Chapter 192: Hello Chang’an
Chapter 192: Retribution is a Natural Law for Killing
The servant lowered her voice and truthfully reported, "Yes, the Changsun father and son even said that they are waiting for her to uncover the truth..."
Chang Shi frowned, a mix of agitation and unease clouding her expression.
Today's trial had been full of setbacks. It hadn’t been possible to pin the crime on Chang Sui'an, and suddenly, Li Lu had appeared as a witness—though he had not yet been able to testify due to his illness.
She hadn’t developed supernatural foresight and could not predict every outcome. Everything she did had been on the fly, a step-by-step approach. Because of this, whenever an unforeseen complication arose, it only heightened her anxiety.
In this moment, Chang Suining’s claim that she had found "clues" felt like a sharp needle, piercing directly at a critical point.
The servant thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps she’s just bluffing, speaking nonsense to confuse people..."
"No," Chang Shi shook her head. "Someone just delivered a message saying that someone secretly investigated the case of the eunuch who drowned at the horse paddock in Furong Garden. Who do you think could have done this?"
"Could it be Chang Suining?" The servant was shocked. Was the young girl so sharp?
Chang Shi replied, "She herself doesn’t have such methods, it’s obviously the Court of the Palace Assistants helping her."
The servant took a moment to steady her nerves. "Don’t worry, Madam. The incident with the eunuch at the paddock was done cleanly. They shouldn’t find anything."
"But if they’ve found something about the eunuch, they can also find other things." Chang Shi frowned deeply. "There are too many people helping her in the shadows. It’s possible that she really has uncovered something."
She was engaged in an unprepared and risky game. Every action felt like a step into the unknown, with constant risk of missing something critical. It made her particularly suspicious at the slightest disturbance.
Especially when the entire scheme was orchestrated by her alone in the shadows. Neither Marquis Ying’s family nor the holy Emperor could be relied upon for support. Instead, they were potential threats she had to guard against and keep in the dark.
This increased Chang Shi's tension and anxiety.
"I told you long ago, that little Chang girl is no easy character!" She suddenly swiped at a jade vase on the table, sending it crashing to the ground. A cold, murderous glint flashed in her eyes.
---
"Suining, isn’t this a bit too risky?"
Qiao Yubai had escorted Chang Suining back to the Chang residence. They were now in the outer study where Suining had been staying recently. Once alone, Qiao Yubai, with furrowed brows, asked in concern.
"What are you referring to, Brother Yubai?" Chang Suining walked over to the desk.
"You directly said you’ve found clues. While it might provoke them into action, what if..." Qiao Yubai’s voice lowered further, his face full of worry. "What if they decide to harm you because of this?"
"Then so be it. I’m waiting for them to strike." Chang Suining sat down behind the desk, a calm look in her eyes. "If they’re truly impulsive enough to do that, and so easily disturbed, then the situation will be much simpler to resolve."
But she feared the enemy wasn’t as impulsive and reckless as she hoped.
---
The pristine white jade vase shattered, the sharp edges gleaming coldly.
The servant was too stunned to call for help. "Madam, you... aren’t you planning to..."
After a long pause, Chang Shi squeezed out a cold laugh through clenched teeth. "I wish I could, but I cannot do so right now."
If she killed Chang Suining at this moment, there was a risk that even one small mistake could expose everything, leaving evidence for Suining’s side to use against her.
Even if she succeeded in killing Chang Suining, it wouldn’t mean the end of the issue. Head Enuch, Yu Zeng, the Imperial Academy’s Qiao Yang, and other members of the Chang family would never give up on helping Chang Sui'an.
And if she killed Chang Suining now, it would send a clear message that the Chang Sui'an case was indeed full of injustice, only creating more complications in the long run.
It would be a foolish and costly move. She would be out of her mind to do it!
Chang Shi took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, analyzing the situation logically.
For now, there were only two places she needed to focus on—the two visible “changes” in the situation. She should keep a close watch on them.
"Have someone keep an eye on movements from the Prince Rong’s residence. As soon as we hear that the Prince’s son has recovered and is ready to testify, let me know immediately."
"Yes, Madam."
"Send someone to the Feng family and have them prepare. In three days, a bridal sedan will be sent to fetch a bride."
The servant hesitated for a moment but understood her mistress's reasoning. There was no time to delay—such matters should be done sooner rather than later. The longer it was postponed, the more likely something could go wrong. Bringing the bride in early was the most secure option.
"Yes, I’ll arrange it right away."
After the servant left, another maid entered and quickly tidied up the broken vase and the mess on the floor.
---
"With things as they are, your situation is very dangerous." Qiao Yubai’s expression grew serious. "Suining, I’ll stay here with you. If you need to do anything, just tell me, and I’ll handle it."
Now, Chang family only had Suining. He couldn’t feel at ease. His parents were also very worried. His mother had already arranged to come tonight to stay with Suining and help with whatever she could, even if it was just watching over her meals and daily routines.
Suining had already heard about this from Qiao Yubai on the way back. She smiled faintly and said, "With Third Aunt here, it will be enough. Brother Yubai, you came here to skip class. Don’t delay your studies any further."
She then said, "Don’t worry, Brother. The Chang family isn’t lacking in capable people. I won’t put myself in danger."
"But..."
Qiao Yubai wanted to say more, but Chang Suining interrupted him. "Brother Yubai, who do you think is the most suspicious among these people?"
She had been carefully studying the list since she sat down.
Qiao Yubai stood up and walked over to the desk.
The list was spread out, taking up half the desk. It was filled with densely written names, but most had been crossed out, likely excluded by Suining herself.
Among the remaining names, a few had been circled in red, clearly the main suspects.
Qiao Yubai’s gaze naturally fell on those marked names.
When his eyes landed on the surname at the top of the list, a heavy feeling settled in his chest.
"Suining, if it really is…" After a moment, he raised his eyes to meet Chang Suining's gaze. "What should we do?"
"Whoever it is, Brother cannot take the blame for them." Chang Suining’s eyes fixed on the words "Ming family" written on the list. "Retribution for murder is a matter of natural law."
In that instant, Qiao Yubai recalled the Dragon Boat Festival game of jujutsu at the Imperial Academy.
Back then, when he was injured by Chang Miao and treated unfairly, it was Suining who, in an unexpected way, fought for justice for him and all the other students involved in the match.
Now, what Sui'an was facing was an even greater injustice.
What they were up against were perhaps even more difficult enemies.
Although the two situations were completely different, he could foresee Suining’s determination from this comparison—and it was this very determination, more than anything else, that was perhaps more unshakeable than even the highest of enemies.
After a moment, Qiao Yubai nodded firmly. "Yes, it should be so."
Soon after, Chang Suining had someone summon Bai Guan to come over.
"Send the best supplements from the storehouse to the Prince Rong’s residence," Chang Suining instructed. "It’s best if you go personally to show our Chang family’s concern and respect."
Bai Guan agreed.
Qiao Yubai looked concerned. After a moment of thinking, he spoke up, "Suining, don’t you think this might be a bit inappropriate?"
Normally, at times like this, it would be best to avoid having direct contact with the witness.
"Brother Yubai is right; it’s indeed inappropriate," Chang Suining replied. "But since Father is not in the capital and I’m worried about Brother’s safety, it’s only natural that I want to show goodwill toward the witness, don’t you think?"
Qiao Yubai wasn’t slow-witted. Upon hearing this, he understood her intentions.
At such a time, the closer she got to Li Lu, the clearer her intentions would be, and those watching in the background would become more anxious.
This move was similar to publicly stating to the Chang family, "The real killer is someone else, and we have found clues."
As for whether anyone would later question Li Lu for giving false testimony "on her behalf"—Suining wasn’t planning to consider that possibility right now.
She only said, "Not only should we send these gifts, but we must send them every day until Li Lu is fully recovered and able to go out."
They would start by sending gifts for two days, and when the person "wakes up," she would personally visit to "check on him."
However, unlike sending gifts, if she were to visit, she would need to avoid being seen.
Chang Suining glanced at the list in front of her, quietly contemplating her next steps.
---
As evening approached, there was a visitor at the Feng family’s house.
The visitor was a trusted maid from Chang Shi’s side, and it was Madam Jie herself who came to meet her.
"My mistress has agreed to the proposal from the County Princess, setting the auspicious day for three days from now. I wonder what the County Princess thinks."
Though the maid posed it as a question, her tone held no real inquiry—she was simply informing Madam Jie.
Madam Jie didn’t mind, as this was a transaction, and one needed to be aware when making a deal with others.
The idea of using a joyful event to counteract bad luck was unpleasant, but there was no way to refute it. To get Min’er married off quickly, they had to have a reason to avoid suspicion from outsiders.
So, Madam Jie smiled and nodded.
Before long, the Ming family’s maid left.
Madam Jie had someone call her son and daughter-in-law over and, in the same manner, explained the situation to them.
"Three days from now?"
"To boost her spirits... to become a concubine?!"
"How could this be allowed!"
Master Feng reacted strongly: "How could Min'er become some concubine to boost someone's spirits... Why would Mother agree to such a request from the Ming family?"
Ever since Madam Jie’s reputation was ruined and she was demoted to a county princess, he had grown increasingly dissatisfied with her.
Madam Feng was also shocked, but unlike her husband, she had been intimidated and obedient to her mother-in-law for years. At this moment, she didn’t dare openly express her dissatisfaction.
Facing her son’s questioning, Madam Jie simply said calmly, “What kind of family could Min’er still marry into? The wife of an ordinary family can't compare to being a concubine in the Ming family. Moreover, the Ming heir currently doesn't have a primary wife, so Min’er’s marriage to him would be no different from becoming his main wife.”
When her son was about to speak again, she interrupted: "Stop dwelling on the idea of 'boosting spirits.' You should know that if it weren’t for the fortune-telling, such an opportunity wouldn’t fall to Min’er."
Master Feng's expression wavered.
"Becoming in-laws with the Ming family is like becoming in-laws with the emperor; you should understand that, right?" Madam Jie sneered. "Stop clinging to your useless pride and think about the bigger picture."
Seeing that her husband seemed to be swayed, Madam Feng muttered "stupid man" under her breath, and finally couldn't hold herself back, speaking up, "But Min’er, she..."
Madam Jie shot a cold glance at her daughter-in-law and interrupted sharply, "Min’er is willing."
What?
Madam Feng couldn’t believe it.
She knew her daughter well—Min’er wasn’t particularly outstanding, but she had always dreamed of marrying into a high-ranking family. This was something her mother-in-law had taught her to aspire to.
With a daughter who had this ambition, how could she be willing to become a concubine just to boost someone’s spirits?
Madam Feng quickly went to find her daughter, wanting to clarify things.
When she arrived, she found Min’er happily having measurements taken for her wedding gown.
Madam Feng: "…"
It seemed there was nothing more to ask.
After a long while, once everyone else had left, Madam Feng hesitated and only asked, “Min’er, do you know that the Ming heir is quite the flirt?”
"Of course I know, Mother," Min’er replied, "But do you think I’m marrying him as a person?"
She wasn’t marrying him—she was marrying the Ming family’s heir.
Seeing her mother about to say more, Min’er became impatient and added, "The engagement is already set. There’s no chance to change it. Instead of saying these useless things, it would be better for you to help me prepare properly so I can leave in style."
She didn’t want to hear it anymore. Her mother didn’t understand the inner turmoil she had endured to reach this point, nor did she know that she had no other choice.
Now, she only hoped that her grandmother’s words were true—that once she married into the Ming family, she would be treated well and would live the life she had dreamed of.
Two days later, something happened that made Min’er feel a bit more secure.
That evening, her father returned from the Ministry of Works, his face full of joy.
His superiors had informed him that he would be promoted to Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works and that the Ming family had helped arrange the promotion. They even praised him, saying he had a good daughter, and that his good fortune was enviable, and that he should take good care of him in the future.
With such flattery, Master Feng felt elated and completely dismissed his earlier dissatisfaction with the idea of "boosting spirits."
Min’er was overjoyed when she heard this and instinctively glanced at her grandmother.
Madam Jie smiled and nodded at her.
Min’er felt increasingly grateful to her grandmother. It was definitely because her grandmother had had a good conversation with the wife of Marquis Ying that the Marquis’s family had not looked down on her. Although she would be a concubine, she was still more esteemed than most of the women in the capital, and no one would dare to look down on her!
With this thought in mind, Min’er didn’t plan to hide the matter anymore. She even invited many young ladies from the capital to a pre-wedding gift-giving party the day before her departure. The event was quite lively.
Getting married was a one-time thing, and even if she was a concubine, she would go out in style!
---
One morning, Yao Xia and Wei Miaoqing, along with other young women, gathered to visit Chang Suining.
"You all didn’t have to come," Chang Suining said frankly. "At this point, it’s not a good idea to get too close to me."
She wouldn’t question their friendship because of this temporary "distance."
These young women were all daughters of officials in the capital, and their fathers and grandfathers were mostly serving in the court. With such constraints, their actions were bound to be limited.
The world was hard on them, and she could not further trouble them in the name of friendship.
"What’s there to be afraid of? Can the Chang family really do anything to me?" The girl from the Wei family, who came from a large and influential household with a very capable brother, said with confidence.
"With my uncle around, why would I need to avoid suspicion?" said the girl from the Yao family, relying on the support of her powerful uncle.
There were also many other girls with optimistic attitudes, their eyes full of long-term vision, and a bit of a chivalrous spirit—
"After all, Young Master Chang is innocent. The truth will come out sooner or later!"
"That’s right!"
"Don’t be afraid, Sister Chang!"
A group of young women gathered around Chang Suining, comforting her.
Chang Suining looked at the young, innocent faces.
Even though they might part ways soon, she would remember them well.
As they chatted, the conversation gradually shifted in another direction, and this shift happened to provide Chang Suining with a new clue.
(End of chapter.)
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