TPGA - 33

“Looking for me?” Mei Xue stared at Chun Xiu in astonishment and said, “Don’t you know we went with Sister Ji Rong to get dinner?”

Chun Xiu pretended to realize, “Oh right, my memory is really bad. By the way, why did you come back?”

“I’m feeling a bit unwell, so I came back halfway. Why were you looking for me?”

Although Ji Rong said that Chun Xiu regretted her actions, based on her understanding of Chun Xiu over the years, the latter always looked down on her. How could she possibly feel regret? It was just that Ji Rong’s words were sincere, so she didn’t want to expose it.

Chun Xiu forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing. I... just thought my previous words were a bit excessive, so... I wanted to tell you not to take it too seriously.”

Mei Xue looked at Chun Xiu in surprise. An apology? This was completely unexpected. Could it be... as Ji Rong said, Chun Xiu had come to her senses?

If that were true, being able to peacefully coexist in the mansion would indeed be a good thing. Just as she was about to speak, she inadvertently saw something fall to the ground. Picking it up, she realized it was an earring she had previously worn. Strange, hadn’t she left it on the dressing table? How did it end up on the floor?

While pondering this, Mei Xue noticed that her bed curtains seemed to have been disturbed, and the nearby cabinet door was half-open. It definitely wasn’t like that when she left. Could it be...

She suddenly looked at the nervous Chun Xiu and asked suspiciously, “You didn’t come to look for me, did you?”

Chun Xiu’s eyes flickered as she said, “If not to look for you, then what? To steal from you? That’s funny. Look at yourself, so shabby, what could possibly be worth stealing?”

Mei Xue was simple-minded, but she wasn’t stupid. Seeing Chun Xiu like this confirmed her suspicions even more. “Then tell me, what are you really doing here?”

“I’ve already told you. If you refuse to believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”

Mei Xue knew she was hiding something, but since Chun Xiu refused to talk, there was nothing she could do. She could only say, “If that’s the case, leave.”

Chun Xiu glanced at the nearby cabinet and coldly said, “I’ll leave after I check that.” Saying this, she moved to open the cabinet, but Mei Xue, feeling repulsed, stepped forward to block her. “These are all private belongings of mine and Caiping. What are you looking for?”

Chun Xiu sneered coldly, “If they’re truly private belongings, then there’s nothing to worry about. But what if they’re not? Move aside!”

Mei Xue was utterly confused and said, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand a word.”

At this point, Chun Xiu no longer bothered to act. “Wu Meixue, do you really think I know nothing? You and Shen Yunyi are accomplices. No, it should be said that both you and Jiang Caiping are.”

Mei Xue, full of doubt, said, “What nonsense are you spouting? The second master has already said this has nothing to do with me. Why do you keep harping on it?”

Chun Xiu mocked, “You have skills, making the second master dance around you. Unfortunately, the net of justice is wide, but it doesn’t miss. You’ve finally slipped up, Wu Meixue. This time, you won’t escape.”

“What am I escaping from? I haven’t done anything. It was Yunyi who took advantage...” Before she could finish, Chun Xiu interrupted, “Enough, I don’t want to hear your nonsense anymore. Move aside immediately!”

Mei Xue looked back at the cabinet incredulously and said, “You don’t actually think Yunyi is hiding here, do you?”

“Not suspecting, but certain. Otherwise, why would Jiang Caiping go to the kitchen to get so many buns, and why would you try to stop me from opening this cabinet?”

Mei Xue shook her head repeatedly, “You’re crazy. Yunyi committed the serious crime of attempting to assassinate the governor. How could I possibly hide her? As for Caiping...” She suddenly remembered the words Jiang Caiping had mentioned earlier when she returned. At the time, she thought Caiping was confused, but the chef did mention that Caiping had taken many buns. If everything was due to Caiping’s confusion, where did those few buns she requested earlier go?

However, Yunyi looked completely different from herself. If it was really Yunyi, there was no reason for Caiping to mistake her for herself.

Chun Xiu sneered, “Out of words to say? The reason why the eldest master and the others couldn’t find Shen Yunyi isn’t because she’s so skilled at hiding, but because she’s hidden in a place no one would ever suspect—your room!”

Facing her accusation, Mei Xue hurriedly said, “No, she’s not here. Don’t make things up! Besides… I just got out of the dungeon today. How could I possibly be hiding Yunyi?”

Chun Xiu coldly replied, “This place has already been searched countless times, so no one would think to search it again. As they say, the most dangerous place is the safest place. Mei Xue, you’ve got guts!”

“I…” Mei Xue didn’t know what to say and could only insist, “In any case, I didn’t hide Yunyi, and you have no right to search my quarters. Get out immediately!”

Chun Xiu laughed coldly, “So eager to drive me out—it’s obvious you’re guilty! Get out of my way!” With that, she pushed Mei Xue with all her might, causing her to slam into the cabinet door with a loud “bang,” followed by a sharp pain in the back of her head.

Mei Xue endured the pain and said, “You’ve gone too far! This is my room, and I won’t let you act recklessly!”

“This isn’t up to you to decide!” Chun Xiu refused to give up. The more Mei Xue tried to stop her from searching, the more convinced she became that Yunyi was hiding in the cabinet. One side insisted on searching while the other refused, leading to a scuffle between them.

Chun Xiu worried that if this continued, Jiang Caiping would return with dinner before she could open the cabinet. Taking advantage of Mei Xue’s momentary distraction, she pushed her with all her strength, shoving her aside.

Caught off guard, Mei Xue was pushed once again into the cabinet. Then, her body went limp, and she slid to the ground, sitting in front of the cabinet, staring wide-eyed at Chun Xiu.

“Get out of the way!” Seeing that Mei Xue was still blocking the cabinet, preventing her from opening it, Chun Xiu tried to push her away. But as soon as she touched her, Mei Xue collapsed like a ragdoll, startling Chun Xiu greatly. She had no idea what had happened.

Regaining her composure, Chun Xiu kicked Mei Xue and muttered, “You… get up quickly! Stop pretending to be dead and scaring me!”

But Mei Xue showed no reaction, remaining completely still, her eyes still fixed on Chun Xiu, sending chills down Chun Xiu’s spine. Could it be…

“No, no!” Before she could finish the thought, Chun Xiu was already frantically denying it. She had only pushed Mei Xue—how could she possibly be dead?

But no matter how much she shouted or kicked, Mei Xue didn’t respond. Chun Xiu crouched down, trembling as she reached out to check for breath. The moment her fingers touched Mei Xue’s nose, she quickly pulled them back, her whole body shaking uncontrollably.