Earl Yongchang collapsed so suddenly that, despite Xie Yinlou’s quick reflexes in catching him nearby, it still elicited a wave of shocked exclamations.
“Father, what’s wrong?” Xie Qingyao, her face drained of color, rushed over in fright.
Earl Yongchang’s head rested on Xie Yinlou’s shoulder, limp and powerless.
Seeing this, Zhen Shicheng’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately stepped forward, calling out, “Your Lordship, Your Lordship!”
Earl Yongchang’s eyes were tightly shut, a trickle of blood slowly seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Zhen Shicheng quickly reached out to check for breath.
There was none.
Zhen Shicheng withdrew his hand and said gravely, “Quickly, summon a physician!”
Xie Qingyao’s eyes suddenly widened as she grabbed her father’s limp hand. “Father, what’s happening to you?”
Zhen Shicheng barked, “Don’t shake him!”
Startled, Xie Qingyao let go, staring blankly at her empty hands.
Jiang Si stood a short distance away, feeling dizzy as she watched the blood trickling from Earl Yongchang’s mouth.
The Earl’s household already had a resident physician, who soon came hurrying with his medicine box. Seeing Earl Yongchang’s condition, he was startled but quickly began his examination. After a moment, he froze.
“How… how is my father?” Xie Yinlou struggled to maintain composure, but a hint of distress leaked into his voice.
The physician knew he had to speak, no matter how difficult. His voice trembling, he said, “His Lordship… has passed…”
Earl Yongchang was still leaning against Xie Yinlou, who clenched his fists upon hearing this, his expression twisted.
Xie Qingyao let out a piercing scream and began to collapse.
Jiang Si instinctively reached out to support Xie Qingyao, but she too felt bewildered at that moment.
Earl Yongchang had died!
In her previous life, although Earl Yongchang had suffered from sleepwalking, he had always been robust. Now he was dead—
Jiang Si dared not think further, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.
Zhen Shicheng’s gaze inadvertently fell on Jiang Si, puzzled.
Although Earl Yongchang’s death was sudden, for someone like him who was accustomed to life and death, he could still maintain rational calm. But Miss Jiang, who had been so composed and outstanding earlier, why was she now so distraught?
It seemed Miss Jiang was as shocked as the Xie siblings, which was strange.
“Prefect Zhen, could my father have been poisoned?” Xie Yinlou slowly asked his gaze towards Dou Niang as cold as a blade.
“We’ll need to examine him before drawing any conclusions,” Zhen Shicheng gestured for his subordinates to move Earl Yongchang’s body inside for examination.
The servants in the courtyard waited anxiously, not daring to make a sound.
Xie Qingyao finally found her voice, wailing, “Father—”
Her cries were heart-wrenching, her body bent over as if she might cough up her heart and lungs.
Those piercing cries felt like salt-water whips lashing Jiang Si’s heart, making her bleed inwardly with each sob.
She held Xie Qingyao tightly, murmuring repeatedly, “Qingyao, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”
Although she knew it was Dou Niang who had killed the Earl and his wife, Jiang Si couldn’t convince herself that she bore no responsibility, no matter how much she tried to deceive herself.
It was indeed her careless words that had altered the fate of Earl Yongchang and his wife.
One lived, one died – could she feel at peace just because her intentions had been good?
She didn’t know how others would handle such a situation, but she couldn’t.
These were two lives – her friend’s parents, the pillars of an entire household. Who knew how many people’s fates were affected? And all because of a few words from her, they were gone.
At this moment, Jiang Si finally understood that foreknowledge didn’t only bring benefits. If not used cautiously, it could bring misfortune to others.
“Ah, ah—” Xie Qingyao clutched Jiang Si’s hands tightly as she wailed, her nails leaving bloody scratches on Jiang Si’s fair skin.
Immersed in grief, Xie Qingyao was oblivious, while Jiang Si could only silently endure.
Soon after, the coroner had results: “Your Honor, the Earl did not die from poison, but from sudden heart failure—”
“Nonsense!” Xie Yinlou coldly interrupted the coroner. “My father has always been strong and healthy. We’ve never heard the physician mention any heart problems!”
He then grabbed the physician, demanding fiercely, “Doctor Zhang, you should know my father’s health condition best. Speak!”
Doctor Zhang wiped his sweat repeatedly but knew he had to explain clearly or face dire consequences. He hurriedly explained, “Young Master, sudden heart failure is different from other ailments. There might be no symptoms detectable during normal times, but under severe stress—”
Xie Yinlou suddenly drew the sword at his waist and walked towards Dou Niang.
“Stop him!” Zhen Shicheng shouted.
Xie Yinlou, gripping his sword, said coldly, “Prefect Zhen, I want to chop that woman to pieces to avenge my parents. Are you going to stop me?”
Zhen Shicheng shook his head, “Young Master, don’t be rash. The truth has been uncovered; they will receive their due punishment.”
Xie Yinlou snorted, pushing away the guards blocking him. “Move aside!”
“Brother Xie, wouldn’t kill her with your own hands sully you?” Jiang Si, not wanting Xie Yinlou to bear the crime of murder, spoke up despite her extreme distress.
The hatred of a stolen wife and murdered father – although killing for revenge might be forgiven by law under these circumstances, it could still invite criticism for Xie Yinlou, who was about to inherit the title.
Every family had friends, and likewise, enemies. There were always those waiting to kick you when you’re down.
If Xie Yinlou’s title was jeopardized because of the murder, Jiang Si would never forgive herself.
Xie Yinlou’s obsidian eyes turned to her, dark and deep, his emotions unreadable.
Jiang Si, still holding Xie Qingyao, persuaded, “Brother Xie, they’ve caused such tragedy to your family. Wouldn’t it be too easy to let them die by your sword?”
Xie Yinlou’s eyes flickered, and he sheathed his sword.
Zhen Shicheng came over and patted Xie Yinlou’s shoulder, saying solemnly, “Young Master, my condolences. If your household needs any assistance in the future, feel free to send someone to the Shuntian Prefecture.”
Xie Yinlou lowered his eyes and thanked him.
“Bind Dou Niang and the head steward and take them away!” Zhen Shicheng ordered, then bowed to Jiang Si, “Miss Jiang, you’ve been of great help to me this time. I’ll come to express my gratitude personally later.”
This way, he thought, he could naturally bring his son along.
Jiang Si’s mind was in chaos. She hurriedly returned the gesture, “I don’t deserve your thanks, Your Honor. I didn’t do much.”
As Zhen Shicheng left with his group, Xie Yinlou approached Jiang Si, his voice slightly hoarse, “Thank you for today. Let me escort you back.”
Jiang Si couldn’t possibly let Xie Yinlou escort her at such a time and refused.
Xie Qingyao clung to Jiang Si, not letting go. Xie Yinlou glanced at his sister, “Qingyao, we still need to arrange our parents’ funeral. Let Miss Jiang go home for now.”
“Ah Si—” Xie Qingyao cried, looking utterly pitiful.
Jiang Si squeezed Xie Qingyao’s hand, “I’ll inform my family and come back to keep you company.”
Only then did Xie Qingyao let go.
As Jiang Si walked out of the Earl Yongchang’s mansion gates, she was met by the glaring sunlight. Her legs weakened, and she nearly fell.
“Miss, are you alright?” Aman quickly supported her.
Jiang Si shook her head and continued walking. As she neared Earl Dongping’s mansion, she unconsciously stopped.
A large dog wagged its tail happily at her.