Chapter 29: Danger in the Capital, Do Not Return

Ye Chutang shook her head. "For now, I have only obtained a few clues. To uncover the true truth, I must continue the investigation."

Hearing this, Ye Jingyan felt a hint of disappointment, but he also knew that obtaining even a few clues was no easy feat. After all, the mastermind behind the scenes years ago had been extremely cautious, and since three years had passed, investigating further would not be simple.

Realizing something, he asked tentatively, "So... the clues are in the capital?"

...

Shen Yanchuan put down the book in his hand and set it aside on a small side table.

Lian Zhou asked curiously, "Master, is there something wrong with this book?"

Shen Yanchuan shook his head and gave a faint smile. "It is just an ordinary book."

That Physician Ye was exceptionally wary of him.

However, this was within his expectations. Ye Chutang was no ordinary woman; how could she not guess his true purpose for borrowing the book?

He tested her, and she responded with grand openness: *The book you want, I won't let you see a single page.*

Both were fully aware of each other's thoughts. Although it was overly blunt, it saved a great deal of trouble.

Not knowing what his master was thinking, Lian Zhou brought up another matter.

"By the way, the news that those people failed to assassinate you should have reached the capital by now. Do you think—should we continue to wait here?"

Shen Yanchuan had long anticipated this. He spoke with a faint smile, "No rush."

As for the person he intended to kill, having failed twice in a row, shouldn't that person be the one feeling the most panic?

Shen Yanchuan added, "Besides, isn't staying here quite interesting?"

...

The Ye Medical Clinic returned to its usual peace and tranquility, as if nothing had happened. However, the Cao family was not having such an easy night.

Bang!

Cao Deping smashed his favorite teacup in a fit of rage. "Cunning! That Ye Chutang is truly cunning!"

He had thought everything would proceed according to plan, but who could have known it would end like this!

Not only had they failed to ruin the Ye Medical Clinic, but they had also nearly exposed the Cao family!

More importantly—it had implicated his cousin!

Once he learned that Ye Chutang had proven her innocence at the clinic, he knew things were going south. He rushed to find his cousin, only to be blocked at the gates of the County Magistrate's residence.

This was the first time he had been rejected, and the servants' attitudes carried a clear sense of loathing. Was there anything left to understand?

Cao Deping could only return in disgrace, his heart filled with unvented fury, both angry and panicked.

He was angry that such a perfect scheme had allowed that Ye Chutang to escape unscathed!

He was panicked because this was the first time he had asked his cousin for help, and such a blunder had occurred. It was obvious she had incurred the Magistrate's wrath.

This—

Cao Deping paced back and forth in his room in agitation.

"Father?"

Hearing the commotion, Cao Chengwen rushed in.

He carefully closed the door. He had never seen Cao Deping so agitated and could only try to persuade him: "Father, don't be anxious. Although this matter failed, as long as those people don't implicate us, we will be fine!"

Cao Deping felt a surge of resentment. "Easy for you to say!"

Those people had been bribed on short notice; how tight could their mouths be?

Once the truth leaked out, there would be massive trouble!

His anger grew. He pointed at Cao Chengwen and shouted, "If it weren't for me cleaning up your mess, how would there be so much trouble!"

Cao Chengwen's eyes flickered, feeling both guilty and indignant.

He couldn't help but say, "...I warned you before that Ye Chutang would be difficult to deal with, but you didn't take it seriously at the time..."

And now, everything was being blamed on him...

"You!"

Cao Deping's face turned ashen with rage.

If he didn't have only this one son left, he would never have bothered with such things!

Seeing this, Cao Chengwen knew he couldn't continue to provoke him; after all, he still wanted to continue living comfortably as the eldest young master of the Cao family.

He quickly urged, "Father, you really don't need to worry too much. Didn't you say before that the Magistrate has prospects for promotion this time? Even for his own sake, he will certainly suppress this matter!"

Cao Deping narrowed his eyes.

There was some truth to that. If the Cao family were investigated, it would surely lead to more discoveries, and his cousin would be investigated along with them.

At that point, how would the Magistrate handle himself?

To say nothing of anything else, being involved in such a scandal would ruin his entire political career!

Therefore, no matter what, he would suppress this matter at all costs!

With this thought, Cao Deping's emotions finally stabilized somewhat.

After deep contemplation, he decided to sever all contact with his cousin, Liu Yiyi, for the time being.

For now, the only way to deal with change was to remain unchanged. As long as they didn't make a scene and the storm passed, everything would return to normal.

Their Cao family was still an unshakable prominent household in Jiangling.

Cao Deping took a deep breath, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his eyes.

"Once Liu Si is dead, all of this will end."

...

The night was heavy, with a bright moon hanging obliquely in the sky.

The cool, water-like moonlight spread along the window frame, illuminating the floor.

By the light of a candle, Ye Chutang looked at the letter in her hand once more.

The handwriting was powerful and vigorous, with sweeping strokes that showed how agitated the writer must have been when composing these words.

Ye Chutang's eyes scanned line by line, finally resting on the end.

"The capital is currently treacherous and the dangers unpredictable. To investigate the deaths of your father and brother, the road ahead will be long and difficult. But do not worry, I am here. This situation is perilous; do not come!"

There was no signature at the end, only the single character, "Xu."

Ye Chutang put the letter down.

This letter, which had traveled all the way from the capital, was extremely precious, filled with earnest guidance and heartfelt sincerity.

She knew Xu Fengchi truly did not want them to return, because that meant too much danger.

But...

She could never remain a bystander.

Those were her father, her mother, and her brother. She had watched them be killed before her very eyes; on that bone-chillingly cold day, the blood had been scalding hot.

That day, she had promised her elder brother that she would take good care of Xiao Wu and the others.

It was also that day she promised herself that she would one day uncover everything and avenge them!

She always did what she said.

When she asked A-Yan those questions today, she did not show him this letter, because her mind was made up.

Ye Chutang picked up the letter and held it near the candlelight. The warm orange flames rose up and quickly devoured the paper.

A wisp of blue smoke drifted away silently.

She then took out the reply she had written during the day and placed it in the prepared envelope.

The capital—she was definitely going back!

...

The final result of the Liu Si case finally came out: he was to be executed in public in three days.

The Zhou family suffered a heavy blow, and Mrs. Zhou fell ill and could not get out of bed.

Auntie Yang went to help care for her for two days, and when she returned, she was sighing heavily.

"She is left all alone as a woman, with a child only a few years old. What is she going to do!"

Soon after, Ye Chutang arrived at their door with silver, intending to help, but she was refused by Mrs. Zhou.

"Physician Ye, thank you so much, but we don't need this anymore." She gave a bitter smile. "We plan to leave."

Ye Chutang's eyes flickered.

"Leave? To where?"

(End of Chapter)