Chapter 660: Truth Surfacing
Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations
Everyone stared at the empty rooftop, afraid to make a sound.
Lu Lizhang was so furious that he almost fainted.
It was Lu Yiciâs painful howl that broke the silence. âFather, kill me! Itâs too painful. Kill me! Let me die!â
Lu Yiceâs bloodlust episodes were akin to being pierced by countless needles,
the pain reaching deep into his marrow.
âLu Yichen!!!â Lu Lizhang roared with rage and helplessness, as if the pain inflicted on him was no less than what Lu Yice endured, âBring Lu Yichen back to me!â
The guard obeyed. âYes, my lord.â
The butler approached cautiously, suggesting, âMy lord, itâs said that Chu Qingzhiâs medical skills are unparalleled. Perhaps she could check the young master?â
âDo you believe that a teenage girl possesses such medical prowess?â
The butler, lacking confidence, replied, âMy lord, it wouldnât hurt to try.
After a long silence, Lu Lizhang decided, âGo and invite her. If she can cure
Yice, whatever she wants, I will grant.â
The butler bowed, âYes, my lord.â
Meanwhile, Chu Qingzhi was assisting with a birth at the Yun family, a wealthy and influential household in the capital, related by marriage to the Zhou family.
The butler brought his men and barged into the Yun familyâs house. He came outside the delivery room and ordered, âChu Qingzhi, His Lordship wants to see you. Please come with us immediately.â
The pregnant woman was at the critical moment of giving birth, and Chu
Qingzhi could not leave.
âIâll handle this,â Chu Qingning stepped out, boldly stating, âEven if the Emperor himself were here, he would have to wait!â
The butlerâs face darkened. The lord was already disappointed in him. If he couldnât bring her back immediately, he would probably be abandoned by the lord. âIf Chu Qingzhi doesnât come with us, you wonât be able to bear the consequencesâŠâ
âWhatever the consequences, youâll have to wait. Otherwise, leave now. Anger my sister, and no one gets any help,â Chu Qingning faced the guards, feigning courage despite feeling intimidated.
The butler stared hard at Chu Qingning and ordered, âTake Chu Qingzhi with
us!â
The members of the Yun Family stood around. They were angry but did not dare to say anything. The other party was a lord. Their family could not compete with him at all. They could only watch as the butler and the guards did whatever they wanted.
Chu Qingningblocked the doorway, âYou dare!â
Chu Qingzhi emerged from the birthing room, calmly warning, 111 give you one chance to leave the Yun residence. I will overlook this intrusion. Otherwise,
I refuse to visit your lord.â
The butler, feeling as if a heavy stone weighed on his heart, couldnât defy her firm stance and, after a struggle, retreated from the Yun residence.
Chu Qingzhi and Chu Qingning continued with the delivery until the evening when the mother safely gave birth.
Chu Qingzhi preferred to let nature take its course during childbirth, intervening only in life-threatening situations, which is why the process took longer.
The butler and guards waited at the Yun residenceâs gate, their anxiety mounting as the sun set, fearing the consequences of their failure.
When Chu Qingzhi and Chu Qingning finally emerged, the butlereward hurriedly approached, âMiss Chu Qingzhi, please, our young master needs your assistance.â
When Chu Qingning saw how servile the butler was, she felt satisfied. Who asked you to be so unreasonable? In the end, you would have to obediently tuck your tail between your legs and beg her!
Chu Qingzhi responded coolly to the butler, âGo back first. I have some matters to attend to. Iâll come to examine your young master after Iâve dealt with them.â
Seeing Chu Qingzhi deliberately making things difficult, the butler was internally furious but dared not show it, feeling extremely frustrated, âMiss Chu, our young masterâs life is hanging by a thread. We really canât wait any longer.â
âThen find someone more capable,â Chu Qingzhi replied before walking away.
The butler hurriedly followed, âMiss Chu, I apologize for any offense earlier, but Iâm really worried about our young master. Please, could you show some compassion?â
Chu Qingzhi ignored the butler and continued walking.
At that moment, Ren Buqing, accompanied by several officers, approached from the other end of the street and greeted, âMiss Chu, may I have a word?â
Chu Qingzhi nodded. âLetâs go.â
The steward watched as Chu Qingzhi went with Ren Buqing to a nearby teahouse, and decided to follow, knowing he had to secure Chu Qingzhiâs help today or face Lord Zhangâs wrath back at the mansion.
Once inside the teahouse, they settled at a window-side table, and the server brought over tea and snacks.
Ren Buqing got straight to the point, âMiss Chu, based on the incense you mentioned, after a dayâs investigation, weâve identified five suspects.â He hesitated before adding, âAmong themâŠâ
Chu Qingzhi urged, âJust say it.â
Ren Buqing pressed his lips together before revealing, âPeople from the Ning family are involved.â
Chu Qingzhi frowned, âWhich members of the Ning family?â
Ren Buqing slowly explained, âSecond Master Ning and Third Master Ning. They have a minor condition that the Dutou incense can alleviate. Originally, First Master Ning also used this incense, but heâs no longer alive, leaving only them in the Ning household using it.â
Were the Ning family members involved?
âHave you figured out what happened with Zhou Youyuan and Xu Youshang at the mine?â
âYes,â Ren Buqing replied. âThe biggest clue is that according to their coworkers, both men mentioned before leaving the mine, âAs long as things go smoothly, we wonât have to worry for the rest of our lives.ââ
Chu Qingzhi thought about it. Could it be Second Master Ning or Third Master Ning? Or could it be that the two of them went to find Zhou Youyuan and Xu Youchang to pry off a huge rock on the hillside and smash First Master Ning and Madam to death?
The boulder needed to hit the carriage precisely, or it would be meaningless. All of this required very strong skills. Working in the mine, didnât they have just the right expertise?
Previously, Chu Qingzhi hadnât linked the two cases, but now that she did, everything seemed to fit.
The scenario likely unfolded as follows: a year ago, Second or Third Master Ning, or both, conspired to have miners Zhou Youyuan and Xu Youshang dislodge a boulder during heavy rain to kill First Master Ning and Madam.
They did not expect that there would be another witness, Xu Hehua. Seeing that Xu Hehua had told them that she had seen someone in the rain, they were afraid that the matter would be exposed. Hence, they disguised themselves as a mysterious person and bribed Zhang Guangsheng, Zheng Er, and Xu San, who were short of money, to kill Zhou Youyuan and Xu Youchang to silence them.
Chu Qingzhi asked, âDid you guys look for Second Master Ning and Third Master Ning?â
Ren Buqing said, âNot yet. The Ning family has a special relationship with you. Youâve helped me so much, so I want to ask for your opinion before making a plan.â
Chu Qingzhiâs eyes darkened. âGo and arrest them according to the rules.