Chapter 65: Tragedy

Chapter 65: The Tragedy

The rain intensified.

Rainwater streamed down the eaves, falling like strings of beads, washing away all sin.

The outer robe was soaked through. As the wind blew, countless goosebumps immediately erupted beneath the fair skin.

Upon seeing Qiu Shuiyi, Xin Liu and Xin Tao felt as if they had found their anchor. They ran out from behind Shang Ze and rushed to her side, holding up an umbrella.

"Miss, the rain is heavy. Quick, get under the umbrella."

Qiu Shuiyi glanced sideways and asked softly, "Are you alright?"

Xin Liu shook her head. "I'm alright, miss."

Xin Tao said, "Chief Shang Ze protected us the whole time."

"Good."

Qiu Shuiyi addressed Shang Ze, who was approaching. "Thank you, Guard Shang, for protecting my two maids."

"This subordinate was merely doing his duty. Second Miss need not thank me."

The hint of a smile in his eyes vanished instantly upon seeing the corpses strewn across the ground. Shang Ze sighed softly. "Who could have done such a thing?"

Qiu Shuiyi averted her gaze.

Zuo Yi had already set down the assassin's corpse and knelt on one knee before Shen Yuchao. "This subordinate failed in his duty. Please punish me, Your Highness."

Shen Yuchao shook his head, his gaze lowered to the body. "We had no prior knowledge. They were actually death warriors."

Understanding that this was not a reprimand, Zuo Yi lowered his voice. "Your Highness, when this subordinate fought with the assassin, I noticed their moves seemed somewhat familiar."

He lowered his volume further. "They resemble those of that person's men."

An icy, piercing light flashed in Shen Yuchao's eyes, like a long-frozen beast breaking through the ice, leaping from the water's depths, its sharp claws glinting coldly in the sunlight.

Shen Yuchao said coldly, "Report it to the authorities."

...

Zuo Yi took Shen Yuchao's token to the county magistrate's office and returned in less than half an hour.

Accompanying him was the current Yangzhou Prefect, Xu Ming.

"Your Highness graces us with your presence. I failed to greet you properly."

Dressed in a neat and tidy crimson official robe, the smile on his lips was neither excessive nor lacking. His gaze was gentle and amiable, easily winning others' favor.

Shen Yuchao nodded slightly. "Master Xu."

After the pleasantries, Xu Ming asked, "Guard Zuo mentioned a murder case. May I ask where the bodies are?"

Shen Yuchao glanced sideways at Shang Ze.

Shang Ze gave a slight nod and pushed open the closed gates of the Mu family residence.

The constables behind Xu Ming let out a collective murmur before filing into the Mu residence in an orderly manner.

Attracted by the commotion, the commoners peeked inside. At that glance, the sight of corpses strewn across the ground filled their view, and screams echoed throughout the alley.

Xu Ming's expression darkened as he surveyed the scene inside the gates. He said gravely, "I have also heard of this Mu family escort agency. The head of the household was honest and law-abiding. What deep-seated hatred could warrant the extermination of the entire Mu family?"

Shen Yuchao shook his head. "I do not know either."

Xu Ming pressed further, "Does Your Highness have a prior connection with the Mu family?"

"My fiancée has a friend in the Mu family. We came specifically to visit, never expecting to encounter such a tragedy."

Xu Ming's gaze settled on Qiu Shuiyi, who stood quietly behind Shen Yuchao.

Qiu Shuiyi performed a curtsy. "Greetings, Master Xu."

After clearly seeing her appearance, Xu Ming withdrew his gaze. "Could Your Highness please elaborate?"

Shen Yuchao had no reason to refuse.

After explaining the situation, heavy footsteps sounded. A tall constable with mud stains on his trouser legs hurried back and said urgently, "Sir, Master Mu and Young Master Mu are not among them."

"Oh?"

Xu Ming raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain?"

"I'm certain, sir."

The tall constable nodded. "The Mu family's escort business inevitably involves dealings with the yamen. I have met Master Mu and Young Master Mu a few times. Neither of them is among these bodies."

Xu Ming said, "Could it be they were not killed? But if they are unharmed, why haven't they reported to the yamen? Instead, they are missing?"

The tall constable speculated, "Perhaps they didn't get far before meeting with misfortune?"

"That's possible." Xu Ming stroked his chin. "Dispatch men to search. Go door to door, search thoroughly and carefully."

"Yes!"

The tall constable responded loudly.

"Alas, that such a tragedy occurred within my jurisdiction. I have failed His Majesty's trust."

Xu Ming was deeply distressed.

Shen Yuchao's gaze was very faint. "I trust you will investigate this thoroughly, Master Xu."

Xu Ming immediately declared, "This humble official, as the local magistrate of Yangzhou, will naturally seek justice for the deceased souls."

The corner of Shen Yuchao's mouth lifted slightly. "Then I must trouble Master Xu."

"Master Xu." Qiu Shuiyi suddenly spoke.

Xu Ming looked surprised. "What instructions does Miss Qiu have?"

"After the examination of the bodies, could you allow the dead to be laid to rest?" Gazing at the corpses in the residence, sorrow filled Qiu Shuiyi's eyes. "To be denied peace for so many days after death is truly pitiful."

Xu Ming smiled. "Miss Qiu truly has a heart of a bodhisattva."

"Attendants!"

Someone stepped forward from behind him.

Xu Ming said, "Did you all hear that? Miss Qiu has a kind heart. After the autopsies are completed, see to it that they are properly buried."

"There's no need to trouble yourself, Master Xu. I can arrange it."

Qiu Shuiyi hurriedly said, "I was the one who stumbled upon this. If I do nothing, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

"Then let it be as Miss Qiu says."

Xu Ming smiled.

...

After returning to the inn and reuniting with Liu Cheng, Qiu Shuiyi grabbed a cup of cold water and gulped it down.

With a "bang," she slammed the porcelain cup heavily onto the table, her eyes blazing like tempered steel, bright and piercing.

"What about those people sent to find the eldest young lady? They can't find her, and now they don't even know about the Mu family's tragedy. What the hell are they good for?"

Liu Cheng immediately knelt down. "This subordinate has lost contact with them. It's likely... the odds are against them."

The hand clutching the porcelain cup gave a violent tremble.

Qiu Shuiyi shut her eyes tightly, trying to calm the turbulent waves raging within her.

After a long while, she opened her lips, her voice was hoarse. "Later, go and check if they are among the Mu family."

"Yes."

"You may leave now."

Qiu Shuiyi waved her hand wearily.

Liu Cheng stood up. Before withdrawing, he hesitated for a moment and advised in a low voice, "Young lady, please don't worry so much. The eldest young lady will surely be safe and sound."

"Thank you."

Qiu Shuiyi forced a faint smile.

She sat silently by the table, not saying a word. Xin Liu and Xin Tao stood to the side, not daring to disturb her.

Seeing that noon was approaching, Xin Tao grew anxious.

The young lady didn't eat much this morning. What if she gets too hungry?

While she was hesitating, the door was pushed open from the outside.

Shen Yuchao entered, leading Zuo Yi and Shang Ze, who were carrying food boxes.

"You still need to eat."

Signaling the two to set out the dishes, Shen Yuchao took a seat beside Qiu Shuiyi. "This prince has already sent people to search for Qiu Lianying's whereabouts. Don't worry too much."

Warmth spread in Qiu Shuiyi's heart. "Thank you."

"Between you and me, why speak of thanks?"

Shen Yuchao picked up a piece of braised meat for her.

Qiu Shuiyi took her chopsticks, picked it up, and put it in her mouth.

After swallowing, she looked up. "Your Highness, please urge the coroners at the yamen to work faster. After the autopsies are done and the people from the Mu family's escort agency are buried, let's set off back to the capital."

"Why?" Shang Ze asked.

"That's right, young lady, why?" Once Qiu Shuiyi spoke, Xin Tao returned to her usual self and voiced her doubts. "Moreover, why are you in such a hurry to have them laid to rest?"

Wouldn't it be better to let the coroners take their time? Rushing like this, what if some evidence gets sealed in the coffin and buried with the people from the Mu family's escort agency?

Qiu Shuiyi's delicate brows slowly furrowed. "I don't trust Prefect Xu."

"Why? That prefect seems like a good official," Xin Liu said.

"Instinct."

Qiu Shuiyi lowered her gaze. "Just as that prefect said, if something happened to the Mu family, why wouldn't the Mu family's young master and sister be willing to report it to the authorities? They lived in Yangzhou; perhaps they know something."

"And for my sister, the people she trusts most are undoubtedly my parents and brother. Even if there were reasons for not returning home before, now that something has happened, she can only return to the capital to seek my parents' help."

"Also..." Qiu Shuiyi voiced a question that had long existed. "Your Highness addresses me as your fiancée, yet he called me 'Miss Qiu' without the slightest hesitation. Although it's possible he learned about the marriage arrangement between the Qiu and Shen families while in the capital, I still feel uneasy."

"Since you feel uneasy, then let's leave." Shen Yuchao made the final decision.

Qiu Shuiyi then smiled. "Alright."

...

Three days later.

All the coroners from the county yamen were mobilized and finally completed the autopsies on all the bodies.

There were sixty-three assassins, thirty-five from the Mu family, and sixteen whose identities were unknown—likely people from the Marquis's estate.

Qiu Shuiyi originally wanted to take them back, but considering that people value being laid to rest, she had Liu Cheng write down their names, kept their clothing, erected tombstones, and had them properly buried.

She also invited neighbors of the Mu family to help identify the bodies, in order to find the deceased's families.

"Families? They were all beggars and orphans, picked up and raised by Old Master Mu from the streets. What families do they have?"

A plump auntie let out a long sigh. "If you're talking about family, they're all right here."

Qiu Shuiyi shuddered all over, speaking with difficulty. "They were all orphans?"

"Exactly."

The plump auntie pointed to the rugged face of a man under the white cloth. "This lad, Mu Yu, lived in the alley since he was a child. He had a hard life; his parents died early, and he had relatives like a pack of wolves and tigers. Originally tall and strong, in less than a year, he was tormented beyond recognition. Old Master Mu saw how pitiful he was, snatched him from those relatives, had him change his surname, and raised him like a son from then on."

Her hand then pointed to a young man whose face still held a hint of youthfulness. The plump auntie's tone was sorrowful. "Mu Fei was originally a little beggar living in the City God Temple outside the city, making a living by stealing. Once he was caught red-handed and nearly beaten to death; Old Master Mu also took him in."

With each origin story the plump auntie clarified, Qiu Shuiyi's heart grew heavier.

After clearly explaining the identities of all the bodies, the plump auntie walked around in a circle. "Huh, why isn't that lad Sichuan here?"

Qiu Shuiyi asked, "Who is Sichuan?"

"He was also picked up by Old Master Mu from outside, but he was raised like a grandson."

"Perhaps he left with the Mu family's young master."

The plump auntie sighed. "That's possible too. Sichuan always stuck close to his little uncle."

"Thanks for everything today, Auntie."

"I've been neighbors with the Mu family for over twenty years. They helped me a lot, and I'm just doing what little I can." As she spoke, the auntie's eyes reddened. "To me, they were the closest thing to family. Who could be so heartless? Taking so many lives... aren't they afraid of retribution?"

"Don't worry, Auntie. The authorities will definitely find the killer."

Qiu Shuiyi offered a few words of comfort.

The auntie wiped her tears and said bitterly, "Good. I'll be waiting for their comeuppance."

Looking up, she studied Qiu Shuiyi carefully. "Young lady, you look somewhat familiar to me. You seem... somewhat similar to the woman Yuanxi was to marry."

Qiu Shuiyi's fingers brushed her cheek through the veil.

After what had happened, and having been seen by Xu Ming, she had taken to covering her face these past few days to avoid trouble.

"Yuanxi's bride-to-be... who is that?" Qiu Shuiyi feigned confusion.

The auntie said, "That young lady met with misfortune and was rescued by Yuanxi. Just as the two were about to marry, who knew..."

She swallowed the rest of her words and sighed sadly. "She was such a likable girl. Who knows what's become of her now, going off with Yuanxi like that."

"Fortune favors the good."

Qiu Shuiyi offered a few more words of consolation and saw the auntie out.

Standing on the stone steps below, with the light behind her, the auntie's face was in shadow. Only her voice could be heard: "Looking at you now, young lady, you look even more like Yuanxi's wife."

"It's probably just a coincidence," Qiu Shuiyi said with a smile. "Take care, Auntie."

After seeing the auntie off, Qiu Shuiyi instructed Xin Liu, "We can start carving the gravestones now. Remember, the coffins must be of the finest quality."

Consider it repayment for their kindness to Qiu Lianying.

"Yes."