Chapter 145: The Truth, Who is the Killer

Is Master Songyue coming to Jingzhou? Shen Qianmo felt a surge of joy.

The Xie family stood at the pinnacle of the literati, and the Bishan Academy was world-renowned. Master Piaomiao, in particular, was a preeminent scholar of the age. If they could secure the support of the Xie family, it would naturally be a tremendous boon for the Prince Xuan Estate. However, given the current predicament of the Prince Xuan Estate, would the imperial court of Dasheng take the opportunity to punish the Xie family?

Although she was merely inhabiting the original owner's body and had no actual blood relation to the Xie family, they had treated her with genuine love and care. Deep down, she had long since come to view them as her own kin.

Shen Qianmo asked with concern, "Cousin, has the imperial court been making things difficult for the Xie family?"

"Do not worry, Mo'er." Xie Mingyu’s refined and elegant face remained unchanged, save for a faint smile. "Given the prestige of the Bishan Academy and our grandfather, the court does not yet dare to do anything to the Xie family."

Shen Qianmo nodded. Indeed, Meng Tianxu had only recently ascended the throne. For the Dasheng court, which had increasingly favored literature over martial arts in recent years, he should not be foolish enough to provoke the Xie family, the leaders of the nation’s scholars.

"Sister Shen..." Tietou, who had been standing to the side, finally could no longer bear being ignored as Shen Qianmo continued to speak with Xie Mingyu. He ran toward her, intent on throwing himself into her arms.

Though he was only ten or so, Tietou knew that the reason Shen Qianmo had fallen off the cliff was to save him from poison; his life was essentially a gift from her. Being young, his expression of emotion was extremely direct. Seeing his savior, he was overcome with such joy that he rushed forward without a second thought.

But before he could even touch the hem of her dress, he felt himself being lifted into the air as effortlessly as a chick.

"Sister Shen..." Tietou kicked his legs in the air, calling out to Shen Qianmo with a sob.

"A-Heng, what are you doing? Put him down," Shen Qianmo said, casting a reproachful glance at Meng Yuanheng.

Seeing that Shen Qianmo was angry, Meng Yuanheng pursed his lips. He stifled the urge to throw the reckless boy away and released him with extreme reluctance, though his expression remained far from pleasant.

Dropping from mid-air, Shen Qianmo worried that Tietou might land on his face, but the child nimbly performed a somersault. Though he stumbled upon landing, he quickly steadied himself.

Shen Qianmo exchanged a look with Yun Yi, noting a trace of appreciation in his eyes. It seemed that the boy's persistent pestering of Yun Yi to teach him martial arts had finally yielded results.

After landing, Tietou glared angrily at Meng Yuanheng, but the moment he turned to Shen Qianmo, his expression shifted to one of grievance. Tears welled up in his eyes, though he fought to keep them from falling.

"Sister Shen, I beg you, do not send me away. I have no family and nowhere to go. Could you please take me in?"

Upon learning that his savior was still alive, Tietou had secretly sworn to master martial arts, to stay by Shen Qianmo’s side for the rest of his life to protect her and serve her.

However, this hateful Prince Xuan was always trying to drive him away. Had he not been thick-skinned and persistent, he would have likely been chased out of Jingzhou City long ago.

Shen Qianmo looked down at the child, who barely reached her shoulder. Although he claimed to be twelve, he was clearly much thinner and shorter than his peers, likely due to malnutrition. Yet, in his delicate features, one could already see a trace of tenacity and stubbornness.

Such a look inexplicably reminded her of her previous life. Gently patting his head, she said softly, "Don’t worry, Tietou. I won’t send you away. If you like, you may stay here. How about you change your name to... Moxin? How does that sound?"

She had used the name Moxin before; it was the identity she had assumed when she first met Meng Yuanheng. Back then, she had been conducting an autopsy in the street and was suspected by Lu Ziqing, and it was Meng Yuanheng who had stepped in to resolve the situation.

She turned to look at the man beside her. Receiving his gaze, which was as gentle as water, she smiled slightly.

She knew that Meng Yuanheng harbored a grudge against Tietou because he blamed the boy for her falling off the cliff. She had deliberately invoked the name Moxin, hoping he would let go of his resentment and treat Tietou better in the future.

With a cold snort, Meng Yuanheng cast a hostile glance at Tietou, but he did not oppose Shen Qianmo’s decision.

Yun Yi stepped forward and patted Tietou on the shoulder, chiding, "Are you so happy you've lost your wits? What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pay your respects to the Prince and Princess!"

According to the customs of Dasheng, bestowing a name upon someone was equivalent to accepting them into one's service. From this moment on, this simple-minded boy was a member of the Prince Xuan Estate.

Staggered by Yun Yi’s forceful pat, the boy’s thin frame shook. Only then did he realize he wasn't dreaming. Overjoyed, he knelt properly and bowed to Meng Yuanheng and Shen Qianmo. "Moxin pays his respects to the Prince and Princess."

Seeing that despite his youth, he possessed a sense of propriety, Shen Qianmo was quite pleased. She instructed Green Bamboo to take him away and settle him in.

Meng Yuanheng glanced at the few remaining people and said in a deep voice, "Is there anything else?"

Yun Yi rubbed his nose and stepped forward. He did indeed have something to report.

"Your Highness, according to reports from our scouts, the imperial court has learned that Qianmo is still alive and has decided to send people to Jingzhou. They should arrive in a few days. Should we make preparations?"

At the mention of the court, Meng Yuanheng’s expression turned even gloomier. He let out a cold laugh. "Meng Tianxu only has this much talent. I shall wait for them right here in Jingzhou City. You all proceed as planned and pay no mind to them."

Yun Yi shrugged, indicating he had nothing more to say.

Yan Mo stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, Princess, how should we deal with the woman we brought back yesterday?"

Speaking of Lou Xinyue, Shen Qianmo naturally remembered why she had spared her life. Looking up at the gloomy-faced Meng Yuanheng, she said to Yan Mo, "The Prince and I will go see her in a while."

The dungeon of the Governor’s Mansion was cold and filthy. Lou Xinyue huddled in the corner, her eyes vacant and her face devoid of color; the bright, captivating beauty she once possessed was entirely gone. To prevent her from dying of blood loss, the wrist whose tendons had been severed by Shen Qianmo had been crudely bandaged, but the hand hung limply, unable to move.

Having spent only one night in the dungeon, she felt as if every day were a year, a torment difficult to endure.

Footsteps echoed outside the door. A flicker of light crossed Lou Xinyue’s dull eyes. Looking toward the entrance, she saw two figures walking toward the cell, surrounded by others. They looked like a perfect pair, so pleasing to the eye that they instantly brightened the dim dungeon.

Having shed yesterday's coarse clothes, Shen Qianmo was now dressed in a simple, elegant pale green brocade gown, the collar trimmed with white mink fur, and a pomegranate-red satin cloak draped over her shoulders. She appeared calm, relaxed, and poised. The man beside her, who held her waist firmly, wore black robes and had hair as white as snow, which only served to make him appear colder and more jade-like, his presence overbearing. His gaze was as cold and sharp as a blade, his regal aura undeniable.

Lou Xinyue had always prided herself on her beauty and had never looked down upon Shen Qianmo. Yet at this moment, the calm and self-possessed look in Shen Qianmo’s eyes scorched her, and the jealousy and hatred pierced her heart like a sharp awl, causing her excruciating pain.

Behind them, the jailer placed two cushioned chairs outside the cell. Meng Yuanheng removed the cloak from Shen Qianmo’s shoulders and carefully helped her sit, then took his place right beside her. Another jailer eagerly offered tea, but Meng Yuanheng frowned, took the cup from Shen Qianmo’s hand, and set it on the table nearby.

The dungeon was clearly not a place for tea.

Yun Yi couldn't help but roll his eyes. Meng Yuanheng, you play the role of a doting husband so thoroughly it is truly breathtaking.

Shen Qianmo smiled faintly at Lou Xinyue inside the cell. "Miss Lou, have you considered my offer?"

Shooting a venomous look at the woman before her, Lou Xinyue said in a hoarse voice, "Since you have come, you must want to know the truth about what happened seven years ago. But before that, I have a condition."

"Hmph, who do you think you are, daring to make conditions with me!" Meng Yuanheng’s expression darkened, and he was about to lash out, but Shen Qianmo caught his hand.

She patted the back of his hand soothingly and turned to Lou Xinyue. "What condition? Let us hear it."

"I want to return to Northern Di alive," Lou Xinyue said, gritting her teeth. As long as she lived, there would be opportunities for revenge.

Meng Yuanheng let out a scornful laugh and said nothing. Shen Qianmo, however, nodded and said, "Miss Lou’s request is not unreasonable. But how are we to determine whether what you say is true or false?"

"I naturally have evidence to prove that every word I say is true," Lou Xinyue said with certainty.

Shen Qianmo carefully observed Lou Xinyue’s minute movements and expressions, determining that she was not just babbling, and said calmly, "Very well. I can guarantee that you will return to Northern Di alive, provided you can convince us that what you say is true. Seven years ago, the perpetrator of the tragedy at Ghost Wrath River... who exactly was it?"

Lou Xinyue looked at Shen Qianmo with venomous hatred, then shifted her gaze to Meng Yuanheng. She curled her lips in a sneer, a hint of mockery in her tone, and said slowly, "The culprit... was the Prince's own father, the late Emperor."