Chapter 44 Someone Has Died

Tan Qingjiu had barely drifted back to sleep before Qingdai roused her once more. “Master, something has happened.”

“Hm?”

With urgency, Qingdai reported, “I’ve heard that assassins broke into the mansion. Strangely, though, none of the guards discovered them; the two assassins died miserably in a deserted courtyard for reasons unknown.”

“Their deaths were gruesome.”

“The commotion has disturbed everyone in the mansion. Master, do you wish to see what’s happened?”

Assassins? Dead before the servants even found them, and in such a horrific manner?

Tan Qingjiu suddenly recalled Li Xiao’s hurried departure earlier and narrowed her eyes. Could it be…

“But Master, you’ve only just returned to the Tan Mansion, and already such trouble has arisen. If we go now, I fear Lady Tan will suspect you’re involved in this matter.”

Tan Qingjiu contemplated briefly, then looked up to ask Qingdai, “Where’s Tan Yunge? Did she spend the night here?”

“No,” Qingdai shook her head. “I heard that Tan Yunge found out Yunshang Court was given to you, quarreled with Chen Yueyu, and stormed out in anger.”

Qingdai quickly caught on. “Master suspects her?”

“She’s the most likely.”

“But if Tan Qingjiu hired the assassins, how did they end up dying so mysteriously in that abandoned courtyard? Who did it?”

“I don’t know.” Tan Qingjiu rose. “Help me change. I’ll take a look.”

“They’ll accuse me either way. If I stay away, who knows what Chen Yueyu will say about me. It’s better if I see it myself.”

By the time Tan Qingjiu arrived at the courtyard, it was already crowded. Tan Yun and Chen Yueyu were present, as well as several concubines—some familiar, some not—and Tan Qingjiu’s siblings.

Tan Yun’s face was grim. “Go ask the authorities when they’ll arrive. Don’t approach yet; wait for the coroner to examine the bodies before making any decisions.”

Chen Yueyu, leading the concubines, stepped back and spotted Tan Qingjiu.

Chen Yueyu, having suffered several losses at Tan Qingjiu’s hands, wasn’t eager to risk another encounter. She glanced at the Seventh Concubine standing nearby.

The Seventh Concubine had served Chen Yueyu as a maid before being promoted to concubine. She was grateful and had always obeyed Chen Yueyu’s orders.

Chen Yueyu exchanged a look with her, then another with Tan Qingjiu, and the Seventh Concubine immediately understood.

“Oh my, isn’t that Second Miss? It’s been years since we last saw you, and you’ve grown even more beautiful.”

“But isn’t it quite a coincidence? Second Miss has only been home a day, and already the authorities have been summoned twice.”

“First, it was because Second Miss killed someone with her medicine; now, I wonder if this incident is also related to her. After all, nothing of this sort ever happened in our mansion before. Second Miss returns, and chaos follows. Truly… unlucky.”

“Madam may have to send for a renowned monk to calculate whether the newcomer’s fate clashes with our family’s, causing such troubles.”

Tan Qingjiu scoffed. So Chen Yueyu didn’t dare confront her directly and sent a minion instead?

Verbal sparring—she feared no one.

Tan Qingjiu squinted at the Seventh Concubine, making her nervous. “Why are you looking at me like that, Second Miss? Are you feeling guilty? Afraid?”

“I’m not sure whether I’m afraid, but I do know you’re ill.”

The Seventh Concubine’s eyes widened—was Tan Qingjiu insulting her?

Her expression changed rapidly, about to retort, but then recalled what the maid had reported earlier about the incident at the main gate.

It was said that Tan Qingjiu could diagnose a person’s ailments just by looking at them—pinpointing their illness and its location with uncanny accuracy.

Apparently, this was the ‘inspection’ aspect of medical practice.

Could it be that Tan Qingjiu had spotted something wrong with her? Was she truly ill?

With hesitation, the Seventh Concubine raised her hand to touch her face, her complexion alternately pale and green.

Tan Qingjiu watched her, a slight smile playing at her lips. “And who might you be?”

Chen Yueyu, seeing the Seventh Concubine defeated by a single remark, cursed her for being useless and quickly laughed, “This is the Seventh Concubine, Qingjiu. You must have met her before.”

“So you’re the Seventh Concubine?” Tan Qingjiu’s gaze lingered on her face. “No wonder. I’ve always thought your looks the least remarkable among all the concubines in the inner court—so inconspicuous you’re hardly noticed. I barely recall your appearance, only your existence.”

Her words fell among the concubines, each reacting differently. The Seventh Concubine’s face darkened further.

Tan Qingjiu paid them no mind, lifting her eyes to Chen Yueyu. “No, I need to speak to Father.”

Her words drew the attention of Chen Yueyu and several concubines. “About what?”

Tan Qingjiu blinked innocently. “Isn’t this all too strange? My first night home, and such an incident occurs.”

“I wasn’t too concerned, but then Seventh Concubine said those things and I started to wonder: could someone be deliberately stirring trouble? Perhaps someone resents my return and purposely causes chaos, hoping Father will send me away again.”

“The woman who made a scene at the gate earlier confessed—she was bribed to poison her husband and blame me.”

“Perhaps this time it’s the same.”

“Maybe there were no assassins at all—just two bodies placed here deliberately to frame me.”

Without hesitation, Tan Qingjiu strode over to Tan Yun.

“Father.”

Tan Yun turned to her, his expression shifting slightly. “Why have you come?”

Tan Qingjiu lowered her eyes, her face full of grievance, squeezing a few tears from her eyes, looking like a flower battered by rain. “Father, I only came to see what happened, but everyone says my fate clashes with the family’s—that my return has brought misfortune.”

“They claim this afternoon’s incident and tonight’s as well—both unlucky, and likely my fault.”

Feigning sorrow, she wiped her eyes with trembling hands. “But Father, this afternoon’s event was clearly someone framing me.”

“The more I think about it, the more suspicious it seems. Perhaps someone resents my return and purposely caused this commotion, hoping you’ll drive me out.”

“I wonder if the mastermind is hiding some unspeakable secret… connected to me…”