Rescued!
“It’s almost time.” Shen Wumei stood up, looked at Linlang, and said, “Let’s go meet your little sister.”
Linlang's face was ashen. With her waist knife held by Shen Wumei's men and glaring at her menacingly, she could only follow along with sluggish steps.
Over there, Zhu Qinghe spoke politely to the person next to her: "Miss, I'm just a fortune teller, there's no use in you arresting me."
"Stop talking nonsense," the other person kicked her foot rudely, "From now on, you have to answer my questions truthfully."
With a clang, a sharp dagger slammed onto the table in front of her. "Otherwise, I'll kill you."
Zhu Qinghe, being extremely cowardly, said cowardly, "I'll tell you everything... I'll tell you everything, please don't kill me."
"What has Shen Wumei found out these past few days?"
Zhu Qinghe blinked: "It's nothing, it's such a short time, what could possibly happen?"
Where did you go before?
"They went to question Liu Bohan."
"Liu Bohan?" The voice was laced with hatred. "What did you find out?"
Zhu Qinghe spoke frankly: "It's nothing, I just feel that Liu Bohan is not a very decent person."
The man didn't respond, so Zhu Qinghe continued, "Well, he said he had no relationship with Linglong, only a simple master-disciple relationship, and he was unaware that Linglong was in love with him."
"But I think he did it on purpose. If he really didn't like Linglong, he could have just said it clearly. What's the point of keeping her hanging on like this?"
"I think he just enjoys the feeling of being liked by pretty girls. He's really shameless."
After a long pause, the man sighed, "You see things very clearly. If Sister Linglong had been able to see this back then, she wouldn't have ended up like that."
Zhu Qinghe's eyes lit up, and she asked with a seemingly gossipy curiosity, "So Linglong's death is indeed related to Liu Bohan."
"That's none of your business. You just need to answer my questions: Where did Shen Wumei take Linlang? Why did she take Linlang away? Did she discover something?"
Zhu Qinghe adjusted her posture with difficulty and said sincerely, "Chen Shikun died in Linlang's room, so it's normal for Lord Shen to take her away."
The dim light outlined the woman's delicate features, which seemed somewhat familiar. Zhu Qinghe recalled Linglong's portrait and made up her mind.
"How could Linlang, a mere woman, have committed murder? What kind of lousy official is he? Does he have any evidence?"
Zhu Qinghe chuckled: "Miss Yingluo, you're too naive. Do you really think no one can see through your little tricks?"
The worst thing a murderer can do is to be too clever for their own good, thinking that they have done something flawless, but they don't realize that if you don't want others to know, you shouldn't do it in the first place.
Yingluo's expression froze: "You know me?"
Zhu Qinghe sighed: "I told you not to go against the government. Do you think we've been having fun at Hongxiuzhao these past few days?"
"What have you found out?" Yingluo asked.
“When Linglong came to Hongxiuzhao, she wasn’t alone; she brought her younger sister, who was three years younger than her. To protect her sister, she made a deal with the madam, and her sister only did some menial work in the kitchen.”
"You must be this younger sister, Miss Yingluo."
Yingluo's face suddenly lost that sharp and fierce hatred, as if all the vitality in her body had been drained, leaving only a helpless and decaying shell.
“That’s right, Linglong is my own sister. I will not let anyone who has hurt her get away with it.”
"So, you were the one who poisoned Liu Bohan." The truth was about to be revealed, and Zhu Qinghe felt a pang of regret.
“He deserves to die!” Yingluo said in a calm tone. “Back then, my sister came to tell me that she had found the love of her life and that once she had saved up enough money, she would take me with her and run away together.”
"But who knew that the damned bastard had only made a deal with the madam to lure my sister into prostitution and make her serve that bastard Chen Shikun!"
“When I went to see her the next day, she was covered in wounds. I will never forget the look on her face at that time. I didn’t even dare to touch her, for fear that she would break at any moment.”
"I just went to get her breakfast, but when I came back—" Yingluo could no longer hold back her tears and covered her face, even the lamplight seemed to tremble in despair.
Zhu Qinghe waited quietly until she finished crying, then gently asked, "What about Linlang? And why did she help you?"
"Linlang and my sister are very close. She doesn't like Liu Bohan at all; she just wanted to get close to him. But that scoundrel actually seems to have fallen in love and is even thinking of redeeming Linlang from her servitude. It's ridiculous!"
“This is what you call an eye for an eye!” Yingluo sneered. “I’m not afraid to tell you the truth now. Anyway, Chen Shikun is already dead, and Liu Bohan won’t live for more than a few days.”
“Speaking of which,” Yingluo suddenly showed a childlike and adorable expression, “my sister sent me to the acrobatic troupe before. At that time, I was so tired after training every day that I felt like I was going to die. I even hated my sister, thinking that she was pampered and waited on by others, but I had to live such a tiring life.”
"But I later realized that my sister wanted me to live with more dignity, but she herself had no choice."
“That night, I hid in the house opposite Linlang and used the crossbow I usually used for juggling to plunge that dagger into Chen Shikun’s chest. Unfortunately, I was too far away and couldn’t see his expression before he died.” Yingluo’s tone was somewhat regretful. From beginning to end, she didn’t think she had done anything wrong.
Zhu Qinghe wanted to say something to her, but it felt like something was blocking her throat.
Suddenly, a loud bang was heard, and the door was kicked open from the outside. Before Zhu Qinghe could react, she was grabbed by the rope around her chest and pulled up, with a cold, gleaming dagger pressed against her neck.
"Don't come any closer! Or I'll kill her!"
Zhu Qinghe saw the tall, straight back of the man standing at the door and cried out for help, "Lord Shen, help me!"
She was just a weak, pitiful, helpless fortune teller, why did they treat her like this?
Shen Wumei's expression was serious. She secretly made a gesture behind her back with one hand, and her subordinates understood and secretly retreated.
"Calm down, Yingluo. Linlang has already confessed. I advise you not to be so stubborn," Shen Wumei said.
"Stubborn to the end?" Yingluo seemed to find it very laughable, her laughter was desolate, and even the hand holding the dagger at Zhu Qinghe's neck was trembling violently.
"What do you people know? You're so high and mighty, thinking you can judge everyone. Do you even know what we've been through? What gives you the right to say such arrogant things?"
"You are the ones who are stubbornly clinging to your delusions!" The woman's accusations were heart-wrenching, and although Zhu Qinghe did not know what she had been through, she was inevitably affected by her.
Linlang was brought over by her subordinates from behind Shen Wumei. After seeing Yingluo clearly, she closed her eyes in anguish: "Yingluo, why are you so impatient?"
“Sister Linlang,” Yingluo said with a pained tone, “Are you alright? Why did they arrest you? I was just worried about you…”
Linlang glanced at Zhu Qinghe and said coldly, "This is clearly a trap they set to lure you out. Your actions have fallen into their trap."
Zhu Qinghe felt a sense of foreboding. Sure enough, after hearing those words, Yingluo looked down at her and glared at her: "It's you!"
Thinking about it carefully, there was indeed something strange. This person didn't seem very surprised to wake up, and she was found so quickly. She must have been tipping them off.
"Miss Yingluo, let's calm down first." Zhu Qinghe shrank back with a fawning smile. Yingluo's eyes blazed with fury as she raised a dagger. "Go to hell!"
A cold glint flashed in her eyes, and Zhu Qinghe closed them in despair.
A gust of wind rushed towards her, and Zhu Qinghe was dragged away, her forehead hitting something hard. She recognized the familiar sensation and opened her eyes. Sure enough, it was Shen Wumei's dusty gray uniform.
He saved her again, and Zhu Qinghe felt a bit conflicted, as if she really was useless.
Yingluo had already been subdued by her subordinates. Shen Wumei grabbed the person in her arms by the back of the collar and asked, "How long are you going to keep leaning on me?"
Zhu Qinghe pressed her forehead against his chest and said in a muffled voice, "I'm tied up and can't stand up straight."
"..." Shen Wumei used a knife to cut the ropes binding her, and Zhu Qinghe was finally free. She rubbed her reddened wrists and breathed a sigh of relief. She had really suffered a lot.
No, we have to ask for more money.
Just as Zhu Qinghe was about to speak, she noticed that Shen Wumei was staring at her with a strange look in her eyes. She blinked and asked, "What's wrong?"
Shen Wumei asked her, "Where's your beard?"
Zhu Qinghe subconsciously covered her chin. Oh no, she forgot that her beard had fallen off.
Could Shen Wumei have already discovered her true identity as a woman? Zhu Qinghe covered half of her face with both hands, staring at him nervously.
As a result, Shen Wumei squinted at her for a while, her tone carrying a subtle sympathy: "I understand, don't worry, I won't laugh at you."
ah?
Shen Wumei patted her shoulder: "It's okay. Although you look effeminate, even if you put on a beard to disguise it, it won't help. But considering your contribution to solving this case, if anyone laughs at you in the future, I'll stand up for you."
Hehe, Zhu Qinghe said with a forced smile, "Thank you so much, sir."
Shen Wumei waved her hand understandingly and turned around: "Take the person back."
At this point, the case can be considered solved. Linglong did commit suicide, but there were also people behind the scenes who instigated and fueled this tragedy.
Yingluo and Linlang meticulously planned the murder to avenge Linglong. First, they pretended to approach Liu Bohan and gave him a slow-acting poison. Then, when Linlang was receiving Chen Shikun, Yingluo ambushed him on the other side to carry out the revenge.
If Yingluo hadn't spent years learning and training in the opera troupe, she really wouldn't have been able to complete such a difficult technique.
What happened after that was no longer Zhu Qinghe's concern. She had successfully completed her mission and received fifty taels of silver from Mo Wu. She asked with some surprise, "Isn't that too much?"
Mo Wu replied matter-of-factly, "The boss said this is what you deserve."
Unexpectedly, this cold-faced devil was quite generous. Zhu Qinghe put away the silver with satisfaction and said to Mo Wu, "If you need anything like this again in the future, you can come to me. I can give you a discount."
Mo Wu: "..."
Zhu Qinghe returned to the shop, and Ruyi greeted her happily: "Miss, you're finally back! Where have you been these past few days?"
Zhu Qinghe shook the money bag in her hand, beaming with pride: "I took on a side job and earned fifty taels."
"Wow, Miss, you're amazing!" Ruyi clapped.
As Zhu Qinghe walked inside, she asked, "How have things been these past few days? Has Aunt Song finished all the paperwork?"
Ruyi looked worried: "Miss, I was just about to tell you about this. Aunt Song said that the land deed is missing. It's a pity that we have nowhere to live now. We can have this shop, but we'll talk about the other branches later."
Zhu Qinghe snorted coldly: "She's not even pretending anymore."
Ruyi asked, "Miss, what should we do?"
Zhu Qinghe glanced at the money pouch in her hand and smiled, "Since Aunt Song won't hand over the land deed, we'll just have to go and get it ourselves."
Let's see who can outlast whom.
The next day.
Aunt Song was awakened by the noise outside the door. The master had left early, and she was going to take a nap. Who was so inconsiderate as to make such a commotion?
The maid Qiuju rushed in anxiously: "Madam, something terrible has happened! The eldest young lady has gathered a group of people and is making a scene outside the door."
Aunt Song's face immediately fell: "What is Zhu Qinghe up to now?"
Qiuju: "It's because of the land deed."
Aunt Song sneered: "You brat, do you think I'll be afraid of you if you make a big scene? She's come at the wrong time, the master isn't here right now. Today I'll teach her a lesson on behalf of her long-dead mother."
Zhu Qinghe was dressed extra flamboyantly today, her pink and blue dress was eye-catching, and the team of thugs she had hired were all big and strong.
Zhu Qinghe was quite satisfied. Although she felt a little bad about spending ten taels of silver, if she could get the land deed back, then the money would be well spent!
Looking at the tightly closed gate in front of her, and glancing at the two large characters "Zhu Residence" on the plaque, Zhu Qinghe smiled faintly and waved her hand: "Break down the gate!"
Several burly thugs rushed up with sticks and pounded on the door, which was so fragile that it almost crumbled and fell apart.
The gatekeeper shouted from inside, "What are you doing? Stop smashing things! Do you believe we'll call the authorities?"
"Madam," the doorman's voice was almost tearful with joy, "you've finally arrived! Miss—"
Adopting the demeanor of a matriarch, Madam Song raised her voice and said, "Zhu Qinghe, are you trying to rebel?"
"Stop smashing!" Zhu Qinghe called out to the thugs.
The gate slowly opened, and Madam Song, chin held high, stepped out and stood on the steps, looking down at Zhu Qinghe: "What are you doing so early in the morning? Are you trying to make a fool of the Zhu family in front of all the neighbors?"
The surrounding neighbors did indeed gather in a circle, secretly watching the situation unfold. When they saw Song looking at them with hostility, they all turned their heads away and pretended to be busy with their own things.
Zhu Qinghe didn't care about any of that. She said sarcastically, "Auntie has already made a laughing stock of herself, yet she's afraid of being laughed at by others?"
Song was so angry that her face turned ashen. This little slut only had a sharp tongue that everyone hated, and she would tear that tongue to shreds sooner or later.
"Perfect timing. Let's call Father out in front of everyone and discuss when I can have the land deed."
Madam Song revealed a sinister smile: "You've come at the wrong time. Your father isn't here. Today, I'm the only one in the Zhu residence."
Zhu Qinghe frowned. At this moment, a pink figure rushed out of the mansion. She was not old, but her accessories from head to toe were gorgeous and expensive, especially her hair, which was adorned with several pearls and jade. Unfortunately, she had an ordinary temperament and her features were only considered pretty. She couldn't hold up those accessories at all, and she looked both ridiculous and laughable.
She pointed at Zhu Qinghe aggressively and cursed, "Zhu Qinghe, don't go too far! You're a jinx, you've already been kicked out of the Zhu family, how dare you come back?"
Zhu Qinghe's eyes grew even colder. This person was none other than Song's daughter, her nominal younger sister—Zhu Wanting.
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