Where Is the Evidence

The members of the Zhou family all bore a striking resemblance, so she never doubted Zhou Man's parentage. Given the timing of Qian's illness, she assumed it occurred after she gave birth to a daughter in her advanced age.

However, it appears that this is not the case.

Madame Liu's emotions were complex. She had initially taken a liking to the young girl, but now she felt not only fondness but also a sense of remorse towards her.

Da Ji appeared unexpectedly behind Madame Liu.

Madame Liu glanced at him, rose, and departed. She walked to a secluded spot in the garden and paused.

The area was filled with low-lying flowers and ginger planted by Shan Bao, making it impossible to conceal anyone. There was also a considerable distance to the nearest house, ensuring privacy for their conversation.

"As per your instructions, the two individuals have been detained since last night." They have been deprived of communication and sustenance, and are currently in a state of distress, struggling within the confines of the house. Would you like to inspect them?

Madame Liu pondered for a moment before replying, "No rush. It's still too early." Let's wait a little longer.

"Weren't you planning to hand them over to Lord Wei?"

"Yes, but interrogation is also necessary," Madame Liu replied. "Lord Wei only arrived in Luojiang County today and is unlikely to depart until tomorrow at the earliest." Hence, there is no need for haste.

Despite Wei's formidable reputation, Madame Liu harbored reservations. While individuals must be handed over, she needed to document the necessary testimony. Just in case, she also had a chance to turn the tables.

Madame Liu remained silent for a while before asking in a low voice, "Have you investigated?"

"I have." Text: ### Following the instructions of the hall master, it was discovered that the initial discovery of Mr. and Mrs. Zhou Yin was made by Zhou Erlang, Zhou Daliang, and several other adolescents. ### Later, villagers and members of the Zhou family collectively carried the items down from the mountain.

I searched the Zhou residence but found nothing out of the ordinary. "Madame, could they have taken the items?"

"Impossible," Madame Liu stated without hesitation. "If they had obtained the items, they wouldn't have sent people to investigate us in Longzhou, nor would they have come here to find Zhou Yin." Obviously, they didn't acquire the items back then.

"But the items aren't in the possession of the Zhou family either," Da Ji pointed out. "Consider this: the officials accused Zhou Yin of being a bandit, and Zhou Man even disowned her parents." "If they had acquired those items, they should have known that Zhou Man isn't a bandit and wouldn't have sought revenge."

Rituals are crucial.

Yet, gravestones for Mr. and Mrs. Zhou Yin are still nonexistent. Their only daughter still cannot recognize them. If the Zhou family truly possessed concrete evidence proving their innocence, they wouldn't remain idle.

Madame Liu also understood this point. "So, the items might not be in the possession of the Zhou family?"

"Then where are they?"

"They must have handed over the items before being killed, or perhaps they concealed them..." Madame Liu glanced at Da Ji.

Da Ji seemed conflicted. "Madame, this matter can only be addressed by the hall master." In the village, hardly anyone discusses Zhou Yin's affairs, making it impossible for us to determine where they died.

Madame Liu nodded. "I will discuss this with Li Zhi." You ensure that the detainees are prepared. We only need reliable individuals—no more, no less. Two or three will suffice. Once the location is confirmed, even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must retrieve the items.

"Understood."

Madame Liu rubbed her temples. She had barely slept the previous night, and now she had a slight headache. She asked, "How is Er Ji?"

Da Ji lowered his eyes. "Still the same." The doctor can only prolong his life. However, it seems his spirits have lifted upon hearing about the breach of the Jianwei Dam.

Madame Liu uttered a sound of acknowledgment. This was one of the secrets she had not disclosed to Bai Li, and also the most important one. Even Zheng Shi was unaware.

When news of Bai Qi's sudden death arrived, the remaining servants in Shu County escorted his coffin back to his hometown. She refused to believe that her son had been killed by bandits while hunting in the mountains.

Accompanied by the magistrate of Shu County, who spoke highly of the county magistrate, they proposed to the court that Bai Qi had died while actively participating in suppressing bandits.

Thus, Bai Qi could still maintain a reputation for loyalty and righteousness.

At that time, she was filled with sorrow and pain. However, she sensed someone watching their household, and that gaze harbored ill intentions.

She could only pretend to comply, citing Bai Qi's wrongful death as the reason for keeping his body in the observation hall for three months.

After everyone dispersed, she ordered an autopsy.

Her son had been hacked to death while still alive!

At that time, Er Ji, who was with Bai Qi, disappeared without a trace. The response from Shu County was that he had died at the hands of bandits, and no remains were found.

If a servant had truly died at the hands of mountain bandits, Madame Liu would not have gone to such great lengths to find him.

But Madame Liu didn't believe it. So, she instructed Da Ji's brother, Da Ji, to search in the vicinity of Yizhou, and eventually found the barely alive Er Ji in a hunter's home.

Er Ji said that he and the master had fled to Luojiang County. Everyone accompanying them was killed along the way, leaving only the two of them injured.

On the road, they encountered a young couple riding a donkey cart. Helpless, Bai Qi could only turn to them for assistance.

At that time, due to the pursuit, Er Ji kept watch and didn't hear what they said, but he could see their actions.

The man witnessed the master handing over the deadly package to the couple, then bowing solemnly. The couple quickly pulled away with their cart, insisting on giving it to them.

In the end, they were caught by pursuers. Er Ji exchanged clothes with Bai Qi, led the pursuers away with the cart, while Bai Qi hid.

He fell off a cliff while being pursued, was saved by a tree after two hits, and later rescued by a hunter who ventured into the mountains. But if Da Ji had been a step later, he would have died.

Madame Liu spared no expense to save his life so that she could have a witness when the time came to clear his name.

However, having a witness was not enough—she also needed physical evidence.

But what could she do when the thing that cost her son's life and could jeopardize the lives of those people was nowhere to be found?

Madame Liu had been searching all along, but to no avail. She chose to move to Qili Village for several reasons. Firstly, to distance herself from the Longzhou relatives, providing a good environment for Shan Bao's growth. Secondly, Bai Li was present, providing support for them to depend on and assist each other mutually. Thirdly, it was located in Luojiang County, which made it easier for her to locate that young couple.

She never expected that they had also died, possibly on the same day as her son, at the same time.

They died even worse than her son. Despite being innocent, Qir Er still left behind a good reputation. As for them, they couldn't even have a name after death, and their children did not know who their parents were.

Madame Liu's thoughts churned, and after a while, she waved her hand to dismiss Da Ji.

Zheng Shi was about to deliver porridge to Bai Shan Bao. Seeing Madame Liu and Da Ji talking in the middle of the garden from afar, she couldn't help but pause. "Why are they talking in the sun?"

As she spoke, she was about to approach, but was stopped by her own maid. "Madam, Madame Liu probably has something to teach Da Ji." Let's go see the young master first.

The maid continued, "Miss Man Bao is also here today." If the two children are together, they might be sneaking food again. "You should check on them."

Zheng Shi agreed. After glancing at the garden one last time, she headed towards Bai Shan Bao's study.