Chapter 35

In the Jingzhao Prefecture, since the Minister Jun's household reported the crime, it was shocking that an assault occurred within the Imperial City's jurisdiction, targeting the Jun family's Young Lady. Although rumors claimed she was an unfavored waste, she was after all the legitimate daughter of the Jun family, and just two days prior, there were whispers that the Crown Prince had personally visited the Jun residence to bestow gifts upon the Jun family's Second Young Lady. Given the gravity of the matter, the Prefect of Jingzhao dared not be negligent; even the stubborn assassin was interrogated and yielded results within a few short days.

When the Prefect of Jingzhao came personally to the Jun residence to report the case to Xiang Xiang Junzheng, Xiang Xiang Junzheng was reading in his study. Upon hearing the Prefect had arrived, Xiang Xiang Junzheng frowned; in official matters, the Minister of Rites and the Jingzhao Prefecture had no direct contact, nor did they associate much privately. What business could the Prefect have coming to the residence?

Xiang Xiang Junzheng put aside his doubts, set down the scroll in his hand, straightened his robes, and said:

"Please enter."

After the Prefect of Jingzhao entered, his expression appeared slightly nervous. Xiang Xiang Junzheng's curiosity grew even stronger, yet he merely raised his eyes slightly and said:

"My lord Prefect, what brings you here this time?"

After the Prefect of Jingzhao respectfully bowed, he spoke in a low voice:

"My lord Minister, regarding the assassination attempt on your Second Young Lady, the assassin has confessed. The ten assassins who attacked the Second Young Lady were all killers from the Bright Pavilion. According to the assassin's confession, a nanny wearing a hooded cap gave the Bright Pavilion silver. They did not know who this nanny was, but the wind blew up a corner of the nanny's hooded scarf and collar, and one of the assassins saw that the nanny had a large black mole with hair growing on her left neck."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng suddenly sat up straight, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief, exclaiming:

"What did you say? Could such a thing truly happen?"

The Prefect of Jingzhao hurriedly said:

"How would this humble official dare to deceive my lord? Just three days ago, a maid from your residence reported that the Minister Jun's Second Young Lady was in danger in the suburbs and requested the Jingzhao Prefecture's constables to rescue her. Constable Wang brought back ten thieves. This humble official dared not be negligent and has interrogated them day and night recently; today, progress has been made in the case. This humble official dared not delay and has come to report the case details to my lord."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng frowned tightly. Although he did not like his second daughter, she was after all his daughter, Xiang Xiang Junzheng's daughter. He might not like her, but he would not allow anyone to harm her life. However, if this matter were to spread, he, Xiang Xiang Junzheng, would be unable to protect even his own daughter, and the Jun family would surely become a laughingstock. This matter must be investigated, but it must not be allowed to spread.

After some calculation, Xiang Xiang Junzheng slowly spoke:

"This matter must absolutely not be made public. You return first; I will carefully consider how to handle it."

The Prefect of Jingzhao agreed and withdrew. Xiang Xiang Junzheng paced back and forth in the study, his eyes dark, repeatedly pondering the information in the Prefect's words: ten killers, this was meant to put the Second Young Lady to death; a nanny with a long-haired black mole on her left neck; the Second Young Lady was ambushed in the suburbs...

These past few days, the First Lady had spent her time in constant anxiety. On that day, when Seeing Jun Jun Zijin returned to the residence with people, the First Lady knew this matter had failed. Fearing the truth would be exposed, she ordered Qingyu to closely monitor the movements within the residence.

Today, Qingyu came to report that the Prefect of Jingzhao and the Master were in the study, with a servant guarding outside the door. She dared not approach and did not hear what the two discussed, only knowing that the Prefect stayed in the Master's study for a long while before leaving.

The teacup in the First Lady's hand trembled, nearly falling to the ground. She steadied her mind; if she just sent Nanny Xue out to hide for a while, nothing would happen. Even if she were found, with Nanny Xue's daughter in her hands, Nanny Xue would not dare to betray her. Nanny Xue had helped the First Lady commit countless evil deeds, but the First Lady did not trust her, or rather, she trusted no one. The First Lady had always secretly sent people to monitor Nanny Xue's family. A fierce look flashed in her eyes, and she felt slightly reassured.

In fact, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had also instructed Xiao He to monitor the movements within the residence, especially any news from the Jingzhao Prefecture and the First Lady's side, to report immediately. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was certain the First Lady would make another move.

Xiao He was lively and loved to laugh; although she had only been in the residence for a few days, she had already bonded with some of the young maids and servants, occasionally hearing gossip to report back to Seeing Jun Jun Zijin. This day, Xiao He planned to stroll to the front courtyard again. Just as she passed through the corridor, she saw Qingyu, who was by the First Lady's side, hiding sneakily behind a stone. Just a few steps ahead was Xiang Xiang Junzheng's study.

Xiao He remained calm and found a place to hide as well. After a long while, she saw the Prefect of Jingzhao come out of Xiang Xiang Junzheng's study. Xiao He looked at Qingyu; after the Prefect left, Qingyu also left. Xiao He reasoned this matter was significant, so she waved to the servant outside the study door and whispered:

"Xiao Little Lezi, come over quickly."

This Xiao Little Lezi usually followed Xiang Xiang Junzheng. Once, Xiao He saw a wound on his hand and quietly gave him a bottle of ointment.

Xiao Little Lezi glanced at the study before coming to Xiao He and saying, "Sister Xiao He, did you call me for something?"

"I ask you, when the Prefect of Jingzhao came to see the Master, did you hear what they said?"

"I didn't hear clearly either, only that this matter seemed related to the Second Young Lady. Oh right, I also heard something about the Bright Pavilion, and a nanny with a long-haired black mole on her left neck!"

"Did you hear anything else?"

"Nothing else."

"Here, my Young Lady made this in the small kitchen." Xiao He took out a paper-wrapped package and stuffed it into Xiao Little Lezi's hands.

Xiao Little Lezi hurriedly opened it; it was a few pieces of sticky rice cake. His face immediately lit up with a smile; he had been craving the cakes from the Second Young Lady's small kitchen.

After hearing the news Xiao He brought back, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin thought: a nanny with a long-haired black mole on her left neck. Had she seen her somewhere? She felt something in her mind was faintly visible yet elusive, as if right before her eyes but impossible to grasp. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's mind. Damn, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin cursed silently, she remembered. It was indeed Nanny Xue!

"Xiao He, immediately take people to block both the front and back gates of the residence. Do not miss even the dog hole. Do not let Nanny Xue escape!"

"Also, spread the news immediately throughout the residence that Nanny Xue hired assassins to kill. The faster it spreads, the better!"

"Regarding this matter, no matter how my father reacts, I must ensure he cannot turn a blind eye." Even if Nanny Xue alone could not bring down Lady Wu, removing her arm was still good.

Within half a quarter of an hour, rumors that Nanny Xue had hired assassins to kill had already spread throughout the residence.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin found Xiang Xiang Junzheng and, without beating around the bush, asked directly:

"Father, a few days ago, I learned that Mother's dowry nanny, Nanny Dong, was in the suburbs. Feeling grateful for Nanny Dong's past care, I went to visit her. Unexpectedly, Nanny Dong nearly died in a fire, and I was also ambushed. If not for my great fortune, I am afraid I would not have returned. I originally did not intend to disturb Father, as I was unharmed anyway. But now the residence is spreading rumors that Nanny Xue, who is by the First Lady's side, hired assassins to take my life. I wish to ask, what does Father think?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng frowned tightly. Nanny Xue was the nanny by the First Lady Wu's side. Although he did not believe it was related to Lady Wu, this matter involved Lady Wu, and the residence was already in an uproar; it could no longer be suppressed.

"Regarding this matter, I, your father, will give you an answer."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng pondered silently in his heart. If he directly asked Lady Wu for Nanny Xue, she might suspect too much. Besides, whether Nanny Xue had a large black mole with hair on her left neck was still unknown.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng summoned the steward He Zhong and instructed him to call all the nannies in the residence to the courtyard.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin added:

"Steward He, remember to tell the nannies to lower their collars; they must not cover their necks."

Although He Zhong was puzzled as to why the Second Young Lady would make such a request, how could he question the master's orders? Suppressing his doubts, He Zhong accepted the order and went to arrange it.

Not long after, the nannies of the residence were lined up in the courtyard, discussing among themselves, not knowing what had happened.

Upon receiving a message from the First Lady, Nanny Xue dared not delay a moment. She quickly packed her things to sneak out of the residence. She quietly went to the back gate and saw Han Xiao and Miao Zhu guarding there. Nanny Xue's heart sank, and she hurriedly retreated. She then went to the main gate and saw Nanny Zhou with maids guarding there. Nanny Xue was so anxious she broke out in a sweat. Suddenly, she remembered there was a dog hole by the south courtyard wall; that dog hole was narrow and hidden, surrounded by overgrown weeds, and rarely noticed by people in ordinary times.

Nanny Xue had no time to think of anything else. She lifted her skirt and ran toward the south courtyard wall. She struggled to squat down and crawl into the dog hole. Just as she poked her head out of the hole, she suddenly bumped into a pair of feet. Nanny Xue looked up in terror and saw Nanny Dong standing there with a cold face. Nanny Xue quickly retreated, only to see Xiao He standing behind her with a smile.

Nanny Xue let out a "Awo!" in fright, collapsed to the ground, and trembled so much she could not speak. Do not be fooled by this girl's harmless appearance; she had suffered at this girl's hands before.

At this moment, Xiao He walked over:

"Nanny Xue, where are you going? I never knew Nanny Xue disliked the main gate and preferred to crawl through a dog hole!"

Nanny Xue could finally speak and begged for mercy:

"Little mistress, your kindness is great; please spare me!"

Xiao He was too lazy to listen to her nonsense. She ordered a young maid to hold her down, while she herself quickly took off her socks and stuffed them into Nanny Xue's mouth.

Nanny Xue was so angry she wanted to bite someone; this stinking girl was the second time she had stuffed her smelly socks into Nanny Xue's mouth.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng looked around and did not see a nanny with a black mole on her left neck. He asked the steward beside him:

"Steward He, are all the nannies in the residence here?"

"Replying to the Master, Nanny Xue from the First Lady's courtyard seems to be missing."

Upon hearing that Xiang Xiang Junzheng had summoned all the nannies to the front courtyard, the First Lady felt extremely uneasy, her heart fluttering up and down. Although Nanny Xue was no longer in the residence, she was still not at ease. After thinking for a moment, she also went to the front courtyard.

As soon as the First Lady arrived at the front courtyard, she heard Xiang Xiang Junzheng asking He Zhong. She hurriedly stepped forward a few paces and said:

"Master, since this morning, Nanny Xue has vanished without a trace; I too have been searching for her."

Just then, Xiao He appeared, leading two young maids and dragging Nanny Xue over from the south.

Seeing Nanny Xue bound with something stuffed in her mouth, Xiang Xiang Junzheng frowned and asked:

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Replying to Master, this servant saw Nanny Xue carrying a bundle and attempting to crawl out through the dog hole. Finding it strange, I called out to stop her, but instead of explaining, she rushed at me and tried to bite. Had I not dodged quickly, she would have torn a chunk of flesh from me. With no other choice, I stuffed her mouth and dragged her here to see you," Xiao He stated calmly.

Jun Jun Zijin suppressed a laugh; the girl was lying through her teeth.

Nanny Xue's face flushed crimson; she tried to speak in her defense, but with her mouth stuffed full of a stinking sock, she could only emit muffled "Wu-wu" sounds.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng ordered someone to remove the object from Nanny Xue's mouth, but before she could speak, Jun Jun Zijin asked:

"Nanny Xue, is it true that you hired an assassin to commit murder?"

"Injustice! Some son of a bitch must have framed this servant!" Nanny Xue, having long been bursting with rage, immediately cursed the moment her mouth was free, crying out her innocence without a second thought.

"Xiao He, pull down her collar," Jun Jun Zijin commanded.

Xiao He complied, ruthlessly yanking down Nanny Xue's collar, revealing a large, hairy black mole on the left side of her neck to everyone's eyes.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's gaze darkened; he had not expected it truly to be Nanny Xue. He dismissed everyone from the courtyard, leaving only Nanny Xue, before stating:

"Nanny Xue, the Jingzhao Prefecture has investigated and confirmed that you hired an assassin to stab the Second Young Lady; I never expected it to be you!"

Seeing her scheme exposed, Nanny Xue instantly collapsed to the ground, weeping and begging for mercy:

"Master, spare my life! Master, spare my life! This servant is... is..."

Just then, Nanny Xue suddenly spotted the Lady holding a hairpin belonging to her daughter; despair filled her eyes as she slumped to the ground, and after a long pause, she said:

"This servant was foolish. On the day I escorted the Second Young Lady back to the manor, I bore a grudge because she struck me and had been seeking a chance for revenge. A few days ago, upon learning the Second Young Lady intended to leave the city, I hired an assassin intending to kill her... This servant was momentarily blinded by evil and committed such a stupid act."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's face turned iron-green:

"You dare to be so bold as to plot against a young lady of the Jun family."

Nanny Xue kowtowed so rapidly it sounded like garlic being pounded:

"Master, spare my life! This old servant knows her wrongs; I beg you, considering my many years of service, to show leniency in your punishment."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's expression was exceedingly grim, but he immediately realized this matter did not implicate Lady Wu, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, saying:

"Take Nanny Xue away first!"

"Father, Nanny Xue should be handed over to the authorities. Since this matter has already alarmed the government, we must provide them with an explanation. Father has remained clean and upright all his life; you cannot let your daughter ruin your reputation," Jun Jun Zijin said.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng sighed, shook his head, and said:

"So be it, so be it."

"Guards, take this reckless old hag to the Jingzhao Prefecture," Xiang Xiang Junzheng ordered expressionlessly.

Nanny Xue's face was ashen as death; trembling all over, she lay prostrate on the ground.