NOVPUB43: Chapter 31 Incident_2
43 -31 Incident_2 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Ran Yan paused slightly, this voice, it seemed familiar…
“Brother.” The youth turned his head, a mix of respect and awe audible in his voice.
“I’m heading back first,” the cold voice declared.
That’s right!
Ran Yan suddenly remembered, it was the Purple Bamboo Umbrella!
It was the pharmacist from the Su family who lent her the umbrella that day.
“Brother, aren’t you coming home?
Mother…” The young man’s voice was urgent, but recalling the presence of others nearby, he swallowed the rest of his words.
The pharmacist from the Su family didn’t reply, merely pausing for a moment before turning to leave.
The wind brushed the drooping branches, fleetingly revealing half of his profile; a straight nose, lips neither thick nor thin, each curve as if chiseled with precision, devoid of any flaw.
Su Jingze’s mood seemed to worsen; he didn’t bother looking for any maids and followed in the direction the pharmacist had gone, “Brother, listen to me…”
Yan Fangfei exhaled, saying with a lingering fear, “That young man’s brother is terrifying, his voice alone chills you to the bone.”
Qi Yuxiu emerged from the bushes, “Su Jingze is the legitimate youngest son of Medicine King Su’s family!
The one he’s calling brother must be that legendary Su Erlang, who is said to be even more beautiful than a celestial being!”
After Qi Yuxiu finished speaking excitedly, he noticed Ran Yan rolling her eyes and huffing before retracting her head back into the bushes.
“Su Erlang?
Su Fu?” Yan Fangfei’s expression carried a hint of regret, “What a pity, even at such a close distance, I still didn’t get a clear look at his face.”
Su Fu…
Ran Yan glanced at where he had stood, she had never seen someone be so thoroughly cold, like a hell that never saw sunlight, where even without seeing his face, one could feel the chill emanating from him.
“Su Erlang’s mother was a Hu Ji,” Yan Fangfei said staring in the direction the Su brothers had left, with a tone of regret, “They say her skin is as fair as snow, bright eyes, shining teeth, and especially her eyes, capable of ensnaring souls.
It’s such a shame, Su Erlang rarely shows himself, ah, what a rare opportunity missed.”
As they spoke, Qi Yuxiu and two Noble Ladies leaped out from hiding in the bushes.
Qi Yuxiu whispered, “Don’t make a sound!
Don’t make a sound!
There’s another one coming.” Her gaze quickly swept over Wan Lu, and she ordered, “You, go and draw that person over here.”
Their maids were left at the Water Pavilion, and Yan Fangfei echoed, “Yes, yes, Ran Yan, lend us your maid for a moment.”
Wan Lu was also eager and looked at Ran Yan, who had no choice but to say, “You go, just lead him over here, and don’t run around everywhere.”
“Understood, Mistress!” With permission granted, Wan Lu picked up the hem of her dress and scampered out of the Muxiang flower pavilion.
Qi Yuxiu’s attitude softened a little toward Ran Yan, grateful for the loan of the maid, a typical child’s mentality.
Thus, Ran Yan’s impression of Qi Yuxiu also slightly improved.
No matter how poised Yan Fangfei was, she was after all only sixteen or seventeen, spurred on by Qi Yuxiu, she too quickly lost her composure and parted the flowers, joining Qi Yuxiu to intently watch a figure in dark green luxurious clothes in the distance.
Glancing through a gap, Ran Yan couldn’t help but smile; it seemed they were destined to be disappointed this time.
That young man in the dark green luxurious clothes, she had seen him when he had entered the residence, named Zhang Fei, an acquaintance of Qin Musheng.
Though it was only a brief glimpse, it was clear that his appearance was quite ordinary.
He had an air of bookishness when silent and unsmiling, but the moment he laughed, he seemed rather sleazy.
Wan Lu flashed by the young man’s side, and he vaguely caught sight of a maid’s silhouette, his heart leaped with joy, thinking he had struck it lucky and immediately followed in pursuit.
Inside the sweet osmanthus flower pavilion, a minor disturbance arose; at this moment, another commotion ensued on the Water Pavilion behind.
Lady Ling’s urgent and stern voice could be faintly heard, “Hurry and see what happened!”
Immediately, the sound of hurried footsteps ensued, and a group of women ran out from the Water Pavilion.
Qi Yuxiu, Yan Fangfei, and several others also turned back with surprised looks, gazing at Lady Ling who led them, pale-faced.
Qi Yuxiu’s maid hurried to her side, casting a glance at Ran Yan in the process and whispered in a lowered voice, “Wife, someone has died.
They say that Qin Silang was led by lustful intentions, wanting to assault the maid of Yin Sanniang, but the maid refused and dashed her head to death!”
Qi Yuxiu’s mouth gaped in surprise; she glanced at Ran Yan too, then hurriedly followed the rest.
Yan Fangfei grabbed Ran Yan and, thinking she was stunned with fear, urged her anxiously, “Why are you standing there dumbstruck?
Your betrothed has gotten involved in another death.
Aren’t you going to check it out?”
Without waiting for Ran Yan’s consent, she pulled her along as they ran with the others.
Ran Yan looked back at the garden, only to see the figure of Zhang Fei, but Wan Lu was nowhere in sight, probably hiding.
Zhang Fei, hesitating upon seeing the group of hurried women, followed behind them after a moment.
The location of the maid’s death was the Jade Orchid Residence.
According to Yan Fangfei, it had always been vacant with no one from the Yin family living there, usually just used to entertain guests.
Was Qin Musheng truly so lascivious?
Ran Yan had her doubts.
He never used such despicable methods even on a beauty like Qi Liuniang, so why would he force himself onto a maid?
Or perhaps, he was afraid of the Qi Family’s power and thus did not dare to act?
Many questions surfaced in her mind, but what she found most intolerable was that not only was she betrothed to a good-for-nothing playboy, he was also someone who constantly stirred up trouble!
The group arrived swiftly at the Jade Orchid Residence, where Ran Yan saw that there were already many people in the courtyard, realizing that the Yin family must have deliberately leaked the news to get so many people to come as witnesses.
After all, Qin Musheng was the son of Upper Assistant Qin and couldn’t be easily accused.
Seeing so many beautiful women, young men couldn’t contain their excitement, wishing they had more eyes.
The matter of Qin Musheng was only a spectacle for them, not something they took to heart.
The focus of those gazes was on Ran Yan and Qi Liuniang.
They were especially interested in Ran Yan, this unfamiliar beauty, and many of them guessed her identity.
Rumors had been circulating in the city that Ran Shiqi’s beauty could surpass the number one beauty of Suzhou; now it seemed she was indeed her superior!
“Shiqi!” Qin Musheng’s face was somewhat pale.
He was already not in a good mood, and seeing those lecherous eyes constantly staring at Ran Yan made him feel even worse.
He quickly came over and shielded her.
Although many people had already guessed, they couldn’t help feeling emotional upon confirmation; such a fine flower spoiled by a pig!
Ran Yan ignored him and just leaned forward to see the body.
The maid’s clothes were disheveled, sprawled on the stairs under the corridor, with fresh blood on her forehead, and fresh bloodstains also on the pillar nearby.
It seemed she had indeed collided with the pillar in an attempt to flee from the assault, committing suicide.
As people around were discussing animatedly, Qin Musheng’s face grew uglier, veins on his forehead bulging, and he looked like he was about to explode.
Fearing he would cause more trouble, Ran Yan grabbed his wrist and said, “Calm down for now.
If it wasn’t you, the Forensic Doctor’s examination will make it clear.”
Qin Musheng, as if grabbing onto a lifesaver, clasped Ran Yan’s hand firmly and said, “Shiqi, I didn’t kill her.
I was following the clues from the poems earlier, and when I saw the shadow of a maid entering the Jade Orchid Residence, I followed her in.
When I arrived, she was already dead on the ground.
It has nothing to do with me!
You believe me.”
The onlookers weren’t paying much attention to his words, their eyes fixating on Qin Musheng holding Ran Yan’s hand, their eyes green with envy; why does he get to take advantage at such a time!
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Dear classmates, I’m working so hard here, I’m begging for your collections, votes, clicks, and comments—anything at all.
It’s nerve-wracking launching a new book, truly~~~~~~
