“Yes, she kept tossing and turning, repeating only one word.” An Yi paused. “Huichun Pharmacy.”
Huichun Pharmacy?
“Investigate.” Xiao Che’s voice held no warmth as he uttered just that single word.
“Yes.” An Yi’s figure merged back into the shadows and disappeared.
Xiao Che stood still, his fingers tightening around the sword hilt inch by inch.
He suddenly felt like a fool being led by the nose.
And the one holding the strings was comfortably settled in Tingxue Courtyard.
The next day, when An Yi reappeared, the news he brought made the study’s atmosphere even more stifling.
“Young Master, over at Qing Feng Courtyard, Second Miss Lin had two gossiping matrons caned today. A flower-watering maid was also punished to kneel in the courtyard, merely for spilling a few drops of water on her skirt.”
Xiao Che’s expression remained impassive.
An Yi continued, “As for Tingxue Courtyard… Eldest Miss Lin ate three bowls of rice and two plates of pastries today. She basked in the sun under the corridor in the afternoon before returning to her room to sleep.”
“…”
Xiao Che’s face darkened completely.
One was panicked and ruthless, desperately trying to silence everyone.
The other ate heartily and slept soundly, as if she were a guest on vacation at the Prime Minister’s residence.
The contrast was too stark, too glaring to ignore.
Lin Shu’s composure had surpassed what an innocent person should possess; it was more like a confident hunter leisurely watching her prey struggle in its final throes.
The rumors in the residence, Hua Ping’s delirious ramblings, the clue about Huichun Pharmacy—all of it seemed meticulously arranged and presented to him step by step.
Well, well done, Lin Shu!
Xiao Che strode out, the air around him chillingly oppressive.
He would go personally and ask how much longer this Eldest Miss Lin intended to keep up her act.
Tingxue Courtyard was a picture of tranquility.
When Xiao Che stepped through the gate, this was the scene that greeted him.
Lin Shu was reclining on a soft couch by the window, holding a book scroll, while Hua Ping peeled an orange for her. The mistress and servant appeared completely at ease, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere outside.
Hearing footsteps, Lin Shu glanced up. Recognizing Xiao Che, her expression remained neutral as she gave a slight, indifferent nod.
“Young Master Xiao.”
Her polite yet distant attitude fueled Xiao Che’s anger further. He cut straight to the point.
“Did you spread the rumors in the residence?”
Lin Shu seemed to find this amusing. Setting the book aside, she slowly picked up a segment of orange and placed it in her mouth.
“Rumors? As someone under house arrest, how would I know anything about rumors? I don’t involve myself in outside matters.” She blinked, feigning innocence. “Rather, Young Master, how is the investigation progressing? Any leads? When will my innocence be restored?”
Xiao Che felt a surge of frustration at her retort. “You seem quite at leisure.”
“What else should I be doing?” Lin Shu spread her hands, her expression so frank it bordered on provocation. “You are handling the case, Young Master. You are searching for evidence. What can a weak woman like me do besides trust in your brilliance to clear my name? Should I take up a sword and hunt down the real culprit myself?”
The sarcasm in her words was unmistakable to anyone.
Xiao Che’s patience finally snapped. He took a sudden step forward, his tall frame instantly overshadowing Lin Shu, radiating intense pressure.
“Lin Shu, you’d better not try any more tricks. Do you really think you can use that demonic magic from the woodshed a second time?”
He leaned in extremely close, his masculine scent mixed with a hint of cold soap invading Lin Shu’s breathing.
Lin Shu instinctively leaned backward, her back pressing against the cold window frame.
Is this man insane? Resorting to physical intimidation when he can’t win an argument?
She furrowed her brows and was about to raise her hand to push away this presumptuous man when a servant came stumbling in, his face pale as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Young Master! Something terrible has happened! Something terrible!”
The servant knelt with a thud, his voice trembling.
“Under… under the osmanthus tree in Qing Feng Courtyard’s backyard, we dug up a letter!”
“What’s written on it… seems to be… the prescription for the poison given to the old madam!”
The moment these words fell, the air in the entire room froze.
Xiao Che’s body stiffened, all his interrogative words stuck in his throat.
He turned to look at the servant trembling on the ground and coldly demanded, “What did you say?”
“Under the osmanthus tree in Qing Feng Courtyard…” The servant was so frightened he could barely speak coherently. “We dug up a letter, and on it… on it is written a poison prescription!”
Lin Shu leisurely placed the final orange segment into her mouth, the sweet yet sour juice bursting on her tongue. She even had the leisure to wink at the stunned Hua Ping beside her.
Xiao Che’s face turned ashen. No longer concerned with confronting Lin Shu, he abruptly turned and strode swiftly outward.
“Let’s go, take a look!”
A crowd of people followed behind him, heading straight for Qing Feng Courtyard.
Lin Shu lifted her skirt, following unhurriedly just behind and to the side of Xiao Che.
Her leisurely pace didn’t resemble someone going to see her own life-or-death judgment, but rather someone taking a digestive stroll after a meal, paying a casual visit to a neighbor.
Xiao Che noticed her composure, and the inexplicable anger in his heart burned even fiercer. His steps grew larger, the wind he stirred up stinging people’s cheeks.
“Young Master, how about I make a bet with you?”Lin Shu’s clear voice suddenly rang out, particularly jarring in this oppressive silence.”
Xiao Che continued walking without pause, pretending not to hear.
“I bet that my dear sister Lin Wan’er, the moment she sees this letter, her first reaction will definitely be to throw herself before you, crying and claiming that I framed her.” Lin Shu’s tone was light, appearing like someone enjoying the spectacle without worrying about its scale.
“I’ve even thought of her lines for her: It’s nothing more than I know demonic magic, I have a malicious heart, I’m jealous that she has your favor, which is why I’d use such despicable means to frame her.””
Xiao Che’s steps halted abruptly. He turned sharply, his phoenix eyes dark and frightening, staring fixedly at Lin Shu’s face adorned with a faint smile.
That smile held not a trace of fear, only the understanding of someone who saw through everything and a hint of faint mockery.
“This Young Master only looks at evidence.” The man practically gritted these words through his teeth.
“Fine.” Lin Shu raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening. “Then I’ll wait and see how astutely Young Master investigates.”
As soon as these words fell, Qing Feng Courtyard was already in sight.
The courtyard was in complete chaos. Several servants were gathered around the osmanthus tree in the corner of the yard. The soil beneath the tree had been dug up, revealing a small pit about half a foot square.
And Lin Wan’er, supported by two maids, stood to the side, her face as pale as a ghost.
When she caught sight of Xiao Che’s figure, her vacant eyes instantly blazed with intense light, like a drowning person spotting their only lifeline.
“Young Master!”
With a heart-wrenching cry, Lin Wan’er shoved aside her maid and stumbled toward Xiao Che, throwing herself at him. She clutched his sleeve desperately, her entire body trembling like a withered leaf in the wind.