Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Chapter 231: Chapter 230: Inquiries

Early the next day, Yun Qi visited the Fang Family.

Fang Sheng’s father was a Captain, promoted step by step from a foot soldier by Mu Yuan’an, and died ten years ago at the border, leaving behind orphans and a widowed mother.

The court gave compensation, and the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion added some silver, allowing them to settle down in the Capital. Over ten years, Fang Sheng married, had a son named Little Six, and Fang Sheng’s mother passed away, with the Mu Family providing assistance.

Following Mu Lianxiao’s instructions, Yun Qi visited the Fang Family every now and then.

This time, the Fang family residence had changed owners.

Yun Qi had no choice but to inquire with the neighbors.

The neighbors recognized Yun Qi and said that Fang Sheng’s wife had sold the house and returned to their hometown with Little Six, saying she wanted Fang Sheng to return to his roots.

Yun Qi asked for more details and felt increasingly uneasy.

Upon returning to the mansion, Yun Qi went to Mu Lianxiao’s study.

Mu Lianxiao, seeing Yun Qi’s solemn expression, instinctively pressed his fingertips against his brow and asked, ”What did Little Six’s mother say?”

Yun Qi replied, ”Little Six’s mother has returned to her hometown, and someone has already been sent to look into Fang Sheng’s hometown. News should come in a few days.”

Mu Lianxiao slightly nodded and gave Yun Qi a glance: ”If that’s the case, why are you anxious? Report any other news as well.”

Yun Qi took a deep breath and said, ”I asked the neighbors about the Fang family. Although they couldn’t speak to Fang Sheng’s injuries, someone remembered the time.

Fang Sheng left home at noon on the ninth and didn’t return that night. Little Six’s mother was unaware and asked around if anyone had seen Fang Sheng.

Until the night of the tenth, Fang Sheng came back, looking terrible, with lots of blood on his chest. Little Six’s mother couldn’t move him alone, so she called for help to get him inside.

Because of this incident, it was remembered.”

Mu Lianxiao’s hand resting at his side gradually clenched.

On the ninth of April, the Holy Emperor’s procession left the Capital for the hunting ground, and Ma Dehai saw someone tampering with Snow Clothes’ horseshoe, precisely on the tenth.

The timing matches, but why?

No mention of how Fang Sheng could infiltrate the hunting ground; he held no grudge against Du Yunluo, so why harm her?

Yun Qi saw Mu Lianxiao’s confusion and said, ”Sir, could Fang Sheng bear a grudge against our mansion because of his father? The eldest Miss was also at the hunting ground. If not for the assailant kicking Snow Clothes, the eldest Miss’ horse might have been endangered.”

Mu Lianxiao’s eyes deepened, and he asked Yun Qi, ”You’ve visited the Fang family occasionally; do you think Fang Sheng harbors any resentment?”

Yun Qi hesitated and after a long pause shook his head: ”I actually feel he is quite grateful to the Marquis Mansion.”

”This matter should not be hurried to conclusion; wait for the investigation from Fang Sheng’s hometown before deciding.” Mu Lianxiao instructed, and as Yun Qi prepared to leave, he added, ”Also, don’t overlook other possibilities; whatever needs to be investigated should still be pursued.”

Yun Qi agreed, understanding that Mu Lianxiao still harbored disbelief that Fang Sheng could be an ungrateful person, and indeed, he shared that disbelief.

Du Mansion Anhua Courtyard.

Nanny Zhao personally led Bai Niang in front of Du Yunluo.

Bai Niang respectfully greeted: ”Servant Bai Niang, greetings to Fifth Miss.”

Du Yunluo looked at this not unfamiliar yet entirely unfamiliar maid in front of her, surprised: ”From Third Sister’s courtyard?”

Seeing Bai Niang nod, Du Yunluo examined her closely, feeling as though she had seen this face somewhere, yet it seemed different now...

Perhaps she had seen her before?

Du Yunluo thought long and hard but couldn’t come up with an answer, especially since the name Bai Niang left no impression.

The maids beside Du Yunluo were always chosen by Mrs. Zhen and Nanny Zhao, and this time was no exception, so Du Yunluo wouldn’t ponder over this too long and accepted her.

Jin Rui took Bai Niang to arrange her living quarters, while Du Yunluo turned and asked Nanny Zhao: ”Nanny, if she hadn’t come to me, where would she have gone?”

Nanny Zhao replied, ”For now, she’d be waiting in Shuifu Garden until there’s a vacancy; Mrs. Shen Changgen did mention letting her serve in Chunhua Courtyard in a couple of years.”

Chunhua Courtyard? Near Xia Anxin?

Once mentioned, Du Yunluo recalled.

She indeed had seen this maid in Chunhua Courtyard; she had grown taller, her features matured, looking somewhat different now, formerly named Huizhu.

At that time, Xia Anxin had just given birth to a son, and Mrs. Xia and the Miao Family stressed etiquette, having her recuperate in a converted side room. Huizhu ran back and forth serving.

One day, unexpectedly, an incident occurred.

Du Yunlang, having had too much to drink, rested in the main house, while a dispute erupted between Huizhu and Xia Anxin’s dowry maid Cailian.

Cailian accused Huizhu of attempting inappropriate conduct when Du Yunlang was drunk, catching her in the act. Huizhu countered that Cailian was falsely accusing her, claiming she was fetching something for Xia Anxin when Cailian saw her and turned the tables.

The argument escalated, drawing the attention of the Miao Family.

Du Yunlang, asleep after drinking, was entirely unaware, naturally couldn’t randomly point fingers.

Huizhu and Cailian’s conflict ended with Huizhu hitting a pillar.

Cailian was shocked by the bloody scene, as if soulless, and shortly after, sent to the estate by the Miao Family.

Later, once, Jin Rui came across a young maid burning paper, crying as she did so, saying she had seen Huizhu enter the main house, and then the commotion started, indicating Cailian was in the house first. If she had spoken up, Huizhu might not have resorted to suicide to prove her innocence, but she was afraid since Cailian came as part of Xia Anxin’s dowry; if Xia Anxin defended Cailian, how could she continue working in Chunhua Courtyard?

Jin Rui heard everything clearly and reported it to Du Yunluo afterward.

At that time, Du Yunluo was experiencing a strained relationship with her family, and with one maid dead and another insane, she refrained from dredging up old issues to save Mrs. Xia and Xia Anxin’s reputation, thus burying the matter in her heart.

Conceptualizing it now, Du Yunluo felt some sentiment.

Bai Niang had a somewhat intense temperament, but it’s better than being a passive person; most importantly, she lacked those messy thoughts.

Just this point brought some assurance.

As for the choice of suicide to prove her innocence when falsely accused, it should not be made lightly, Bai Niang’s character still needs guidance from Jin Ling and Jin Rui.

Nanny Zhao noticed Du Yunluo’s thoughtful look and said: ”Miss, is there something inappropriate about Bai Niang?”

”Not really,” Du Yunluo raised her head and smiled at Nanny Zhao, ”I was just pondering what name to give her.”

Nanny Zhao smiled hearing this.

Bai Niang’s name was changed to Jin Lan, learning work alongside the two big maids.

Nanny Hua looked surprised, saying: ”We all guessed which second-class maid in the courtyard would flourish, but it turned out to be this plain one; the madam sending someone so, doesn’t it imply none of the courtyard maids are useful?”

Nanny Shui fanned herself idly, not joining in, thinking indeed none are useful, constantly gossiping without seeing anyone work sincerely. This is after all the Fifth Miss’ courtyard, the gem of Mrs. Xia and the madam; how can it be completely isolated, ungoverned by the madam?