But later, for some unknown reason, there was no more commotion. Yu Rongbai never went to the rice shop to cause trouble again.
However, the feud between him and Uncle was thus settled.
Compared with his usual well - groomed and dashing appearance, Yu Rongbai was now in a sorry state.
Two yamen runners escorted him towards the courtroom.
Song Wanchu heard some news that Yu Rongbai had been sentenced to a heavy penalty for selling imperial - banned drugs on the black market.
He was to be exiled three thousand li and fined fifty thousand taels of silver.
Disdainful of such a person, Song Wanchu wrinkled her nose and turned away.
"Hey, Song Wanchu. Do you think Liang Yuzhou had me thrown into prison really to avenge you?"
Yu Rongbai let out a hoarse laugh, like a hissing viper. His sticky gaze was fixed on Song Wanchu.
Being stared at by such a gaze, Song Wanchu felt as if a viper had coiled around her neck, and she felt uncomfortable all over.
"He did it to protect my younger sister. How pitiful, Concubine Song. You've been fawning over Liang Yuzhou for three years, but you can't even compare to a few tears from my younger sister."
Song Wanchu looked at him expressionlessly.
Her heart was as still as water. Such venomous words could no longer hurt her.
"You're really a great brother. You've taken all the blame for Yu Huiyan. When you're exiled to the northern border, will your dear younger sister accompany you all the way and share your hardships?"
Yu Rongbai's face changed drastically.
Song Wanchu knew exactly how to hit a person where it hurt.
He had suffered so much for his younger sister, but Yu Huiyan had never come to visit him.
This was the second time he had been taken to the Supreme Court for Yu Huiyan.
"You're still as sharp - tongued as ever," Yu Rongbai sneered maliciously. "You're so smart. Haven't you ever thought to ask Liang Yuzhou how your father really died?"
Song Wanchu's back suddenly stiffened.
"Tsk tsk tsk. If your father were alive in spirit, seeing you lying in Liang Yuzhou's arms every day, batting your eyelashes at him and being so gentle, he would probably die with his eyes unclosed. Hahaha!"
Yu Rongbai was escorted away by the yamen runners, but his laughter seemed to have a magical power and kept echoing in Song Wanchu's mind.
When going down the steps, she missed a step.
"Wanchu, be careful!"
It took several calls from Wen Shi for Song Wanchu to finally come to her senses.
She stared blankly at Wen Shi, in a daze, with her mind completely empty.
"Wanchu, what's wrong? Is it your uncle? Is he okay?"
Wen Shi felt her cold little hands and started to cry anxiously again. For a moment, she didn't know who to feel sorry for.
"Uncle... Uncle is fine."
Song Wanchu tried to smile to comfort her aunt, but her lips became stiff. It was as if she had forgotten how to smile.
How did Father really die?
What did Yu Rongbai mean when he said that Father would die with his eyes unclosed if he saw her marry Liang Yuzhou?
Could it be that Father didn't sacrifice himself on the battlefield for the country?
As soon as Wanchu came out, Wen Shi noticed that something was wrong with her. Her face was terribly pale, and her whole body was cold and stiff, as if she had gone through a great disaster.
She was physically out, but her soul seemed to be lost.
Seeing this, Wen Shi didn't dare to ask any more questions. She quietly wiped away her tears. "Wanchu, you've been running around with your aunt late at night. You must be tired. You're in poor health. Go back and rest quickly."
Song Wanchu tried desperately to drive Yu Rongbai's voice out of her mind.
She shouldn't let herself be distracted by Yu Rongbai's unfounded words.
The most important thing now was to help Uncle find the clerk who had stolen the warehouse key and clear Uncle of his unjust accusation.
"I'm fine, Aunt. This isn't the place to talk. Let's go home first."
In the carriage, Song Wanchu gave detailed instructions to Wen Shi.
"The Xiangyun Silk and Cloth Store on Taining Street in the west of the city was jointly opened by Uncle and Ma Weiliang. The shopkeeper is Uncle's man. Among the twenty - three clerks, eight are Ma Weiliang's people. You send our family's head steward to secretly contact the shopkeeper and detain those eight clerks. Tell them that Lord Shi from the Supreme Court will come to question them later and ask them to tell the truth. If they hide anything, they will be sentenced to death if found out.
Remember to tell those eight clerks that Lord Shi already has evidence that Uncle was wronged. Say it in a light - hearted tone so that these eight people think the situation is favorable for Uncle."
This was a kind of psychological intimidation.
Wen Shi listened attentively and nodded constantly, nervous and a little worried.
After much thought, Song Wanchu decided not to get involved personally for the time being.
If she and Wen Shi, two women, stepped forward, people would surely think that the situation was bad and that the mistress of the inner courtyard had to come out to find evidence.
When they arrived at the Qi family, Wen Shi picked up the head steward and rushed straight to the Xiangyun Silk and Cloth Store.
Seeing Song Wanchu in a daze, Wen Shi felt sorry for her. "Wanchu, the head steward has been in our family for more than forty years. He's absolutely trustworthy. If you're not feeling well, don't force yourself. Go back."
Song Wanchu shook her head gently.
She had to see the clerk who had stolen the key caught with her own eyes.
When they rushed to the Xiangyun Silk and Cloth Store, they saw that the yamen runners from the Supreme Court had surrounded the shop.
Shi Jinglu had already caught the clerk who had stolen the key.
Song Wanchu and Wen Shi were shocked.
They had originally planned to use the name of the "Living Hades" to scare the clerk, but they never expected that the "Living Hades" himself would come in person!
Catching a small clerk was far from the level where the Minister of the Supreme Court needed to take action personally.
Moreover, Uncle didn't fully trust Shi Jinglu. He had deliberately saved this crucial clue until Song Wanchu showed up.
Shi Jinglu had taken action immediately.
In the Supreme Court, prisoners couldn't have any secrets!
While admiring Shi Jinglu's quick action, Song Wanchu also felt a chill down her spine.
If Shi Jinglu was on the side of the Ministry of Revenue or was on good terms with Yu Jingnian...
Uncle would really be wrongly accused forever!
"Madam Liang, Madam Qi. As soon as this kid saw me, he confessed everything. I've already had him sign and fingerprint the confession. I'll take him back to the Supreme Court now."
The tense nerves in Wen Shi's body suddenly relaxed. She clasped her hands together and couldn't help but shed tears.
"Thank you, Your Excellency, the upright official!"
Lord Shi was so polite. He never put on airs in front of her and Wanchu. He didn't even say "this official" once!
From now on, if anyone dared to say that Lord Shi was the "Living Hades", she would argue with them!
"You don't need to thank me. It's my duty to find out the truth of the case. You should thank your nephew - in - law."
"Ah? Who?"
Wen Shi didn't react for a moment. When did she get a nephew - in - law?
The yamen runners blocking the door automatically made way, and a tall and imposing figure slowly walked out of the darkness.
The torches illuminated his well - defined handsome face. The shadows criss - crossed on his face, making his eyes look deep and far - reaching.
Shi Jinglu rarely showed a smile. "Madam Qi, it was your nephew - in - law who urged me to act quickly. He's the one who's most afraid that a delay will lead to trouble. He's also the one who's most worried about Qi Yuanjun!"
Song Wanchu was stunned. Wasn't he supposed to be caring about Yu Huiyan, who had tried to kill herself by slitting her wrist?