Chapter 15 — Wedding Hall, No Groom

When the name "Liu Chengzhi, the Superintendent of the Jiangnan Salt Transport," was uttered, we visibly saw Father freeze in mid-air. A few drops of tea splashed out, staining the deep crimson brocade of his robe, and his expression instantly grew unusually heavy.

Liu Chengzhi...

He set down his teacup and slowly spat out the name, his gaze turning profound and sharp.

I remember that case. It happened fifteen years ago, sending shockwaves through the imperial court and implicating countless people. Liu Chengzhi was accused of embezzling three million taels of salt tax with conclusive evidence, but he died unexpectedly on the way to be escorted to the capital. Those three million taels of silver were never found, and the case became an unsolved mystery.

Father stood up, walked over to the bookshelf, and retrieved a locked iron box from the highest secret compartment. Using a small key, he opened it and pulled out an old, yellowed roll of documents.

This is a duplicate of the case file left behind at the risk of his life by the imperial censor who was in charge of the investigation back then.

He spread the dossier out before my eyes.

In the official records, Liu Chengzhi committed monstrous crimes and committed suicide out of fear of punishment. But this copy clearly states that he repeatedly proclaimed his innocence, claiming he was framed and that the real culprit was someone else. Unfortunately, before he could reveal the true identity, he died under mysterious circumstances.

My heart sank page by page through the dossier.

Father, you mean...

If Liu Yunwei in the General's Manor is truly the daughter of Liu Chengzhi, Father's voice was as cold as iron, then her approach toward Xiao Huai was never driven by petty romantic affection. Behind her, someone must be pulling the strings. Or rather, everything she has done is to overturn the verdict for her father and find the mastermind who framed the Liu family all those years ago!

A terrifying realization formed in my mind: If one were to secure the position of mistress of the General's Manor—the place holding the greatest military power in the capital—it would be equivalent to seizing a force capable of shaking the imperial court. This power could be used for revenge, or it could be used for other ends. Father and I exchanged glances, seeing a deep sense of caution in each other's eyes.

The nature of the matter had completely changed. It was no longer a simple broken engagement, nor was it a mere back-court battle for favor among women. This was very likely a political conspiracy involving court struggles, suspicious archives, and a colossal sum of silver. Xiao Huai was nothing more than a foolish pawn being exploited in this grand game.

Shu Yan, Father's expression was graver than ever before. This matter must be thoroughly investigated immediately. We cannot afford to remain passive any longer.

Daughter understands.

My mind raced rapidly.

We must divide our efforts into two directions. First, immediately dispatch trustworthy men to Jiangnan to investigate Liu Yunwei's true identity, seek out former associates of the Liu family, and see if we can obtain proof that she is indeed Liu Chengzhi's daughter. Second, we must re-examine the salt tax embezzlement case of that year. Every official who participated in handling the case, as well as those who profited the most after the fall of the Liu family in Jiangnan, could potentially be the mastermind behind the scenes.

Indeed. Father nodded in approval. I have my own channels to investigate matters in Jiangnan. As for the capital, Liu Yunwei is currently locked up in the backyard storage room of the General's Manor, which presents the exact opportunity we need. We must find a way to extract some clues from her own mouth.

I looked out the window, where the night had already begun to fall. A chill settled deep in my heart. Originally, I only wanted to make Xiao Huai and Liu Yunwei pay a fitting price and ruin their reputations. But now, I suddenly had a much more vital objective. If I could expose that lingering suspicious case, dragging out the grand corrupt official and the true mastermind hiding behind the scenes, it would not merely be for my own sake. It would mean establishing an unparalleled, monumental merit for our Shen family. That achievement, far more than the superficial title of Peace and Harmony Lady, would be truly substantial and unshakeable.

At that very moment, I felt the lingering, bitter resentment of romance in my heart melt away completely, replaced by an unprecedented calmness and a fierce desire to master the entire chessboard. This game was becoming more and more interesting.

The firewood room of the General's Manor was dark and damp, the air heavy with the scent of rotting wood and mold. A faint ray of light pierced through a crack in the wall, illuminating the dust motes suspended in the air. Liu Yunwei curled herself up on a pile of straw in the corner; the luxurious gown she once wore was now stained with filth, her hair disheveled, and her face utterly haggard. The pitiful look she used to wear was entirely gone, replaced only by the frantic and vicious demeanor of a trapped beast driven to a dead end.

She had been locked up here for three days without a single drop of water. Hunger and despair gnawed at her reason and willpower like two venomous snakes. She could not comprehend why everything had turned out this way. Clearly, she had captured Xiao Huai's heart; clearly, she was only a single step away from becoming the mistress of the General's Manor. Yet why... why could that wretched woman Shen Shugang always push her down into the abyss time and time again?

Creak...

The heavy wooden door was pushed open, and the blinding light caused her to instinctively squint her eyes. A familiar, tall figure stepped inside against the light. It was Xiao Huai. He wore a faded old robe, his complexion even paler than hers, his eye sockets deeply sunken, his chin covered in dark stubble, as if his very soul had been drained away overnight. He was no longer the dashing and spirited Defender of the State General, but a thoroughly shattered man.

A spark of hope suddenly flared in Liu Yunwei's heart. She struggled to her feet, lunged toward Xiao Huai's legs, clutched tightly at his hem, and wailed miserably with a hoarse voice:

Brother Huai! You've finally come! I knew it, you wouldn't abandon me! It was the matriarch, the matriarch locked me here, refusing to give me food or water, she wants to starve me to death! Hurry up and take me away!

Xiao Huai did not move. He merely lowered his gaze to look at her with a cold, estranged expression she had never seen before. That look was like staring at a pathetic, jumping jester.

Take you away? He spoke, his voice as raspy as two grinding stones. Where to? To continue fooling some other fool just like me?

Liu Yunwei's crying choked in her throat, and she lifted her head in shock:

You... what did you say?

I am asking you, Xiao Huai crouched down to meet her gaze, the eyes that were once filled with tenderness now frozen in ice and loathing. Fifteen years ago, what relation did Liu Chengzhi, the Superintendent of the Jiangnan Salt Transport, bear to you?

That name struck like a bolt of lightning. Liu Yunwei's complexion instantly turned deathly pale, and her entire body trembled violently. All her disguises shattered completely in this single instant.

I... I don't know him... what are you talking about...

She stammered in denial, her gaze darting away in panic.

You don't know him? Xiao Huai let out a cold laugh, filled with self-mockery and bitter grief. You are still acting even now? Liu Yunwei, no, perhaps I should call you... Miss Liu.