She was buried alive at the start, but she's determined to smash her ex-husband's head in

The Duke of Mu's mansion was much larger than the Lin mansion, with its pavilions and towers exuding elegance amidst their luxury, and servants moving about in an orderly fashion.

Everything here is bright, just like the boy beside me.

Qi Yanzhi enthusiastically introduced everything around him to Lin Qingwei: "This is the front hall of my house, there's nothing to see here. There must be a lot of people crowding in the back yard. You probably don't like crowded and noisy places. Let me take you to the garden, it's cool and quiet there."

She followed Qi Yanzhi with a smile, but her eyes were searching around. Before she could answer Qi Yanzhi's question, a small commotion broke out in the crowd not far away.

"It seems something has happened to Mother. I'll go check on her. Your Highness, don't worry about me. You can go about your business."

"Actually, I don't have anything to do..." I have my own things to do.

Before she could finish speaking, Lin Qingwei walked towards the direction of the Ye family. Just as she was about to chase after her, Ah Xi came running over with a beaming smile.

He said, "Your Highness! Prince Yong has returned to the capital! He is currently having tea with the Duke in his study! He invites you to come over as well!"

"Master is back!" Qi Yanzhi's eyes lit up, and he immediately followed Ah Xi toward the study on the east side.

Lin Qingwei was really curious about what had happened to frighten Ye Shi so much.

Ye's face was deathly pale, as if a layer of paint could be scraped off, as if she had seen a vengeful ghost standing at her bedside in the middle of the night, demanding her life.

A fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead, tiny beads of which clung to his bloodless face, making him look frightening.

Lin Xiuyao immediately helped Ye Shi up and asked worriedly, "Is Mother feeling unwell?"

"No, it's nothing. I probably didn't get enough rest last night." She forced herself to calm down and ignore the figure that had long since disappeared into the crowd.

Ye had a good reputation, and in addition, she was engaged to the Duke of Mu's family. The ladies around her were also very concerned and pulled her to sit down.

At this moment, Lin Qingwei walked over, holding a cup of freshly brewed tea, and handed it to Madam Ye with a smile: "Mother."

As she saw Lin Qingwei's face getting closer and closer, Madam Ye shrank back as if she had seen a ghost, her eyes wide open. In full view of everyone, she actually picked up the cup of boiling tea and smashed it into Lin Qingwei's face.

She was extremely averse to Lin Qingwei's approach, to the point of fear.

No one expected the Ye family to make such a move, not even Lin Qingwei and Lin Xiuyao.

The scalding hot tea rushed towards her, and by the time Lin Qingwei reacted, it was too late to dodge. At the critical moment, a black figure blocked her way. She heard the person let out a low groan, followed by the gasps of the ladies and young women.

"Your Excellency, please forgive me! Mother did not mean it!"

Pei Zhaoan's collar was completely wet, and the reddened skin could be vaguely seen under his collar. His sharp eyebrows were full of anger. Lin Xiuyao was so frightened that her lips turned white, and she immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

He sneered and squatted down, picking up the broken pieces of porcelain from the ground. He grabbed Lin Xiuyao's neck with one hand and pressed the broken pieces against her beautiful, delicate cheek with the other.

"Then it wasn't intentional on my part."

With a fierce look in his eyes, he forcefully thrust the porcelain shard into her. Lin Xiuyao was so frightened that she almost fainted and didn't dare to move. Only then did Ye Shi react and rush between the two of them to block Lin Xiuyao.

"Your Excellency, please forgive me! It was a slip of the hand that accidentally injured you; it had nothing to do with Yao'er! You mustn't hurt her."

Pei Zhaoan disgustedly shoved Ye aside: "Doesn't Madam Lin know that I never show mercy to so-called innocent people?"

“My lord, you are injured. It’s hot in the summer, so it would be best to treat it as soon as possible,” Lin Qingwei said.

The situation was very strange. She thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out. Why was Madam Ye so shocked just now, and why did she treat her like that in front of everyone? She valued her reputation the most. Even if she hated herself to the extreme, she would not be rude in such a situation. At most, she would just make a few sarcastic remarks.

Also, why was she so terrified when she first saw him?

It seemed that she knew he was Lin Qingwei the moment she saw him, which is why she tried so hard to prevent him from returning to the Lin family mansion.

But I have no relation to Lin Qingwei at all. Do they really look that alike?

Upon hearing Lin Qingwei's voice, Pei Zhaoan actually let go of her hand and stood up, but a burning anger raged within him that he could not dispel.

"Miss Lin is really kind. She's been made things difficult for by her own mother several times, yet she doesn't seem to care at all?"

Everyone sighed in dismay; it turned out the rumors were true! This Miss Lin was so unloved! But Madam Ye seemed very kind; she didn't seem like the type to mistreat her own daughter.

Lin Qing smiled slightly and bowed respectfully to Pei Zhao'an: "When it comes to kindness, how can I compare to the Grand Secretary who stepped forward? Thank you, Grand Secretary!"

He stood up for her and was ridiculed! Ha! He must be out of his mind to waste his time here! Pei Zhaoan snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves and left.

Lin Qingwei helped Lin Xiuyao, who was slumped on the ground, to her feet and carefully tidied her hair and clothes: "Little sister, were you frightened?"

Lin Xiuyao had a bad feeling about Lin Qingwei's closeness, and she shook off her hand and took a step back.

"It seems that Miss Lin doesn't have a good relationship with her family."

"Her appearance is impeccable, and her manners are impeccable. She doesn't seem like a young lady who has been raised on the estate for many years."

"I don't think this Miss Lin is as disrespectful and arrogant as the rumors say. On the contrary..."

"Oh dear, it's their family matter, how can we possibly understand it?"

As soon as Pei Zhaoan left, the ladies and young women breathed a sigh of relief and began to whisper among themselves. However, their voices were not exactly quiet, and the three members of the Lin family heard every single word.

Lin Xiuyao hadn't recovered from the shock she'd just experienced when Lin Qingwei stole the spotlight, and she put on a weak and vulnerable act again.

"Sister, please don't be offended. I was really frightened. But speaking of which, why would the Grand Secretary stand up for you?" She raised her innocent and naive face. "Moreover, this morning, the Grand Secretary even came to the Lin residence in person to pick you up. Could it be that you were already acquainted with the Grand Secretary before?"

"Oh dear! Sister, please keep your voice down! If the Grand Secretary hears you talking about him behind his back, your tongue will be in danger!"

Lin Xiuyao remembered the fear she felt when Pei Zhaoan pressed a sharp piece of porcelain against her face, and she shut her mouth in fright. She only hated that Lin Qingwei changed the subject and dared not admit her relationship with Pei Zhaoan!

That shameless woman! She already has a prince! And she still dares to seduce Pei Zhao'an, that devil! She's truly fearless!

Lin Qingwei ignored Lin Xiuyao completely, focusing instead on observing Ye Shi's expression.

Why does she seem to resist looking at her own face?

Is she resisting this face, or Lin Qingwei himself? What other secrets does the Ye family hold?