While Li Shimin agreed, he remembered something and hurriedly said: “Father, a few days before Xuanba’s incident, a young man called Ajin came to see him. We’ve now found his residence. Your son wants to go take a look – perhaps there will be clues about Xuanba’s murder.”
Li Yuan nodded: “You go ahead. I will arrange Xuanba’s funeral.”
As Li Shimin left with his men, news of Li Xuanba’s murder began to spread throughout the Governor’s residence. Steward Lin was the first to hear it. After confirming the news was true, he immediately went to Yuxiu Pavilion. Wan Shi was admiring a pot of water lilies. It wasn’t yet the season for lotus flowers to bloom – this pot had been carefully cultivated in the greenhouse and was immediately sent here for Wan Shi’s enjoyment as soon as it flowered.
Seeing him hurrying in, Zhaixing, who was standing beside Wan Shi, said casually: “Is Steward Lin coming at this time because that Wu Meixue has again relied on the Third Madam’s backing to leave the residence without permission?” The day before yesterday, right after Yunyi had left the residence, Steward Lin had come to Yuxiu Pavilion to inform Wan Shi.
Steward Lin shook his head and bowed to Wan Shi: “Reporting to Madam, the Third Young Master is dead!”
Wan Shi was playing with a pink lotus bud that was about to bloom. Suddenly hearing these words, her hand tightened and she immediately snapped off the lotus flower. She couldn’t care about that and stared at Steward Lin: “What did you say?”
Steward Lin repeated: “The Third Young Master is dead. His body is currently in the East Flower Hall, and the Master has ordered the servants to set up a mourning hall.”
Zhaixing said in shock: “Wasn’t it said before that the Third Young Master had gone missing? How did he suddenly die?”
“I’m not clear on the details either. I only know the Second Young Master brought him back. This servant sneaked a look and found it truly tragic – the entire person was burned to charcoal, with not a single part intact.”
After Wan Shi calmed down, she said: “Since he’s been burned to charcoal, how can they identify him as the Third Young Master?”
“I heard that Guard Duan found a peace pendant on the body, and then the coroner used some method to verify that the corpse was indeed the Third Young Master.”
Wan Shi played with the flower bud in her hand: “Do you know who killed him?”
Steward Lin answered truthfully: “This servant doesn’t know about that, but the Second Young Master just left – perhaps it was for this matter. I don’t know who was so bold as to dare act against our Governor’s residence.”
Wan Shi remained silent for a moment, then said: “Alright, I understand. You may withdraw.”
“Yes.” After Steward Lin left, Zhaixing said: “It’s truly unexpected that the Third Young Master disappeared for several days, and when he returned, he was already a corpse.” Then she said ingratiatingly: “However, this is not a bad thing for Madam.” She was Wan Shi’s personal maid who had always served at her side, knowing that since Wan Shi had entered the Li family, Li Xuanba and the others had never given her a pleasant look. Even calling her “Second Mother” was extremely reluctant. Wan Shi had long harbored deep hatred for them, not to mention the great conflict of interest between them and Li Zhiyun.
Wan Shi smiled coldly, threw down the mangled flower bud in her hand, and said coolly: “No matter what thoughts you have, keep them well hidden in your heart. Don’t let anyone see them, especially the Governor. Otherwise, I’ll skin you alive. Do you remember?”
No matter how much she might hope for the death of Li Xuanba and his brothers in her heart, she absolutely could not let Li Yuan know. The latter placed great importance on these sons, and once he found out, her and Zhiyun’s position in this residence would become precarious – something she would never allow to happen.
Zhaixing’s expression became serious as she hurriedly said: “This servant will definitely remember Madam’s teachings!”
Wan Shi nodded slightly: “Go summon Zhiyun. We’re going to the East Flower Hall.”
News, once it begins to spread, becomes difficult to stop. Li Xuanba’s death quickly spread to every corner of the Governor’s residence, naturally including the music quarters.
Yunyi stood there with a gloomy expression. She had clearly set fire to Li Xuanba’s corpse, and even without looking, she knew the body must have become charcoal. She really couldn’t understand how Li Shimin had identified it. Could it be… Li Xuanba had something that didn’t melt in the fire, thus allowing recognition? But hadn’t she already taken Li Xuanba’s jade pendant? It was all because she had been thrown into confusion by Li Xuanba’s sudden death and hadn’t carefully examined everything.
Now that Li Shimin knew Li Xuanba was dead, he would definitely investigate further. Finding Ajin was only a matter of time. Once he met the escaped Ajin, everything would be exposed. It seemed she needed to accelerate her actions and kill Li Yuan as soon as possible.
Just as Yunyi was pondering how to eliminate Li Yuan, she heard sobbing nearby, followed by a figure covering her mouth and running out.
Terrible, it was Caiping!
Yunyi couldn’t spare time to speak with Nanny Yang and quickly chased after her. After running more than ten zhang, she finally caught up with Jiang Caiping and grabbed her: “Where are you going?”
Jiang Caiping ignored her and just kept crying. Seeing her like this, Yunyi sighed and wiped her tears: “I know you’re heartbroken, but the dead cannot return to life. Try to accept it!”
“I don’t believe it!” Jiang Caiping shrieked: “I don’t believe that’s the Third Young Master. He won’t die, those people must be talking nonsense. I’m going to find the Third Young Master right now. Perhaps…” she said frantically: “Perhaps he’s drinking in a tavern right now. He’s… deliberately playing with us.”
How could Yunyi let her go? She held her tightly: “Caiping, don’t be like this. The Third Young Master is already dead!”
“I won’t listen!” Jiang Caiping covered her ears tightly, refusing to hear Yunyi’s words. Ever since Li Xuanba went missing, she had been constantly anxious. She never expected that the next news about Li Xuanba would be such terrible news – how could she accept it!
For fifteen years, this was the first time she had known what it felt like to like someone, and also the first time she had known the heartache of liking someone but not being able to be together.
She had always thought that although they couldn’t be together, they would both be well. Who knew… now, even if she wanted to tell Li Xuanba that she liked him, she no longer had the chance!
They… had truly become people of two different worlds. From now on… separated by life and death, never to meet again in this lifetime.
Watching Caiping cry in pain, Yunyi didn’t know how to comfort her and could only hold her tightly. In this Honghua Commandery, besides Wu Laosan, Jiang Caiping was closest to her and treated her best. Yet she had personally caused Jiang Caiping’s pain. Had she done wrong? Perhaps, but she couldn’t turn back, nor could she go back!
After soaking that patch of clothing on Yunyi’s chest, Jiang Caiping finally raised her head and choked out: “I want to see the Third Young Master.”
Yunyi was worried about her and said: “Alright, I’ll accompany you!”
The two made their way to the East Flower Hall, which had already been set up as a mourning hall. Snow-white mourning banners fluttered in the air, emanating an aura of tragic sorrow.