Is it unrelated to Qiao Ziming?
Perhaps it was Chiang Kai-shek?
In the past, Su Muxi wouldn't have thought much about it, but now, she couldn't help but overthink it.
If Jiang could hire someone to commit arson and murder, then killing someone to cover it up is nothing new.
Seeing the suspicious and angry expressions on the faces of the Su family members, Qiao Ziming hurriedly asked the yamen runner, "Do you know how Sun Shan died?"
The constable was not going to answer, firstly because the case had not yet been tried and he could not speak carelessly, and secondly because he looked down on this ungrateful Qiao Ziming.
Seeing the Su family's curious faces, waiting for his answer, he hesitated for a moment before speaking, "It seems he lost his footing, fell, hit his head, and then died."
Did you lose your balance while walking?
Did you fall and hit your head?
Although Sun Shan looks old, he is not yet sixty years old. How could he have died like this?
And to die at such a coincidence…
Not only did the Su family not believe it, but even Qiao Ziming found the matter suspicious.
The yamen runner had other duties to attend to, and seeing that the message had been delivered, he hurriedly left.
Su Muxi looked at Qiao Zimo sitting in the sedan chair and a cold smile appeared on her lips.
"The heir apparent of the Marquis of Anyang, what brings you here?"
His voice was full of sarcasm.
Qiao Ziming didn't know what to say.
After hesitating for a long time, she blushed and said, "I've come to apologize to you. My mother meant no harm, it's just..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Aunt Zhong angrily interrupted him.
"If you've really come to apologize, then show some sincerity. Don't take this opportunity to say something insincere! If your mother could hire someone to commit arson and murder even without malicious intent, what would happen if she had malicious intent?!"
"If you truly felt apologetic, why didn't you come in person? Why send a servant to apologize instead of just trying to persuade my young lady to drop the case? And the silver notes you brought seemed generous, but you only gave 17,000 taels of silver, and simply forgot about the other 840 taels?"
"Miss Qiao isn't worried about my young lady; she even had someone recalculate the accounts. Why won't you repay the money according to Miss Qiao's calculations?"
"The vast Anyang Marquis's mansion looks respectable, but it actually does some things that are beneath its dignity!"
Seeing that Aunt Zhong was getting angrier and angrier, Su Muxi quickly advised, "Alright, Aunt Zhong, it's not worth getting angry over some irrelevant people. I believe that Lord Jingzhao will clarify the whole matter and give our whole family justice."
After saying that, he took a deep look at Qiao Ziming sitting in the sedan chair and ordered Zhong Bin to close the door.
Unexpectedly, Su Xing suddenly spoke up, saying, "Young Master Anyang, you have already divorced my daughter, so you have no further connection with my Su family. I hope that you will stay away from my family and my daughter in the future. Here, I wish you and Princess Chang Le a long and happy marriage!"
After saying that, he gave Zhong Bin a wink, and Zhong Bin quickly closed the door.
As Qiao Ziming watched the Su family's gate slowly close, a complex and inexplicable emotion welled up in his heart once again.
Should we stay away from the Su family and Su Muxi?
He had originally planned to stay away as well.
But for some reason, the words coming from Su Xing's mouth made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
He is the heir of the Marquis of Anyang, while Su Muxi is just the daughter of an ugly imperial physician. They are worlds apart, so why does it seem as if he is marrying above his station?
Su Xing's blessing sounded sarcastic, but when he said it, both his expression and tone were serious.
It gave him the feeling that Su Xing was afraid he would come looking for Su Muxi again, and that's why she hoped he and Yingying would have a long and happy marriage.
However, the thought of Bai Mengying only made Qiao Ziming's mood more and more troubled.
Hopefully, this incident won't cause any changes to his marriage with Yingying.
"Return to the manor!"
After returning to the Marquis of Anyang's residence, Qiao Ziming went straight to the Jiang family's courtyard.
"Mother, Sun Shan is dead."
After Qiao Ziming revealed the truth, he kept a close eye on the expression on Jiang's face.
Jiang could easily see her son's suspicions, and hurriedly denied it.
"I didn't do it. Besides, I've already sent people to inquire. Sun Shan died in an accident; it was just a coincidence!"
Qiao Ziming breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but then questioned about the money.
"Why were you short eight hundred and forty taels of silver? After Xi'er's outburst, it would have been one thing if you hadn't given more, but you even shortchanged her..."
He was questioned by the servants of the Su family and felt utterly ashamed.
But then Jiang said matter-of-factly, "I had Granny Wu take all the jewelry from Su Muxi's room to her. That jewelry is worth at least several thousand taels of silver, and Su Muxi herself didn't want it!"
"...Mother, that was given to Su Muxi by Father, it should have been hers originally."
Qiao Ziming felt inexplicably powerless.
He used to scoff at his classmates' sarcastic remarks about his mother's humble origins and petty nature, but now he felt a little ashamed.
The guilt that Jiang felt for wronging Su Muxi vanished the moment she handed over the silver.
Hearing Qiao Ziming's words, he hurriedly said unhappily, "What do you mean it should be hers?! A married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl. If you ask me, the money for the medicine shouldn't even be given! Now look what's happened, our Marquis's mansion is out of money, and your betrothal gifts aren't even enough!"
Then he couldn't help but whisper, "Those censors should really investigate that Su Xing. He's just a minor head of the Imperial Medical Academy. How can he have such a large fortune? He must be taking huge bribes while treating patients!"
"Mother! Don't you think things are complicated enough already? I'll figure out the dowry. Please don't cause trouble for Su Muxi anymore, okay?"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com