Chapter 15: The Treatment of Fiancés Is Quite Different
"I overheard some gossip while passing through the neighborhood, but I never imagined that it would get involved with me."
With her snow-white fingertips touching her temples, Xue Rongyue felt a headache coming on, seemingly unsure whether she should elaborate.
A dark, unreadable light flashed in Cao Mingyu's eyes as he leaned back: "What gossip, Madam Xue, please speak freely."
With a sigh, Xue Rongyue slowly began to speak: "On the carriage, I overheard blacksmiths having a meal at a food stall discussing this matter. One of them said that he saw thieves committing a crime last night."
"What?!"
One of the guards stood up in shock, and Cao Mingyu also couldn't help but restrain his casual demeanor.
“I overheard a bit more, and the blacksmith said that he saw Wang Jinhu crawling out of the alley trying to escape. At that time, he had already been beaten black and blue, but in the end, the murderer dragged him back.”
"The blacksmith said the real culprit was a young man, carrying an umbrella. Although I couldn't see his face clearly, I could see he was dressed in brocade robes and wearing deerskin boots, so he must have come from a wealthy family. If I hadn't gotten myself into this mess, I wouldn't have said anything more. The more I say, the more trouble I cause, after all..."
Being beaten black and blue indicates a grudge, especially since the man comes from a wealthy family.
The image of the heir apparent of the Marquis of Ding'an involuntarily surfaced in Yan Wei's mind, and he looked at Cao Mingyu with a hint of hesitation.
Xue Rongyue showed a perfectly appropriate look of distress: "After all, I witnessed the argument at the tavern last night. If I were to say these words, it would cause trouble no matter who the real culprit is."
Cao Mingyu did not doubt her words.
Everyone knows about the feud between Madam Xue and Prince Qin. If Prince Qin is indeed the murderer, then this grudge will no longer be limited to the two of them, but will escalate to the entire Xue and Qin families.
If the murderer is not Prince Qin, then Madam Xue's remarks inevitably lead people to speculate that she is deliberately framing and slandering him.
This murder case has caused widespread panic and is no longer a trivial matter that can be used to kick someone when they're down; every word and action must be carefully considered.
only……
Cao Mingyu fixed his hawk-like eyes on Xue Rongyue's pupils and asked in a deep voice with suspicion, "Since it was Lady Xue who overheard it by chance, how do you know that those people were blacksmiths?"
The woodshed was secluded in a corner, silent and still. Only a few screams and pleas for mercy could be heard from afar, as blood dripped from the torture instruments into the brazier with a "sizzle" and was swallowed by the flames.
Xue Rongyue chuckled.
She met his gaze without flinching: “Lord Cao, I have eyes and a brain. Those people have dark, reddish skin, which shows they often spend time by the furnace. Moreover, each of them has an exceptionally thick right arm, and they all have burn marks on their bodies. They also have several pairs of pliers, shovels, and small hammers attached to their waistbands. What else could they be but blacksmiths?”
With his eyes slightly narrowed, Cao Mingyu's gaze was extremely imposing. He tapped the table lightly with his fingertips ten times, and then said in a low voice, "So it seems that I misunderstood Madam Xue."
Xue Rongyue gave a cold snort without any attempt to hide it.
After a moment of contemplation, Cao Mingyu instructed the guard beside him, "Go and search the East Ward thoroughly. Make sure to find those blacksmiths and bring them back for questioning."
Yan Wei accepted the order and withdrew. Just then, Yan Wei, who had gone to Xue’s residence to check the accounts and ask questions, returned. Cao Mingyu then strode boldly to the outside of the woodshed.
The guard replied in a low voice, "Sir, I have reviewed the Xue family's accounts and questioned the steward and servants. Yesterday at Chenshi (7-9 AM), Madam Xue did indeed withdraw five taels of silver from the accounts to reward the guard Luo Zhen. The steward and servants gave consistent accounts, claiming that all servants who served Madam Xue received a reward from her on their birthdays. After verification, it has been confirmed that Guard Luo Zhen's birthday is indeed today."
Cao Mingyu remained silent with a cold expression, but Yan Wei Bai Hemian beside him said thoughtfully, "So, it seems that Madam Xue was not lying."
Bai Heming stepped forward: "My lord, although this Lady Xue is arrogant, it would be too far-fetched to say that she would commit murder. After all, she is a weak and helpless young lady."
Wang Jinhu's body was too gruesome. Not only was his tongue cut out, but his abdomen was also disemboweled. Such a shattered corpse would make even an old man who had been a coroner for more than 30 years feel horrified. How could the Xue family's wife have such a cruel and vicious mind?
Bai Hemian unconsciously tightened her grip on the purse tied around her waist, reaffirming her resolve.
Cao Mingyu turned around and looked—
The bright sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden streaks. The paper window was open, and Xue Rongyue sat before a row of torture instruments stained with blood and flesh, her expression cold. Her gently swaying jade earrings accentuated her snow-white skin.
She picked up the hot tea that was served to her, took a sip, and immediately frowned in disgust, covering her mouth and spitting it back into the cup.
Cao Mingyu said calmly, "She is not a simple young lady."
When you come in, first test his attitude by asking about changing the chair. If he doesn't seem too firm, then go along with it and shift the blame.
Having taken on such a thorny case, the court and the public are taking notice. The murderer may even involve the children of two high-ranking officials. A slight misstep could bring trouble upon oneself.
The Xue and Qin families both have powerful backers, which Cao Mingyu cannot afford to offend. He went to arrest them to show the emperor his determination to investigate the case fairly, but he really didn't have the courage to torture them to get to the bottom of the matter.
Regardless of what Madam Xue was planning, as long as Wang Jinhu wasn't harmed by her, he didn't bother to investigate. Getting rid of her sooner would also relieve him of the heavy burden of the Xue family.
Pressing his temples, Cao Mingyu made up his mind: "Interrogate her thoroughly, and once we find the blacksmith to verify that what she said is true, we will release her back to the manor."
Bai Hemian responded and was about to turn around when Cao Mingyu said again, "We must find that guard surnamed Luo and bring him here for questioning as soon as possible."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a guard from the Yan family hurried over: "Sir, a guard from the Xue family named Luo Zhen has come to the mansion."
"Oh?" Cao Mingyu was taken aback for a moment. "What a coincidence. Send Madam Xue back to the main hall first, then bring that guard here."
Emerging from the woodshed, Xue Rongyue glanced at Cao Mingyu standing tall under the eaves. Led by Bai Hemian, she returned to the main hall. As she climbed the steps, the remaining rainwater made the path too slippery, and Xue Rongyue nearly fell. Bai Hemian, who was standing nearby, quickly caught her, saying, "Be careful, my lady."
Xue Rongyue steadied herself, glanced down at Bai Hemian, and suddenly felt that he looked familiar, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Withdrawing her arm, Xue Rongyue asked calmly, "Thank you, sir. May I ask your name?"
Bai Hemian lowered his head slightly: "You're too kind, madam. My surname is Bai, Bai Hemian."
"Flowers warm the reclining ox, tall pines shelter the sleeping white crane."① This name was unfamiliar to Xue Rongyue. She pondered it for a moment and said calmly, "It's a good name."
Having said that, he pushed open the hall door and went inside.
Bai Hemian raised his eyes and gazed deeply at the tightly closed door before turning and leaving.
Stepping into the main hall, sunlight streamed in through the carved and openwork design. Qin Jin sat languidly in a chair, squinting under the dazzling sun, and turned to look at them.
Xue Rongyue still remembered his unwavering refusal. When she met Qin Jin's gaze, she suppressed her thoughts and deliberately raised her eyebrows in a provocative manner, saying, "Why hasn't Prince Qin been released yet? Are you going to spend the night here tonight?"
Qin Jin smiled and said, "With Lady Xue by my side, I'm not lonely at all."
Who wants to be with you!
Xue Rongyue curled her lips in disdain, about to retort, when she suddenly heard a clanging sound from behind a screen. She was startled, not expecting that there was a third person in the hall besides her and Qin Jin.
Looking to the side, one could see a man's figure slowly stepping out from behind the painted screen depicting ladies playing with butterflies in springtime.
Wearing a light blue, round-necked robe embroidered with cloud patterns, the man was tall and slender, with deer-feather boots on his feet. His face was as white as jade, and his black hair was meticulously tied up with a sandalwood crown. He exuded the refined elegance of a scholar.
Xue Rongyue looked at the man in front of her in surprise.
Qin Jin's voice drifted over: "I forgot to tell Madam Xue that not long ago, the young master of the Liu family was also invited by the Guards and is temporarily detained here."
His gaze swept over the two of them with great interest.
Liu Ruyu is Xue Rongyue's fiancé, with whom she is about to be engaged.
The last time the two met was when Madam Liu visited, and they only caught a glimpse of each other briefly. They never expected to meet here today.
Liu Ruyu stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "Madam Xue, how have you been? I was just studying that painted screen and did not mean to frighten you."
The Guard Bureau was clearly not a good place to meet. The screams that kept emanating from the underground prison were clear and deafening. Although she was very resistant to the marriage that her father had insisted on arranging, she was only casually acquainted with Liu Ruyu and had not met him many times, so she could not say that she disliked him.
But the sudden encounter here, coupled with the memory of how the Liu family, despite attending the grand banquet after she deliberately fell into the water, never sent anyone to inquire about her whereabouts, stirred a sense of displeasure within him.
After returning the greeting, Xue Rongyue preemptively asked, "What brings Young Master Liu here?"
Liu Ruyu gave a bitter laugh: "Last night, a friend dragged me out for drinks at that tavern, so I was called here for questioning before I even got up today."
Upon closer inspection, Liu Ruyu's face did indeed show some signs of a hangover, and Xue Rongyue neither confirmed nor denied it: "What a coincidence."
Liu Ruyu lowered her head and bowed to Xue Rongyue in a gesture of invitation. Xue Rongyue did not stand on ceremony and took the lead in sitting down, with Liu Ruyu following closely behind.
The two, who had no prior interaction, were at a loss for words. Xue Rongyue, preoccupied with her own thoughts, had no time to warm up to him. She closed her eyes, lost in thought, pretending no one was sitting beside her. The hall was quiet, but Liu Ruyu's behavior was inevitably restrained, and she seemed somewhat restless.
Around noon, the guards brought in several plates of cakes. Liu Ruyu thought for a moment and pushed the chestnut cake in front of her toward Xue Rongyue: "I don't know how long it will take for them to release the people. Madam Xue, please have some cakes to fill your stomach first."
Xue Rongyue glanced sideways.
These pastries must have been freshly baked; they were still steaming hot. The plate of chestnut cakes was delicate and small, with a sweet and enticing aroma.
Unfortunately, she is allergic to chestnuts.
She picked up a cherry from the side.
Since the marriage was not yet officially settled, Xue Rongyue was also dissatisfied and too lazy to explain to him. She simply said distantly, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Liu."
Liu Ruyu fell silent, but Qin Jin, who had been silent to the side, suddenly sneered.
He even wanted to applaud Xue Rongyue.
In his childhood, he practiced martial arts with his brother Huaijin. The nanny in the mansion would often prepare food for him. Because he liked chestnuts, there were often chestnut cakes.
Once, Xue Rongyue shared some pastries with her brother Huaijin. She accidentally ate a chestnut cake and immediately broke out in a rash all over her body. Xue Rongyue was so distressed that she cried and cursed him for his ill intentions and attempts to harm her. If Huaijin hadn't stopped her, she would have rushed to the yamen to report him to the authorities and have him arrested.
From then on, he never brought any food containing chestnuts to the Xue residence again.
But now, she's much more accommodating to Liu Ruyu; after all, he's her fiancé, so the treatment is different.
A note from the author:
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I won't say who broke down in their defenses [doge emoji]
Starting from the next chapter, Xiaoyue will be learning strategy techniques. Let's begin our strategy! We're taking a huge, huge step closer to the story's conclusion! [Lower-eared rabbit head]
① "Flowers warm the reclining blue ox, tall pines lull the sleeping white crane." (From Li Bai's poem "Seeking the Hermitage of Master Yong")
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