TSWRLM -Chapter 309 Exposure

Li Jixian was a useless weakling. Not long after Shen Qingyuan brought him into the interrogation room, he confessed everything.

The “Awakening Incense” from the Ningxiang Pavilion was brought back by him from Wengzhou. The two women, Jiaoniang and Meinang, were not only highly skilled in martial arts but also masters in incense-making.

They could bring Li Jixian enormous profits and were obedient to him in every way. Li Jixian, delighted, never bothered to investigate their backgrounds thoroughly.

After interrogating Li Jixian, Shen Qingyuan then interrogated Jiaoniang and Meinang.

Both were stubborn, refusing to speak a single word.

When it came time for torture, both were willing to die, but Shen Qingyuan stopped them.

After a series of harsh tortures, the interrogation room was filled with the heavy stench of blood. Their bodies were mangled and bloody, eyes glaring viciously at Shen Qingyuan like wolves, ready to tear his flesh and crunch his bones.

During another round of torture, Jiaoniang couldn’t help but spit at Shen Qingyuan and curse him.

Her pronunciation was strange—it wasn’t the Zhaoling dialect.

Shen Qingyuan, however, understood immediately: she was from Yuexi.

Combined with the information Xiao Yechen had brought back, Shen Qingyuan had already suspected these spices were part of a Yuexi conspiracy, but only when he heard Jiaoniang speak Yuexi dialect could he be completely certain.

The wolves of Yuexi had not changed their ambition. They had plotted for a long time, aiming to overthrow Zhaoling!

It took over an hour before the interrogation finally ended.

After leaving the torture room, Shen Qingyuan washed his hands, changed clothes, and then went to see Chun Xi.

Chun Xi had just woken from a nap. Seeing Shen Qingyuan, she immediately cried out in a delicate, weak voice: “Husband, you’ve finally come! You don’t know, today the child and I almost couldn’t see you~”

Chun Xi didn’t yet know Li Jixian had been captured and performed her act, exaggerating the situation as much as possible.

Shen Qingyuan approached, embraced her, and patted her back, soothing her: “You were frightened, my wife. It’s my fault for not protecting you. Don’t worry; I will make sure justice is served for you and our unborn child.”

Chun Xi wrapped her arms around his waist, moved: “Husband, you are so good.”

While Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan shared a tender moment, the atmosphere in the Grand Tutor’s mansion between Madam Zhao and Yun Wantang was icy.

“Eldest sister-in-law, I have to say, you spoil Xian’er too much. Even if Marquis Qingyuan’s rank was stripped, Cao Chun Xi is still the wife of a third-rank official. How could Xian’er run to someone else’s mansion and shout in public like that?”

Having been embarrassed by the prince consort at the princess’s mansion recently, Yun Wantang had been carefully teaching Yue’er how to handle emergencies. Hearing that Li Jixian went to snatch the child from Chun Xi and even caused a scene at the Dali Temple, she couldn’t help but scold inwardly.

This incompetent fool, always making trouble, couldn’t he behave for once?

Her tone reproachful, Madam Zhao’s face darkened. Coldly, she said: “If sister-in-law hadn’t insisted on promoting Shen Qingchi, could I have allowed her to give birth to this child? Now, sister-in-law intends to leave it alone?”

This marriage brought Li Jixian no benefit, instead leaving Madam Zhao feeling embarrassed, deepening her resentment toward Yun Wantang.

Yun Wantang frowned and countered: “I had advised eldest sister-in-law that day to keep the child, but she insisted on writing the severance letter to refuse the child. Why then did she allow Xian’er to try to snatch the child?”

Li Jixian wasn’t trying to reclaim the child out of paternal love; he just found an excuse to stir up trouble. Who would have expected it to escalate to the Dali Temple?

Knowing she had no justification, Madam Zhao did not respond, saying only: “Now is not the time to debate. The most important thing is to rescue Xian’er first. Cao Chun Xi is unharmed; why is the Dali Temple still detaining Xian’er?”

Fortunately, Cao Chun Xi had not been harmed. Had something happened to her, it wouldn’t just be Li Jixian in trouble—the entire Grand Tutor’s mansion would have faced Shen Qingyuan’s scrutiny.

The sudden death of Princess Baohua had already drawn the court’s attention to the “Soul-Releasing Incense.” Yun Wantang didn’t want to create more trouble now. She was about to dismiss Madam Zhao when she heard: “This time, Xian’er discovered many secrets in Wengzhou. If Fifth Younger Sister-in-law doesn’t help me rescue Xian’er, and Xian’er says something unfavorable about Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law, it won’t be good.”

Madam Zhao’s words were threats. Yun Wantang’s expression changed slightly as she hurriedly asked, “What did Xian’er tell eldest sister-in-law?”

“I’m old; I don’t remember. Once Fifth Younger Sister-in-law rescues Xian’er, ask him in person,” Madam Zhao replied, leaving boldly.

Yun Wantang felt a rising unease.

She and Li Huaijing had bought lots of land in Wengzhou to cultivate spices, providing a steady supply for Ningxiang Pavilion’s “Soul-Releasing Incense.” It was a long-term profitable venture, but with so many eyes in Hanjing, it was bound to attract attention.

Sending Li Jixian and Wei Lingze to Wengzhou was meant to involve them in the venture, but the initiative and majority of profits should remain with the couple.

All those handling the spices in Wengzhou were Yun Wantang’s trusted aides. Li Jixian was a frivolous son of a wealthy family; what could he possibly discover?

Feeling uneasy, Yun Wantang immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Wengzhou.

Just after the messenger left, Wei Lingze arrived.

Yun Wantang wanted to ask him about Li Jixian, so she changed clothes and went to meet him: “Ze’er, why did you come suddenly? Does Sister have something she wants me to do?”

Her smile was gentle and warm, looking very approachable. Wei Lingze curled his lips, giving a cold, sarcastic smile: “Recently, Ningxiang Pavilion has been selling a type of Awakening Incense very well. I wanted to buy some to try, but it’s out of stock. I came to beg my aunt to give me some.”

His tone was cold, and Yun Wantang felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

Her eyelid twitched in surprise: “What Awakening Incense? I haven’t been out these past few days and haven’t heard of it. Why would you come to me?”

Wei Lingze’s lips pressed downward, expression colder: “Aunt, I’m not an outsider. You don’t need to pretend in front of me.”

Yun Wantang ignored Madam Zhao’s threats, but Wei Lingze’s words made her heart race.

What happened in Wengzhou? How did both Wei Lingze and Li Jixian change after going there?

Before she could dwell on it, a servant reported: “Madam, Inspector Shen from the Dali Temple has arrived. The matriarch requests everyone to go to the front hall.”

Li Jixian was detained at the Dali Temple. Why would Shen Qingyuan come to the Grand Tutor’s mansion?

Yun Wantang grew even more anxious. Wei Lingze rose in perfect timing: “Since aunt has matters to attend to, I won’t disturb you. I’m very curious about the Awakening Incense. Please send someone soon so I can see what it is.”

“Ze’er, wait!”

Yun Wantang tried to stop him, but Wei Lingze strode out.

Near the main gate, he ran into Shen Qingyuan.

Shen Qingyuan wasn’t alone; he brought many Dali Temple black-armored guards. This wasn’t just a matter of seeking justice for Cao Chun Xi—it looked like a full-scale raid.

Wei Lingze’s heart froze. He instinctively quickened his pace but was called by Shen Qingyuan: “Nephew-in-law.”

Wei Lingze stopped and calmly said: “Uncle Shen, is there something you need?”

“There are matters concerning the Grand Tutor’s mansion I wish to ask you about. Please come with me.”

“…”