immediately.
"Your Highness, the Liu Family claims they made a total of eighteen Thousand-work Lanterns this year. However, judging by their reaction, they don't seem to know anything is wrong with them. Furthermore, all eighteen have been sold, and the Liu Family is unwilling to provide a list of buyers."
In other words, besides the nine lanterns Marquis Qingfu obtained, there were nine more whose whereabouts were unknown.
Prince Jin rested his elbow on the table, propping his chin in his hand as he pondered for a moment. "The eighteen lanterns might not all be problematic, but we must find out who they went to. I'll have men keep an eye on the Liu Family workshop first."
"Your Highness, do you think Marquis Qingfu knew there was something wrong with these lanterns?" Uncle Yun asked. If he did, it meant he had intentionally tried to harm the Prince.
"He likely knew they were unlucky. Marquis Qingfu doesn't have much of a brain," Prince Jin said with utter disdain.
If he had any sense, would he have sent the lanterns to exactly the three parties he had grievances with?
Lu Zhaoling had whipped Zhu Minghao unconscious; Prince Jin had backed her up; and Physician Fu had healed her wounds. Thus, all three of them had offended Marquis Qingfu.
For Marquis Qingfu to so blatantly send the lanterns to those three families... Prince Jin didn't even know how to describe it. One word: stupid.
Uncle Yun grew angry. "He dared harbor such thoughts against Your Highness? He truly deserves to die."
If Lu Zhaoling hadn't happened to visit the mansion and noticed the lanterns, Marquis Qingfu might have actually succeeded in harming the Prince!
Prince Jin's gaze turned cool. "Take two men to Marquis Qingfu's Mansion. Tell them I've obtained a special ointment from abroad that works wonders on whip wounds."
"Ointment?" Uncle Yun was puzzled. Had the Prince obtained some sort of fine medicine? Then, he saw Prince Jin have a guard bring over a bottle of ointment.
"Your Highness, considering the current situation, would Marquis Qingfu even dare let his son use medicine sent by you?"
Prince Jin arched an eyebrow. "I'm sending it; does he dare not use it? Have men strip Zhu Minghao and apply it on the spot. This is my kind intent, and I won't allow him to refuse."
Uncle Yun took the bottle. "Is this appropriate?" If there was something wrong with the medicine, wouldn't that give Marquis Qingfu grounds to sue the Prince?
"Just go and do as I said," Prince Jin waved a hand.
Though confused, Uncle Yun left for Marquis Qingfu's Mansion.
Marquis Qingfu was currently feeling apprehensive. What exactly did those lanterns do? The person who sent them claimed that if they were hung for a few days, the household would suffer misfortune.
He had inspected the lanterns repeatedly. Other than the exquisite craftsmanship, he couldn't see anything wrong with them. However, the sender had been so certain, and their previous gifts had always worked as advertised. Thus, the Marquis chose to believe.
He just wanted to see Prince Jin's Mansion suffer! It was perfect that the lanterns appeared normal; Prince Jin wouldn't suspect him. Furthermore, Lu Zhaoling and that old man Fu who had the temper of a dog needed to suffer as well.
Zhu Minghao had been covered in wounds from the whipping. He had sent men to fetch Physician Fu, only for the old man to say he was too lazy to treat such minor injuries! None of them were good people.
"Father, when can I finally go to the palace?" Zhu Minghao's wounds had scabbed over, and he was able to get up. He was anxious to see the Empress Dowager and file a complaint so she could seek justice for him.
But Marquis Qingfu felt the timing wasn't right. "What's the rush? The Empress Dowager is busy right now. We have to wait until the Retired Emperor is interred in the Imperial Mausoleum..."
"But I really can't wait! And I want that brat from the Lu Family!"
Over the past few days, every time his whip wounds throbbed, Zhu Minghao thought of Lu Zhaoling. The more it hurt, the clearer her image became in his mind. Because of the pain, he had been thinking about her for days! No woman had ever dared to treat him like that; she was the first.
Marquis Qingfu's expression shifted slightly. "Minghao, she's already been granted in marriage to Prince Jin. How can you still be after her?"
"Prince Jin is shameless, stealing a woman from me!" Zhu Minghao jumped up, but at the thought of Prince Jin's cold, piercing gaze, he shrank back. "I won't go after her directly; I'll find another way. Father, if that girl were to climb into my bed on her own, Prince Jin couldn't exactly blame me, could he?"
He could find a way to make Prince Jin suffer in silence! Regardless, the Empress Dowager doted on him, and the Emperor would surely take his side. No matter how powerful Prince Jin was, he was no match for the Emperor.
"You brat, don't you dare do anything reckless!" Marquis Qingfu was startled by his words. "That girl could whip you into this state; how could she possibly deliver herself to your door?"
What a pipe dream!
Zhu Minghao rubbed his chin with a wicked smile. "There's always a way."
She was spicy, and he liked it!
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