Chen Qiu Nian kicked a few times on the ground, but was ultimately no match for the yamen runner's strength.

Suddenly, the muffled sound of a stick hitting someone on the back was heard in the yard of the Inspectorate.

The executioners in the Inspectorate usually faced high-ranking officials and nobles, so they would naturally not show mercy just because of Shen Qiu Nian's identity.

After twenty blows, his back was covered in flesh and blood, and he was in so much pain that he could hardly straighten his back.

Chen Qiu Nian was practically carried into the Marquis' Mansion. For a moment, his hatred for Fang Qingyue was almost overflowing.

After returning to the Marquis' Mansion, he immediately called his confidants.

Fang Qingyue was resting in the room. When she was having a sound dream, she vaguely heard shouting coming from outside the door.

"Fang Qingyue is a bitch! She relied on her engagement with the Marquis to avoid being a slave, but now she's hooked up with the Prince!"

"Fang Qingyue, get out here!"

There were also men outside the door who made ambiguous laughter: "Fang Qingyue, I heard that you are very good in bed. Come and make me happy. Maybe I won't let you be my concubine, but can bring you into the mansion as a concubine!"

Those people come in waves in the morning and in waves in the evening.

Even if Fang Qingyue could ignore the content of the words, she had no way to completely block it out.

Especially at night, I would often be disturbed by these shouting and couldn't sleep well. For a while, I felt very tired, and even the healing of my wounds became slow.

Only after Shen Yuhan finally dealt with the matters of the Inspectorate did he have time to look for Fang Qingyue.

He walked over, removed the gauze on Fang Qingyue's wound, and planned to change Fang Qingyue's waist.

But when the gauze was removed, the sight of the wound almost shocked Shen Yuhan.

The wound that should have scabbed over was slightly festering. Whenever he moved, pus mixed with blood flowed out, which made people feel heartbroken.

Shen Yuhan took a deep breath, his voice hoarse: "How did you get this wound..."

Fang Qingyue was about to speak when Chunmei, who was sent by Shen Yuhan, spoke first: "These past few days, someone has been scolding Miss Fang outside, disturbing her sleep and making it difficult for her to rest well, so naturally her wounds won't heal well."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuhan's expression suddenly turned cold: "Why didn't you tell this to the king?"

"I told her not to say it." Fang Qingyue was somewhat helpless and gently pulled Shen Yuhan's hand. "Sir, there are many things to do in the Inspectorate. A few scoldings are really nothing. There is no need to disturb your work because of this matter."

Shen Yuhan's expression eased a little, and he lowered his head to change Fang Qingyue's dressing.

Since the wound has become festering, you first need to use a dagger to gently remove the pus from the wound, and then apply the powder given by the old doctor.

When Shen Yuhan was doing this, Fang Qingyue's body trembled slightly involuntarily due to the severe pain, and she looked particularly pitiful.

After a moment's silence, Shen Yuhan said, "I will take care of this matter. Don't worry, I will never let you bear this burden in the future."

Two days later, news of a lot of dirty deeds among the nobles suddenly spread in the capital.

Which man has a mistress outside, and which man who can only get ahead with the help of his wife privately insults his wife for not being gentle enough.

For a time, all kinds of things were rampant, and it even seemed normal for Fang Qingyue to be Shen Yuhan's mistress.

The people outside the door who were cursing gradually dispersed, and new gossip replaced the old gossip.

No one has time to think about Fang Qingyue anymore.

Shen Yuhan continued to carefully take care of Fang Qingyue's wound and changed the dressing in time. The festering wound gradually healed under careful care.

At the same time, Zhiyuan, the subordinate he sent to investigate the old members of the Fang family, also returned.

And brought back a message.

"The Fang family's steward now lives in a mountain village ten miles north of the city." Zhiyuan knelt on the ground and said, "Before the Fang Xifu case happened, he resigned as steward and left the capital."

The Fang family’s housekeeper’s surname is Zuo. He is an old man who has been the housekeeper in the Fang mansion for decades.

When Fang Qingyue was still young, Zuo Tai took special care of her and treated her almost as his own granddaughter.

Before he resigned as housekeeper, Fang Qingyue never believed that he would leave the Fang family.

"Okay." Shen Yuhan nodded, waved Zhiyuan away, and said to Fang Qingyue, "Do you want me to go and investigate this matter, or do you want to investigate it yourself?"

A hint of determination flashed in Fang Qingyue's eyes: "I will go by myself."

She hadn't seen Zuo Tai for a long time and wanted to meet him. Besides, he was in charge of the Fang family back then, and many things went through his hands, so maybe he knew something.

She got up early and took a horse carriage to the mountain village north of the city.

But before entering the mountain, Fang Qingyue saw Zuo Tai's figure at the foot of the mountain.

His face was full of panic as he ran towards Fang Qingyue. Before Fang Qingyue knew what was happening, she saw a man suddenly appear behind Zuo Tai.

A long sword pierced through his chest, and Zuo Tai stumbled and fell to the ground.

Fang Qingyue was suddenly startled and wanted to call him, but she saw Zuo Tai's last words before he fell down were "Run away".

The driver suddenly pulled the reins and drove the carriage in the other direction. The speed was too fast, causing Fang Qingyue to fall into the carriage.

Her arms and knees hit the inside of the carriage, leaving her with bruises all over. Just as she was about to get up, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Fang Qingyue fell out of the carriage. The coachman had been stabbed to death by the man with the sword, and even the horse had a small section of its leg chopped off.

She suddenly stood up and fled deep into the woods, but the killer followed her closely, even getting closer and closer.

Just as the sword was about to pierce Fang Qingyue's chest, her waist tightened.

Shen Yuhan appeared as she extended her hand, protecting her as they engaged the assassin. His martial arts skills were extremely high, and he wielded his sword with impenetrable force. Gradually, the assassin was unable to withstand him and was defeated.

Shen Yuhan's men appeared and pinned the killer to the ground. Shen Yuhan said condescendingly, "Who are you? On whose orders did you come here to hurt people?"

Upon hearing this, a fierce look flashed in the killer's eyes. Then, he spat out dark blood from his mouth and fell to the ground, no longer able to breathe.

Shen Yuhan narrowed his eyes and suddenly pulled off the killer's clothes.

The killer's undershirt was exposed, and the black undershirt had dark patterns on it.

This kind of dark pattern embroidery is only found in the Prime Minister's Mansion.

"This man was sent by Zhou Shiran." Shen Yuhan had the killer buried and took Fang Qingyue to Zuo Tai's home. "Since Zhou Shiran was able to investigate this place, it proves that Zuo Tai did have some connection with Fang Xifu's case."

But since he can kill Zuo Tai, I’m afraid the Zuo family is not safe either.

The housekeeper lived in a valley on the mountain.

The house looked extremely old, but it was clean inside and out. The wooden door was now locked. Fang Qingyue walked over and knocked gently. "Is anyone home? I have something to ask you. Could you please let me in?"

The house was quiet and no one answered, but the sound of something falling to the ground could be heard.

Fang Qingyue knocked on the door again and raised her voice, "Uncle Zuo died tragically in the suburbs. Even if you don't open the door for me, it's not safe to stay here. Do you also want to end up with your body torn apart?"

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a sudden movement from behind the door.

The locked door opened a crack in front of her. The man looked at her cautiously before opening the door and saying, "Come in and talk."