Chapter 507: Doubtful Guilt

Transferring Lou Xiu without evidence—what does that mean?

Li Xianghong wasn't foolish. Without an investigation, how could evidence of Lou Xiu's wrongdoing be found? This clearly indicated someone was protecting Lou Xiu.

To her, Lou Xiu was currently the prime suspect, with a high probability of being involved with the mastermind behind the scenes. However, with powerful intervention from above suppressing the sole crucial point, it seemed the investigation would effectively end here, making further inquiry impossible.

So many lives were lost, yet the full scope of the events remained unclear. Was it truly over, simply because of a word from someone in authority?

She felt a pang of reluctance, but she was helpless. If she insisted on pursuing it, she would, in a sense, be making trouble for herself.

Even Poyuan had to hastily move past the deaths of his two trusted subordinates and confront reality. What more could she possibly do?

Once the matter was ambiguously concluded, Li Xianghong sent word to the Bai Family Rice Shop.

With Poyuan's arrival, Bai Qiru needed to avoid any appearance of impropriety and could no longer remain by Li Xianghong's side, involved in the case.

Learning that her husband was alive and had been located, Bai Qiru breathed a sigh of relief.

In the moonlit pavilion, she personally poured tea for Li Xianghong, who sat opposite her, to express her gratitude, but Li Xianghong gently pressed down on the teapot, pushing it back.

“Huang Yingying may not be able to reunite with you,” Li Xianghong said with a sigh of regret, indicating her helplessness. “Poyuan suspects Huang Yingying's involvement in this matter is not straightforward. He has decided to convict him based on suspicion and send him back to Mount Shen to be a slave for eternity. He has already reported this, and Mount Shen has agreed.”

In truth, she hadn't put much effort into the matter. She still felt Huang Yingying was unworthy of Bai Qiru. Did he really think, as City Lord, she was unaware of his constant visits to brothels? She simply chose not to bring it up in front of Bai Qiru.

Bai Qiru's expression shifted. She set down the teapot and sat, asking, “To convict someone before the matter is even clear, what kind of justice is this?”

Li Xianghong did not conceal the truth from her. “You know who the prime suspect is. Someone is protecting Lou Xiu, so the investigation cannot proceed. If you truly wish to protect that old man, it shouldn't be too difficult for you. You just need to humble yourself and ask your family elders to put in a word with Mount Shen. Some matters can be resolved with just a single sentence.”

Bai Qiru fell silent. After a long pause, she said, “Where is he? I want to see him.”

That was easily arranged. After a detailed discussion with Li Xianghong, Bai Qiru was led to the prison.

Inside the grim prison, where shadows danced under flickering lights, Bai Qiru paced outside a cell, puffing on her pipe. Her gaze was fixed on Huang Yingying, who was huddled in a corner of the cage, dozing.

Ragged, scarred, and disheveled, he was sound asleep instead of tending to his wounds, clearly subdued.

She didn't wake him. She simply puffed on her pipe, her eyes clouded with confusion, lost in thought.

Eventually, Huang Yingying caught the familiar scent of smoke. His nostrils flared a few times, and he suddenly jolted upright as if from a nightmare. His eyes darted around until they landed on Bai Qiru, and as if a nightmare had materialized, he instinctively knelt and blurted, “I didn’t run away…”

He paused, then surveyed his surroundings, looked at Bai Qiru again, and with a sudden embarrassed expression, asked, “Madam, why are you here?”

Clink, clink, clink, Bai Qiru tapped her pipe against the cage.

Huang Yingying immediately scrambled up and approached, bowing obsequiously with a fawning smile, “You've gone to so much trouble, Madam, truly. I will repay you by working tirelessly.”

He assumed she was there to take him home, given her relationship with the City Lord.

Bai Qiru understood his implication. Slowly exhaling smoke, she said, “Even Li Xianghong couldn't help you. This time, I truly have no solution either. When you go to Mount Shen, please take good care of yourself.”

“Gah…” Hearing “Mount Shen,” Huang Yingying felt a choke in his throat, his eyes wide with horror as he asked in disbelief, “Mount Shen? Why am I going to Mount Shen?”

Bai Qiru didn't hide anything, relaying the situation Li Xianghong had informed her of, which terrified Huang Yingying, causing him to fall to the ground.

Although he had married into the Bai Family Rice Shop, he was unaware of Bai Qiru's true family background—a secret few in Dazhi City knew. The thought of asking his humble wife to interfere with Mount Shen's decision was inconceivable to him; he was genuinely terrified.

Seeing her husband in such a wretched state, Bai Qiru’s usually composed gaze showed a touch of helplessness, or perhaps, a hint of troubled contemplation.

Of course, she didn't scold her elderly husband this time. She didn't believe this incident could be blamed on him. She knew the truth Fan Wuzhe had confessed: that he was murdered because he had witnessed Fan Wuzhe being tortured at the tax office. Where could one find justice for such a situation?

She could also guess why Huang Yingying had gone to the tax office; he must have been pressured by her to transport the spirit rice. So, in a way, this misfortune could be attributed to her.

According to Li Xianghong, Huang Yingying still had no idea why this sudden calamity had befallen him.

How could this be Huang Yingying's fault? There was simply no way to blame him.

“Help me find someone,” Huang Yingying suddenly croaked, as if jolted awake. He scrambled up, gripping the bars, his face pressed between the gaps. “Please help me find someone who might be able to assist me. He might be able to help.”

“He can help you?” Bai Qiru puffed on her pipe, truly puzzled about who her husband could possibly know that might offer such assistance. She asked skeptically, “Who is it?”

Huang Yingying lowered his voice. “A tall stable hand named Gao He, at the horse stables outside the city. Tell him what happened to me. Ask him to think of a way to help, for the sake of our friendship.”

Upon hearing the name, Bai Qiru’s expression darkened. She wasn't blind or deaf; this 'Gao He' was one of her husband's disreputable friends, someone he often frequented brothels with. Even her shop assistants knew, so how could she not?

In fact, many people in the city knew.

Huang Yingying simply assumed she was unaware, yet the punishments she had inflicted on him were not without cause.

She couldn't help but snort, “Do those disreputable friends of yours really have the influence to interfere with Mount Shen?”

Huang Yingying spoke in a low voice, “That might not be true. This person is quite capable, not ordinary. His current low status seems to have a hidden reason, more like he's discreetly biding his time. He owes me a favor and promised to repay it when the opportunity arose. Madam, please just try asking. What if it works? Things are already like this; there’s nothing to lose by trying.”

Bai Qiru gave him a cold, sidelong glance. “After all, you saved Granny Fan's daughter at Mount Shen last time, and Granny Fan spoke up for you, which allowed you to escape. This time, returning to Mount Shen, I'm sure for Granny Fan's sake, no one will make things too difficult for you. It shouldn't be too miserable.”

Huang Yingying quickly pleaded with longing eyes, “But I can't be without you, Madam. I will miss you.”

Bai Qiru, having said all that needed to be said and seeing he was physically alright, decided against further pointless conversation. She turned and left, puffing on her pipe.

Huang Yingying quickly called out again, his voice strained, “Tell Gao He that if he doesn't help, our friendship is over!”

He was actually trying to threaten Wu Jinliang, implying that if he wasn't saved, he would reveal everything.

As per his previous suspicions, he felt Wu Jinliang might be associated with the demonic path, and given their power, it shouldn't be difficult for them to get him out, should it?

Even if not aligned with the demonic path, he was certainly no ordinary person. The events that transpired earlier could not have been achieved by a single individual; he definitely commanded some force.

After learning that Wu Jinliang was after the 'Death-Defying Incense,' he began to suspect if 'Xunbao Zhai' was connected to Wu Jinliang, and even harbored suspicions about the bookstore clerk Wu Jinliang frequently visited.

Bai Qiru remained silent, showing no intention of looking back, and departed indifferently.

Left behind, the sighing Huang Yingying slid back down along the bars. The thought of returning to Mount Shen sent shivers down his spine; it was a bone-deep dread.

Inside Chaoyue Pavilion, the forces that had encircled and entered suddenly withdrew, leaving no trace.

Shi Chun climbed to the top of the octagonal tower to observe, taking in the light and shadow on the mountain, the dazzling city lights, and then Fan Wuzhe's recuperating bedroom. A weight lifted from his heart. He knew that the subsequent remedial measures had taken effect, at least clearing the suspicions surrounding Chaoyue Pavilion, allowing him to continue biding his time.

As he descended from the rooftop, he noticed lights in the library. He entered from the ground floor, ascended to the second, and saw someone holding a lamp, searching for something behind the rows of bookshelves.

He walked over and discovered that Miss Dong Liangyu was holding a lamp, meticulously searching through books.

Dong Liangyu merely glanced at him without a word, continuing her search volume by volume.

Shi Chun couldn't help but ask, “What are you doing, Miss Dong?”

Dong Liangyu replied, “My health is truly too poor. I'm looking to see if I can find an affordable way to cultivate, or at least strengthen my body. It would always be beneficial.”

Shi Chun's lips twitched slightly. He thought, 'Don't you already know if there's an inexpensive method? You've probably searched countless times already.'

Dong Liangyu, as if sensing his thoughts, quietly added, “There is no inherent path in the world; paths are forged by those who walk them. Perhaps a solution can be found.”

Shi Chun didn't know why she suddenly thought of cultivating, guessing it was related to the evening's events. He found himself at a loss for words.

“Miss Dong, please get some rest,” he advised before leaving.

He still had tasks to attend to, primarily caring for the injured Fan Wuzhe.

Dong Liangze abhorred his cousin's actions and refused to care for him. Other female family members were unsuitable for the task, so no one else was assigned, leaving the entire responsibility to him.

Dong Wenshu had already announced that the library would be closed the following day, clearly intending to attend to family matters first.

The next day, on the mountain within the city, Li Xianghong personally bid farewell to Poyuan and his retinue.

Lou Xiu was also among them, being transferred back to Mount Shen.

Before leaving, he formally saluted Li Xianghong, saying with a knowing smile, “Thank you for seeing us off, City Lord. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future!”

His words held a profound implication.

Li Xianghong, however, appeared entirely dismissive.

Bai Qiru also arrived, to see Huang Yingying off, but it wasn't until just before departure that Huang Yingying was escorted out.

No words were exchanged, as Bai Qiru didn't wish to speak publicly. Thus, Huang Yingying was to be immediately escorted away once brought out.

Realizing that his transfer to Mount Shen was unavoidable, Huang Yingying immediately became agitated and shouted at her, “Madam, did you tell them? Did you go and tell them?”

Others simply assumed he wanted his wife to intercede on his behalf, but only Bai Qiru understood that old Huang was urging her to find Gao He outside the city. However, she hadn't gone, believing it would be pointless.

After all, they had been married for years; while not fully understanding each other, they certainly had some insight. Observing her demeanor, Huang Yingying knew she hadn't taken his words seriously, and he grew increasingly frantic, unable to stop himself from shouting, “Go tell them, Madam, go tell them! How will you know it's useless if you don't try? You must go tell them; please don't forget!”

His words faded on the mountain as he was lifted into the air and flown away.

Others simply thought he was still urging his wife to use connections to plead for him and didn't take it seriously.

On the contrary, Bai Qiru was genuinely moved. After all those years of marriage, she sensed a deeper, hidden concern behind Huang Yingying's desperation, and she couldn't help but frown slightly.