Chapter Twenty-Two: Taking Advantage of the Chaos

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“I wasn’t sure I believed the treason charges before, but after this? Maybe they’re true after all.”

“What a shame… he was like a banished immortal.”

“Exactly! Back then, every young lady in the capital wanted to marry Pei Zhouwu. With that kind of family background and nobility, he was already the epitome of glory—why did he have to be so ambitious?”

“But who did he kill?”

“I heard it was a guard. Can you believe it? He even killed a guard captain. Probably tried to escape.”

“……”

Liu Fuying hesitated as she stepped through the gate, her thoughts unsettled. Jin Li, walking beside her, also furrowed her brow tightly.

“Jin Li…”

“I understand, Madam. I’ll go find out what really happened.”

Just as they entered, someone familiar appeared.

Liu Shiyuan was heading out and caught sight of Liu Fuying returning home unexpectedly. Her face lit up with surprise and a hint of glee.

“Elder Sister?” She ran over to greet her.

“Sister, what brings you home so early? I heard you stayed at Changming Temple for three days and only came down yesterday. I thought you and Brother-in-law would be spending time together now, trying for a child.”

Her words were laced with mockery—who couldn’t hear it?

But Liu Fuying was too distracted by thoughts of Pei Zhouwu to care.
If he had really killed someone, what punishment awaited him? Would they take him to the city prison?
Let alone borrowing his seed—she hadn’t even tasted his lips yet.

“Sister, are you alright? You seem so distracted.”

Liu Fuying passed right by Liu Shiyuan without sparing her a glance. The younger sister’s smile dropped instantly, and she turned to chase after her indignantly.

“Sister, did you argue with Brother-in-law?”

Liu Fuying was already irritated and gave her a sidelong glance, which only spurred Liu Shiyuan on.

“Sister, don’t get me wrong. I know you really want a child, and that’s not a bad thing. But you also need to consider your husband’s pride. Having a child isn’t just a woman’s responsibility. What if people start saying it’s Brother-in-law’s fault, that he’s… not capable?”

She rambled on like she knew exactly why Liu Fuying had returned to her maiden home.

“After all, Brother-in-law’s a powerful man with status. His face, his pride—those things matter to him. By making such a public show of going to the temple to pray for a child, aren’t you embarrassing him?”

They turned the corner of the corridor, and Liu Shiyuan was still clinging on.

Jin Li, walking on the other side of Liu Fuying, had already rolled her eyes a dozen times.

“Seems you’re better at managing relationships than I am, dear sister,” Liu Fuying said flatly. “Why don’t you go comfort your Brother-in-law and help calm him down?”

“Ah?” Liu Shiyuan paused, eyes widening with excitement.

Though her body remained at the Liu residence, her heart had already flown to the Shen household.

“Don’t worry, Sister. Brother-in-law is probably just angry in the moment. I’ll talk to him for you.”

Now that she had Liu Fuying’s words as justification, she dashed off eagerly, no longer interested in taunting her.

But Jin Li, who knew Shen Xiunian’s temperament well, could only scoff.

The man didn’t even allow a single maid in his quarters. If he were so easy to charm, he wouldn’t have clung to a wooden tablet for years.

Jin Li didn’t bother accompanying Liu Fuying back to her room. She went straight out to inquire about Pei Zhouwu.

Liu Fuying returned alone to her old courtyard—the one she’d lived in before her marriage. It was completely deserted. Not only was there no one around, but dust coated every surface, thick as snow. Clearly, no one had cleaned it in ages.

After some time, Jin Li finally returned.

“Madam, I asked around on the street. They say the Imperial Uncle killed a guard captain—someone surnamed Yang. He died, and the body was carried down the mountain at the hour of the rabbit (5-7 AM).”

“So… it’s true.”

“Yes, Madam. Everyone’s talking about it now.”

“Has anyone said they’re sending people up the mountain to arrest him?”

“No word of that yet. Morning court isn’t over, and no decree has been issued.”

Without hesitation, Liu Fuying stood up. A few steps later, she turned back to instruct Jin Li:

“Go rent a carriage—nothing fancy, something ordinary. I’m leaving the city.”

“Madam…”

“Go.”

Jin Li could guess she was going up the mountain to find Pei Zhouwu. She was worried, of course, but there was no stopping her. She obediently ran off.

Liu Fuying stayed behind, deep in thought.

She didn’t believe Pei Zhouwu would take a life lightly—not for himself, nor for his family’s sake. He’d be even more cautious for the Empress and Crown Prince’s sake.

But yesterday he had already clashed with that Captain Yang. She hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly—into deadly conflict.

Regardless, she wasn’t willing to give up now—not after investing so much into this.

She had been stealthy and patient for days and hadn’t reaped a single benefit.

How could she just walk away?

Luckily, the carriage wasn’t far and was quickly rented.

Instead of getting on at the Liu residence, Liu Fuying boarded it on a busy street, where crowds and several other carriages helped her blend in. With her long sleeves shielding her face, no one noticed her.

The carriage stopped halfway up Xiangshan. It didn’t go all the way to Changming Temple.

They claimed that the rest had to be walked to show sincerity to the gods—a common enough story. The driver was used to it.

Once in a secluded spot, Liu Fuying and Jin Li slipped into the forest.

Following familiar paths, they searched for quite some time before finding the hidden spring.

Liu Fuying didn’t delay. She dove straight into the water.

“Madam, be careful! I’ll wait here for you,” Jin Li called, anxiety rising fast. She was terrified something would happen.

Even birds flying overhead startled her.

After scanning the woods, she turned back—Liu Fuying had already disappeared beneath the water.

Though the sun blazed overhead, the water below was icy cold. Liu Fuying’s whole body tingled from the chill, and the entire spring seemed filled with an unsettling gloom.

At last, she reached the hidden pond behind the bamboo house.

She didn’t surface right away.

Instead, she swam to a shallow spot behind a large rock and waited there, observing.

The courtyard was utterly silent.

Only after confirming no one was around did she cautiously climb out of the water.

Step by step, she crept toward the bedroom and listened for a long time at the door. Still no sound.

She circled around the building. The bedroom door was tightly shut.

Drawing a breath, she gathered her courage and gently pushed it open—only for the thick stench of blood to rush out at her.

Inside and outside the doorway, dried blood stained the floor.

Her heart raced. She stepped inside—and saw Pei Zhouwu lying on the bed, motionless.

He always wore pure white, clean robes that never bore a single speck of dirt.

But today—his white robes were soaked, dyed deep red with blood.