Chapter 26

Wan Shi

“How could Shimin suspect you, Second Madam?” Li Shimin said calmly. “But the entire Taishou Residence has been searched, except for Songtao Residence and Yuxiu Pavilion. I was concerned that if an assassin truly hid in either of those places, it might harm you, Second Madam. For the safety of both Father and yourself, I had no choice but to venture here to conduct the search. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Wan Shi smiled faintly. “So, should I be thanking Second Young Master for his concern?”

Li Shimin lowered his head without responding. Wan Shi gave him a deep look before speaking again. “Since the safety of the Taishou is at stake, I won’t stop you from searching Yuxiu Pavilion. However, I must ask you one thing. Why did you spare Wu Meixue from punishment? Let’s not forget, it was she who brought the assassin into Songtao Residence.”

“I remember, but I’ve investigated, and Wu Meixue didn’t know about the plot. She was just used by the assassin,” Li Shimin responded.

Before he finished speaking, Wan Shi interrupted. “Has Second Young Master ever heard of a murderer who would willingly confess? At such a time, Wu Meixue would certainly try to distance herself from the assassin. Can her words really be trusted?”

Li Shimin lowered his gaze. “I’ve had people investigate Wu Meixue’s background. I also asked people from her village, and they all confirmed that she was taken in by her father from the mountains. She had never left her village until she entered the residence, and she didn’t know Shen Yunyi before coming here.”

Wan Shi smiled slightly. “Even so, that doesn’t prove she has no involvement in the assassination. She still needs to be interrogated properly, without leniency.” After a pause, she continued, “By the way, I heard you caught that Shen Moping last night, is that right? Has he refused to reveal Shen Yunyi’s whereabouts?”

“Yes. Eldest Brother has already had him locked in the dungeon for questioning. Also, there’s another matter I must report to Second Madam. The people I sent to investigate the Shen siblings’ background have returned and reported that there was indeed a pair of orphaned sisters in Xiaoyang Village. However, they left two months ago to stay with relatives in Loufan County, so they could not have come to the Taishou Residence to work. As for the investigation into the new servants, the person in charge only checked the surface and reported to you. In my opinion, they should be the ones held accountable. If I’m not mistaken, this was overseen by Steward Lin. His mistake is grave enough that he should be expelled from the residence. What do you think, Second Madam?”

Wan Shi’s expression shifted. Steward Lin was one of her confidants, and if he were expelled, it would deal a heavy blow to her influence. She sneered inwardly. This Li Shimin, though polite in his words, had a mind as sharp as his older brother’s. The dogs that don’t bark are always the ones that bite the hardest.

After weighing the situation, she forced a smile. “What’s done is done. There’s no point in dwelling on past mistakes. The most important thing now is to catch the assassin. Though Steward Lin made a mistake, he has served us for many years and has always been diligent. This time, it was just a slip-up. We can give him another chance. As for Wu Meixue... since Second Young Master believes she’s not involved, I’ll have her released.”

Seeing her concession, Li Shimin immediately took the opportunity to agree. “Since Second Madam says so, I’ll give Steward Lin another chance. As for Meixue, I’ll thank you on her behalf.”

Wan Shi, feeling frustrated, urged, “If Second Young Master is going to search, please hurry. I need to go to Wan’an Temple to offer incense later.”

Li Shimin nodded and instructed Duan Zhihong and his men to thoroughly search Yuxiu Pavilion, including Wan Shi’s rooms. However, nothing was found. Duan Zhihong approached him and whispered, “Second Young Master, there are no traces of the assassin here. It seems they’re hiding in Songtao Residence. We should hurry there to prevent danger to the Taishou.”

“I understand,” Li Shimin replied. He cupped his hands in a bow to Wan Shi and said, “I apologize for the disturbance, Second Madam. I shall take my leave.”

After Li Shimin left, a maid murmured, “Though Wu Meixue seems to have no direct connection to the assassin, she is still closely tied to them. Letting her go... could it be a mistake?”

Wan Shi replied coldly, “I don’t want to release her, but you heard what Second Young Master said. If I don’t release Wu Meixue, he’ll use it as an excuse to get rid of Lin Cai. I’ve warned him time and time again to be cautious, but he still made such a huge mistake. He deserves to be punished.” She sighed, then added, “Luckily, letting Wu Meixue go isn’t a big deal. Even if she is an accomplice of the assassin, it will be Li Shimin’s responsibility to handle it.”

“The master is right,” the maid said. After a pause, she added, “It’s strange, though, why is Second Young Master so protective of a dancing girl?”

Wan Shi’s eyes narrowed, and she coldly replied, “Have you forgotten how Wu Meixue went to Songtao Residence to perform her dance?”

The maid immediately understood. “You mean... Second Young Master is infatuated with this dancer? But, wasn’t Second Young Master supposed to marry General Youxiao’s daughter, Miss Changsun, after his three years of mourning?”

“Which man in this world does not have multiple wives and concubines? Eldest Young Master, aside from his legitimate wife, Zheng, has several favored concubines as well. Do you think Second Young Master would marry a dancer as his legitimate wife?” Wan Shi flicked her sleeves and said, “Enough. Go prepare the incense and candles.”

Meanwhile, Li Shimin had arrived at Songtao Residence. He first went to see Li Yuan, who had rested for two days and appeared much better. Seeing his son enter, Li Yuan hurriedly asked, “Well? Any news on the assassin?”

Li Shimin bowed and replied, “Father, we have caught one of them. As for the other, I suspect she’s hiding in Songtao Residence.”

After listening to his son’s suspicion, Li Yuan furrowed his brow and said, “Since the incident, Songtao Residence has been well-guarded. It’s unlikely the assassin could have sneaked in. But since we haven’t found anything elsewhere, it’s worth checking here.”

“Since Father agrees, I’ll lead the search immediately.” Li Shimin then thoroughly searched every corner of Songtao Residence, but to his disappointment, there was still no sign of the assassin. Shen Yunyi... it was as if she had vanished into thin air. However, Li Shimin knew in his heart that she was hiding somewhere within the Taishou Residence. Once she regained her strength, she would inevitably pose a threat to Li Yuan’s life again.

Seeing his son return with a furrowed brow, Li Yuan asked, “What’s wrong? Still no results?”

Li Shimin straightened up slightly and reassured, “Father, don’t worry. I will find the assassin as soon as possible and make sure no one harms you.”

Li Yuan’s eyes flickered. He turned to a nearby attendant and said, “You all leave. I need to speak with Second Young Master privately.”

Once the room was cleared, Li Yuan gestured for Li Shimin to sit by the bed. After a long moment of observing his son, he asked, “Did Eldest Brother speak to you?”

Li Shimin lowered his head and replied, “Yes, Eldest Brother told me everything. Has Father already made a decision?”