At this time, Shaoshang was examining the crime scene with Yuan Shen. She stared at the wall where Liang Shang had died leaning against it for a long time, asking strangely: “Since it was a knife straight to the heart, why aren’t there many bloodstains on this wall? I heard there was quite a lot of blood on the corpse.” Why weren’t there splattered bloodstains on the wall?

Yuan Shen said: “I went to see the corpse. The murder weapon was a short dagger that only penetrated the chest and abdomen without piercing through the body, so no blood came out from Uncle’s back.”

Shaoshang snorted: “Sounds like the work of a powerful man.”

“Could also be a woman clever with her strength.” Yuan Shen played devil’s advocate.

Shaoshang rolled her eyes at him and continued asking: “Apart from the fatal knife wound, were there any other injuries on your maternal uncle’s body?”

Yuan Shen frowned: “Setting aside old injuries, Uncle had several fresh scratches on both wrists. But on the morning of the incident, Uncle had just argued with Aunt, and when Uncle tried to get rough with her, two martial maids restrained Uncle’s hands… So the coroner couldn’t determine if the assailant had gripped Uncle’s wrists.”

Shaoshang said carefully: “Well… did the coroner open up your maternal uncle’s abdomen to look inside…”

Yuan Shen was displeased and flicked his sleeves: “Why would Lady Shaoshang say such a thing? From ancient times the dead are held in great respect. Having the coroner examine the body is already a helpless measure—to also cut open the body would be disregarding human ethics. Uncle was after all Maternal Grandfather’s legitimate eldest son. If his remains aren’t whole, the entire Liang family would be shamed!”

Shaoshang quickly raised her hands in surrender: “Alright, alright, I spoke wrongly. If you won’t open it, you won’t! I just wanted to know what your maternal uncle ate that day.” The coroners of this era probably just determine time of death.

Yuan Shen wasn’t angry anymore and said thoughtfully: “…You seem to have believed from the start that the one who killed my uncle was someone else—that Aunt and Youtong are innocent.”

“Correct.” Shaoshang nodded. “I thought so yesterday when I came here.”

“Why is that?” Yuan Shen didn’t understand.

“First, your maternal uncle was stabbed from the front. Even if no blood came through the back, what about the front? With such a large wound, how could the person stabbing from the front not get any bloodstains on them? But the fur cloak and clothes Youtong wore that day had not a trace of blood. I had people interrogate the other servants and found Youtong had neither concealed nor destroyed any bloody clothes.”

Yuan Shen smiled: “Lady Shaoshang truly has keen insight. Well then, is there a second point?”

Shaoshang said: “Second, because Great Master Ling told me he still understands Madam Qu and the Qu family somewhat—this murder case probably wasn’t their doing. He’s smarter than me. Trusting him is never wrong.”

Yuan Shen felt angry, turned and walked away, stood by the window, then turned back mockingly: “Since he’s always right, what are you doing here? Just wait obediently at home for him to solve the case!”

Shaoshang wasn’t angry either, smiling: “Because I think differently from him. I believe we should pursue every clue, capture the true culprit, and clear the Crown Prince and Madam Qu’s names.”

“But Ling Buyi doesn’t think so.” Yuan Shen’s eyes held mockery.

“Not only does he not think so, I’m afraid Young Master Yuan doesn’t think so either—what you’re thinking is how to perfectly quell this matter.” Shaoshang said calmly. “Otherwise with Young Master Yuan’s intelligence, you wouldn’t have stood by watching until now.”

Yuan Shen’s eyes flickered. After a moment, he smiled: “Lady Shaoshang, this matter involves treacherous undercurrents, unfathomably deep. Investigating too much risks excessive entanglement, taking one step less easily leads to futility. Actually, Ling Buyi may be right.”

Shaoshang said nonchalantly: “Great Master Ling is right, you’re all right, but I’m also right. I just want to know how Liang Shang actually died… Everyone can go their own way.”

Yuan Shen turned his head to think, then smiled: “True… However, Lady Shaoshang’s temper has improved considerably recently. If this were before, you’d be quarreling with me within three sentences.”

Shaoshang thought: “Mm, probably I’ve met people who are very, very good to me.”

Yuan Shen’s expression turned cold abruptly.

“…Before I never thought I’d marry someone like Great Master Ling. We quarrel more often than we reconcile.” Shaoshang looked toward the north wall. Outside the three small round windows arranged in a triangular pattern, the lake water was cold and clear, ripples faint and distant. “But now thinking about it, it seems if I walked through this world without meeting him, something would be missing.”

“So, Young Master Yuan, Great Master Ling and I will still quarrel—if not over you then over something else. But we probably won’t separate because of it… You should go properly attend your matchmaking meetings.”

Yuan Shen’s mouth tasted bitter: “Then why did you have me accompany you here?”

“Because I haven’t seen your maternal uncle’s corpse? I needed to find someone to ask. Besides, you won’t be staying here long anyway.”

“What do you mean won’t stay long?” Yuan Shen was puzzled.

Shaoshang turned around, smiling: “Just wait a bit. I estimate it’s about time… Eh, here it comes…”

An old servant who looked like a Liang residence steward hurried into the room, bowed to Yuan and Cheng, then said: “Young Master Yuan, several elders are arguing fiercely in front. Governor Liang asks you to go soothe them.”

Yuan Shen looked at Shaoshang. Shaoshang smiled with complete innocence. Yuan Shen stared for a long time, thought it over and found himself ridiculous, shook his head, swept his long sleeves, and left with the old servant.

Liang Qiu Fei, who’d followed the Liang residence steward in, was overjoyed and very solicitous: “Young Mistress, whatever help you need, just order this humble officer! That Yuan fellow truly can’t be trusted—you shouldn’t have invited him to investigate together!”

“Forget about you! Isn’t it because of your Young Master!” Shaoshang retorted. “Yesterday I wanted to go see Liang Shang’s corpse, but your Young Master said as long as he still had breath I shouldn’t even think about it! How ridiculous—have I seen few corpses?!”

Liang Qiu Fei immediately explained: “That’s not how it works. Seeing a field of corpses on the battlefield versus carefully examining a single corpse—those are two different things!”

“I wouldn’t personally touch the corpse—have the coroner examine it while I watch!”

“During examination all clothing must be removed. Liang Shang was a robust adult man. To let you see that—never mind the Young Master, even this humble officer would rather go blind!”

“Stop wasting words! If I’d examined the corpse yesterday, I would have discovered that jade cicada in Liang Shang’s mouth early. It’s because of you pedantic men that we nearly delayed important matters! Now get out—I’ll manage alone!”

Muffled arguing sounds came from inside the room. Yuan Shen stopped and turned back, seeming to hear the girl’s delicate voice.

That Liang residence steward looked back and smiled: “This Miss Cheng is quite beautiful and clever.”

Yuan Shen hummed quietly in acknowledgment, then started walking again.

From his youth, he’d carefully calculated his wife selection—family background, status, reputation, father and brothers’ official ranks, marriage connections to power factions, plus character, learning, appearance… he’d considered everything. Marrying the wrong wife brings disaster for three generations, so he’d always been extremely cautious.

Now he was already twenty-one. Marriage couldn’t be delayed any longer, so according to his needs, like planning government strategy, he methodically selected “suitable” wife candidates.

Gentle and forthright ones, dignified and sensible ones, talented and beautiful ones… He picked and picked, delayed and delayed, never satisfied. At first he didn’t understand why himself. Now thinking about it, probably none of them looked like Cheng Shaoshang.

But what of it? One move slow, the whole game falls into disorder. Qu Lingjun said one thing right—life still must go on. The bright maiden of the Milky Way, her slim white fingers weaving; clear and shallow is the Milky Way, how far apart are they truly?

How far apart are they truly, how far apart are they truly… Life ultimately still must go on.

…

Inside the room Shaoshang carefully searched everywhere, pushing bookcases, touching desks, even trying to climb out from the window ledge—all normal. Then she walked out of this room and stood at a distance looking.

This study pavilion actually wasn’t just one room. On either side of the room where Liang Shang was killed were side rooms, three rooms connected in a straight line. The central one was largest and most spacious. The eastern one had two small stoves built in—when the master needed, food could be cooked and wine warmed inside. The western one was a medium-sized storage room piled with old items like hanging ropes, planks, ladders, and desks, covered with thick coarse cloth.

The small kitchen was wiped quite clean, with remnant firewood in the stove, suggesting recent use. That storage room had dust of varying thickness. Some implements seemed frequently used, the coarse cloth showed signs of regular lifting, and there were miscellaneous footprints on the floor.

Shaoshang refused to give up. She returned to the murder room and moved almost every item, checking if some secret passage would suddenly appear—all fruitless. So she took out her gemstone dagger and used the handle to tap all four walls, listening for hollow sounds—still nothing. All four walls were solid brick and wood. Though thickness might vary, each entire wall sounded the same.

Shaoshang felt somewhat dejected. She firmly believed Liang Shang couldn’t have died for no reason, but if no third person had entered this room, how did Liang Shang die?

Seeing her fatigue, Liang Qiu Fei came over not without smugness: “If Young Mistress is tired, why not rest first? In this humble officer’s view, Young Mistress might as well return to the palace and wait quietly for the Young Master’s good news, rather than walking back and forth here. It’s just such a small place—haven’t you felt around enough yet?”

Shaoshang was already physically and mentally exhausted. Hearing this, shame turned to anger. She shoved him out, ordering Liang Qiu Fei and all the other guards to stand outside and not disturb her.

After angrily driving everyone away, Shaoshang’s heart suddenly stirred—just such a small place?

She had an idea.

Shaoshang first walked outside, measuring the total length of the three rooms from east to west in paces from the outside, then separately measured each room’s interior length. Fearing error, she walked it three times straight through, then took the average. Sure enough—

The three rooms’ total exterior length averaged 95 paces. Small kitchen 13 paces, storage room 22 paces, study 44 paces. Difference of 16 paces. Subtracting the thickness of the four walls in between, even calculating generously, at least five or six paces of length were missing.

Where did this space go?

The small kitchen was cramped to say nothing of it, with people frequently entering and exiting, plus water and fire together, so… Shaoshang turned her gaze to that dark storage room. Walking inside, she found the room truly dim. Outside was clearly bright sunshine, but here only that high-hung small window on the south wall could let through a few threads of light.

Shaoshang walked to the east wall—the wall separating it from the study. She lit a small fire starter and carefully examined this wall. Like the room where Liang Shang was killed, this wall was divided by wooden strips into squares about one meter on each side. One wall had about a dozen such squares—a once very popular architectural style that could support the wall without deformation.

Shaoshang lowered her head, holding the fire starter to examine the floor by the wall. Because after the murder, to carry out Liang Shang’s corpse, servants had rushed in to retrieve bamboo poles, stretchers and such, the floor footprints were chaotic. But Shaoshang noticed two footprints were rather special—they were only partial prints with toes pointing toward the wall, just one step from it.

Why would there be such footprints? If they were left while running fast, that wouldn’t be strange, but with toes pointing at the wall—did someone crash head-first into it? Shaoshang thought briefly and smiled—this was someone pushing the wall with both palms, the posture when settling one’s energy and exerting force.

So she set the fire starter aside to try if she could push it. If not, she’d call that chatterbox Liang Qiu Fei. Using all her strength, Shaoshang was about to call for help when who knew—under her palms something moved! That wall surface was actually pushed inward creating an opening, exactly two squares.

She was momentarily stunned, raised the fire starter and took small steps inside. Looking around, everything became clear.

No wonder in the study no matter how she knocked nothing seemed amiss—because this secret room was actually a partition between two rooms, like a strip cut from the edge of a square cake. Its width matched the three rooms, but its length was only three or four paces.

The firelight flickered and twisted without consistent direction, suggesting this secret room should have multiple ventilation openings. Outside sounds were crystal clear, but inside sounds apparently couldn’t be heard outside. Just now when Shaoshang came in, she seemed to have kicked something over, yet the guards and servants outside paid no attention.

Shaoshang heard Liang Qiu Fei ordering servants to prepare lunch, also to add a pot of fruit juice, preferably pomegranate flavored. Shaoshang smiled, thinking this chatterbox was still considerate, knowing she loved pomegranates—but where could you find pomegranates in deep winter?

Shaoshang turned back and saw where she’d entered—that small door had two wrought iron handles installed facing inward, presumably so people inside could pull this handle when wanting to exit.

She raised the fire starter to look at the opposite wall of the secret room. Very easily she also discovered a pair of wrought iron handles. She originally wanted to pull them, thought about it, then changed to using her shoulder and back to push. After exerting force, the wall opened and bright light shot straight into the secret room.

—Sure enough, hard work pays off! This was exactly the study where Liang Shang was killed!

Shaoshang felt like she’d eaten eighteen life-extending peaches—all fatigue vanished, thoroughly comfortable, overjoyed! No wonder searching for secret passages in Liang Shang’s study was useless—because this secret door could only be opened from the secret room side!

After being pleased with herself for a while, just as she was about to call Liang Qiu Fei over, suddenly behind her came a grinding sound. Before she could turn around, a cold and powerful hand grabbed and pulled her into the secret room. Then with two swishing sounds, both east and west secret doors were closed.

…

“Actually, I’ve never been curious about how Liang Shang died. Because in the end, to lay such an inescapable net, calculating even Qu Lingjun’s movements—only Liang family members could accomplish this, and not just one person.” Ling Buyi said.

Liang Wuji kept a dark expression, saying nothing.

“The situation hasn’t yet expanded. The Court of Judicial Review can still leave the Liang family some face. When the Son of Heaven is enraged, seizing all the Liang household servants for thorough interrogation—wouldn’t they be able to investigate it out?”

Liang Wuji sighed: “I know, rather than let the Court of Judicial Review people come ask, better I ask myself. Just, once a great commotion of interrogation starts, the Liang family’s reputation…”

“Is the Liang family’s reputation very good right now?” Ling Buyi mocked. “Raising a commotion within your own household is better than the Court of Judicial Review bringing great punishment. Governor Liang, Ling has said all he can. In any case, if Governor Liang cannot give me an answer within today, tomorrow morning Lord Ji’s subordinates will come to seize people.”

Liang Wuji said angrily: “Within today? You’re too impatient…”

“The longer this drags on, the more His Highness the Crown Prince suffers harm! Wait ten days or half a month—everyone in the capital will believe the rumors about the Crown Prince. By then even if Governor Liang investigates until the truth comes out, it won’t help!”

Liang Wuji was at his wit’s end. He slammed the desk heavily and said loudly: “Fine! I’ll seize the suspicious people right now for interrogation and give Zicheng an answer before sunset!”

“Governor Liang is forthright.” Ling Buyi smiled. “I’ll quietly await good news. After this succeeds, I’ll host a banquet to apologize to Governor Liang for today’s presumptuousness.”

Liang Wuji waved repeatedly: “Aih, no need to mention that. Family misfortune, family misfortune…”

At this moment, a clear-featured young guard suddenly burst in without announcement, falling to his knees before Ling Buyi, crying out: “Young Master, disaster! Young Mistress, Young Mistress she… she’s disappeared…!”

Ling Buyi’s expression changed drastically. He grabbed that guard and shouted sternly: “What happened! Didn’t I tell you to watch her!”

Liang Qiu Fei raised his head, his face covered in ashamed sweat: “Young Mistress kept walking in and out of the study pavilion’s three rooms. We always guarded outside. Just moments ago we still saw Young Mistress going in and out, but in the blink of an eye she disappeared! Outside there were so many people—besides us, there were house servants and maids. How could… how could…?!”

Ling Buyi spun around sharply to look at Liang Wuji, his expression calm but eyes seeming to blaze with fierce flames: “…Governor Liang, today I fear I must greatly offend your esteemed residence.”

…

In the cold, quiet secret room, only that small fire starter flickered with weak light. A man dressed as a house servant stood in the firelight, the excess flesh on his face slightly protruding, appearing even more fierce and terrifying. He slowly approached Shaoshang, emitting low cackles like playing with a small insect in his palm.

Shaoshang was forced to the end of the narrow secret room, back against the wall,努力让自己站直些。她忽道：”Lord Liang thinks that after killing me, you can be safe and sound?”

Liang Xia gave a short gurgling laugh like a night owl’s cry: “No one knows about this secret room. I’ll slaughter you, wait for things to calm down then come deal with your corpse. Who will know?”

“Why doesn’t Lord Liang ask where Great Master Ling is? I’m searching around here while he’s been in intimate discussion with your cousin until now. What do you think they’re discussing?” Shaoshang’s forehead sweated as she forced herself to remain calm.

Liang Xia froze, then sneered: “You needn’t try to trick me!”

“I’m not tricking you!” Shaoshang worked hard to keep her voice from trembling.

“Actually everyone’s been dazzled by Madam Qu and the Crown Prince’s matter, including stern Lord Ji—because the Crown Prince’s status is noble with vast implications. Hmph, these officials always like thinking things are big. The harder the case the better, the nobler the people involved the more achievement! But thinking again, maybe things aren’t so chaotic at all? Maybe someone just wants to use Madam Qu and the Crown Prince to cover for themselves?”

Liang Xia’s face gradually turned ashen: “Could Ling Buyi have also guessed?”

Shaoshang didn’t even dare wipe her sweat, continuing to smile: “Think about who benefits most from your brother’s death. Actually it’s not Madam Qu but you. Your brother’s son is only a few years old. Governor Liang is forty-six or seven, still without sons. Now that your brother is gone, apart from establishing you as future family head, Governor Liang has no other options.”

“Since you all know, why haven’t you come to capture me?” Liang Xia suddenly calmed down, laughing sinisterly.

Shaoshang pretended helplessness and sighed: “Because we don’t know how exactly you killed him! Alas, you are after all a Liang family lord. As they say, punishment doesn’t reach the gentry—should we drag you to the Court of Judicial Review for a beating? Naturally evidence is needed to convict you! Alas, pitifully everyone praises Great Master Ling’s extraordinary brilliance, yet until now he can’t figure out how exactly you did it!”

Liang Xia laughed heartily, smugly: “That’s natural! This method was…” He suddenly paused, then continued laughing: “Was painstakingly plotted by me! If not for you, this little woman, groping around everywhere, no one could figure it out even if they thought until their heads broke!”

“This young woman doesn’t understand. Please enlighten me, Lord Liang.” Shaoshang acted pitifully helpless, only hoping the rule of ‘villains die from talking too much’ would take effect. Though Liang Qiu Fei was a chatterbox, he was still careful—he’d check on her within a quarter hour.

“That day, I snuck into this secret room in the early morning and waited until noon. I heard elder brother cursing that little slut Youtong and knocking over the bookcase. After Youtong left, I pushed through the wall. Elder brother was greatly shocked. He never knew about this secret room—I also discovered it by accident. I pretended to joke around, and while talking stabbed him to death with one knife. I pushed him to sit against the wall, bent his legs to make the corpse look like it had been in the book chest. Then I put some soporific drug in the wine pot and hid back in the secret room, removed my outer robe and changed into house servant’s clothes. When Qu Lingjun discovered the corpse in the afternoon, outside was in chaos—I took the opportunity to slip away.”

“Excellent plan!” Shaoshang was very supportive. “Seems everyone outside misjudged you. You’re not only skilled in martial arts but also resourceful—truly accomplished in both civil and military arts…”

Liang Xia cackled smugly, then his expression turned grim as he approached step by step: “You needn’t delay. Hehe, but seeing you’re pretty as flowers and jade, why not let me enjoy you before you die…”

Shaoshang had originally been very afraid, but hearing this, she was somewhat tempted. So he wanted to assault her first? Wouldn’t that create an opportunity…? Her fingers quietly touched the gemstone dagger at her waist.

The secret room was already dark, and that small dagger was made garishly by Old Uncle Wan, covered with gold, jade, pearls and jade, with both ends curving up like a crescent moon. Ordinary people seeing it would think it was just a girl’s accessory shaped like a jade huang.

Just as Liang Xia was about to pounce, outside had already grown noisy. Only guards’ successive shouts could be heard—

“Where is Miss Cheng? Miss Cheng is missing!”

“I checked this room—no one! What about that one?”

“Not there either!”

“Quickly seal these three rooms—don’t let anyone in or out! Ah Fei, quickly report to the Young Master!”

Liang Xia’s face turned iron blue. Shaoshang straightened up and sneered: “Even if you kill me, you can’t get out anymore!” Liang Xia rushed over in fury, shouting: “You little slut!”

Shaoshang crouched and rolled, drilling under his arm, saying coldly: “You and I have no old grudges or recent enmity. Why must you make things difficult for me? Why not let me go? I promise absolutely not to reveal your matter. After the guards withdraw, you can come out and slip away—wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Liang Xia froze, then after clearing his head roared: “I’d trust you?! You cunning little slut, take this!”

Shaoshang judged the position well and suddenly pounced toward the fire starter stuck in the wall, stomping it out in one move then hiding the fire starter in her sleeve.

The secret room became pitch black. Liang Xia hadn’t brought a fire starter either, so he could only curse while groping in the darkness trying to catch Shaoshang. Shaoshang’s form was small and slender. Listening to Liang Xia’s heavy breathing, she dodged east and west. Liang Xia actually couldn’t catch her for a while. But he quickly figured out the key, so from one end of the narrow secret room he started grabbing, arms and legs spread waving, pressing forward step by step. Shaoshang finally couldn’t avoid him and was caught by Liang Xia.

Liang Xia’s murderous heart surged. His hand pressed on Shaoshang’s neck planning to strangle her. At this very moment, Shaoshang also gripped the small dagger in her palm, wanting to slash across Liang Xia’s carotid artery.

At this time, a clear yet urgent young man’s voice sounded outside—a voice that wouldn’t be overlooked even among ten thousand people—

“Where is she!”

“Young Master, we’ve searched all three rooms—Miss Cheng truly isn’t here!”

“Zicheng, could Miss Cheng have wandered elsewhere without informing the guards?” This was Governor Liang’s voice.

“Impossible. Though she’s young, her thoughts are meticulous. Even walking in the palace she rarely goes without palace maids or eunuchs—what about in this kind of place? She absolutely wouldn’t leave without notice!”

Liang Xia and Shaoshang’s movements stopped together.

Shaoshang’s eyes turned and she said: “You’d better not kill me—take me as a hostage instead.”

Liang Xia smiled viciously: “They can’t find this place. I’ll kill you, hide until dark when they disperse, then escape!”

Shaoshang was about to say if even she could find this secret room how much more Ling Buyi, when suddenly outside came a clanging sound, as if some extremely heavy iron or stone objects.

Though Ling Buyi’s voice sounded calm, the volume was much higher: “Governor Liang, much offense. Someone come—take action. Tear down these three rooms!”

Liang Xia was completely stunned.

Shaoshang was also somewhat dumbfounded, murmuring: “How didn’t I think of tearing down the building? What’s the point searching for secret rooms and passages like a headless fly? Won’t tearing it down make everything clear?”

At this time more and more people gathered outside, mixed with shrill female cries. One especially loud elderly voice said: “Great Master Ling, think thrice! The Liang residence is a century-old family home—how can you…”

“Is this the Liang family ancestral hall? Are your family ancestors enshrined in this room? Is my wife’s life important or this study pavilion important? This Elder Liang, Ling Zicheng will remember you today and seek instruction another day! Hmph, never mind these mere three brick and wood rooms—even if it truly were your Liang family ancestral hall, today I’m definitely tearing it down!”

That loud elderly voice immediately cut off. All around fell silent.

Ling Buyi seemed to sneer, then constantly urged them to quickly tear down the building. Both Liang Xia and Shaoshang could hear dense hammering and pounding sounds from overhead and all sides. Who knew where Ling Buyi found so many heavy implements in such haste?

“I think you’d better go out.” Shaoshang kindly reminded. “Going out now can still count as surrender. Otherwise waiting until the roof is torn off—wouldn’t that lose all dignity?”

Liang Xia kept a tense face. Hearing the clanging sounds growing closer all around, his two hands firmly gripped Shaoshang. Using his shoulder and back to push that secret door facing the study, he then shouted as he walked out—”The person is with me! All of you stop!”

Shaoshang felt appearance was important. In the midst of chaos she still checked herself, finding apart from rolling around covered in dust and dirt, her clothes were still intact.

The demolition temporarily stopped. Liang Xia held Shaoshang hostage and walked outside.

Having stayed long in the dark secret room, suddenly seeing daylight again, Shaoshang nearly shed moved tears. My god, this time things really got big.

Outside was surrounded by layer upon layer of people. The innermost circle was Ling Buyi’s guards, each with full bow and nocked arrow, arrowheads pointing directly at Liang Xia. The middle circle was Liang Wuji’s private soldiers, swords and blades drawn, in battle formation. The outer circle was Liang residence house servants.

Beyond these three circles were all sorts of Liang residence relatives, friends, servants, maids, and onlookers.

Ling Buyi had originally been standing high on the second floor of the opposite family school commanding the overall situation. Seeing Liang and Cheng emerge, he couldn’t bother going back around the stairs to descend, but jumped straight down from the second floor.

Like Moses parting the Red Sea, the three layers of guards, private soldiers and servants all made way, creating an opening. Ling Buyi strode through. Yuan Shen also rushed anxiously wanting to enter but was grabbed by Liang Wuji, worried this scholar would have trouble avoiding swords and blades.

“Don’t come over! Or I’ll strangle her!” Liang Xia stepped back, face full of terror.

Ling Buyi’s face was pale, anxiety faintly visible in his eyes: “Release her first—everything else is negotiable!”

“If I release her do I still have a way out! Ling Buyi, don’t look down on people!”

Ling Buyi slightly pressed his lips together, raised his hand backward. Two guards escorted an old woman over. Shaoshang focused and saw it was Old Madam Liang. Ling Buyi said: “You release her, I won’t make things difficult for your mother either!”

At this time an elder standing in the family school spoke: “Great Master Ling, why make things difficult for a woman? She is after all a Liang family woman. Our Liang family is a century-old…”

Yuan Shen said anxiously: “Third Uncle, please stop talking! If anything happens to this young miss dispatched by the Empress to investigate, that would be contempt for imperial grace—the Liang family’s century would end here!”

That elder could only sheepishly shut his mouth.

Old Madam Liang had the cloth gag removed from her mouth. She cried out to her son: “Xia’er, what’s happened to you?! Why are you doing this? Are they wronging you? How could you kill your brother…”

Before she finished speaking, Liang Qiu Qi had already emerged from that partition secret room, holding a bloody garment high for all to see, calling out loudly: “Young Master, in that secret room there’s not only Liang Xia’s bloody clothes from the murder, but also food and water, plus several changes of house servant clothing!”

Things were very clear. Liang Wuji and a group of Liang family elders all had iron-blue faces, both ashamed and mortified.

Ling Buyi said: “Caught with evidence—what more can you do? Surrender quickly to avoid humiliating your clansmen and old mother!”

Liang Xia knew guilt was inescapable. Throwing caution to the wind, he roared: “I won’t surrender! Even in death I’ll find someone to accompany me! You can kill this old hag if you want—I absolutely won’t be moved!”

From ancient times even the most vicious bandits rarely ignored their parents. With Liang Xia’s shout, the Liang clan members all felt utterly ashamed, secretly sighing how they’d produced such a catastrophic evil spawn!

Ling Buyi’s expression was cold as he said crisply: “Someone come—first break one of this old woman’s arms and see if Lord Liang is moved or not!”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked. Threatening with an old woman was one thing, actually taking action was another. Among the two hundred plus people present, all thought ‘this Ling Buyi truly is ruthless and merciless.’

Though Liang Xia had just spoken wildly, seeing his own mother’s arm held by a guard about to break it, he couldn’t help his spirit wavering, his palm slightly leaving Shaoshang’s neck.

Right at this moment!—Shaoshang felt her throat gain freedom. She immediately produced the dagger from her sleeve and stabbed toward Liang Xia’s waist behind her. Instantly the blade saw blood. Liang Xia cried out in pain. Shaoshang took the opportunity to roll to the ground.

Before Liang Xia could pounce on Shaoshang again, Ling Buyi—who knows when—had several willow-leaf-thin throwing knives pinched between his fingers. Four flew out like rainbows—two hit Liang Xia’s right palm just about to touch Shaoshang’s shoulder, the other two embedded in his left palm and left wrist respectively.

By Shaoshang’s ear was Liang Xia’s porcupine-like cries of pain. She rolled on the ground without direction, then was scooped up by the pouncing Ling Buyi into his embrace. Looking up, it was already Ling Buyi’s pale, refined face.

A group of guards immediately stepped forward, forming a human wall before the two of them, protecting them impenetrably.

Ling Buyi’s jawbone was tense, eyes fierce. Holding the girl deadly tight regardless of the still-taut bowstrings around them, he started scolding directly: “You never listen to anything I say, do you! I told you not to come but you insisted. I told you to be careful but you just had to act on your own. What would you do if you lost your life?”

This was a question full of grammatical errors. However, Shaoshang couldn’t bother picking at it now because the man’s strong arm muscles were tensed, hugging her until her whole body’s bones hurt. Shaoshang choked for a long time, then burst into tears with a “waa,” sobbing as she complained.

“Just now inside I thought I was going to die. My heart only thought of you. I wished I could see you once before dying! Knowing you came to save me, my heart was so happy I’d be willing to die! I consider you my closest, most dependable person. Now I’m tired and afraid, yet you only remember to scold me. If I’d known, I might as well have died inside…”

Ling Buyi had earlier seen the girl’s face covered in dust and dirt, forehead swollen from hitting something somewhere, big watery eyes brimming with tears. His heart had already softened halfway. Now hearing these words, the other half also melted into a pool of warm water. He sighed inwardly, removed his own cloak to wrap the girl up, held her in his embrace while softly coaxing.

Unfortunately, the omnipotent Great Master Ling lacked cultivation in this area. Over and over he could only coax the girl with ‘alright alright stop crying I won’t scold you anymore’ and such. But fortunately his beauty, health and moving voice prevailed. Shaoshang reluctantly accepted.

As someone with four lady friends, Liang Qiu Qi looked at his Young Master with compassion.

As someone without four lady friends, Liang Qiu Fei looked blank. He vaguely felt the Cheng family young miss wasn’t actually this fragile and easily frightened. Just now when she stabbed Liang Xia she was ruthless and accurate, rolling on the ground so nimbly. But… maybe… uh, he didn’t know either.

Yuan Shen seeing Shaoshang escape danger, originally wanted to come ask a few questions. Seeing Ling and Cheng nestled together, his footsteps stopped and he immediately turned back.

These years, capital-born young misses of noble birth had no less than ten times displayed their fragility to Ling Buyi—falling in pools, hanging from tree branches, dangling from cliffs… all hoping Ling Buyi would come to the rescue. However, Ling Buyi had also physically demonstrated no less than ten times that he truly didn’t buy the ‘display of weakness’ routine.

Yuan Shen thought: Actually it’s just the wrong person. As long as the person is right, whether she’s fragile or fierce, cunning or dull, worldly or naive, Ling Buyi will accept it all—and savor it sweetly.

Here the young people’s back-and-forth was only a brief moment. Moreover with guards surrounding them in front, the full crowd didn’t pay much attention, because the Liang mother and son were truly stealing the show—

Old Madam Liang howled madly. Taking advantage of the earlier chaos when Shaoshang escaped, she’d broken free from the guards and thrown herself to her son’s side. She touched Liang Xia’s wounds, crying with every sound ‘My son, how were you bewitched?’

Liang Xia was furious. He shoved her away hard and roared: “It’s all your fault! You never looked at me! In your heart there was only elder brother as your one son. Just because you gave birth to Liang Shang you could be elevated to principal wife—otherwise you’d just be a concubine! So you treated Liang Shang as the flesh of your heart, holding and doting on him daily yet still felt it wasn’t enough!”

Everyone hearing this was in uproar.

Back then Old Master Liang deliberately concealed Old Madam Liang’s origins to make his son’s status firmer, pretending she was a remarried wife. Apart from Liang Wuji, Madam Liang and a few others, the clan actually didn’t know.

“Then what am I? What am I?! You bore me just to be a spare part for elder brother! That year when elder brother was gravely ill, you suddenly became good to me. But later when elder brother recovered you cast me aside again! Liang Shang clearly had mediocre qualifications—he was an incompetent waste! But you, elder cousin, and everyone in the whole clan treated him like treasure! The best schools, the most renowned teachers, even for marriage he could marry the most distinguished, most talented and beautiful daughter of the prestigious Qu family! And me? I could only casually take some ordinary official’s daughter! Why, why—we’re born of the same mother!”

Standing far off, Qu Lingjun’s face was like gold paper. The Qu family servants and maids surrounding her all glared angrily at the Liang family. Not that legitimate and common-born couldn’t marry—the famous Zhao Xiangzi from the Spring and Autumn period was common-born, and who dared look down on him? But you Liang family can’t deceive people!

Old Madam Liang knelt on the ground, hugging Liang Xia’s thigh crying with every sound: “How could I not care about you! But your elder brother was frail from childhood, I I… Even so, you shouldn’t have harmed him. You’re full blood brothers…”

Liang Xia raged, kicking away his own mother, cursing madly: “That I’ve fallen to today’s state is all your fault! Originally I’d already pinned the crime on Madam Qu. If handled quietly within the clan, what could happen?! Those old fools wouldn’t dare offend the imperial family—give Madam Qu a white silk and the matter ends! It was you, it was you! Going outside spreading it again and again, for your beloved eldest son, forcibly making things big, causing me to fall to this state!”

Ling Buyi gave a light cold laugh.

Shaoshang heard and asked quietly: “What is it?”

Ling Buyi leaned by her ear: “Regardless of whether this old woman spread it or not, someone would have made things big.”

Shaoshang half-understood.

Ling Buyi lovingly touched the head of the girl in his embrace. Raising his head, his expression was already solemn. He ordered left and right: “I want him alive.”

Liang Qiu Qi gave a shout. All guards together returned arrows to bows and quivers, taking ropes and iron chains from their waists, planning to capture Liang Xia alive.

At this time, a sharp arrow swift as lightning flew over. A gray-feathered long arrow hit Liang Xia’s throat dead center. The arrow’s force was so strong the arrowhead pierced through flesh and sinew to embed itself in the beam pillar behind Liang Xia. The arrow feathers still hummed and trembled.

Everyone was shocked. Following the sound to look back, they saw Liang Wuji surrounded by his private soldiers, standing high on an earthen slope, right arm holding a bow, left hand loosely positioned, bowstring still lightly quivering.

For a time the field was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Old Madam Liang stared at her son’s corpse with eyes wide in death. After a long time she finally reacted, about to curse Liang Wuji with vicious oaths. Liang Wuji whoosh whoosh shot two more arrows, one after another hitting the stone wall behind Old Madam Liang.

Because Ling Buyi had just torn down the building, that stone wall was already half-shattered. Liang Wuji’s two arrows happened to pry out a precariously hanging round stone. The stone fell, landing right on Old Madam Liang’s head. She was immediately knocked unconscious to the ground, unable to make a sound.

Liang Wuji remained expressionless, his bearing imposing.

Only then did everyone remember that their steady, taciturn family head, in his youth, had also been a peerless hero of unmatched prowess. Only because he later entered officialdom did he become more cautious year by year.

Liang Wuji lowered his strong bow and looked toward Ling Buyi: “I’ll enter the palace with you to face His Majesty and personally apologize.”

Ling Buyi said: “…Good.”