"I can't read."
Hearing Yi Qing's words, Xu Maozhi almost spat out blood.
"Are you quite surprised, Lord Xu? Isn't it said that a woman without talent is virtuous?"
Unexpectedly, Xu Maozhi replied, "Studying to understand the principles is the right path. If being virtuous only requires being untalented, then one could become a sage just by lying around."
Yi Qing was amused by him. "You're right, Lord Xu. So now, could you please tell me what's written on this paper of yours?"
"I suspect that General Xiao's death has a hidden truth. So I want to exhume the body for an autopsy!"
This idea was absolutely shocking in this era.
Although Yi Qing could accept it, she couldn't show it.
She pretended to be surprised, widening her eyes and looking at Xu Maozhi. After a long while, she said, "Lord Xu, what do you mean! Do you want General Xiao to have no peace even after his death?"
"It's not like that, Madam," Xu Maozhi patiently explained. "I just want to find out the real culprit."
"Many people witnessed how General Xiao passed away. Where does the so - called real culprit come from?" Yi Qing turned her face away and said in a non - negotiable tone, "I can't make the decision on this matter. Even if I could, I would never agree."
Xu Maozhi still pleaded earnestly, "Madam, think about it. If there really is a culprit, would you bear to let General Xiao die with regret while the culprit goes scot - free?"
Yi Qing said coldly, "I didn't have feelings for him, but it doesn't mean I don't respect him. I won't do such a immoral thing. If you insist, Lord Xu, you can go directly to the emperor. If the emperor issues a decree, I won't dare to defy it. But otherwise, I will never agree."
Xu Maozhi was still reluctant to give up and came several times later.
Finally, Yi Qing had no choice but to temporarily close the medical clinic and avoid seeing him.
She told Xiao Tian about this. "Weren't you there to witness how Xiao Jinghan passed away? Why don't you go and talk to Xu Maozhi to make things clear. Whether I can stand his harassment is secondary. I'm mainly worried that he might secretly dig open the general's tomb."
Xiao Tian frowned tightly. He thought that with Xu Maozhi's style of getting to the bottom of things in investigations, he might really do such a thing.
This meddling Xu Maozhi was really annoying.
Yi Qing had solved the arson case on her own. He should never have asked Xu Maozhi for help in the first place.
Come to think of it, it seemed to be the emperor's fault.
From then on, Xiao Tian was even more convinced that he must never trust the emperor when in trouble, or he would surely be in big trouble.
"I see. I'll send more people to keep watch. As for General Xiao's death, there's no need to explain it to a mere junior judge of the Court of Judicial Review." Xiao Tian said arrogantly.
Yi Qing propped her chin up and looked at him. She thought to herself that this penniless guy actually looked down on a junior judge. He really had been with Xiao Jinghan for too long and became so arrogant.
"Madam," the maid reported. "Miss Ping is asking to see someone outside the mansion."
Yi Qing snorted and said lazily, "Don't see her!"
Who did Ping Xinian think she was? Did she think she could see the first - rank madam whenever she wanted?
"No, Madam. Miss Ping said she's here to see Guard Xiao."
Yi Qing thought to herself, "Fine, Ping Xinian. You've set your eyes on my nominal husband, and now you're even eyeing the young hunk I'm planning to get closer to? I won't stand for this!"
However, she said calmly on the surface, "Oh, it seems I was being self - indulgent. Guard Xiao, a beauty has an appointment with you. Why don't you go and see her quickly?"
She squinted her eyes and slightly raised the corners of them. She looked rather threatening.
Xiao Tian said coldly, "Don't see her!"
The maid quickly agreed and ran out to reply. The madam's gnashing - teeth look was a bit scary. She didn't want to be involved.
But after a while, clutching the huge pearl that Ping Xinian had quietly stuffed into her hand, she came back with a pounding heart.
She lingered at the courtyard gate for a while. Seeing that Xiao Tian still didn't come out, she had to summon up the courage to go in.
"Madam, Miss Ping said she won't leave until she sees Guard Xiao."
Yi Qing looked at Xiao Tian with a half - smile. "Tsk tsk, it seems she's determined to see you."
"Then let her wait there." Xiao Tian said coldly.
He had already sent someone to infiltrate Ping Xinian's side. He wanted to see where Ping Xinian got the audacity to scheme against Yi Qing!
It wasn't that he was being paranoid. There were actually big loopholes in the previous events.
Not to mention anything else, how did Ping Xinian know about the situation in the general's mansion?
No matter whether Baozi was really his child or not, no outsider knew about this.
How did Ping Xinian assert that Baozi wasn't his?
Moreover, how did Ping Xinian know that the mansion was recruiting and manage to get in? And she was exactly assigned to the inner courtyard.
The job of sweeping the garden seemed to be a rough and tiring one, but in fact, it allowed one to come into contact with all the masters in the mansion. It didn't seem like a random assignment but rather a well - planned result.
So Xiao Tian was sure that Ping Xinian must have an accomplice.
He must find out who was betraying them from the inside!
Ping Xinian finally left dejectedly.
Yi Qing actually wanted to go out and see her frustrated look. She was very happy to see this self - righteous woman keep failing in front of the straight - laced Xiao Tian.
However, Ping Xinian disappointed her. She didn't come to the mansion again. Maybe she was brewing new schemes?
One day, when she was discussing going out for a walk with Baozi and Xiao Tian, she suddenly heard that Xiaodezi had come to deliver the emperor's imperial decree.
She was originally sitting on the couch. Hearing the maid's report, she immediately lay down and pretended to be weak. "Xiao Tian, I'm not feeling well. I can't get up. You go out and see what's going on."
It was an established fact from past experience that whenever the emperor summoned her, it was never a good thing.
Xiao Tian had no choice but to take Baozi out to receive the decree.
Unexpectedly, this time it was just an oral order.
When Xiaodezi saw Xiao Tian, he got anxious. "Where's the madam? The emperor wants to see the madam!"
Xiao Tian, who was being looked down upon, frowned. "The madam is not feeling well and has just gone to rest. You can tell me whatever it is."
"I really can't do that, sir." Xiaodezi was almost crying. "The imperial noble consort is not feeling well. She has a severe stomachache. It concerns the imperial prince. Please ask the madam not to delay and come to the palace with me quickly!"
Concubine Xue had now become the imperial noble consort thanks to her son.
Logically, Yi Qing should have gone to the palace to congratulate her. But she was too lazy to bother, especially after hearing that Concubine Xue was pregnant. She was even less willing to go to the palace.
Unexpectedly, even if she didn't go, the imperial noble consort could still find her.
However, she still didn't plan to go.
Xiao Tian said, "Wait!"
"Alright!" How could Xiaodezi dare to say no?
He had witnessed the madam's temper several times. She didn't give anyone face.
If things really got out of hand today and it delayed something important, he would surely be the one to take the blame.
"Why don't you go and take a look?" Xiao Tian discussed with Yi Qing in a low voice. "This is the emperor's own flesh and blood."
"It's not yours. I'm not going."
Xiao Tian: "… Don't talk nonsense."
"I'm used to talking nonsense, so I can't meet important people. The imperial noble consort is very delicate. I can't bear the responsibility if I misdiagnose her."