Xiao Yixuan had just recognized her as kin not long ago, so he naturally knew what she had been through after leaving the capital these years.
Hearing this, his heart softened a bit, and his tone couldn't help but become gentler. "Alright, I didn't say it was wrong for you to go and wail at the funeral. I... cough, cough."
He cleared his throat. "I just want to say that if you're short of money in the future, you can always come to Liuxiang Tower to find me. Doctor Wang is highly skilled in medicine and has stabilized the condition of the imperial uncle several times. As his disciple, whatever you need, I can satisfy you."
Hearing this, Xiao Wuchen couldn't help but glance at Xiao Yixuan, who had his back to him, and then shifted his gaze to Ye Wanmian.
His elder brother seemed to take quite good care of this village woman.
Could it be that his elder brother had taken a fancy to this village woman? What a strange taste!
Ye Wanmian ignored the inquisitive looks from others and softly said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your care. If I really need help, I will surely turn to you."
Xiao Yixuan composed himself and asked, "You should also know the reason for summoning you all here today. I won't say much else. That night, you also went to Young Master Chen's gravesite with everyone. Did you see any strange people or hear any strange sounds?"
Ye Wanmian thought for a while, looked at Xiao Yixuan, as if she had something to say but was a bit hesitant because of the people around.
Xiao Yixuan understood immediately and said, "You all may leave."
Xiao Wuchen frowned. "Brother..."
Xiao Yixuan's tone became a bit harsher. "Leave!"
Although Xiao Wuchen was full of doubts, he had no choice but to signal the others to retreat temporarily, leaving the place to Xiao Yixuan and Ye Wanmian.
When everyone had left, Xiao Yixuan stood up from his chair and walked towards Ye Wanmian. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Mian'er, you're really... Aren't you afraid of going to wail at a dead person's funeral?"
Ye Wanmian lowered her eyes and let out a soft sigh. "Compared to the dead, I'm more afraid of the living. At least, the dead won't hurt me or force me to marry someone I don't like."
Xiao Yixuan's heart was filled with pity. He grabbed her shoulders and stared deeply into her eyes. "It won't happen again. As long as I'm here, no one in this world will force you to do things you don't want to do."
Ye Wanmian gently挣脱 his grasp and took two steps back. "Your Highness, you're already engaged. Please behave yourself."
Xiao Yixuan let out a sigh. "Mian'er, I..."
He said in a low voice, "You also know that I have no say in my marriage."
Ye Wanmian turned around without saying a word. Xiao Yixuan had no choice but to say, "You seemed to have something to say to me just now?"
Only then did Ye Wanmian raise her head. With a serious look on her face, she said, "Your Highness, a few days ago when I went to the Chen Mansion to wail at the funeral, out of curiosity, I took a look at Young Master Chen's body in the mourning hall."
"You should also know that my master knows a bit about autopsy. After he found that person's body on the river beach that day, he came back and told me some ways of death."
"The Chen Mansion announced that Young Master Chen died suddenly after being possessed by evil spirits. But that night, I vaguely saw a bruise on his neck. I suspect that Young Master Chen was strangled to death."
Xiao Yixuan was a bit stunned, a bit surprised that this was what she wanted to tell him.
"When the Chen Mansion buried Young Master Chen, they also invited the Taoist priest who appeared at the morgue that day to perform a ritual. They even killed a chicken on the spot and used its blood to draw talismans. It was really terrifying!"
When Ye Wanmian got excited, she reached out and grabbed Xiao Yixuan's sleeve. When Xiao Yixuan looked over, she quickly let go in a flurry.
"Anyway, there's something strange about this matter. It makes me feel very uncomfortable. After the funeral, I rushed home in a hurry and had nightmares for several days. It's only better today. Who would have thought that I would hear about the disappearance of Young Master Chen's body..."
Xiao Yixuan asked, "So, this is the strange thing you wanted to tell me?"
Ye Wanmian nodded. "Of course."
Xiao Yixuan looked at her expression. Her eyes were as clear as water, with his reflection clearly visible in them. For some reason, facing such clear eyes, he felt a bit guilty for no reason.
He had thought wrong. She had ended up in this situation all because of Xiao Jingcheng. Whenever she mentioned Xiao Jingcheng, she gritted her teeth with hatred. So, it was absolutely impossible for her to have disturbed that grave.
"I'll investigate what you said," Xiao Yixuan said earnestly. "After you go back, stay in the medical clinic obediently. If there's nothing else, don't wander around. When I'm free, I'll go to the medical clinic to see you."
After saying that, he took out a hundred - tael silver note from his sleeve and stuffed it into her hand.
Ye Wanmian took the silver note and her eyes lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Your Highness. Then I'll go back now."
She turned around and took two steps, then looked back. "By the way, there was also an apprentice in the medical clinic named Qi Wen with me. I dragged him there. Do you still need to call him in for questioning?"
Xiao Yixuan said, "Since he was with you, there's no need to question him."
Only then did Ye Wanmian leave with peace of mind.
Watching her leave with his own eyes, Xiao Yixuan returned to his seat and sat down. He raised his hand and rubbed his temples. Suppressing the irritation in his heart, he called Xiao Wuchen and the others back.
Outside the door, seeing Ye Wanmian come out safe and sound and looking relaxed, Qi Wen stepped forward. "How was it?"
Ye Wanmian said, "His Highness has questioned me. He told us to leave first."
"Us?" Qi Wen pointed at himself. Ye Wanmian said, "Of course. You and I were together."
Qi Wen was secretly relieved that he didn't have to be called in for questioning. He quickly followed Ye Wanmian and left. The others watched them leave enviously. Then, another person was called in...
On the way back, there was no one following them, so it was much more convenient for them to talk.
"Mrs. Jiang, what did His Highness ask you just now, and how did you answer?" Qi Wen asked curiously, circling around Ye Wanmian.
Ye Wanmian said, "Naturally, he asked if I saw anything strange that night. I told him... I think Young Master Chen's death was suspicious."
Qi Wen thought for a while and clapped his hands in praise. "Yes, this is indeed the strange thing that night. You're really smart, Mrs. Jiang."
Ye Wanmian smiled but didn't tell Qi Wen about her relationship with Xiao Yixuan.
To be honest, she had taken advantage of Xiao Yixuan's slight sympathy for her and the feud between her and Crown Prince Xiao Jingcheng to divert his attention so that he wouldn't have the time to think about other things.
And just now, she had also realized that among Xiao Yixuan and Xiao Wuchen, it was Xiao Yixuan who was in charge. He was also the one who was more concerned about the desecration of the Chen family's grave. The one who had cooperated with the Chen family to harm the crown prince was probably him.
The cousin who used to be as noble and pure as the bright moon in her heart actually had a hidden dark side. She couldn't help but shiver.