Intruding into a Private Residence

After Rushi and Ruhua left, the room immediately fell silent. It was already dark outside, and Xie Wan sat in the room, gazing at the night sky with a furrowed brow.

Xie Zhikang and Xie Zhifeng were not the real culprits behind the murder of their parents, and the coachman clearly didn’t have the ability to commit such a crime. The person who could send assassins to the prestigious Marquis Yongyu must be a powerful figure in the current court.

Xie Wan knew very well that the person who orchestrated such a meticulous plan was definitely not ordinary. It was impossible to trace the mastermind behind the scenes through Aunt Qian alone. What she wanted was just a breakthrough.

By following the clues and unraveling the layers, she was confident that she could find the true culprit. Aunt Qian’s house wasn’t far away, and after a little over an hour, Rushi and Ruhua returned.

Rushi reported, “Miss, Aunt Qian said they are going to seek refuge with their relatives in City Liao. As soon as the city gates open tomorrow morning, they will leave by carriage from the south gate. The coachman has already made arrangements.”

Ruhua added, “I inquired and confirmed that Aunt Qian does indeed have a sister who married and lives in City Liao. They exchange letters regularly, and during festivals, her sister would send gifts.”

Rushi continued, “I personally witnessed Aunt Qian’s mother-in-law having a hysterical fit. It’s true.”

Ruhua also chimed in, “I also found out that Aunt Qian’s mother-in-law developed hysteria after her son’s death. She sought medical advice, and it was confirmed that the grief and longing for her son caused it. The neighbors can testify to that.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Wan furrowed her brow but remained silent. Rushi frowned and asked, “So, does that mean there are no issues with the Qian family leaving?”

“But I can’t help but feel that something is not right,” Ruhua said, looking at Xie Wan. “It all seems too reasonable.”

“There’s a saying that goes: No loopholes are the biggest loophole,” Xie Wan said, looking at the two of them. “We don’t suspect the authenticity of Aunt Qian’s mother-in-law’s hysteria. We’re just discussing the matter objectively. The most convenient route from the capital to the City of Liao is by water. It only takes a few hours. Aunt Qian’s family consists of six people, and they must have a lot of belongings to relocate.”

“Taking the overland route would not only require multiple carriages, but even with changing horses along the way, it would take several days of non-stop travel. Not to mention the risks and expenses involved. Why would they choose the harder path?”

Ruhua nodded and said, “Exactly! Why?”

Rushi poked her head, saying, “Use your brain a little.”

Ruhua pouted, “As long as the young miss has a brain, that’s enough. I’m just a hired hand.”

Helplessly, Rushi gave her a look and then turned to Xie Wan, asking, “Miss, do you suspect that they are lying about taking the overland route?”

Xie Wan didn’t answer her question directly but pondered for a moment before saying, “They’re afraid that the mother-in-law will be reminded of her son when she sees certain things. Finding another place to settle would be easy. Even if they are deeply affectionate sisters, the sister already has her own family, and there are only a few places she can offer help. Why would they move the entire family to such a distant and unfamiliar place?”

Ruhua snorted, “She’s guilty and wants to run away!”

Xie Wan nodded, affirming her speculation. “Taking the overland route could mean two possibilities. Either Aunt Qian is lying to us, or her destination is not actually City Liao, and she plans to change course during the journey.”

After all, in ancient times, people wouldn’t easily entrust their lives and fortunes to unfamiliar and untrustworthy individuals. Aunt Qian couldn’t possibly go to a completely unfamiliar place and find several unfamiliar carriages to transport them.

Rushi nodded, “I think it’s more likely to be the second possibility. After all, whether Aunt Qian takes the water route or the overland route, it doesn’t matter to us. She has no reason to deceive us in this regard.”

Xie Wan made a sound of agreement, confirming their speculation. Hearing this, Ruhua immediately rolled up her sleeves.

Startled, Rushi asked, “What are you doing?”

“The servant of the seller deserves to die!” Ruhua said coldly. “I will go and bring her here now and see if she confesses!”

Rushi followed suit, rolling up her sleeves. “I’ll go with you.”

As they were about to leave, Xie Wan quickly stopped them, saying, “There’s no need. It’s already late, and the city gates have been closed. Tomorrow morning, I will personally see her off!”

In the evening, Xie Wan continued to tell stories to Xie Lin as usual. After coaxing him to sleep, she watched his peaceful face, and her brows softened. It seemed like the heavens had granted her a second chance at life, perhaps to protect him.

Xie Wan leaned down and gently kissed his little face before getting up and leaving. As her footsteps faded away, Xie Lin, who had been sleeping, opened his eyes and pulled the blanket over his head.

Ah, Sister secretly kissed him again, how embarrassing!

That night, Xie Wan hardly slept. Before dawn broke, she got up and left the residence with Rushi and Ruhua. The pale light of dawn appeared on the horizon, and three carriages were parked outside Aunt Qian’s house. The family was busy packing their belongings.

Just then, Xie Wan stepped into the courtyard. Aunt Qian’s two sons were stunned when they saw her, and her two daughters also looked mesmerized. Even the several cart drivers who were helping stopped and stared at her, their eyes fixated as if they had seen a fairy.

Xie Wan didn’t pay attention to their gaze and walked straight past the brightly lit main room.

Aunt Qian was inside, tidying up. After waiting for a while and no one came in to take the items, she couldn’t help but shout, “Lazy again? Hurry up and come take them!”

Xie Wan stood at the door, looking at her with a smile. “Shall I help you?”

Startled by the unfamiliar voice, Aunt Qian jumped and immediately turned around. She first froze when she saw Xie Wan and then noticed Rushi standing beside her. She took a step back, feeling guilty, and her eyes avoided their gaze.

Seeing her reaction, Xie Wan raised her hand, and Rushi immediately stepped out of the house, standing guard outside the door.

Aunt Qian, sensing the situation, stammered, “Wh-who are you? Why did you intrude into my house?”

Xie Wan ignored her and walked inside, finding a relatively tidy spot to sit down. Then she looked at Aunt Qian and said, “Who I am, you should know very well.”

Aunt Qian certainly knew. She had heard her deceased husband talk about the beautiful legitimate daughter of the Marquis Residence multiple times. Additionally, Xie Wan’s maidservant, Rushi, had just been here the previous evening. It would be hard for her not to know.

But she didn’t want to admit it and clenched her teeth, saying, “Miss, I'm just a common woman, and I do not know you. This is a common woman’s house, and you are trespassing!”

“You don’t know?” Rushi snorted. “Stop pretending! This is my lady; don’t tell me you don’t recognize me either?”

Unable to escape, Aunt Qian reluctantly acted as if she suddenly understood everything. “So, it’s Miss Xie. I have seen you, Miss Xie.”

Xie Wan looked at her coldly and said, “You should know why I came to find you, right?”

Aunt Qian pretended to be ignorant. “I don’t know, Miss.”

“Don’t know?” Xie Wan sneered, her gaze falling on the cloth sack beside Aunt Qian. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t know. Once my people finish searching through your luggage, you will know. Rushi!”

“Yes!”