At that moment, Shao Shang and Yuan Shen were inspecting the crime scene. She stared at the wall Liang Shang had leaned against when he died for a long while, then remarked curiously, "Since it was a stab straight to the heart, why is there so little bloodstain on this wall? I heard the corpse bled profusely." Why weren't there any splatter patterns on the wall?
Yuan Shen replied, "I examined the corpse. The weapon was a short dagger that only pierced the chest and abdomen without penetrating the torso. That's why no blood seeped through my uncle's back."
Shao Shang snorted, "Sounds like the work of a strong man."
"Or a woman with skillful technique," Yuan Shen countered.
Shao Shang shot him a glare before continuing, "Aside from the fatal stab wound, were there any other injuries on your uncle?"
Yuan Shen frowned, "Old wounds aside, there were fresh scratch marks circling both his wrists. But that morning, my uncle had quarreled with his wife. When he tried to assault her, two Martial Maids restrained his hands... So the coroner couldn't determine whether the killer had also grabbed his wrists."
Shao Shang cautiously asked, "Did the coroner... examine your uncle's stomach contents by any chance..."
Yuan Shen looked displeased and flicked his sleeve, "What kind of question is that, Shao Shang? The dead should be respected. Having a coroner examine the body was already a reluctant concession. Performing an autopsy would be utterly inhumane. My uncle was the Liang family's legitimate eldest son after all. If his remains were incomplete, it would bring shame upon the entire Liang household!"
Shao Shang quickly raised her hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, my mistake. No autopsy then! I just wanted to know what your uncle ate that day." Coroners these days probably only determined time of death anyway.
Yuan Shen's anger subsided as he mused, "...You seem to have believed from the start that someone else killed my uncle, and that my aunt and You Tong are innocent."
"Exactly," Shao Shang nodded. "I thought so when I first came here yesterday."
"Why is that?" Yuan Shen asked, puzzled.
"First, your uncle was stabbed from the front. Even if no blood seeped through his back, what about the front? With such a large wound, how could the assailant not get any blood on them? Yet You Tong's fur cloak and clothes that day showed no bloodstains at all. I had people interrogate the other servants and found no evidence that You Tong had hidden or destroyed any bloodstained clothes."
Yuan Shen smiled, "How insightful of you, Shao Shang. Very well, is there a second point?"
Shao Shang continued, "Second, because Lord Ling told me he knows Madam Qu and the Qu family to some extent, and this murder probably wasn't their doing. He's smarter than me, so trusting him can't be wrong."
Yuan Shen grew irritated, walking away to stand by the window before turning back to mock, "If he's always right, why are you even here? You might as well wait obediently at home for him to close the case!"
Unfazed, Shao Shang smiled, "Because I think differently than him. I believe we should follow every clue to capture the real culprit and clear the Crown Prince and Madam Qu's names."
"And Ling Buyi doesn't think that way," Yuan Shen said with teasing eyes.
"Not only him, but probably not you either, Young Master Yuan—what you both want is to settle this matter neatly," Shao Shang said calmly. "Otherwise, with your intelligence, you wouldn't have remained passive until now."Yuan Shen's eyes flickered with thought. After a moment, he smiled slightly and said, "Shao Shang, the aftermath of this matter is unpredictable and unfathomable. Investigating too deeply may lead to excessive entanglement, while taking too few steps could result in fruitless efforts. In truth, perhaps Ling Buyi was right all along."
Shao Shang replied carelessly, "Lord Ling is right, you're all right, but I'm right too. I just want to know how Liang Shang really died... Everyone can go their own way."
Yuan Shen tilted his head in consideration, then smiled. "Fair enough... Though, Shao Shang, your temper has improved considerably lately. In the past, you would have argued with me within three sentences."
Shao Shang pondered this. "Hmm, perhaps it's because I've met someone who treats me very, very well."
Yuan Shen's expression suddenly turned cold.
"...I never imagined I'd marry someone like Lord Ling before. We argued more often than we got along." Shao Shang gazed at the northern wall, where three small round windows formed a triangular pattern, revealing the cold, shimmering lake beyond. "But now that I think about it, it feels like if I hadn't met him in this lifetime, something would be missing."
"So, Young Master Yuan, Lord Ling and I will still argue—whether it's about you or something else. But we probably won't separate because of it... You should focus on your matchmaking arrangements."
Yuan Shen's mouth tasted bitter. "Then why did you ask me to accompany you here?"
"Because I haven't seen your uncle's body? I needed someone to ask. Besides, you won't be staying here much longer."
"What do you mean by 'not staying much longer'?" Yuan Shen asked, puzzled.
Shao Shang turned back with a beaming smile. "Just wait a moment, I think it's about time... Ah, here it comes..."
An elderly servant who appeared to be a Liang Manor steward hurried in, bowing to Yuan Shen and Cheng before saying, "Young Master Yuan, the senior officials are arguing fiercely in the front hall. The Governor requests your presence to mediate."
Yuan Shen looked at Shao Shang, who smiled innocently. After glaring at her for a long moment, he shook his head at his own foolishness, flicked his sleeves, and followed the old servant out.
Liang Qiu Fei, who had entered with the Liang Manor steward, was beaming with enthusiasm. "Female lord, whatever assistance you require, just command this humble subordinate! That Yuan fellow is indeed unreliable. You shouldn't have invited him to investigate with you earlier!"
"Enough of that! It's all because of your Young Master!" Shao Shang retorted sharply. "I wanted to examine Liang Shang's body yesterday, but your Young Master declared that as long as he drew breath, I wouldn't be allowed! How ridiculous—as if I haven't seen my share of corpses!"
Liang Qiu Fei immediately defended, "That's not the point! Seeing corpses on a battlefield is entirely different from carefully examining a single body!"
"I wasn't going to touch the corpse myself—I'd have the coroner examine it while I observed!"
"The examination requires complete undressing. Liang Shang was a grown man—letting you see that... Forget the Young Master, even I would rather go blind than allow it!"
"Enough nonsense! If I'd examined the body yesterday, I would have discovered the Jade Cicada in Liang Shang's mouth much sooner. It's because of you conservative men that we nearly delayed this important matter! Now get out—I'll handle this alone!"
Faint sounds of argument drifted from the room. Yuan Shen paused and looked back, as if hearing the girl's lively voice.
The Liang Manor steward glanced back and remarked with a smile, "That young Miss Cheng is quite beautiful and clever."Yuan Shen gave a low hum in acknowledgment before resuming his steps.
From a young age, he had meticulously considered the qualities of a future wife—family background, social status, reputation, the official ranks of her father and brothers, the political factions connected through marriage alliances, as well as her character, talents, and appearance... He had pondered them all. Marrying the wrong wife could bring calamity for three generations, so he had always been exceedingly cautious.
Now at twenty-one, his marriage could no longer be delayed. Following his needs, he methodically selected a 'suitable' wife as if planning a state policy—step by step.
Gentle and cheerful, dignified and sensible, talented and beautiful... He picked and chose, delayed and postponed, yet remained unsatisfied. At first, he couldn't understand why. Now, looking back, perhaps it was because none of them were like Cheng Shaoshang.
But what did it matter? One wrong move could lose the whole game. Qu Lingjun had been right about one thing—life must go on. The bright weaver girl of the Milky Way, slender fingers lifting white silk; the river is clear and shallow, how far apart are they really?
How far apart, how far apart... Life must still go on.
......
Shao Shang searched the room thoroughly, pushing bookshelves, running her hands over the desk, even attempting to climb out through the windowsill—nothing seemed amiss. Then she stepped outside and observed the building from a distance.
This study was not just a single room. On either side of the chamber where Liang Shang had been murdered were smaller side rooms, the three connected in a straight line like the character '一'. The central one was the largest and brightest, the eastern side had two small stoves where the owner could cook or warm wine when needed, and the western side was a medium-sized storage room filled with old items like ropes, ladders, and desks, all covered with thick coarse cloth.
The small kitchen was spotless, with remnants of firewood in the stove, suggesting recent use. The storage room, however, was coated in uneven layers of dust. Some tools appeared frequently used, the coarse cloth showed signs of being lifted often, and the floor bore miscellaneous footprints.
Unwilling to give up, Shao Shang returned to the crime scene, shifting nearly every object to see if a hidden passage might suddenly appear—but found nothing. She then took the Jeweled Dagger and tapped the walls with its hilt, listening for hollow sounds, yet still discovered nothing. All four walls were solid brick and wood, possibly varying in thickness, but the sound remained consistent across each entire wall.
Shao Shang felt disheartened. She was certain Liang Shang couldn’t have died without cause, but if no third person had entered the room, how had he met his end?
Liang Qiu Fei, noticing her exhaustion, approached smugly. "If the Female Lord is tired, perhaps she should rest. In this humble one's opinion, the Female Lord might as well return to the palace and await good news from the Young Master. Better than pacing back and forth here—such a small space, surely the Female Lord has examined it enough?"
Already physically and mentally drained, Shao Shang grew furious at his words. She shoved him out and ordered Liang Qiu Fei and the other guards to remain outside, forbidding them from disturbing her.
After angrily sending them away, a sudden thought struck her—such a small space?
She had an idea.Shao Shang first walked outside, measuring the total length of the three rooms from east to west by pacing it out. Then she measured the interior lengths of each room separately. To minimize errors, she repeated the process three times in one go and took the average. Sure enough—
The average total external length of the three rooms was 95 paces. The small kitchen was 13 paces, the storage room 22 paces, and the study 44 paces. The discrepancy was 16 paces. Even after accounting for the thickness of the four walls in between, and being generous with the estimate, there were still at least five or six paces of missing space.
Where had this space gone?
The small kitchen was cramped and frequently used, with people coming and going, not to mention the presence of fire and water. So... Shao Shang turned her gaze toward the dark storage room. Upon entering, she found it incredibly dim. Despite the bright sunlight outside, only a few rays filtered in through the small, high window on the southern wall.
Shao Shang walked toward the eastern wall—the one adjacent to the study. She lit a small firestarter and carefully examined the wall. Like the room where Liang Shang had been killed, this wall was divided into square panels about one meter in length, with around a dozen such panels per wall. This was a once-popular architectural style meant to prevent the walls from warping.
Bending down, Shao Shang held the firestarter close to inspect the floor near the wall. After the murder, servants had rushed in to fetch bamboo poles and stretchers to carry Liang Shang’s body out, leaving the floor covered in chaotic footprints. But Shao Shang noticed two particularly unusual prints—they were only partial, with the toes pointing toward the wall and just a single pace away from it.
Why would such footprints exist? Half-prints left during a sprint wouldn’t be strange, but toes pointing toward the wall? As if someone had walked straight into it? After a brief thought, Shao Shang smiled—this was the stance of someone bracing their palms against the wall and pushing with all their might.
She set the firestarter aside and tested whether she could push the wall herself. If not, she’d call for the chatterbox Liang Qiu Fei. Straining with all her strength, Shao Shang was about to give up when the wall suddenly gave way, revealing a hole just large enough for two panels.
Stunned, she picked up the firestarter and cautiously stepped inside. A quick glance around made everything clear.
No wonder her knocking in the study had yielded no results—this secret room was merely a narrow space between two rooms, like the trimmed edge of a square cake. It matched the width of the three rooms but was only three or four paces in length.
The flickering light from the firestarter twisted and wavered without a consistent direction, suggesting the room had several ventilation points. Sounds from outside were crystal clear, but noises from within seemed inaudible outside. Earlier, Shao Shang had accidentally kicked something upon entering, yet none of the guards or servants outside had noticed.
She could hear Liang Qiu Fei instructing the servants to prepare lunch, with an additional request for a jug of fruit syrup—preferably pomegranate-flavored. Shao Shang chuckled. For all his chatter, he was considerate enough to remember her fondness for pomegranates. But where would one find pomegranates in the dead of winter?
Turning back, Shao Shang noticed the small door she’d entered through. On the inside, it was fitted with two handles made of refined iron, likely for those inside to pull when they wanted to exit.She raised the fire starter to examine the opposite wall of the secret chamber and easily spotted another pair of iron handles. Initially intending to pull them, she reconsidered and instead turned sideways to push with her shoulder and back. With some effort, the wall swung open, allowing bright light to flood into the chamber.
—Indeed, perseverance pays off! This was precisely Liang Shang's study where the murder had occurred!
Shao Shang felt as if she had consumed eighteen life-giving fruits—all fatigue vanished, her entire body brimming with exhilaration! No wonder her earlier searches for secret passages in Liang Shang's study had been futile—this hidden door could only be opened from the chamber side!
After indulging in self-satisfaction for a moment, she was about to call for Liang Qiu Fei when a creaking sound came from behind. Before she could turn around, a cold, powerful hand seized her and yanked her into the chamber. Then, with two sharp clicks, both hidden doors—east and west—were shut tight.
...
"Truthfully, I've never been curious about how Liang Shang died. Because ultimately, only someone from the Liang family could have orchestrated such an elaborate trap, calculating even Qu Lingjun's movements—and it couldn't have been done by just one person," Ling Buyi said.
Liang Wuji's face darkened, but he remained silent.
"The situation hasn't escalated yet, and the Court of Justice can still spare the Liang family some dignity. But once the Emperor's wrath is provoked, and all the Liang family's servants are arrested and thoroughly interrogated—do you really think nothing will be uncovered?"
Liang Wuji sighed. "I understand. It's better for me to conduct the questioning myself than to leave it to the Court of Justice. But once a large-scale investigation begins, the Liang family's reputation—"
"Is the Liang family's reputation intact now?" Ling Buyi retorted mockingly. "A family-led investigation is preferable to the Court of Justice resorting to harsh interrogations. Governor Liang, I've said all I need to say. If I don't receive an answer from you by today, Lord Ji's men will come to arrest people first thing tomorrow morning."
Liang Wuji said angrily, "By today? You're being too hasty—"
"The longer this drags on, the more the Crown Prince suffers! If we wait ten days or half a month, by the time the rumors about the Crown Prince spread throughout the Capital City, even if you uncover the truth then, it'll be useless!"
Cornered, Liang Wuji slammed the table and declared loudly, "Fine! I'll arrest the suspects and interrogate them immediately. I'll give Zisheng an answer before sunset!"
"Governor Liang is decisive," Ling Buyi said with a faint smile. "I'll await your good news. Once this matter is resolved, I'll host a banquet to apologize for today's disrespect."
Liang Wuji waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, no need for that... A family's disgrace is a family's disgrace..."
At that moment, a handsome young guard suddenly burst in unannounced, kneeling before Ling Buyi and crying out hoarsely, "Young Master, disaster has struck! The Female Lord... the Female Lord is... missing!"
Ling Buyi's expression changed drastically. He grabbed the guard and demanded sharply, "What happened? I told you to keep an eye on her!"
Liang Qiu Fei looked up, his face flushed with shame and sweat. "The Female Lord kept moving between the three rooms of the study. We were guarding outside the entire time. Just moments ago, we saw her entering and exiting the rooms—but then she suddenly vanished! With so many people outside—not just us, but also the household servants and maids—how could... how could this happen?!"
Ling Buyi turned abruptly to Liang Wuji, his expression eerily calm but his eyes blazing like wildfire. "...Governor Liang, I fear I must gravely offend your household today."……
In the cold and silent darkness of the secret chamber, only the faint glow of a small fire striker flickered. A man dressed in servant's attire stood in the dim light, his coarse features twisted into a grotesque and terrifying expression. He slowly advanced toward Shao Shang, emitting a low, sinister chuckle, as if toying with a helpless insect in his grasp.
Pushed to the far end of the narrow chamber with her back against the wall, Shao Shang struggled to stand straight. Suddenly, she spoke, "Does Young Master Liang truly believe that killing me will leave you unscathed?"
Liang Xia let out a short, eerie laugh, like the cry of a night owl: "No one knows of this hidden chamber. Once I dispose of you and wait for the storm to pass, who would ever find out?"
"Why don't you ask where Lord Ling has gone? While I've been searching here, he's been in secret talks with your cousin all this time. What do you think they're discussing?" Shao Shang's forehead beaded with sweat, but she forced herself to remain composed.
Liang Xia froze momentarily before sneering, "You’re bluffing!"
"I’m not bluffing!" Shao Shang fought to keep her voice steady.
"Truthfully, everyone has been blinded by the affair between Madam Qu and the Crown Prince—even the astute Lord Ji. Because the Crown Prince’s status is so exalted, the implications are enormous. Hmph, these officials always prefer to think in grand terms. The more convoluted the case, the better; the more prestigious those involved, the greater their achievement! But if you reconsider, perhaps the matter isn’t so tangled after all? Maybe someone merely sought to use Madam Qu and the Crown Prince to cover their own tracks?"
Liang Xia’s face gradually darkened. "Could it be that Ling Buyi has also guessed?"
Not daring to wipe her sweat, Shao Shang maintained her smile. "Think about who benefits the most from your elder brother’s death. It isn’t Madam Qu—it’s you. Your brother’s son is only a child, and the Governor of Liangzhou is already in his late forties, still without an heir. Now that your brother is gone, the Governor has no choice but to name you as the future head of the Liang family."
"If you already know all this, why haven’t you arrested me yet?" Liang Xia suddenly calmed down, his face twisting into a malevolent grin.
Feigning helplessness, Shao Shang sighed, "Because we don’t know how you committed the murder! Alas, you are still a Liang family scion. As the saying goes, 'Punishment does not extend to the nobility.' How could we simply drag you to the Court of Justice for torture? Naturally, we need evidence to convict you! Ah, it’s lamentable—though everyone praises Lord Ling’s brilliance, even he hasn’t yet figured out how you carried it out!"
Liang Xia burst into laughter, swelling with pride. "Of course! This method was—" He paused briefly before continuing, "—the result of my meticulous planning! If not for your meddling, no one would ever have guessed, no matter how hard they tried!"
"This humble girl is still perplexed. Would Young Master Liang deign to enlighten me?" Shao Shang played the part of the pitiful maiden, praying that the trope of 'the villain undone by their own gloating' would hold true. Though Liang Qiu Fei was a chatterbox, he was also observant—he would check on her within half an hour."That day, I sneaked into the secret chamber early in the morning and waited until noon. I heard my elder brother cursing that little wretch You Tong and knocking over the bookshelf. After You Tong left, I pushed open the wall and emerged. My brother was utterly shocked—he never knew about this secret chamber, and I only discovered it by accident. Pretending it was a joke, I seized the moment while talking to stab him to death, then propped his body against the wall, bending his legs to make it look like he had been hiding in the book chest. I then added some sleeping draught to the wine jug and hid back in the secret chamber, changing out of my outer robe into a servant's attire. When Qu Lingjun discovered the body in the afternoon and chaos erupted outside, I slipped away in the confusion."
"What a brilliant plan!" Shao Shang enthusiastically praised. "It seems everyone has underestimated you, young master. Not only are you highly skilled in martial arts, but you're also resourceful and cunning—truly a master of both!"
Liang Xia cackled with pride, then his expression darkened as he advanced step by step. "There's no need to stall for time. Heh, but since you're as lovely as a flower, why not let me have some fun before you die..."
Shao Shang had initially been terrified, but upon hearing these words, she felt a flicker of motivation. So strength comes first—doesn’t that mean there’s a chance…? Her fingers stealthily brushed against the jeweled dagger at her waist.
The secret chamber was already dark, and the dagger, crafted by Old Man Wan, was extravagantly adorned with gold, jade, and gemstones. Its crescent-moon shape, curved at both ends, made it resemble an ornamental jade pendant typically worn by young girls—something most would dismiss as mere decoration.
Just as Liang Xia was about to lunge at her, a commotion erupted outside. The guards’ shouts rose and fell in waves—
“Where is Cheng Niangzi? Cheng Niangzi is missing!”
“I’ve checked this room—she’s not here! What about that one?”
“Not there either!”
“Seal off these three rooms immediately—no one enters or leaves! A Fei, hurry and report to the Young Master!”
Liang Xia’s face turned ashen. Shao Shang straightened her back and sneered, “Even if you kill me, you won’t escape!” Enraged, Liang Xia charged at her, bellowing, “You wretched little—”
Shao Shang ducked and rolled under his arm, her voice icy. “We have no past grudges or recent grievances. Why must you insist on making things difficult for me? Let me go, and I swear I won’t reveal your secrets. Once the guards withdraw, you can slip away unnoticed. Wouldn’t that be ideal?”
Liang Xia paused, then roared in fury, “You expect me to believe you?! You cunning little wretch—prepare to die!”
Shao Shang seized the moment, darting toward the torch inserted in the wall. She stomped it out and swiftly tucked the extinguished torch into her sleeve.
The chamber plunged into darkness. Liang Xia, who hadn’t brought a torch either, could only curse and grope blindly for her. Shao Shang, small and agile, weaved through the shadows, evading his grasp by listening to his heavy breaths. But Liang Xia soon realized his mistake. Starting from one end of the narrow chamber, he spread his limbs wide and advanced step by step, sweeping the space before him. Shao Shang could no longer evade and was finally caught.
Liang Xia’s murderous intent surged as he clamped his hands around her throat, intending to strangle her. At the same moment, Shao Shang gripped the dagger in her palm, ready to slash his carotid artery.
Then, a clear yet urgent young voice rang out from outside—one that could never be overlooked, even in a crowd of thousands.
“Where is she?!”
“Young Master, we’ve searched all three rooms—Cheng Niangzi truly isn’t here!”
“Zisheng, perhaps Cheng Niangzi wandered off elsewhere without informing the guards?” This was the Governor of Liangzhou’s voice.
“Impossible. Though young, she is meticulous. Even in the palace, she rarely goes anywhere without her palace maids or eunuchs, let alone in a place like this. She would never leave without a word!”
Both Liang Xia and Shao Shang froze.
Shao Shang’s eyes gleamed with cunning. “You’d better not kill me. Use me as a hostage instead.”
Liang Xia grinned viciously. “They’ll never find this place. Once I kill you and wait until nightfall, they’ll disperse, and I can escape!”
Shao Shang was about to retort that if even she could find the secret chamber, Ling Buyi certainly could, when a cacophony of clanging and crashing erupted outside—as if something immensely heavy, like iron or stone, was being moved.
Ling Buyi’s voice, though seemingly calm, was noticeably louder. “Governor, my apologies. Men, proceed—tear down these three rooms!”
Liang Xia was utterly stunned.Shao Shang was also dumbfounded, muttering to herself, "Why didn't I think of tearing down the house? Searching for secret rooms and hidden passages like a headless fly—wouldn’t it all be clear if we just demolished it?"
By now, more and more people had gathered outside, accompanied by shrill cries from women. One elderly voice boomed particularly loud: "Lord Ling, think twice! Liang Manor has stood for a hundred years—how can you—"
"Is this the Liang family’s ancestral shrine? Are your ancestors enshrined here? Which is more important—my wife’s life or this study? Old Man Liang, Zisheng will remember you today and settle this another time! Hmph! Even if this were truly your ancestral shrine, I would tear it down today!"
The booming elderly voice immediately fell silent, and the surroundings became deathly quiet.
Ling Buyi seemed to sneer before urging his men to hurry with the demolition. Both Liang Xia and Shao Shang could hear the sounds of intense hammering and pounding from above and around them. It was unclear where Ling Buyi had managed to find so many heavy tools in such haste.
"I think you should just go out now," Shao Shang kindly reminded him. "If you go out now, it can still count as turning yourself in. Wouldn’t it be a loss of dignity if you wait until the roof is torn off before surrendering?"
Liang Xia’s face was tense. As the sounds of clanging and banging grew closer, he tightened his grip on Shao Shang, using his shoulder and back to push against the hidden door of the study, then shouted as he stepped out—"She’s with me! All of you, stop!"
Shao Shang felt that appearances mattered. Even in the chaos, she quickly checked herself and found that aside from being covered in dust from rolling around, her clothes were still intact.
The demolition temporarily ceased as Liang Xia dragged Shao Shang outside.
After being trapped in the dark secret room for so long, the sudden return to daylight nearly moved Shao Shang to tears. Good heavens, this has really escalated.
The area outside was packed with people, layer upon layer. The innermost circle consisted of Ling Buyi’s guards, all with arrows nocked and aimed directly at Liang Xia. The middle ring was formed by Liang Wuji’s private soldiers, swords drawn and ready for battle. The outermost ring was made up of Liang Manor’s servants.
Beyond these three circles were Liang Manor’s assorted relatives, friends, servants, and onlookers.
Ling Buyi had initially been standing high on the second floor of the opposite schoolhouse, overseeing the situation. When he saw Liang Xia and Cheng emerge, he didn’t bother taking the stairs—he leaped straight down from the second floor.
Like Moses parting the Red Sea, the three rings of guards, soldiers, and servants all stepped aside, creating an opening. Ling Buyi strode forward. Yuan Shen also tried to rush in but was held back by Liang Wuji, who worried that a scholar like him might not avoid the blades.
"Don’t come any closer! Or I’ll crush her!" Liang Xia took a step back, his face filled with terror.
Ling Buyi’s face was pale, his eyes faintly anxious. "Let her go first, and we can discuss the rest!"
"If I let her go, will I have any chance of survival? Ling Buyi, don’t underestimate me!"
Ling Buyi pressed his lips together slightly and raised a hand behind him. Two guards dragged forward an elderly woman. Shao Shang focused and recognized her as Aunt Liang. Ling Buyi said, "Release her, and I won’t trouble your mother!"
Just then, another elderly man standing in the schoolhouse spoke up: "Lord Ling, why trouble a woman? She is, after all, a Liang family woman. Our Liang family has endured for a hundred years—"
Yuan Shen interjected urgently, "Third Uncle, please stop talking! If anything happens to this young lady sent by the Empress to investigate, it would be an affront to imperial favor—and the Liang family’s hundred years would come to an end!"The old man could only shut his mouth awkwardly.
Aunt Liang had the cloth gag pulled from her mouth and wailed at her son, "Xia'er, what's wrong with you?! Why would you do this? Were you falsely accused? How could you kill your own elder brother..."
Before she could finish, Liang Qiuqi emerged from the hidden compartment, holding up a bloodstained garment for all to see. He shouted, "Young Master, not only did we find the bloodstained clothes Liang Xia wore during the murder in that hidden room, but also food, water, and several sets of servant uniforms for changing!"
The truth was now clear. Liang Wuji and the other Liang family elders turned ashen with shame and humiliation.
Ling Buyi said coldly, "Caught red-handed, what more do you have to say? Surrender now and spare your clan and your mother further disgrace!"
Knowing he could not escape blame, Liang Xia decided to go all out. He roared, "I won’t surrender! Even if I die, I’ll take someone with me! Kill the old woman if you want—I won’t even flinch!"
Even the most ruthless outlaws rarely disregarded their own parents. Liang Xia’s words left the Liang clansmen utterly disgraced, lamenting inwardly how such a wicked scourge could have been born into their family.
Ling Buyi’s expression remained icy as he ordered briskly, "Men, break one of the old woman’s arms first. Let’s see if Young Master Liang remains unmoved!"
His words shocked everyone. Threatening an old woman was one thing, but actually carrying it out was another. The two hundred people present all thought to themselves, Ling Buyi truly is ruthless and merciless.
Though Liang Xia had just brazenly defied them, seeing his mother’s arm gripped by a guard ready to snap it still shook his resolve. His hand loosened slightly from Shao Shang’s throat.
At that very moment—
The instant Shao Shang felt her throat freed, she whipped out the dagger hidden in her sleeve and stabbed it into Liang Xia’s side. Blood spilled instantly, and Liang Xia howled in pain as Shao Shang seized the chance to roll away.
Before Liang Xia could lunge at her again, Ling Buyi—who had somehow already pinched several willow-leaf-thin throwing knives between his fingers—sent four blades flying like streaks of light. Two struck Liang Xia’s right palm just as it was about to grab Shao Shang’s shoulder, while the other two embedded themselves in his left palm and wrist.
Amid Liang Xia’s porcupine-like shrieks of pain, Shao Shang tumbled clumsily to the ground before being swept into Ling Buyi’s arms. When she looked up, she saw his pale, refined face.
The guards swiftly formed an impenetrable wall around them.
Ling Buyi’s jaw was clenched, his eyes fierce as he held the girl tightly, ignoring the still-tense atmosphere as he immediately began scolding her, "You never listen to me, do you?! I told you not to come, yet you insisted! I told you to be careful, yet you acted recklessly! What would you have done if you’d died?!"
It was a question riddled with illogical phrasing, but Shao Shang had no mind to nitpick now—his strong arms were squeezing her so tightly that her bones ached. After struggling for a moment, she burst into loud sobs, hiccuping through her tears.
"Earlier, when I thought I was going to die inside, all I could think about was you. I just wished I could see you one last time! Knowing you came to save me made me so happy I wouldn’t have minded dying! I see you as the closest person to me, the one I can rely on most. Now I’m exhausted and terrified, and all you can do is scold me. If I’d known it’d be like this, I might as well have died in there..."Ling Buyi had already softened halfway upon seeing the girl covered in dust, her forehead swollen from a knock, her teary eyes brimming with sorrow. Hearing her words now, the remaining half of his heart melted into warmth. With a silent sigh, he removed his cloak and wrapped it around the girl, cradling her gently as he whispered comforting words.
Unfortunately, the ever-capable Lord Ling lacked practice in this area. His reassurances were limited to repetitive phrases like "There, there, don’t cry, I won’t scold you anymore." Still, his striking looks, strong physique, and soothing voice made up for it, and Shao Shang reluctantly accepted his efforts.
Liang Qiuqi, who had four romantic partners to his name, watched his young master with deep sympathy.
Liang Qiu Fei, who had no such romantic experience, looked utterly bewildered. He vaguely sensed that Young Lady Cheng wasn’t the fragile, easily frightened type—after all, she had stabbed Liang Xia with ruthless precision and rolled on the ground with remarkable agility. But then again... perhaps... well, he wasn’t sure.
Yuan Shen, seeing Shao Shang freed, had initially intended to approach and ask a few questions. But the sight of Ling and Cheng nestled together made him pause mid-step, and he immediately turned away.
Over the years, noble young ladies in the Capital City had attempted no fewer than ten times to showcase their fragility to Ling Buyi—whether by falling into ponds, dangling from tree branches, or hanging off cliffs—all in hopes of his heroic rescue. Yet Ling Buyi had demonstrated just as many times that he truly had no patience for such "delicate damsel" acts.
Yuan Shen thought to himself: It’s simply a matter of the right person. If it’s her, whether she’s fragile or fierce, cunning or foolish, worldly or innocent—Ling Buyi would accept it all, and even relish it.
The playful exchange between the young couple lasted only a moment, and with the guards forming a barrier, most of the crowd paid little attention. The spotlight remained firmly on the Liang mother and son, who were putting on quite the spectacle—
Aunt Liang shrieked hysterically. Taking advantage of the chaos when Shao Shang escaped, she broke free from the guards and threw herself at her son. Clutching Liang Xia’s wounds, she wailed, "My child, how could you lose your mind like this?!"
Liang Xia, furious, shoved her away and roared, "This is all your fault! You’ve never cared about me—in your eyes, only Elder Brother is your son! It’s only because you gave birth to Liang Shang that Father promoted you from concubine to wife! That’s why you dote on him like he’s your precious treasure, never satisfied with just pampering him day and night!"
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Back then, the late Liang patriarch had deliberately concealed Aunt Liang’s humble origins, passing her off as a properly remarried wife to bolster his son’s status. Apart from Liang Wuji and a few others, no one in the clan had known the truth.
"Then what am I? What am I to you?! You only had me as a spare part for Elder Brother! When he fell gravely ill that year, you suddenly started being nice to me—but the moment he recovered, you cast me aside again! Liang Shang is mediocre, a useless fool! Yet you, Cousin, and the entire clan treat him like gold! The best schools, the most renowned teachers, even marriage—he gets to wed the most distinguished, talented, and beautiful daughter of the prestigious Qu family! And me? I’m stuck marrying some ordinary official’s daughter! Why?! Why?! We share the same mother!"Standing in the distance, Qu Lingjun's face was as pale as paper, surrounded by her family's servants and maids who glared furiously at the Liang family. It wasn't about whether someone was born of the principal wife or a concubine—Zhao Xiangzi, renowned during the Spring and Autumn period, was born of a concubine, and who dared look down on him? But your Liang family shouldn't have deceived people!
Aunt Liang knelt on the ground, clutching Liang Xia's leg and wailing, "How could I not care about you?! But your elder brother has been frail since childhood, I... even so, you shouldn't have harmed him! You are brothers of the same flesh and blood..."
Liang Xia flew into a rage, kicking his own mother away and screaming like a madman, "It's all your fault that I've ended up like this! I had already pinned the blame on the Qu family. If we had handled it quietly within the clan, what trouble could there have been?! Those old fools wouldn't dare offend the imperial family—giving the Qu family a white silk rope would have settled it! It's you! It's you! You kept blabbing about it over and over, all for your beloved eldest son, forcing the matter to blow up and ruining me!"
Ling Buyi let out a soft, cold laugh.
Shao Shang heard it and whispered, "What is it?"
Ling Buyi leaned close to her ear and said, "Whether this old woman blabbed or not, someone would have made sure the matter blew up."
Shao Shang seemed to understand but not quite.
Ling Buyi affectionately patted the girl's head in his arms, but when he looked up again, his expression was solemn. He ordered his men, "I want him alive."
At Liang Qiuqi's shout, the guards swiftly slung their bows and drew ropes and chains from their waists, preparing to capture Liang Xia alive.
Just then, a swift arrow, sharp as lightning, flew through the air. A gray-feathered arrow struck Liang Xia's throat with such force that the arrowhead pierced through flesh and embedded itself into the wooden pillar behind him, the shaft still quivering.
Everyone was stunned, turning to look in the direction of the shot. There, atop a high slope surrounded by his private soldiers, stood Liang Wuji, his right arm holding a bow, his left hand still poised as the bowstring trembled faintly.
For a moment, the scene was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Aunt Liang stared at her son's corpse, his eyes wide with fury, and only after a long pause did she snap back to reality. She was about to unleash a torrent of curses at Liang Wuji when he swiftly fired two more arrows in succession, both striking the stone wall behind her.
Earlier, Ling Buyi had demolished part of the house, leaving the stone wall half-shattered. Liang Wuji's arrows dislodged a precariously balanced round stone, which fell and struck Aunt Liang squarely on the head, knocking her unconscious and silencing her.
Liang Wuji's expression remained impassive, his aura formidable.
Only then did everyone remember that their usually composed and reticent clan leader had once been a peerless hero in his youth, renowned for his valor. It was only after entering officialdom that he had grown cautious year by year.
Liang Wuji lowered his bow and looked at Ling Buyi. "I will go with you to the palace for an imperial audience and personally plead guilty."
Ling Buyi replied, "...Very well."
Author's Note: I spent the entire May Day writing, so is this the true meaning of Labor Day? See you the day after tomorrow.
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