Lin Yuqin bit down on her lip hard enough to draw blood.
Fragments of her childhood surfaced unbidden—standing at her father's right hand, surrounded by her twelve brothers, laughter echoing through the courtyard. Back then, she had been the treasured daughter of the Lin household, cherished and protected.
Until Lin An'an appeared.
Everything changed after that.
A question rose quietly in her heart. If she became Shen Qingshu's disciple instead of Lin An'an, would it be a sin? Would her father despise her for overstepping—or would he finally feel proud that his own blood had been accepted by such a revered man from a prestigious lineage?
She closed her eyes for a brief second, steadying her breath, before lifting her gaze and meeting Lin Yue's searching eyes through the bronze mirror.
"I want to try…"
For eighteen years, Lin Yuqin had lived as a gentle and obedient daughter.
Seven years of ignorance, pain, and quiet suffering had taught her one harsh truth.
No one would truly care for her future.
And if that was the case, why should she continue to sacrifice everything she had?
If Lin Yue had known what was passing through Lin Yuqin's mind at that moment, she would have given her an enthusiastic thumbs-up and insisted they celebrate properly.
No one would ever care for her the way she hoped.
If that was the case, why should she continue sacrificing everything?
Had Lin Yue known what her sister was thinking at that moment, she would have given her a firm thumbs-up and insisted they celebrate immediately.
But Lin Yue remained blissfully unaware. She reached into the hem of her garment, where she had discreetly tied a small bundle of fresh herbs she had picked earlier that morning while walking with Qing He.
These herbs were commonly overlooked by servants and deemed as worthless weeds, yet in skilled hands, they were worth more than twenty silver coins.
From her memories, there was a man named Xu Wenyi, in the capital who specialized in refining rare herbs into medicine.
Lin Yue intended not only to trade with him, but to establish a connection.
She spread the herbs out before Lin Yuqin. Several of them were unfamiliar even to the young mistress.
"What is this?" Lin Yuqin asked, pointing at a stalk of Huang Qin. "And this one, Mei Lin?"
Lin Yue chuckled at her expression. Though Lin Yuqin was already eighteen, her curiosity made her resemble an innocent eleven-year-old.
Patiently, Lin Yue explained each herb—their properties, their medicinal value, and how they could be sold to Xu Wenyi for a good price.
She even mentioned that these same herbs grew in abundance within the Second Young Mistress's courtyard, carelessly ignored by her servants.
She planned to take advantage of that.
When Lin Yuqin realized that this meant trespassing into Lin An'an's territory, she shook her head immediately. "It's too risky, Mei Lin. Do you know the punishment for trespassing there?"
"If I don't try, how will we ever know, Young Mistress?" Lin Yue replied calmly. "Besides, I'm not the naïve girl you think I am anymore. This household has taught me everything I need to know."
Lin Yuqin opened her mouth to refuse again, but the resolve in Lin Yue's eyes stopped her.
"…Fine," she said at last. "But if you sense any danger at all, leave immediately."
Lin Yue nodded firmly.
That afternoon, after finishing her duties and ensuring Lin Yuqin was settled, Lin Yue quietly made her way toward the east wing.
Lin An'an's courtyard, known as Jade Spring Pavilion.
...
Lin Yue knew that Lin An'an, the second young mistress, was deeply pampered by the Lin household, yet she hadn't expected the indulgence to reach such an extent.
Lin An'an's courtyard was nearly twice the size of Lin Yuqin's. Every path was paved neatly, every corner carefully tended, as though no expense had been spared.
What unsettled Lin Yue more was the level of security. The guards were posted discreetly but efficiently—far tighter than she had anticipated.
Her purpose, however, was not to pry into private affairs.
She had come for a specific reason: to find the patch of herbs described in the novel.
According to the later chapters, it was only after Shen Qingshu visited Lin An'an's courtyard that he discovered the rare and valuable herbs growing abundantly in her garden.
That single discovery had elevated Lin An'an's reputation overnight. Merchants from all corners flocked to negotiate, her wealth multiplying rapidly. Even her standing in the duke's eyes had risen significantly.
That opportunity had been waiting in plain sight all along.
Lin Yue didn't intend to take half.
She intended to take everything.
Not only would she harvest the herbs, she would transplant as many as possible into Lin Yuqin's courtyard. In the near future, these plants would become the foundation for large-scale cultivation and used for mass production.
Fortunately, Lin Yuqin had already prepared a coarse sack for her, along with several small clay pots suitable for transplanting.
After carefully observing the patrols and ensuring the coast was clear, Lin Yue pressed herself against the wall. With practiced movements, she scaled it swiftly and quietly, landing soundlessly on the other side.
Keeping low, she headed toward the far end of the courtyard, where the herbs were said to grow.
Indeed, hidden among the overgrown greenery was a patch of ginseng, angelica root, and licorice root.
Herbs that are priceless treasures in ancient times, yet are considered ordinary and easily overlooked in the modern age.
Lin Yue dropped to her knees without hesitation and began carefully collecting each medicinal plant.
Her movements were precise and practiced, fingers loosening the soil with patience as she freed the roots intact.
Once the harvest was complete, she started transplanting the healthier specimens, wrapping their roots in damp earth to preserve their vitality.
Spring had just settled in, and the garden still carried traces of last night's rain.
Dew clung to the tender leaves, trembling faintly as her hands brushed past them.
The soil was cool and soft, releasing a fresh, earthy scent with every movement.
A thin mist lingered near the ground, and for a fleeting moment, the courtyard looked deceptively peaceful.
When Lin Yue finally straightened up, her hands were coated in mud, and the hem of her garment—pressed against the earth for so long—was soaked and stained.
Her gaze fell on the remaining patch of herbs.
Her heart tightened.
Hatred surged sharply in her chest.
She despised Lin An'an—so much so that she did not want her to keep even a single root of these plants.
Gritting her teeth, Lin Yue lifted her foot and stomped down on the remaining herbs, crushing the tender shoots beneath her heel.
Those that resisted, she ripped out by the roots, showing no mercy.
She even spat on the trampled ground.
This was what the Second Young Mistress deserved.
By the time Lin Yue arrived at Spring Plum Court, it was already noon.
The sun blazed mercilessly overhead, the heat oppressive despite the rain that had fallen the night before.
Inside, Lin Yuqin paced anxiously across the room.
The moment she caught sight of Lin Yue approaching, relief washed over her face.
She nearly forgot herself and rushed forward, only stopping when she noticed the heavy bundle Lin Yue was carrying.
Quickly, she stepped in to support her instead.
They brought the herbs inside together.
Lin Yuqin sensibly spread out a clean mat, and Lin Yue laid the herbs upon it. Working side by side, they sorted each plant carefully, separating them by type before bundling them in cloth to prevent decay.
The potted herbs were immediately sent to the secluded backyard, hidden from prying eyes and freshly planted.
Lin Yuqin resolved to tend to them personally, watering them each day until they took firm root and flourished.
By the time everything was finished, both women were exhausted and painfully hungry.
Lin Yuqin offered for Lin Yue to rest in her quarters, but Lin Yue refused without hesitation.
Mei Lin had already suffered enough punishment. If word reached the senior matron that she had stayed in the young mistress's courtyard, her troubles would only multiply.
"We have to leave early tomorrow morning, Young Mistress," Lin Yue said quietly. "The courtyard will still be asleep then, and the market will be less crowded."
Since the next day was a market day, the household would be too preoccupied to concern themselves with a lowly mistress like Lin Yuqin.
In the bustle, Mei Lin's brief absence would go unnoticed.
After settling their plan, Lin Yue headed toward the servants' quarters to bathe and change.
Only then would she collect Lin Yuqin's meal from the kitchen staff.