The next afternoon, Xiao Qiao returned to the North Chamber. She changed into a slightly worn cyan-colored outfit, removed her hairpins and jewelry, and dressed as if from an ordinary family. Donning a veil to cover her face, she rode in a carriage to the Yueful Inn in the city, accompanied by Chunniang and Lin Ao. She left Lin Ao waiting in the carriage and entered with Chunniang, asking the innkeeper about the young gentleman who had checked in a few days ago.

The innkeeper replied, “Young Master Zong is still here. Today, three to five friends came to visit him, and they set up a banquet in the back courtyard. I was just about to go add more wine.”

Chunniang gave the doorman ten large coins and said, “We’re old acquaintances, and I’m looking for him on an errand. I’ll deliver the wine for you on my way.”

The innkeeper saw that although this veiled lady’s attire was unremarkable, her servant seemed more impressive than the mistresses of ordinary households. Seeing the money, he readily agreed.

Xiao Qiao followed the innkeeper’s directions to the back hall.

The Yueful Inn was well-known in the city. To cultivate an elegant atmosphere, they had created a small courtyard in the back, planted with yellow-grooved bamboo. Although it was late autumn and the weather was turning cold, the bamboo was frost-resistant. Its stalks and leaves, a mix of yellow and green, rustled in the wind, giving a taste of the Jiangnan region.

Xiao Qiao walked along a corridor towards the back hall, hearing faint laughter carried by the wind. As she drew closer, she saw four or five men drinking and feasting by a bamboo grove, some sitting, some reclining. They were all in their early twenties, with the oldest no more than twenty-five or twenty-six, all with carefree demeanors. She heard the slightly older man sitting facing north laugh and say, “I once served as an adviser to the Linqing County Magistrate. One day, a prison supervisor came early in the morning to pay respects to the magistrate, saying he had dreamed the previous night that His Honor had been promoted and become wealthy. He came specially to report this. The magistrate was initially delighted and rewarded him generously. However, the next day, he suddenly flew into a rage and ordered this man to be flogged. Can you guess why?”

As the others pondered, unable to solve the riddle, a woman’s voice suddenly spoke from behind them: “The prison supervisor’s duty should be to catch thieves at night. If he was sleeping and dreaming, he was neglecting his duties. Being punished for that seems appropriate. Is my guess correct?”

The group started, suddenly realizing the logic. They laughed heartily and turned around to see a woman standing in an open space not far away. She wore a veil covering her face, with a middle-aged servant woman behind her. Not knowing who this newcomer was, they looked at each other in bewilderment.

Among them, a young man in a blue robe, about the same age as Wei Shao, stood up tall with a long sword at his waist. His appearance was refined and elegant – this was Zong Ji. He recognized Chunniang, stood up, adjusted his clothes, and went to greet them.

Chunniang smiled and nodded at him, saying “Greetings, Young Master,” and handed him the wine jug.

Xiao Qiao saw Zong Ji’s gaze fall on her with a puzzled expression. She said, “I apologize for the sudden visit and any rudeness. I’m deeply grateful for your letter delivered from afar the other day. I was passing by today and wanted to come personally to thank you. If I’ve disturbed you, please forgive me.”

As soon as Zong Ji heard her speak, he realized her identity – she must be the lady from the Wei household. Startled, he quickly bowed to her. His other friends, seeing this, understood that this woman must have come on business. The banquet had almost reached its conclusion anyway, so they all rose to take their leave. As they passed by Xiao Qiao, although they couldn’t see her face clearly due to the veil, they could still make out that she was a young and beautiful woman. She had also quickly solved their riddle earlier, showing her intelligence. They couldn’t help but steal a few curious glances as they passed by.

Zong Ji escorted his friends out, and they all teased him, saying he had only been in Yuyang for a few days, yet he had already made acquaintance with such an outstanding beauty. They joked that he had kept it secret and must be punished with drinks next time.

Zong Ji, having guessed the woman’s identity, dared not be disrespectful and quickly denied their teasing. He swiftly saw his friends off and returned. Standing before Xiao Qiao, he respectfully said, “I didn’t know the lady would grace us with her presence. My apologies for not welcoming you properly. Is there anything I can do for you? Please don’t hesitate to ask.”

That day when Bi Zhi had saved him, he had sworn to repay the favor. Hearing Bi Zhi and his wife speak of this Lady Yan with such respect, as if she had shown them great kindness in the past, he regarded her as a benefactor in his heart. Knowing her status, he realized she wouldn’t have come to see him personally without good reason, so he spoke in this manner.

Xiao Qiao asked Chunniang to step aside, then said, “My sister specifically mentioned you in her letter, saying you have a wide network of acquaintances and are trustworthy. That’s why I’ve come so abruptly. To be honest, I do have a favor to ask of you.”

Saying this, she lifted her veil, revealing her face, and smiled slightly at Zong Ji with a nod.

Zong Ji’s gaze fell on her face, lingering for a moment before he collected himself. He dared not meet her eyes directly and said, “The lady flatters me. Whatever you need, please feel free to ask. Zong Ji is willing to lay down his life to repay the kindness shown by my benefactor that day!”

…

As Xiao Qiao left the Yueful Inn and headed back to the manor, she was lost in thought.

Last night’s secret report from Huang Ao about Jiang Ao’s suspicious movements had once again set Xiao Qiao’s already tense nerves on edge.

In her previous life, Madam Xu’s unexpected illness and death, Da Qiao, Madam Zhu, Jiang Ao who was close to Madam Zhu, and Madam Li of the rural marquis who first appeared in her sight…

So many people seemed to be connected by a single thread.

Jiang Ao was Madam Zhu’s confidante, Madam Zhu was the mistress of the Wei household, and Madam Li was a noblewoman in Yuyang City. If the two had been acquainted in the past, it would make sense for Madam Zhu to send Jiang Ao to visit now.

But Xiao Qiao’s intuition told her that things couldn’t be that simple.

Just from Huang Ao’s description last night, it wasn’t possible to determine whether Jiang Ao’s secret visit to Madam Li’s house was on Madam Zhu’s orders or if she was acting on her own without Madam Zhu’s knowledge.

It was too suspicious that Jiang Ao would do such a secretive thing right when Madam Xu was ill and Wei Shao was away from home.

But it seemed as if something was missing in the middle, preventing her from reasonably connecting the relationships between these people.

And who exactly was this Madam Li of the rural marquis?

Xiao Qiao had been in Yuyang for nearly a year now. She had met most of the noblewomen of Yuyang.

Her memory was good. Even if she had only seen someone once, she wouldn’t forget them.

But this Madam Li, Xiao Qiao was certain, had never visited the Wei manor.

Given her status as a widow, living in seclusion was reasonable.

But now that she had entered Xiao Qiao’s field of vision in this way at this juncture, Xiao Qiao wasn’t going to let it go.

So she sought out Zong Ji and asked for his help in keeping a close watch on this Madam Li, not to miss any of her movements.

Xiao Qiao now had male servants she could dispatch for tasks. But this matter was special, and ordinary people might not be able to uncover much. Zong Ji was different. Da Qiao’s letter described him as a wandering knight.

Since the Spring and Autumn period, wandering knights have been a special social group. They valued righteousness over profit, kept their word at all costs, and were even willing to die for their friends.

If this wandering knight Zong Ji was willing to help, the effect would certainly be better than entrusting the matter to ordinary people.

But such wandering knights were difficult to buy with money. Seeing from Da Qiao’s letter that Zong Ji seemed to value righteousness highly, she thought to ask for his help based on her relationship with Bi Zhi and Da Qiao.

Originally, she was a bit nervous, fearing that showing up like this might be too abrupt.

Unexpectedly, Zong Ji agreed immediately, and his attitude didn’t seem reluctant at all.

This finally made Xiao Qiao feel somewhat relieved.

She couldn’t help but turn her attention back to the medicine Madam Xu was taking.

She had thought about it repeatedly before. Assuming everything was still the same as in her previous life, if Madam Xu, who was originally recovering, suddenly fell seriously ill and died, the most likely explanation was that someone had tampered with her food or medicine.

So after confirming that Guo Ao, who was responsible for brewing the medicine in the North Chamber, wasn’t a problem, she repeatedly instructed that she must ensure every time the medicine was brewed, it was watched from start to finish without leaving for a moment.

Originally, she thought this would be enough. Now, because of this unexpected development, Xiao Qiao became even more nervous.

As soon as she returned to the Wei manor, she told Chunniang not to worry about her anymore. For the time being, until Madam Xu recovered and stopped taking medicine, Chunniang should go with Guo Ao to brew the medicine. When the kitchen maids were cooking, she should also watch, and if any outsider approached, she should inform Xiao Qiao immediately.

Chunniang was somewhat puzzled. But her lady’s mood these past few days had affected her as well. Without asking further, she immediately agreed.

“When it’s time to brew medicine or cook, you can find an excuse to stay by the stove. There’s no need to let people know I’ve specially sent you to watch,” Xiao Qiao pondered for a moment before adding this instruction.

…

After Chunniang left, Xiao Qiao thought for a long while and decided to make a trip to the East Chamber.

After the incident with Wei Yan a few days ago, Madam Zhu had shut herself in the East Chamber, except for briefly showing her face to see Wei Shao off a few days ago. She hadn’t allowed Xiao Qiao to pay her respects.

Xiao Qiao hadn’t seen her for several days.

She wanted to go and probe to see if Madam Zhu knew about Jiang Ao’s secret visit to the rural marquis’s wife.

Xiao Qiao arrived at the East Chamber and waited for a while. She didn’t even see Jiang Ao. A servant woman came out and said the madam wouldn’t see her and told her to go back.

Xiao Qiao had no choice but to give up the idea.

…

She had also considered simply revealing to Zhong Ao that someone might be trying to harm Madam Xu, asking for her help in prevention.

But after much consideration, she still couldn’t bring herself to do it.

If she told Zhong Ao, Zhong Ao would certainly ask for the reason and who was suspected.

What could she say then?

After all, up to now, everything was just her suspicion, or rather, grasping at shadows.

Her biggest suspect was Madam Zhu. Because only Madam Zhu had the motive and the opportunity to do it.

But this was not a small matter. Madam Zhu was the mistress of the Wei family, Wei Shao’s mother. For her to suspect without evidence that she wanted to kill Madam Xu, at best it would be seen as her losing her mind, sowing discord in front of Madam Xu, and at worst, it would be considered treasonous and malicious.

Whether from the perspective of human relations or common sense, without solid evidence, she couldn’t possibly leak even a hint of this.

So all she could do now was to do everything in her power to prevent it from happening.

That was all.

…

Chunniang went to the North Chamber. Xiao Qiao summoned Lin Ao and asked her to inquire in detail about the background of Madam Li of the rural marquis. The more detailed, the better.

Lin Ao had been in the Wei manor for many years and was a native of Yuyang. She was also clever. Entrusting her with inquiring about local families was most appropriate.

Lin Ao agreed and hurried off. By the evening of the next day, as Xiao Qiao returned to the West Chamber from Madam Xu’s, she saw Lin Ao coming to meet her as soon as she entered. Knowing she must have news, Xiao Qiao closed the door after entering the room and asked, “How is it? Did you find out anything?”

Lin Ao replied, “My lady, Madam Li lost her husband a year ago and returned to her ancestral home in Yuyang to observe mourning. She had been living in Luoyang before. Since returning, she has lived in seclusion, with an excellent reputation. It’s only known that she has a young son. I couldn’t find out anything else.”

Xiao Qiao dismissed Lin Ao and fell into deep thought.

Luoyang…

The first name that jumped into her mind was: Su E’huang.

Could Su E’huang know the rural marquis’s wife and have met with Jiang Ao through her?

But Jiang Ao was Madam Zhu’s confidante, and Madam Zhu despised Su E’huang.

Was there something here she didn’t know?

Moreover, Su E’huang had already left Yuyang, this much she could be certain of. Because she had personally heard Zhong Ao tell Madam Xu that people from the courier station had personally escorted her twenty li out of the city.

Unless she had turned back at the risk of angering Madam Xu and was staying at that rural marquis’s wife’s home.

Could it be…

That Jiang Ao was Su E’huang’s person?

Xiao Qiao was startled by this sudden thought.

If this were true, then the missing link in the chain that had been troubling her all these days would be complete.

Madam Xu, Madam Zhu, Jiang Ao, Su E’huang…

In other words, besides Madam Zhu, there was now another suspect: Su E’huang.

Although she wasn’t in the Wei manor, if Jiang Ao was her person, there would still be a chance to harm Madam Xu.

Madam Zhu had a motive to resent Madam Xu. Su E’huang seemed to have one too.

Xiao Qiao suddenly felt her heart racing, her palms sweating.

…

That night, the faces of Madam Zhu, Su E’huang, and Jiang Ao kept flashing through her mind like a lantern show. She lay awake all night. The next morning, she rose with dark circles under her eyes, got dressed, and was about to go to the North Chamber when Chunniang entered. She quietly told Xiao Qiao that early in the morning, Young Master Zong had sent a message asking the lady to come to the inn again, as he had something to tell her in person.

Xiao Qiao’s spirits lifted, knowing he must have discovered something. She quickly changed her clothes and, as before, took Chunniang and Lin Ao with her, hurrying to the inn.

At the inn, Zong Ji was already waiting.