The people Du Qiuyi had sent were meant for Jiang Zhen’s four children. She planned thoroughly—first ransack the Qi family, then Jiang Zhen’s. How Jiang Zhen’s home remained safe while Xiuqing died? She couldn’t believe it.
The four culprits were caught on the spot by Gu Liancheng and Xiao Qingfeng. After reporting to the police, the suspects blamed each other, quickly revealing the mastermind. The man who ordered the hit confessed—it was under Du Qiuyi’s threat.
“I originally intended for them to take all four children, trick Du Qiuyi, and return the kids after she went abroad. Unexpectedly, these four acted on lust and accidentally killed someone.”
Du Qiuyi could not accept this outcome. From childhood, every plan she made went smoothly—until that damned Jiang Zhen didn’t die. Since then, none of her plans had ever succeeded.
Du Qiuyi refused to believe she could be completely defeated and forced herself to stay calm: “Wait, why is everyone saying I hired someone to kill? I wouldn’t harm my own niece! Don’t try to frame me.”
“You’re not being framed,” Gu Liancheng said. “Li Chongling has been observing you for a long time. He collected the evidence of how you contacted the criminals and handed it over to the authorities.”
…
Jiang Zhen touched An Xiuqing’s corpse. An Xiuqing had been reborn thirty years later. So many unimaginable events had occurred that Jiang Zhen missed important moments. That was why she regretted it, and after being reborn, she wanted to seize everything—but what she grasped in her hands was like sand. The tighter she held, the faster it slipped away, and after just over a month of rebirth, she had already died.
After inspecting Ji Fengmei’s corpse, Jiang Zhen told Gu Liancheng: “Aside from exposing An Xiuqing, Ji Fengmei didn’t tell Dr. Qi anything. I now know where Qi Junshan buried his treasure. When do you want to dig it up?”
“I’ll report first,” Gu Liancheng said. “Wait for my notice.”
“Any progress on Du Qiuyi’s interrogation?” Jiang Zhen asked.
“She confessed a lot,” Gu Liancheng said. “Her master had swapped many children in his life. In the six months since her return, she swapped five pairs of children. She wants to use this for a reduced sentence, and she demanded to take An Qihui and Dr. Yan abroad.”
None of these demands could be granted.
Jiang Zhen asked, “Did she get the number of five pairs right? I’d rather let the sentence be carried out quickly. At execution, don’t hit the head—I can tell by touching the corpse.”
“They still need to go through the interrogation process; we have to wait a bit longer.”
Gu Liancheng’s expression was grave. “Du Qiuyi said my uncle was also swapped. The fake uncle knew it and even brought the real uncle’s son to be adopted. But there are several adopted sons—she didn’t say which one.”
Jiang Zhen: …“I really guessed it. Fine, let me touch the corpse. Once I do, I’ll know. Did she mention He Shulan being swapped?”
“No,” Gu Liancheng said. “Under our sleepless interrogation, she told a lot of truth, but not a word about He Shulan or Director Wan’s family. An Xiuqing’s death must have made her hate He Shulan.”
…
Before the interrogation process finished, Gu Jiaoxia came to talk to Gu Liancheng: “Your uncle is critically ill. Though there were previous disagreements, a person’s life is most important. We should go see him.”
Gu Liancheng: …Borrowing the car was meant to show off to his uncle. But it turned out to be the fake uncle. Back then he was still strong. Was it because Du Qiuyi was arrested, the fake uncle’s heart sick with worry, that he fell ill?
…
Recently, Gu Liancheng had been too busy to go home. Xiao Qingfeng came over, saying they could dig up Qi Junshan’s buried items.
Jiang Zhen led the way, excavating Qi Junshan’s treasure, taking photos and counting it—one task completed.
Two days later, interrogation progressed. Gu Molian accompanied Du Qiuyi to the hospital to meet An Qihui.
From the corpses Jiang Zhen examined, An Qihui truly didn’t know anything.
Gu Molian had concerns. How could she be at peace? She knew that unless An Qihui’s emotional knot was untied, no medical treatment could help her.
“Qihui, your mother should have told you sooner. Over ten years ago, before working as a concubine for her employer, she already knew your biological father was killed by your aunt. After liberation, your stepfather could only marry one wife. Your aunt returned urgently; I feared she’d kill again, so I became a nun first. Your father didn’t die to save the Gu family. There was no foundation of gratitude in Xiuqing and Gu Liancheng’s arranged marriage. You have no need to regret.”
To confirm, Gu Liancheng brought in An Qihui’s biological father, An Yuehong. Only when he confirmed Du Qiuyi was dead would he come.
He said to An Qihui: “Before your sister insisted on marrying Qi Junshan, I warned her. She didn’t listen. You know your aunt knows the Qi family better than I do. I did my best. Blame your aunt.”
An Qihui gradually regained clarity, questioning her father angrily: “Why haven’t you ever looked for us sisters all these years?”
An Yuehong replied: “I’m human—I have hatred. I hate your mother for abandoning her husband for your sister. I hate your aunt for being selfish, killing even her brother-in-law, making your elder sister a concubine. I hate you sisters for enjoying your stepfather’s wealth while hypocritically criticizing the Gu family for your father’s death.”
…
After recovery and discharge, An Qihui divorced Yan Jiawen and temporarily stayed at Gu Molian’s nunnery.
Yan Jiawen also recovered and came to thank Jiang Zhen. After all this, he cherished freedom and decided to live life steadily from then on.
“Dr. Qi was deeply affected and resigned. He wants to support medical development in the mountains. I decided to go with him for training,” Yan Jiawen said.
Jiang Zhen found it reasonable: “You two aren’t very clever—take care of yourselves out there.”
Yan Jiawen was moved. Though Jiang Zhen didn’t like him, probably few didn’t. Last night, half-drunk, Dr. Qi said that if his blind date with Jiang Zhen had succeeded, who knows how things would have turned out?
Now, the result was fortunate. Yan Jiawen smiled: “After everything, we’re not as naive as before. Dr. Qi doesn’t trust He Shulan, so he gave her the money from selling the house. I hope she’s luckier than her sister.”
“Who did Dr. Qi sell the house to?” Jiang Zhen asked quickly—neighbors were important, she didn’t want another troublesome one.
“To Professor Li, Du Qiuyi’s former fiancé. You shouldn’t mind, right?” Yan Jiawen asked anxiously.
Ah, no problem then.
…
Du Qiuyi’s interrogation concluded. She was sentenced to immediate execution. Jiang Zhen needed to touch the corpse, and Du Qiuyi could witness it.
Du Qiuyi, unwilling to die, still had things she hadn’t revealed: “Why can’t I get a reduced sentence? I won’t accept this!”
She thought, after revealing so many secrets, why couldn’t it earn her leniency?
But these evils were her own doing—why should she get a reduced sentence?