Steward Lin was startled and whispered instructions to the gatekeeper. The latter turned and left, returning after a while with a thick register. Everyone who entered or left the mansion was recorded in this book.

Steward Lin immediately turned to the page for the ninth day of the first month. After carefully examining it, he said to Wan Shi, “Madam, on the ninth day of the first month, Wu Meixue did not leave the mansion.”

Feng Chunming, with his sharp ears, heard Steward Lin’s words and immediately said, “Impossible! The night watchman saw clearly – that person was Wu Meixue. She was afraid that the evidence in Chunxiu’s hands would expose her secret, so she killed Chunxiu first!” Then he added, “This register must have missed recording her.”

The gatekeeper naturally wouldn’t agree with his words and glared at him, “Impossible! Since I’ve been guarding this gate, I’ve never missed recording a single person.”

Just as Feng Chunming was about to speak again, Wan Shi said, “Even if it was truly missed, tell me – what kind of secret would require Wu Meixue to use murder to cover it up?”

Feng Chunming was left speechless by her question, secretly blaming himself for not listening carefully to Chunxiu’s words at the time, so that now he couldn’t answer many questions.

Feng Cheng cupped his hands and said, “Madam doesn’t know – as early as when Chunxiu returned home last time, she screamed in the middle of the night, saying someone wanted to kill her. At the time, I didn’t believe her words and said she was mistaking dreams for reality. Now thinking back, that was real! Wu Meixue has a vicious heart – when she failed once, she planned a second time!”

The person forcibly pressed to the ground raised his head and said excitedly, “You’re talking nonsense! The girl wouldn’t do such a thing – she didn’t kill Chunxiu!” This person was Wu Laosan. He had been forcibly dragged here by Feng Cheng and others, suffering many punches and kicks from Feng Cheng along the way.

Feng Cheng snorted coldly, “According to what you say, did the night watchman lie and deliberately frame Wu Meixue?”

Wu Laosan stammered, “I… I don’t know. In any case, Meixue didn’t kill anyone!”

Feng Cheng ignored him and said to Wan Shi, “Please, Madam, hand Wu Meixue over to me so I can take her to the magistrate for sentencing!”

“No!” Wu Laosan said urgently, “Madam, Meixue has always been timid and gentle by nature. How could she possibly kill someone? She’s innocent – please, Madam, see clearly!”

Feng Chunming said coldly, “You needn’t continue making excuses for Wu Meixue. The murderer is undoubtedly her.”

“No! Really not!” Wu Laosan kept protesting innocence, but unfortunately, Feng Cheng completely ignored him and insisted on asking Wan Shi to hand over Wu Meixue.

Seeing the Feng family’s agitated emotions, Steward Lin said somewhat worriedly, “Madam, should we inform the Governor?”

“Don’t disturb the Governor yet.” After a brief pause, Wan Shi said, “Take them to Yuxiu Pavilion. Also, go summon Wu Meixue.”

Steward Lin responded and was about to leave when Wan Shi called him back, “Wait, go summon Jiang Caiping as well.” Following her instructions, the Feng family along with Wu Laosan were brought to Yuxiu Pavilion. Then he went to the music workshop to summon Yunyi and Jiang Caiping. Both were puzzled when they heard Wan Shi suddenly summoning them. After arriving at Yuxiu Pavilion, Jiang Caiping seemed fine, but Yunyi had already hurried to Wu Laosan’s side, who was covered in injuries, and said in shock, “Father, how are you here? And these injuries – what happened?” Without waiting for Wu Laosan to answer, she already stared at Feng Cheng and the others, “Did they beat you again?”

Wu Laosan forced a smile, “Father is fine, just minor injuries – nothing serious.” Then he nervously grabbed Meixue’s hand, “Quickly tell Madam that you didn’t leave the mansion that night on the ninth, and you certainly didn’t kill anyone!”

“Kill someone?” Yunyi said in surprise, “Who did I kill?”

Feng Cheng glared at her viciously, “You needn’t put on an act here – you killed Chunxiu!”

Yunyi said in astonishment, “What are you talking about? How could I kill Chunxiu? Moreover, I’ve been in the mansion these past few days and never left. How could I kill someone?”

“Someone personally saw you arguing with Chunxiu on the street that night on the ninth. You can’t deny it! Come, go with me to the magistrate!” As Feng Chunming spoke, he forcibly pulled Yunyi outside. Wu Laosan quickly stepped forward to stop him. In the struggle, he pushed Feng Chunming. Although he was old, years of labor plus frequent mountain hunting meant his strength was no less than younger men. Feng Chunming was pushed and rolled on the ground like a gourd. The Feng family was used to being domineering and wouldn’t stand for this. Especially Feng Cheng, who was already holding in his anger, immediately raised his bowl-sized fist to hit Wu Laosan.

“Outrageous!” Seeing this, Zhaixing shouted sternly, “What do you think this place is? All of you stop immediately!”

Under Zhaixing’s stern rebuke, Feng Cheng reluctantly lowered his fist and said to Wan Shi, “Please, Madam, let us take Wu Meixue to the magistrate.”

Wan Shi said indifferently, “If we investigate this matter and it indeed was Meixue’s doing, I will naturally hand her over to you.” Then she turned her gaze to Yunyi, “Wu Meixue, I ask you – on the night of the ninth day of the first month, did you leave the mansion?”

“No!” Yunyi shook her head, “Since returning to the mansion on the eighth day of the first month, Meixue has remained in the mansion and never left. On this point, Steward Lin and the gatekeepers surely have records.”

Someone of her status needed a waist token to leave the Governor’s mansion, which was why Chunxiu had to forcibly steal Steward Lin’s waist token. In this case, besides the gatekeepers, Steward Lin would also make a record.

Feng Li Shi cried while cursing, “You dare to kill people – what can’t you do? Chunxiu grew up with you after all. How… how can you be so vicious? Has your heart been eaten by dogs? My poor daughter!” The more she spoke, the sadder she became, sitting on the ground crying piteously. The sound was so annoying that only after Zhaixing scolded her did her voice quiet down somewhat.

Wan Shi took a teacup from nearby, used the lid to skim the foam from the surface, took a light sip, and said, “Jiang Caiping, you share a room with Wu Meixue. On the night of the ninth, was she in the room?”

A trace of panic flashed across Jiang Caiping’s face, and she lowered her head, “Yes, Sister Wu was always with me.”

Wan Shi was such a person – how could she not notice her unusual behavior? She said indifferently, “Then tell me what you talked about and what you did.”

Jiang Caiping nervously twisted her fingers, her voice trembling slightly, “This was several days ago. I… I don’t remember very well.”

Wan Shi said lightly, “It’s only been three days – not very long. How could you not remember?”

“I…” Jiang Caiping had just said one word when Wan Shi continued, “Is it really that you can’t remember clearly, or… that night, Wu Meixue was not in the room!”

Hearing this, Jiang Caiping hurriedly said, “No, Sister Wu was really in the room. She didn’t go anywhere, and she certainly didn’t kill anyone. Second Madam, please don’t believe the Feng family’s one-sided words!” Then she nervously thought for a moment and said, “I… I remember we heated water and bathed together, and later…”

Seeing her stop without continuing, Wan Shi said, “What happened later?”