Chapter 608: Clue (3)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“We’ve asked the old people in their neighbors and learned from them that after the families of the five of them became rich, they returned to their hometowns one after another. However, we went to their hometowns to investigate, but they didn’t actually go back.” One Dot paused. “I heard that banditry was rampant in those few years. There were often unclaimed corpses thrown into the wilderness.”
It was very likely that those people had been silenced.
The old prince thought that Shangguan Pu had destroyed the dragon robe. Without physical evidence, he didn’t even kill the embroiderers, let alone kill their families.
Lord Jing, however, was different. He took a few years to frame the crown prince so that he wouldn’t leave any traces behind. That showed how meticulous he was. How could he let those people live?
Song Jingchen rubbed his temples. Actually, the old prince was also a witness, but he couldn’t convince the public with his bad deeds.
If he were to say it, others might think that he was deliberately slandering Lord Jing because of his personal grudge with him.
It was just as Shen Yijia had deliberately said in the prison.
If they wanted to overturn the case, they had to clear the name of the Bulwark Duke’s Residence.
“But…” One Dot hesitated.
Song Jingchen frowned. “Speak.”
“When I asked about this, I remembered that Master had said that the embroiderers had been blinded and their hands were crippled. I specially asked around and found out that there was a pair of grandmother and grandson living in a small village under Cangtong Town. That old man was in this situation.”
“It’s just that I went to that village and asked the grandson in that family. He said that his grandmother had never been to the capital, let alone learned embroidery.”
This was also why he hesitated to say it.
Song Jingchen frowned. Even if there was only a glimmer of hope, he didn’t want to let it go. “Write down the address. I’ll personally make a trip there tomorrow.”
“Where are you going?” Shen Yijia pushed open the study door and walked in, asking curiously.
“Why are you back so early today?” Song Jingchen waved his hand and asked One Dot to leave. He lit and burned the rice paper on the table.
Shen Yijia puffed up her cheeks and placed the steaming soup pot on the table. She turned around and opened the window to ventilate the room. “It was too cold outside, so I came back.”
Song Jingchen chuckled and teased, “I thought you came back early because you missed me.”
A few days ago, Feng Manman was poisoned. The doctor found the set of hair accessories Yuan Yuwan had given her in her room.
The hair accessories had been soaked in medicinal juice in advance, but only the medicinal catalyst was on it. It would not cause a poisoning effect if it came into contact with the head. However, it would be different if the person ate anything with hibiscus flowers in it. The two of them would combine to form a slow toxin.
Because October was the season for hibiscus flowers to bloom, Yuan Yuwan would get someone to pick some soup or make pastries using those flowers when she was free-
She took care of the family and didn’t eat alone, so she naturally sent some to every courtyard.
In short, in the end, all the clues pointed to Yuan Yuwan.
It was rare for Xiao Qirui not to believe the so-called evidence. He only got someone to continue investigating.
However, it was useless for him to believe Yuan Yuwan alone. The servants in the residence began to spread rumors that Yuan Yuwan, the main wife, was narrow-minded and intolerant. They said that she poisoned Concubine Feng.
Yuan Yuwan felt wronged and knelt in front of General Xiao angrily, wanting to resign from her position as the household manager.
This was indeed in line with her personality. General Xiao even reprimanded her for this. In the end, seeing that she was really unwilling, he had no choice but to take back his authority to manage the household.
Since Madam Xiao and Xiao Ruoshui were not around, the right to manage the household ultimately fell to Aunt Qiao.
Since Yuan Yuwan was free, she would invite Shen Yijia out to listen to books and eat tea every day, or go to Shen Yijia’s bookstore to read.
In order to accompany her, Shen Yijia often returned only when it was time for dinner.
Song Jingchen’s heart ached, but it wasn’t easy for a man like him to follow her to such gatherings.
Shen Yijia could hear a hint of grievance in his teasing. She rolled her eyes and leaned over to cup his face. “The cold is just an excuse to Sister Yuwan. The real reason is that I miss you.”
“Look, this is the tonic soup I specially asked MO Yuan to make for you when I went out. I even bought your favorite candied plums and some cloth to make new clothes for you.” Shen Yijia moved the soup cup to Song Jingchen and counted the things she had bought for him outside. “Although I’m outside, I’ve been thinking about you.”
The corners of Song Jingchen’s mouth twitched. She clearly liked to eat candied plums herself. He was just afraid that she would feel sick if she ate too much, so he snatched it from her.
Moreover, Shen Yijia’s actions made him feel like he was a freeloader.
He waited bitterly at home for this girl to come back and pamper him, but she sent him away with a pile of gifts.
Shen Yijia scooped up a spoonful of soup and placed it near his mouth. “Come, open your mouth.”
Song Jingchen subconsciously opened his mouth.
“I heard from MO Yuan that this soup is the most nourishing, it has ingredients like goat penis or something like that. They guarantee that you’ll be full of vigor in the future.”
Song Jingchen choked when he heard her words. He glanced at the brown soup and his forehead throbbed.
However, Shen Yijia still looked like she did not know anything.
Seeing that another spoonful of soup was about to reach his mouth, Song Jingchen really didn’t know whether to accept it or not.
MO Yuan!
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