After Rebirth, I Married my Archenemy - Chapter 47

“Eldest Brother, news from the palace says that Second Sister has been found… in the Lotus Pond,” reported Cui Shengbin to Cui Zhu in the private room at Siye Tower.

Cui Zhu crushed the jade cup in his hand, his expression dark and foreboding.

The Cui family was already experiencing a turbulent time, and now the death of Cui Ying was like adding fuel to the fire.

“How could something happen right after she entered the palace?” Cui Hao questioned angrily. “She went for the selection; shouldn’t the palace take responsibility?”

“The Shangfu Bureau stated that when the incident occurred, the selection process had already ended, and all the other women had returned home. Without an edict or orders, noblewomen participating in the selection should not linger in the palace. Second Sister violated the rules by venturing deeper into the inner palace, making it difficult for them to supervise and even more challenging to make it public.”

“What was she doing in the inner palace?” Cui Zhu asked coldly.

“Wasn’t it Meng Bao shu who asked her to retrieve a letter?” Cui Shengbin said with a sorrowful face, placing a damp letter on the table. 

“On the way, Bao shu was called away by a young palace maid for a conversation. The maid has been interrogated by the disciplinary office; it was merely routine internal matters. But who would’ve thought that in just a few moments, Second Sister would…”

The letter was water-stained and barely legible, but it seemed to be addressed to Madam Xie. Cui Zhu stared at it in silence.

“Could it be that Second Sister offended someone in the palace?” Cui Hao suggested.

“If you want to guess that, there are plenty of possibilities!” Cui Shengbin interjected. “Upon entering the palace, she slapped a young eunuch, who happened to be under Eunuch Zheng Fu, a trusted attendant of the emperor. During the exam, she also argued with a Lady Qing, who is affiliated with the Crown Prince. Who can we possibly approach about this?”

Cui Zhu spoke in a cold tone, 

“An unwise ghost deserves no sympathy. It’s my fault for indulging Cui Ying’s temperament too much.”

“What’s the use of blame now? Second Sister is gone! Eldest Brother, don’t be too hard on yourself,” Cui Shengbin tried to console him. “The real issue now is how to explain this to the Meng family, with the marriage date approaching. This incident with Second Sister might damage their reputation, making future alliances harder.”

“Meng Guanlou failing to secure the princess as his bride is already causing enough rumors. And now, Cui Ying’s dowry was only half-prepared before she drowned. This will certainly tarnish the Meng family’s name,” Cui Hao said bitterly. “Who knows? Maybe it’s Meng Guanlou who brings bad luck to his wives!”

“What explanation is there to give?” Cui Zhu sneered, casting a glance at the letter. “Perhaps the Meng family is celebrating in secret right now.”

“What do you mean by that, Eldest Brother?” Cui Hao’s face changed. “Are you saying… this could’ve been done by the Meng family? But why do it just before the wedding?”

“Maybe they want to break off the marriage?” Cui Zhu reasoned. “The rumors about the elderly woman petitioning the emperor have reached his ears. There’s talk that His Majesty intends to punish the Cui family. Meng Guangshen, being highly ranked and well-connected, surely caught wind of this. He wouldn’t want to be dragged down with us.”

Cui Shengbin’s face darkened. 

“Indeed… It was the Meng family who encouraged Second Sister to join the Shangfu Bureau’s selection process. Their daughter then sent her with this letter, luring her deeper into the palace. Had it not been for this, she wouldn’t have lost her life!”

He pounded the table in anger. “If they didn’t want the marriage, they could’ve just called it off. But to use such means?”

“If they had canceled the marriage now, wouldn’t it be obvious to His Majesty that the Meng family knew of the Cui family’s troubles and are now severing ties? It’s cleaner to have Second Sister die in an ‘accident,’ cutting ties completely,” Cui Zhu said grimly. “It’s ruthless but effective.”

He summoned the brothel keeper. “Is Meng Guanlou still drinking downstairs?”

“Yes,” she replied cautiously, “as usual.”

Cui Zhu threw the letter to the ground in fury. 

“With the wedding approaching, he dares to drink and associate with courtesans? As Cui Ying’s elder brother, how much more am I supposed to tolerate? They’ve shown no regard for our family!”

“When Meng Guangshen faced difficulties, our Cui family went to great lengths to support him. But now that we’re in trouble, the Meng family is running faster than anyone else. How can such things be tolerated?” Exhausted from sleepless nights, Cui Zhu’s menacing demeanor frightened the brothel keeper. “Send word to him: Tell him to relay this to Lord Meng. He must meet me at Siye Tower. If he refuses, he’ll regret it.”

Meng Guangshen was leisurely practicing calligraphy in the afternoon. The shadows of slender orchid leaves danced across the rice paper as his brush glided in elegant and refined semi-cursive script.

A maid waited quietly until he finished the final stroke before stepping forward. 

“My lord, the Cui family’s Second Daughter has met with an accident. Cui Zhu requests your presence at Siye Tower.”

Meng Guangshen calmly set down his brush. After drying the ink with a fan, he changed into his formal robe and stepped out.

The Meng residence had been adorned with red silk and festive decorations in preparation for the upcoming wedding. Even the stone lions at the gate wore red flowers around their necks. As Meng Guangshen reached the entrance, he glanced at the decor and coldly instructed, 

“Take all of this down.”

The servants exchanged uncertain glances but carried out the order in silence.

At Siye Tower, the private room was heavy with the scent of alcohol. Cui Zhu, who rarely drank, was half-drunk. His gaze at Meng Guangshen was laced with suspicion and hostility.

Meng Guangshen remained composed. 

“The Meng family would never resort to such methods to harm your sister.”

Cui Zhu threw the letter at him. 

“This is the only thing Cui Ying left behind—a letter from your daughter to your wife. Why did your maid disregard palace rules and call Cui Ying deeper into the palace?”

“My daughter acted thoughtlessly,” Meng Guangshen admitted calmly. “She was raised in the Rongyou region and lacks vigilance. She often fails to consider the consequences…”

After glancing at the letter briefly, Meng Guangshen continued, 

“I understand your grief, but if my daughter had truly caused this, she wouldn’t have left such obvious evidence. Rest assured, I will investigate and give you a proper explanation.”

“Spare me your pretense,” Cui Zhu retorted. “Save that for others who might believe you. Do you think I don’t know what kind of man you are?”

Meng Guangshen maintained his composure. 

“We’ve been acquainted for years. I thought you trusted me.”

“Trust is reserved for men with integrity. For someone with a history of twisting truth and deception, why should I trust you?” Cui Zhu downed another drink, his tone icy.

Amused by Cui Zhu’s sudden appeal to honor, Meng Guangshen sighed inwardly. He knew further explanations would be futile. 

“What do you want, then?”

“Is His Majesty targeting the Cui family? I expect you to shield us, as you’ve done before,” Cui Zhu said, his tone carrying a veiled threat. 

“Don’t forget, your name is still in that ledger.”

Meng Guangshen’s tone sharpened. 

“Since you mention that ledger, you must be aware others are eager to get their hands on it. If it falls into the wrong hands, the Cui family faces annihilation. Give it to me instead. We’re mutually tied; I promise it will never see the light of day.”

“You think I’m drunk? If I give it to you, the Cui family truly has no escape,” Cui Zhu sneered. “At least holding onto it gives me some leverage.”

Negotiations failed, and Meng Guangshen cast a cold glance at Cui Zhu, as if looking at a lifeless stone.

Cui Zhu glared back. 

“My lord, we’re tied together in both fortune and misfortune. Think it through carefully—this isn’t just about the current issue but also past matters!”

Hearing “past matters,” Meng Guangshen sneered, drained his tea, and left the private room without a word. Downstairs in the floral hall, the sharp sound of a pipa string snapping pierced the air.

A murder occurred in the palace, and Princess Yan ordered the Dali Court and the Criminal Office to immediately investigate the case. That very night, the clerks ensured the lamps were well-filled with oil.

Xiao Jingxing had been drafting reports for two hours. His face bore deep fatigue as he heard the announcement of visitors from Prince Yan’s residence and hurried out from the office.

Jian Su and Zhu Su carried a litter to him.

Xiao Jingxing lifted the white cloth covering the figure inside, revealing Cui Ying’s pale face. Her eyes were tightly shut, her body soaked, emitting the pungent smell of water plants and pond mud. Xiao Jingxing’s eyebrows furrowed in shock as he turned to Lu Huating. 

“What’s this? Are you trying to get me killed?”

“She’s alive, not dead,” Lu Huating remarked casually, glancing at Cui Ying without much concern. 

“Check for yourself if you don’t believe me.”

Xiao Jingxing placed his fingers under Cui Ying’s nose and found faint breaths. His face turned a shade paler. 

“You’ve used a fake corpse to swap people again! What a way to sow discord and deflect blame! Now the entire palace believes Cui Ying has drowned. Her family thinks so too. What explanation will you give once she wakes?”

“That’s why she needs to be kept here temporarily,” Lu Huating replied calmly. “Keep her in a secluded place, feed her, and it’s not difficult. Later, we’ll claim Cui Ying stumbled into an old Chu tunnel and miraculously survived. Cui’s family even mistook their own sister’s corpse—how could anyone question it?”

“This is the Dali Court! You’re forcing an officer to engage in deceit every day. Do you think this is appropriate?” Xiao Jingxing’s fury burned, but he dared not raise his voice. 

“You keep walking these crooked paths; one day, you’ll trip and fall hard!”

Unperturbed, Lu Huating responded, 

“If not for my secret guards braving the mud to pull her out, she’d already be dead. I saved a life, and you don’t even thank me?”

The thick mud in the pond had trapped Cui Ying, preventing her from struggling. Hidden in the forest, Lu Huating’s group waited until Bao Shu, panicked and calling for Cui Ying, wandered off in search of her. Then Lu Huating ordered Zhu Su to dive in and rescue her.

Xiao Jingxing instructed his men to carry the unconscious Cui Ying for treatment. 

“Who was responsible for this?”

Zhu Su replied, “We were in the forest across the way and only saw Second Lady Cui fall in. By the time we reached the shore, there was no one nearby. I went to retrieve her while Jian Su pursued the perpetrator but couldn’t catch them.”

Xiao Jingxing took a deep breath. This meant there was a hidden assailant in the palace, likely a spy from Southern Chu.

Lu Huating added, “I’ve handed her over to you. Now take me to see Meng Bao Shu.”

Following Cui Ying’s supposed drowning, Bao Shu was temporarily detained in the Dali Court prison for questioning. The row of cells was divided into small cages, each barely accommodating a table and chair. Cold and cramped, Bao Shu’s soft sobs echoed faintly.

Qun Qing was held in the adjacent cell but made no sound. The darkness of the night concealed her presence as she listened intently to the movements nearby.

Lu Huating entered, carrying a lantern, but walked straight past her. Qun Qing heard his approach but didn’t call out, instead silently observing.

The light from the lantern illuminated Bao Shu’s tear-streaked face. She recognized Lu Huating’s pale face under the glow and hastily called out, 

“Ah Brother… Ah Brother, you’ve come to rescue me?”

“Ah Brother?” Qun Qing widened her eyes and turned her head in surprise.

Lu Huating glanced around before smirking indifferently. 

“Who’s your brother?”

Disappointment flickered in Bao Shu’s eyes before she corrected herself. 

“My mother said you’re a distant relative of our family. Advisor, if you truly hold no affection for our past, so be it.”

Hearing the words “distant relative,” Zhu Su raised her voice slightly. 

“Miss Meng, stop with the nonsense. Our advisor is here to retrieve the yellow jade pendant. Return it, and you can leave.”

“To even covet the keepsake of someone’s deceased mother—what kind of person are you?” Jian Su mocked, arms crossed.

Embarrassed, Bao Shu flushed, fumbling in her sleeves, though her eyes betrayed resentment. 

“It was his token to me back then, not something I took without permission!”

Seeing her hesitate, Lu Huating suddenly bent down, staring into her eyes through the bars. His stunning gaze carried an ominous, dense darkness devoid of light. 

“Hand it all over. If you dare to resist, yesterday was Cui Ying. Tomorrow, it’ll be you.”

His whispery tone made Bao Shu’s face turn ghostly pale, fear flooding her eyes. Did he really push Cui Ying into the water? Would he dare kill someone in the palace?

Lu Huating examined the jade pendant, tossed it to Jian Su, and instructed, 

“Have the palace maid from Luan Yi Pavilion escort her out.”

The clerk opened the prison door, and the young palace maid who had come to escort Bao Shu half-dragged and half-supported her out of the Dali Court prison. Pale and frail from sitting for too long, Bao Shu staggered with each step.

“Are you done with your intimidation? Can we leave now?” Xiao Jingxing asked.

“There’s one more matter,” Lu Huating murmured. “Cui Ying has a token with her. If the Cui family doesn’t find it when identifying the body—”

“Oh, the token,” Xiao Jingxing interrupted. “Don’t worry. First, the body won’t be identified anytime soon. Second, the token will play an important role. I’ve already made the necessary arrangements.”

Xiao Jingxing’s apparent foresight surprised Lu Huating. He gave Xiao Jingxing a curious glance.

Lighting the wall lamp across from the cage, Xiao Jingxing gestured for him to look. Through the bars, Lu Huating spotted a figure seated in the shadows beside Bao Shu’s former cell. Startled, he turned to get a better look.

Her posture was upright, her skirt elegantly spread like an orchid, and the soft candlelight highlighted the snow-white curve of her neck, flawless as porcelain. She didn’t resemble a prisoner but rather someone calmly awaiting his arrival in the quiet night.

“This young lady came forward yesterday and surrendered the token to me,” Xiao Jingxing remarked, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile. 

“She already told me everything you’ve said today.”