Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Black Qi

“Does the medicine merchant reside permanently in the capital?” Gu Yunze inquired.

“Yes.” Chang Tai replied, “A few years ago, he personally ventured out for business, but in recent years he has handed over the business to his son.”

“But he still goes out to find suitable herbs based on the Second Young Master’s requests,” Chang Tai continued, “The Second Young Master pays generously, often offering two to three times the market price. That’s why they are willing to search for him.”

Having said so much already, Chang Tai realized that even if he concealed other matters for Master Xiao, Master Xiao would not spare him.

Thus, Chang Tai straightforwardly admitted, “In this affair, the idea to drug Fu Mingzhu was the collaboration of both the Second Young Master and the Second Lady. But the Second Young Master has always been cautious and makes dual preparations.”

“The Second Young Master privately told me that if the plan failed, to avoid being caught with evidence, I was to silence the maid,” Chang Tai confessed, “If the matter was exposed, all blame would be put on the Second Lady, claiming that she instructed me.”

“What benefits did Master Xiao promise you, for you to act so?” Xiao Chengyu questioned, “You should know, if the matter is revealed, you could shift all the blame to Lin Qingqing, but you won’t escape unscathed. The only one unscathed would be Master Xiao.”

“The Second Young Master promised to take care of my family,” Chang Tai explained, “And if I were captured, the worst would be exile, during which he would arrange to have me bought back.”

Xiao Chengyu chuckled slightly, “You actually trust him.”

“My lord,” Chang Tai declared, “Do I have any other choice?”

“If I don’t follow the Second Young Master’s orders, knowing so many of his secrets, how would he spare me?” Chang Tai stated, “I have to do as he says to survive.”

“But now, with you two personally investigating this matter, I certainly can’t escape, and you wouldn’t let the Second Young Master find a way to rescue me,” Chang Tai pointed out, “Thus, I have no way to rely on the Second Young Master anymore.”

“My lord, I beg you, grant me a way to live,” Chang Tai pleaded, “Even if it’s exile, I’ll accept it, at least I will be alive.”

“That’s not hard,” Xiao Chengyu replied, “But first, you must confess everything you know.”

“Not just about this incident,” Xiao Chengyu added, “Whatever Master Xiao did in the past, whether to me, to the Fu family, or to others, tell it all truthfully.”

“Yes.” This time, Chang Tai offered no resistance and truthfully recounted everything.

Everything he knew, he told.

There was quite a lot to say on the matter.

It wasn’t finished in a short time.

During this, Chang Tai was provided with water and food.

It was only after everything was disclosed and he signed it that a doctor was called to treat Chang Tai’s injuries.

“I will verify all of this,” Xiao Chengyu stated, “If there’s any falsehood, you won’t keep your life.”

“I dare not falsify anything,” Chang Tai hastily assured.

With the letter from Xiao Chengyu and Gu Yunze, Lord Tao postponed the court session.

Only after Xiao Chengyu and Gu Yunze had fully investigated the matters confessed by Chang Tai did they attend court.

Xiao Chengyu was busy with the investigation and had little time to seek out Fu Shinian lately.

As a result, Fu Shinian often visited the Houfu.

On one hand, she was concerned about the case involving Master Xiao; on the other hand, in her heart, she quite missed Xiao Chengyu.

However, Xiao Chengyu was busy leaving early and returning late, not even Old Lady Xiao had seen him.

The servants only reported when Xiao Chengyu returned at night and departed before dawn, day in and day out, under the stars.

Hence, after Fu Shinian missed him several times, the old lady suggested, “Why don’t you stay here for a few days?”

“The courtyard where you used to stay has been kept ready for you, so you can stay any time. The courtyard is reserved just for you,” the old lady explained, “Chengyu leaves before dawn and returns late at night, you might not see him during the day.”

“Stay here for now; if one day he returns early, you can meet him,” the old lady suggested, “Even if he comes back late, if you can persevere, wait it out, and ask everything you want when he returns.”

After all, they were already engaged and it was in her residence.

Fu Shinian, realizing it wasn’t her first short stay at the Houfu, agreed to stay for a few days.

However, Fu Shinian didn’t plan a long stay, so on her first day she decided to wait for Xiao Chengyu’s return.

With nothing to do during the day, Xiao Yingyue suggested to Fu Shinian, “Want to go see the lively scene at Aunt Liu’s place?”

Fu Shinian really hadn’t visited Aunt Liu’s and Master Xiao’s quarters.

Previously, though on good terms with the Houfu, she hadn’t roamed all over.

But now, soon to marry Xiao Chengyu, naturally, there was nowhere in the Houfu she couldn’t go.

Sure enough, what Xiao Yingyue mentioned piqued Fu Shinian’s curiosity.

“How has she been lately?” Fu Shinian inquired.

As they headed to Aunt Liu’s courtyard, Xiao Yingyue replied, “In the first couple of days of confinement, she made a lot of noise, fussing every day. The noise even permeated beyond the courtyard. Luckily, Aunt Liu’s yard is far enough not to affect us.”

“But later perhaps she got tired, and with Brother only having the kitchen ensure she doesn’t starve, not allowing her the delicacies she was used to. I’ve seen it, daily just some plain porridge, buns, with some oil-less vegetables.”

“Now everyone in the residence knows Aunt Liu is out of favor, and even the servants don’t pay her any respect. At first, they still fried her vegetables with some lard, but seeing that she truly had no way out in the residence, they became too lazy to fry even that.”

“Every meal is just boiling with a sprinkle of salt to finish,” Xiao Yingyue explained.

“Aunt Liu has never suffered such hardships, naturally, she can’t eat. Without eating, she has no strength, without strength, she stops shouting.”

“Your visit is well-timed; right now, she’s in her quiet period.”

Talking, they reached Aunt Liu’s courtyard.

Aunt Liu’s courtyard was spacious; she had lived there since the late lord’s time.

After the old lord passed, the old lady was too tired to make Aunt Liu move.

If Aunt Liu hadn’t caused trouble, living there could have been quite comfortable.

The old lady wasn’t the type to be intolerant.

But now, the yard was full of fallen leaves, with no one to clean them up.

“Her previous servants are all gone. Some went to the kitchen, some went outside for cleaning. In any event, we won’t use anyone from her yard,” Xiao Yingyue remarked, “Those who went to the kitchen, at least they have some connections within the residence, which is a pretty good spot. Mother turns a blind eye and doesn’t manage too much.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep