Chapter 534 I Don’t Quite Understand Why Miss Yu Reacted So Strongly

Chapter 534: I don’t quite understand why Miss Yu is reacting so strongly.

Yu Mingzhu was the treasured jewel of the entire Duke of Xinguo's household. Her tears wrenched Jiao Shi’s heart, and she hurried forward to comfort her daughter: "Zhu Zhu [Pearlie], don’t cry. There must be some misunderstanding..."

As she spoke, Jiao Shi shot Xingxing meaningful glances, urging her to quickly offer an explanation.

Xingxing stood unmoved, her expression unchanged, letting out a faint sigh: "Miss Yu, if there’s something, let’s discuss it properly. We are not your family and won’t let your tears sway our judgment in the slightest. Besides, we were merely discussing the possibility of the culprit being in that vicinity—we never said you were the culprit. I don’t quite understand why Miss Yu is reacting so strongly."

Xingxing’s eyes were clear as crystal, reflecting Yu Mingzhu’s slightly stiffened face.

Xingxing’s voice was naturally sweet, and her calm, measured tone made Yu Mingzhu’s earlier dramatic lament seem all the more petty.

Even those in the Duke of Xinguo's household who had always doted on Yu Mingzhu paused, reconsidering.

Indeed, the Lady of Blessed Peace hadn’t said anything incriminating—why was Mingzhu crying?

Beneath her sleeves, Yu Mingzhu’s manicured nails dug into her palms as she forced a teary-eyed, contrite look: "My lady, please don’t misunderstand. I was simply overreacting out of concern for Grandmother’s health..."

Xingxing didn’t react.

As for why Yu Mingzhu had made such a scene as if she were being deliberately bullied—Yu Mingzhu knew the truth in her heart.

Xingxing had no interest in arguing further. Since Yu Mingzhu had brought up the Dowager Duchess of Xin’s health, she took the cue: "In that case, I assume Miss Yu would be willing, for the sake of the Dowager Duchess’s health, to let us search the premises. After all, if some malefactor were hiding there, Miss Yu would also be in danger."

At these words, both Jiao Shi and Yu Shanglian nodded in agreement.

Even Physician Liu stroked his beard and concurred: "Indeed."

The old Duke of Xin decreed: "Very well. Let us trouble Doctor Da Xi, the Lady of Blessed Peace, and Physician Liu to investigate. Let’s see if there’s any evildoer hiding in Zhu Zhu’s courtyard who brought misfortune and harmed my wife."

Yu Mingzhu appeared to comply without hesitation, but a closer look would reveal a sheen of sweat on her forehead.

The old Duke of Xin and the physician remained in the main courtyard, while heir Yu Shanglian, his wife Jiao Shi, and their eldest son Yu Chongjie accompanied Daxisipo, Xingxing, and Physician Liu to Yu Mingzhu’s courtyard.

Before even entering, Daxisipo paused outside Yu Mingzhu’s courtyard, carefully observing something amiss above it.

Physician Liu also stood there, frowning intently.

Jiao Shi’s heart hammered—could there truly be some vicious malefactor hiding within?

Daxisipo withdrew her gaze and cast a dismissive scoff at Yu Mingzhu.

Yu Mingzhu feigned mild confusion, appearing unperturbed, though inwardly her heart hammered, knees buckling.

Jiao Shi, likely fearing that the malefactor might harm Yu Mingzhu if they were indeed hiding in her courtyard, called the head housekeeper as soon as they entered and ordered her to assemble all the servants.

Yu Mingzhu’s courtyard was vast, with winding corridors, upturned eaves, and tasteful details at every turn. The sheer number of servants—enough to nearly fill a long gallery—highlighted her privileged standing.

"Are all of them here?"

"Reporting to the heir’s wife, one senior maid is currently attending to the eldest young madam as per Miss Cen’s instructions. Another junior maid has taken leave to tend to her ailing parents. Aside from them, everyone is present."

The head housekeeper replied methodically.

Yu Mingzhu’s eyes darted subtly, pausing briefly at a certain spot where she exchanged a quick look with someone before lowering her gaze.

But she kept her poise, addressing Daxisipo: "Please proceed. If you remain unconvinced afterward, I can recall the two maids who are away."

Daxisipo studied the servants, frowning, saying nothing.

Jiao Shi asked anxiously, "Miracle Doctor Da Xi, is the evildoer you mentioned here?"

However, Daxisipo did not respond to Jiao Shi's question directly. Instead, she brought up another matter: "Madam Jiao, you were also at Jiping Commandery Prince's residence yesterday. You should know that someone damaged Second Miss Wei's Fate-Changing Tower, nearly causing the entire Jiping Commandery Prince's household to be buried with it."

Madam Jiao nodded, though she hadn't quite grasped the implication yet.

Meanwhile, Liu Ruhai, the imperial physician, seemed deep in thought.

"Speaking of the Fate-Changing Tower, once destroyed, its consequences are indeed boundless," Daxisipo said calmly. "But do those who destroy it think they can escape unscathed? The one who alters fate will suffer backlash, but the person who destroys the tower will also be tainted by the cursed energy released the moment the tower is broken."

Though Daxisipo spoke lightly, Yu Mingzhu flinched.

It was only then that Madam Jiao finally caught on and widened her eyes. "Miracle Doctor Da Xi, are you saying... the evildoer is the one who destroyed Second Miss Wei's Fate-Changing Tower?!"

Daxisipo neither confirmed nor denied it.

Madam Jiao panicked more and more, fearing that the culprit might harm Yu Mingzhu.

Yu Chongjie frowned and said, "That’s ridiculous! Why would someone from my sister's courtyard, out of nowhere, destroy Second Miss Wei's Fate-Changing Tower?"

Daxisipo gave a cold laugh and slowly walked up to one person.

The maid looked completely ordinary, dressed as a low-ranking maid.

Daxisipo said coolly, "Raise your head."

The maid obeyed, revealing an utterly ordinary face.

Madam Jiao hesitated. She was very attentive to her daughter, and though there were many maids in her daughter's courtyard, she could recognize most of them. Yet, this maid—whether because of her plain appearance or something else—didn’t ring any bells.

"Is... is this really a maid from Zhu Zhu's courtyard?" Madam Jiao frowned.

The housekeeper was also puzzled but, after being reminded by someone nearby, recalled, "Ah, yes, this is a low-ranking maid in the young lady's courtyard, named Feng Ran. She's not born into servitude, and as a low-ranking maid, it's normal for Madam not to recognize her."

Madam Jiao was floored. "Miracle Doctor Da Xi, surely you don't suspect this maid..."

No one could believe that such a completely ordinary maid could have angered the Dowager Duchess of Xin.

Xingxing glanced at Yu Mingzhu.

Yu Mingzhu remained silent, but her eyes narrowed slightly—clearly, she was extremely tense!

Xingxing looked away.