TSWRLM -Chapter 348 If the Authorities Won’t Investigate, We Will

The Ruan family ran a silk and brocade business. After the Feng family’s misfortune, Ruan Xiuning was married off to the Li family, who also ran a clothing shop.

Her husband, Li Xuyang, was a scholar. At seventeen, he had passed the xiucai exam, already considered a rising talent in Yuzhou City. Shortly after their marriage, Ruan Xiuning accompanied Li Xuyang to Hanjing to prepare for the spring imperial examinations.

Upon arriving in Hanjing, Li Xuyang was dazzled by the city’s wealth and lost focus on his studies. He spent every day drinking and socializing, indulging in dreams of glory and honor.

When the spring exam results were announced, Li Xuyang indeed failed miserably. Unwilling to return to Yuzhou, he heard about a kind of incense at Ningxiang Pavilion that could boost one’s drive. Soon, he became addicted to this “Awakening Incense.”

One box of the incense cost ten taels of silver. Li Xuyang quickly spent all his remaining funds on it. When he ran out of money, he became irritable and started physically abusing Ruan Xiuning.

By chance, Ruan Xiuning caught the attention of Zhang Mingyang. For money, Li Xuyang forced her to entertain Zhang Mingyang.

Soon, problems with the incense were discovered, and the authorities issued a notice. Li Xuyang, along with others addicted to the incense, was detained. Ruan Xiuning tried to escape back to Yuzhou but was captured by Zhang Mingyang and forcibly held.

The Hanjing detox center was located on the outskirts of the city, near mountains and water. Because there were many people, the authorities built bamboo houses, enclosed the area with walls over two meters high, and had guards taking shifts—escape was impossible.

After several months of withdrawal, Li Xuyang’s spirit recovered somewhat. When brought before Chun Xi, he appeared presentable.

He had never met Chun Xi before, but seeing her well-dressed and respectful, he bowed, saying, “Commoner Li Xuyang pays respects, madam. May I ask what business you have with me?”

“Do you know Ruan Xiuning?” Chun Xi asked directly.

A glimmer of hope shone in Li Xuyang’s eyes. Excited, he said, “A-Ning is my wife! Has she raised money and sent you to redeem me?”

Although the detox center provided food and lodging, withdrawal was agonizing. Afterward, everyone had to work the fields. Li Xuyang, a lifelong scholar who had never done manual labor, found the farm work unbearable.

He was only thinking about going home to live comfortably. He never considered how Ruan Xiuning, a fragile woman, would travel between Yuzhou and Hanjing, or how she was forced to submit to Zhang Mingyang and later face her in-laws.

Chun Xi’s eyes went cold. Her voice was icy: “She is dead—drowned, and abused before her death. I found her body on the outskirts of the city. Now you must come with me to the authorities to report her death and clear her name.”

Hearing of Ruan Xiuning’s death, Li Xuyang was briefly shocked, then showed disdain. “She died in such a shameful way. Surely, during my absence, unable to endure loneliness, she consorted with a wild man. Good riddance. Madam, I advise you not to meddle, lest you catch bad luck.”

After speaking, he spat on the ground and returned to the detox center.

He had been the one to give his wife to another man for money, yet he now slandered her as immoral. Calling him a beast would still be too kind.

Back in the carriage, Feng Yinyin anxiously asked, “Madam Chun Xi, what should we do now? If Li Xuyang refuses to report this, the Jingzhao authorities won’t even file a case.”

Chun Xi replied calmly, “It doesn’t matter. If the authorities won’t investigate, we will.”

After the beginning of spring, the weather gradually warmed. Princess Hengyang hosted another flower-viewing banquet.

Early in the morning, Chun Xi and Xiao Qinghe arrived at the princess’s residence. The invited ladies of prominent families arrived one after another. Madam Mu was among the guests.

Last year, Madam Mu had brought Zhang Mingyang to the capital and caused a scene outside the Xiao family mansion. Later, the Wei family caught them, and to avoid trouble, Madam Mu had kept a low profile. Now, with Wei Lingze dead and the Wei family sidelined by the emperor, Madam Mu eagerly attended the banquet, preparing an extravagant gift for Princess Hengyang.

“Previously, the Awakening Incense harmed many. Hearing that Your Highness devised ways to help those affected, I am deeply impressed. Your Highness, with your concern for the people and the state, is truly a model for women everywhere.”

Knowing Chun Xi and Xiao Qinghe’s close relationship with Princess Hengyang, Madam Mu continued praising them after complimenting the princess.

Chun Xi offered polite responses, massaging her temples, showing fatigue. Xiao Qinghe immediately asked, “Aunt Chun Xi, are you feeling unwell?”

Chun Xi nodded: “A few days ago, I went to the manor to inspect spring plowing and accidentally discovered a burial. The woman’s death was tragic, and her spirit has haunted my dreams every night, pleading for me to catch the killer. I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep.”

“Ordinary families conduct funerals openly. Why bury someone secretly at night? Did she die unnaturally?”

“I had the body sent to the Jingzhao authorities. The coroner’s examination concluded she drowned and suffered inhuman abuse beforehand.”

Hearing this, Madam Mu twitched. A few days ago, she had buried a body herself—surely, it was impossible that Madam Chun Xi had seen it?

Chun Xi suddenly looked at her: “It was too dark that night to see the people burying her clearly, but their clothing was similar to that of Madam Mu’s carriage driver.”

Servants of wealthy families often wore uniforms, sometimes embroidered with the family crest, to indicate status. Madam Mu’s household uniforms were gray-blue; the coachmen and night-shift incense carriers wore the same.

Madam Mu felt uneasy but could not show it publicly. She quickly composed herself: “Madam Chun Xi must be mistaken. The Mu family is strict; there’s no way we’d commit murder or bury anyone secretly.”

Chun Xi nodded: “I also think it’s unlikely. I felt immediately at ease with you, Madam Mu. Your family must be kind people, incapable of such cruel acts.”

Chun Xi did not press further and changed the topic, though Madam Mu remained distracted.

After the banquet ended, Madam Mu immediately sent people to Jingzhao to check on the matter and went to find Zhang Mingyang.

Zhang Mingyang was not in the courtyard and only returned late at night, reeking of alcohol and perfume.

Madam Mu wrinkled her brow at his scent. “That woman’s body was discovered and sent to the authorities. Stay home quietly until this matter blows over.”

Zhang Mingyang belched, lazily asking, “Who cares? Why bother about this?”

“It was Madam Chun Xi, recently conferred the title of a lady, who discovered the body. Her husband, Shen Qingyuan, is influential and just in judgment. You’d better behave and not get caught, understood?”

Madam Mu warned him repeatedly, but Zhang Mingyang only registered the words “Madam Chun Xi.”

This Madam Chun Xi had once been Wei Lingze’s maid.

A maid who had become a titled lady—she must be quite skilled in bed.