“This… Young Master, do you recognize this garment?”
Leng Mingye’s inquiry, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed with suspicion, made Mu Zhenfeng inwardly curse his luck. Nonetheless, he forced a flattering smile and cupped his hands in greeting.
“I’ve seen it before. However, Marquis, unless you reveal where this garment came from, your entire household may be implicated in a series of murders that occurred in the capital a few days ago.”
Leng Mingye cast a glance at Mu Zhenfeng’s obsequious grin before elegantly taking a seat. Pointing at the garment tossed at his feet, he spoke with a cold smile.
“A series of murders? Young Master, are you referring to the incident involving the flower thief in the capital a few days ago? Wasn’t the mastermind already apprehended? Could this garment…”
Mu Zhenfeng’s expression shifted to alarm as he cautiously speculated.
“Though the court captured one man, who’s to say he was the true mastermind? I once crossed swords with the real culprit, and his sleeve bore this exact pattern. Marquis, unless you clarify the origin of this garment, you may have to accompany me to the palace to explain this matter to His Majesty.”
Leng Mingye’s tone was unhurried, his gaze piercing as he watched Mu Zhenfeng, clearly demanding an explanation.
“This…” Hearing that he might have to face the Emperor, Mu Zhenfeng’s aged face twisted with unease.
“This garment was found in Fourth Sister’s room. Given her character and integrity, I’m certain she would never associate with any flower thief. Fourth Sister, you must honestly explain everything to Father, Young Master, and His Highness Prince Ning. Otherwise, no one can save you.”
Just as Mu Zhenfeng hesitated and Wanqing pondered how her father would handle the situation, Mu Wanxia’s gentle voice chimed in, addressing Mu Wanyu, who knelt trembling on the floor.
“You—”
Mu Zhenfeng had been struggling to respond to Leng Mingye when his eldest daughter suddenly spoke up. Though he wished to shield Mu Wanyu, he could only shoot a reproachful glance at Mu Wanxia before turning back to Leng Mingye with an ingratiating bow.
Seeing no immediate reaction, he finally looked toward Mu Wanyu beside Concubine Xu and asked,
“Yu’er, speak up. Where did you get this garment?”
“I… I dare not say… I—”
Expecting Mu Wanyu to remain silent under false accusations, Wanqing was startled when the girl glanced fearfully in her direction before lowering her head and stammering.
That fleeting glance sent a chill down Wanqing’s spine—*Had someone seen me burying the garment?*
“If you reveal its origin, I will ensure justice is served. But if you conceal the truth, don’t blame me for failing to warn you… Qingfeng.”
Leng Mingye’s patience wore thin as he recalled the garment’s significance.
After emerging from the lake that day, he had gathered everyone in the front courtyard—only for the pavilion to catch fire. Though he’d dispatched Qingfeng to investigate, he suspected the arsonist was the same person who had assaulted him.
Later, interrogating Madam Gui, he discovered a missing woman. Fortunately, the fire was contained, and the rooms suffered minimal damage.
The woman’s wet clothes remained, but a man’s garment was missing—one belonging to a merchant from Daming. The only clues left were the woman’s waist token and this very garment, leading him to the Marquis’s estate.
Initially, he’d planned to enlist the help of a certain fool to investigate, but subsequent events had derailed that. Now, seeing the garment here—emblazoned with the merchant’s family crest—his fury surged.
If the culprit was within the Marquis’s household, possibly even Fourth Miss Mu, the thought made his skin crawl as if swarmed by countless toads.
Yet he suppressed his rage, fixing Mu Wanyu with a calm gaze. As he set down his teacup, it crumbled into dust beneath his fingers.
“I…” Mu Wanyu trembled violently under his stare, sweat beading on her forehead as Qingfeng stepped forward.
Her terror only stoked Leng Mingye’s wrath. Slamming a hand on the table, he demanded coldly, “Speak.”
“I—I dare not! If I do… she’ll kill me!”
Mu Wanyu quivered like a leaf in a storm, her voice breaking as she clutched the ground for support.
“While my patience lasts, confess, and I’ll overlook this. Refuse, and I’ll send you to meet King Yama myself.”
Leng Mingye’s tone was icy, his threat hanging heavy in the air. Concubine Xu and Mu Zhenfeng paled.
“Young Master, please, spare her!” Concubine Xu kowtowed frantically, her forehead striking the floor.
“I—I’ll talk! Second Sister, forgive me… I must betray you to survive! The garment… it was you who gave it to me! Whether you’re tied to that flower thief, I swear I don’t know! Young Master—”
Mu Wanyu’s confession spilled out under her parents’ frantic stares, especially her mother’s desperate pleas. She froze when Leng Mingye’s eyes narrowed, shrinking into herself.
Finally, Wanqing pieced it together—*They’ve conspired to frame me.*
Had someone truly witnessed her burying the garment? Though she’d seen no one at the time, she now reassessed these women with fresh wariness.
“Yu’er, how absurd! Qing’er, I know Yu’er has wronged you before, but you’ve retaliated, haven’t you? It’s not that we lack compassion, but under these circumstances…”
Concubine Xu scolded her daughter, though their trembling arms and sweaty brows betrayed their fear. When Mu Wanyu stayed silent, the concubine turned tearful eyes to Wanqing.
Yet beneath those tears, Wanqing caught a glint of triumph.
*So this is their game.* If she didn’t act now, her two lifetimes of experience would be for naught.
“Enough, Concubine Xu. Save your theatrics. Fourth Sister, I ask you plainly—did I truly give you this garment? Lie, and when Young Master and Prince Ning uncover the truth, you’ll regret it.”
Wanqing’s smile was cool as she cut off the concubine’s act. If they sought to trap her, they’d need far sharper wits. Now, she’d unravel this mystery herself.
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