NOVPUBShen Roujia nervously watched Gu Zhi’s bold actions, unable to stop herself from tugging at her sleeve.
“Master Qiao, we did not come here to disturb your peace. These matters are from the past generation. We only seek to understand the truth for the sake of peace of mind.”
Master Qiao’s gaze was fixed on the jade pendant, lost in thought.
Suddenly, he turned and ran into another room, returning with an identical jade pendant.
“I wronged her.”
With that, Master Qiao threw off his mask and began to cry bitterly.
Gu Zhi sighed, not attempting to console him, but instead, she looked at the bewildered Shen Roujia.
Shen Roujia shifted her gaze from Master Qiao to meet Gu Zhi’s eyes. “How did you find out?”
Gu Zhi replied calmly, “It all started with that jade pendant. This high-quality white jade mostly belongs to the royal family.”
“My mother’s dowry included many incense pastes and jade pendants, as well as a letter.”
Shen Roujia blinked, surprised by this new information and the deeper connections it revealed.
Gu Zhi continued, “This Master Qiao is none other than the late empress’s half-brother, Qiao Xun.”
Shen Roujia then looked at Master Qiao’s true face. He wasn’t very old, but his hands, corroded by years of working with incense, looked aged beyond their years.
She took a few steps forward. “Master Qiao, we mean no harm. The people of the past have long rested in cold graves. We only seek to give their descendants peace of mind.”
Qiao Xun had a scholarly appearance, even in his older age, one could still see traces of his former elegance. Why was a prominent Qiao family member hiding in a small black market like a rat?
Shen Roujia couldn’t fathom the past, but her curiosity was genuine.
Qiao Xun trembled as he looked at Shen Roujia. “Who are you?”
Shen Roujia pressed her lips together, not intending to reveal her identity.
“Qiao Chuyi’s life was filled with bitterness…”
Hearing the name, Qiao Xun’s heart sank.
“What is your real purpose?”
Gu Zhi grew impatient. “Master Qiao, I have investigated thoroughly. Luo Yunzhi was my mother. She was close friends with the late empress. We are here only to learn the truth. Were their deaths connected to these incense pastes?”
Qiao Xun’s eyes darted evasively. “I cannot make these pastes.”
Gu Zhi and Shen Roujia exchanged a glance before Gu Zhi sternly denied his claim. “Impossible. Don’t lie to me. I know you are not related by blood to the Qiao family.”
Qiao Xun laughed self-deprecatingly. “Why would I lie? Luo Yunzhi taught me how to make those pastes. When General Gu was still fighting on the battlefield, she was already a renowned incense master in the capital.”
Shen Roujia instinctively looked at Gu Zhi and saw her surprised expression. It seemed she had never known this side of her mother.
“What?”
Qiao Xun frowned. “She never told her only daughter?”
Gu Zhi’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Why should I believe you?”
Qiao Xun scoffed, “It seems she protected you well. Yet, you still chose to muddy these waters, against her wishes.”
