Chapter 3
Edward Quan ·
My elder brother raised an eyebrow.
“What gutter did you crawl out of? You think you're fit to speak to my mother?”
“Look at you, gloating. I'd sooner believe you were behind this yourself.”
Su Qingyao went deathly pale.
Her eyes reddened, and she hid behind Xiao Jingxing.
“Jingxing, Her Grace and I are as close as mother and daughter. How could I ever hurt her?”
“They're deliberately trying to break my heart!”
Distressed, Xiao Jingxing put an arm around her shoulders.
“Don't cry, Yao'er. Of course I trust you.”
Then he turned on me.
“Jiang Mingzhu, keep your family in line! One more baseless accusation, and I'll have you taken straight to Kaifeng Prefecture!”
My lips curved slightly.
“No need. They're on their way.”
As soon as my brother arrived, he had sent someone to the palace to inform His Majesty.
Footsteps sounded outside.
Chief Eunuch Zhao, His Majesty's senior attendant, entered with a detachment of the Imperial Guard.
“His Majesty has heard what happened in the duke's household and sent us to investigate.”
“Find every piece of evidence connected to this case and seal off the premises. Not so much as a fly is to leave today!”
The room fell silent, then filled with whispers.
“To think even His Majesty has heard about it. He values filial piety above all. Whoever did this is finished.”
“Indeed. A few years ago, a provincial examination graduate disrespected his mother. His Majesty stripped him of his scholarly honors and barred him from the examinations for life. Trying to murder one's mother-in-law is a far worse crime. Someone may lose their head.”
Su Qingyao heard every word.
She gripped her sleeve. Her face was ashen, and tiny beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead.
Noticing, Xiao Jingxing asked anxiously, “Yao'er, what's wrong? Are you unwell?”
She suppressed her fear and nodded.
“Jingxing, my stomach suddenly hurts. I'd like to go back to my room and rest.”
He agreed at once.
“Go. I'll send for a physician once these people have left.”
But as she started to leave, Chief Eunuch Zhao spoke.
“Stop! Was I not clear enough?”
“No one leaves until we've found the culprit. Where exactly is this young lady going?”
Xiao Jingxing hurried forward to explain.
“Chief Eunuch Zhao, Yao'er is a young lady staying under our roof. She's feeling unwell and wishes to rest in her room. Please make an exception.”
“Is that so?”
Chief Eunuch Zhao gave a cold smile.
“Not earlier, not later—she falls ill just as we arrive to investigate. How very convenient.”
“You misunderstand, sir. Yao'er and my mother are as close as mother and daughter. She could never have done this.”
“She's always been delicate. Perhaps today's fright—”
“Enough.” Chief Eunuch Zhao cut him off. “I have no wish to hear it. However close she may be to the duchess, no one is permitted to leave until this case is settled.”
Su Qingyao grew paler still.
She bit her lip, trembling all over.
I could not help laughing coldly to myself.
In my previous life, I had been her victim, and Lady Wang had done everything she could to conceal the evidence for her.
This time, Lady Wang herself had suffered. No one would be able to help Su Qingyao now.
The Imperial Guard worked quickly. Before long, they brought in the brazier and a small quantity of unidentified powder.
Chief Eunuch Zhao picked up a piece of charcoal with the tongs and examined it.
“This is the silver-thread charcoal used in the palace. It burns gently and produces neither smoke nor ash. There's nothing wrong with it.”
His gaze moved to the powder.
“Commander Xie, what is this?”
Xie Zheng took a pinch and studied it carefully for some time.
“Saltpeter,” he said at last. “One of the ingredients used to make gunpowder. It ignites on contact with fire and is very difficult to extinguish.”
Chief Eunuch Zhao's eyes lit up.
“It seems we've found what injured the duchess.”
Xiao Jingxing immediately pointed at me.
“You vicious bitch! You planned to harm my mother all along. You brought this into our home!”
I was utterly speechless.
“I have no quarrel with the duchess. Why would I prepare something like that to hurt her?”
“And even if I had, I'm the bride. I had to cross that brazier too. If the powder is so dangerous, wouldn't I be afraid of burning myself to death?”
He choked on his reply, unable to answer.
At that moment, Su Qingyao stepped forward.