Phoniex Requiem
Chapter 7: Cleaning Up the Disgusting Elements

Chapter 7: Cleaning Up the Disgusting Elements

The magnificent front door of the Lin family clarified their position as one of the most prestigious families in the Li kingdom. As soon as Yun Ruoyan entered, her two cousins happily rushed out of the house to greet her and ran around her feet. “Sister, sister! It's been a long time since you last came to see us!”

Perhaps Yun Ruoyan's mind was toying with him, but she felt that their "Sister" call was much more pleasant than her brothers in the Yun family.

As they took the lead, Yun Ruoyan entered Lin Zainan's study and pill refining room. His grandfather seemed very happy to receive a sudden visit from his grandson, and quickly waved his hand to the side to sit down.

After speaking some pleasantries, Yun Ruoyan went straight to the point, showing a silver bracelet on her wrist. Lin Zainan immediately recognized the bracelet: it was part of the dowry she had prepared for Yun Ruoyan's mother, who then gave it to her daughter.

The only difference was a few black spots in the middle of the fine carving.

"Is there poison in your body?" Lin Zainan's gaze was fixed on Yun Ruoyan's birthmark.

Yun Ruoyan inwardly admired her grandfather's vision. “Grandfather, I suspect someone in the Yun family has given me a slow-acting poison.”

Lin Zainan was somewhat amazed by the insight and bold claims of her grandson. He sat there for a moment, clutching his white beard while thinking about everything. "Ruoyan, if you can endure the pain, I can help you figure out what this poison is."

Yun Ruoyan hurriedly replied, "Of course, I can definitely endure a bit of pain!"

Lin Zainan looked at him in satisfaction before instructing sister Lin to take out her equipment to bleed out. "Ruoyan, do you still remember what you were like in the past?"

Yun Ruoyan looked at her grandfather, the greatest pill expert on the continent, and her mind went back in time. He had been tested and identified with a rare talent for pill making, but for some reason, his talent continued to diminish until he could not even become a third rank swordsman.

The cultivation of this third stage was still considered fundamental; in the Chenyuan continent, even the most untalented cultivators could reach this stage with just grit and determination!

Not only that, while Yun Ruoyan's talent disappeared, her birthmark grew even larger.

“Grandfather, do you think this poison might affect my ability to cultivate?” Yun Ruoyan tried to guess boldly.

Lin Zainan nodded, her heart heavy. “It's very possible. Let Grandfather study this poison for a few days; hopefully, Grandfather will be able to find a cure.

Yun Ruoyan thought for a moment. "Have Grandpa heard of similar poison before?"

“No, never. Precisely because Grandpa hasn't, grandfather is worrying about you more and more. It's been a long time since grandpa retired, and there may be rising stars on the field for a while.”

Yun Ruoyan nodded. “Thank you for your help grandfather. I still have a lot of things to take care of at home, so I'll leave now.”

"Be careful." Lin Zainan did not hold him back for long, watching him as she bowed and left. During this visit, Yun Ruoyan appeared much more mature than before. Although he felt somewhat confused by his sudden growth, it was overshadowed by his excitement. It was only when he was far into the distance that he got up and closed the front door.

When Yun Ruoyan walked back to her own cottage, she ordered the Peony to gather all her servants. His rush to return was because he knew that, considering what he consumed was a slow-acting poison, someone around him should be the one to regulate it.

Peony and Xi Lan were both trustworthy. The Peony had always protected her, otherwise she wouldn't have been so damaging to Madam An's sight; and although Xi Lan was sometimes prone to pickpocketing, it was something that happened after she married into the Pei family. As someone without a voice in the household, he could only rely on Xi Lan's theft to keep themselves afloat.

All his servants—only four or five people—have been collected on the page. Yun Ruoyan sipped her tea slowly, unhurriedly observing their behavior.

At first, they carelessly and without attention whispered in each other's ears. There were even those who were already tired of kneeling down and wanted to ask about what was going on, but they retreated after being subjected to Xi Lan's cold gaze.

After enough time had passed, even the mischievous servants in the Yun Ruoyan residence began to feel guilty. They raised their heads towards Yun Ruoyan, who was still slowly enjoying her tea, treating them as if they were not there.

These servants, for the first time, felt the prestige of this ugly girl.

In the end, Yun Ruoyan finally spoke up. "I I like peace and quiet. Given how small this cottage is, I don't need so many servants, so for those of you who want to leave can claim three taels of silver from the Peony and make a living outside the household"

"Three taels!" Someone let out a surprised whisper from the crowd.

Yun Ruoyan glanced towards the servant who spoke, and the man quickly lowered his head. No one answered even after the break.

“This lodge is also not comparable to other ladies and ladies, and I'm sure you haven't had any fun here yet. I was disliked by father, but I had no plans to change the current accommodation. Don't let me wait; if you want to go, take the money from the Peony. It's enough money to buy a storefront and a means of living. I offer this opportunity once and only once: if you miss it, you are alone.”

As soon as he finished, a timid voice sounded, "Miss, I-I'll claim the money."

Yun Ruoyan smiled and gestured for Xi Lan to give her money.

Xi Lan stared at the shining white silver tael, barely willing to let go of it from her grasp.

And as soon as the first servant left carrying the money, the others immediately followed. Not long after the only remaining servant was a young girl, about sixteen or seventeen years old, her gaze flashed.

Yun Ruoyan knew that she was tempted. "Didn't you want the money?"

“Nona, Ling Lan is willing to serve you for life. I won't betray you and go!” The girl buried her head as she bowed.

Yun Ruoyan simply laughed coldly. He glanced at Peony and Xi Lan; xi Lan seemed to still be desperate for the loss of so much silver, but Peony's forehead wrinkled tightly. He was indeed smart enough -- even without Yun Ruoyan saying anything, Peony already understood his point.

Three taels of silver is not a small amount. As a weak and ugly girl, Yun Ruoyan knew that she had no reason to ask for loyalty from her servants. Choosing to stay, even under such circumstances, meant Ling Lan must have had another reason... and that reason was only because he received far more profit than three taels of silver from whoever he worked for.

"A humiliation!" Yun Ruoyan threw the teacup on the floor.

Ling Lan's body trembled as she finally realized something was wrong.

"Even to poison your own master, Ling Lan, you are truly brave!" Yun Ruoyan revealed the truth of the matter, one word at a time. Peony and Xi Lan wore the same shocked expression as they finally understood the reason of all these gatherings.