BXG - 17

Eavesdropping

To Qu You’s surprise, Zhou Tan returned home in the evening and joined her for dinner.

By the time Qu You returned to the manor, it was already mid-evening. Seeing her exhaustion, Nurse Yun instructed the kitchen to prepare a meal quickly. Within moments, six dishes and a soup were served.

During her visit to her mother’s house, Qu You had mentioned needing reliable servants. The next day, several trustworthy and diligent old servants recommended by the Qu family arrived. With their help, she swiftly reorganized the household according to her vision.

Her initial internal management rules proved effective, and Nurse Yun and Uncle De handled matters meticulously, enforcing clear rewards and punishments. Since Qu You neither beat the servants nor demanded excessive obeisance, the entire Zhou residence became orderly within a short time, and the servants’ morale improved significantly.

At first, a few servants with ulterior motives or sticky fingers attempted to curry favor with the mistress, but with the mistress often absent, they turned to Nurse Yun and Uncle De instead. However, the two were incorruptible and sent offenders directly to the Zhaosi Office without hesitation.

Qu You tasted a bite of the Eight Treasures Fish before her, finding it far superior to previous meals. Even though she hadn’t intended to savor it, she couldn’t help but praise the kitchen’s efforts.

Nurse Yun beamed beside her: “The head chef was quite intrigued by the recipes you provided earlier and asked me to request more from you. However, there are a few terms—like ‘ham’—that he doesn’t understand…”

“Cough, cough…” Qu You choked, about to reply, when the gatekeeper suddenly announced Zhou Tan’s return.

Zhou Tan hadn’t even changed out of his official robes, merely removing his hat before arriving at Tuanluan Courtyard where Qu You dined. From afar, she spotted him in his crimson official attire. As he entered, she asked concernedly: “How is the case progressing?”

Zhou Tan remained silent, waiting patiently for Nurse Yun to hand him silver chopsticks. He lowered his gaze and began eating quietly.

With his arrival, the surrounding maids and Nurse Yun refrained from speaking further. Catching their cue, Qu You glanced up, and the others discreetly withdrew, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

The only dessert on the table was chilled mango pudding with milk—a recipe Qu You had shared with the kitchen staff. Due to the scarcity of coconut milk, they substituted it with cow’s milk, but the flavor remained similar.

Zhou Tan seemed to enjoy the dessert immensely but refrained from indulging too much, maintaining a rhythm of taking three bites of food before sipping the pudding, likely to avoid drawing attention.

Qu You leaned on her elbow, watching him thoughtfully as she recalled Yan Wuping’s earlier request.

She wasn’t sure if Yan Wuping recognized her as the original owner or knew her identity, but given her family’s limited influence, if she truly wanted to discreetly relocate the women from Fangxin Pavilion as Yan Wuping suggested, seeking Zhou Tan’s assistance would be ideal.

Yet, she no longer trusted Zhou Tan.

Doubts swirled in her mind, always nudging her toward the worst-case scenario.

The worst possibility was that Zhou Tan colluded with Peng Yue, perhaps even involving himself in Fangxin Pavilion’s affairs. His current actions might simply be a pretense. If she sought his help, he might immediately inform Peng Yue and suppress the matter entirely.

Perhaps she should find a way to test him.

As Qu You plotted silently, Zhou Tan finished eating at some point. He gently set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and said: “There’s only one person surnamed Yan in the Temple of Punishments. The Ministry has already sent men to apprehend him. However, this individual is a trusted subordinate of Chief Peng Yue. Earlier, Peng sent word that he intends to visit our residence. When he arrives, you need not appear.”

Qu You pushed the bowl of mango pudding toward him: “Why not?”

Zhou Tan glanced down at it, pursing his lips as he tried to ignore the dessert he clearly enjoyed: “No need to ask further.”

With that, he rose and left the courtyard, instructing Nurse Yun to prepare Xinji Hall for the guest.

So Zhou Tan had returned specifically to meet Peng Yue. But what could be so important that they couldn’t discuss it at the Ministry?

Qu You immediately stood and followed Zhou Tan outside.

Xinji Hall, which she had personally decorated, featured not only a secondary door behind the screen but also ample space concealed behind the pearl curtains. While Zhou Tan went to change, she slipped into Xinji Hall unnoticed.

Peng Yue arrived shortly thereafter, dismissing the servants before engaging in casual conversation with Zhou Tan.

The pearl curtains were far from the main seating area, and Qu You dared not peek out. She could only faintly discern that Peng Yue was around forty years old, with a voice smooth and oily like Liang An’s: “Brother Zhou, why didn’t Lady Zhou join us? You’ve always been single until now. I hear your wife is renowned throughout the capital—it must feel good to finally have someone… You should…”

His words grew muffled, and Qu You couldn’t catch the rest. Zhou Tan’s usual cold tone responded: “My wife is unwell and unable to receive guests. Please forgive her absence, Lord Peng.”

Peng Yue laughed heartily: “No matter. Speaking of which, Brother Zhou, you must know the purpose of my visit today. Though I call you ‘brother,’ in truth… Grand Secretary Fu has always… And Concubine Gui and Ninth Prince…”

He spoke a few more sentences, to which Zhou Tan tersely replied. Their dialogue, while seemingly innocuous, revealed Peng Yue’s allegiance to Grand Secretary Fu Qingnian’s faction, supporting Concubine Gui and the Ninth Prince.

Concubine Gui had orchestrated Zhou Tan’s marriage, thwarting his engagement to the daughter of Chancellor Gao Ze. Clearly, Peng Yue’s visit aimed to court Zhou Tan’s support.

They chatted idly for some time before finally discussing Yan Wuping. To Qu You’s surprise, Peng Yue claimed complete indifference to Yan Wuping, urging Zhou Tan to disregard his face and interrogate Yan freely.

Qu You wasn’t surprised that Peng Yue sought to pin all blame on Yan Wuping, but his tone exuded confidence and arrogance.

If Zhou Tan and Peng Yue were colluding, Peng wouldn’t dare speak so brazenly in front of him.

Without collusion, how could Peng Yue be so certain that Yan Wuping wouldn’t implicate him during interrogation?

As these questions churned in her mind, Qu You felt a slight sense of relief. Neither Zhou Tan nor Peng Yue knew she was eavesdropping, so their conversation wasn’t staged for her benefit. It seemed unlikely that Zhou Tan, ruthless as he might be, would consort with someone like Peng Yue in despicable schemes.

Peng Yue’s laughter occasionally drifted through the curtains. Qu You reached out to touch the tall blue-and-white porcelain vase before her. Its icy surface sent a shiver down her spine, snapping her back to attention.

How could Peng Yue guarantee Yan Wuping’s silence?

Why did he insist on visiting Zhou Tan late at night? Initially, Qu You thought he came to plead for Yan Wuping, but their conversation held no real substance.

As if to confirm her suspicions, hurried footsteps echoed outside.

He San appeared at the door, his tone panicked: “Master—”

Zhou Tan’s voice remained calm but tinged with displeasure: “I have a guest.”

Ignoring protocol, He San pressed on: “Master, half an hour ago, a fire broke out in a residential building on East Street. Despite our vigilance, we were caught off guard. By the time the water brigade arrived, it was too late.”

How could he guarantee Yan Wuping’s silence?

—Of course, by silencing him permanently!

He had come to Zhou Tan beforehand to distance himself from suspicion!

Qu You clutched the wooden hairpin tightly, sliding down to sit on the floor against the porcelain vase.

Had Yan Wuping anticipated this move?

Zhou Tan sat composedly in his seat, glancing sidelong at Peng Yue. Peng Yue feigned shock, though his eyes gleamed with triumph: “Lord Zhou, whom did you send to watch over the suspect on East Street? What does this mean? Did the suspect perish in the fire?”