Chapter 205

Li Qingluo's face turned pale upon hearing that.

Severed limbs! Six pieces!

Didn't Deng Mama say last night that the head and body were apart?!

She thought only the head had been cut off, so how could there be six severed limbs?

Although Li Qingluo's complexion was poor, she wasn't frightened and even wanted to step forward to see for herself.

Prince Su extended his sword hilt to block her: "Have you decided?"

Deng Mama also urged her from behind: "Miss, ordinary people who have never seen such a scene cannot bear it in their hearts."

If you hadn't gone to look…… and then displayed something you couldn't restrain, it would be difficult for Your Highness here.

Everyone knows that as Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Prince Su handles cases with iron‑blooded ruthlessness, yet he has never made a mistake.

Moreover, he is impartial and unbending; in all of DaLiang, he spares no one's face, and no one has ever escaped from his long sword.

This might be the first time he has brought a young woman to a crime scene.

It is also the first time he has brought an unrelated person to a crime scene.

That is why those from the Jiangjun Fu were so shocked just now.

Fortunately, Li Qingluo covered her face today; otherwise, among the crowd were Miss Si and the Duke of Jiangjun Fu, who had seen her at last night's palace banquet and would surely have recognized her.

Especially Miss Si, who recognized Li Qingluo at last night's palace banquet as the person who had once accompanied the Princess of Nanping to their Jiangjun Fu; she naturally informed the Jiangjun Fu household of this upon returning home.

After learning the truth, many in the Jiangjun Fu were furious!

The Lady of the Jiangjun Fu is someone the old duke forbade anyone in the Jiangjun Fu from ever mentioning!

Furthermore, she is not allowed to return and set foot even half a step in the Jiangjun Fu, nor are any descendants of the Jiangjun Fu permitted to have any dealings with her or her later kin.

The Jiangjun Fu harbors a bone‑deep hatred for the Lady of the Jiangjun Fu.

So upon learning that people from the Jiangjun Fu dared to openly and swaggeringly come to their Jiangjun Fu, the Jiangjun Fu felt: Is this not trampling on their faces and acting arrogantly?

If they were to learn today that Li Qingluo still dares to come without restraint, they might even drive her out without the Prince Su bothering to intervene.

Li Qingluo naturally did not know that the Jiangjun Fu hated her grandmother's descendants so deeply; she simply did not want to miss the last chance to see Nan Jia.

She pushed Deng Mama aside, turned her pale face toward Prince Su, and bowed: "Your Lordship, if this common woman has disgraced you and hindered your affairs, I will withdraw on my own."

Before she could even plead with him, he had already brought her to the Jiangjun Fu.

How could she not know of Prince Su's special favor toward her?

Although she does not know when he learned of it, he knows her bond with Nan Jia and thus wishes to grant her this favor; she naturally would not force herself to cause him embarrassment.

Duan Rongshi lowered his sword hilt.

"When have I ever minded your losing face? As long as you have no regrets, it is merely ordinary things."

Having said that, he led the way forward.

The courtyard had long been off‑limits to the Jiangjun Fu family.

Although some bold members of the Jiangjun Fu still gathered at the gate to watch the spectacle, they were merely watching.

Li Qingluo saw no trace of grief on their faces, as if Nan Jia's death meant to them no more than the loss of an ordinary servant, causing no ripple in the entire Jiangjun Fu.

But after a night of heavy snow, many traces had vanished.

Li Qingluo saw a severed arm upright in a snowdrift beneath a persimmon tree.

That slender, pale hand had changed color, clenched in a fist of unwillingness and humiliation, as if wishing to strike one last blow and struggle to survive.

A scrap of yellow plain‑cloth silk still hung from the arm, fluttering in the wind and snow.

Under the eaves on the other side lay another severed leg……

In the main hall lay Nan Jia's torso, with another leg and arm already recovered nearby.

In the withered grass, Gu Yiniang sat on the ground, cradling a skull and singing a lullaby "ee‑ee ya‑ya".

"Little one…… hey…… come out to play with lanterns…… don't want your red…… don't want your green…… just want a little candle……"

Li Qingluo turned pale, braced herself against the wall, suppressing an uncontrollable urge to vomit, while waves of unbearable pain surged in her heart.

Que'er, also wearing a veil, supported Li Qingluo: "Miss, are you all right?"

Que'er herself was not much better.

Only Deng Mama, who had seen the world, felt nothing.

Li Qingluo murmured: "This is Nan Jia……"

How could she feel nauseated?

Li Qingluo wiped the tears from her cheeks, her heart feeling like needle pricks, and said: "I'm fine. Que'er, go see what's wrong with Gu Yiniang."

Sha Lei came over and said: "Your Highness, this is Gu Yiniang, the birth mother of the twelfth young lady. Since discovering the twelfth young lady's remains last night, she has picked up this skull and never let go."

A maid beside her held up an umbrella, continually dragging a fur cloak onto Gu Yiniang's body, her voice already hoarse from crying.

"Auntie, release the young lady…… the officials of the Ministry of Justice have already arrived; with them here, the young lady's blood vengeance will surely be vindicated……"

"Holding the young lady like this, her spirit cannot rest…… even in death…… she cannot close her eyes in peace……"

On the severed head of the twelfth young lady, the expression was peaceful, clearly without a trace of pain, as if she were merely asleep.

Moreover, there seemed to be a faint smile……

Seeing this scene, Li Qingluo also felt it somewhat strange and uncanny.

Nan Jia's hand was clearly in a struggling pose.

Why then was her facial expression so calm?

Could she have been killed while dreaming?

Yet how could she appear in this courtyard?

After seeing it, Prince Su asked coldly: "Where is Vice Minister of Works Pei Yi now?"

The clerk stepped forward and said: "The Jiangjun Fu's Vice Minister went mad last night, went to the Ministry of Justice to file a report, and upon returning still shouted that he would slaughter everyone in the Jiangjun Fu to bury with the twelfth young lady; he is still bound and confined in the ancestral hall by the Jiangjun Fu people."

Prince Su: "Bring him over! Also, bring over the Duke Yi, all male members of the Yi family, and the stewards—bring them all to me!"

Prince Su: "Bring him over! Also, bring over the Duke Yi, all male members of the Yi family, and the stewards—bring them all to me!"

We must keep the quotes? Probably keep the Chinese quotes as English quotes? We'll translate the speech content, keep quotation marks.

Thus: 【61】 Prince Su: "Bring him over! Also, bring over the Duke Yi, all male members of the Yi family, and the stewards—bring them all to me!"

The attendant asked, "Your Highness, is… this old Duke… may we bring him?"

The attendant asked, "Your Highness, is… this old Duke… should we bring him?"

Thus: 【62】 The attendant asked, "Your Highness, is… this old Duke… may we bring him?"

Madam Deng whispered to Li Qingluo: "Originally, before this old duke passed away, the current duke could not inherit the title by hereditary right. However, three years ago, the old duke, before he became completely senile, personally went to the palace to beg the Emperor for a title for his eldest son."

We need to keep the nuance. Let's produce: Deng Mama quietly explained to Li Qingluo: "Originally, before this old Duke died, the current Duke could not inherit the Duke's position by hereditary right. But three years ago, the old Duke, before he became completely senile, heard that he had personally gone to the palace to see the Emperor, begging for an imperial decree to grant his eldest son a title first."

Make sure it's one line.

"I only heard him say he wouldn't live more than a few months, so the Emperor made an exception in recognition of the Yi family's past service."

Translation: "I only heard that he said he wouldn't live more than a few months, so the Emperor made an exception in light of the Yi family's past merits."

Thus: 【64】 "I only heard that he said he wouldn't live more than a few months, so the Emperor made an exception in light of the Yi family's past merits."

"But now he has actually lived another three years..."

Translation: "But now he has actually lived another three years..."

Thus: 【65】 "But now he has actually lived another three years..."

"I also heard rumors that the old duke extends his life by eating the flesh and blood of young women."

Translation: "I also heard rumors that the old Duke prolonged his life by eating the flesh and blood of fresh young women."

Thus: 【66】 "I also heard rumors that the old Duke prolonged his life by eating the flesh and blood of fresh young women."

Li Qingluo: "Where did you hear all this? Even Grandmother doesn't know?"

Translation: Li Qingluo: "Where did you hear all this? Grandmother doesn't even know?"

Thus: 【67】 Li Qingluo: "Where did you hear all this? Grandmother doesn't even know?"

Madam Deng sighed: "I and Aunt Zhang only heard this through gossip; I wouldn't dare mention it to the old lady."

Translation: Deng Mama sighed: "I and Zhang Mama gathered this from gossip; how dare I mention a word to the Old Lady?"

Thus: 【68】 Deng Mama sighed: "I and Zhang Mama gathered this from gossip; how dare I mention a word to the Old Lady?"

So, if Grandmother wanted to know about her elder brother's situation, she could simply ask and learn everything.

Thus: Therefore, if Grandmother wanted to know her elder brother's recent situation, she could simply ask and learn everything.

Thus: 【69】 Therefore, if Grandmother wanted to know her elder brother's recent situation, she could simply ask and learn everything.

But she fears knowing, so she never dares to ask—she's just deceiving herself.

Thus: But she fears knowing, so she never dares to ask, merely deceiving herself.

Thus: 【70】 But she fears knowing, so she never dares to ask, merely deceiving herself.

Having received the order, the Ministry of Justice officials naturally acted swiftly.

Thus: Having received the order, the attendants of the Dali Temple naturally acted swiftly.

Thus: 【71】 Having received the order, the attendants of the Dali Temple naturally acted swiftly.

Soon, Pei Nanjia's father, Ministry of Works Vice Minister Pei Yuan, was brought over.

Thus: Soon, the father of Pei Nanjia, Minister of Works Pei Yuan, was brought over.

Thus: 【72】 Soon, the father of Pei Nanjia, Minister of Works Pei Yuan, was brought over.

His hair turned white overnight; though he was only in his early forties, he now looked like an old man on his last legs.

Thus: His hair turned white overnight; though he is only in his early forties, he now looks like a feeble old man.

Thus: 【73】 His hair turned white overnight; though he is only in his early forties, he now looks like a feeble old man.

Upon seeing Madam Guan still holding their daughter's head, he immediately went mad again.

Thus: Upon seeing Guan Shi still holding her daughter's skull, he immediately went mad again.

Thus: 【74】 Upon seeing Guan Shi still holding her daughter's skull, he immediately went mad again.

Ah——!!

Thus: "Ah——!!"

Thus: 【75】 "Ah——!!"

Pei Yuan rushed over and embraced Madam Guan, wailing: "This is taking our lives—taking the lives of us both—Jia'er, Jia'er——!!"

Thus: Pei Yuan rushed over and embraced Guan Shi: "This is taking our lives—taking the lives of us husband and wife—Jia'er, Jia'er——!!"

Thus: 【76】 Pei Yuan rushed over and embraced Guan Shi: "This is taking our lives—taking the lives of us husband and wife—Jia'er, Jia'er——!!"

Madam Guan also seemed to finally regain a bit of consciousness, leaning into Pei Yuan's embrace and sobbing.

Thus: Guan Shi also seemed to finally regain a trace of sanity, leaning into Pei Yuan's embrace and sobbing.

Thus: 【77】 Guan Shi also seemed to finally regain a trace of sanity, leaning into Pei Yuan's embrace and sobbing.

"My lord, is this the karma we two have created? Is this the karma we two have created——"

Thus: "Master, is this the sin we two have created? Is this the sin we two have created——"

Thus: 【78】 "Master, is this the sin we two have created? Is this the sin we two have created——"

Li Qingluo stood aside watching them, her heart feeling as if cut by a knife.

Thus: Li Qingluo stood aside watching their scene, her heart feeling as if cut by a knife.

Thus: 【79】 Li Qingluo stood aside watching their scene, her heart feeling as if cut by a knife.

How cruel heaven is!

Thus: How cruel heaven is!

Thus: 【80】 How cruel heaven is!

What on earth did Nanjia do to deserve such brutal torture to death!

Thus: What on earth did Nanjia do to deserve such brutal torture to death!

Thus: 【81】 What on earth did Nanjia do to deserve such brutal torture to death!

Li Qingluo clenched her fists and turned her gaze to the remaining male members of the Pei family who had been brought over.

Thus: Li Qingluo clenched her fists and turned her gaze to all the remaining male members of the Pei family who had been brought.

Thus: 【82】 Li Qingluo clenched her fists and turned her gaze to all the remaining male members of the Pei family who had been brought.

The courtyard couldn't hold them all, so they all waited outside.

Thus: The courtyard couldn't hold them all, so they all waited outside.

Thus: 【83】 The courtyard couldn't hold them all, so they all waited outside.

The duke and the other elders were naturally all dissatisfied.

Thus: The Duke and the other elders were naturally all dissatisfied.

Thus: 【84】 The Duke and the other elders were naturally all dissatisfied.

Moreover, they shouted and complained, asking on what basis they were all brought over, asking what this meant.

Thus: Moreover, they shouted, questioning on what grounds they were all brought here, asking what this meant.

Thus: 【85】 Moreover, they shouted, questioning on what grounds they were all brought here, asking what this meant.

Could it be that the Ministry of Justice is questioning whether these elders of the Pei mansion killed someone?

Thus: Could it be that the Dali Temple suspects these Pei family elders of committing murder?

Thus: 【86】 Could it be that the Dali Temple suspects these Pei family elders of committing murder?

Sha Lei stepped forward, drew his sword, and pressed it against the elder's neck, his killing intent blazing: "Whether they killed someone or not, you all know in your hearts."

Thus: Sha Lei stepped forward, drew his blade, and pressed it against the elder's neck, his killing intent blazing: "Whether you killed or not, you all know in your hearts."

Thus: 【87】 Sha Lei stepped forward, drew his blade, and pressed it against the elder's neck, his killing intent blazing: "Whether you killed or not, you all know in your hearts."

This is merely a routine interrogation; do you all really want to be taken back to the Ministry of Justice prison just to sit there before you'll be honest?

Thus: "Today is merely a routine interrogation; do you all really want to be taken back to the Dali Temple prison to sit awhile before you'll be honest?"

Thus: 【88】 "Today is merely a routine interrogation; do you all really want to be taken back to the Dali Temple prison to sit awhile before you'll be honest?"

Our prince is handling the case today, and out of respect for the Pei duke's mansion, he's being courteous to all of you. If anyone dares to cause a disturbance again, we'll have to resort to the Ministry of Justice's former methods.

Thus: "Our Prince is handling the case today, already being courteous out of respect for the Pei Duke's mansion; if anyone dares to make a fuss again, we'll have to resort to the Dali Temple's former methods!"

Thus: 【89】 "Our Prince is handling the case today, already being courteous out of respect for the Pei Duke's mansion; if anyone dares to make a fuss again, we'll have to resort to the Dali Temple's former methods!"

Who hasn't heard of Prince Su's reputation as the Yama, the killer god?

Thus: Who hasn't heard of Prince Su's reputation as the Yama, the killing god?

Thus: 【90】 Who hasn't heard of Prince Su's reputation as the Yama, the killing god?

Even the Pei duke's mansion, these elders today all slumped down in defeat.

Thus: Even the Pei Duke's mansion, these elders today all wilted.

Thus: 【91】 Even the Pei Duke's mansion, these elders today all wilted.

But Prince Su is not in a hurry to interrogate them.

Thus: But Prince Su is not in a hurry to interrogate them.

Thus: 【92】 But Prince Su is not in a hurry to interrogate them.

He merely had these elders, sons, and stewards and servants stand one by one in the wind and snow.

Thus: He merely had these elders, young masters, and stewards each stand in the wind and snow.

Thus: 【93】 He merely had these elders, young masters, and stewards each stand in the wind and snow.

He then stepped forward to face Pei Yuan and, in a cold, routine manner, said: "Minister Pei, all that's missing is this head."

Thus: He then stepped forward to Pei Yuan and, in a cold, routine manner, said: "Minister Pei, all that's missing is this head."

Thus: 【94】 He then stepped forward to Pei Yuan and, in a cold, routine manner, said: "Minister Pei, all that's missing is this head."

Pei Nanjia's body has been pieced together completely, leaving only this head, still in her mother's arms.

Thus: Pei Nanjia's corpse has been pieced together, leaving only this head, still in her mother's embrace.

Thus: 【95】 Pei Nanjia's corpse has been pieced together, leaving only this head, still in her mother's embrace.

Even in his grief-stricken state, Minister Pei still retained a bit of clarity.

Thus: Minister Pei, though grief-stricken to the point of despair, still retained a semblance of lucidity.

Thus: 【96】 Minister Pei, though grief-stricken to the point of despair, still retained a semblance of lucidity.

He forcibly lifted his daughter's head himself, placed it onto Pei Nanjia's body, and restored her to wholeness.

Thus: He forcibly lifted his daughter's skull himself, placed it upon Pei Nanjia's corpse, restoring her wholeness.

Thus: 【97】 He forcibly lifted his daughter's skull himself, placed it upon Pei Nanjia's corpse, restoring her wholeness.

Doctor Du also came along today.

Thus: Doctor Du also came along today.

Thus: 【98】 Doctor Du also came along today.

He had already been working to detoxify Nanjia, researching day and night, and had finally found a way to counteract the poison in her body through his own efforts—yet upon suddenly hearing this terrible news, how could he not be angry?

Thus: He had been working on detoxifying Nanjia, researching day and night, finally managing to find a way to counteract the poison in her body by his own efforts, when he suddenly heard this terrible news—how could he not be angry?

Thus: 【99】 He had been working on detoxifying Nanjia, researching day and night, finally managing to find a way to counteract the poison in her body by his own efforts, when he suddenly heard this terrible news—how could he not be angry?

So at this moment, Doctor Du and the coroner began examining the corpse together.

Thus: So at this moment, Doctor Du proceeded to examine the corpse together with the coroner.

Thus: 【100】 So at this moment, Doctor Du proceeded to examine the corpse together with the coroner.

In the dilapidated courtyard, dozens of layers of people surrounded it inside and out.

Thus: In the dilapidated courtyard, layers of people surrounded it inside and out, dozens of rings deep.

Thus: 【101】 In the dilapidated courtyard, layers of people surrounded it inside and out, dozens of rings deep.

Without Commander Duan Rong's order, everyone could only stand still.

Thus: Without Duan Rongshi's order, everyone could only stand silently.

Thus: 【102】 Without Duan Rongshi's order, everyone could only stand silently.

In the silence, one could hear the rustling of falling snow.

Thus: In the stillness, one could hear the rustling of falling snow.

Thus: 【103】 In the stillness, one could hear the rustling of falling snow.

Only the coroner dared to bustle about……

Thus: Only the coroner dared to bustle about inside and out…

Thus: 【104】 Only the coroner dared to bustle about inside and out…

Outside the courtyard, the Pei family elders, including the duke, were all seething with anger.

Thus: Outside the courtyard, the Pei family elders, including the Duke, were all seething with anger.

Thus: 【105】 Outside the courtyard, the Pei family elders, including the Duke, were all seething with anger.

But the Pei duke's mansion has long since fallen into decline, with no garrison troops and no younger generation versed in martial arts.

Thus: But the Pei Duke has long since fallen into decline, with no garrison troops, and not a single martial descendant among the younger generation.

Thus: 【106】 But the Pei Duke has long since fallen into decline, with no garrison troops, and not a single martial descendant among the younger generation.

As for the entire Pei duke's mansion, if Prince Su gave the order, it would be slaughtered in no more than half a day.

Thus: Should Prince Su give a single order, the entire Pei Duke's mansion could be slaughtered in half a day.

Thus: 【107】 Should Prince Su give a single order, the entire Pei Duke's mansion could be slaughtered in half a day.

So, even though each of them was fuming with faces turned ashen, for now they could only wait quietly.

Thus: Thus, even though each of them is fuming with faces turned bluish-black, for now they can only wait silently.

Thus: 【108】 Thus, even though each of them is fuming with faces turned bluish-black, for now they can only wait silently.

Finally, Doctor Du and the coroner finished their work.

Thus: Finally, Doctor Du and the coroner finished their tasks.

Thus: 【109】 Finally, Doctor Du and the coroner finished their tasks.

Doctor Du stepped forward and reported: "Your Highness, the deceased is indeed the twelfth young lady of the Pei household."

Thus: Doctor Du stepped forward and reported: "Your Highness, the deceased is indeed the Twelfth Miss of the Pei household."

Thus: 【110】 Doctor Du stepped forward and reported: "Your Highness, the deceased is indeed the Twelfth Miss of the Pei household."

She had been poisoned with a deadly toxin while alive; if not treated in time, her death was inevitable.

Thus: "In life she suffered a deadly poison; if not detoxified in time, her days were already numbered."

Thus: 【111】 "In life she suffered a deadly poison; if not detoxified in time, her days were already numbered."

But I have also found another kind of Maitreya poison in her mouth……

Thus: "But I have also discovered another kind of Maitreya poison in her mouth……"

Thus: 【112】 "But I have also discovered another kind of Maitreya poison in her mouth……"

Duan Rongshi: "Maitreya poison? What is this?"