This was a servants' quarters, and A'Jin lay quietly against the door panel. "My Lord, the young mistress cannot enter!

Someone who just passed is unclean..." The serving women tried desperately to block them. Chang Yuncheng shot them a glare, and the women scattered.

Qi Yue only glanced in and then stopped moving. "How is it?" Chang Yuncheng asked.

Qi Yue shook her head. "There's no point in trying to revive her," she said, crouching down to look at A'Jin.

Her loose hair draped down, hiding the girl's face, which had lost all vitality, replaced by the pallor of death. "...She just couldn't catch her breath...

We didn't even hit her that hard..." A serving woman nearby knelt, trembling as she spoke to Chang Yuncheng. "If you don't believe me, My Lord, check the wounds.

We truly didn't strike her many times, and we didn't use force—it was just to scare her and question her... Who knew she would die..." The sound of chaotic footsteps approached from outside, accompanied by the weeping of Concubine Zhou.

"A'Jin, A'Jin," she rushed in, holding the doorframe and crying out. The moment she saw A'Jin lying on the panel, her tears erupted uncontrollably.

Shoving aside the serving women who tried to steady or stop her, Concubine Zhou staggered forward. "A'Jin, A'Jin, don't scare me," she wailed, her voice hoarse, trembling as she reached to lift A'Jin's hair and pat her face.

"Don't frighten me! You are all I have left.

After the Old Madam passed, you've been my only companion all these years. You promised to stay with me for life.

How dare you disobey? How dare you, girl, disobey!" As she shouted this, she raised her hand and struck A'Jin's face fiercely.

The serving women were terrified and quickly grabbed Concubine Zhou's arms. "This girl is disobedient!

She dared to defy the Old Madam's wishes!" Concubine Zhou was nearly hysterical, screaming and reaching out to strike again. Several serving women dragged her away forcefully.

Everyone watching felt a sting of sorrow and distress, and the Marquis of Dingxi, who had followed, felt it most acutely. "What is the meaning of this?" His anger was entirely directed at Chang Yuncheng.

He roared, "To beat someone to death so carelessly! You've disgraced the entire Marquis of Dingxi Residence!" Chang Yuncheng remained silent, simply standing there.

Concubine Zhou suddenly lunged forward. "You beat her to death.

Now, beat me to death too," she screamed, clutching Chang Yuncheng desperately. "I harmed Yue Niang, I set fire to the witness—it was all me!

It was all me!" Chang Yuncheng swept her aside with an open hand. "She's gone mad, restrain her!" Madam Xie called out.

More serving women immediately stepped forward to seize Concubine Zhou. "Look at you, look at you!" The Marquis of Dingxi, filled with hatred, looked around, grabbed a nearby staff, and swung it toward Chang Yuncheng.

Madam Xie caught sight of it and stepped instantly in front of Chang Yuncheng. The Marquis’s staff was already descending; Chang Yuncheng pulled Madam Xie close and turned.

The dull thud of the wood mingled with the clamor inside the room. The Marquis of Dingxi was not satisfied with a single blow and raised the staff for several more strikes.

"If you strike him again, if you strike him again, I will fight you to the death..." Madam Xie, shielded by Chang Yuncheng, shrieked, struggling desperately, yet unable to break free of his restraint. Everyone nearby was stunned silent; even the wailing Concubine Zhou paused.

"Father, Father." Chang Yunqi stepped forward and held the Marquis of Dingxi’s leg. "Calm your anger, Father, calm down!

Let's discuss this properly." Chang Yunhong hesitated for a moment before kneeling as well, grabbing the Marquis’s arms with both hands. The Marquis of Dingxi grew tired of swinging and leaned on the staff, panting.

"Investigate! Investigate!

What did you find?" he demanded angrily. "I found that the issue indeed lies with this girl," Chang Yuncheng replied, standing perfectly steady, as if the preceding blows had only been a tickle.

The Marquis of Dingxi was so enraged he couldn't speak. "I don't want to live either," Concubine Zhou shrieked, breaking free from the servants and rushing toward the wall to strike her head.

The room instantly descended into renewed chaos. Concubine Zhou’s cries, the Marquis’s curses, Madam Xie’s retorts, and the pleas of Chang Yunqi and the others merged into a cacophony.

Chang Yuncheng stood straight, hearing none of the noise. He suddenly realized he hadn't heard one particular voice throughout.

He couldn't help but turn to look. Qi Yue remained crouched by the door panel in the same position, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil behind her.

"Human life is truly fragile," she suddenly murmured, sensing someone approaching from behind. Chang Yuncheng stood behind her without speaking.

"It wasn't her who harmed me," Qi Yue continued. Looking at the cold corpse, the image of the girl's smiling face flashed before her eyes.

In their few meetings, that one time had been when they spoke the most—so sincere, so heartfelt. "It wasn't her," Qi Yue repeated.

As Chang Yuncheng approached her, all eyes turned that way, and the noise softened slightly, just enough for them to hear Qi Yue’s final statement. Concubine Zhou covered her face and wept.

"A'Jin, may you rest in peace. No matter how others see you, Yue Niang understands you," she cried out.

This was taken as confirmation that Chang Yuncheng had driven an innocent to death, and Madam Xie trembled all over. "However," Qi Yue stood up, turning to face everyone, her expression grave, "send for the magistrate." What?

This statement made everyone pause. Concubine Zhou’s crying quieted slightly, and a flash of unexpected relief crossed her eyes from beneath her fingers.

"You wicked woman, are you planning to sue?" Madam Xie spat out, glaring fiercely at Qi Yue. Although domestic servants were just servants, the law held prohibitions against wanton killing.

Of course, this article was merely on the books and never truly enforced; even if a report were made, it would likely result in no consequence, but it was still a matter of losing face. "You, you all—were you waiting for this?" Madam Xie pointed at Qi Yue and Concubine Zhou.

"You colluded..." "Enough, shut up," the Marquis of Dingxi roared, pointing his hand at Madam Xie and Chang Yuncheng. "It's you who colluded..." "Father," Qi Yue spoke up, cutting off the Marquis's accusation, "I said call the magistrate because A'Jin was not beaten to death by caning." Everyone in the room froze, staring at her.

"This is not organ failure caused by caning," Qi Yue continued, glancing back briefly before turning forward again. "It looks like suffocation, but not quite.

I cannot be sure what caused the death, and I dare not examine too closely to avoid contaminating the scene. But I can be certain it wasn't the caning that killed her.

Therefore, Father, please invite a government official... someone knowledgeable in these matters...

a coroner? Or someone similar, to examine her.

They should be able to determine the cause." Silence descended on the room; everyone stared blankly at Qi Yue. Concubine Zhou’s body softened, and she sank to the ground.

Sweat replaced her tears. Why did she have to be so meddlesome?

Everything had been meticulously calculated: the plan was set, ensuring that even if someone investigated, the trail would inevitably lead to A'Jin—who certainly would never have committed the deed. She had counted on Qi Yue Niang testifying to A'Jin's innocence, and once A'Jin was dead, suspicion would vanish, and she would gain sympathy.

The matter would then fade like any other dark secret emerging in a noble house, eventually buried by time. She had accounted for everything, yet the final step had gone disastrously wrong.

What kind of woman would inspect a corpse? And actually be able to discern something...

Concubine Zhou lowered her gaze. She didn't bother checking the expression of the serving woman who had retreated—whether she was panicked or something else.

It all meant nothing now. Four or five stern-faced serving women stormed into Concubine Zhou's courtyard as dusk began to fall.

Before they could say anything, they found Concubine Zhou sitting calmly in the main room, a bundle placed beside her. "You've arrived," she said calmly, smoothing a strand of hair near her temple with her exquisitely cared-for hand.

"The Madam already knows why we are here," the leading woman said coldly. "Good.

That saves us the trouble of arguing." She then stretched out her hand. "The Marquis has decided.

Since you are family to the Old Madam and have served for so many years, and considering the Second Young Master and Second Miss, you are to go to the family temple to pray and chant scriptures," she stated. Concubine Zhou gave a faint smile.

"I thank the Marquis for his kindness," she replied. "Don't you wish to see the Marquis one last time?" another serving woman asked, slightly surprised by Concubine Zhou's composure.

Concubine Zhou rose, smiling again at the question. "The Marquis detests beautiful women with viperous hearts, haven't you noticed?" she said.

"He fears being deceived and feeling the sting of his own poor judgment. The Marquis values his own reputation highly." The words were strange, leaving the older women confused.

"All right, Granny Zhou, let's go. Anything you need to say, you can say before the Buddha," they instructed.

Night draped itself over the entire Marquis of Dingxi Residence. The Rong'an Courtyard blazed with lamplight.

Madam Xie sat inside, while Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue stood to one side. "Madam, she has been sent away," a serving woman reported.

Madam Xie let out a long breath, her expression still severe. "The Zhou family members are truly vipers," she hissed between clenched teeth.

The curtain separating the inner room suddenly rustled, and the Marquis of Dingxi emerged. His face was grim; he wore his everyday robe.

"Half of the Zhou family’s blood runs in me. Am I also a viper?" he demanded, glaring at Madam Xie.

"Even now, you defend that woman!" Madam Xie shot back, rising while gripping the table for support. "That's enough, do not mention this matter again," the Marquis commanded, sitting heavily on the kang and grabbing his tea, taking a large gulp.

Chang Yuncheng shook his head to soothe Madam Xie, and she slowly sat back down, falling silent. A heavy silence filled the room; the attendants dared not leave.

"Did she say anything?" the Marquis of Dingxi suddenly inquired. The attendant was momentarily stunned.

"S-s-say..." she stammered, "She said... that A'Jin did this for her sake.

Although she was unaware, her fault is unforgivable, and she only wishes the Marquis would forget her..." The Marquis of Dingxi paused, his expression shifting. Madam Xie sneered from the side.

"The evidence is conclusive, yet she still struggles feebly. Does anyone truly believe such nonsense?" she said coldly.

The Marquis glanced at her, then waved the attendants away. They withdrew.

"Yue Niang, you have been terribly frightened. It is Father's failure to protect you," the Marquis of Dingxi said to Qi Yue with a sigh.

"I dare not accept that title," Qi Yue responded. "The hearts of men are not something Father can control." The Marquis looked at her and sighed again, though there was a trace of satisfaction mingled in.

"Do not fear. Such a thing will never happen again," he stated solemnly.

Qi Yue lowered her head in thanks, her gaze drifting downward. "You, you wretched boy," the Marquis then turned to Chang Yuncheng and bellowed suddenly.

Chang Yuncheng’s expression remained unchanged; Madam Xie frowned but restrained herself from speaking. "If it weren't for Yue Niang, tell me what you would have done this time!" the Marquis roared with vexation.

"Such an excellent wife—what nonsense are you creating? Send that other girl away!

Anyone who dares approach you, beat them one by one, beat them in pairs!" This declaration caused a subtle change in expression on all three faces in the room. Chang Yuncheng's face tightened slightly; Madam Xie looked faintly annoyed; Qi Yue felt a touch of awkwardness.

But it wasn't over yet; the Marquis immediately added another statement. "...I have already sent Yue Niang's things back.

If I ever hear that you have driven Yue Niang away again, you can pack up and leave, and don't bother coming back," he said fiercely to Chang Yuncheng. Qi Yue lifted her head in shock to look at the Marquis of Dingxi.

Surely not. RQ