Chapter 149 She Never Forgave Me…

Chapter 149: She Never Truly Forgave Me...

Leaving the palace, Bai Xiuming led his retinue directly to the Lü residence.

Upon their arrival, the area outside the Lü family gates was bustling.

Word had it that Lord Lü had recently expelled his second daughter, Lü Ruxin, from their home. She was now kneeling outside the gate, weeping and pleading for her father's forgiveness.

The grand doors of the Lü mansion remained tightly shut, with no one emerging to investigate.

A crowd of onlookers had gathered, pointing and whispering, yet none dared to approach.

Lü Ruxin had been kneeling outside the Lü estate for two hours. She knew this was not an opportune moment, but to delay further would be to miss her chance entirely.

Her parents were currently upset with her due to her sister's death, but she believed they would eventually relent. Even if a rift existed now, with time, they would heal.

And she absolutely could not afford to lose the Lü family's protection, neither for her own future nor for her two children.

Bai Xiuming held no interest in the Lü family's domestic affairs. After dismounting, he led his men toward the main entrance. As he passed Lü Ruxin, his steps faltered slightly, and he turned to glance at the kneeling woman.

Lü Ruxin had long recognized the uniforms of the Bright Mirror Bureau and dared not utter a sound, fearing she might invite unwarranted trouble.

Bai Xiuming's gaze sent a chill through her, but he paid her no mind, proceeding directly to the Lü mansion's gate.

Feng Yang stepped forward to knock. Soon, the Lü residence gate opened, and the gatekeeper, without daring to announce them, led them straight inside.

As the gatekeeper guided the way, Feng Yang quietly asked, "My lord, is there something amiss with that woman outside?"

If nothing were unusual, his lord would not have even spared her a glance.

"...There is something amiss."

Feng Yang was still wondering what grave offense she could have committed, but his lord offered no further explanation.

Bai Xiuming's fingers brushed against the hilt of his sword. Lü Ruxin's appearance bore a striking resemblance—about seventy to eighty percent—to the ghost he had encountered outside A Chan's home that day.

To call it a mere coincidence was something even he found hard to believe.

The Lü family likely never anticipated a visit from the Bright Mirror Bureau. When Lord Lü saw Bai Xiuming in the mourning hall, his expression tightened, and he instinctively positioned himself in front of the coffin.

His voice was taut with wariness as he inquired, "Lord Bai, to what do we owe this visit today?"

"By His Majesty's command, I am here to examine your daughter's remains."

"There's nothing wrong with my daughter's body! You have no business examining her!" Lady Lü, upon hearing Bai Xiuming's words, seemed provoked, her gaze filled with intense hostility.

Lord Lü restrained his distraught wife and apologized profusely to Bai Xiuming. "My wife is overcome with grief. Please forgive her, Lord Bai."

"You speak too gravely, Lord Lü. I must ask for your cooperation. After my investigation, I am required to report back to His Majesty."

Lord Lü was reluctant for outsiders to touch his daughter's body, but he knew well that the man before him was a favored official of the Emperor. It was best to avoid offending him at all costs.

Moreover, how dared he defy the Emperor's direct command?

After a moment of hesitation, he finally nodded. "Very well. Please, Lord Bai... be careful."

"Then I must ask everyone to wait outside."

"Can we not remain in the mourning hall?" Lord Lü asked hesitantly.

"I'm afraid not. Please cooperate, Lord Lü." Seeing Bai Xiuming's unyielding stance, Lord Lü had no choice but to usher everyone out of the hall.

The mourning hall doors closed, and Lady Lü's muffled sobs drifted in from outside, though they did not disturb those within.

With all unrelated parties gone, Bai Xiuming gestured for them to open the coffin.

Two Bright Mirror Bureau guards stepped forward and pushed open the coffin lid. Another guard from Bai Xiuming's retinue approached, glanced at the body within, then took a pair of black gloves from his pouch and put them on before reaching into the coffin.

He briefly pressed on Lü Ruhui's limbs, then parted the corpse's lips to examine the teeth before removing his gloves.

The guard stood and reported to Bai Xiuming, "My lord, there is no doubt this lady suffered from osteosarcoma during her life. Her body's preservation is due to her consumption of a mineral solution. Some folk doctors use mineral solution as a remedy for terminal illness, intending to offer a less painful passing to those beyond cure."

Bai Xiuming nodded slightly, then asked, "So, her death was natural?"

"Yes, aside from the preservation of her body, there are no other abnormalities."

"Understood. You may step back."

The man retreated to the side, and Bai Xiuming walked to the coffin, gazing down into it. Without a doubt, this was the same face he had seen outside A Chan's house on the Lantern Festival.

He stared at the corpse for a long moment before suddenly extending a finger and touching the corpse's forehead.

In the dimly lit mourning hall, the two candles burning on the altar suddenly flickered out, and a hazy figure emerged from the body.

The effects of the incense had completely dissipated. Without special means, Lü Ruhui's spirit could not have been summoned.

Her spirit was still present, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, it would completely depart the world after the funeral.

Lü Ruhui's ghost floated above her own body. She saw the room filled with officials in their robes, then looked at Bai Xiuming, bowing slightly to him. Her voice was ethereal: "Greetings, my lord."

"Lü Ruhui?" Bai Xiuming asked.

"Yes."

"How did you die?"

"I died of illness," she replied without needing further prompting, recounting her final moments. "On the fourth day of the month, I drank the mineral solution. I felt then that my time had come, and I never woke again."

"Where did you obtain the mineral solution?"

"I sought it out and purchased it privately. The cup that held the mineral solution should still be in my residence. Please dispose of it, my lord."

"Was anyone coercing or inducing you to take the mineral solution?"

"No. My illness was incurable. To die so peacefully was already a blessing."

After questioning her, Bai Xiuming suddenly asked, "Do you have any unfulfilled wishes? Or anyone you wish to see?"

Her cooperation had saved Bai Xiuming considerable trouble. If she had a request, he was certainly willing to lend a hand.

Lü Ruhui offered a faint smile and shook her head. "Thank you, my lord, but my heart's desire is fulfilled."

She had achieved her desired outcome and held no further attachment to this world.

She knew her parents were just outside the door, but there was no need to see them.

Seeing her resolute answer, Bai Xiuming said nothing more. He raised his hand and touched the corpse's forehead. Lü Ruhui's spirit gradually blurred. She knew her time to depart had come.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside, and the mourning hall door was flung open from the outside.

When Liu Xiangze rushed in, Lü Ruhui glanced at him, and then her hazy form completely dissipated.

"Ruhui!" Liu Xiangze stumbled toward the coffin, reaching out into the air but grasping nothing, then collapsed from unsteady footing.

He looked utterly wretched. At Bai Xiuming's signal, Feng Yang stepped forward to help him up, even dusting off his official robe.

"Lord Liu, are you hurt?"

Liu Xiangze ignored Feng Yang. Instead, he turned to Bai Xiuming, his voice filled with desperate pleading. "Lord Bai, you summoned my wife, didn't you? Please, let me see her—just for a moment. I only need to say a few words to her."

Looking at Liu Xiangze, whose expression was filled with despair and sorrow, Bai Xiuming slowly spoke: "I'm sorry, Lord Liu, your wife's spirit has already departed."

"Departed..." In that instant, Liu Xiangze's vitality seemed to drain away. He let out a bitter laugh, murmuring under his breath, "So she never forgave me after all... She won't forgive me..."

Outside, the Lü family also stared blankly in the direction where Lü Ruhui had vanished. They had all witnessed it—she hadn't looked at them once from beginning to end.

Their strange reactions made Bai Xiuming realize something: A Chan's mention of returning to see her family one last time, while truly just a visit to relatives, was far from a heartwarming story.

"The examination is complete. Your daughter's body shows no abnormalities, and the funeral can proceed as scheduled," Bai Xiuming said, collecting his thoughts as he addressed Lord Lü.

Lord Lü took a long moment to respond: "Very well."

Bai Xiuming departed with his subordinates, leaving behind the grief-stricken Liu Xiangze and the Lü family.

In this world, no matter who departs, life must always continue.

Three days after Lü Ruhui's funeral, a few guests arrived at A Chan's home.

At the front stood an elderly couple, accompanied by a middle-aged man and a few maidservants behind them.

All of them looked unwell, as if they hadn't rested properly in a long time—their eyes were dark-rimmed and somewhat swollen.

A Chan did not invite them inside, merely standing at the doorway to ask, "What brings you here?"

"Miss Ji, we are Ruhui's family," said the gaunt elderly woman.

A flicker of understanding passed through A Chan's eyes, though her tone remained distant: "Ah, Boss Lü's family. My apologies for not recognizing you."

Seeing A Chan's coldness, and recalling the rumors she had heard—that Ruhui had spent her last New Year's Eve at Ji Chan's home—Madam Lü realized this woman likely knew the truth of Ruhui's strained relationship with her family.

She lowered her gaze, her nose stinging with unshed tears.

If not for their prejudice and coldness, why would Ruhui have been unwilling to spend even her last New Year with them?

Every time they thought of it, their hearts twisted with pain and regret.

Now, at last, they understood that some regrets were destined to remain unfulfilled for a lifetime.

There would be no second chance.

Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Madam Lü pressed an ornate box into A Chan's hands. "Miss Ji, Ruhui mentioned in her will that she was cared for by you and Madam Chen during her life. These items were specifically left for you."

A Chan took the box and, under the watchful eyes of the Lü family, opened it.

At the very top lay a deed—for the neighboring shop. Beneath it was the Yushan Incense Burner, something A Chan had once greatly coveted.

She looked at the incense burner, then up at the silent Lü family, before pushing the box back into Madam Lü's hands. "Madam Lü, these items are far too valuable. Please take them back."

Madam Lü shook her head repeatedly, refusing the returned box. "These were Ruhui's belongings, not ours. She had every right to give them to whomever she wished. Please, accept them without worry."

Clutching the box, A Chan remained silent for a moment before addressing Lord Lü. "This is the Yushan Incense Burner."

Lord Lü's eyes widened in disbelief. He knew full well how rare and precious the Yushan Incense Burner was.

A Chan's tone remained calm as she gazed at the incense burner. "When Boss Lü acquired this incense burner, I once asked her about its price. She said her father loved incense, and this burner was intended as a New Year's gift for him."

Lord Lü swayed, steadied by his second son.

"Did she... say anything else?" Lord Lü asked.

"Nothing more. I always assumed she had already given it to you."

Lord Lü suddenly covered his face with his hands, a choked sob escaping his lips. "She did. She tried to."

But that day, he hadn't even glanced at the New Year's gift she had brought. Instead, he had publicly berated her in front of the entire family.

When she left, she had scattered all the New Year's gifts on the ground, taking only the topmost embroidered box.

Presumably, that box contained the Yushan Incense Burner.

She had meticulously prepared the gift, presenting it to him with her own hands, only for him to treat it as worthless.

What had he done?

In the end, the Lü family left the box with A Chan. Watching the elderly couple shuffle away, A Chan suddenly understood why Boss Lü had made the choices she did.

As Boss Lü had once said, they were not bad people; they simply hadn't treated her well enough.

Had Boss Lü still been alive, the harsh words and favoritism would have been nothing more than common family squabbles.

But she was gone.

The living were left with endless regret.

They would likely spend the rest of their lives consumed by guilt over their own daughter.