#126: A Plea for Help

Madam Wan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a cold and piercing light flickering in their depths. “Since you can’t account for your whereabouts last night, there’s nothing more I can do for you.” With that, she turned to Feng Cheng and said, “Take Wu Meixue away.”

This was exactly what Feng Cheng had been waiting for. He immediately expressed his gratitude and, along with his brothers and Feng Chunming, moved forward to grab Yunyi and Jiang Caiping, dragging them toward the exit.

Madam Wan’s expression turned frosty as she snapped, “Didn’t you hear me clearly? Who gave you permission to take Jiang Caiping?”

Feng Cheng was taken aback by her question and stammered awkwardly, “Jiang Caiping deliberately shielded Wu Meixue after the murder, making her an accomplice. She should also be handed over to the county magistrate for punishment.”

Madam Wan responded indifferently, “I will deal with Jiang Caiping myself. You don’t need to concern yourself with it.”

Feng Cheng muttered an acknowledgment. Though reluctant, he wasn’t foolish enough to offend Madam Wan, knowing full well that she was not someone he could afford to cross. Besides, the “main culprit” was already in his grasp, so the accomplice seemed less important now.

As Yunyi was about to be dragged away, Wu Laosan knelt before Madam Wan, kowtowing repeatedly, tears streaming down his aged face. “Meixue is truly innocent! Please, Madam, help her—help her!”

Jiang Caiping also pleaded endlessly on Yunyi’s behalf. But Madam Wan remained expressionless, saying, “It’s not that I don’t want to help her—it’s that I simply can’t.” With that, she instructed Steward Lin, “Escort them out.”

“Sister!” Jiang Caiping was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan, but there was nothing she could do. She could only watch as Yunyi was forcibly dragged away. As they passed by, Yunyi whispered in a voice only Jiang Caiping could hear, “Find Second Young Master!”

In this dire situation, only Li Shimin had the authority to save her!

Yunyi’s words gave Jiang Caiping a glimmer of hope. Fearing Madam Wan might notice, she didn’t dare respond verbally or nod, but conveyed her understanding with a subtle glance.

Once Yuxiu Pavilion returned to its usual quiet, Madam Wan turned her gaze to Jiang Caiping and asked coldly, “Do you know your crime?”

Jiang Caiping wiped the tears from her face, her expression defiant. “Madam, please see reason. Elder Sister Wu is not the murderer!”

“It seems you still show no remorse,” Madam Wan remarked icily. Turning to Zhixing, she commanded, “Take her outside and give her thirty strokes. Then expel her from the mansion permanently.”

“Yes,” Zhixing replied. She summoned two servants, who flanked Jiang Caiping and escorted her to the courtyard. While one servant went to fetch the cane and stool, Jiang Caiping suddenly broke free from the other’s grip and fled.

It was the first time anyone had dared to run away after Madam Wan had ordered punishment. Zhixing and the others were momentarily stunned. Once they snapped out of it, they hurriedly chased after her.

What a spectacle it was—one person running ahead, several others chasing behind. The mansion’s servants had never witnessed such a scene; they all stared in shock.

Breathing heavily, Zhixing swore inwardly that once she caught Jiang Caiping, she would make sure Madam Wan increased the punishment. How dare she run! It was sheer audacity.

Jiang Caiping ran desperately, knowing that if Zhixing caught up to her, she’d lose her chance. When she reached Jingji Pavilion, the guards at the entrance blocked her path. “This is Second Young Master’s residence. No trespassing!”

Jiang Caiping glanced back anxiously and pleaded, “I have urgent matters to discuss with Second Young Master. Please let me in.”

The guard scrutinized her briefly and said, “Wait here. I’ll inform Second Young Master.”

“There’s no time!” By then, Zhixing and the others had caught up. Gasping for breath, Zhixing barked, “You… stop right there!”

Summoning her courage, Jiang Caiping pushed past the guard and rushed inside. First, she had escaped Yuxiu Pavilion, and now she was forcing her way into Jingji Pavilion. Never in her life had she been this bold!

“Hey! Stop! You’re not allowed in!” The guard hadn’t expected Jiang Caiping to dare trespass into Jingji Pavilion and hurriedly pursued her, with Zhixing and the others close behind.

“Second Young Master! Second Young Master!” Jiang Caiping shouted as she ran. She first checked the main hall, then the secondary hall, but found no trace of Li Shimin. Just as she was about to search the eastern and western reception halls, a servant grabbed her firmly and scolded, “You insolent girl! How dare you barge into Jingji Pavilion? Do you want to die? Come with me at once!”

Jiang Caiping pleaded urgently, “No, I have a life-and-death matter to discuss with Second Young Master. Please take me to him!”

The servant ignored her protests and forcibly dragged her outside. By then, Zhixing and the others had arrived. Catching her breath, Zhixing explained, “She’s a dancer from the Yuefang who violated the rules and fled when Madam ordered her punishment. We must take her back immediately.”

Recognizing Zhixing, the servant didn’t interfere and handed Jiang Caiping over to her. The latter struggled desperately, shouting repeatedly for Li Shimin. Fearing she might actually summon him, which would complicate matters, Zhixing signaled the two servants accompanying her. They understood and gagged Jiang Caiping, then carried her out.

Just as they were about to leave Jingji Pavilion, Li Shimin’s voice rang out from behind them. “What’s going on?”

The gatekeeper quickly approached and respectfully reported, “Second Young Master, someone from the Yuefang trespassed into Jingji Pavilion, claiming she needed to see you. Miss Zhixing is currently taking her away.”

“To see me?” Li Shimin was surprised. Meanwhile, Zhixing stepped forward, bowed her head, and said humbly, “Forgive this servant for my negligence in allowing her to escape and disturb you, Second Young Master. I’ll take her away immediately.”

“Mmmph! Mmm!” Jiang Caiping tried desperately to turn and speak, but with her mouth tightly covered, her words came out muffled and unintelligible.

Li Shimin’s heart stirred. He walked over to Jiang Caiping, who was being firmly restrained by two servants. Though her lower face was covered, he recognized her instantly. “Release her.”

Zhixing’s expression shifted slightly, and she forced a smile. “Second Young Master, Madam is waiting for me to bring her back.”

“No need to rush. Release her.” Seeing Li Shimin’s resolute demeanor, Zhixing had no choice but to signal the servants to let go. Once freed, Jiang Caiping immediately rushed to grab Li Shimin’s sleeve and pleaded, “Second Young Master, please save Elder Sister Wu! She’s about to be wrongfully killed!”

“Meixue?” Li Shimin was startled, then grew tense. “What happened to her?”

Jiang Caiping quickly recounted the events that had transpired in Yuxiu Pavilion and continued, “Though Elder Sister Wu did leave that night, I know her character well—she would never kill anyone. They’re falsely accusing her! Second Young Master, only you can save her now. Please, I beg of you!” Tears streamed down her face in desperation.

Li Shimin patted her back soothingly. “Don’t worry. I will thoroughly investigate this matter and clear Meixue’s name.” Turning to Zhixing, he said, “Jiang Caiping will stay with me for now. If it’s proven that she indeed committed the crime of shielding a murderer, I will personally hand her over to Mother for punishment.”