Wan Shi’s eyes narrowed slightly, cold and oppressive light flickering in their depths. “Since you cannot tell me where you went last night, then I cannot help you either.” With that, she said to Feng Cheng, “Take Wu Meixue away.”
Feng Cheng had been waiting for these words. He immediately expressed his gratitude and, together with his brothers and Feng Chunming, stepped forward to drag Yunyi and Jiang Caiping outside.
Wan Shi’s expression turned cold as she said, “Did you not hear me clearly? Who told you to take Jiang Caiping away?”
Feng Cheng was stunned by her question and replied sheepishly, “Jiang Caiping deliberately harbored Wu Meixue, a murderer. She is also an accomplice and should be taken to the county yamen together to face judgment.”
Wan Shi said indifferently, “I will handle Jiang Caiping’s matter myself. You need not concern yourself with it.”
Feng Cheng responded submissively. Though he was unwilling, he was not a brainless person and knew that Wan Shi was not someone he could afford to offend. Moreover, since he already had the “main culprit” in hand, the accomplice seemed less important.
Seeing that Yunyi was about to be taken away, Wu Laosan knelt before Wan Shi, kowtowing repeatedly with tears streaming down his face. “Meixue is truly being wronged. Please, Madam, help Meixue, help her!”
Jiang Caiping also continuously pleaded for Yunyi on the side. Wan Shi said expressionlessly, “It’s not that I don’t want to help her, but I truly cannot!” After saying this, she told Steward Lin, “Take them out.”
“Sister!” Jiang Caiping was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, but could do nothing except watch helplessly as Yunyi was forcibly dragged out. As they passed by her, Yunyi said in a voice only they could hear, “Go find the Second Young Master!”
In the current situation, only Li Shimin had the qualification to save her!
Her words gave Jiang Caiping a glimmer of hope. Afraid of being discovered by Wan Shi, she dared not respond or nod, only using her eyes to indicate that she had heard.
After the Zhaixin Pavilion returned to tranquility, Wan Shi looked at Jiang Caiping and said, “Do you know your crime?”
Jiang Caiping wiped the tears from her face and said stubbornly, “Madam, please discern clearly—Sister Wu is not a murderer!”
“It seems you have no remorse whatsoever.” In the next moment, Wan Shi turned to Zhaixing and said, “Take her down for thirty strokes of the rod, then drive her out of the mansion, never to be employed again.”
“Yes.” Zhaixing acknowledged and called two servants to escort Jiang Caiping to the courtyard, one on each side. While one of the servants went to prepare the wooden rod and bench, she suddenly broke free from the other servant’s restraint and fled outside.
Zhaixing and the others had never seen anyone dare to escape when Wan Shi ordered punishment. They were stunned for a moment, and by the time they recovered, she and the two servants hurriedly chased after her.
This caused quite a commotion—one person running ahead, several chasing behind. The mansion’s servants had never seen such a thing and all stared in amazement.
Zhaixing panted while secretly vowing that once she caught Jiang Caiping, she would definitely ask Wan Shi to increase the punishment. How dare she run away—she was simply tired of living!
Jiang Caiping ran desperately. She knew clearly that once she was caught by Zhaixing behind her, she would never have another chance. When she reached Jingji Pavilion, she was blocked by a servant guarding the entrance. “This is the Second Young Master’s residence. No unauthorized entry!”
Jiang Caiping hastily looked back, then said urgently, “I have urgent business to see the Second Young Master. Please let me in.”
The servant looked her over and said, “If that’s the case, wait here while I go inform the Second Young Master.”
“There’s no time.” By now, Zhaixing and the others had caught up. Zhaixing was running out of breath, hands on her hips, gasping as she said, “You… you stop right there!”
Jiang Caiping steeled her heart and pushed past the servant, bursting inside. First escaping from Yuxiu Pavilion, and now forcing her way into Jingji Pavilion—all the bold things she had done in her lifetime combined didn’t match today’s audacity!
“Hey! Stop, you’re not allowed in!” The servant hadn’t expected Jiang Caiping to dare force her way into Jingji Pavilion and hurriedly chased after her, with Zhaixing and the others following close behind.
“Second Young Master! Second Young Master!” Jiang Caiping ran while shouting. She first went to the main hall, then to the second hall, but didn’t see Li Shimin anywhere. As she was about to search the east and west flower halls, she was grabbed by a servant who scolded her sternly, “You bold servant girl, how dare you break into Jingji Pavilion! Do you not want to live? Come with me immediately!”
Jiang Caiping said urgently, “No, I have a matter of life and death to discuss with the Second Young Master. Please take me to see him!”
The servant paid no attention to her words and forcibly dragged her outside. By now Zhaixing and the others had also arrived, and after catching her breath, she said, “This person is a dancer from the music troupe who broke the rules and committed an offense. She escaped when the Second Madam ordered punishment, and we must immediately take her back.”
The servant recognized Zhaixing and naturally wouldn’t obstruct her. He immediately handed Jiang Caiping over to her. The latter struggled desperately, constantly clamoring to see Li Shimin. Zhaixing, afraid she might actually summon Li Shimin and complicate matters, signaled to the two servants she had brought. They understood and gagged Jiang Caiping’s mouth, then carried her outside.
Just as they were about to leave Jingji Pavilion, Li Shimin’s voice sounded behind them, “What’s happening?”
The gatekeeper servant quickly walked over and respectfully said, “Reporting to the Second Young Master, someone from the music troupe broke into Jingji Pavilion, shouting that she wanted to see you. Miss Zhaixing is taking her back now.”
“To see me?” As Li Shimin expressed surprise, Zhaixing had already walked over and bowed to him, saying with lowered eyes, “It’s all this servant’s fault for not supervising strictly, allowing her to run out and disturb the Second Young Master. This servant will take her away immediately.”
“Mmph! Mmph mmph!” Jiang Caiping tried desperately to turn around and speak, but with her mouth firmly covered, she could only make muffled sounds.
Li Shimin’s heart stirred. He stepped forward to the front of Jiang Caiping, who was tightly held by two servants. Although the lower half of her face was covered, he still recognized her and immediately said, “Release her.”
Zhaixing’s expression changed slightly as she said with a forced smile, “Second Young Master, Madam is still waiting for this servant to bring her back.”
“There’s no rush for this moment. Release her.” Seeing Li Shimin’s firm attitude, Zhaixing had no choice but to signal the servants to let go. Once freed, Jiang Caiping immediately stepped forward and grabbed Li Shimin’s sleeve, saying urgently, “Second Young Master, please hurry and save Sister Wu! She’s about to be killed!”
“Meixue?” Li Shimin was astonished, then asked tensely, “What happened to her?”
Jiang Caiping hurriedly recounted everything that had happened at Yuxiu Pavilion, then said, “Although Sister Wu did go out that night, I know her character—she would never kill anyone. They’re framing Sister Wu. Second Young Master, only you can save Sister Wu now. Please save her, I beg you!” She cried anxiously.
Li Shimin patted her back comfortingly and said, “Don’t worry, I will certainly investigate this matter and clear Meixue’s name.” Then he said to Zhaixing, “Jiang Caiping will stay with me for now. If it’s confirmed that she indeed committed the crime of harboring a murderer, I will hand her over to Second Mother for punishment.”