Liu Ziqi saw that Yu Jiao didn't seem to be lying. Her round almond-shaped eyes were as clear as a deer's, and they were stubborn and clean enough to arouse no suspicion.
When she was young, every time Su Jian was scolded by her aunt, she would hide behind him and look at her aunt with her clear big eyes.
If... Su Jian was still alive, she should be the same age as this little girl.
He silently repeated Changkui twice in his mind, then suddenly leaned over and asked Yu Jiao, "Are you from Changkui?"
Yu Jiao nodded, "That's right."
Liu Ziqi pondered for a while. He came to Qingzhou not only to escort Xiao Ning, but also for another purpose, which was to go to Changkui.
His people seemed to have found traces of Meng Qingshan's stay in Huairou, but unfortunately it was seven or eight years ago, so he couldn't be sure whether that person was Meng Qingshan.
He investigated Meng Qingshan's background and found that he was from Changkui.
Gu Yun heard him ask this question and vaguely guessed what Liu Ziqi was thinking. He couldn't help but patted his shoulder, "Ziqi..."
Liu Ziqi raised his hand to stop him from speaking. He lowered his eyes to look at the purple pinch marks on Yu Jiao's delicate neck. Liu Ziqi felt a little compassionate. He looked away and looked at Yang Yuanchen, "Since she is from Lord Yang's house, let Lord Yang deal with her."
Yang Yuanchen was a little embarrassed for a moment, he knew that the Mu family brought a female doctor to their home. If these two people were maids in the mansion, he could deal with them at will. However, Yang Yuanchen glanced at the little maid kneeling at the gate of the garden and couldn't help but have a headache. From what the two women said, this matter actually involved Yan Jie'er.
If Young Marquis Gu killed the man, he would have less worries. He would just have to make up an excuse and give an explanation to the Mu family.
Yang Yuanchen hesitated for a moment, then walked to the garden gate, called the servant in, and said, "Take them..." After a pause, Yang Yuanchen pointed at the little maid kneeling on the ground and said, "Gag the three of them and lock them up in the firewood room in the mansion first."
"Wait a minute!" Gu Yun said relentlessly, "How is Magistrate Yang going to deal with them? Only the dead can keep secrets." He hinted clearly.
Yu Jiao clenched her fists in silence, ignoring Gu Yun. She looked at Liu Ziqi, who was the most friendly and effective among the few people, and said, "Why do you have to kill us all? My sister and I are of humble origins. We are just two country folks who have never seen the world. We have nothing to do with big shots like you in this life. As long as you let us go, we will swear not to reveal anything we saw and heard today. My sister and I just stumbled into this place by mistake. We didn't hear anything. We just took a look at the scenery in the garden."
Over there, Madam Yang, who was sitting in the room drinking tea and talking with Mrs. Mu San, suddenly heard a servant report that something had happened in the West Garden and that two female doctors had bumped into the distinguished guests.
Madam Mu's face changed slightly. Madam Yang stood up and hurriedly said, "Be patient, I'll go and take a look." Then she walked towards the West Garden.
Madam Mu San originally wanted to follow, but seeing that Madam Yang had no intention of doing so, she had no choice but to stay in Madam Yang's yard and wait.
Madam Yang arrived at the gate of West Garden and saw her maid Xiaodie kneeling at the door. She did not dare to go in directly. Yesterday, a guest came to the house, and the master personally received him and arranged for him to stay in West Garden. No one from the mansion was allowed to enter. The guest's identity was extremely distinguished, and the master did not even inform her.
"Where is the master?" Madam Yang looked inside through the garden gate and saw two young handsome men standing beside her master. One of them was unfamiliar and the other was wearing a purple robe. When she saw his face clearly, Madam Yang was shocked. It was the young Marquis Gu from the Annan Marquisate.
Young Marquis Gu was a notorious playboy. Madam Yang, who was far away in Qingzhou, had also heard of him. The Annan Marquisate was an aristocratic family bestowed by Emperor Taizu when he founded the country. They had a respected status and were a genuine family of scholars and nobles. Gu Yun was lawless and had no taboos, but he was deeply favored by the emperor. He had fought with the princes of other earldoms and marquises several times, and the fight was brought to the emperor, but the emperor only gave him a few mild reprimands and never really punished him.
Seeing Yu Jiao and the other girl kneeling on the ground in a state of embarrassment, Madam Yang's heart tightened, fearing that this dandy young marquis would treat human life as worthless. She hurriedly said to Yang Yuanchen in the garden, "Master, I invited Miss Yu and her sister to be guests in my house. If they have offended you, I will apologize on their behalf. Please don't get angry with these two weak women."
When Prefect Yang heard Madam Yang's voice, he bowed to Gu Yun and Liu Ziqi and said, "Young Marquis, Young Master Liu, I'm sorry to leave you."
He walked quickly outside the garden and lowered his voice to Madam Yang, "Don't get involved. Let me ask you, do you know the origins of these two people?"
Seeing his serious expression, Madam Yang hurriedly interceded for Yu Jiao and the others, "Mrs. Mu San brought them to me for treatment. The two girls are from Changkui Township. They have clean backgrounds. They have several brothers who live in the Mu family and will take the provincial examination soon. The girls are young and don't understand the rules of our mansion. Master, please don't make things difficult for them."
Yang Yuanchen heard that the two little girls and their brother lived in the Mu family. It sounded like there was nothing suspicious about their origins. He sighed helplessly and slowed down his voice, "Madam, you don't know the inside story, go back first."
Madam Yang held the handkerchief tightly and whispered, "Young Marquis Gu is always unforgiving. Please ask the master to plead for mercy. Madam Mu San is still sitting in my courtyard. She brought the two girls with her. If something happens, how can I explain it to Madam Mu San?"
Yang Yuanchen knew that his wife was the kindest person, so he patted her hands and said, "I will do my best to keep them alive. You go back first."
Mrs. Yang had no choice but to leave first, but she did not go far. She stood beside a path not far from the West Garden and looked at the West Garden worriedly.
Yang Yuanchen returned to the garden and said to Liu Ziqi and Gu Yun, "My wife said that these two people are indeed from Changkui Township, and several of their brothers live in the Mu family. They want to participate in this autumn examination. There is no doubt about their background."
"Since your madam has asked, I can spare their lives, but their tongues must be pulled out!" Gu Yun smiled maliciously and said with a vengeance, "A mute who can't speak can't spread the word. By the way, I'll smash their sharp teeth for you!"
A breeze blew by, and the bamboo leaves made a rustling sound. Yu Jiao felt a chill on her wet back.
This is an inhumane feudal dynasty, where the nobles and the powerful are above human rights and the common people are like duckweed and ants.
She endured it, suppressing the humiliation in her heart, "Please, Lord Gu, give my sister and me a way out. We have no intention of getting involved in the incident. You are high above us, and we are just a speck of dust, not worthy of your attention. You only need to ignore us. The dust will disperse with the wind, and will not leave any trace of our existence."
"That's interesting!" Gu Yun was in high spirits. He squatted down, stretched out three fingers to pinch Yu Jiao's chin, and lifted her little face. "You are so smart and clever. If you say you are just a country girl, I can't believe it!"
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