Chapter 472: Jiang Tang
The torturer’s methods were cruel and despicable. It was clear they were determined to take Xu Jie’s life.
And yet, this most fatal move was not mentioned in the case file.
SLAP.
Shen Yanchuan casually tossed the booklet aside. His deep-set eyes were laced with frost, emitting a faint, oppressive chill.
"They really have some nerve. A joint interrogation by the Three Judicial Departments, and they still found a loophole."
Xi Su said thoughtfully, "But wouldn’t this make people more suspicious?"
Xu Jie was dead, leaving behind only a flawless death report.
On the surface, it seemed fine. The dead can’t be brought back to life, after all. And since he died at this exact moment, no one could get any more information out of him.
But upon closer thought, who would actually believe it?
The officials in the court are all old foxes. The more perfect the death certificate, the more suspicious Xu Jie’s death becomes! After all, if it weren’t deliberate, how could it be so seamless?
Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow. "Suspicious of what?"
Xi Su said, "They’d naturally suspect the Sec—"
He stopped abruptly. A flash of insight lit up his mind, and in an instant, he connected all the dots!
That was it!
At this moment, who would want Xu Jie dead the most?
Xiao Chengxuan!
Xu Jie knew too many of his dark secrets. If he revealed anything more proving that Xiao Chengxuan was truly colluding with the Southern Hu Blade Man, then Xiao Chengxuan would be facing certain death!
The only reason Emperor Muwu had been willing to spare his life was that none of Xiao Chengxuan’s previous actions had shaken the foundations of the empire.
However, the Southern Hu Blade Man was different.
The crime of treason is a charge no one dares to bear!
But that was precisely the problem: now that Xu Jie was truly dead, everyone would naturally turn their suspicions toward Xiao Chengxuan.
Now, Xiao Chengxuan wouldn’t be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River!
Xi Su’s brow furrowed. "Master, you mean... someone wants to use Xu Jie’s death?"
Shen Yanchuan’s eyelids lowered slightly as he fell into silent contemplation.
He was the one who had given Xu Jie’s previous testimony to Xu Fengchi.
No one knew better than him that Xu Jie had already confessed everything, both what he should and should not have said.
Xu Jie truly didn’t know about the matter between Xiao Chengxuan and the Southern Hu Blade Man. Of course, it was even more likely that Xiao Chengxuan had no connection to those people at all.
But now, someone wanted to pin this crime on Xiao Chengxuan.
Xu Jie’s death was the key.
"Have you found out who did it?" Shen Yanchuan asked.
Xi Su shook his head. "Not yet."
An iron nail driven into the brain could kill a person silently and swiftly, without leaving any trace.
If Xi Su hadn’t personally investigated, it would have been nearly impossible to discover that hidden, fatal wound.
Yet, the method was extremely simple. Anyone with a bit of martial skill and strength could have done it.
With the daily shift rotations in the prison, it was impossible to find out who was responsible.
Shen Yanchuan’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.
After a moment, he let out a soft chuckle.
"No need to investigate further."
"What?"
Xi Su was a little surprised.
"You mean..."
"This case file won’t hold up for long before someone finds something wrong with it." Shen Yanchuan took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands, as if he could still smell the faint scent of blood and ink on the booklet.
"Xu Jie’s true cause of death will eventually be brought to light, and the killer will appear as well."
There was no need to investigate; he just had to wait.
Xi Su already understood the meaning behind his words. "...So, the killer will eventually emerge and claim that Xiao Chengxuan ordered him to do it?"
At that point, no matter how capable Xiao Chengxuan was, he wouldn’t be able to clear his name!
He was definitely taking the fall for this!
Shen Yanchuan didn’t speak, but his silence was a clear affirmation of the guess.
A chill instantly ran down Xi Su’s spine. "Then—the mastermind behind this is so incredibly cunning. We must be on guard!"
To be able to silently ensnare Xiao Chengxuan, who was once the most promising candidate for the throne, with such an intricate, interlocking plot... their mind is terrifyingly meticulous!
Shen Yanchuan, however, remained impassive.
"This has always been a life-or-death struggle."
If Xiao Chengxuan lacks the ability to survive this, then death is what he deserves.
Xi Su deeply agreed.
"So, Master, your intention is... to wait and see how things unfold?"
Shen Yanchuan was noncommittal.
He said, "How is the investigation in Qingzhou coming along?"
Long before the Eldest Princess and the Cabinet were still debating whether to send Shen Yanchuan to Qingzhou to investigate the case, he had already dispatched men to go there in secret.
Xi Su’s expression turned serious. "They have already started surveillance near the County Magistrate Mansion. They will immediately detect any unusual activity from Zuo Ci and Gao Yi. For now, though, everything seems normal."
This was within Shen Yanchuan’s expectations.
It would take some time for news of what happened in the Capital City to reach Qingzhou.
’By my calculations, they should be finding out about Xiao Chengxuan’s downfall soon. As for how they’ll react... I’m rather interested to see.’
"Have them continue their watch. Report any developments immediately."
"Yes!"
...
The next day, Ye Chutang took Xiao Wu to visit Chu Qiyuan.
The servant at the gate had clearly received instructions beforehand. Upon seeing Ye Chutang, he immediately came forward to greet her and respectfully invited her inside.
"Second Miss Ye, this way, please—"
Ye Chutang politely thanked him and, holding Xiao Wu’s hand, stepped inside.
Chu Qiyuan’s residence was not extravagant; on the contrary, it was very simple. Just as Ye Chutang passed through the covered walkway, she caught the faint scent of medicinal herbs.
Beyond the decorated gate, the courtyard was lined with numerous plants on both sides.
In the freezing winter, most were just withered stems and roots, but it was easy to see that their owner had been tending to them with great care.
Chu Qiyuan was highly respected and an excellent physician, but he himself was indifferent to fame and fortune. In his early years, he had traveled far and wide, only joining the Imperial Hospital later in life.
Even so, he enjoyed much more freedom than an ordinary Imperial Physician.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to leave the Capital City to search for medicine and only return over a month later.
Ye Chutang was led to the front hall, where Chu Qiyuan, as expected, had already arranged for tea to be prepared while he waited.
"Greetings, Chief Doctor Chu."
Ye Chutang greeted him politely.
Chu Qiyuan immediately stood up, looking somewhat resigned. "It’s just my two apprentices and me here. There’s no need for such formalities."
Ye Chutang looked up and saw that the two people who had led her in and served the tea had indeed already withdrawn from the room.
She had even met one of them a few years ago.
Ye Chutang’s eyes curved into a smile. "You are my elder. It is only proper to show respect."
Chu Qiyuan’s gaze was profound, but he knew that this was the Capital City, after all, where one had to be mindful of every word and action, so he didn’t insist.
Ye Chutang gently patted Xiao Wu’s hand. "Xiao Wu, go ask Chief Doctor Chu to check your pulse."
Xiao Wu nodded obediently and walked forward.
Chu Qiyuan sized up the rosy-cheeked Little Bun before him, feeling a wave of emotion. ’Time flies so fast. The same Xiao Wu who once clung tightly to his big sister’s arms has grown so much.’
He took out his pulse pillow, and Xiao Wu immediately extended his hand and placed it on top.
Chu Qiyuan placed his fingers on the pulse, closed his eyes, and began his diagnosis in silence.
The room fell silent.
Ye Chutang lifted her teacup, only to discover it wasn’t tea but a warming Jiang Tang.
She blinked and took a sip.