To Yan Zhi:
Seeing this letter is like seeing you in person. This is the sixty-third letter your mother has written to you. It has been five years since you left. Every day for the past five years, your mother has missed you and worried about you, fearing that you are not eating well, sleeping well, or living well. Whenever I pass by a post station, I wish to send my thoughts, but I don't know where you are or where to send them.
Yan Zhi, that woman has been gone for five years. Your mother always thought you were just throwing a tantrum, never expecting you to be so utterly disappointed in your mother that you would act this way.
Your mother also has unspoken pain. After living under someone else's roof for decades, I finally hoped you would marry and establish your career, but I never imagined I would deceive myself. If it weren't for your father, your mother wouldn't have done such a sordid thing back then.
At this moment, your mother only wishes for your forgiveness. When you return, I hope these sixty-odd letters can win back the mother-son bond.
Nian Shi.
Upon seeing this, Zhong Li's brows furrowed deeply. It seemed what Chun Ping told her was true. But what exactly happened back then? It appeared this matter also involved the Marquis of Anping.
"Zhong Sizer, are you inside?"
Just as Zhong Li was lost in thought, Chun Ping's voice sounded from outside.
Zhong Li glanced at the thick stacks of letters beneath the pillow, hesitated, and then slipped the letter she was holding into her sleeve before walking out.
At this moment, Chun Ping was arranging several pieces of pastry into a platter before the memorial tablet. Afterward, she took out a few stones, each about the size of a thumb, from her sleeve and placed them on the offering table.
"What is this? Rain flower pebbles?" Zhong Li walked to Chun Ping, looking at the objects in her hand.
Chun Ping nodded and said, "Zhong Sizer might not know, but the young master will be back for dinner tonight. The late madam once said that the young master loved these stones the most when he was a child. I specially found them from the pond in the courtyard. When the young master returns, this will be the madam's last gift to him."
As she spoke, she meticulously wiped the mud off the rain flower pebbles with her sleeve.
Seeing her action, Zhong Li recalled the rain flower pebbles on the rockery yesterday.
"By the way, Zhong Sizer, have you found the clues you were looking for?" Chun Ping had always believed her master was murdered.
Zhong Li snapped back to reality and looked at Chun Ping. She remembered the small medicine bottle placed under Nian Shi's pillow and pointed at it, asking, "Has your madam been taking the contents of that medicine bottle?"
"Yes, is there a problem?" Chun Ping retorted.
Zhong Li shook her head and said, "Not really. I was just asking casually. After all, apart from being a bit plump, the madam's physical condition wasn't so severe that she needed medication."
"Madam felt she was too fat, which is why the master didn't favor her." Hearing Zhong Li say this, Chun Ping's chatterbox opened again.
"Zhong Sizer also knows that a beautiful lady attracts a gentleman. The master hasn't slept in the main house for several years." As Chun Ping spoke, her face showed pity, as if feeling wronged for the deceased Nian Shi.
"So your madam was taking that to lose weight?" Zhong Li asked.
Chun Ping nodded and said, "Yes, but madam only started taking it recently, three pills a day, three times a day, without fail. Madam also asked me to remind her constantly."
Zhong Li had initially asked casually and hadn't taken it to heart, but when she heard Chun Ping mention the dosage, her eyes instantly became serious.
"Who told her to take so much? Who prescribed the medicine for your madam?" she asked.
Chun Ping looked at Zhong Li somewhat blankly and said, "I don't know about that. I only know that one day madam came back and took this small bottle, instructing me to remind her of the medication times."
Hearing this, Zhong Li narrowed her eyes, looking at the rockery outside the courtyard. As expected, Nian Shi's death was a meticulously designed scheme.
It was past noon when Zhong Li and Hua Yao left Nian Shi's room.
The two were about to go out to find food, but as soon as they reached the manor gate, they were stopped by Steward Xu.
"Zhong Sizer, Miss Hua, please wait a moment."
Zhong Li looked back at the man smiling charmingly at her, then glanced at Hua Yao beside her.
Anping Marquis Manor, guest hall.
The Marquis of Anping looked at the two women whom Xu Qiu had asked to stay for a meal. His gaze swept past Zhong Li and settled on Hua Yao. His stern expression brightened, and he said, "I've asked the kitchen to prepare some dishes that Miss Hua likes to see if they are to your taste."
Hua Yao looked at the many dishes placed on the table, from stir-fried vegetables to spicy fish, and said, "Marquis, Li'er and I are here to investigate a case. It's inappropriate for you to host us like this..."
"What's wrong with that?" Before Hua Yao could finish speaking, Madam Tao, sitting beside Chang Ji, interrupted, "When Yan Zhi returns, we'll be a family. What's there to distinguish..."
"Tao Shi, no one thinks you're mute if you don't speak." Chang Ji coldly interrupted Madam Tao.
Scolded, Madam Tao quickly lowered her head and remained silent.
Zhong Li swept her gaze over the Marquis of Anping and the two women beside him. She recalled that when she inspected Nian Shi's room, there wasn't a single piece of men's clothing, and what Chun Ping had said. It seemed Nian Shi's death was insignificant to this marquis's manor. Chang Ji was already planning for his son's future.
As for why he was so determined to thoroughly investigate Nian Shi's death, it was likely to give Chang Yan Zhi, who was returning for the funeral, a proper explanation.
"My lord, the dishes are all served, but the young master hasn't arrived yet. What do you think..." Xu Qiu placed the last soup on the table and bowed to ask Chang Ji.
Chang Ji glanced at the empty chair beside him and asked, "Did you go to the city gate to pick up the young master? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"
"This..." Xu Qiu hesitated to speak.
"Speak quickly if there's anything!" Chang Ji said.
"Replying to the Marquis, a servant reported earlier that the young master entered the city an hour ago. As for why he hasn't arrived, I do not know," Xu Qiu replied.
"Scoundrel!" Hearing this, Chang Ji angrily slammed his chopsticks onto the table. "He's been away for eight years, and he's finally back, yet I, his father, have to wait for this unfilial son. What does he want to do?"
"My lord, please don't be angry, be careful not to upset yourself." Madam Tao saw Chang Ji in a furious rage, her eyes darting around. She picked up a dish in front of her and offered it to Chang Ji to comfort him. "Perhaps the young master went to the madam's courtyard to offer incense first. Please don't be angry."
Chang Ji turned to look at Madam Tao, showing no intention of eating.
Madam Tao looked at the food on her chopsticks and was about to put it into her mouth when Steward Xu spoke first, "Second madam, that dish is cold. There's a hot one nearby, and the young master hasn't arrived yet, so you..."
Hearing this, Madam Tao looked at the dish on her chopsticks and smiled, saying, "Steward Xu is truly more thoughtful than any previous steward. It's just that I happen to like this one."
Saying this, Madam Tao aimed to put the dish into her mouth as Steward Xu watched.
Suddenly, a loud slap was heard.
"Slap!"
"Ah!" As Madam Tao cried out, she and the chair were flipped to the ground.
"You are but a concubine. I am speaking, and you dare to interrupt. The head of the family hasn't even started eating, and you're already eating." Chang Ji stood up, his eyes coldly staring at Madam Tao.
Madam Tao bit her lower lip, sobbed, and explained, "No, my lord. You most dislike wasting food, and I cannot put it back like this, so I..."
"So what?" Chang Ji shot Madam Tao a cold look and rebuked.
Madam Tao took out a handkerchief from her embrace, wiped the kohl from her tearful eyes, and said, "My lord, are you still resenting what happened eight years ago by treating me like this? That person is no longer here, and I have been obedient now. Why are you... Ah!"
"Bitch, how dare you bring that up?" Madam Tao's words were like a lit fuse. Chang Ji, who was already in a bad mood, was instantly ignited. He raised his foot and stepped on Madam Tao.
Zhong Li had no intention of meddling in their family affairs, but seeing the situation, she disliked men who hit women. She quickly sidestepped the table and caught the fist that was about to strike Madam Tao's face with one hand.
"Marquis," she called out to stop Chang Ji. "Marquis! Yao'er and I are still here. If the Marquis wishes to administer family law, please do so after we leave."
Chang Ji looked up and met Zhong Li's gaze. He had expected her to show some fear after his stern demeanor. To his surprise, she just looked at him, her eyes clear and without any ripple, just like... her.
"Tang'er..." Chang Ji couldn't help but exclaim.
At the same time, Madam Tao, who was prostrate on the ground, let out a painful whimper, her eyes rolled back, and she began to foam at the mouth.