Chapter 249: Clarity

Xiao Yu heard this and said, "Just call her over and we'll torture her to extract a confession."

Xia Wanqing refused immediately: "Torture is not the way a gentleman acts. We should use wisdom, not violence."

"I also think this plan is feasible." Xu Chuchu seconded Xia Wanqing.

Xiao Yu didn't say anything else.

After the plan was finalized, Xia Wanqing sent a maid to Shao Mansion to deliver an invitation, inviting her to come to the mansion for tea in the afternoon.

Such gatherings are very common among the circles of noble ladies in the capital, but they are not common for Shao Zhi and Xia Wanqing.

Xia Wanqing, the daughter of a general, preferred swordplay to poetry and song, and didn't mix with the slow, indirect, and often evasive ladies of the nobility. Furthermore, rumors of her recent loss of virginity had made her a disgrace to the nobility, and they all stayed away.

Shao Zhi was ostracized because of her previous dishonest behavior and bad reputation in the circle.

After sending out this invitation, she should be able to guess that Xia Wanqing was looking for her for something important.

Sure enough, Shao Zhi arrived as scheduled in the afternoon, but she not only came alone, but also brought her brother Shao Mingjie. She was probably worried that Xia Wanqing, who was good at martial arts, would bully her.

Fortunately, she had some sense and did not let Shao Mingjie enter Xia Wanqing's room. She just asked him to wait in the outer hall.

"Sister, why are you in such a good mood today? You invited me over for tea? And you're so anxious to do it." Shao Zhi looked around the room as soon as she came in, her eyes sweeping over the screen where Xu Chuchu and Xiao Yu were hiding. "Why don't we go to the yard to drink? The sun is shining brightly today. When I came here, I saw servants in the yard feeding little foxes with sweet cookies. It's really interesting."

Xu Chuchu had never seen the person, but only heard her voice, and felt that Shao Zhi was no different from before. She was domineering in front of women, and gentle and lovely in front of men.

She probably guessed that Xia Wanqing needed her help, and with her brother's support, she was particularly spoiled.

Xia Wanqing said, "I've been in a bad mood these past few days and can't stand the sun. Let's talk inside."

"That's fine." Shao Zhi sat down carelessly and sipped her tea. "I wonder what Sister Xia wants me to talk about today?"

"Then I'll speak frankly." Xia Wanqing went straight to the point, "Last time you told me you knew about Chen Zhaozhi's mother's situation. I was mad at him that day and didn't want to know. Now... well, I still want to find out a few more things for him."

"Oh?" Shao Zhi chuckled as she was delighted. "Sister, why did you change your mind? But you met Brother Shen again? Wasn't he exiled?"

Xia Wanqing was terribly disgusted by the sound of "Brother Chen", but she managed to hold it back and said, "No, that's not the case. He just sent a letter back, asking me to find a way to take care of his mother, but he doesn't know where she's being held. Although he's hateful, his mother is innocent, and I can't bear it."

"He doesn't even know it himself?" Shao Zhi raised her eyebrows, obviously feeling happier.

The fewer people who know about it, the more valuable her information is.

"really."

"Sister, you're so soft-hearted. You're willing to help me so easily." Shao Zhi shrilled, "I don't have any older sisters at home. I've always considered Sister Xia my real sister, so of course I can tell you where his mother is. But I also hope that Sister will treat me as her own sister, so if you have any news, please tell me."

Xia Wanqing listened for a long time before she understood Shao Zhi's true intention. Wasn't she just trying to get her information in exchange for something worthwhile? What a waste of sisterly talk.

It turns out that torture is better.

She cursed in her heart, then asked calmly on the surface: "So what news does my sister want to know?"

"I'll tell you the whereabouts of Brother Shen's mother, and correspondingly, sister will tell me...the whereabouts of Xu Chuchu." Shao Zhi said.

"Xu Chuchu?" Xia Wanqing was surprised. Even Xu Chuchu behind the screen was surprised. What did Shao Zhi want to do with her?

Shao Zhi said, "Yes, I've inquired about it. Xu Chuchu caused a big disturbance at the Imperial Observatory that day and was seriously injured. It is said that she will not recover for a while. Now is a good time to deal with her."

“Sister, she is the culprit who caused Brother Shen to be exiled. You don’t want to see her make a comeback, right?”

Behind the screen, Xu Chuchu looked at Xiao Yu expressionlessly, and the latter nodded awkwardly.

The "culprit" is either Chen Zhaozhi or Xiao Yu, okay? What does it have to do with her?

Xia Wanqing was silent for a moment before saying, "Of course I don't want to see her come back to life, but what can you do if you find her? She might not be without someone protecting her."

"Even with someone protecting her, she wouldn't be that powerful. If she was really capable, she wouldn't have been left alone to take on the responsibility." Shao Zhi's analysis was very logical. "Money makes the world go round. As long as there's money, there's nothing that can't be solved."

"Aren't you afraid that Xiao Yu will be with her?" Xia Wanqing asked, "He's richer than the rest of us."

Xiao Yu liked to hear this. He smiled confidently. It seemed that everyone knew that he was rich and reliable, and was Chuchu's best support.

I hope Chuchu also listened to it.

Shao Zhi sneered: "She won't let Xiao Yu stay by her side."

"Why?" Xia Wanqing asked curiously, "Aren't they very close?"

"It's normal that you don't know," Shao Zhi said. "I saw with my own eyes how Xiao Yu treated Xu Chuchu. He locked her in a small room like a cage, not allowing her to see any men and only allowing her to talk to him... Haha, with Xu Chuchu's personality, she would rather starve to death than see Xiao Yu again."

Xu Chuchu: Nods

Xiao Yu: ...

What should I do? Don’t listen to this. I really want to cover her ears.

"...So, there's such a thing." Xia Wanqing said dryly, "But I don't have any news about Xu Chuchu at the moment. How about this, sister, tell me the news about Chen Zhaozhi's mother first. I have some fine jewelry and jade for you. When I get news about Xu Chuchu, I'll tell you as soon as possible."

"How could Sister not know?" Shao Zhi was clearly unconvinced. "Xu Chuchu caused such chaos in the Imperial Observatory that even the Grand Master disappeared. And Chen Zhaozhi is his last disciple, how could he not know anything about it? Even if there's a little rumor, I can investigate it myself."

"I really don't know. There's no need to lie to you." Xia Wanqing didn't dare to lie casually at this moment and say where Xu Chuchu was. If it was exposed, Shao Zhi would definitely turn against her on the spot and she would not be able to get any more information.

"Then go ask Chen Zhaozhi!" Shao Zhi said bluntly, "If he wants to take care of his mother, he can exchange it for information about Xu Chuchu!"

Seeing that she was getting more and more agitated, Xia Wanqing asked in confusion, "Now that you've heard about Xu Chuchu, what are you going to do with her?"

"How is it? Of course I'll take good care of her!" Shao Zhi's face unconsciously became ferocious, but she quickly regained her composure. "I will repay the pain she inflicted on me tenfold and a hundredfold. She will have to slowly experience the pain, fear, and devastation I felt for the rest of her life..."