CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 172: EXCESSIVE KILLING BRINGS BLOODSHED EASILY

Bai Yusen saw her find a piece of floral fabric from somewhere, wrapping it around the flowers and tying it into a bow.

A vague premonition stirred in his heart.

"What are you..."

Ji Ning, holding the chrysanthemum stem, smiled at the corner of her lips and said, "It’s rude to visit for the first time without a gift, so I’m offering fresh flowers to show my sincerity."

Bai Yusen’s pupils dilated slightly as he stood in place, watching Ji Ning’s departing figure, and suddenly started laughing.

Well, it really is...

Treating people with etiquette!

"Ding dong—"

Ji Ning pressed the doorbell of the Lin Family’s Old Mansion, and heard a woman’s voice coming from inside.

"Who are you looking for?"

Bai Yusen approached and replied politely, "Hello, I am Bai Yusen from the Bai Family, here for a special visit to Old Madam Lin today."

The woman recognized Bai Yusen and immediately opened the door to let them in.

The Lin Family villa had the same layout as the Bai Family villa, both with front and back yards.

Ji Ning glanced at the thick tree in the yard, noticing a stone platform built around it to protect it from external damage.

Next to the tree was a stone tablet with large characters engraved: Tree of Hope.

A signature with an ancient-style character "Ji".

This must have been specially constructed by someone in later generations.

She certainly didn’t have the leisure to erect a tablet for a tree she casually planted back then.

"This tree is the most valuable thing in the entire villa area. The Lin Family went through a lot of effort to obtain this yard back then," Bai Yusen explained to Ji Ning, seeing her gaze at the tree.

Ji Ning "snorted" and withdrew her gaze.

Ahead, a middle-aged woman stood waiting at the villa’s main entrance.

The middle-aged woman was likely a maid of the Lin Family, dressed very plainly.

Bai Yusen recognized her and greeted, "Aunt Xu."

Aunt Xu softly responded "Oh" and guided the two, saying as she walked, "Master Bai, the Old Madam isn’t feeling well today, so please meet her in the second-floor bedroom."

Bai Yusen, understanding, showed concern on his face, "How is the Old Madam’s health? Has she seen a doctor?"

"Yes, just a bit of a cold. Thank you for your concern, Master Bai." Aunt Xu lowered her head slightly, masking her response.

The three of them reached the stairs just as a woman in a loose long dress descended.

The woman was beautiful, with a gentle and elegant demeanor like a winter orchid, pure and graceful, with a hint of scholarly air.

Aunt Xu was the first to see her, stopped, stepped aside, and respectfully said, "Madam, this is Master Bai of the Bai Family and..." Aunt Xu hadn’t seen Ji Ning before and didn’t know how to address her.

Ji Ning interjected, "Ji Ning."

Mrs. Lin, Li Meifang, displayed a slight but appropriate smile, her voice gentle and pleasant.

"Hello, my mother-in-law’s cold is quite severe and she fears infecting you, so she just told me she won’t be receiving guests today. Please follow me."

Aunt Xu hesitated for a moment, a flicker of something passing through her eyes, but she said nothing.

Li Meifang gestured towards downstairs.

Bai Yusen replied, "Then we shall visit another day."

Li Meifang maintained her smile and said, "The Old Madam specifically instructed me to ensure you’re well entertained. It wouldn’t be right if you don’t even have a cup of tea. Master Bai, Miss Ji, please."

"Then I’ll trouble you, Mrs. Lin," Bai Yusen politely nodded slightly.

Li Meifang then instructed Aunt Xu to make tea.

After the woman approached, Ji Ning raised the chrysanthemums in her hand and said lightly, "It’s deep autumn, the chrysanthemums are yellow, and Madam’s temperament is quite like these chrysanthemums, so I give them to you."

Li Meifang was momentarily stunned, but Ji Ning had already stuffed the poorly bound chrysanthemums into her hands.

An older woman who had been following Li Meifang showed displeasure and was about to stop it but met a pair of beautiful eyes.

Although there was a smile, it didn’t reach the eyes.

The older woman’s spine suddenly felt a chill, instinctively causing her to shiver.

In the pause, Ji Ning had already turned to walk towards the sofa.

Li Meifang was extremely surprised, seeming to encounter such a person for the first time, looked down at the white and yellow chrysanthemums in her hand, and a trace of anger arose between her brows.

Who brings chrysanthemums when visiting?

Even in autumn, you shouldn’t give chrysanthemums, right?

Truly ominous...

Li Meifang instinctively tried to hand the chrysanthemums to the older woman beside her.

When a cool voice came from ahead: "Madam, you will find use for these flowers."

What?

Li Meifang’s face darkened at once, watching Ji Ning naturally sit by the sofa.

These two were not here to see the old hag at all.

They’re here just to bring bad luck to her.

Li Meifang’s voice grew colder, "Miss Ji, what does that mean?"

Ji Ning’s face revealed a hint of sarcastic laughter, "Lin Yuanyang was nearly killed at the airport yesterday. Mrs. Lin, who do you think sent the killer?"

Li Meifang crossed her arms; her face darkened yet showed no panic. She slowly walked over, sat across from Ji Ning on the sofa, and calmly said, "I don’t know. Does Miss Ji have any insights?"

"You don’t seem surprised by this," observed Ji Ning.

"Does my surprise or lack thereof matter? It’s widely known that I am estranged from my stepson, and he almost killed the child in my womb. Already refraining from gloating is my greatest measure of grace," Li Meifang unabashedly stated, suggesting that even if it were her, they couldn’t do anything about it.

Ji Ning scanned the people standing in the living room and burst into laughter, causing the smug expression on Li Meifang’s face to gradually disappear.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Oh, nothing."

Just then, Aunt Xu entered with teacups.

Ji Ning composed her expression, accepted the teacup handed over by Aunt Xu, and thanked her.

The tea was not hot, warm enough to drink.

A faint jasmine aroma wafted from the cup, refreshing and delightful.

Li Meifang watched Ji Ning slowly drinking tea and, for some reason, a sudden bad premonition arose within her.

This tension caused a slight ache in her stomach.

"Mrs. Lin is expecting twins, correct?"

Ji Ning’s sudden question made Li Meifang instantly alert, protecting her belly defensively, and staring intently at Ji Ning.

The older woman beside her also stepped forward, blocking Ji Ning in a confrontational manner.

Ji Ning drank the tea and looked at the two with a smile, "Mrs. Lin, you’re pregnant, focus on nurturing life. Don’t always be fixated on others. Even if not for yourself, accumulate blessings for the child within you. Too much killing tends to lead to bloodshed..."

"You—"

The remark was so cutting it infuriated Li Meifang, prompting her to stand up in anger, only to collapse back to the sofa due to physical discomfort.

Beside her, the older woman hastened to support her, glaring at Ji Ning with resentment, yet speaking to Bai Yusen, "Master Bai, my lady is carrying the Lin Family’s direct lineage. Your friend curses the Lin Family’s lineage like this; can the Bai Family take responsibility?"

Bai Yusen thought for a moment and smiled, "Yesterday, when Lin Yuanyang was attacked, my sister was there and greatly frightened. Will the Lin Family take responsibility?"

The older woman’s retort caught in her throat, eyes wide with anger.

Ji Ning put down the teacup, stood up, and looked at Li Meifang with a sly smile, "I despise anyone recklessly reaching around my friends. Stretch out one hand, and I’ll chop it off; stretch out two, and I’ll chop both. The tea was lovely, thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Lin."