Chapter 33: Old Stories Revisited

As soon as the words left his mouth, Miss Mei's face flushed a deep red.

"You... shameless rogue! Scoundrel! Despicable wretch!"

In her humiliation and fury, Miss Mei hurled every insult she could muster at Chen Mu, emptying her entire repertoire of curses upon him.

But Chen Mu merely shrugged, utterly unbothered.

"And that Sunset Sand—surely that's another secret medicine unique to your family, isn’t it?"

But Miss Mei, still fuming, had turned her head away, refusing to speak to him any further.

Chen Mu, seeing this, could only switch topics.

He began to recount the details of the old case, repeating what he'd just learned at the Ministry of Justice, as if speaking to himself.

"Truly, the Mei family was ill-fated," he mused. "They were once the foremost martial clan of the capital. Who would have thought that, in a single night, they’d be denounced for treason by a high court official?"

"They even found a dragon throne and imperial robes in the house."

"And so the entire family was executed, and all their unique martial arts manuals vanished without a trace."

"But according to the executioner’s report at the time, all one hundred and two members of the Mei clan were beheaded."

"Miss, could it be that you are an imposter, pretending to be a survivor of the Mei family?"

At this, Miss Mei spun around, glaring daggers at Chen Mu.

"That’s utter nonsense!"

"My family was framed by traitors years ago! If I hadn’t escaped the day before the execution, the Mei lineage would have been completely wiped out!"

"Fortunately, a certain official took pity on me and chose not to turn me over to the court. Instead, he raised me these many years, and I—"

Chen Mu cut her off abruptly.

"Miss, do you know which official betrayed your family that year?"

Miss Mei let out a cold laugh.

"Of course I do!"

"It was Chancellor Liu himself—your crown prince’s father-in-law! You and he are cut from the same cloth!"

With that, the last lingering doubt in Chen Mu’s mind evaporated.

"Miss Mei, was it that benefactor who told you this story?"

Miss Mei glanced at him, saying nothing, which was answer enough.

"Which court official was it who raised you?"

"That’s none of your business! Don’t think you’ll get anything out of me!"

Chen Mu had expected this response.

"It was Lord Meng, wasn’t it?"

This time, Miss Mei, who had maintained such haughty composure, could no longer keep her calm.

"How do you know that?"

Chen Mu didn’t answer her question.

"Miss Mei, I suspect Lord Meng only recounted his version of events to you and never showed you the official records, did he?"

"To tell you the truth, I went to the Ministry of Justice earlier and examined the case files. The executioner and the one who accused your family of treason—it was Lord Meng himself."

But Miss Mei refused to believe him.

"You're lying! Lord Meng treated me as his own—"

"Only because you were valuable to him for your martial skills. He betrayed your family because your father refused to give him your family’s secret manuals and medicine formulas!"

"You’ve lived in Lord Meng’s household for years, haven’t you noticed that his son is also highly skilled in martial arts?"

Miss Mei hesitated, then quickly retorted, "That's because I instructed him in the Mei family’s techniques!"

"Exactly! And you must have found his talent extraordinary, didn’t you?" Chen Mu pressed on. "After your family was slaughtered, did you never wonder what became of those martial arts manuals?"

Miss Mei was left speechless by his questioning. In the end, she could only stubbornly turn away, lapsing into silence.

Chen Mu was in no rush. Leisurely, he stood and prepared to leave.

"Miss Mei, I sincerely wish to help you. There are many suspicious points in the old case. I hope you’ll consider what I’ve said. If I’m not mistaken, you’ll see proof by tomorrow."

With those words, he took his leave of the dungeon, instructing the guards at the door to remain vigilant.

"If anything unusual happens, report to me at once."

"Yes, sir!"

By the time he returned to his residence, night had fallen.

Liu Susu was anxiously waiting for him.

"My lord, my father sent word today that you went to the prison to interrogate the assassin?"

Chen Mu nodded, removing his outer robe and setting it aside. After a long day, he was exhausted.

"Were there guards with you in the cell?"

"I dismissed them so I could speak with the assassin privately."

"How could you be so reckless?" Liu Susu’s voice was thick with worry and anger.

"That assassin wanted your life! How could you face her alone, unguarded?"

Chen Mu chuckled, taking Liu Susu’s hand.

"Don’t worry, my dear. Am I not back safe and sound?"

His nonchalance only made her more exasperated.

"Aren’t you curious what I uncovered in my investigation today?"

Liu Susu glared at him, but reluctantly nodded.

Chen Mu recounted the day’s discoveries to her in brief.

"Thanks to my foresight, I searched her myself last night and found both the poison and the marked weapon."

"These two items are crucial evidence!"

Liu Susu nodded, only half understanding.

"So... you’re saying Lord Meng is plotting against you?"

"That’s almost certain," Chen Mu replied.

Liu Susu was silent for a moment. Finally, she looked up at him, her eyes shining in the candlelight.

Their gazes met, and for a moment, neither spoke.

"What is it?" Chen Mu asked softly.

"You said you personally searched her last night?"

Chen Mu nodded, still puzzled, until Liu Susu angrily released his hand.

"Men and women shouldn’t touch! That assassin wasn’t wrong about you at all—you really are a scoundrel!"

With a pout, Liu Susu pretended to storm off.

Realizing her meaning, Chen Mu laughed, quickly rose, and caught her around the waist.

"My dear, if I hadn’t searched her, how could we have learned so much?"

Liu Susu huffed and said nothing.

Chen Mu pulled her closer, lowering his voice to her ear.

"Besides... my wife’s body is no less lovely."

As he spoke, he gave her waist a playful squeeze.

Caught off guard, Liu Susu gave a startled cry and tumbled into his arms, her cheeks turning crimson.

"You... you’re impossible!"

Laughing heartily, Chen Mu held her as they toppled onto the bed together.

Face flushed, Liu Susu dared not meet his eyes, only pushing feebly at his chest.

"Don’t... my lord, there are others outside..."

But Chen Mu paid no heed. Rolling over, he grinned wickedly and pinned her beneath him.