Accompanying Steward Liu was Xu Tianxi, the nephew of Madam Xu Wanxin (the first wife).

He was He Puting’s cousin and also his secretary at work, essentially serving as He Puting’s trusted confidant.

Xu Tianxi looked at Steward Liu, who turned to Su Linlang and asked, “Young Madam, why are you holding a knife?”

Su Linlang calmly replied, “Uncle Liu, since Puting can’t accompany me to the temple, and my father, being a retired soldier, has a natural love for weapons, I decided to bring his knife with me. It’s as if Puting is accompanying me in spirit.”

It made perfect sense: her husband couldn’t attend the homecoming visit, so bringing one of his belongings to meet her father seemed reasonable.

Moreover, Su Linlang was a frail woman, and a military knife was very different from a kitchen or fruit knife. Handling it required proper training; otherwise, it could harm the wielder rather than anyone else.

Steward Liu didn’t suspect anything and even brought out a wooden box designed to store the knife. “Let’s pack it up to prevent any accidental injuries.”

Su Linlang placed the knife into the box. This worked even better—a layer of disguise to distract prying eyes.

Gesturing for Xu Tianxi to open the suitcase, Steward Liu said, “Here is one million in charitable donations. Since it’s a newlywed donation, the Old Master specifically asked the bank to prepare brand-new, consecutive bills. You may count them if you like.”

Xu Tianxi, also in the know, stepped forward. “Since Brother has encountered some trouble, I’ll accompany Sister-in-law.”

Su Linlang scrutinized him closely.

Everyone accompanying her to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery today could potentially be an informant for the kidnappers.

Xu Tianxi was in charge of the money. Could he be the informant?

Without revealing any emotion, Su Linlang inspected the money. It was all in HK$500 notes, the greenish-gray bricks filling the suitcase to the brim.

A single prayer session saw a million donated in cash—this family truly lived up to their reputation as the wealthiest.

In contrast, back on the mainland, her father’s monthly salary was just 25 yuan.

A single HK$500 note would take him two full years to earn.

No wonder the police had accused her of being an inside agent for the kidnappers—the wealth disparity between Hong Kong and the mainland was simply too vast.

Steward Liu then brought out another box. “This is the late Madam’s favorite set of emerald jewelry. The Old Master had it taken out from the jewelry vault and maintained early on, intending for the Young Madam to wear it to the temple today to comfort your father’s spirit in heaven.”

The set included a necklace, bracelet, brooch, earrings, and hair accessories, all matching.

When Su Linlang first arrived in Hong Kong, Old Master He had already prepared the set, hiring professionals to maintain it specifically for this occasion.

Although Su Linlang didn’t understand much about jewelry, she did know minerals. Holding up a hexagonal, pigeon-egg-sized necklace under the sunlight, she saw the emerald shimmer with brilliance, crystal-clear and dreamlike in its glow.

It was a beryl mineral with a glassy luster, a refractive index of approximately 1.5, and a total weight of about 20 carats.

Even in the interstellar era, such pieces would be considered rare treasures.

So this was the catalyst for her alleged “theft,” which ultimately led to the Old Master’s death from rage?

Su Linlang frowned disdainfully. “This green, murky thing is ugly. I don’t want it. I’ll wear the pink pendant Bingyan gave me.”

Xu Tianxi frowned. “Sister-in-law, this jewelry set is incredibly valuable.”

That was a family heirloom, a piece of jewelry worth an entire building in Port City, yet she dismissed it just because it was “ugly”?

Su Linlang accepted the box with a serious expression. “Bingyan gave me a very beautiful pendant, and I love that one. As for this… let Young Master Tianxi keep it.”

“No, I wouldn’t dare. If Sister-in-law doesn’t like it, I’ll return it to the Old Master,” Xu Tianxi quickly declined, his face full of disdain.

The way he looked at Su Linlang was as if he were looking at a fool.

Su Linlang handed it back to Butler Liu. “Since Young Master Tianxi doesn’t want it, Liu Bo, you can take it away.”

Butler Liu said patiently, “If you don’t wish to keep it, I’ll return it to the Old Master and put it back in the jewelry vault.”

To him, this reaction seemed normal—she had grown up on a farm and didn’t understand jewelry.

But Xu Tianxi was fuming.

As someone in the know, and as the cousin of He Puting, he desperately wanted his cousin to return safely.

He was also willing to take care of this new sister-in-law while his cousin was away.

But she was clearly an idiot. How could the Old Master entrust her with the critical task of orchestrating the rescue?

He couldn’t understand it and kept shooting desperate glances at Butler Liu.

Butler Liu gestured for Xu Tianxi to stay calm and brought out another item. “Young Madam, this is called a mobile phone, also known as a ‘Black Gold Brick.’ It’s provided for your convenience when traveling. Let Young Master Tianxi hold onto it for you.”

In the 1980s, a mobile phone in Port City could be worth as much as a house. Only the richest families had them.

A mobile phone was practical, and Su Linlang needed it.

Her usual foolish demeanor turned out to be an excellent cover.

She grabbed it and clutched it tightly. “No, it’s mine. I won’t give it away.”

Xu Tianxi’s disdain was obvious, but Butler Liu remained patient and coaxed her as if speaking to a child. “But you don’t know how to use it. If you need to contact me, give it to Young Master Tianxi and let him handle it for you. Alright?”

He handed over a communication directory as well. “This is what you asked for earlier—a list of introductions and contact details for everyone. You can review it on the way and finalize your choice of collaborators. Once you return, we’ll arrange a meeting.”

The list contained private investigators and Flying Tiger Team members trusted by the He family—just what Su Linlang had requested.

Taking the items, she went to her room to change clothes.

Her outfit was a complete set: a top, vest, skirt, and trousers.

The maids had ironed everything but assumed she’d wear the skirt, so they hung the skirt and blouse together while putting the rest away.

However, Su Linlang chose the trousers.

She initially planned to tuck her gun into her waistband for convenience, but one look in the mirror revealed that her waist was too slender and the fitted clothes made the gun bulge noticeably—unsuitable.

Luckily, there was an entire wall of handbags to choose from. She picked a large black Gucci bag, which was perfect for concealing the gun.

Inside the wardrobe, there was also a first-aid kit containing iodine tincture, bandages, and gauze.

With her skills and rich experience in rescuing hostages in the interstellar world, this mission should go smoothly, allowing her to locate the kidnappers’ hideout and rescue He Dashao.

Everything she did now was to deceive the true accomplice hiding within the He family.

Considering He Dashao might need emergency care, she stuffed all the medical supplies into the Gucci bag.

The family had two makeup artists, who were already waiting outside, ready to do her hair and makeup.

But when she emerged, she waved them off. “I’m naturally beautiful and don’t need makeup. Thank you for your trouble; you may leave.”

Xu Tianxi was on the verge of collapse.

Yes, she was indeed beautiful, even more so than beauty queens, which was probably why Dashao was so happy when he married her. But did she have to say it out loud?

This sister-in-law was gorgeous, but her behavior was eccentric. Could she really handle a rescue mission?

Unable to hold back, he whispered to Butler Liu, “Liu Bo, it seems Sister-in-law is unreliable. What should we do?”

In truth, while it appeared the Old Master had given Su Linlang full authority, he was still prepared to exhaust all his resources to ransom his eldest grandson as soon as he recovered.

The reason for entrusting Su Linlang was to guard against the second son, He Mo, and prevent the second branch of the family from sabotaging the rescue.

After all, with hundreds of billions at stake, the position of Chairman of the He Corporation was enough to turn brothers into enemies.

Even Butler Liu had his doubts, worried that he had misjudged her and could end up dooming the family.

But a young madam who treated priceless jewelry as dirt and showed no interest in money was someone worth trusting.

“She’s the daughter of a military family, naturally bold and carefree. Please be more understanding, Young Master Tianxi,” Butler Liu said.

With her slender waist and delicate wrists, a “daughter of a military family”?

Xu Tianxi was deeply concerned, even suspecting Butler Liu of being the kidnappers’ mole. Otherwise, why would he trust such a clueless mainland woman?

In a wealthy family embroiled in internal strife, everyone suspected everyone else.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll go ahead and take the jewelry,” Butler Liu confirmed once more, holding the box.

Su Linlang looked at Xu Tianxi, her gaze a bit vacant. “Young Master Tianxi, you can send it. Butler Liu will stay with me.”

Xu Tianxi quickly shook his head. “It’s too valuable. Please trouble Butler Liu to make another trip.”

Perfect. With one sentence, Su Linlang tested Xu Tianxi and confirmed he was trustworthy.

Eliminating one suspect meant gaining another ally for the rescue mission.

He inexplicably felt a bit scared. “You… what are you doing?”

Su Linlang calmly pulled the thickest rose stem from the offering table, stripped off the side branches with her hand, and then snapped off the flower head, tossing it aside.

Her bright smile and gentle voice made her seem harmless. “From today onward, I’m your eldest sister-in-law. Now, give me your hand.”

Her soft tone confused He Puzhu—why had he felt a moment of fear just now? Why was he afraid of her?

Provoking her, he extended his hand challengingly. “What, giving me a red envelope?” Clearly, he thought she wanted to curry favor with him by handing him money.

If that were the case, he’d take it. After all, once he got the money, he’d throw it all back in her face.

But in the blink of an eye, she slashed the thorny rose stem downward, striking his palm seven or eight times in rapid succession.

Having never been hit as a child, He Puzhu didn’t know how to dodge. The searing pain pierced through his hand as the thorns ripped into his skin, causing blood to gush out.

“An elder sister-in-law is like a mother. Disrespect deserves punishment. Next time, I’ll use a ruler,” Su Linlang said coldly before tossing the rose stem aside and walking away. “Uncle Liu, have the wet nurse take Fourth Young Master for a tetanus shot and get his hand bandaged.”

He Puzhu clutched his trembling hand. “Uncle… Uncle Liu! That vile woman! She actually dared to hit me!”

Steward Liu: ???

Staring at the blood quickly seeping from his palm, He Puzhu let out a sharp scream. “You wretched mainland woman! You’d better never come back!”