First arrival in Huaizhou
The carriage made a regular, bumpy sound as it rolled over the bluestone road.
Xiao Diting lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, gazing at the rapidly receding street scene outside the window, his brows furrowing slightly.
The outline of Jiangzhou City gradually disappeared from view, and the official road ahead stretched out in the direction of Huaizhou.
She brought ten personal guards with her, all of whom were carefully selected elites from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. They rode at full speed, not daring to delay.
Ji Shuangqiao's death was like a stone thrown into a lake, not only stirring up the muddy waters of Jiangzhou, but also pushing the Yang family of Huaizhou into the eye of the storm.
Jiangzhou was determined to give the Yang family an explanation, but Wang Shude handed over the heavy responsibility of the investigation to Shangguan Lin, while he himself became a meek and submissive manager, which infuriated everyone.
Xiao Diting originally planned to stay in Jiangzhou for a while longer with Shangguan Lin and inquire about the Huaizhou grain draft, but unfortunately Ji Shuangqiao ruined everything.
Ji Shuangqiao was very anxious and insisted that she go to Huaizhou, giving her no chance to catch her breath.
Therefore, she could only agree with Shangguan Lin that the situation had developed to a point where it was no longer up to the two of them to decide. Shangguan Lin would stay in Jiangzhou to conduct an in-depth investigation into the salt and iron accounts, while also reporting the progress to Pei Wenjin, who was far away in the capital.
She herself needed to get to Huaizhou as quickly as possible, ostensibly to represent Jiangzhou and explain Ji Shuangqiao's cause of death to the Yang family, but in reality, she wanted to take the opportunity to investigate the Yang family's strengths and weaknesses.
"Your Highness, we are now in Huaizhou territory," the captain of the personal guards reported in a low voice.
Xiao Diting nodded, lowered the carriage curtain, and straightened his tight-fitting clothes.
For convenience, she continued to disguise herself as "Xiao Xiao," a female official under Shangguan Lin, but now wore a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) badge at her waist to indicate her identity.
When they entered Huaizhou City, it was already the afternoon of the next day.
Unlike the bustling Jiangzhou, Huaizhou, though also situated by the water, exudes an air of desolation.
The scars left by last year's floods have not completely faded. Many dilapidated houses can still be seen on the streets, and occasionally ragged refugees huddle in corners with numb eyes.
The Yang family mansion is located in the center of the city. It is an impressive residence with two stone lions crouching in front of the vermilion gate and several strong servants standing at the entrance, looking vigilant.
It stands out starkly against the backdrop of its surrounding decay.
The Yang family hurriedly carried away Ji Shuangqiao's "body," and for some unknown reason, they simply hung some white slips of paper at the door, showing no intention of holding a funeral.
Xiao Diting dismounted and stepped forward to report.
Seeing that her entourage was impressive, the servants dared not be negligent and quickly went inside to report.
Before long, a young man dressed in a brocade robe strode out, followed by several attendants.
Xiao Di heard that he was a typical young master from Jiangnan, holding a scroll in his hand, wearing a headband, and dressed in brocade and fine clothes, looking just like a noble young master who had stepped out of a painting.
His face was gloomy, his attitude was rude, he glanced at Xiao Diting and said in an unfriendly tone: "So you're the one sent by Jiangzhou?"
Xiao Diting bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant: "My name is Xiao Xiao, and I belong to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I have come to pay my respects to the Yang family on the orders of Lord Shangguan, the Commander of the Southern Garrison, to discuss the funeral arrangements for Madam Shuangqiao."
"Discuss the aftermath?" The man sneered. "My wife had an accident in Jiangzhou, and you think you can just brush it off with a 'discuss the aftermath'? Let me tell you, if you don't give the Yang family an explanation today, nobody's leaving!"
This man was Yang Li, the son of Yang Yuanzheng, the prefect of Huaizhou, and also Ji Shuangqiao's nominal husband.
He was clearly furious about Ji Shuangqiao's death, and his words were full of hostility.
Xiao Diting was prepared and said calmly, "Young Master Yang, please calm down... We also deeply regret the death of Madam Ji."
She spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, and seeing that Yang Li was about to fly into a rage and start cursing, she had no choice but to continue: "Lord Shangguan has already launched an investigation in Jiangzhou. I have come here today for two reasons: first, to express my condolences on behalf of Jiangzhou, and second, to learn about the situation so that I can find out the truth as soon as possible."
"Find out the truth?" Yang Li stepped forward, closing in on Xiao Diting. "I think you're just trying to brush this off! My wife returned safely from Jiangzhou, how could she suddenly fall off a cliff? What kind of officials are you in Jiangzhou?"
His entourage echoed his sentiments, and for a moment they were menacing, ready to take action.
Xiao Diting's personal guards immediately stepped forward, placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, and confronted the Yang family members.
“Young Master Yang.” Xiao Diting raised his hand to signal the guards to step back, his tone still calm, “Taking action won’t solve the problem. There are many suspicious points surrounding Madam Ji’s death, and we also want to find out the truth as soon as possible and give the Yang family an explanation. But this requires your cooperation.”
"Cooperate?" Yang Li scoffed. "Are you implying that the Yang family is suspected of murdering their daughter-in-law?"
Xiao Di took out a waist token from his pocket and handed it to Yang Li: "This is the waist token of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. When the Embroidered Uniform Guard handles cases, they always only rely on evidence and never on personal feelings."
She sneered and, mimicking someone's aggressive manner, said, "If Young Master Yang has any complaints about the Embroidered Uniform Guard, feel free to report them to our superiors."
Yang Li glanced at the waist tag, his face turning a deep purplish-red. Mentioning that commander reminded him of some unpleasant things, and he immediately fell silent, trying to justify himself: "Even if you're a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so what? My wife is already dead. Can you bring her back to life?"
“No, the lady’s death was suspicious, and there’s not much we can do.” Xiao Diting shook his head. “But we must give her justice and bring the murderer to justice.”
"Fairness?" Yang Li's eyes were complicated. "I don't think you'll find anything... I've already sent people to Jiangzhou. If Jiangzhou doesn't give us a satisfactory answer, our Yang family will never let this go!"
Xiao Diting's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected the Yang family to act so quickly. It seemed that their actions regarding Ji Shuangqiao's death were not as simple as they appeared on the surface.
She deliberately adopted a haughty stance and relentlessly provoked them: "The Yang family probably doesn't want to let this go easily, it's going to be difficult for them..."
Yang Chengye's face was already unpleasant, and now it was even worse. After holding back for a long time, he said coldly, "If the Embroidered Uniform Guard has nothing else to say, please leave. The Yang family does not welcome guests now."
After saying that, he walked into the mansion without looking back, and his attendants blocked outsiders from entering and slammed the gate shut.
Xiao Diting stared thoughtfully at the tightly closed door.
Yang Li's reaction was not surprising, but the fact that the mansion was in such a calm state after his wife's sudden death was a bit too much.
She stood there for a moment, thinking about what Pei Wenjin would do if he were here.
At least she really resembled a member of the Imperial Guard, someone's subordinate.
"Your Highness, what do we do now?" the captain of the personal guard asked.
Xiao Diting shook his head: "Let's find a place to stay first and observe the situation. The more ambiguous the Yang family's attitude is, the bigger the problem is."
The group found an inn nearby and settled in. Just as they were done, a guard came to report that Huaizhou was suddenly going to be sealed off.
Xiao Diting was not surprised. He slowly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and smiled, "We sealed off the city as soon as we arrived. Aren't you afraid we'll suspect your family?"
"Your Highness, ever since we checked into the inn, someone has been watching you. What do you think about that?"
She whispered a few instructions to her guards, who then obeyed and left.
That night, Xiao Diting deliberately had his guards pretend to go out to investigate, thus diverting the people watching from his direction.
She changed into a night outfit, quietly left the inn, and headed straight for the Yang family mansion.
The Yang family mansion was heavily guarded, but it wasn't too difficult for Xiao Diting. She bypassed the patrolling servants and quietly sneaked into the mansion.
It was her first time visiting the Yang residence. She awkwardly explored the interior structure of the mansion, looked around for a moment, and then went directly to the east side of the mansion.
The lights were still on there late at night; it looked like Yang Li's study.
Desperate to gather information, she headed straight there. As she approached the study, she heard voices coming from inside.
"Mother, those Imperial Guards are too arrogant! They actually dared to investigate our Yang family!" It was Yang Chengye's voice. "That bastard who came last year, what's his name, Pei something-or-other, turned the Yang family upside down when Father died..."
"Calm down." An old voice rang out, probably Madam Yang. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard never shows any mercy when handling cases. We can't confront them head-on now."
"But they've come to Huaizhou again, and my son is worried..."
"What are you afraid of?" Old Madam Yang interrupted him. "The Ji family girl is already dead, and there's no way to verify anything... As long as we insist that her death was an accident, we'll say we don't know anything about any grudges or hatred."
“But I always feel something is wrong,” Yang Li said. “That female official of the Embroidered Uniform Guard seems to be more than just a simple woman… Moreover, my son always feels that Ji Shuangqiao, such a tough shrew, died too easily.”
Just as she was about to listen further, she suddenly heard footsteps outside and quickly slipped into the shadows outside the window.
A servant rushed into the study: "Madam, young master, news has come from Jiangzhou that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has begun investigating the grain draft again."
Yang Li's expression changed: "Investigate, investigate, all you know is how to investigate! Didn't you leave last year without finding anything? You're just wasting time!"
"I don't know," the servant subtly reminded Yang Li. "I heard she found some clues on the mountain path and suspects that the grain has been secretly divided up."
Madam Yang grabbed her son's hand and said, "Don't be angry, my son. Let them investigate if they want. That grain was transported from Jiangzhou. What does it have to do with our Huaizhou?"
Yang Li waved her hand dismissively: "Mother, you don't understand."
"Anyway, our Yang family didn't get involved. Your father passed away so suddenly, and your mother doesn't care about reputation or the truth anymore... I just hope you're doing well." Old Madam Yang happily pulled her son along. "Now that the Ji family girl is dead, we should find you a daughter from a new family."
Xiao Diting felt a chill run down her spine. She dared not linger any longer and quietly left the Yang family mansion, rushing back to the inn that very night.
"Your Highness, how is the situation?" the captain of the personal guard asked hurriedly when he saw her return.
“The situation is not good,” Xiao Diting said. “The Yang family has already discovered that we are investigating the grain draft. I must inform Lord Shangguan immediately.”
"But there are still people watching from outside..."
"Ignore them," Xiao Diting said. "I'll send a few men; you set off tonight, and I'll stay here as an inside man."
"But Your Highness..."
"Don't you understand orders?" Xiao Diting sneered. "Just go and come back quickly. The Yang family poses no threat."
She instructed Shangguan Linren to immediately pack his belongings and, under the cover of night, quietly leave the inn, riding swiftly towards Jiangzhou.
Xiao Diting went to the reserved room, and only after washing up and lying on the bed did his anxiety ease a little.
She didn't know how Shangguan Lin was doing now, nor did she know what the Yang family might do next.
But she knew she had to break the deadlock as soon as possible; time was running out.
The arrogance of the Yang family, the unpredictability of Ji Shuangqiao, the many doubts surrounding the grain draft... all of this is like an invisible net, tightly binding them together.
She was already at the center of this web, unable to escape.
Ever since she was relentlessly pursued, she has never let go of her weapon, and she keeps her sword under her pillow.
Xiao Diting reached out and touched the hilt of the knife; the icy touch brought her back to her senses.
She gripped the sword in her hand tightly, her eyes resolute.
No matter how many dangers lie ahead, she will continue her investigation and uncover the whole truth. Because she knows that this is not only for herself and for the deceived people, but also for the justice in her heart.
A night breeze blew by, carrying a hint of chill, and she could faintly hear the footsteps of the servants on their shifts, which reassured her considerably.
Xiao Diting took a deep breath and wrapped herself tightly in the blanket. She knew that a tough battle awaited her.
But she was fearless; she was not fighting alone.
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