Duke Chu let out a laugh—so angry he laughed.
His wife’s corpse was still lying right in front of him. Because he had refused to let anyone handle it for a whole day and night, her body had already begun showing signs of livor mortis. Her joints had stiffened, and she could no longer be laid flat.
And yet just two days ago, everything had been fine.
Two days ago, his wife had still been reminding him to take care of his health, the two of them still discussing how to get through the present crisis.
But in just a few days… the world had changed.
The people outside were probably celebrating the New Year now, weren’t they?
But for Duke Chu’s residence, there would be no New Year.
First Jinghong, then his second son, and now his wife…
Was it his turn next?
Did the Eastern Palace think that just because they were working with the Eldest Princess and Liu Wangfei, they could act with impunity?
Did they really think they could take him down just like that?!
He sneered openly at Lai Chenglong. “You bunch of trash dare to call yourselves the Emperor’s eyes and ears? My wife’s death was entirely your fault—you useless fools who sit back and do nothing!”
He practically pointed at Lai Chenglong’s nose as he cursed, “Hu Yichuan is out there spreading malicious rumors, stirring up the people—what are you doing?! Manipulating public opinion, seizing the hearts of the people—this is sedition! And yet you, the so-called eyes and ears of the Emperor, aren’t investigating who’s behind all this, and instead come to trouble me?!”
He was, after all, a battle-hardened general who had once ordered the massacre of a city. When he truly got angry, even Lai Chenglong was momentarily cowed.
The Duke continued coldly, “Our estate is full of servants—so many pairs of eyes watching. I’ve been at my wife’s side this entire time without taking a single step away. And you say I went out to murder some woman inside a brothel courtyard?! Tell me—are you an idiot?!”
Madam Liu stood off to the side, trembling with fear.
Everyone knew the Embroidered Uniform Guard answered only to the Emperor. No other authority could control them.
Even her father-in-law had always been polite toward the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
To see him like this now—he really must have gone mad from rage.
Lai Chenglong’s temper finally flared.
He too came from a noble background—his father was the son of the Empress Dowager’s wet nurse, making him essentially the Emperor’s milk-brother.
He wasn’t in this high post without reason.
Being cursed out by Duke Chu now, he let out a cold laugh and retorted, “Your Grace, no need to throw such a tantrum. This is not about who shouts the loudest—it’s about evidence. Hu Yichuan’s case has been fully investigated by the Shuntian Prefecture. The testimonies and physical evidence are all there. Jiang Yanzhen has personally testified that you ordered the hit on Hu Yichuan. What else do you have to say for yourself?!”
Jiang Yanzhen?!
A loud buzzing filled the Duke’s mind.
When had Jiang Yanzhen gone to the Shuntian Prefecture?!
And spilled everything?!
What was he thinking?
Did he have a death wish?
That traitorous lunatic!
His body staggered slightly, and the wound he sustained from falling down the stairs the day before began to throb with pain.
Lai Chenglong spoke again, voice cold and sharp: “Your Grace, you’re a man of high status. Let’s not make this uglier than it has to be. Come with us willingly.”
Duke Chu—go willingly?
He knew all too well what kind of place the Imperial Prison was.
The situation had already tipped completely against him, and with Jiang Yanzhen’s sudden betrayal, if he actually went into that prison, he’d never come out alive.
His wife’s corpse still laid on the bed. The Duke closed his eyes for a moment, then suddenly turned to Madam Liu. “Go tell the Second and Third Old Masters to start preparing for the funeral. Your mother-in-law’s arrangements—I’m leaving them to you. Make sure she has a proper, dignified burial.”
Madam Liu, weeping, acknowledged him and immediately left, understanding from the look he gave her what he meant.
Lai Chenglong moved forward to take him into custody.
But Duke Chu flung his sleeve, expression cold and unyielding. “I demand to see His Majesty!”
Lai Chenglong didn’t back down either. “His Majesty has already given the order that we are to handle this case. If you wish to see His Majesty, wait until the investigation is concluded.”
The Duke scoffed and dragged a chair over, sitting down heavily. “I said—I want to see His Majesty! No one but the Emperor has the authority to pronounce judgment on me!”
Meanwhile, Tian Momo was wailing in fear.
She cried and pleaded with Qi Yuan, “Miss Qi, it’s not that I won’t obey, but even if I say it, who would believe me?! Our Madam died in Qingyun Pavilion—His Grace the Duke never even came there…”
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow and pulled over a chair, sitting down beside her. Leaning forward, she chuckled, “Well, that depends on your sincerity. Killing someone doesn’t always require doing it yourself. Witnessing Duke Chu commit murder could just as easily mean he sent a trusted aide who looked like him… Tian Momo, why don’t you help me think—how could we make people believe it was the Duke who killed your Madam?”
….
Tian Momo was stunned.
Was this girl serious?
She had murdered her own mistress, and she still had the audacity to say such things, even ask her to help cover it up?!
But shock wouldn’t help her now.
Qi Yuan clearly meant to leave this matter in her hands.
Tian Momo cursed furiously inside, but the moment Qi Yuan lowered her teacup, she suddenly jumped up and blurted out, “I—I’ve thought of it! The steward at the Duke’s estate—his name is Chen Chong! He often comes to Qingyun Pavilion! If Duke Chu has something to take care of, he always sends Chen Chong! This… today’s incident must’ve been done by Chen Chong!”
Wuwuwu! This was too terrifying! Where had this demon-girl Qi Yuan even come from?!
Qi Yuan raised her teacup again, sipped slowly, then looked down at Tian Momo with a bright smile. She clapped her hands.
Shunzi immediately entered with two men and greeted her softly, “Miss.”
Tian Momo paled even more. When had these men arrived?!
Qi Yuan glanced at Shunzi. “Tell Tian Momo.”
Shunzi was already hardened from experience. Despite the two corpses in the room, he remained calm.
What kind of noble lady tries to have a gangster assault her own young mistress? They really had no idea what it meant to court death.
Now, staring coldly at Tian Momo, he said, “Tian Momo is from Fuzhou, Fujian. She was sold to Eldest Madam Lu’s maiden household at age seven, then given as part of the dowry to the Lu family. Later she married one of the estate stewards. You now have three daughters and one son, correct? Each of your daughters has two girls, and your son just gave you a grandson, didn’t he?”
Tian Momo’s heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. She couldn’t say a single word.
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