片库网 免费

Yun Lan, acutely aware of her family’s poor conditions, didn’t push back but nodded in agreement, “Alright.”

At that moment, Chu Qingzhi noticed a string of begonia-colored flowers swaying with the breeze on the left side of the room.

It was the Thunder God Vine.

She walked over for a closer look and saw marks on the vine’s branches where it had been cut.

Turning her gaze towards the courtyard, she spotted a winnowing basket in the corner, filled with slices of the Thunder God Vine among others drying petals…

Returning to the group, Chu Qingzhi directly asked Yun Lan, “Who did you give the petals soaked in Thunder God Vine to?”

Yun Lan’s face turned ashen. Overwhelmed by fear, she knelt down, tears streaming down her face, “I had no choice. I didn’t want to do it; I never meant to hurt anyone…”

Chu Qingning and Xia Mei looked at each other. They didn’t expect it to really be Yun Lan’s doing. Ingrate, wasting Second Brother-in-law’s good intentions.

Chu Qingzhi remained expressionless, “Explainyourself.”

Between sobs, Yun Lan recounted, “About half a month ago, on my way home, I was approached by a woman wearing a cloak. She instructed me to do it, promising money upon completion and threatening to strip me of my job at the Ning family’s home if I refused.”

“I was desperate. My father is ill. Losing this job would ruin us completely.”

There were many ways to solve a problem, but Yun Lan chose the worst possible option, hardly deserving of sympathy, “Describe this woman.”

“She was taller than me, wearing a pale blue dress and a matching cloak, even her shoes were pale blue, and she had a pleasant voice…”

Xia Mei interjected, “I know who it is.” She remembered someone who had a particular fondness for pale blue.

In the Ning family’s third branch.

Sitting idly in the courtyard, the elegantly dressed Madam Ning of the third branch, adorned with a unique and beautiful purple jade hairpin, reflected a charm that belied her age in her thirties.

She mused softly, with a hint of schadenfreude, “Chu Qingzhi really has a knack for unearthing secrets from the second branch.”

Her maid, Dai Su, approached with a bowl of beauty-enhancing soup, “Madam, your beauty soup is ready.”

Third Madam Ning extended her porcelain-like fingers, “Serve it.”

“Yes.” Dai Su attended to her meticulously.

“Have you heard about the second branch?”

“Yes, they’re in big trouble.” Dai Su always knew the right things to say to please Third Madam Ning, always managing to keep her in high spirits.

Third Madam Ning, somewhat impressed, remarked, “A young lady investigating like a detective, is her brain wired differently from ours?”

Dai Su chuckled, “I don’t think so. She looks just like us, no extra limbs or heads.” She placed the bowl in front of Third madam Ning, “It’s ready for you.”

Third Madam Ning took the spoon and stirred it twice, deep in thought.

A maid entered to announce, “Madam, Chu Qingzhi, Chu Qingning, and Xia Mei have arrived.”

Third Madam Ning’s lips curled into a slight smile, her beauty radiant, “Speak of the devil, and she shall appear. Let them in; I was just thinking about Chu Qingzhi.”

“Yes, Madam.”

As the maid departed, Dai Su’s grip tightened around the bowl she was holding.

Before long, Chu Qingzhi and her companions were ushered into Third Madam Ning’s presence by the maid.

“Greetings, Third Madam.”

Third Madam Ning looked up at Chu Qingzhi’s face. Her skin was really smooth and flawless. She was so beautiful that it made one’s heart flutter. “Why are you looking forme?”

Chu Qingzhi got straight to the point, “We would like to see Yuan Shan. Could you please assist us?”

Before Third Madam Ning could respond, Dai Su, unable to contain her excitement, interjected, “Yuan Shan isn’t here; she’s been gone for many days.”

Xia Mei countered, “I saw Yuan Shan just yesterday.”

Dai Su, with her head slightly bowed and her hands tightly clasped, betrayed her nervousness. Yet, she asserted confidently, “You must have seen someone else.”

Third Madam Ning looked at them. “Did something happen?”

“We’re not quite sure yet. We’ll inform you once we have clarity,” Chu Qingzhi replied, her gaze subtly shifting towards Dai Su, “Where is Yuan Shan now?”

Dai Su blurted out, “She’s at home.”

With lies unraveling, seeking the truth became much simpler for Chu Qingzhi, “Third Madam, we’ll need to see Yuan Shan. Please excuse us.” With that, they departed.

Third Madam Ning did not understand why she was looking for Yuan Shan.

Dai Su, flustered, quickly excused herself, “Madam, I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”

Watching everyone leave, Third Madam Ning felt a sense of annoyance. Half- conversations were the most irksome.

Catching up to them at the door, Dai Su blocked their way, her tone aggressive, “You can’t go see Yuan Shan.”

Chu Qingning hinted at the obvious, “Is this an admission of guilt?”

Realizing her folly, Dai Su quickly tried to compose herself, “Yuan Shan is unwell; please don’t disturb her.”

Chu Qingning insinuated further, “It seems she’s not ill but afraid, right?”

Dai Su attempted to feign innocence, “I don’t know what you’re implying, but whatever it is, Yuan Shan has nothing to do with it.”

Chu Qingzhi’s gaze turned icy, “You’re aware your daughter tampered with my sister’s purse, aren’t you?”

“I am, but she’s just a child who didn’t know any better. It wasn’t intentional.” Dai Su clapped her hand over her mouth, panic-stricken by her own admission.

“Lead the way!” Chu Qingzhi commanded, leaving no room for refusal.

As they approached the residence, Dai Su’s complexion turned pale. She had come to stop Chu Qingzhi, yet here she was, leading them directly to the doorstep.

This was a relatively good residence. It was neither big nor small. In the capital, it could be considered a wealthy family.

Xia Mei called out, “Is anyone there?”

The house remained silent until a man in his thirties emerged, “Who are you looking for?”

“We’re here for Yuan Shan,” Chu Qingzhi stated.

As the man was about to agree, Dai Su rushed forward, blocking the door, her emotions running high, “You can’t see Yuan Shan, you can’t…”

Seeing Dai Su’s erratic behavior, the man quickly opened the door, “Dai Su, what’s wrong?”

Dai Su, turning to push the man inside, urged, “Quick, tell your daughter to run…”

The man, clueless about the situation, was hesitant to act, “Calm down. What exactly happened?”

Seeing the man’s reluctance, Dai Su pushed past him and dashed inside, shouting, “Yuan Shan, run, run…”

The man pulled Dai Su aside, asking anxiously, “What happened?”

Chu Qingzhi interjected, “Don’t bother asking her. Call Yuan Shan out; she’ll know the truth.”

The man became wary, “Who are you, and why are you looking for Yuan Shan?”