Chapter 22: Seizing the Opportunity
“I didn’t quite believe it when they said he was colluding with the enemy and committing treason before, but now that I see it, it might actually be true.”
“Really, what a pity for someone as ethereal as an immortal.”
“Who says otherwise? In the past, which unmarried girl in Shangjing City didn’t want to marry Pei Zhouwu? With such a distinguished background and such a noble, esteemed person already enjoying boundless glory, how could his ambitions be so great?”
“But who did he kill?”
“Seems like it was a guard. What a sin—not even sparing a guard. Most likely, he was trying to escape.”
“…”
Liu Fuying’s steps hesitated as she entered, and Jin Li beside her also furrowed her brow.
“Jin Li…”
“I know, Madam. I’ll go find out what happened in a moment.”
As soon as she entered, she bumped into a familiar person.
Liu Shiyuan happened to be heading out as well. From afar, she spotted Liu Fuying suddenly returning home, her surprise tinged with a hint of delight.
“Sister?” She trotted over to greet her.
“Sister, why are you back so early in the morning? I heard you stayed at Changmingguan for three days and only came down the mountain yesterday. I thought you and brother-in-law would spend some quality time together, focusing on the important matter of having children.”
The sarcasm in her words was unmistakable to anyone.
Liu Fuying was preoccupied with Pei Zhouwu’s situation and had no mind to engage with her.
If Pei Zhouwu had truly killed someone, she didn’t know what punishment he might face. What if he was taken to the Heavenly Prison in the city?
Forget about borrowing his seed—she hadn’t even tasted his lips yet.
“Sister, are you alright? You seem unsettled.”
Liu Fuying walked straight ahead but brushed past Liu Shiyuan without so much as an extra glance. The smile on Liu Shiyuan’s face instantly vanished, replaced by a pout as she turned and chased after her.
“Sister, did you and brother-in-law have a fight?”
Liu Fuying was deeply annoyed. She glanced at her with lowered eyelids, but this only seemed to encourage her further.
“Sister, it’s not that I’m criticizing you. I know you’re desperate to have a child, which isn’t inherently a bad thing. But you also have to consider brother-in-law’s reputation. Having children isn’t solely a woman’s responsibility. Who knows if people outside might say brother-in-law is in poor health or that he’s incapable?”
Liu Shiyuan spoke as if she had already determined why Liu Fuying had returned to her maiden home.
“After all, brother-in-law is a man from the outside world and holds a high position. Reputation is of utmost importance to him. Making such a grand spectacle of going to the Taoist Temple to pray for a child is also a slap in his face, isn’t it?”
As they turned the corner of the corridor, Liu Shiyuan remained stubbornly clinging to her.
On the other side of Liu Fuying, Jin Li rolled her eyes countless times.
“It seems that when it comes to the art of getting along, I truly can’t compare to you, sister. Why don’t you go and persuade your brother-in-law on my behalf to calm his anger?”
“Ah?” Liu Shiyuan was both shocked and delighted, pausing in her steps.
Though she was still at the Liu Family home, her heart seemed to have already drifted to the General’s Mansion.
“Sister, don’t worry. Brother-in-law might just be momentarily upset. I’ll help you persuade him properly.”
With Liu Fuying’s permission, she now had a legitimate reason to visit the Shen Family.
At that moment, all she could think about was seizing the opportunity to get close to Shen Xiunian. She no longer bothered to mock Liu Fuying and turned to run off.
But what kind of temperament Shen Xiunian had, even Jin Li knew well.
His room didn’t even have a maidservant to attend to him. If he were someone so easy to approach and provoke, why would he have slept with a wooden tablet for so many years?
Jin Li did not even accompany Liu Fuying back to her room; halfway there, she hurriedly went to inquire about Pei Zhouwu’s situation.
Liu Fuying returned alone to the courtyard she had lived in before her marriage. It was empty, not a soul in sight, and covered in dust everywhere. The tabletop was coated with a thick layer of ash, clearly indicating that no one had cleaned it regularly.
After quite some time, Jin Li finally returned.
“Madam, I went out and asked people on the street to find out. I heard that the Imperial Uncle killed a guard leader, a captain or something, surnamed Yang. After he died, the body was sent down the mountain at mao hour.”
“So it’s true.”
“It’s true, Madam. It’s already spread everywhere by now.”
“Did anyone mention sending people up the mountain to arrest him or the like?”
“I haven’t heard anything about that. The morning court session hasn’t adjourned yet, and no arrest orders have been announced.”
Without hesitation, Liu Fuying stood up. After a few steps, she turned back and instructed Jin Li, “Go outside and rent a carriage, an ordinary one will do. I need to leave the city.”
“Madam…”
“Go.”
Jin Li knew she intended to go up the mountain to find Pei Zhouwu. Though worried, she ultimately couldn’t dissuade her and obediently ran out the door.
Left alone, Liu Fuying pondered with a grim expression.
She had thought that Pei Zhouwu would not actively harm others, let alone take a life lightly. Even if he disregarded himself, he would consider the Pei family and worry about implicating the Empress and Crown Prince in the palace.
Yesterday, he had clashed with that man surnamed Yang, but she never expected another conflict to arise so quickly.
And to such a deadly extent.
Regardless, Liu Fuying was unwilling to let her efforts on Pei Zhouwu go to waste.
After all this time of sneaking around, she had gained nothing.
How could she accept that!
Fortunately, the carriage rental was not far, and a carriage was quickly secured.
Liu Fuying did not board from the Liu Family residence but instead got into the carriage on a crowded street, where people and vehicles were nearly jammed together. With several carriages around, she covered her face with her long sleeves as she boarded, and no one noticed her.
The carriage stopped halfway up Xiangshan, not directly outside Changmingguan.
The driver explained that the remaining path had to be walked to demonstrate sincerity to the deities.
This was not uncommon; many pilgrims visiting the mountain did the same, and the driver was already accustomed to it.
Once in a secluded spot, Liu Fuying led Jin Li into the woods.
Following the direction, they searched for a long time before finally finding the deep spring where the water entered.
Without wasting a moment, Liu Fuying hurriedly entered the water.
“Madam, be careful. I’ll wait here for you to come out.” Jin Li was extremely anxious, fearing that something might happen to Liu Fuying inside.
So frightened that even the passing birds in the forest made her tremble.
After scanning her surroundings and looking back, Liu Fuying had already disappeared from sight in the lake.
Despite the bright, sunny weather, Liu Fuying felt an intense chill underwater. Half her body was cold, and the entire area was enveloped in an unsettling coolness that made her uneasy.
Finally reaching the deep pool by the bamboo house, she did not rush to surface.
She swam to the shallow area and hid behind a large rock for a while. The courtyard was silent, and after cautiously confirming no one was around, she carefully emerged from the water.
She slowly made her way to the bedroom and listened intently for a long time, but there was no sound inside.
Circling around, she saw that the bedroom door was tightly shut.
Taking a deep breath, she gently pushed the door open. Before she could see anyone, a strong smell of blood assaulted her senses.
Around the threshold, there were many dried bloodstains.
Her heart raced as she stepped inside, immediately spotting Pei Zhouwu lying motionless on the bed.
He usually wore only that one pure white robe, clean and untouched by any stain.
But today, that white garment was almost entirely soaked in blood.