Sixi was laid flat on the floor in the center of the main hall. Yuwen Changqing waved the servants away, leaving only Shen Guiyan and her maid.

The hot tea warmed her hands, and only after quite a while did sensation return. Her awareness also slowly came back. When Shen Guiyan raised her eyes, she saw Yuwen Changqing gathering his robes and half-kneeling on the ground, frowning as he examined the wounds on Sixi’s body bit by bit.

Those injuries were truly horrifying to behold. Each time she looked at them, her eyes reddened again.

“These are indeed wounds from a long saber. Let me question my household. If someone truly did harm others, we must certainly give the deceased an explanation.” After a long while, Yuwen Changqing spoke softly, raising his head to look at Shen Guiyan. “However, Young Madam was unusually rash today, actually carrying a corpse into the Yuwen residence. It’s quite astonishing.”

Her body trembled slightly. Shen Guiyan looked at the corpse on the ground and numbly lifted the corners of her mouth. “If I didn’t do this, how would the General truly apprehend the murderer from his residence? These were common people’s lives to begin with. If Guiyan had remained silent, wouldn’t this murder case have been buried?”

Officials protect their own. Today it was only because she came to seek justice for Sixi’s family. If it had been any other family killed by guards, even if they wanted to file a complaint, they’d have nowhere to go.

Yuwen Changqing raised an eyebrow, looking at her with some amusement. “This isn’t something Young Madam should be managing. Aren’t you afraid that in my anger, I won’t give face to the Gu household?”

Shen Guiyan pressed her lips together. “Guiyan isn’t trying to manage this—I’m filing a complaint. The General is not a callous and brutal person. Even if you won’t give face to the Gu household, upon learning the Yuwen residence is connected to a murder case, you would certainly provide an explanation. It’s far more useful than going to the magistrate’s office.”

Actually, the truth was she knew Yuwen Changqing and Gu Chaobei were secretly on good terms, which was why she dared to be so bold. She was certain this person wouldn’t report her, but would instead help cover for her. And what she wanted was simply for him to hand over the murderer—a life for a life.

When she first met this person, she had been somewhat surprised, curious why he would appear at the Shen residence in the middle of the night. Later, seeing how close he was with Gu Chaobei and how similarly unrestrained and unconventional he was, Shen Guiyan instinctively felt that Yuwen Changqing must also be a good person.

She didn’t know how she had come to think this.

“Young Madam is kind-hearted. I won’t hold today’s intrusion against you. Let’s just wait to uncover the truth.” Yuwen Changqing stood up and ordered someone to notify the coroner at the magistrate’s office, while also having someone carefully question the deployment of the residence’s guards.

Seeing he had no intention of evading responsibility, Shen Guiyan relaxed considerably and leaned back in her chair. Her vision actually darkened somewhat.

She rarely had such strong emotional reactions. Today she had truly lost her composure. Now thinking carefully, bringing Sixi’s corpse to intrude upon the Yuwen residence—though it could seek justice for them, she herself would probably incur the Empress’s hatred again.

As the mother of a nation, to make things difficult for common people, and even more, to willfully slaughter civilians just to teach her a lesson—could such a person truly sit securely on that phoenix throne for long?

Shen Guiyan didn’t believe it.

Baoshan stood beside Shen Guiyan, watching General Yuwen go out and come back in, glancing at her young lady several times before sitting down in the chair opposite.

Why didn’t he sit in the host’s seat? Baoshan examined him with some curiosity.

Everyone said this General Yuwen possessed the imposing presence of a phoenix, was disloyal to the Emperor, and acted willfully. Yet how was it that she saw him as gentle and courteous, even tolerating her young lady’s bold behavior today?

Moreover, though he’d been labeled the “murderer,” this person could still smile pleasantly. What good composure.

What Baoshan didn’t understand was that when actions are unusual, there must be a reason. Who was Yuwen Changqing? Famous for his strange temperament—when happy, he could reward a servant with a mansion over a cup of tea; when angry, he could overturn an entire table of delicacies. He never looked at others’ expressions. Even the Empress treated him with deference and generous favor.

Why was his attitude toward Shen Guiyan so good? It was because he had always been very curious about her. Having caught this opportunity to interact with her, General Yuwen was naturally quite pleased.

After sitting for only a short while, a close attendant came in and whispered a few words in Yuwen Changqing’s ear. He nodded and looked at Shen Guiyan. “We’ve found out.”

Shen Guiyan sat up straight.

“This morning, Houde did lead people out of the residence.” Yuwen Changqing stood. “He’s currently at the training grounds. Would Young Madam like to accompany me there?”

The training grounds? Shen Guiyan paused slightly, then lowered her eyes. “Very well.”

“Colonel Gu happens to be at the training grounds as well. Young Madam has been overly distraught today—afterward, you should return to the residence together with Colonel Gu.” Yuwen Changqing looked at her. “As for the deceased’s body, I will order it to be kept at the coroner’s examination area at the magistrate’s office.”

He arranged everything very properly. Shen Guiyan had nothing more to say and followed him out to the carriage.

“Miss, don’t you think General Yuwen is strange?” Baoshan sat in the carriage, muttering softly. “Isn’t that Yuwen Houde his relative? He didn’t even change expression. If he’s truly the murderer, would the General really personally send his own relative to the execution ground?”

Shen Guiyan laughed softly. “You’re overthinking it. As long as Yuwen Houde wasn’t the one who personally struck, he won’t be in trouble. What I’m looking for to pay with their lives for Sixi’s family are only those beasts who actually did it. The others involved hold high positions and power with complex relationships—they can’t be dealt with easily in a short time.”

“This servant understands.” Baoshan nodded in realization, but still couldn’t help saying, “But even so, something’s not right. A great general being so easy to talk to—this servant keeps feeling there’s something shining in the way he looks at you, though I can’t say what…”

“Why worry about all that?” Wearily rubbing her temples, Shen Guiyan said, “I only hope this matter can be concluded quickly. I’m truly exhausted…”

The burden weighing on her heart wouldn’t lift. Each step forward required all her strength.

Baoshan sighed and considerately helped massage her temples.

Yuwen Changqing rode his horse in front of the carriage. His attendant Luo Wei glanced back and said softly, “This subordinate has already intercepted everyone. That person in the palace won’t know about Fourth Young Madam Gu’s actions today. However, General, regarding Lord Houde…”

“If the investigation shows it was him, then it was him.” Yuwen Changqing said, “If Guiyan hadn’t come to tell me about this, even I wouldn’t have known. He was able to obtain information bypassing me—that’s quite capable of him. It’s time he learned a lesson.”

Luo Wei nodded. Looking at his general’s expression, he added, “General, the person in the carriage behind is Fourth Young Madam Gu.”

“Mm, so what?” Yuwen Changqing glanced at him with a smile playing on his lips.

“Nothing.” Luo Wei shook his head. It was fine as long as the General knew. He only noticed the General was in particularly good spirits today, so he had some vague suspicions, though they were probably unnecessary.

At the training grounds, soldiers were drilling. The newly appointed Colonel Gu sat under an awning with his legs crossed, watching new recruits practice archery.

“Put all your strength into shooting at the target,” he said carelessly. “Don’t slack off!”