"Since Madam is so certain, do you have any evidence?"
"Evidence..." Madam Jiang thought for a while but still didn't mention Zhao Luoyue. She just said, "Your Honor, you may not know that I once stayed in the Zhao family for some time and met Zhao Luoning a few times. I won't mistake her."
"Oh, I see," Ye Hua said, stroking his chin and nodding. "This matter is of great importance. I need to verify it."
Madam Jiang nodded.
The purpose of her visit this time was to "startle the snake".
As long as the Zhao family knew that she held this earth - shattering secret, they would come to beg her obediently!
Madam Jiang was already daydreaming about the scene where the noble lady would humble herself in front of her.
Humph, let's see who would dare to look down on her then!
After seeing Madam Jiang off, Lord Ye took Lady Ye and rushed to the Ye Mansion without delay.
Ji Shisu and Zhao Luoning, who were busy packing up, naturally didn't dare to be negligent. They quickly invited the two into the study to discuss.
Since the matter was urgent, Lord Ye didn't bother with polite words.
"Madam Qing, do you know Madam Jiang?"
Since Zhao Luoning was no longer the second young mistress of the Ji family, it would be too formal for Ye Hua to call her "Lady Yongle". Calling her Madam Ji, Miss Zhao or Miss Jun would all sound strange.
Finally, after a discussion, they decided to use the name everyone used in Shiguan Military Camp and call her Madam Qing.
Zhao Luoning nodded.
"She's been here a few times. She was eager to marry her daughter to Luojing. She came here earlier today. She was scolded away by Huaci because she said in front of everyone that her family would form an in - law relationship with the Zhao family."
Ye Hua had been in the officialdom for a long time. After hearing what Zhao Luoning said, he immediately understood.
"No wonder she rushed to tell me about you. So she was using me as a tool."
"What's the matter?"
"Madam Jiang said that she met you in the Zhao family and knew that you faked your death."
Zhao Luoning didn't really care. Even if she couldn't show herself in women's clothes in the future, she could still live as Zhao Luojing. But Ji Shisu had even requested a title of noble lady for her. If the emperor knew...
Zhao Luoning glanced at Ji Shisu. How could Ji Shisu not know her concerns? He quickly said, "Madam, don't worry. The Emperor knows about this. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given me a blank imperial edict and let me fill in the name myself."
Ji Shisu had already anticipated what would happen today.
He wouldn't allow such a big risk to be buried on Zhao Luoning.
After knowing that this matter wouldn't cause any serious consequences, Zhao Luoning finally felt relieved and began to analyze seriously.
"I'm sure I've never met this Madam Jiang."
"Never met?"
"Yes. When I was a young lady in the Zhao family, the eldest and the second branches never got along well. Madam Jiang was a frequent visitor to the second branch. At that time, Madam Zhao of the second branch was afraid that we would find out about her good connection, so she kept it very secret."
"Could it be that... she met Zhao Luojing, knew that you siblings looked alike, and thus guessed?"
"Madam Jiang used to be very picky. She was busy hosting various matchmaking banquets. I never saw her in the inner courtyard, let alone Luojing. Moreover, Luojing was in poor health and had been recuperating in the mountains. He rarely came out to meet people."
Ye Hua nodded and said, "You're right. If she had met Luojing and thought you siblings looked alike, she should have said she met Luojing directly instead of saying she met you. Then... how did she know about this?"
Ye Hua didn't know much about the situation of the Zhao family, but Zhao Luoning knew it like the back of her hand. She didn't even need to guess.
"Madam Jiang has always been on good terms with the second branch of the Zhao family. It must be someone from the second branch who told her." Zhao Luoning thought for a while and narrowed down the scope.
"Madam Jiang must have just found out about this. Otherwise, when she first came to talk to my elder brother about the marriage, she would have used this matter to blackmail my elder brother. Madam Zhao of the second branch has been watched by Luoming recently and has no time. It's very likely that it was Zhao Luoyue who said it. Your Honor, you can ask Zhao Luoyue and you'll know."
When Ye Hua heard the name Zhao Luoyue, his face became even more solemn.
"Zhao Luoyue is dead..."
"What?!"
Ye Hua sighed and told them in detail how he found Zhao Luoyue's body.
"Although Luoyue was sharp - tongued, who would want to kill her?"
Zhao Luoyue's sudden death gave Zhao Luoning quite a shock.
She had been arguing and competing with Zhao Luoyue for so many years. She hadn't even had the chance to settle the score with her, and now she was gone?
Zhao Luoning was good at dealing with family affairs, but she was not as good as Ye Hua in solving cases.
Ye Hua had already figured it out, but solving a case required evidence. Although he had a direction for the investigation, he still needed evidence to support it.
Thinking of this, Ye Hua got motivated and said, "Madam Qing, you don't need to worry about this matter. Whether it's about Madam Jiang or Zhao Luoyue, just leave it to me. I'll handle it properly for you."
Zhao Luoning had absolute confidence in Ye Hua's ability. She nodded.
Seeing Zhao Luoning nod, Ye Hua said, "But there's one thing I need Madam Qing's help with."
"Just say it."
"Regarding Zhao Luoyue's matter, could you please keep it a secret until the case is solved?"
"Keep it a secret? Not even tell her mother and younger brother?"
Ye Hua nodded firmly.
"Yes, you can't tell them."
"Okay, I understand."
...
Ye Hua was eager to go back to handle the case. He left with Lady Ye without even having dinner.
Zhao Luoning and Ji Shisu stood side by side, watching the hasty backs of the couple, and couldn't help sighing.
"They all say that being a noble lady is good. During those days of the flowing - water banquets, everyone was praising me for having a good fortune," Zhao Luoning sighed. "What's so good about it? Before I could enjoy it for a few days, troubles came."
"It's my fault. I've brought you trouble," Ji Shisu said aggrievedly. This nice surprise had turned into a shock.
It was all that damned Madam Jiang's fault. He must teach her a good lesson!
"However, I really didn't expect Zhao Luoyue to be gone like this."
"What's wrong? Do you feel soft - hearted?"
Zhao Luoning shook her head and said, "Her mother and daughter have harmed our family so much. I'd be crazy if I felt soft - hearted towards them."
Ji Shisu knew that Zhao Luoning was thinking of some sad things again.
Since Zhao Luoning got pregnant, she seemed to be more sentimental. She would always dream of the people and things in the past, especially Zhao Luojing.
Zhao Luoning stroked her belly and murmured.
"People say there's reincarnation. When he was my younger brother, I couldn't protect him well. If he could be reborn as my son, that would be great."
Zhao Luoning, who never believed in the superiority of sons over daughters, began to hope for a son after dreaming of Zhao Luojing several times.
Ji Shisu held her hand to give her strength.
"Luoning, don't think too much. Everything will pass."