Chapter 8: Probing

Chen Ju was a straightforward man. Once he had promised Madam Zhang, he did not delay and immediately went to see He Tan.

“That young lady is so pitiful,” Chen Ju said. “Not only was she kidnapped and brought here, but she was also nearly suffocated to death in a coffin. If we had caught Jiao Da and found out her background, we could have sent her home, but now the trail has gone cold, and she has nowhere to settle down.”

“Besides…”

Chen Ju continued, “You saw what the Yang clan is like. Since we’ve saved her, we must see it through to the end. If we just let them go back like this, there’s no telling how they might be bullied in the future.”

The Yang family and the couple Yang Mingshan and his wife had been brought to the yamen for questioning. Those two were only guilty of failing to report what they knew; at most, they would be fined or given a few strokes of the cane, and it was hard to guarantee they wouldn’t harbor resentment.

He Tan looked at Chen Ju. It was rare for this brute to be so articulate, and all for the sake of someone else.

“In that case, go call that young lady over,” He Tan said. “I will ask her clearly.”

A simple, honest smile appeared on Chen Ju’s face, as if he had just struck a great bargain. He immediately went out to bring Xie Yuxian over, whispering instructions on the way.

“My master looks stern, but don’t be afraid. There is also a gentleman there who is very gentle. In short, just say whatever is on your mind.”

Xie Yuxian bowed to thank Chen Ju before lifting the curtain and entering the room.

Sitting at the desk was the Inspector He she had met at the Yang house. Not far from him stood another man, and Xie Yuxian looked toward him naturally.

The man’s face came into view.

Xie Yuxian’s gaze stalled instantly.

That is…

Although he was dressed in a simple robe, disguised as an ordinary scholar, and carefully hiding his sharp edge, it was already very conspicuous in her eyes.

Even if she had never seen him in his youth, her ability to identify people was sharp enough. Combined with his reputation in the Great Liang and his exceptionally distinguished features, Xie Yuxian truly could not ignore him…

To think she would encounter him here.

In the blink of an eye, Xie Yuxian’s expression returned to normal, but that momentary anomaly had already caught the man’s attention.

Having spent many years in the palace, Xie Yuxian had long since learned to keep her emotions hidden. Had she not suddenly bumped into such an unexpected person, she would not have been surprised.

But her ability to conceal was beyond the reach of others; an ordinary person would never have noticed.

However, his gaze shifted from a natural meeting of eyes to an undisguised stare, which showed that her small reaction had been seen by him, caught red-handed.

It was precisely this response that confirmed to Xie Yuxian that she had not mistaken the person.

Xie Yuxian was not worried about being seen through.

There are many reasons to stare at someone, and fortunately, he was exceptionally handsome. Such a flawless, exquisite face would inevitably draw a second look.

He Tan reached out to brighten the lamp. The elongated shadows of Xie Yuxian and Wang Heshun retreated back to their feet, as if ending a silent test of wills.

“I heard from Chen Ju that you wish to remain with the Yang family?” He Tan asked. “Can you tell me why? You are married but have lost your husband; life ahead will be very difficult. I can make the decision to annul this marriage so that your reputation will not be tarnished.”

He Tan felt that in such a situation, most people would make that choice.

Xie Yuxian paused for a moment, appearing slightly hesitant, before quickly making up her mind: “The people I saw after I woke up were Qin-ge’er and Third Madam. It was only because they tried their best to save me that I survived.”

“I don’t remember the past, but I know clearly who has been kind to me right now. That is why I want to stay with the Yang family—not for the sake of the late Sixth Brother Yang, but for Third Madam and Qin-ge’er. Compared to the deceased Sixth Brother Yang…”

Xie Yuxian rephrased it: “The living are more worth relying on than the dead.”

There was no grand principle, just a choice based on facts. The words sounded very sincere.

He Tan continued: “If you find your parents or family, will you leave the Yang family?”

Xie Yuxian pursed her lips: “Can I really find my family?”

This question made He Tan fall silent. The young lady before him seemed much more perceptive than he had imagined. He suddenly wanted to probe whether she had stumbled into this by accident or if she had truly thought her situation through.

He Tan asked: “Why not?”

Xie Yuxian held out her hands, which had not been worn down by hard labor: “Although I don’t remember the past, I understand some truths.”

“The wealthier the family, the more they care about the reputation of their female kin. Most families would rather report a kidnapped woman as dead than have her return home. Besides, the person who abducted me is dead, so it won’t be easy to investigate. If I treat that as a glimmer of hope, my days will only become harder.”

“There are few people in this world as kind-hearted as Third Madam and Qin-ge’er. I am willing to stay in the Yang family to help Third Madam raise Qin-ge’er, both to repay their kindness and to find a place for myself.”

He Tan nodded, his gaze toward Xie Yuxian changing. He couldn’t help but admire her from the bottom of his heart; this young woman was truly clever.

“I will stand as your guarantor,” He Tan said. “I will send you back to the Yang family.”

Xie Yuxian bowed to He Tan once more.

“Go and prepare,” He Tan said. “Once I finish the business at hand, I will accompany you there.”

Xie Yuxian exited the hall. Wang Heshun picked up the tea on the table and brought it to his lips.

“She seems to recognize me.”

He Tan stared at Wang Heshun in surprise: “Where have you seen her before?”

Wang Heshun shook his head: “Never.” It was hard for him to forget people he had met, especially a woman of her age; he rarely had any interaction with such people.

But that look she had just now clearly showed she knew who he was. Although she had hidden it well, it even gave him the illusion that he might have been mistaken.

Either he was truly mistaken.

Or her methods were exceptionally brilliant, and she had hidden it too well.

He told He Tan about what had just happened.

He Tan had been completely unaware that, right under his nose, the other two had shared such an exchange.

“Perhaps you were just mistaken.”

Wang Heshun thought of her calm gaze, which seemed as if she hadn’t taken it to heart at all.

“Why?”

Wang Heshun suddenly revealed a smile: “She thought the same, making me think I was mistaken.”

“Although I don’t understand her, I understand myself.”

He Tan asked silently.

Wang Heshun said: “My eyes are not diseased; how could I be mistaken?”

He Tan frowned: “If that is truly the case, then that young lady…”

Wang Heshun was very indifferent: “Brother, do not worry. Let us wait and see what she truly intends to do. Even if she has ulterior motives, it is not yet certain who will be the one to suffer.”

Since he was on guard, he would not be fooled—unless he were a fool.

…

Yong’an Ward, the Yang family.

The Old Madam of the second branch looked at the table full of food, but waved her hand listlessly, signaling for it to be cleared away.

With Yang Mingshan and Madam Zou still detained at the yamen, how could she have an appetite? Compared to her steady eldest son, her younger son, Yang Mingshan, who was often away from home, was clearly more attentive to her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have constantly nagged the Old Master to find a good future for Mingshan’s eldest son and let Madam Zou help manage the household.

Her favoritism was clear to all; she had wanted the Yang Mingshan family to prosper under her protection, but who could have known this would happen?

“That woman sent by the Xie family must be a jinx. The moment she was carried into our house, all these troubles broke out. And that third branch…”

The Second Old Madam let out a long sigh. The head stewardess hurried forward to persuade her: “You shouldn’t worry so much; the whole family relies on you. This matter has nothing to do with us. Let the yamen investigate; they will have to send them back eventually. Besides, as for that ‘Xie woman,’ now that she’s alive, she can’t possibly enter the Yang family gates again.”

The Second Old Madam raised her eyebrows: “She might want to, but as long as I am alive, I will never allow it.”

“It was this servant who spoke wrongly,” the stewardess slapped her own face. “How could she have such good fortune?”

The Second Old Madam closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She knew the fourth branch would be safe, but a surge of anger pressed against her chest. She thought of the third branch’s Madam Zhang and Yang Qin.

She had to find a way to drive that mother and son out of the Yang clan. They wouldn’t get a single cent of the clan’s property.

It would be best if they were driven to a dead end and died.

Only such an outcome would truly satisfy her.

“They’re back! They’re back!”

A servant ran into the courtyard to deliver the news: “A carriage has come out of the yamen. It should be…”

“Mingshan,” the Second Old Madam interrupted the servant and immediately ordered, “Quick, open the gates, have the kitchen prepare food again, and go invite a physician…”

“I…” The Second Old Madam signaled the servant, “Help me go and welcome the fourth branch.”