Hu Qinzhu sat disconsolately by the small window, her hair in disarray. She was in no mood to do her hair.
She had been locked up for several days without food or water. Her already slender figure had now become even more emaciated.
She wondered if everything was going smoothly for Li Ying. She also didn't know when she would be able to see the light of day again.
Hu Qinzhu took a deep breath, propping her chin on her hand. Her face was clouded with worry.
She was a bit dazed. The personal maid who used to serve her had been dragged away by Hu Maolin for a beating. Her life or death was unknown.
The old woman guarding the door now glared at her. Obviously, Hu Maolin had specially sent her to watch over Hu Qinzhu. Her stern face made the small boudoir even more depressing.
Just as the atmosphere was dead - silent, there was a faint noise outside the door.
A glimmer of hope flickered in Hu Qinzhu's heart. She summoned up her energy and asked the old woman guarding the door, "What's going on outside? Has something gone wrong with my brother?"
The old woman replied coldly, casting a dismissive glance at her. "Miss, save your breath. No matter what happens outside, the young master will handle it. You just need to stay here quietly and reflect on your mistakes."
She stopped looking at Hu Qinzhu and ignored her attempt to talk. Hu Qinzhu's heart sank again.
Just when she was in despair, the noise outside the door became louder.
The chaotic footsteps were getting closer. A familiar, clear male voice, like the spring rain, rang in her ears.
"Lord Hu, I wonder what mistake Miss Hu has made that you have set up a private torture chamber and confined her in your mansion?"
Hu Qinzhu was shocked. She stared in disbelief at the man in a moon - white long robe, as gentle and elegant as the breeze and the bright moon.
It was Su Buchi, the newly favored official of the emperor and the junior official of the Supreme Court.
"Setting up a private torture chamber? That's a serious accusation! Young Master Su is really making a big splash in his new position. However, it's just a small matter that I'm disciplining my own sister and confining her at home. There's no need for you to bother."
Hu Maolin followed closely behind Su Buchi. Although there was still a fake smile on his face, his tone was already tinged with hostility.
Hu Qinzhu blushed with anger. "How is this not setting up a private torture chamber! Brother has killed my personal maid. It's clearly manslaughter!"
"Since it's a manslaughter case, Lord Hu, you have to come with me."
Su Buchi made a gesture of "please". But Hu Maolin still didn't care. Instead, he looked at them both with a mocking smile.
"Manslaughter case? Lord Su must be joking. It's just a servant born into the family. Her life belongs to our Hu family. I can beat or kill her as I please. Lord Su, are you making a mistake if you want to arrest me with this charge?"
Indeed, for those servants who had signed a life - long contract, the master could beat, kill, or sell them at will. At most, the Hu family would gain a bad reputation for mistreating servants, but it would never violate the law.
Just as Hu Maolin was feeling proud, Hu Qinzhu shouted, "Lord Su! I've already returned the servant contract to my maid! She and I are like sisters. Please uphold justice for me!"
Hu Maolin never expected that his plain - looking sister would quietly set a trap for him. A look of shock flashed across his face.
Although he was cruel, he wasn't a fool. After a moment's thought, he understood the whole thing.
This was clearly a trap aimed at him!
Hu Qinzhu had defected to Li Ying, betraying her own brother as a token of loyalty. She had secretly freed her personal maid without his knowledge.
She and her maid had deliberately angered him. When he was furious, he had ordered the killing of the maid. Then Su Buchi had arrived with his men to charge him with harming a commoner.
What a good sister she was! This stabbing in the back was really ruthless!
Hu Maolin sneered and glared at Hu Qinzhu fiercely.
He turned to look at Su Buchi and calmly said, "It doesn't matter. I'll go with you, Young Master Su."
"However, she's just a low - class servant. Even if she got the servant contract, what can you do if I kill her?"
"Our Hu family's salt business has been a royal merchant for many years and is highly valued by the emperor. Young Master Su, you're too naive if you think you can convict me with just this one charge."
He spoke arrogantly without any scruples.
Su Buchi looked directly into his eyes, his expression unchanged. He asked coldly, "What if it's the emperor's order to convict you?"
What?
Hu Maolin's face changed.
"What do you mean by that?"
He quickly asked, but how could Su Buchi answer him? He just waved his hand, and several constables immediately escorted Hu Maolin straight to the Princess Chang's mansion.
"Hu Maolin, you're really bold to act under my nose."
The emperor had already finished his imperial meal. He was in an unusually good mood. He was sipping Li Ying's Double - Gold Four - God Soup while chatting with the Princess Chang.
When he saw Hu Maolin coming, he put down his white jade teacup and snorted.
Hu Maolin was still confused at first. But when he saw Li Ying standing silently beside the Princess Chang and the emperor looking angry, he immediately woke up.
"Your Majesty! I have never overstepped my bounds!"
"I was just afraid that the lazy servants in the imperial kitchen would neglect the people sent by Her Highness the Princess Chang, so I took the liberty to say a few words. My intention was only to relieve Your Majesty's worries. Please investigate clearly, Your Majesty!"
He quickly tried to defend himself. There was no telling what the emperor was thinking from his unpredictable face.
Hu Maolin had only been in charge of the Hu family's salt business for a short time. He had only seen the emperor a few times. Being young and impulsive, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
Just then, a little eunuch outside announced, "Miss Hu is asking for an audience!"
Hu Maolin's heart skipped a beat.
At this critical moment, why did this little girl who always went against him come!
This was a disaster!
All his changes in expression were seen by Li Ying.
But at this moment, in front of the emperor and the princess, how could he act recklessly?
Even though Hu Maolin was extremely reluctant, he could only watch helplessly as Hu Qinzhu walked gracefully into the hall, holding a wooden box in both hands, to meet the emperor.
"Qinzhu pays homage to Your Majesty."
Hu Qinzhu performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine prostrations. The emperor raised his eyebrows and looked at the thing in her hand, then granted her permission to rise.
Hu Qinzhu kept her eyes straight ahead, straightening her back, but still knelt on the ground. She said in a low voice, "I'm the daughter of a guilty official. I don't dare to get up. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
She slowly opened the wooden box in her hand, revealing a whole box of large salt crystals.
"What is this?"
The emperor looked at the siblings suspiciously, waiting for Hu Qinzhu to continue.