BXG - 39

◎ Into the Trap ◎

Madam Wang was a housekeeper introduced to the Liu family when they established their household in Bian Capital. Liu Daoren, who had risen from humble origins as a poor scholar, lived in a modest estate in a remote area. Lady Liu, being frugal, avoided purchasing fresh fruits at inflated prices from the imperial carriages used by noblewomen and instead sent servants to buy them.

In grand households, most servants were families living under the same roof, often loyal retainers raised since childhood. However, the Liu household was newly established and didn’t require such formalities. Madam Wang, who came from the countryside seeking work, couldn’t enter noble households and was thus recommended to the Liu residence.

She harbored thoughts of changing masters. Lady Liu’s frugality and Liu Daoren’s meager official salary made their household far from the opulence she imagined in Bian Capital. A year ago, when the eldest daughter married, she received a generous dowry, improving their circumstances.

But recently, misfortune seemed to plague them. The eldest daughter died, and trouble followed one after another. Lady Liu dismissed many servants, including the three maids who previously accompanied her on errands.

Madam Wang entered the familiar fruit shop alone, basket in hand. A young girl greeted her, taking the basket and leading her inside with a smile. “Madam, our new fruits are freshly arrived. You’re lucky to come today—please try some. If you like them, don’t forget to recommend us to others.”

The familiar shopkeeper and older servant weren’t present. Instead, two beautiful maids now worked there. Madam Wang shook her hands, feeling somewhat comforted by the maid’s cheerful smile. “I haven’t seen you before, lass. Is Master Zheng not here?”

“He’s visiting his hometown and won’t return for a while,” replied another maid at the counter, dressed in coarse linen and wearing a veil that covered her face, leaving only her striking eyes visible. “We’ve prepared some fresh pastries. If you like them, take more. I see you’re a regular customer, so no charge this time.”

“Thank you, miss. What’s wrong? Why the veil?”

“A slight cold, broke out in a rash, but it’s nothing serious.”

Madam Wang browsed around, charmed by the talkative maid. She sampled various pastries, unable to finish them all at once. The veiled maid brought her a stool and poured tea with great care.

“Are you related to Master Zheng? Such a lovely face!”

With no other customers, the two maids sat with her, chatting and enjoying pastries. Madam Wang, straightforward by nature, soon began airing her grievances: “Lately, things have been tough. Master faces setbacks, the eldest son caused trouble, and Lady Liu is consumed with avenging our daughter. We servants suffer, handling everything from shopping to cooking…”

The unveiled maid curiously asked, “Is Lady Liu the one who filed a blood petition at the Ministry of Justice? Such maternal love is truly admirable.”

Madam Wang, feeling proud, shared more details: “Indeed, it’s her.”

“It’s strange. Before marriage, the eldest daughter wasn’t particularly cherished. Preparations for her wedding were tumultuous. My elder sister who attended then whispered about the groom’s temper—oh my! Even immense wealth means nothing if one can’t enjoy it. The eldest daughter died tragically, and only then did Lady Liu awaken to her maternal instincts, disregarding her reputation entirely.”

Qu You glanced at Zhiling, who remained unveiled.

They chatted extensively with Madam Wang, plying her with pastries. After sending her off cheerfully, Ai Disheng entered, closing the door behind him.

“The Liu household has significant issues. Zhen’er’s testimony may not be entirely trustworthy.”

Qu You removed her veil, breathing deeply. When seeking help from Bai Ying, she coincidentally met Ai Disheng. After a brief discussion, he dispatched people to investigate the shops frequented by the Liu household, bringing them here.

“No time to ask earlier—why investigate the Liu household?” Ai Disheng poured himself tea, sitting beside Zhiling. “What’s wrong with her testimony?”

“She claims Lianxi failed to kill her husband and fell into a well instead,” Qu You recalled the confession. “At first glance, nothing seemed amiss. But Zhou Tan reminded me—in Yin law, a man killing his wife faces exile at worst, whereas a woman killing her husband is a grave offense, tarnishing her family’s reputation.”

Ai Disheng nodded. “True.”

“If Zhen’er were truly loyal as she claims, she wouldn’t have disclosed this. Only she and Lianxi knew. If she wished to conceal it, who would suspect? Moreover… she vividly portrayed Du Gaojun’s cruelty, likely intending to provoke anger and overshadow her vague account of events she didn’t witness firsthand.”

Zhiling, puzzled, asked, “Her indignation was deliberate?”

Qu You continued thoughtfully, “Precisely. She deliberately inflamed emotions to distract from her ambiguous narrative—though hinting Du Gaojun killed his wife, she never witnessed it herself. Such testimony evokes anger but lacks substance.”

A clever psychological tactic—not something Zhen’er likely devised independently.

Would a loyal servant of Liu Lianxi provide testimony damning her for murdering her husband while remaining ambiguous about her death?

Ai Disheng tapped his fingers on the table. Lean and astute, he wore spectacles and bore calluses from years of using an abacus. “Your points are speculative. Coincidences do exist.”

“Yes, which is why I rushed here from the Ministry of Justice,” Qu You forced a bitter smile. “At the banquet at High Chancellor’s residence, I encountered Lady Liu. Yunyue mentioned she was usually reserved. Yet, she publicly wept uncontrollably upon seeing me. Yunyue escorted her indoors to prevent a scene. This contrasts sharply with her reputed demeanor.”

“Both she and Zhen’er repeatedly emphasize Lianxi’s suffering. I struggle to believe a doting mother, willing to sacrifice her reputation, would advise patience before her daughter’s death and abandon concern for her son-in-law’s reputation afterward.”

Ai Disheng’s expression grew serious. “You suspect Lady Liu’s actions are deliberate?”

“I had doubts then but considered a grieving mother’s behavior understandable.” Qu You sighed. “Their actions and Zhen’er’s testimony both have inconsistencies, compelling me to investigate. As expected, what Madam Wang revealed confirms suspicions. Lady Liu, from humble origins, favored sons over daughters, neglecting Lianxi for her brother’s sake.”

Madam Wang’s casual chatter revealed much. Lady Liu’s favoritism shaped Lianxi’s timid nature, noted by Gao Yunyue initially. Valuing wealth, Lady Liu pressured Lianxi into marrying into the Du household, offering no support even when revelations of abuse emerged, advising only endurance.

“Madam suspects the entire case is a trap?” Ai Disheng understood her implication. “Du Gaojun murders his wife; Kyoto Prefecture investigates. Lord Fu intentionally shields him. Normally seamless—but someone orchestrated Lady Liu’s public outcry, ensuring Zhou Tan handled the case, preparing an unreliable maid’s testimony…”

“As Madam Wang said, misfortunes piled up post-Lianxi’s death, pressuring Lady Liu financially to seek Zhou Tan’s intervention at the Ministry of Justice.” Qu You bitterly smiled. “They likely assumed Zhou Tan and I, outraged by Fangxin Pavilion women’s plight, would blindly accept Lianxi’s tragic marriage and murder, incensed by the testimony. Consider—if Zhou Tan submitted it, what then?”

“If Zhen’er retracted her statement during joint tribunal or imperial court, severe consequences could follow.” Ai Disheng set down his teacup, contemplating. “Zhou Tan already bears a ruthless reputation for solving old cases. Retraction would confirm allegations of coercion—moreover, implicating Du Hui and Lord Fu might make the emperor question his motives against political rivals.”

“From Kyoto Prefecture’s initial trial to Zhou Tan’s investigation, days passed.” Qu You clenched her dress, frustration mounting yet suppressed. Closing her eyes, she exhaled deeply. “If Zhou Tan could dismantle Lord Fu’s influence so easily, they too can orchestrate his downfall.”

“Now entangled, extricating himself unscathed will prove challenging.”

Ai Disheng spoke gravely, “I’ll assign people to monitor Lady Liu and the maid at the Ministry of Justice. Does Zhou Tan know your findings?”

“He likely anticipated them.”

Qu You touched the key Zhou Tan handed her, recalling his parting words at the Ministry, her mind swirling. Despite hesitation, she withheld the key from Ai Disheng.

Zhou Tan’s directive—”act as if unaware”—surely had reasons.

This key, unknown to Du Gaojun and Lord Fu, was perhaps their scheme’s wildcard. Lianxi, married into the Du household for a year, understood ordinary corruption or misconduct wouldn’t implicate them as long as Lord Fu remained influential, enabling countless others like Peng Yue and Du Hui.

Zhou Tan might know something, but Lord Fu summoned him too hastily for further discussion.

How did he plan to resolve this?

Qu You and Zhiling changed clothes backstage, planning to return home. The carriage bells jingled softly. She suddenly recalled historical records—a century after Zhou Tan’s death, Yin perished in partisan strife, Western Shaos invading Bian Capital, engulfing half of Central Plains in flames.

Viewing life’s intrigues as an outsider felt ephemeral, but how must those embroiled perceive it?

Reflecting thus, Qu You lifted the carriage curtain. The driver respectfully inquired, “Madam?”

Qu You instructed, “Detour to Lord Fu’s workshop—fetch Master Zhou.”