While the women shook their heads, they also discussed why Chunxiu was so anxious to leave the mansion, with various speculations flying about. The most common guess was that she had gone to secretly meet a lover.

They didn’t have deep feelings for Chunxiu and mostly treated it as a joke. However, what they didn’t expect was that even by evening, Chunxiu still hadn’t returned. Could she really not be planning to return to the mansion?

Logically speaking, the Governor’s mansion offered such generous treatment, and she had finally managed to return to the music workshop – she couldn’t possibly just leave like that. It was truly puzzling.

Over the next few days, Chunxiu still didn’t return. Just as everyone was gradually forgetting about her, shocking news spread through the mansion – Chunxiu had been murdered!

Wan Shi looked at the brightly colored butterflies in the glass tank and said indifferently, “Chunxiu is really dead?”

Steward Lin respectfully replied, “Absolutely true. Her family has already reported to the county office, and the coroner has examined the body. He said she’s been dead for three days. Because the location was remote, she was only discovered now.”

“Three days…” Wan Shi frowned slightly and said, “I remember Chunxiu left the mansion about three days ago, didn’t she?”

Steward Lin flattered, “Madam has an excellent memory. It was indeed three days ago. According to the coroner’s examination, she must have died shortly after leaving the mansion.”

Wan Shi took a camellia from the flower basket held by a maidservant and tossed it into the glass tank, saying coolly, “How did she die?”

“This servant heard that she was killed by someone using a blunt instrument to strike her head. When the body was discovered, her face was almost completely rotted. She was finally identified by a birthmark on her body. The coroner said they found a blood-stained stone on the ground that matched Chunxiu’s wound – it should be the murder weapon.”

“Have they found out who killed Chunxiu?” In response to Wan Shi’s inquiry, Steward Lin shook his head, “The county office hasn’t made any progress yet.”

Wan Shi said indifferently, “I understand. Settle Feng Chunxiu’s previous monthly wages and send them to her family, then remove her from the records.”

Steward Lin bowed, “This servant will handle it immediately.”

Not long after Steward Lin left, he hurried back in, causing Wan Shi’s brows to furrow slightly, “What else is there?”

Steward Lin bowed and said, “Reporting to Madam, the Feng family members are gathered at the gate, insisting that the Governor and Madam seek justice for Chunxiu!”

Hearing this, Zhaixing laughed, “How interesting they are. Didn’t they already report to the county office? Why come here asking Madam to seek justice? Madam isn’t a county magistrate. Besides, can they see the Governor and Madam just because they want to?”

Although the Governor also tried cases in his jurisdiction, he only took over when the plaintiff and defendant felt the county magistrate’s judgment was unfair and appealed for retrial. Under normal circumstances, he didn’t directly try new cases.

Wan Shi raised her hand and said, “What exactly is going on?”

Steward Lin glanced at Wan Shi and stammered, “They say… they say…”

His manner displeased Wan Shi, who said coldly, “Speak if you have something to say.”

Steward Lin gritted his teeth and said as instructed, “They say the murderer is in the Governor’s mansion!”

Wan Shi was stunned, then scolded, “Ridiculous! Chunxiu was murdered outside – what does it have to do with the Governor’s mansion?”

Steward Lin said helplessly, “This servant told them the same thing, but they keep surrounding the gate and won’t leave, clamoring to see Madam.”

“What a bunch of troublemaking unruly people.” Saying this, Zhaixing said, “Madam, this servant will go dismiss them immediately.”

“Since they’ve come, I’m afraid a few words from you won’t be enough to dismiss them.” Then Wan Shi said, “Has the Governor been disturbed?”

“Not yet.” Seeing Steward Lin say this, Wan Shi stood up and said, “Fine, I have nothing else to do right now anyway. Let’s go take a look.”

Zhaixing responded and helped Wan Shi to the mansion gate along with Steward Lin. After ordering the gatekeepers to open the main gate, they indeed saw a group of people standing at the bottom of the steps. One person was forcibly pressed to the ground, with visible marks of beatings on his exposed hands and face. When they saw Steward Lin come out, they immediately clamored to see Wan Shi.

Steward Lin pointed to Wan Shi and said, “This is the mansion’s Madam. Say whatever you have to say.”

Seeing that Wan Shi had actually come out, the group didn’t dare speak up. After a while, Feng Cheng, who had drooping triangular eyes, stepped forward and said, “We beseech Madam to hand over the murderer and seek justice for this humble person’s daughter.”

Wan Shi stepped forward and stared at him, “Chunxiu is your daughter?”

“Yes, Chunxiu is this humble person’s only daughter.” Feng Cheng said hoarsely, “Chunxiu was always obedient and sensible. Last autumn, when she learned that the Governor’s mansion was hiring servants, she came to work at the Governor’s mansion to help support the family. Thanks to Madam’s favor, she became a dancer in the music workshop. This was originally a good thing, but someone harbored resentment over some minor grievances and ultimately… ultimately even killed Chunxiu, causing this humble person to lose his daughter in old age – a white-haired person sending off a black-haired person!”

Hearing this, Feng Li Shi beside him was already crying uncontrollably and knelt down, “Please, Madam, seek justice for Chunxiu and don’t let her die so wrongfully.”

Wan Shi said, “You keep asking me to hand over the murderer. Who exactly is this murderer?”

Upon hearing this, Feng Cheng immediately became agitated and said, “The murderer is Wu Meixue, who was a dancer along with Chunxiu. She killed Chunxiu! It was her!”

“Wu Meixue?” Wan Shi naturally remembered this name but couldn’t connect her with Chunxiu’s death. “You say this – what evidence do you have?”

Feng Chunming answered, “In response to Madam, three nights ago, Chunxiu came home. She was very excited at the time, constantly saying she had found evidence. Since this humble person was drowsy at the time, I didn’t hear clearly what exactly it was about. But this humble person clearly remembers that she mentioned Wu Meixue’s name. I can be certain that the evidence she found was related to Wu Meixue.”

Wan Shi raised her eyebrows, “So you conclude that Wu Meixue is the murderer?”

“If it were only this, naturally not. After learning that Chunxiu was murdered, this humble person inquired everywhere, hoping to find clues about Chunxiu’s murder. As a result, I really did learn about something.” He pointed to an old man with graying hair nearby, “This person is the night watchman in our village who patrols the village every night. He said that around the fourth watch, he saw Chunxiu struggling with someone on the street and heard Chunxiu shouting for them to let go. Because he encountered some other matters at the time, he couldn’t catch up in time. When he went over later, no one was in sight, and then Chunxiu had her accident. This person must undoubtedly be the murderer.” Then he said to the old man, “Night watchman, tell Madam who you saw.”

The old man seemed startled by him and nodded somewhat frantically, “Yes, it was… it was Meixue. She and Chunxiu were struggling on the street as if they were arguing.”