Chapter 349: Chapter 349: What’s More Important
All eyes in the room were on Ye Shixian.
’If there really was a problem with the flower tea, then...’
"It’s gone," Ye Shixian said.
Zhang Qian frowned. "Gone? What do you mean?"
Ye Shixian explained, "Mr. Murong did gift me a bag of flower tea. I brewed it daily and drank more than half of it, giving the rest to my mother. However, she wasn’t fond of its taste and only drank it on occasion. Everyone in the estate can attest to this."
There was no reason for her to lie about something so trivial, but—
"Then what about the pot of tea she drank yesterday?" Zhang Qian pressed.
Ye Shixian slowly lowered her head and glanced at the maid. "My mother’s daily meals were all handled by her. My lord, you’d be better off asking her that question directly."
The maid cowered, then said through her sobs, "I had a few sips from the pot, and then I washed it and put it away."
Zhang Qian’s heart sank.
’Even if there really was something wrong with the tea, it was impossible to investigate now!’
Seeing his dark expression, Ye Shixian finally felt a bit of satisfaction and spoke again. "I still have a tiny bit left. If you suspect the tea is the problem, my lord, I can have someone bring it."
Zhang Qian held out little hope, but he waved his hand anyway.
Shaoyao turned and left.
Ye Jingyan’s gaze shifted to Ye Chutang.
The investigation had reached a dead end. It was clear that looking into it further would yield nothing.
’But—the slander against his sister had yet to be cleared!’
’By tomorrow, word of today’s events would be all over the city. A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth; his sister’s reputation was bound to suffer!’
As if sensing his gaze, Ye Chutang looked back, giving him a reassuring glance.
Gazing into her clear, dark eyes, Ye Jingyan felt his troubled heart being soothed by an invisible hand, a sense of calm and peace washing over him.
’His sister was never one to wait passively for disaster to strike!’
Shaoyao quickly returned with a soft silk sachet. It was embroidered with an intricate pattern in gold thread and looked incredibly opulent.
"My lord, the rest of the flower tea is in here."
Zhang Qian took it and examined it inside and out, but he saw nothing unusual.
Ye Chutang paid the sachet little mind. ’Since Ye Shixian dared to produce it so openly, it must mean that it’s clean.’
’No wonder she was so bold today, daring to stop me on the street. She had prepared for this all along.’
Zhang Qian was in the most difficult position of all.
Without any evidence, he could only rule Mrs. Gao’s death a suicide. While the letter written in blood couldn’t be used as definitive proof, Ye Shixian had already made a public spectacle of it. Now, Ye Chutang’s name would likely be forever entangled in the matter.
If there were no new developments, then... in the future, anyone who thought of Ye Chutang would surely associate her with the suspected crime of driving her aunt to her death!
This was enough to utterly ruin her.
After long deliberation, Zhang Qian finally said, "This case lacks the evidence to be formally opened."
The weight on Ye Shixian’s heart finally lifted.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ’This was undoubtedly the best possible outcome!’
But Ye Yunfeng refused to let it go. "My lord, Mrs. Gao’s death is clearly suspicious. Aren’t you going to investigate further?"
Zhang Qian pointed to the maid. "For now, lock her up and interrogate her thoroughly! If no new leads are found within seven days, the case will be closed!"
The young maid never imagined that simply slacking off to take a nap would land her in prison. She was so terrified she burst into tears.
"Miss! Miss, please save me! I truly didn’t do anything!"
Ye Shixian hadn’t expected this wasn’t the end of it, that Zhang Qian would actually continue the investigation. She quickly composed herself, not letting her feelings show. She just looked at the maid and took half a step back in disgust. "Even your death wouldn’t be enough to pay for my mother’s life! This is what you deserve!"
The guards quickly led the young maid away.
Zhang Qian’s gaze drifted between Ye Chutang and Ye Shixian for a moment before he spoke, choosing his words carefully.
"As it stands now, we indeed cannot conclude that Ye Chutang is involved."
Ye Shixian grew anxious. "My lord—"
"We’ll keep Mrs. Gao’s body at the Yizhuang for now. If there’s still no progress later, we’ll close the case and proceed with the burial. How about that?"
His words were clearly directed at Ye Shixian.
Though phrased as a question, Ye Shixian could tell it wasn’t a suggestion, but a declaration.
Her lips parted as if to refuse, but in the end, she simply nodded. "I will defer to your judgment, my lord."
’It’s just a matter of waiting a few more days. What’s the big deal?’
’This time, even if I can’t destroy Ye Chutang, I’ll make sure she pays dearly!’
...
It was completely dark by the time they returned home.
The moment he stepped through the door, Ye Yunfeng could no longer contain himself. "That Ye Shixian is completely insane!"
Ye Chutang shot him a look. Only then did Ye Yunfeng notice Xiao Wu was there and immediately fell silent.
Ye Chutang then said to Ye Jingyan, "Yan, take Xiao Wu to wash up. It’s getting late; she should be in bed."
"Alright."
Ye Jingyan agreed and left, carrying Xiao Wu in his arms.
Only after they had completely disappeared from view did Ye Yunfeng approach Ye Chutang again, his brows tightly knitted.
"Sister! She deliberately set a trap for you today! How could you just stand there and take it? Tomorrow—no, we don’t have to wait until tomorrow! I’m afraid that right now, the entire Capital City is buzzing with rumors that you drove Mrs. Gao to her death!"
Mrs. Gao’s death wouldn’t have been a big deal, but with his sister implicated, the matter had to be taken seriously.
’Who could stand by and let someone drag their name through the mud like this for no reason!’
Ye Yunfeng couldn’t sit still. The mere thought of his sister being gossiped about and cursed by others made a fire burn in his chest, ready to erupt.
Ye Chutang sat in a chair, gently rubbing her slightly sore shoulder.
’Running all over the place today has been exhausting.’
"I heard from your third brother that you went to see the Lord Master today?"
Ye Yunfeng froze.
"Yes... I mean, no! Is this really the time for that? Sister, why are you asking about this now—"
"How did your talk with him go? Did you get the answer you were looking for?"
"Of course!"
Ye Yunfeng answered instinctively. Only after the word was out did he realize what he’d said, and his eyes widened in shock.
"Sister, you... you knew all along that I—"
Ye Chutang shot him a light glance. "With that simple mind of yours, I wouldn’t be much of a sister if I couldn’t see right through you."
Ye Yunfeng felt a chill, as if she could see right through him.
"Actually, the Lord Master didn’t answer my question, but I got my answer anyway... No, that’s not important! What’s important now is that Ye Shixian deliberately framed—"
"Of course it’s important."
Ye Chutang cut him off.
"It concerns Huo Yucheng and the eighty thousand soldiers, and it also concerns clearing Father’s name. It must be investigated thoroughly."
"But right now, Sister, you’re—"
Ye Chutang tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
"As for what happened today..."
"If she dares to make a move, what makes you think I’m afraid to respond?"
