Chapter 303 - 302: As Usual
Mrs. Lian finished speaking, stood up and walked outside, just about to step out, when she heard someone call "Second Madam."
She stopped and turned around, meeting Yu Zhu’s eyes.
Yu Zhu still showed no expression, yet her demeanor was very respectful, leaving nothing to be criticized.
Yu Zhu bowed slightly and said, "Second Madam, as it was Qingming yesterday, there were many people coming and going from the second door. It’s possible someone took advantage and sneaked in and out. Please investigate carefully, so as to thoroughly clear the slave’s name."
Mrs. Lian’s smile froze on her face, her hand clenching tightly as she said, "The Old Madam has instructed for thorough and rigorous checks. Don’t worry, if it’s not you, then you are naturally innocent."
After saying this, Mrs. Lian left the Flower Hall without looking back.
When she reached an empty spot, Mrs. Lian’s face fell, a hint of malice flashing in her eyes.
She quietly spat: that Yu Zhu, she even dared to challenge her! That remark clearly accused her of failing to manage the backyard properly, resulting in such confusion.
It truly infuriated her!
Despite her anger, Mrs. Lian’s thoughts remained clear.
She didn’t believe Cangzhu fell accidentally; someone must have pushed her.
Who could it be, and for what purpose did they do such a thing?
If the murderer isn’t someone from Shaohui Garden...
Then even as the household manager, she’d be implicated.
Especially since Madam Wu seemed to imply that she should return the house management to the main branch.
Cangzhu’s death was like a double-edged sword—if it were internal strife within Shaohui Garden, then Du Yunluo would inevitably be weakened; if not, then it would be misfortunate for Mrs. Lian.
"Either way, we won’t suffer too much..." Mrs. Lian muttered softly, then asked Nanny Zhu, "Third sister-in-law? Or fourth sister-in-law?"
Nanny Zhu pondered a moment, then shook her head, "Doesn’t seem like it."
Mrs. Lian also tasted the flavor herself.
Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Zhou are close, but her relationship with them isn’t bad either. Who manages the household makes no difference to Mrs. Lu—she’s not one to do something with no gain.
As for Mrs. Xu, she naturally favored the main branch, hoping they would smoothly take over the household management, leaving no reason for Mrs. Xu to stir up additional trouble.
"Perhaps it’s really just infighting among the servants, and Cangzhu unknowingly offended someone who..." Nanny Zhu made a motion of pushing someone, without continuing.
Mrs. Lian took a deep breath, "If I find out who’s stirring trouble, I’ll skin her alive!"
In Baijie Hall, Du Yunluo went to visit Madam Wu.
Madam Wu was resting, leaning on the Arhat Bed. Seeing Du Yunluo arrive, she beckoned her over, "Sit down."
Du Yunluo sat as instructed.
Banqiao poured her some tea, and after taking a sip, Du Yunluo frowned and examined the tea.
This tea was different from what Baijie Hall usually served.
Madam Wu chuckled, "It’s to calm your nerves."
Du Yunluo smiled, "Thank you for your concern, grandmother. I’m all right."
Madam Wu showed a fatigued expression, rubbing her brow, "Age is catching up with me—I find myself tired even over such matters. You all go back first; I’m going to take a nap."
Mrs. Zhou and Du Yunluo nodded in agreement and left.
Once they were out of Baijie Hall, Mrs. Zhou whispered to Du Yunluo, "Since it’s a matter from your courtyard, be sure to handle it carefully."
Within Shaohui Garden, seeing Yu Zhu summoned to Baijie Hall brought about much discussion.
Yan’er, cautiously pulling Hongfu aside, asked, "Did Yu Zhu really have a confrontation with Cangzhu that day?"
Hongfu’s face turned pale, her voice trembling slightly, "She just pinched Cangzhu’s jaw; it can’t be considered a fight."
"From a distance, it looked intense," Nanny Ma suggested, leaning in.
"I was right there, so I saw it most clearly," Hongfu insisted, waving her hands, "Let’s not guess blindly. I don’t think Yu Zhu is like that."
Some believed, some didn’t. But when Du Yunluo returned with Lian Qiao and Yu Zhu, the others’ surprise turned to relief.
The fact Yu Zhu returned meant she was not involved.
Nanny Ma repeatedly chanted prayers, grateful that everything was all right; who would want to work with a killer? She had seen Cangzhu herself that morning. Though just a glimpse of a figure in the well, it was frightening enough.
Du Yunluo returned to her room.
Lian Qiao stood under the veranda, speaking aloud, "The Old Madam, the Madam, and Second Madam have all asked questions. Cangzhu likely slipped and fell into the well. Let’s not make wild guesses anymore, and be careful when moving around in the future."
When Lian Qiao left, Nanny Ma whispered to Nanny Shen, "Slipped? How could someone slip all the way to the edge of a well?"
Nanny Shen gently tapped Nanny Ma, "If the masters say it was an accident, isn’t it? If there were truly a murderer, they’d have been caught long ago. Would they ignore someone’s reputation? Just wait a few days—if someone from any courtyard is suddenly transferred, it likely has to do with this."
Nanny Ma found this reasonable. Three or four days later, the back courtyard remained calm and usual.
She couldn’t help but murmur, perhaps it really was an accident.
Du Yunluo kept the matter in mind with the two accompanying nannies also discreetly watching in Shaohui Garden. Since they often saw each other, observing quietly was better than questioning.
Jin Rui and Jin Lan were packing; Mu Lianxiao had gotten some time off, as previously planned, to accompany Du Yunluo back to Tong City.
Someone from Hong Jinbao’s family returned to Du Mansion, notifying Mrs. Zhen, who prepared some items for Du Yunluo to take back to the Zhen Family.
Jin Rui checked to ensure everything was packed, feeling at ease.
Seeing Du Yunluo resting with her eyes closed, Jin Rui approached to massage her temples, "Madam, with the murderer not yet found, is it okay for us to go to Tong City?"
Du Yunluo pursed her lips.
She understood that Cangzhu’s death wasn’t Mrs. Lian’s doing.
If it were, it wouldn’t have been so easily dismissed that day; Mrs. Lian would have ensured evidence was found implicating Shaohui Garden.
Yet there wasn’t any.
The matter now seemed shelved, with no clues or evidence to be found anywhere.
Even Cangzhu had been taken back by her parents for burial.
A life was lost, yet it was like a pebble dropped into water—creating ripples before settling, as if nothing happened.
"The Princely Heir rarely gets time off. If I say not to go now, wouldn’t it waste his efforts?" Du Yunluo couldn’t help but smile slightly.
She had observed Mu Lianxiao’s hard work these days, understanding he did it for her, which warmed and pained her heart.
As for the mansion’s affairs...
If Mrs. Lian made a move while she was away, she’d only reveal her own hand.
Du Yunluo wasn’t afraid of Mrs. Lian’s tactics. Acting under Madam Wu’s watchful eyes was far easier than Du Yunluo laboriously unearthing past matters to bring her down.
The second branch was wary of the clever Madam Wu and acted outside the mansion all these years.
Du Yunluo chuckled coldly.
The more you do, the more mistakes you make—let’s see if Mrs. Lian will make a foolish move.