Chapter 12 A Chan Thought It Was Just a Very…

Chapter 12 Ah Chan thought it was just a very...

"Ji Chan, how can you be so shameless!" Xue Shi snapped.

"Madam Xue, didn’t you also rely on shamelessness when you became the marquis’s mistress back then? It’s just that your judgment wasn’t great—you waited all these years until your looks faded before finally entering the marquis’s household. Who knows if someone might replace you in a couple more years?" When it came to getting under people's skin, Ah Chan was second to none.

"You..." Xue Shi felt herself seeing stars from anger. How had she never noticed before just how troublesome Ji Chan could be?

If she had known, she should have had her killed within the inner household back then! Now that she had been let out, she dared to act so boldly in front of her.

Ah Chan turned around, the golden-threaded petals on her skirt shimmering in the sunlight as she said cheerfully, "Madam Xue, don’t make me wait too long."

It was only after Ah Chan had been gone for a while that the maid, who had been sent away earlier, cautiously approached to support Xue Shi.

"Madam, are you alright?" she asked worriedly.

Xue Shi clenched her teeth and ground out, "I’m fine. Let’s go back."

"Yes."

Ah Chan walked back carrying the treats she had bought. As for whether she could reclaim Lin Shi’s dowry, it was impossible this time. Someone like Xue Shi wouldn’t act without concrete proof—she might believe Ah Chan’s words, but without evidence, she would never let go of what she had.

When she could retrieve the dowry would depend on when her "connection" with Lord Bai would come into play.

Upon returning, Ah Chan shared the fresh-bought flower cakes with Xiao Lin Shi and Sun Mama. Both accepted them with smiles, but Xiao Lin Shi took only one bite before clutching her stomach with a yelp.

"Auntie, what’s wrong?" Ah Chan was startled and hurried over to ask.

"It’s nothing." Xiao Lin Shi waved her hand and passed the flower cake to Sun Mama. "I don’t know what’s gotten into this child—she has been especially restless lately, giving me kicks every now and then."

Ah Chan frowned as she watched Xiao Lin Shi’s belly twitch and bulge intermittently. "Auntie, have you seen a doctor recently? What did they say?"

"No need for a doctor. I’ve already given birth twice—I know exactly what this is." Xiao Lin Shi brushed it off casually.

"What twice?" Zhao Wenyue, who had just finished praying at the Flower Goddess Temple, walked out and saw the pastries in Ah Chan’s hands and the chestnuts she was holding. She sneered.

"Nothing. Do you and Ah Chan want to go play for a while longer?" Xiao Lin Shi asked gently.

"No, I want to go home." Zhao Wenyue walked over and looped her arm through Xiao Lin Shi’s, swaying slightly as if acting cute.

"Alright, as you wish."

On the way down the mountain, several ladies approached Xiao Lin Shi to chat. Her responses were distant, and after a few perfunctory words, she dismissed them.

Once they were out of earshot, Xiao Lin Shi said to Ah Chan, "Those were all families of fifth-rank officials or lower. Probably lacking in heirs and looking to take advantage—how wishful thinking."

Those who had inquired had all looked into Ji Chan’s background. While they scorned her reputation, they also thought that since she had been raised as a proper daughter in the marquis’s household for so many years, bringing her into their own families wouldn’t be out of the question.

"What’s wrong with fifth-rank or lower? Maybe they’re ambitious," Zhao Wenyue couldn’t help grumbling.

"You’ve been corrupted by your father’s stubbornness. Of course, you should marry above your station. Do you really expect your husband to rise in rank and fortune after you marry him? That’s a fantasy. Why would such good fortune land on you?"

"But when you married Father, he was just a *jinshi*," Zhao Wenyue retorted defiantly.

"If not for your maternal grandfather’s family..." Xiao Lin Shi paused. "Do you think there are many good men like your father in this world?"

She tapped Zhao Wenyue’s forehead. Though her tone was curt, she didn’t escalate the argument as she had before.

Mother and daughter walked arm in arm, surrounded by maids at the front, while Ah Chan and Sun Mama followed behind.

By the time they returned to the city, it was already past noon. Though they had snacked on chestnuts and flower cakes along the way, the lack of a proper meal left them feeling empty. The mouthwatering smells wafting from the restaurants lining the streets only made their mouths water.

Xiao Lin Shi called to the coachman to stop, and the following carriage halted as well.

Sun Mama hurriedly stepped down and approached Xiao Lin Shi’s carriage. "Madam, is something wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong. We’ve been traveling all morning, and everyone must be hungry. Let’s have lunch at Zhiwei Lou today." She pointed to a restaurant by the roadside.

Zhiwei Lou was one of the more well-known restaurants in the capital. As soon as the carriage stopped, a waiter warmly welcomed them, arranging for the horses to be tended while guiding them inside.

Xiao Lin Shi wasn’t a harsh mistress. She sent the maids and coachmen to eat at another table, allowing Sun Mama to join them.

She ordered six dishes, two of which were fish—one a fish soup, the other fried. The remaining four, according to Sun Mama, were all Zhao Wenyue’s favorites.

Ah Chan wasn't picky except about chicken, and the chef at Zhiwei Lou was skilled—she found every dish delicious.

Zhao Wenyue seemed satisfied as well, but Xiao Lin Shi took one sip of the fish soup and immediately spit it right out.

"Madam, what’s wrong?" Sun Mama quickly handed her a handkerchief.

"What kind of fish soup is this? It’s completely tasteless!" Xiao Lin Shi called over the waiter in displeasure, who then fetched the manager. The manager bowed apologetically and took the soup away, promising to bring a new bowl.

When the second bowl arrived, she still claimed it had no taste.

Curious, Zhao Wenyue ladled a bowl of the creamy soup and took a sip, then looked at Xiao Lin Shi in confusion. "It’s very flavorful. Why does Mother say it has no taste?"

Hearing this, Ah Chan and Sun Mama also tried the soup. Just as Zhao Wenyue had said, it was perfectly seasoned.

"Perhaps the fish here is prepared too lightly for Madam’s taste. Let’s have the cook at home prepare fish for you when we return," Sun Mama soothed.

She recalled that Xiao Lin Shi usually preferred fish cooked with rich sauces to mask the strong fishy taste. This clear broth was likely too bland for her.

"Fine."

When the golden, crispy fried fish arrived, Xiao Lin Shi only took one bite before setting her chopsticks down, clearly still unsatisfied.

Perhaps because she hadn’t enjoyed the fish at lunch, Xiao Lin Shi remained in low spirits throughout the meal.

After lunch, she had the carriage take Ah Chan back to Changping Lane first.

Upon arrival, Ah Chan stepped down and approached as Xiao Lin Shi lifted the carriage curtain.

Xiao Lin Shi looked unwell, but her tone remained gentle. "Sun Mama mentioned you caught a chill a few days ago. Take care of yourself after you return."

"I will, Auntie. Please take care of yourself as well."

"Alright, it’s been a long day. Go rest. I’ll have Sun Mama fetch you another day for a visit." With that, Xiao Lin Shi lowered the curtain, and the Zhao family carriage slowly pulled away.

Ah Chan thought it was just an ordinary farewell.

Until several days later, just past dusk, as the sky darkened outside, Ah Chan was at home working on a rodent-repelling incense recipe, pondering where to find the main ingredient, when a Bright Mirror Bureau Guard suddenly arrived.

The leader was an unfamiliar face—a hulking man with a piercing stare and a Qianhu insignia hanging at his waist.

He knocked impatiently, and when Ah Chan undid the latch, he pushed it wide, looking her up and down. "Are you Ji Chan?"

"I am. What does the officer want with me?" Ah Chan was puzzled. Was she in trouble again? She hadn’t provoked the Bright Mirror Bureau recently.

"Do you know Lin Xiaoqiao?"

"Huh?" A Chan racked her brain, but had never heard the name before.

The man frowned and repeated, "Lin Xiaoqiao, wife of Left Assistant Censor-in-chief Zhao Ming. You don’t know her?"

It finally clicked for A Chan, and she hurriedly replied, "Yes, she’s my aunt by marriage. What happened to her?"

"She’s dead. Anyone who had contact with her must be questioned."

"Are we going to the Bright Mirror Bureau for questioning?"

Jiang Kai’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. This girl didn’t even flinch at the Bright Mirror Bureau’s name?

"No need. We’re going to the Zhao residence. Our superior is there."

A Chan followed a group of Bright Mirror Bureau Guards out of her home, still in shock. Xiao Lin Shi—dead?

It felt surreal. Just a few days ago, they had celebrated the Flower Festival together. How could she just die like that?

Since the Bright Mirror Bureau was involved, Xiao Lin Shi’s death couldn’t have been natural. But who could have harmed her?

Accompanied by the Bright Mirror Bureau Guards, A Chan arrived at the Zhao residence. The main gate stood wide open, with no gatekeeper in sight. The red lanterns at the entrance hung dark and unlit. As she walked further inside, not a single maid or servant crossed her path.

Only when she reached the main courtyard, brightly lit, did she see almost all of the Zhao family’s masters and servants gathered there.

Standing in the courtyard was Zhao Ming—her uncle by marriage, whom she hadn’t had the chance to meet before—and his children.

Zhao Ming had an ordinary appearance, and both his children bore some resemblance to him. He had the quiet dignity of a scholar, appearing far calmer than his cowering children.

Sun Ma and several of Xiao Lin Shi’s personal maids were also present. Sun Ma’s hands and clothes were smeared with blood, and her eyes were badly swollen.

Apart from the Zhao family members, the rest were all from the Bright Mirror Bureau.

As A Chan entered, Zhao Ming’s eyes locked onto her, but he did not approach. Everyone waited patiently.

After less than a quarter of an hour, several people emerged from the main house. Their boots tracked blood across the steps.

The leader—tall and lean—wore a vivid red official’s robe with a sword at his waist, his left hand resting on the hilt—Bai Xiuming.

Behind Bai Xiuming, two men carried a large sealed urn, its opening covered and stamped with an official seal.

Something inside thrashed against the urn’s walls, alive and frantic.