Zhao Luoyue was discovered by a woodcutter who went up the mountain to gather firewood. It seemed that she had been buried, but not very deeply, and was dug out by a hungry wolf following the scent.
The most shocking thing was that after the coroner's examination, it was confirmed that Zhao Luoyue was still alive when the wolf was gnawing at her.
That is to say, she was knocked unconscious, buried, and then slowly eaten alive by the wolf.
By the time she was found, half of her body had been devoured, and the bloody and gruesome scene startled the woodcutter.
Huangcheng had always been a peaceful place, and it was extremely rare for a lady from a prominent family to meet such a tragic end.
Moreover, at this critical moment, Zhao Luoyue's identity was rather special.
Externally, she was the younger cousin related to the imperial - conferred lady Jun Zhifou.
Internally, she was the half - sister of the imperial - conferred lady Zhao Luoning.
Zhao Luoyue's death at this time was like a bad omen for the newly - conferred Zhao Luoning.
This was the reason why such a small murder case could catch Ye Hua's attention.
The matter was so complicated that when the county magistrate received the case, without notifying the family, he immediately sent the case file to Ye Hua.
As a mere county magistrate, he didn't have the ability to handle a case related to an imperial - conferred lady.
Actually, at first, Ye Hua didn't believe that Zhao Luoyue was dead.
He had a deep impression of Zhao Luoyue.
She was a trouble - maker. Once, she stole Song brocade and was caught by him at a wedding.
Over the years, she had caused many troubles and never stopped.
As the saying goes, "Evil people live long." It was quite a shock to see such a person die, giving people a sense of the impermanence of life.
Ye Hua was racking his brains on how to handle this matter when his wife came in with a cup of tea.
Seeing Ye Hua's troubled expression, she stepped forward lovingly and began to massage his head.
"You know, your headache is caused by thinking too much."
"Working for the emperor is like being with a tiger. You have to be on your guard for some things."
"Are you talking about Zhao Luoyue's case?"
Ye Hua nodded.
"If it's really that difficult to handle, maybe I can go and talk to Miss Zhao?"
Ye Hua knew that his wife hated socializing the most. Hearing her offer, he was so touched that he couldn't speak.
"My dear wife..."
This was the good thing about an old married couple. A single look was enough to understand what the other was thinking.
His wife smiled and nodded at Ye Hua, saying, "Don't worry, my husband. Miss Zhao is my benefactor and a reasonable person. I'm happy to be with her. It's not socializing."
Ye Hua gently took his wife's hand, feeling extremely guilty towards her.
In the beginning, Ye Hua had been very resistant to his child - bride wife. When he was young and inexperienced, because his classmates laughed at him for having an older wife, he had even lost his temper with her.
Later, the Ye family fell into decline, and all they had left was a house. As a poor scholar without any official rank, the family's livelihood was entirely in his wife's hands.
During the most difficult times, some of his clan brothers even wanted to take their only remaining house. It was his wife who ran around everywhere. When the clan brothers came to cause trouble, she held a kitchen knife in her hand and protected the house with their child in her arms.
It was at that moment that Ye Hua understood the wisdom of his mother's words when she arranged the child - bride marriage for him: "Marrying a good wife is more important than getting a good official rank."
From that moment on, Ye Hua vowed not to take concubines or maids as concubines. He would only be good to his wife for the rest of his life.
She had sacrificed so much. He had hoped that once he achieved fame, she could live a peaceful life.
But even after he passed the imperial examination, his wife still had to work hard.
She repaired private schools and opened schools.
All these efforts had won him the support of the people and helped his official career.
Even now that he held a high - ranking position, when he encountered trouble, he still had to rely on his wife.
The couple was sharing a tender moment when an inconsiderate person came to spoil the mood.
The doorman reported, "My lord, there's a lady outside who claims to be from the Jiang family in the East City. She says she has something important to see you."
"See me?" What could a lady want from him?
Ye Hua looked at his wife.
Although his wife didn't like socializing, she still knew something about the ladies in Huangcheng.
Moreover, this Lady Jiang was particularly annoying.
His wife said to Ye Hua, "My husband, you've been away for so many years, so you may not know. Lady Jiang is quite shrewd in the circle of ladies in Huangcheng and well - informed. She came to see me several times before, but I was not feeling well, so I refused."
His wife's words were enough for Ye Hua to understand.
Lady Jiang was a scheming, gossiping woman and not suitable to be a close acquaintance.
However, Ye Hua was not as averse to socializing as his wife.
Since Lady Jiang had come, it wouldn't hurt to meet her.
So Ye Hua told the doorman to invite her in.
As soon as Lady Jiang entered, she sized up the room.
It was shabby, really shabby.
No wonder Lady Ye never held banquets at home.
She wondered how Lady Ye managed the household.
On weekdays, she donated money for road and bridge repairs, and for building private schools and schools. Lady Jiang had thought the Ye family was very wealthy, but now seeing the shabby interior, she was disappointed.
Even the legendary Lady Ye, who often refused to meet people, was dressed very simply. She only had a jade hairpin on her head, and the fabric of her clothes was of medium - low quality on the market.
She didn't look like an official's wife at all. Even a concubine in a merchant's family would be more decent.
Lady Jiang sneered inwardly.
It was really a disgrace for Lord Ye to have such a wife.
After Lady Jiang entered, Lord Ye asked someone to offer her a seat.
Lady Jiang was not polite. After sitting down, she got straight to the point.
"I heard that Lord Ye has a good relationship with the Zhao family, so I'd like to tell you something important."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Do you still remember the second young mistress of the Ji family who died in a fire a few years ago?"
Hearing Lady Jiang mention this, Ye Hua and his wife glanced at each other.
"Yes, I remember." Ye Hua replied.
He waited for Lady Jiang to continue.
"I heard that the second young mistress is the newly - conferred imperial - conferred lady."
Ye Hua's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes turned cold.
His tone was the same as usual, but only those who knew him well would know that he was a bit angry.
"Oh? That's quite strange. One is surnamed Zhao and the other is surnamed Jun. How can they be the same person?"
"I thought Lord Ye was close to the second young master and his wife of the Ji family. I thought they wouldn't hide this from you. It seems you don't know either." Lady Jiang felt that she had discovered a big secret and became even more proud. "Zhao Luoning and Jun Zhifou are actually the same person."
Lady Jiang was happily talking on and on, not knowing that Ye Hua was already thinking about killing her.