Chapter 45: Give Her a Fright

Chen Yueru followed behind Tan Qingjiu. Hearing those words, her eyelids twitched violently, and an inexplicable unease rose in her heart.

What did Tan Qingjiu mean by that?

What secret, connected to her, could not be spoken aloud?

What exactly was Tan Qingjiu referring to?

Could it be...

Chen Yueru’s expression shifted several times. Looking at Tan Qingjiu’s face again, she suddenly felt there was an uncanny resemblance to someone long deceased.

Clenching her teeth, Chen Yueru stepped forward. “You misunderstand, Qingjiu. They simply speak without thinking, idly gossiping for a moment. There was no malice in it.”

Tan Qingjiu raised her eyebrows. “So, according to Madam Tan, there was no malice in what was said?”

“Is that so?” Tan Qingjiu nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. Then if I speak in such a manner in the future, no one should take offense, should they? After all, I would mean no harm either.”

Listening to their exchange, Tan Yun felt as though the headache that had left him for several days was starting to return.

“That’s enough.” Tan Yun took a deep breath, pressed his fingers to his temples, and turned to look at Chen Yueru. “I’ve heard all about what happened at the gate this afternoon. Someone tried to frame Qingjiu; she had no part in it.”

“And tonight’s events are not her doing either. As the mistress of the Tan household, you ought to keep the people in the rear court in order. Don’t let wild speculations slip out unchecked.”

Chen Yueru opened her mouth to protest. She hadn’t been the one spreading nonsense, so why was she being scolded?

She turned to look at Tan Qingjiu, only to see a smile on her lips—a clear look of satisfaction at having seen her put in her place.

Tan Qingjiu moved to Tan Yun’s side. “It is most fortunate that Father is willing to believe me. When you were absent this afternoon, I was falsely accused, even Madam doubted me. I felt utterly hopeless at that moment.”

“Thankfully, Prince Duan arrived just in time to prove my innocence. Otherwise, I truly would have been unable to clear my name.”

“Father, are you feeling unwell again? I just saw you pressing your temples. If I recall correctly, it’s time for me to give you another acupuncture treatment. Since we’re waiting for the magistrate’s men to come and examine the body, why don’t I treat you first?”

Tan Yun nodded, feeling quite content.

This daughter, though previously disgraced for conceiving before marriage and punished with the pond, had become a different person upon her return six years later—much more sensible and mature.

Moreover, he had already heard what had happened at the gate in the afternoon, and the Prince’s intention to marry her as well.

He had never expected this turn of events. He’d thought Tan Qingjiu’s medical skills were merely good enough to attract some influential connections, but—

The matter of Prince Duan was an unexpected blessing.

Despite his madness and his lack of prospects for the throne, Prince Duan was still a prince. If he truly married Tan Qingjiu, then His Majesty would become his in-law in name and fact. His Majesty was quite fond of Prince Duan; if this led to some favor or promotion...

This was a situation with nothing but benefits.

Even for this alone, he must keep Tan Qingjiu in the Tan household.

True to her word, Tan Qingjiu began administering acupuncture to Tan Yun. Chen Yueru stood nearby, biting her lip in frustration. She could not move against Tan Qingjiu yet—at least, not until Tan Yun’s illness was cured.

If Tan Qingjiu were gone and no one remained to treat Tan Yun, and something happened to him, her own comfortable days would be over.

After Tan Qingjiu finished the treatment, Tan Yun immediately felt his headache lessen and his mind grow clearer. “Excellent. In just six years, you’ve mastered such impressive medical skills—truly, you are gifted. The hardships you endured before must have been a blessing in disguise...”

Tan Qingjiu’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Yes, Father. As you say.”

Outside the courtyard came the sound of footsteps—it was the steward, bringing the constables.

“Master, the constables are here.”

The ones who arrived were the same officers who had come earlier in the day. Upon seeing Tan Qingjiu, their expressions shifted, and they dared not meet her gaze. They hurried to Tan Yun’s side. “Master Tan, we’ve already been briefed by your steward about the details. Where is the body?”

“Over there. Since finding the body, we’ve been careful not to disturb the scene.”

The coroner quickly led his men to examine the corpse.

At the sight, the coroner was stunned. “The victim’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth have all been gouged out?”

All had been cut away.

At these words, everyone instinctively glanced at Tan Qingjiu.

After all, many had witnessed how Prince Duan, enraged for her sake, had blinded a constable for merely glancing at Tan Qingjiu that afternoon.

Such a coincidence?

Could it really be just coincidence?

Crouching down to examine the body closely, the coroner finally spoke. “It appears the victim was first strangled or suffocated, and only then were the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth removed.”

“There are two marks on each victim’s neck—one from ligature, one from manual strangulation.”

“The ligature mark is faint, but from what can be seen, it appears rather unusual...”

“It doesn’t look like a rope.”

Chen Yueru clutched her embroidered handkerchief tightly, as if wanting to ask something but restraining herself.

Tan Qingjiu saw this clearly. In a voice only Chen Yueru could hear, she sneered quietly, then spoke aloud. “Can you judge anything about the murderer from these marks?”

The coroner looked up, recognized Tan Qingjiu, and quickly lowered his head again.

“From the marks on the bodies, the perpetrator should be a man.”

“The fingerprints on the necks are clearly those of a man. Also, the ligature marks on both victims slant upwards, but not too steeply—the murderer should be somewhat taller than the victims.”

“As for the rest, it’s hard to say without more evidence. We’ll need to look for any remaining traces at the scene.”

Tan Qingjiu responded with a simple “oh,” then glanced at Chen Yueru.

“If the murderer is a man taller than the victims, then this matter has nothing to do with anyone from Cloud Pavilion. After all, those I brought back to the estate are only female healers or medicine boys—not even a single attendant. That rules us out as suspects.”

“It’s getting late, Father. I’ll return to my quarters now.”

Tan Yun nodded with a frown. He had never believed Tan Qingjiu was the culprit, so he waved her away. “Go on, go on.”

Tan Qingjiu left the small courtyard with Qingdai and Zisu, making their way toward Cloud Pavilion.

Qingdai frowned. “Those two weren’t servants of the Tan household, and yet died such gruesome deaths here. Isn’t that odd?”

“And the way Madam Chen and that Seventh Concubine acted—unbelievable. Luckily, our mistress isn’t one to be bullied; a few words from you and they were silenced.”

Tan Qingjiu smiled and shook her head, lifting her gaze to the moon. “Earlier, I asked in passing whether those who slandered me did so out of guilt. Chen Yueru’s reaction reminded me of something.”

“Oh? What did you recall, Mistress?”

“I remembered that Chen Yueru may indeed have a guilty conscience. Perhaps it’s time to give her a proper scare.”