Liang Zhe cupped the yellowed handkerchief in both hands. This was a handkerchief made of the finest Songjiang hemp cloth—soft, thick, and sturdy. After forty years, the writing was still clear.

“She who killed me and stole my child—Luo Yanyan. Written in tears by Guan Fangniang…”

That Concubine Guan back then must have hoped that grandfather would vindicate her, but unfortunately, forty years had passed and even grandfather had turned to ashes.

After looking for a moment, the proprietor said: “Sir, I’ve already made a fake one for old woman Zhao to put back. Please take this original.”

Liang Zhe nodded.

The proprietor nodded as well, then continued: “Sir, that’s all old woman Zhao knows. Too much time has passed, and according to her, most of those who were knowledgeable back then have died. There’s only one person you might investigate. Old woman Zhao said there were three midwives who delivered for the old madam back then. Somehow, two of the midwives died not long after, and only one called Ma Pozi disappeared without a trace. Old woman Zhao said Ma Pozi was only in her early twenties then. If she fled knowing her life was in danger, she might have left behind some insurance. However, old woman Zhao only knows Ma Pozi’s surname and that her husband’s family name was Hu—she knows nothing else.”

Liang Zhe nodded. “These official midwives all have records on file.”

“Sir is right. I’m not talented enough to investigate further.”

Liang Zhe sipped his tea. “I must thank the proprietor. I have many inconveniences, so I’ve troubled you greatly.”

The proprietor cupped his hands: “Sir speaks too highly.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Liang Zhe rose to take his leave. Before leaving, the proprietor handed over an account book for Liang Zhe to review.

Liang Zhe didn’t even look at it, passing the account book to Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying said nothing, tucking away the account book and following behind Liang Zhe out the door.

Once in the carriage, Qin Shuying flipped through the account book briefly and was stunned: “Ziyu, Wuwei Escort Agency is your property?”

Liang Zhe nodded. “To be precise, it was Mother’s dowry.”

Uh…

This mother-in-law’s dowry was quite special—actually an escort agency.

Combining this with information Luo had gathered, Qin Shuying sketched a rough image of this mother-in-law.

When Zhao Wanniang married Liang Yunshan, the Zhao family was headed by the old Wuwei General, and the Zhao family was a prestigious military household with a distinguished reputation. The old Wuwei General, who was Liang Zhe’s maternal grandfather, had long-standing ties with the old marquis and had arranged the marriage early.

Though this marriage was well-matched in social standing, it had nothing to do with Old Madam Liang.

Because the old marquis had arranged the marriage before taking a wife himself.

Zhao Wanniang was a daughter of a military family with a straightforward personality. After marrying into Pingxi Marquis Manor, her relationship with Liang Yunshan was initially good, and she bore Liang Zhen and Liang Zhe.

Shortly after Liang Zhe was born, the old marquis died.

Then Zhao Wanniang’s days in the marquis manor became difficult. Something unknown happened between Liang Yunshan and Zhao Wanniang, deepening their rift.

When Liang Zhe was just over two years old, Zhao Wanniang died.

Half a year later, Luo Meixiang married in, and a few months after that, Liang Jie and Liang Yuan were born.

Not only did Liang Yunshan fail to treat his first wife’s children well, he would frequently scold them in anger. The old Wuwei General brought the Liang Zhen siblings to live at Wuwei General’s manor.

However, the Liang Zhen siblings couldn’t stay at Wuwei General’s manor all the time—they had to spend several months each year living at Pingxi Marquis Manor.

The reason was simple: Old Madam Liang said she missed her grandchildren. Could Wuwei General’s manor refuse to let the siblings return home?

After all, they were still descendants of the marquis manor.

Nine years ago, before the old Wuwei General died, he arranged for people to send Liang Zhe to the frontier.

Unexpectedly, complications arose midway, and Liang Zhe nearly lost his life.

Subsequently, young Liang Zhe finally journeyed far to the frontier, reaching Zhao Zhenyuan’s side.

Unfortunately, not long after, Zhao Zhenyuan met with trouble.

The old Wuwei General, bedridden and under multiple blows, finally couldn’t hold on and passed away suddenly. Zhao Zhenyuan was also devastated, and Liang Zhe’s support collapsed entirely.

When Zhao Zhenyuan returned to the capital, not long after, Liang Zhen encountered that incident—exposed in a scandal of illicit relations with someone.

Zhao Zhenyuan was greatly shocked. Combined with his crippled leg, he was overwhelmed and fell gravely ill, able only to watch helplessly as his niece was pushed into a pit of fire.

However, even with his sister’s troubles, Liang Zhe didn’t return to the capital.

Instead, he followed Fourth Prince under a general who had succeeded as Wuwei General.

At that time, Liang Zhe knew that even if he returned to the capital, he would be powerless to help and might even lose his own life.

Speaking of it, Zhao Wanniang was quite pitiful.

Her family fell from power, her children were bullied, her husband’s heart turned away, and she even died under mysterious circumstances.

Luo had said that not only did Zhao Wanniang die miserably, but her cause of death was suspicious. Yet Zhao Zhenyuan didn’t dare say anything to the Pingxi Marquis. What exactly caused her death, Luo couldn’t find out more about.

Yesterday at noon, Liang Yunshan had been in high spirits initially, but when Old Madam Liang merely mentioned the Zhao family, Liang Yunshan immediately turned cold.

This morning too, Old Madam Liang only mentioned a little something, and though Liang Yunshan was about to show her favorable regard, he was immediately provoked to anger by Old Madam Liang’s single remark.

Based on a strange intuition, Qin Shuying felt both incidents were related to Zhao Wanniang.

Perhaps, in Liang Yunshan’s eyes, Zhao Wanniang’s cause of death was quite disgraceful.

Liang Zhe only said Zhao Wanniang was killed by Old Madam Liang, but exactly how she was killed, Liang Zhe had never explained.

After thinking, Qin Shuying said: “Ziyu, after you captured and interrogated Nanny Luo last time, did you ask her exactly how Mother died?”

Liang Zhe was startled, then said: “I asked. That old woman said Mother died of illness, and she didn’t personally harm her. I didn’t believe it, but that old woman didn’t seem to be lying.”

The “she” he mentioned should be Old Madam Liang.

Though Liang Zhe spoke in a calm tone, Qin Shuying heard deep hatred underneath: “She hated Mother so much, repeatedly insulting Mother in front of everyone. If she didn’t kill Mother, that would be truly supernatural.”

“Ziyu, rest assured, we will definitely uncover the truth. However, I have a suggestion—why don’t we capture Nanny Luo again and ask why Old Madam hated Mother so much.”

Liang Zhe wanted to say, was there any need to ask? That old hypocrite was malicious by nature and simply found her displeasing—no particular reason needed.

However, he knew Qin Shuying wouldn’t do useless things.

After contemplating, Liang Zhe said: “Shuying, Mother left behind a substantial dowry, but over the years, due to Uncle’s troubles, I’ve invested much money into Uncle’s affairs. What remains now isn’t much. Wuwei Escort Agency is one thing—the proprietor’s surname is Fang, and you can direct him to handle matters in the future. Additionally, there’s an estate in the suburbs with an underground chamber. How about this—we’ll take Nanny Luo there for questioning. Write down whatever you want to ask, and I’ll do the questioning.”

“Aren’t you afraid she’ll recognize your voice when you question her, Ziyu?”

“I’m not afraid. I have a special skill that allows me to imitate others’ speech without being detected.”

After thinking, Qin Shuying asked: “Was it you imitating my voice to Caihong, so that when it hears me speak, it calls me… Madam…”

Liang Zhe said seriously: “Madam is clever—you had already guessed.”

Madam…

Qin Shuying’s cheeks reddened: How foolish of me—why did I have to dig so deep?