Chapter 15: The Confrontation (Part II)

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Xiao Liu was soon brought back again.

Yan Xi spoke plainly, instructing, “You don’t need to be afraid. It’s been a long time since we last visited the matriarch. I’m going to Fu’an Hall; you’ll come with me. Once we get there, you don’t have to do anything. Just keep an eye on the maids in the matriarch’s chamber and afterward tell me if you see the one who brought the soup the other day.”

Xiao Liu responded obediently, too well-behaved to say more.

Yan Xi gave Qinglian a look. Qinglian nodded, understanding she was to keep watch over these people.

After some thought, Yan Xi changed her clothes. Though calm on the surface, her heart trembled as she set out.

They arrived at Fu’an Hall just as it was the hour of Wei (1-3 pm), when Madam Lu was waking from her afternoon nap.

She didn’t wait long before being summoned inside. As she parted the beaded curtain and stepped through the door, the gentle voice of Madam Lu greeted her.

“Yan Xi…”

“Madam…”

The young girl removed her cloak, handing it to a nearby maid. Beneath, she wore a pale pink jacket with a pure white skirt. Her entire demeanor was demure and tender, like fresh water plants, charming and delicate. Upon entering, she drew every eye, especially Madam Lu’s.

The elder woman smiled, raising her hand to beckon her closer.

Yan Xi sat beside her.

Madam Lu patted her hand, a faint orchid-like smile blooming at the corner of her lips.

“I was just about to send for you these past two days. Your Uncle Lu will likely arrive in the capital today—you will see each other soon.”

Hearing this, Yan Xi felt both estranged and deeply moved. Her soft voice trembled.

“Uncle Lu will be home in the next two days?”

Madam Lu nodded with a smile.

Joy surged within Yan Xi, yet before it could fully unfold, a cold thought dashed over her like a bucket of icy water.

She rose slowly, moved behind the elder, massaging her shoulders as usual, keeping her company and chatting.

After nearly half an hour, Madam Lu grew tired, and Yan Xi took her leave at the right moment.

Upon leaving Fu’an Hall, she hurriedly led two maids to a quiet corner, anxiously asking Xiao Liu, “Did you recognize who it was?”

Xiao Liu shook her head. “No, none looked like them. I looked several times, but none matched.”

Yan Xi clenched her fists. Naturally, it was possible the maid in question was not in the courtyard or chambers today, but the result aligned with her expectations.

Her youthful face grew cold, her long lashes trembling. She pulled Qinglian close and whispered in her ear.

Upon hearing this, Qinglian’s face instantly paled. She shivered, locking eyes with her mistress, lips trembling as if to speak, but no words came. She simply nodded, took Xiao Liu’s hand, and turned away.

Yan Xi parted ways with the two.

The three went their separate routes: one returning to Peach Fragrance Pavilion, the other two heading toward the Eastern Garden.

Yan Xi had tasked Qinglian with watching near Lu Zhi’s chambers to search for the person.

As the day passed and night fell, the two returned empty-handed—just as Yan Xi had anticipated.

The next morning, she sent them out again as before.

********

Afternoon, Eastern Garden, Mingyue Pavilion

A maid brought a silver basin for Lu Zhi to wash his hands.

The man used a piece of soap, methodically washing while listening to a junior servant speak.

“...It started last night. First to Madam Lu’s Fu’an Hall, then to the kitchen, and finally here to Mingyue Pavilion...”

Lu Zhi took the handkerchief offered, wiping his hands expressionlessly. After a long while, he tugged slightly at the corner of his mouth.

*********

Dusk, approaching nightfall.

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Yan Xi waited anxiously in her room, her nerves taut.

Tao Hong was equally restless.

The room was silent, yet the atmosphere so tense it made every breath feel urgent.

After a long, oppressive stillness, a maid could no longer hold back.

“Miss, how... how can you be so certain?”

Though never stated outright, the maid could easily tell Yan Xi’s suspicion was directed at none other than the heir, Lu Zhi.

More than suspicion—it was certainty.

And her actions were not covert.

She fully knew that sending someone to watch near Mingyue Pavilion all day—even with all precautions—could not go unnoticed by Lu Zhi.

At this point, it no longer mattered if he discovered it; she wanted unequivocal proof to confront him and expose the truth.

The reason for her confidence, beyond the obvious strangeness of events, was the dream that served as her trump card. Only with that could she dare suspect a man so seemingly upright and honorable.

If not for that dream, even if she sensed something amiss, she would rather believe it coincidence than suspect Lu Zhi.

Before Yan Xi could reply, a noise rose outside.

Tao Hong immediately stood, peering through the window, then turning back.

“Miss, Qinglian and Xiao Liu have returned!”

With that, she hurried to the door and opened it.

Yan Xi’s heart leapt to her throat, rising in haste.

Soon, Qinglian and Xiao Liu appeared in her sight.

Judging by the maid’s terrified expression, Yan Xi already knew the outcome.

As expected.

Qinglian, flustered and trembling, spoke.

“Miss, we found them. Xiao Liu recognized the person—it’s a maid from the heir’s chambers.”

“!!!”

Though she had anticipated it, the confirmation struck like a thunderclap, leaving the young girl stunned, frozen in place.

Suddenly, another sound echoed outside—not the same as before.

Urgent, oppressive, arrogant, and deadly—a heavy sense of pressure instantly filled the entire courtyard and pavilion, closing in.

Outside, a few startled cries from maids abruptly cut off into the darkness.

Inside, Yan Xi, Qinglian, Tao Hong, and Xiao Liu all turned pale instantly. Before they could react, the door was flung open.

A tall figure appeared—a man, slightly turned to the side, hands behind his back, standing there. Moonlight illuminated his sharply defined face.

His expression was ambiguous—almost expressionless, yet seemingly holding a faint smile. His gaze fixed on one person: Yan Xi.

Yan Xi’s body trembled.

All four women inside were fearful.

Qinglian was the first to speak, voice shaking.

“Night has fallen; men and women keep separate. How can the heir enter our lady’s chamber at will? What is the meaning of this?”

Several black-clad guards were visible outside the door.

One held the door open for the man; the others remained silent.

Outside was deathly quiet, pressing so heavily the courtyard was utterly still.

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The atmosphere was tense; the air was as biting as this winter night.

For a long moment, the man said nothing.

Then, with a faint, almost mocking smile, he slowly stepped inside.

“Oh? Is that so? I can’t enter your lady’s chamber?”

Qinglian’s lips trembled; she whispered but could not speak clearly.

Lu Zhi entered fully and spoke, his gaze settling on Yan Xi.

“Tell me, why are you spying on me?”

Yan Xi immediately denied, “I am not spying on you.”

Lu Zhi chuckled lightly. “Oh really?”

Yan Xi quickly changed her words, telling the truth.

“I... only sent a maid to identify someone.”

Lu Zhi sat down at a round table nearby, close to where Yan Xi stood.

The young girl instinctively took a step back as he approached.

Unbothered, he remained calm and casual, raising a tea cup from the table, playing with it as he said, “Tell me, who were you trying to identify? What happened?”

Though frightened and naturally timid since childhood, Yan Xi was a soldier’s daughter—never truly weak in spirit.

She immediately exposed him, tearing off his hypocritical mask.

“Stop pretending! I know everything! You did it—all of it!”

As her words fell, she saw the man knit his brows, a smile lingering at the corner of his mouth. He raised a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture, then glanced toward the black-clad men at the door.

They immediately entered, ushering Qinglian, Tao Hong, and Xiao Liu out.

Xiao Liu left obediently, but Qinglian and Tao Hong resisted; to no avail, they were forced out.

The door closed, leaving only the two alone inside.

Lu Zhi’s fingers slowly circled the tea cup, lightly stroking it, still wearing that half-smile.

“I’m all ears.”

Yan Xi stepped back again, eyes brimming with tears. Though her body retreated, her spirit did not falter. Her lips whispered softly, voice tender.

“A Tai was harmed because of you. The drug in the white sachet was hidden by someone you sent!”

“The medicine I took was indeed administered by Wang Qing’an, but you provided the opportunity. Madam Lu never gave me soup that day—it was you who had the kitchen prepare it, and your maid who brought it, all under the matriarch’s name because you knew she had given me tonic soup before, and that I would take it immediately.”

“You informed Wang Qing’an I would be out at noon—it was all your doing! You were scheming against me!”

“Anyone else facing such misfortune would only seek to resolve it. Especially since you, Lu Zhi, are regarded by all as a righteous gentleman; no one would dare suspect you of such evil. You counted on me and others not to suspect you. Even if it seemed strange, no one would think deeply, and it would pass.”

“You have wealth, power, status, and women—you... why do you want to harm me so?”

The young girl spoke nearly without pause, each word a challenge. Her delicate hands clenched tightly. She was neither fearless nor unafraid.

As her words ended, the man opposite slowly laughed.

Lu Zhi furrowed his brows, a hint of disbelief in his tone.

“Ah, you caught me...”

“Didn’t expect you to be this clever...”

“Wouldn’t it be better to come with me quietly?”

“Why?”

“Because I like you. I destroyed your marriage prospects.”

As he spoke, his hand slowly reached toward his clothing, unbuttoning calmly while continuing.

“Since we’re being frank, obey me and come with me, and your childhood attendant—your wet nurse’s son—and your acquaintance, Mr. Jiang, will both live long and well...”