#125: Confrontation

Jiang Caiping quickly glanced at her and whispered, “After dinner, we worked on sewing clothes while chatting idly. We went to bed around the second watch. I was with Elder Sister Wu the whole time—she didn’t leave.”

Madam Wan adjusted her sleeves and said indifferently, “In other words, you don’t actually know whether Wu Meixue stayed in the room after you fell asleep, correct?”

Jiang Caiping froze for a moment before urgently blurting out, “Elder Sister Wu wouldn’t have left! Second Madam, please believe me. Elder Sister Wu hasn’t done anything wrong. The Feng family is falsely accusing her, just like when Jirong wrongly accused her of causing Amu’s death.”

A cold gleam flashed in Madam Wan’s eyes as she called over Zhixing and instructed, “Bring Aunt Yang and everyone from the Yuefang (music hall). I have questions for them.”

“Yes,” Zhixing replied obediently and withdrew. A short while later, she returned with Aunt Yang and a group of dancers. Fortunately, Yuxiu Pavilion was spacious enough that even with so many people present, it didn’t feel overly crowded.

After they had paid their respects, Madam Wan scanned the crowd and spoke slowly, “I’m sure all of you have heard about Chunxiu’s death. I have a few questions for you. If anyone knows anything, answer truthfully. Do not conceal or lie, or you will all be expelled from the Yuefang.”

Once everyone agreed, Madam Wan asked, “On the night of the ninth, did any of you see Wu Meixue leave the Yuefang?”

The women carefully recalled the events of that night. After a moment, one stepped forward and said, “To answer Second Madam’s question—I remember now. On the ninth night, Wu Meixue did indeed leave the Yuefang.”

Her words caused Jiang Caiping’s face to pale. She bit down hard on her full lower lip, her fingers twisting so tightly they turned white. At the same time, she felt a sharp sting on her scalp—she knew it was Madam Wan’s piercing gaze.

Madam Wan stared at Jiang Caiping for a moment before shifting her attention to the dancer who had spoken. “When? And where did she go?”

The dancer thought for a moment and replied, “It was probably around the first or second watch. As for where she went, I didn’t follow her, so I don’t know.”

Madam Wan gave a slight nod and looked at the others. “Did anyone else see her?”

After a brief silence, Zhao Shi stepped forward and said, “To inform Second Madam, though I didn’t see Wu Meixue leave the Yuefang on the ninth, I do know something.”

“Speak,” Madam Wan commanded.

Zhao Shi hesitated briefly before continuing, “That day was Chunxiu’s first day back in the Yuefang. Aunt Yang assigned me to share a room with her. After practice, I went to the kitchen to fetch our meal. When I returned, Chunxiu was nowhere to be found, so I searched for her. Eventually, I discovered her peeking through the window of Meixue’s quarters…” Her cheeks flushed slightly as she added in a low voice, “They were bathing.”

Aside from Meixue and her companions, only Zhao Shi knew about this incident. Hearing her recount it now, the others exchanged looks of surprise and disgust—it was natural; no one would appreciate being spied on. Zhao Shi continued, “Because I called out to her, Jiang Caiping and the others noticed and came out, leading to an argument with Chunxiu.”

“Do you know why Chunxiu did this?” Madam Wan asked.

Zhao Shi replied, “I did ask her, and she said it was out of curiosity. But I always felt there must have been another reason. Later, when we were about to eat, Chunxiu suddenly asked if she could leave the mansion. I told her it might be possible with a pass. Shortly afterward, she left and didn’t return all night. The next day, I heard she had forcibly taken Steward Lin’s pass and left the mansion.”

Madam Wan lowered her head in thought for a moment before saying, “So you don’t actually know why Chunxiu left the mansion?”

“That’s right, but…” Zhao Shi glanced at Yunyi and hesitated. Seeing her expression, Madam Wan urged, “Speak freely.”

“Yes,” Zhao Shi stammered nervously. “I always felt Chunxiu’s sudden departure was related to her spying on Meixue and the others while they bathed. Moreover, as far as I know, Chunxiu and Meixue never got along well. Even her demotion to the firewood shed was partly due to this.”

Zhao Shi’s words received unanimous agreement from the others. The deep rift between Chunxiu and Yunyi was well-known throughout the Yuefang.

After signaling Zhao Shi to step aside, Madam Wan fixed her gaze on Jiang Caiping. “You claim Wu Meixue never left your sight before the second watch. Then how do you explain someone seeing her leave the Yuefang? Are you saying they’re also lying?”

Jiang Caiping faltered, her words evasive. “I already said I don’t clearly remember that night. Perhaps… Elder Sister might have gone to the kitchen with the food box for a short while and quickly returned, which is why I momentarily forgot.”

Madam Wan’s expression darkened. “Sometimes you say you remember, sometimes you don’t. Jiang Caiping, how dare you spout lies in front of me!”

Jiang Caiping’s legs trembled under her stern rebuke. At that moment, Yunyi interjected, “Second Madam, please don’t trouble Caiping. I admit I did leave the Yuefang, but I didn’t leave the mansion. Therefore, Chunxiu’s death has nothing to do with me.”

Madam Wan stared at her and asked sharply, “Where did you go?”

Yunyi hesitated for a moment before lowering her gaze and replying softly, “Please forgive me, Second Madam, but Meixue cannot say.”

“Cannot say, or simply can’t come up with an explanation!” Feng Cheng pointed at Yunyi, his teeth clenched in rage. “Wu Meixue, you killed Chunxiu! Today, I demand blood for blood!”

“No!” Wu Laosan hurriedly exclaimed, “No, my daughter didn’t do it! She just said she didn’t leave the mansion—you’re falsely accusing her!”

“False accusation?” Feng Cheng sneered repeatedly. The next moment, he knelt before Madam Wan and pleaded, “Madam, the matter is now clear. Wu Meixue secretly left the mansion and killed Chunxiu. This girl…” He pointed at Jiang Caiping. “…helped Wu Meixue cover it up, making her an accomplice. Please hand these two over to me so they can be judged by the county magistrate!”

Hearing this, Jiang Caiping cried out desperately, “Madam, Elder Sister Wu doesn’t have a pass. How could she possibly leave the mansion? If you don’t believe me, you can check Steward Lin and the gatekeeper’s records. Elder Sister Wu is innocent!”

Madam Wan locked her gaze onto Yunyi. “Wu Meixue, I’ll give you one more chance. Where were you last night?”

Yunyi didn’t answer directly but instead responded, “Where I was isn’t important. The gatekeeper’s records are enough to prove my innocence.”

Madam Wan said coldly, “Those records can only prove you didn’t leave through the main gate. They cannot confirm that you didn’t leave the Taishou’s mansion.”

“You’re right,” Yunyi countered calmly. “Aside from the main gate, the mansion has several side entrances. However, those gates are locked every evening after the hour of You. Unless someone climbed the walls, it would be impossible to leave. Or does Madam believe Meixue can scale walls and leap across rooftops?” In truth, she could, but no one knew this.

Madam Wan leaned on Zhixing’s arm and slowly walked up to Yunyi. “If that’s the case, then you should truthfully reveal where you were last night. Only then can you clear your name.”

Yunyi met her gaze steadily for a long moment before shaking her head. “Are you truly trying to clear Meixue’s name, or do you simply refuse to believe her, Madam?”