Very few people bought roast goose, among whom happened to be people from the Yan Prince's Mansion.

Before entering the hall, Bai Yejing had already checked the kitchen and found no goose meat. Given that Princess Yan harbored hostility towards him, he deduced that Princess Yan must have poisoned Bai's aunt to the point of muteness.

He understood the reason: Princess Yan was so protective of Liu Yu, if he wanted to marry Chen Yu, he would surely be persecuted by the Yan family!

He endured countless hardships on the frontier, and upon returning to the capital, he only sought to serve as an official well and pursue wealth and honor. As for his affection for Chen Yu, he could only bury it deep in his heart, waiting three years before making a decision.

Therefore, in response to Hongyu's admonition, he nodded repeatedly and agreed, "What Princess Yan said is very true. Ye Jing is overthinking things. Ye Jing will now return to the yamen to handle official business. Farewell."

------

There was no one else in the room. Chenyu stepped forward and asked Hongyu for the pendant. Hongyu was eager to bring Chenyu and Liu Yu together, so she naturally wanted to know the pendant's origin. If Bai Yejing had any improper thoughts about Chenyu, she certainly wouldn't stand idly by. She looked directly at Chenyu and asked, "Who gave this pendant to Sister Yu?"

Shen Yu fell silent again. She had already proven herself to be a virgin, so how could she reveal that she had been defiled by a villain? If Hong Yu found out, she would surely avenge her and make it known to everyone in the capital! But... if Hong Yu took the little fish pendant and inquired around, her shameful secret would still be exposed.

She stepped forward and grabbed Hongyu's sleeve, searching through it.

As Hongyu struggled, Feicui reported from outside the door: "Yufei, Young Master Liu has arrived."

"Please come in."

"yes."

Shen Yu felt uneasy. Knowing Hong Yu's personality, she knew she would definitely ask Liu Yu about the pendant. She also hoped that the pendant belonged to Liu Yu; if not, she would have to improvise.

Sure enough, as soon as Liu Yu sat down next to her, Hongyu tossed the pendant to him and asked, "Brother Yu, did you give this to Sister Yu?"

Looking at the pendant in his hand, Liu Yu was shocked. This little fish pendant was left behind when he assassinated Bai Yehua. If he admitted it, wouldn't that confirm his murder? Moreover, the Emperor had already ordered Lord He to investigate the two cases of the assassination of Prince Hong and Bai Yehua. Perhaps Shen Yu was assisting Lord He in finding clues.

He shook his head, feigning doubt, and looked at Chen Yu, asking, "This pendant has a unique carving. I wonder who gave it to you, Madam?"

Shen Yu felt disappointed and somewhat flustered. She had obtained the pendant from a villain, and naturally felt guilty and found it difficult to speak of it. Although she didn't know which jade pendant Liu Yu possessed, she could only say, "This was left to me by Su Ma."

Liu Yu grew increasingly terrified. The day he assassinated Bai Yehua, he had lost the pendant and searched for it in vain. Perhaps Su Ma had found it and given it to Chen Yu before her death. He just didn't know if Su Ma had told anyone else about it, and he feared that someone might trace the pendant back to him.

Just as I feared, Jade came to report: "Consort Yu, Lord He has come to visit, saying he has important business with Young Master Liu."

Liu Yu was startled and stood up abruptly, handing the pendant to Chen Yu. "Madam, please keep this safe. Perhaps... this is a keepsake that Su Ma left for you."

Shen Yu hurriedly stood up, put the pendant into her sleeve, and turned around to see Lord He walking towards her solemnly and dignifiedly. She quickly bowed and said, "Shen Yu greets Uncle."

"I am handling a case, there is no need for formalities." After speaking to Lord He, he nodded to Hongyu and then looked at Liu Yu and said directly, "Young Master Liu, come with me to the Dali Temple to answer questions."

It turned out that when Lord He went to Prince Hong's residence to investigate the assassination of Prince Hong, he discovered that the servants' testimonies matched those of Prince Hong's wife: On August 13th, Prince Hong hosted a welcoming banquet for Liu Yu. After the banquet, Mu Chenxiang came to the residence to deliver flower tea. Shortly after, she left in plain clothes, barely covering herself, weeping. In the afternoon, Mu Nanfeng arrived and summoned Liu Yu to the palace to meet the Emperor.

Therefore, the adults were to question each of them, starting with Liu Yu.

Liu Yu followed Lord He and left.

After leaving the Yan Prince's residence, Chen Yu hurriedly returned to the Mu family. Since bidding farewell to her mother on the thirteenth of August, she had not returned. Today, the first day of the month, she and Hong Yu went to Putuo Temple to offer incense, but they did not see the Mu family's carriage. Could it be that her mother was ill?

She rushed to Jinxiu Garden, but did not see her mother, so she hurried to Chenxiang Garden. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard soft sobbing.

Did Chenxiang cry?

She rushed into the bedroom and saw that Chenxiang had a handkerchief stuffed in her mouth, bruises on her neck, her limbs were bound to the bed, and blood was flowing from her wrists.

She was furious and about to lash out at the two maids beside her, but she held back because there was a bloodstained dagger under the bed.

"Why did the second young lady harm herself?" she said, sitting on the edge of the bed, intending to untie Chenxiang.

Two maids knelt down and tried to dissuade her: "Eldest Miss, you mustn't! On the thirteenth of August, after you left, the old lady came to call the second young lady for dinner, only to find that she had cut her wrists. Fortunately, she was saved by the doctor. After that, the second young lady often took advantage of people's inattention to harm herself. The old lady then ordered us to tie her up and keep an eye on her. But who knew that the second young lady had secretly hidden a dagger."

Shen Yu was shocked and asked in confusion, "Why wasn't I informed of such a major event in the family? Where is my mother?"

Both maids shook their heads.

Chen Yu had no choice but to take the handkerchief out of Chen Xiang's mouth. A moment later, a heart-wrenching cry was heard. Chen Xiang's mouth was wide open, and his voice was shrill, as if he had a great grievance in his heart, which burst forth in an instant.

Shen Yu was even more puzzled. Chen Xiang was clever and lively. Although he liked to go to the shop to manage the business, he never got into any disputes with anyone. How could he have been wronged?

She took out a handkerchief to wipe away Chenxiang's tears and asked softly, "What grievance has wronged you, little sister? Tell your older sister, and I will definitely seek justice for you."

Chenxiang's face was streaked with tears, and a bitter smile concealed an unspeakable secret.

At this moment, the plump old woman approached, stuffed a handkerchief into Chenxiang's mouth, and bowed to Chenyu, saying, "Madam has returned and is waiting for Miss in the hall."

After Shen Yu left, the fat nanny closed the door tightly, followed by Shen Xiang's low moans, as if she was struggling desperately.

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