Judging from his tone, Xing Xiyang seemed like a friendly person!
But Xing Xiyang was ultimately a merchant, while they were officials.
Before those who held office, he naturally showed all manner of courtesy.
As for Ji Yunshu, for the convenience of conducting official business, she would always go out dressed in men’s clothing. Although her female identity was already known to everyone, people still habitually called her “Master Ji,” or respectfully addressed her as “Lord Ji.”
She said, “It’s we who came suddenly without notifying President Xing. There’s no need to speak of forgiveness or not.”
Xing Xiyang said, “Then please, both of you honored officials, come inside.”
The group entered the main hall and took their seats. The servants of Wenlai Pavilion quickly followed instructions and served premium West Lake Longjing tea.
The tea’s fragrance overflowed, lingering at their nostrils.
Ji Yunshu had never drunk such expensive tea before—one sip was worth over ten taels of silver!
“May I ask what matter brings both honored officials to seek out Xing today?” Xing Xiyang asked.
Jing Zhaoyin looked toward Ji Yunshu across from him, waiting for her to speak.
Ji Yunshu held the teacup filled with what was essentially silver, a smile that was impossible to read playing at the corners of her mouth.
She set down the teacup!
She said, “President Xing, we’ve come this time because there are some matters we’d like to ask you about.”
“Please ask, my lord.”
“Regarding Jiao Shiniang.”
Upon hearing the three words “Jiao Shiniang,” Xing Xiyang’s expression froze, his pupils widening slightly.
Ji Yunshu took in all the changes in his expression and said, “I believe President Xing must know Jiao Shiniang, correct?” After all, the man was a businessman—his mind was even more cunning than a thief’s. As president of the Lingnan Commerce Association, someone had already notified him the day Jiao Shiniang died. The tone of this Lord Ji before him clearly meant she had “come with ill intent”—she must have caught hold of some “evidence” of his connection with Jiao Shiniang. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have suddenly visited. To put it bluntly, Ji Yunshu had placed a sack at his feet, waiting for him to voluntarily jump into it himself.
Might as well—”I suppose I do know her. My lord knows that I’m the president of the Lingnan Commerce Association, so I frequently have dealings with merchants from the Lingnan region. Jiao Shiniang was a famous spice merchant in that area, so I’ve met her a few times.” After speaking, he sighed, saying regretfully, “I just never expected that Shiniang would meet with trouble here in the capital this time. It’s truly a pity.”
“President Xing only knew Jiao Shiniang?”
“Not deep acquaintances.”
He answered quite naturally!
Ji Yunshu then stated it directly: “I heard that when Jiao Shiniang entered the capital, she had in her possession a written authorization you gave her, President Xing. To receive written authorization from the president of the Lingnan Commerce Association, the relationship between you two must certainly not be simple.”
Xing Xiyang explained without changing expression: “Lord Ji may not know this, but Shiniang dealt in the spice trade. Those spices are extremely valuable and shouldn’t be opened or exposed to moisture. Yet on the journey from Lingnan to transport goods to the capital, one must pass through several inspection points, so Xing gave her a written authorization.”
Word by word, measured and steady, impossible to detect any falsehood.
Jing Zhaoyin secretly sneered, not believing his words in the slightest.
Come!
Let’s see your performance!
Please continue!
Ji Yunshu, unable to detect any loopholes in his words, got straight to the point: “President Xing, I won’t beat around the bush with you either. Actually, we came today because we discovered an account book on Jiao Shiniang’s person, and in that account book we found an entry related to you, President Xing. It records that on the 14th of last month, July, you borrowed fifty thousand taels of silver from her. That’s no small amount! If, as you say, President Xing, your acquaintance wasn’t deep, then these fifty thousand taels of silver represent quite a profound bond of affection!”
Hearing this, Xing Xiyang swallowed, his brows lowering slightly.
Unable to speak.
“You’re the president of the Lingnan Commerce Association. A mere fifty thousand taels shouldn’t be much to you! So why would you borrow from her? And the repayment date was August 14th, which was precisely the day Jiao Shiniang died. This is far too much of a coincidence. Could there be some unspeakable secret in this?” Ji Yunshu’s tone rose and fell with measure, sounding gentle, but in reality it was like sharp needles, one after another, stabbing toward Xing Xiyang’s acupuncture points.
Xing Xiyang wasn’t stupid either. He naturally understood the implication, his gaze wandering between Ji Yunshu and Jing Zhaoyin as he asked in surprise, “Could it be that both honored officials suspect… that I killed her?”
It had the feeling of protesting too much.
Ji Yunshu explained: “Speculation is speculation, facts are facts. Coming today is simply to clarify things. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean this matter is related to the deceased’s death, but since this case has occurred, even clues as small as mung beans cannot be overlooked. Therefore, I must ask President Xing to cooperate.”
Xing Xiyang nodded as if understanding, sighed, and said: “To be honest, Jiao Shiniang and I have known each other for over ten years, though we couldn’t be called friends. Last month when I entered the capital to preside over the triennial commerce association meeting, I encountered an old monk along the way. He held a Buddha statue in his hands. I found that Buddha statue very pleasing, but the monk asked for fifty thousand taels of silver. To buy what I treasured, any amount was worth it. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that much money on me at the time, and I just happened to run into Jiao Shiniang. She was very generous and lent me fifty thousand taels on the spot. I also set a date to repay her, which was August 14th. At that time, I also knew she planned to enter the capital this year, so I gave her written authorization. But the day she entered the capital, I was so busy I was dizzy and indeed forgot. If you two don’t believe me, feel free to investigate. Besides, a mere fifty thousand taels—how could I, Xing, be unable to produce it? Much less kill someone over that bit of silver.”
Clear and logical!
Spoken with utmost sincerity!
Even carrying a hint of wronged accusation in his tone.
Ji Yunshu and Jing Zhaoyin exchanged glances. Then she said, “If what you say is true, we will naturally investigate thoroughly.”
“Then I must trouble both honored officials.”
Jing Zhaoyin spoke up: “President Xing, before this matter is clarified, if there are any more questions, we’ll return. After all, from what we can see at present, you’re the only person connected to Jiao Shiniang.”
“Xing understands.”
After getting their answers, Ji Yunshu and Jing Zhaoyin prepared to leave.
Xing Xiyang rose to see them out.
“President Xing needn’t see us out. Please stay,” Ji Yunshu said.
“Yes.”
Watching their departing figures, Xing Xiyang’s warm, good-natured face instantly transformed, becoming extremely vigilant.
The hand inside his robe also clenched tightly.
Even carrying several parts unease.
Just as Ji Yunshu stepped out of Wenlai Pavilion, she came face to face with someone. This person wore luxurious clothing, with two jade pendants hanging at his waist. In his hand, he held an open folding fan, beneath which hung a tassel. Just speaking of that translucent green bead on the tassel alone—it was priceless. The man appeared to be only around thirty-something years old, his appearance still fairly young, though not as composed as Xing Xiyang. Rather, he seemed somewhat crafty.
A typical merchant’s look!
The servant at the entrance immediately whispered a few words in his ear. Upon hearing this, the open folding fan in his hand immediately snapped shut.
He greeted them with a smiling face!