Chapter Fifteen: The Third Wife Learns of the Death
Zhao Yu's carriage drove back to the Duke's mansion.
The mansion was eerily quiet in the dead of night.
When the gatekeeper and guards saw the prince's somber expression, they all fell silent, afraid that their loud breathing would attract his attention.
The west courtyard was quiet, but the three households in the east courtyard were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
Zhao Yu emerged from the bathroom after a bath, wearing a long robe that revealed the well-defined muscles of his chest.
However, Zhao Yu's gloomy face was even darker than the robe he was wearing.
Guan Yan stood at the door: "Master, we have found out. Zhao Chenyu left the study this morning under the pretext of feeling unwell. The people from the third branch of the family immediately called a doctor. The third branch was lax in their supervision, and Zhao Chenyu slipped out."
“The third branch is still looking for him. They’ve wiped all the traces clean, so they can’t suspect Xu—” Guan Yan immediately changed his words, “Zhao Chenyu just died from drunkenness and an accidental fire. His decapitated body has already been disposed of.”
Zhao Yu's face was as cold as jade. "Get out."
Guan Yan swallowed hard and immediately left the study.
"My lord, I will now go and rest."
Zhao Yu frowned: "Get lost."
The room was empty, and Zhao Yu had nowhere to vent his frustration.
Just thinking about what Xu Chumian said that night made Zhao Yu's temples throb.
Oh.
Is it fake?
Zhao Yu drew his sword and went into the courtyard. "Come out."
Zhao Nai jumped down from the tree, his face ashen. "Your Highness."
This was a one-sided crushing defeat that lasted for an hour.
Zhao Yu hadn't practiced swordsmanship to vent his frustrations for a long time.
The man was drenched in sweat, his deep eyes revealing no true emotion. The night wind ruffled Zhao Yu's clothes, and his chest heaved.
—Zhao Yu, let's break up.
Zhao Yu pursed his lips.
That night, Xu Chumian barely closed her eyes. When dawn broke, she got up and left the house, intending to go directly to the shop.
Unexpectedly, when she opened the door, there was a person standing outside.
"Lord Xiao, what are you doing here?"
Xiao Qingyan had been waiting outside the door for an unknown amount of time. His eyes were deep and moist, and even his hair was damp with dew. He looked somewhat tired, but when he saw Xu Chumian, his eyes immediately brightened and became piercing.
Xu Chumian's reflection was reflected in his amber eyes.
"Chumian, how are you? I came to look for you yesterday afternoon and heard about the shop incident, but the Imperial Guard had to handle a case at the last minute, so I... I'm late."
In his haste, Xiao Qingyan disregarded the previous formalities of address.
There was guilt in his eyes.
"Sorry, Chu Mian."
Xu Chumian looked up at Xiao Qingyan and explained yesterday's events using the excuse she had prepared the night before.
Xiao Qingyan's gaze paused slightly, his investigative instincts prompting him to subconsciously find the loophole in Xu Chumian's words.
The woman in front of me was pale and had bloodshot eyes.
Safe and sound.
There was no need to ask those questions anymore, since he wasn't there when Chu Mian needed him most.
Now that I'm asleep and can sleep peacefully, that's already the best outcome.
Xiao Qingyan couldn't help but pat Xu Chumian's head.
The skin was soft and smooth, and his palms itched. He wanted to rub it again, but he had to pull his hand back.
"Chumian, you've done a great job."
Xu Chumian noticed the emotion in Xiao Qingyan's eyes, and her nose suddenly stung with tears.
Not good enough, not good enough.
In this new life, thanks to Xiao Qingyan, she was able to quickly connect with Doctor Chen and find that shop...
Xiao Qingyan is a good person.
Xu Chumian: "But..."
Xiao Qingyan's eyes were gentle, as if he could embrace everything. "Chumian, given your situation, you've done the best you could to bring Mumu this far. As for the rest, leave everything to me."
Before Xu Chumian could answer.
Xiao Qingyan added, "Chu Mian, I will take a day off the day after tomorrow, and there will be a lantern festival along the moat at that time."
"I...I want to take you and Mumu with me, is that okay?"
As dawn approached and the sun rose in the background, the young man before me resembled the morning mist, clear and hazy, inspiring longing in my heart.
He met Xiao Qingyan's expectant gaze.
Xu Chumian put aside her worries, nodded slowly, and said with a smile, "Okay."
Xiao Qingyan raised his eyebrows and eyes. He quickly remembered something, put one hand behind his back, and clenched and unclenched his fist.
He said slowly, "From now on, don't call me Lord Xiao. You can call me Qingyan, or Xiao Qingyan is fine too."
Xu Chumian's eyes softened, and she nodded. "Then Qingyan?"
Xiao Qingyan's ears turned a faint red, and he couldn't help but mutter, "You keep calling me Lord Xiao, it's too formal."
Only then did Xu Chumian's tense emotions from the previous night finally relax completely.
Xu Chumian's lips unconsciously curled up: "Okay, okay, I got it."
Xiao Qingyan looked down at her, his eyes full of smiles.
"I'll take you to the shop."
Xu Chumian asked doubtfully, "Aren't you going to work today?"
Xiao Qingyan patted the horse, "I have it, we'll be at the Embroidered Uniform Guard soon."
The white horse neighed appropriately.
Xu Chumian lowered her eyes and smiled silently.
...
This is the first time Xu Chumian has arrived this early since the store opened.
Xiao Qingyan led her horse to the door, his tall figure saying, "I've been investigating a case these past two days, so I can't bring you meals during the middle or late hours. I won't be bringing you any for the next few days."
Xu Chumian hummed in agreement, her smile gentle: "Then you should take good care of yourself and get plenty of rest."
"Then I'll come to see you the day after tomorrow."
Xu Chumian nodded; the woman's cheeks were as white as snow, making it impossible to look away.
Xiao Qingyan mounted his horse, looked at Xu Chumian for a long time, and then rode away.
After Xiao Qingyan left, a vendor outside the shop couldn't help but ask, "Manager Xu, how did it go yesterday afternoon?"
Xu Chumian lowered her eyes slightly, "These past few days, many people have come to the shop to buy incense. I don't know who they are. Those people led us away for a short while before they dispersed."
The hawker nodded: "Let's just say that everyone who uses Manager Xu's incense has praised it. It's obvious to all."
A vendor selling hairpins nearby added, "They must feel guilty, but they don't dare to make a big fuss."
Xu Chumian smiled but didn't say anything.
"By the way, did you know about the fire in the courtyard in Yinping Lane? The flames were deafening, and I heard that eight or nine people died in the fire."
"It was noisy at night, the fire was so big that there was no time to put it out."
"I heard that the homeowner got drunk and accidentally started a fire."
"Alas, what a bad year! It's really not easy to live."
Xu Chumian seemed not to hear.
With her eyes downcast, she opened the shop door and moved some spices to the doorway to dry.
Not long after, Liu Da also arrived at the store.
Liu Da had traveled all over the country in his early years. Seeing that Xu Chumian was safe, he did not bring up the matter of last night, for fear of upsetting Xu Chumian.
On this day, everyone in the streets and alleys was talking about the fire in Yinping Lane.
Xu Chumian focused on the task at hand.
The capital city is so big, with so many people coming and going, that fire in Yinping Lane will soon fade from everyone's memory.
From last night until this afternoon.
After it was discovered that Zhao Chenyu had been burned to death, the third branch of the Zhao family felt as if they had lost their leader.
The couple wept bitterly. The body had already been sent back to the Duke's mansion, but the two of them held onto Zhao Chenyu's burnt body tightly.
"My son."
"How could such a terrible calamity befall us at the very last moment?"
...
When Madam Zhang went to visit the third branch of the family, she couldn't help but sigh on her way back, "Why did she have to leave the manor? It would have been so much better if she had stayed home to study."
Duke Zhao also learned of this matter. He was training his troops at the camp outside the capital last night. After hearing the news of Zhao Chenyu's death, he couldn't help but think of one person.
He comforted his wife, saying, "In the end, everyone has to die anyway."
"It's the same whether you die early or late."
Zhang glared at him: "You old geezer, how can you talk like that? Being burned alive, how painful must it be?"
Duke Zhao shook his head, not angry at all, "He has committed too many sins, so let's just consider it as expiating his karmic burdens."
Madam Zhao is not currently in the capital and is unaware of this matter.
Duke Zhao did not return with Lady Zhang, but instead turned and went to the Zhao Yu Courtyard.
However, Zhao Yu was not there, so he left a message to go find the Duke of Zhao after he returned.
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