Upon returning to the mansion, Chun Tao spotted a maid who appeared to be around twenty years old standing at the entrance of the general's residence.
The maid had an oval face with finely trimmed eyebrows.
At the sight of her, Chun Tao hastily lowered her head in fear.
The thin-browed maid sneered, pushed past Chun Tao, and stepped forward: "Miss, Bi Liu is back. Let Bi Liu help you alight from the carriage."
Su Su lifted the carriage curtain and saw an unfamiliar face.
Hearing her refer to herself as Bi Liu, Su Su instantly understood who she was.
The original host had four personal maids. Yin Qiao had been sent by the grandmother to marry in a village estate, while the maids accompanying Su Su during this period were Chun Tao and Xi Xi.
However, both maids were timid and, in the original host's view, too dull-witted and foolish. The original host had never particularly liked them.
Ye Xi Wu's favorite maid was the one before her now, named Bi Liu.
In the original host's memories, Bi Liu was clever, efficient, and sweet-tongued, deeply winning her favor.
Su Su couldn't quite gauge what kind of person Bi Liu was.
As she pondered, Bi Liu carefully helped her out of the carriage.
Chun Tao stood to the side, trembling like a quail that had encountered a tiger.
Was Chun Tao afraid of Bi Liu?
Glancing at Xi Xi, who also hung her head, Su Su understood something.
This Bi Liu clearly held an extraordinary position by the original host's side. When Su Su first transmigrated, Chun Tao would often kowtow in terror, but Bi Liu showed no restraint in front of Su Su.
As the master and servants walked into the mansion, Bi Liu said, "Third Miss, Bi Liu has something to discuss with you." Her expression hinted at excitement.
Bi Liu turned to Chun Tao and Xi Xi and said, "I need to speak with the young lady. You two may attend to your duties."
Su Su remained calm, curious to see what Bi Liu was up to.
Bi Liu led Su Su behind a rockery and pulled a piece of paper from her sleeve.
"Third Miss, look what Bi Liu has found?"
Su Su unfolded the paper to reveal a vividly drawn portrait of a beauty.
The beauty sat beside a lotus pond, smiling shyly with her head slightly lowered.
Bi Liu looked excited, her face begging for praise.
Su Su stared blankly at the painting, wondering what it was all about.
"Miss, look at the signature."
The signature read: Pang Yi Zhi.
It was actually the top scholar, now the Minister of Rites, Pang Yi Zhi—the same man who had hastily jumped into the water to save Ye Bingshang last time.
From this, it was clear who the person in the painting was.
To be honest, as expected of the newly crowned top scholar, his painting skills were excellent. With just a few strokes, he had captured Ye Bingshang's infinite charm.
Bi Liu: "Miss, you sent me to investigate the estate where the eldest young lady recuperated the year before last. They indeed had an affair! That wretched woman had already been secretly involved with Lord Pang before marrying the Sixth Prince."
"Lord Pang painted this portrait to console his longing."
"Before Lord Pang left for the capital, he ordered his servant to burn the painting, but the servant thought it a pity and secretly kept it. Bi Liu has fulfilled her mission and bought this painting back."
Bi Liu chirped happily, "Miss, when the Sixth Prince sees this painting, he will surely be furious and divorce that wretched woman. Once she's gone, the Sixth Prince will only have eyes for you!"
Su Su: "..."
Are you serious?
Su Su now understood the whole story. When the original host and Ye Bingshang fell into the water, it was natural for the Sixth Prince, as Ye Bingshang's husband, to jump in. But Lord Pang's leap was thought-provoking.
The original host had suspected this and sent her most "capable" maid, Bi Liu, to investigate.She hoped to uncover the affair between Lord Pang and her half-sister, so that the Sixth Prince would divorce her.
"Miss, should Bi Liu arrange for someone to deliver this painting to the Sixth Prince?"
Su Su put the painting away. "Not for now."
The original owner of this body was already married, and Su Su had no intention of meddling in Xiao Lin's romantic affairs.
Moreover, it was just a painting. At most, it showed Pang Yi Zhi's admiration for Ye Bingshang. Being painted by someone wasn't Ye Bingshang's fault.
Bi Liu's face was full of regret, but she didn't dare to disobey Su Su, assuming her mistress must have some clever plan.
Su Su stored the painting safely, planning to burn this troublesome item when she found the time.
As soon as she stepped out, Chun Tao came to her with an anxious expression. "Third Miss, something terrible has happened."
Bi Liu scolded her, "Speak properly! What's with this panicked manner? Have you no decorum!"
Su Su frowned, glanced at Bi Liu, and said to Chun Tao in a gentler tone, "Take your time and explain."
Chun Tao swallowed and said, "This morning, Concubine Lian discovered that many items were missing from the storeroom. Old Madam's Jade Guanyin is gone. Upon investigation, Concubine Du's room was also robbed—more than half of the dowry she prepared for Second Miss has disappeared."
"Young Master's jade pendant, Fourth Young Master's monthly allowance—all gone. Right now, Concubine Lian, Concubine Du, and Second Miss are interrogating people in the main hall..."
Su Su had a bad feeling. "Who do they suspect?"Hostage Your Highness.""
Su Su frowned. "Why suspect him?"
Chun Tao cautiously glanced at Su Su. "Someone found a hidden earring inside Hostage's Talisman.".."
When Bi Liu heard this, she said indignantly, "Miss, the Hostage has done such a shameful thing. He's completely disgracing you."
Chun Tao seemed to want to say something, but thinking of Bi Liu's presence, she ultimately lowered her head.
Su Su looked at Bi Liu. "The matter isn't resolved yet. Don't speak carelessly."
Shut up quickly, or I might not be able to stop myself from hitting this maid.
Since childhood, her father had taught Su Su to be polite and distinguish right from wrong. This Bi Liu kept saying "lowly person" and "affair"—was it so difficult to speak properly?
Su Su felt extremely uncomfortable listening to her. What made her angriest was that Bi Liu openly and secretly bullied Xi Xi and Chun Tao.
Su Su suspected this maid had instigated the original owner to do many things.
Would a good young lady try to ruin someone else's relationship?
But Su Su didn't have time to deal with Bi Liu now. She said to Chun Tao, "Let's go to the main hall and see."
Chun Tao quickly bowed and led the way.
Bi Liu, warned by Su Su not to speak carelessly, stood frozen in place. She never expected the Third Miss to scold her.
Logically, if the young lady heard the Hostage had shamed her, she'd want to kill him.
But the Third Miss only told her to shut up.
Bi Liu's face twisted slightly as she watched Chun Tao's retreating back. It must be that when I wasn't around, those little sluts Chun Tao and Xi Xi spoke ill of me to the young lady.
Tomorrow is the fifteenth. Remembering something, Bi Liu suddenly understood. No wonder the young lady didn't harshly curse the Hostage. The Hostage really can't have anything happen to him at this time.
Bi Liu quickly followed.
Before Su Su even entered the main hall, someone reported to Concubine Lian, "The Third Miss has returned."
At these words, everyone seated in chairs turned to look at Tantai Jin.
The young man's arms were restrained. He pressed his lips together, his dark eyes fixed coldly and heavily on the ground.Su Su walked in and saw this scene.
Three concubines were present, with Concubine Lian seated in the main position and the other two concubines sitting on either side. Second Miss Ye Lanyin, looking displeased, sat close to Concubine Du.
Besides them, the youngest Fourth Young Master was also present.
The Fourth Young Master was only six years old this year. Due to his young age and the general's doting, he had grown plump like a ball, nestled in Concubine Yun's arms while eating pastries.
Except for the servants, everyone was seated—only Tantai Jin remained standing.
It was Concubine Lian who spoke first: "Third Miss has returned, and just in time. A major incident has occurred in the mansion, which you must have heard about. The Hostage is your person, and this concubine is in a difficult position. Third Miss, how about you presiding over this matter?"
As she spoke, she yielded the main seat to Su Su.
Although Concubine Lian occasionally assisted the Old Madam in managing household affairs, she was merely a concubine. Su Su was the only legitimate daughter, so the moment she entered, Concubine Lian naturally dared not remain in the main seat.
The other two concubines hurriedly bowed to Su Su as well.
Ye Lanyin, nudged by Concubine Du, reluctantly greeted, "Third Sister."
Su Su calmly took her seat, and a servant promptly poured her a cup of tea.
After taking a sip of tea, Su Su glanced at Tantai Jin, who was being detained.
His clothes were disheveled, and on the ground lay an old Talisman for peace, bearing footprints as if someone had stepped on it.
Tantai Jin's gaze was fixed on that Talisman. When Su Su entered, he showed no reaction—not even lifting his eyes to look at her.
"Concubine Lian, since you were the one conducting the interrogation earlier, please continue. I will simply listen," Su Su said, not wanting to intervene. She knew she held no favorable impression of Tantai Jin, and her involvement might lead to bias.
At these words, Tantai Jin finally reacted. He raised his head and cast a cold glance at Su Su.
"Since Third Miss has instructed, this concubine will continue."
"Hostage, firstly, in all these years, the mansion's finances have never been stolen," Concubine Lian said, looking at the young man in white. Her implication was clear: Tantai Jin had only been in the mansion for three months, and already so many valuables had gone missing.
"Secondly, only the masters are permitted near the treasury. Everyone in the mansion receives a monthly allowance, but you, Hostage..." Concubine Lian paused, leaving her words unfinished.
Everyone understood: although Tantai Jin was considered half a master in the mansion, the general's estate would not provide him with a monthly allowance.
As a captive from a defeated enemy nation, being given food was already a kindness—largely due to his relationship with the Third Miss.
Tantai Jin looked up and said, "It wasn't me. I didn't do it."
Su Su's interlaced fingers tightened slightly. In her opinion, Concubine Lian's arguments were quite weak.
Tantai Jin held a lowly status in the mansion. Because of the original host's poor treatment of him, his position was akin to that of a servant. How could he easily access the treasury? How could someone be convicted based merely on speculation?
Moreover, Su Su glanced at the young man—
His bangs covered his gloomy eyes, making him appear like a creature living in shadows, dark and unappealing.
Su Su believed Tantai Jin was capable of brutal murder in the future, but she didn't think he would commit theft.
Concubine Du's sharp voice interjected, "If it wasn't you, then who else could it be? One of the other young masters? Hostage, our general's mansion kindly took you in, and this is how you repay us? Perhaps no one taught you manners when you were young, and now you've developed sticky fingers?"
Her words were extremely offensive.The Fourth Young Master, who had been in Concubine Yun's arms, jumped out and ran to Tantai Jin, kicking him: "How dare you steal from the General's Manor! I'll have Father beat you to death!"
Concubine Yun quickly pulled the Fourth Young Master back: "Zhuo'er, don't speak nonsense!"
The corners of Tantai Jin's eyes faintly reddened.
He coldly repeated: "I said it wasn't me."
Because of Concubine Du and the Fourth Young Master's bluntness, the facade of a peaceful interrogation was shattered to pieces.
Su Su felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but suddenly recalled her father's pained face.
The Green-robed Immortal Venerable had said: "Over these years, countless Venerables in our cultivation world have fallen, including your senior brother, who died at the hands of that evil creature for the sake of our sect. Su Su, you are the final hope of the cultivation world. When you go back five hundred years, do not be soft-hearted."
Su Su steadied her breathing, repeatedly telling herself that Tantai Jin was no good man, and thus suppressed her impulse.
Concubine Lian spread open her hand, revealing an exquisite and beautiful white jade earring: "Then how does the Hostage explain this earring found on his person?"
Tantai Jin looked at the earring in Concubine Lian's hand, his lips pressed tightly together.
Su Su also looked at the earring.
Concubine Lian said: "Bi Liu, come take a look. Is this earring the Third Young Lady's? If it belongs to the Third Young Lady, then we have been discourteous."
Of course it couldn't be, Su Su thought. The original owner detested Tantai Jin—why would she give him something belonging to a girl?
Su Su knew this, and so did everyone else.
Su Su thought of something and looked at Tantai Jin.
She realized she knew whose it was.
Tantai Jin actually kept it hidden on his person—this pitiful, shadowy sentiment was indeed something to be ashamed of.
Bi Liu stepped forward to examine it and said: "Concubine Lian, this earring does not belong to my Young Lady."
"How does the Hostage explain this?"
Tantai Jin's gaze was icy, and he said nothing.
If there had been a trace of anger in his eyes before, now there was only a pool of stagnant water.
Concubine Lian bowed gracefully to Su Su: "The Third Young Lady has also seen that the Hostage is unwilling to explain."Ye Lanyin said sorrowfully: 'Your Highness, I have never offended you in daily life.'" Could you please return what my aunt prepared for Lanyin?" That was her dowry!
They were so lightly pinning a humiliating charge on Tantai Jin.
Su Su found it utterly absurd.
Tantai Jin also understood something and sneered: "I have nothing to say. Do with me as you will."
This was the first time Su Su had seen him wear a cold smile. His back was ramrod straight, and after he finished laughing, his lips formed a cold, tight line.
Concubine Lian said with feigned difficulty: "If a servant of the manor steals valuable property, their hands are to be broken, and they are to be driven out of the manor."
Concubine Yun frowned and couldn't help but softly plead: "Concubine Lian, the Hostage's status is, after all, unusual. How can he be compared to a servant?"
Concubine Lian said: "Concubine Yun misunderstands. I did not mean that. The Hostage is naturally different from a servant. But since a wrong has been committed, whoever it is should be punished. Third Young Lady, what do you think about having the Hostage return the property and then administering a light punishment?"
What did she think?
Not at all!
Were these people insane? How could they be so careless!
Su Su could no longer hold back. From the standpoint of the cultivation world, she shouldn't speak up for the future Demon King.
As long as he remained alive, no matter how wretched he became, she should just watch the drama with a smile.Yet no matter how many years passed, even as she grew up, she remained Li Susu—that curious little spirit bird who first opened her eyes in the world's purest Heavenly Chasm Immortal Pond, gazing down upon all living beings with a crimson feather between her brows.
She could righteously draw her sword and kill him, and would surely crush his divine soul without mercy in the future. But she could not, like others, take pleasure in slandering and humiliating him.
She could not keep her eyes wide open yet blindfold herself, pretending to know nothing.
Su Su stood up, her voice crisp and clear: "I disagree. Since he belongs to me, I will investigate this matter myself and will surely give all you aunts and Second Sister an explanation."
Concubine Lian was utterly astonished—hadn't the interrogation already concluded?
Su Su straightened her little face, looking at the others: "What, any objections? Or do you distrust me?"
Concubine Lian immediately smiled: "We wouldn't dare. Of course we trust Third Young Lady."
Su Su picked up the Talisman of Peace from the ground, walked over to Tantai Jin, and stuffed it into his hand: "Keep your belongings safe. If you let others snatch and trample them again, I'd be ashamed for you. If you say it wasn't you, then it better not be you! Otherwise, if I find out..."
He lifted his pitch-black eyes to look at her.
"I'll personally break your legs!" She panted, glaring at him, trying her best to appear fearsomely fierce.
The brightness in her eyes outshone the December snow outside.
Tantai Jin watched the furious, seething girl before him, unconsciously tightening his grip on the soiled Talisman of Peace in his hand.
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