Huai Tree’s Repayment of Kindness – Part 3
Faced with Su Qingtang’s persistence, Yin Guhuai merely paused mid-step before striding off again without a word.
Su Qingtang immediately stood up, motioning for Yiyuan to follow. “Let’s not get in their way. If we can help, we should.”
Yiyuan nodded obediently and gripped Su Qingtang’s hand tightly.
When they reached the main hall, they saw the maid’s body sprawled across the floor, blood splattered everywhere. The coroner, Old Liu, noticed Yin Guhuai’s arrival and stepped forward at once.
“The deceased jumped to her death before many witnesses. There’s both physical and testimonial evidence. Aside from a few taels of silver, no other possessions were found. As for poisoning, we’ll need to confirm through autopsy.”
Yin Guhuai looked down at the corpse. “The Lu family refuses.”
That was why Lu Wanting had been clinging to him earlier—she’d wanted to stop the autopsy.
“Yes, the coachman confessed,” Old Liu continued. “Said he acted on impulse, intending only to extort money, not expecting the maid to jump.”
Old Liu spread his hands toward the Crown Prince, head of the city patrol. Clearly, the story didn’t add up. Now it depended on whether Yin Guhuai would pursue it.
“Was the maid pregnant?” Su Qingtang asked from behind. She didn’t dare look directly at the body but strained her ears to listen.
Old Liu turned his head toward the two young women who looked out of place among the grim scene. Seeing that Yin Guhuai didn’t stop them, he nodded. “Yes. More than three months along.”
His voice carried faint pity.
“Oh.” Su Qingtang spoke again, taking out the locust-wood hairpin she still held. “Then please, could you place this hairpin near the body and check again?”
Old Liu frowned but complied, placing the hairpin beside the corpse. Suddenly, a strange sight unfolded—the scattered blood and flesh seemed to retreat, seeping back into the body. Startled, Old Liu leaned closer to inspect, then his face paled. “Your Highness… this girl…”
“She wasn’t pregnant?” Yin Guhuai voiced his deduction.
Old Liu nodded stiffly. Some sorcery could mimic pregnancy symptoms, yes—but this was daring beyond belief.
The Lu family was bold indeed.
Yin Guhuai’s lips curved faintly, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “So, there are still people in Yingyue City who think they can ignore me.”
“Gu An,” he said coolly, “take my token. Go to the Ministry of Rites.”
A few men withdrew at once.
Then he turned toward Su Qingtang. “Miss Su, I’m returning to the palace. Do you still wish to follow?”
It wasn’t her first time seeing him like this, but his aura still made her heart tremble. Then she remembered—her life might depend on him. Gritting her teeth, she said, “I’ll go!”
She turned to Yiyuan. “Little Yuan, go home and tell my parents not to worry. I’ll return soon.”
And with that, she hurried to catch up with Yin Guhuai. The Crown Prince’s carriage was large and well-guarded.
Though society had become more open, a man and woman unmarried still observed decorum. Yin Guhuai rode ahead on horseback, while Su Qingtang sat quietly inside the carriage.
In the Qianyuan Hall, Emperor Xide was reviewing memorials when Eunuch Fu entered. “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and Miss Su request audience.”
The emperor looked up. It wasn’t unusual for Yin Guhuai to appear—but Miss Su?
“Let them in.”
The two entered quickly. The emperor’s brow furrowed deeper in curiosity. He remembered Su Rushi’s daughter—her name had even appeared in the Crown Princess selection records. The notes beside her name, however, emphasized her frail health.
His unlucky son—of all women to bring in, he had to choose the sickly one.
Ah well, he thought. He’d send some gifts to the Prime Minister’s residence later by way of apology.
“Father.”
“Your Majesty.”
They bowed before the dragon desk. The emperor set his brush aside. “What brings you here?”
Eunuch Fu, knowing better, motioned the other servants to leave and took it upon himself to pour tea.
“Thank you, Eunuch Fu,” said Su Qingtang politely as she accepted the cup and sipped. Yin Guhuai ignored it. Thanks to her mother, Su Qingtang was no stranger to the palace—she’d visited both the emperor’s and empress’s halls since childhood, and all the servants recognized her.
“Father, you should already know why I’m here.” Yin Guhuai took out the hairpin. “I recall that the Lu family has a locust tree in their estate. That the tree gained spirit is fine—but it should not aid evil, nor should it trade one life for another.”
[How does Yin Guhuai know that? Wait, the red aura on this hairpin—it’s gone! Could it be… the emperor’s dragon aura dispelled it?]
Su Qingtang’s heart voice rang out again. The emperor’s sharp gaze shot toward her. He tried to speak but found his mouth frozen. What was happening?
The pressure of imperial authority wasn’t something to trifle with. Su Qingtang felt it immediately. She set her teacup down carefully and straightened, quieting her breath to make herself less noticeable.
Yin Guhuai subtly stepped in front of her, shaking his head toward the emperor. “I’ve already dispatched the patrol officers, Father. I only came to inform you so Mother wouldn’t be disturbed. She’s still tired from yesterday’s temple visit.”
The emperor almost laughed from anger. Look at this son of his—pretending innocence, claiming he was only protecting his mother’s peace.
“Enough. Eunuch Fu, tell the guards the empress is unwell and won’t receive visitors,” he ordered, then looked back at his son. “Satisfied now?”
“Thank you, Father. Then I’ll take my leave.”
As he turned, a soft green glow emerged—the red aura from the hairpin dissipating completely, revealing its true form.
Then, a graceful middle-aged man appeared, smiling kindly at Su Qingtang. He remembered her voice—the one that had spoken earlier within his mind.
[Lu Minister’s mansion… Lu Miss’s courtyard… inside the Eight Trigrams array… save me.]
The voice was rough, incongruent with the man’s gentle appearance. His already-fading form grew transparent again.
Su Qingtang hastily spoke inwardly, [You’re that locust tree spirit’s avatar, aren’t you? Wait! Do you have any proof? I can’t just tell Yin Guhuai I can see and talk to you—he’ll think I’ve gone mad!]
The tree spirit only smiled at her, then vanished completely, leaving the locust-wood hairpin in Yin Guhuai’s hand to crumble into dust.
All four present stared blankly.
“I didn’t even use any strength,” Yin Guhuai murmured.
The emperor turned to the wide-eyed, trembling Su Qingtang. “Since that hairpin came from the Lu estate’s locust tree, why don’t you and the Crown Prince go and compensate her with a visit?”
[Wow, I really like His Majesty! How could such a good man have a son as infuriating as Yin Guhuai?]
[If I didn’t need his dragon pearl to survive, I’d never confess to him. Now I even have to follow him around, trying to move his heart.]
Su Qingtang’s rapid-fire inner thoughts flashed across her face—shifting from grievance to joy to disgust in seconds. Yin Guhuai’s expression remained unchanged, though Eunuch Fu could sense his master’s darkening mood.
“Let’s go,” Yin Guhuai said curtly, flicking his sleeve and striding out.
Su Qingtang hurriedly bowed to the emperor. “Your Majesty, we’ll take our leave!” Then she lifted her skirt and ran after Yin Guhuai.
The emperor stroked his chin. “Did you see the dragon tooth around Miss Su’s neck?”
Eunuch Fu nodded.
“And she confessed to the Crown Prince earlier, didn’t she?”
“I… am not certain, Your Majesty.” Eunuch Fu had tried to speak of her “heart voice” once before—if not for the Crown Prince’s warning, he might’ve suffocated to death.
The emperor rose and said, “I suddenly feel unwell from all this nonsense. Summon the Imperial Guards. Tell everyone I’m not receiving guests today.”
The Imperial Guards—the emperor’s secret watchmen—knew everything happening in Yingyue City, including Su Qingtang’s very public confession.
Eunuch Fu bowed. “At once.”
At the palace gates, Yin Guhuai had already prepared a discreet carriage. When Su Qingtang ran up, he said, “Get in. People from the Lu estate are on their way.”
She swallowed hard, steadying herself against the carriage wall. “Alright.”
Just before stepping in, she caught sight of a grand official carriage speeding toward the palace.
Minister Lu himself had arrived, only to be stopped by guards. “What are you doing? I am Her Majesty the Empress’s uncle! How dare you block me?”
The guards bowed politely. “Her Majesty left instructions—she’s unwell and cannot receive visitors.”
Lu fumed. “Then I’ll see His Majesty!”
“His Majesty is also unwell and resting,” they replied.
Lu glared. “Then who isn’t unwell?”
One guard sneaked a glance at the carriage beside him and whispered, “The Crown Prince seems available.”
Lu froze. You think I’m here to complain to anyone but him?
The carriage rolled to a stop before the Lu estate. The surrounding streets were already cordoned off by the City Patrol, leaving the area eerily silent.
Su Qingtang followed Yin Guhuai out, slightly breathless. Staying close to him really did make things smoother—she’d never moved this fast in her life.
“Your Highness,” Gu An greeted them at the gate. “We’ve found a few leads, but…”
Yin Guhuai scanned the documents. “Where’s Madam Lu?”
“She claimed to be unwell and refused to appear,” Gu An sighed. “No one else will cooperate, either. Miss Lu has been weeping nonstop at the City Patrol, demanding to see… the Empress.”
Yin Guhuai sneered. Of course. Using royal connections to shield themselves—truly resourceful.
“Brother Huai,” Su Qingtang said cheerfully, “I think we should go to the heart of the estate. I’ve heard the locust tree stands at the center—perhaps even near Miss Lu’s chambers.”
Gu An stared, shocked at the form of address. She called him Brother Huai? Did the emperor approve this?
Yin Guhuai, recalling her unspoken thoughts from before, simply nodded. “Search thoroughly—especially Miss Lu’s room.”
Gu An hesitated. “And the Empress?”
“I carry the emperor’s own decree,” Yin Guhuai declared. “Anyone who resists—execute on the spot.”
Gu An straightened instantly and led the team inside, their presence like a storm sweeping through the estate.
It was said that wherever the City Patrol marched, blood would flow and no one dared defy them.
Su Qingtang, always shielded by her father, had never truly understood that phrase until now. When Yin Guhuai uttered those words, she could feel the change in Gu An—the gentle-faced man now exuded a killing aura.
She froze in place.
Without turning, Yin Guhuai said coldly, “Scared? If you’re afraid, leave. Don’t make trouble.”