Cheng Xiran searched around the mansion for Helian Duo for a while. Finally, she concluded that he wasn't in the mansion.
Lord Qian was also absent... She guessed that the two of them might have gone out together and hadn't returned yet.
After a hasty breakfast, she learned from the maid about the sudden death of Steward Wu last night.
Upon hearing the news, her chopsticks slipped from her hand involuntarily. "How could this happen?"
Wasn't he fine last night?
The maid told her bit by bit, "He was indeed fine in the first half of the night. And Young Master He interrogated Steward Wu together with the master. But somehow he suddenly died in the second half of the night. It's said that there were no injuries on his body, and his lips weren't purple, so he wasn't poisoned. Also, it wasn't a homicide because there were no signs of a fight in the woodshed where he was held. Everything was in good order."
Before Cheng Xiran could reply, the maid went on talking on her own, "Some people say that Steward Wu's life was taken by the ghosts of those who died in this famine."
"The sign of poisoning doesn't only show in purple lips..." Cheng Xiran frowned slightly. After a pause, she continued, "It's absolutely impossible for it to be the work of ghosts. It's either suicide or homicide."
Her calmness made the maid admire her.
Only then did Cheng Xiran notice that this might not conform to her character setting. So she quickly changed her tune, "But it's really strange. Since the interrogation hadn't yielded any results yet, it means Steward Wu still had a chance to clear his name. Why did he suddenly die?"
"Exactly. Everyone in the Qian Mansion knows Steward Wu's character. He didn't seem like the kind of person who would do such a thing. But indeed, letters of his communication with the bandits were found in his room... The most crucial thing is that there was only ten thousand taels of silver in Steward Wu's room, and the other forty thousand taels were taken away by the bandits. It's estimated that it will be very difficult to get it back, unless there are some major actions from the capital."
Anyway, the more Cheng Xiran thought about it, the more confused she became.
She had no appetite for breakfast. She wanted to find Helian Duo but didn't know where to look. So she had no choice but to stay at home and wait.
She had lunch alone. After asking the maid, she learned that Madam Qian had fallen ill in bed early this morning.
This maid was also a talkative one. Taking advantage of the absence of the masters, she started to gossip, "Madam had a fight with the master early this morning. This time, they quarreled very fiercely, but it didn't seem to be about Young Master Li."
It couldn't be because of her and Helian Duo, could it?
Although she thought so at the moment, it was not until evening when the servant told her that their quarrel was really because of her and Helian Duo that she realized it was really related to herself. The general idea was that Madam Qian knew about Helian Duo's attack on Young Master Li. Without a second thought, she took her younger brother's side. Without distinguishing right from wrong, she wanted to seek justice for her younger brother. She even complained about why they had been allowed to stay in the mansion a few days ago.
If it weren't for the two of them, her younger brother wouldn't have gotten into trouble, been beaten, or been punished.
So when Helian Duo finally came back, Cheng Xiran had already packed her luggage. "Why don't we go to an inn? I don't think it's good to stay like this."
Helian Duo couldn't hide the tiredness in his eyes, but he still gently took the luggage from her hand and patiently persuaded her, "Bear with it for two more days. We can leave after this matter is resolved. After all, you know this is the territory of the Empress Dowager. I'll be a bit more at ease leaving you here. Besides, I've investigated all day and found that this matter is very likely related to Madam Qian."
Cheng Xiran was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"At present, there is no evidence. Fortunately, I secretly sent a letter back to the capital two days ago. I estimate that Zuo Yan will arrive here with his men tonight. By then, it will be more convenient for us to do things."
Helian Duo sat down casually and rubbed his forehead. "I'll go to the Li Mansion again tonight. But the Li Mansion is heavily guarded, so it's difficult to get in. So I still need you. Since Madam Qian is in the Li Mansion, you can pretend to go to see her and take me in with you. I've heard that the guards in the Li Mansion have only become strict in the past two days, which means there must be something fishy going on."
Actually, if it weren't for the emergency, Helian Duo didn't want to involve Cheng Xiran too much. But this matter was of great importance. Now the situation was gradually becoming clear. He believed that this matter would be properly resolved soon.
To give everyone an explanation.
They made a detailed plan. Helian Duo even silently drew a topographic map of the Li Mansion. But what they didn't expect was that Madam Qian came back by herself during dinner.
What's more, the two of them made up in front of everyone.
Cheng Xiran could tell that Lord Qian was really happy.
But Madam Qian seemed a bit absent - minded.
"Shiyue, promise me that you won't leave so easily in the future. I'm afraid I won't be able to bear it."
Madam Qian nodded repeatedly and smiled without saying a word.
Although the scene seemed warm, Helian Duo wasn't happy. Although his subordinate's identity was his own, this was someone else's territory, and it had nothing to do with him. Without an official search warrant, he couldn't enter the Li Mansion at all.
Not to mention investigating the case.
Not long after dinner, Helian Duo took Cheng Xiran to an inn opened by one of his confidants on the pretext of going for a walk. There they met Zuo Yan and Xue Lianyu who had just arrived in Fenzhou.
As soon as Xue Lianyu saw Cheng Xiran, he rushed towards her like a drowning man grabbing a life - buoy. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you, Xiran. You don't know. These days when you were away, I've been living in misery..."
Cheng Xiran wasn't the least bit touched by his words. She even interrupted him halfway. "Speak plainly."
Xue Lianyu immediately stopped smiling and said seriously, "I want to talk to you about that girl, Chu Liyin."
Before Cheng Xiran could reply, she heard Helian Duo asking him, "Why are you here too?"
"I've been waiting in the capital for news of your return every day, but I never got any. I came to the prince's mansion before and happened to see your personal letter. Naturally, I came to help you."
Helian Duo rolled his eyes at him and then looked at Zuo Yan, who looked respectful. "How about it? Were you followed on the way here?"
Zuo Yan nodded without hiding anything. "There were indeed some people when we left the capital. They were probably from the Empress Dowager's party, but we got rid of them soon."
Helian Duo continued to ask, "What's the situation in the capital these days?"