Chapter 99: The Lin Family

Chapter 99: The Lin Family

Last time, Pei Yuanxi hadn't had the chance to examine it closely, but this time she could see it clearly. This spider was identical to the one they had seen when Concubine Zeng passed away, only smaller in size.

Its dark body and slender legs were eerie. Its spider-like face was indescribable, resembling both a ghost and a human. Its gaze sent shivers down one's spine.

As Shangxing's whistling changed in tone, the spider extended its long legs and crawled towards him obediently. It seemed quite submissive; if one didn't focus on its spider face, they would mistake it for an ordinary insect.

The creature entered the small porcelain bottle he held, and he sealed the lid tightly.

Not taking any chances, he continued humming his tune while pacing around the shop's corners. After half an hour with no other spiders appearing, he finally relaxed.

The deceased still lay on the ground, a thin young man who appeared to be no more than twenty. His blue shirt had faded to almost white, and his thinness revealed a glimpse of his ankles. The soles of his black cloth shoes were heavily worn, indicating that he came from an impoverished scholarly family.

It was truly lamentable that such a young life was lost unjustly.

Magistrate Du arrived with his officers, carrying the corpse out. The crowd outside the bookshop remained, and as soon as they saw the officers carry a real dead person, they began buzzing like a disturbed beehive.

"One moment he was fine, and then he died inside the shop. Who knows what kind of filth is lurking there?" This person seemed fearless, or perhaps was simply instructed to provoke trouble.

No one dared to echo his words, for after all, Pei Yuanxi had Gongye Chu's support.

One of the onlookers whispered a warning, "Don't spout nonsense. Perhaps the person was already ill and coincidentally died in the shop. In my opinion, the owner is also unlucky. How can they continue running a business with a death occurring in their shop?"

As the crowd continued to murmur, the individuals from inside the shop stepped forward.

Shangxing stood behind Liu Ze, his head lowered, making it difficult to discern his identity. But in such a situation, Gongye Chu alone was enough to represent them.

The moment Gongye Chu appeared, the vast crowd fell silent. Some of the more timid ones started to feel their knees weakening, regretting not having left earlier. What if this formidable figure took offense at them?

In the eerie silence, Pei Yuanxi spoke up.

"The person died from poisoning. As for when the poison was administered and who did it, that remains for the authorities to investigate. As the owner of the First Book Bureau, I am deeply saddened by this incident. I understand the hardship of studying and the immense effort a poor family must exert to support a scholar. Since the person died in our bookshop, we will not stand idly by. We will take responsibility for all funeral arrangements and provide support to the deceased's parents."

The crowd began to discuss again. The mention of "poisoning" was alarming to ordinary people, but since the bookshop neither served snacks nor offered tea, there was no obvious culprit to blame.

"That person seemed fine before entering the bookshop. How could they have been poisoned to death inside?" the fearless man muttered again, causing those around him to wish they could distance themselves.

"Scholar Wu has always been timid and well-behaved. If there were any conflicts, they would have occurred at the academy," someone tried to clear the bookshop's name, speaking positively of its reputation. "He must have been tricked by someone outside and only succumbed to the poison while inside the bookshop."

Scholar Wu was indeed the deceased.

Pei Yuanxi kept her head lowered, listening to the chatter. Such a young scholar, regardless of his future prospects, still had a vibrant youth to strive and struggle for. For him to die so silently, his family must be devastated.

The discussion shifted from the reason behind Scholar Wu's death to how much silver the publishing house would offer his parents. Speculations were whispered, punctuated by occasional gasps.

Sure enough, someone dared to ask the question.

"The exact amount isn't suitable for public discussion, but it's certainly ample for Scholar Wu's parents to live comfortably until their old age. If there's any other member of the Wu family who wishes to pursue education, the publishing house is willing to cover all expenses for their studies until they achieve scholarly recognition."

Upon hearing her mention "living comfortably until old age," most people inferred that the compensation for Scholar Wu's parents would be generous. When she added that they would also sponsor another member of the Wu family to become educated, even a block of wood would likely prosper with such support.

For a moment, many felt envious, saying that Scholar Wu had died honorably, fulfilling filial piety and benefiting his siblings. Many impoverished scholars never achieved success in their lifetimes, let alone providing for their parents or aiding their brothers.

"Scholar Wu, he truly didn't die in vain."

"If it were me, I'd also be willing to trade my life for my parents' peaceful and worry-free old age..."

Many impoverished students attended Qinglong Academy. They shivered in their thin clothing amidst the cold wind, their envious gazes piercing through the crowd, all directed at the couple standing before the publishing house.

Feeling a pang of sorrow, Pei Yuanxi wasn't sure if it was for Scholar Wu or these scholars in general.

"Starting today, the First Bookstore, First Music Shop, and First Calligraphy and Ink Store will all be closed for renovations. The incident with Scholar Wu was unforeseen and should not happen again."

This 'should not happen again' was meant for both herself and everyone else to hear.

Her 'should not happen again' meant she didn't wish to witness any more deaths in her shops until the culprit behind the scenes was found. For others, it meant she hoped no one would take inspiration from Scholar Wu's case and attempt something similar.

With the First Music Shop and First Calligraphy and Ink Store shuttered, Hong Baozhu stood with Music Master Zheng and the shop assistants, awaiting her instructions. Upon hearing that their monthly wages would still be paid despite the closure, the assistants visibly relaxed.

Her gaze shifted to the few individuals at the First Bookstore, her expression turning slightly cold.

Who had brought the spider into the bookstore?

The bookstore was the newest addition to her establishments, employing a total of five people.

The two who oversaw the shop were under Gongye Chu's employ, tasked with preventing any disturbances. The second manager was loyal to Pei Yuanxi, someone she had trusted in her previous life. The cleaning woman, Mrs. Wang, came from an honest background and was diligent. As sorting books required literacy and a love for literature, they had hired a part-time scholar named Sun.

As she interrogated the individuals, City Official Du was also allowed to observe the proceedings.

Scholar Sun wore a pained expression, clearly having shed tears earlier. "Proprietress, Scholar Wu and I are fellow villagers. You're such a kind-hearted person, showing mercy to those of us who can't afford books... That's why I encouraged him to come to the bookshop to read... We live in the same room and left the house together this morning. To save money, we didn't even have breakfast... I truly didn't harm anyone..."

He was as thin as Scholar Wu, his haggard complexion revealing the struggles of his life. The shop provided lunch, so he must have been waiting hungrily for that one meal.

"You can know a person's face but not their heart. Since you and Scholar Wu came and went together, who knows when you struck? You must be envious of his knowledge surpassing yours... Pah!" Wang Pozi spat, clearly disdainful of Scholar Sun.

"Proprietress... I didn't... How could I be envious of Scholar Wu? If I may say so without sounding boastful, his scholarship is not as advanced as mine... I really didn't harm anyone..."

"Who else could it be? No one else entered and exited with Scholar Wu or even knew him..." Wang Pozi spoke hastily, her tone insistent.

Pei Yuanxi looked at her. "It might not have been someone from the shop. So many people come and go from the bookshop; who knows who might have tampered with things?"

Scholar Sun's eyes lit up, but quickly dimmed. "Scholar Wu was always amiable and never held grudges against others. Nobody would want to harm him."

"Then it had to be you!" Wang Pozi pointed at Scholar Sun. "Proprietress, it must be him! He talks to himself all day while reading, I don't think he's a decent person!"

"I..." Scholar Sun was unable to refute, staring at Wang Pozi with reddened eyes. Without the means to buy books, the opportunity to work part-time at the bookshop was like a godsend for him. He absorbed every book as if he wanted to memorize them, which is why others thought he was talking to himself.

Pei Yuanxi lowered her eyelids. "The poison that affected Scholar Wu isn't something an ordinary person could afford. It could cost dozens or even hundreds of taels of silver. If it's a rare one, it could fetch thousands."

Wang Pozi gasped, "So much!"

If she had known that the contents of the bottle were so valuable, why hadn't she secretly sold it instead of listening to that person's advice and bringing it to the bookstore? A look of regret flashed across her face, as if she was afraid that others would notice. She quickly tried to smooth things over, uneasily saying, "Such a large sum of silver – even selling my whole family wouldn't fetch that much."

"Precisely, you naturally wouldn't know how valuable the item was," Pei Yuanxi said coolly, looking at her. "That person must have given you additional benefits aside from the item itself."

"Only ten taels of silver... If I had known that thing could be sold for a thousand taels..." Lost in thought about Pei Yuanxi's words, Wang Pozi felt an intense pang of regret at letting such a fortune slip through her fingers. Only after blurting out her thoughts did she realize her mistake and stumbled backward in alarm. "Owner, I was just babbling... I don't know anything..."

Gongye Chu remained silent throughout, sitting on the side like a cold-faced Buddha. At a mere glance from him, Liu Ze immediately stepped forward to restrain Wang Pozi, who was now loudly protesting her innocence.

Pei Yuanxi personally searched Wang Pozi and found a small porcelain bottle on her.

As Wang Pozi was responsible for cleaning the bookstore, no one would have noticed her tampering with the items.

Initially, she had intended to find a place to discreetly dispose of the small bottle, but upon seeing its exquisite beauty, she couldn't bear to part with it. Thinking that perhaps no one else knew its purpose, she decided to keep it in hopes of selling it for some silver.

"I found this bottle..."

"I didn't ask anything, how do you know that I suspect there's something wrong with it?" Pei Yuanxi handed the bottle to Shangxing, who took a whiff and nodded at her.

Gongye Chu rose steadily, his imposing presence overwhelming. "Confess the truth to avoid physical torment."

Wang Pozi was about to defend herself but paled at the sound of his voice. "Duke, the owner... I really didn't mean to harm anyone... If I knew it was poisonous, I would never have agreed. That person told me not to open it and said they'd give me ten taels of silver if I hid the bottle somewhere in the bookshop. I was so tempted by the offer that I agreed... I truly didn't expect anyone to die..."

Pei Yuanxi believed her.

Wang Pozi surely had no idea that it could cause death. Even if she suspected the vase wasn't innocent, she couldn't have imagined a venomous spider inside.

"Gongye Chu continued, "Was the person who approached you an elderly woman with a long face and a coin-sized birthmark on the right side?"

"Yes... Yes, she was an old woman," Wang Pozi's eyes flickered with hope. "She covered half her face, probably afraid that I would recognize her. Owner, there's always a reason for injustice. Since you know who's responsible, please spare me. I really didn't mean to hurt anyone..."

Pei Yuanxi fell silent.

After a long while, she spoke to Magistrate Du, "Let justice take its course."

Wang Pozi let out a shriek before fainting.

Scholar Sun assumed Pei Yuanxi wouldn't use him anymore after this incident. He would lose his easy, book-filled life at the bookshop and might have to tighten his belt in the future. The thought of Scholar Wu's demise made him melancholic and anxious.

In disbelief, he could hardly credit his ears upon hearing that Pei Yuanxi intended to continue using him. Sobbing, he prostrated himself, pounding the ground with a resounding "thud, thud."

Shangxing whispered to Pei Yuanxi, asking how she had discovered who had bribed Wang Pozi.

Her expression was grave; she had seen that old woman with the birthmark on her face before, at Marquis Changqi's residence. The woman was none other than the nursemaid that Grandmother Lin had brought back from the countryside.

The night was deep, and frost had already settled.

The frozen earth was hard underfoot, and the icy wind felt like blades slicing through the air. Each step taken was like walking on uneven ice, with the cold piercing through the soles of their shoes and into their hearts. The cutting winds lashed against their faces, leaving them numb in no time.

At midnight, all the masters and servants in Marquis Changqi's residence were sound asleep. Two shadowy figures darted through the chilly gusts, scaling walls and trees until they finally halted near Lin's courtyard.

The smaller figure stopped, and the taller one followed suit.

"Dad, we can't get any closer," Shangxing said, clutching a porcelain bottle. The spider inside was growing agitated. This wasn't the same arachnid caught at the publishing house; it was one of the spiders he had personally bred. "That person wields Poison King, and there might be more than one kind."

Such creatures were highly attuned to danger, and the spider in the porcelain jar was now scratching against its walls, emitting a faint yet piercing noise. He slowly retreated.

Gongye Chu was well aware of the potency of such venomous creatures, let alone the fabled Poison King. The father and son exchanged a glance before swiftly disappearing over the high walls of Marquis Changqi's residence.

In a nearby chamber, there seemed to be some unusual activity around Lady Lin's bedside chest. After a brief while, the commotion subsided, and Lady Lin, lying in bed, gradually opened her eyes.

She examined each chest with a gentle chuckle, "Don't be afraid, with me, you'll live a life of luxury and comfort. I won't treat you unfairly. You'll fare better with me than with that person..."

Seemingly recalling something horrifying, she began to tremble violently. Her expression twisted into a deranged frenzy. "I'm not afraid either... That person is dead... Huhu..."

She wept and laughed, her voice rough and unpleasant. The fear in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by a sharp and venomous gaze. Within that hostility, a subtle sense of triumph began to surface.

"I am now the matriarch of Marquis Changqi's household—whom should I fear?" she laughed, her words venomous like a snake's hiss. "Born into an illustrious family, I am the rightful daughter of a prominent house. Upon marriage, I became the lady of the marquisate, esteemed with both sons and daughters to my name. All lords and heirs, they are but my grandchildren, who dare not defy me in the slightest. Even the legitimate daughter of this esteemed marquisate attends to me like a handmaid, heh heh... This is who I truly am... Yes, this is me, living the life I was meant to lead..."

She seemed to be talking to herself, yet also deliberately addressing someone. Repeating her noble birth and esteemed status in a whisper, as if the more she said, the truer these things became.

"The wheel of fortune has truly turned. I never imagined I'd reach this point. As that girl predicted, it's better to live in misery than die too soon. For with time, there will be a day for revenge."

The sound of thuds echoed from the large wooden chest beneath the bed. Her laughter grew more exhilarated, her expression increasingly ominous.

"Can't bear to listen? You who were so fierce when cursing me, didn't you call me lowly? Didn't you think this day would come? I can curse the Marquis, the heir apparent as I please now. I'll make you watch with wide eyes, see how your precious sons obey my every word, how they dance at my whim... Huh..."

Her face darkened further, and with a fierce pull, she dragged the chest out from under the bed. Lifting the lid, she revealed its contents. It was something, yet not quite; a shriveled form huddled inside. With great effort, the figure raised its head, revealing itself to be a person.

What sort of creature was this? "Skin and bones" would be an inadequate description of her emaciated state; her sunken eyes and disheveled, gray hair made her resemble a withered corpse. Though a faint breath and open eyes indicated life, it was a existence more miserable than death itself.

Lady Lin stared at her with a mocking grin, her voice as grating as a knife being honed, "Why are you glaring at me? Be careful, I might pluck out your eyeballs to feed the snakes! No one can save you now, for in this moment, I am you... Huh..."