Chapter Fourteen: Unraveling the Mystery

This was not the scent of the Flower House.

He immediately relayed this information to Young Master Zhu.

He had no intention of meddling in the affair, but doing so was simply a way to win favor from the other side.

As expected, there was indeed some connection between the murderer and Madam Li. Yet the crux of the matter was not a crime of passion. Rather, the young woman was killed because she had overheard certain secrets about Madam Li.

How pitiful she was. Sold here at such a young age, she had finally gained a glimmer of hope for escape, only to be poisoned to death before she could seize her chance.

Why was no trace of the murderer discovered on the day of the crime? It was because the poison she drank had hallucinogenic effects. After she began displaying subconscious acts of self-harm, the time to the onset of poisoning drew ever closer.

“You truly are a remarkable man!”

Having solved the case, Young Master Zhu’s impression of Han Qing changed considerably.

How could someone transform so drastically all of a sudden?

The scions of noble families who heard of the matter were all full of admiration. Truly, he was not to be underestimated.

“Would you be willing to be my friend?” Young Master Zhu now found him exceedingly impressive—intelligent and adept at concealment, skills that would serve him well in his future official career.

“Of course, I would be honored,” Han Qing replied with a nod. Going along with the current, he also resolved his previous difficulties.

The story house took up the tale and spread it far and wide with clarity.

But when the Bai family heard of it, they flew into a rage.

“Father, who could have imagined that a man who once seemed so shabby would attract Young Master Zhu’s attention?” Second Young Master Bai spoke in anger. He had finally found an opportunity to hold this man to account, but now the other had become a favorite in the eyes of another. There was nothing he could do.

“If you handled your affairs with half the caution of others, would things have come to this?” Old Master Bai said coldly. Why were all his sons so inept? They caused trouble outside and were forever being caught in their misdeeds. If he handed the family business to them, would it not be ruined before long?

“I do have an idea, though. It’s sure to drag their whole family down.”

Second Young Master Bai was not one to accept defeat. He refused to believe that someone who once seemed ignorant and incompetent could, even with newfound wealth, become a real threat. And after all, did he not also have an utterly useless brother-in-law?

“Go find out what that Liu Iron Ox has been up to lately,” he ordered.

Sure enough, an opportunity soon presented itself. Liu Iron Ox had recently become addicted to gambling, seizing any chance to play a few hands. His money was dwindling fast. Anxious, he had borrowed thirty silver taels from his brother-in-law and now had no way to repay it.

“You’ve racked up such a debt at my family’s casino—how do you plan to pay it back?” Second Young Master Bai asked coldly.

Liu Iron Ox was thrown into a panic. Surrounded by household servants, he feared he would be beaten to death if he could not repay the money.

“My brother-in-law’s family has money. Why not ask them for it?” In his panic, he spilled every detail about his family.

A true spendthrift. But Second Young Master Bai was after more than just trouble—he wanted Han Qing’s story house to go out of business, to sully his reputation even further.

And Liu Iron Ox was the perfect tool for the job, was he not?

“I’m not unreasonable. If you help me with one thing, your debt will be forgiven,” he said.

Really? Liu Iron Ox was doubtful. Could it really be so simple? Was he being asked to kill or rob?

“Just watch Han Qing and report any unfavorable news to us.”

That was all? It sounded easy enough. Liu Iron Ox even felt a little grateful that violence was not being used against him.

“I will. I’ll go home at once.”

Truly, a man without backbone.

As expected, upon returning home, he found his elderly mother gravely ill. When he pressed Jiang Xiuxiu for details, she prevaricated and would not tell the truth. Only later did he learn that Han Qing had made no arrangements for anyone to care for her. Was this not the height of filial disgrace?

If word got out, would not the Han family’s reputation be utterly ruined? In the past, for all his mischief, Han Qing had always cared for his mother. But now, if the brand of unfilial conduct stuck to him, the neighbors would never view him the same way.

“It seems Han Qing hasn’t changed much after all, to be so foolish!”

The news was quickly spread. The neighbors all kept their distance. Most believed Han Qing to be an ungrateful wretch, indifferent to the mother who had raised him. Upon learning of her illness, not only had he failed to arrange care, but had even stopped providing medicine.

Rumors and gossip multiplied.

Jiang Xiuxiu grew anxious. She knew this was not his true intention. Was all of this really just for appearance’s sake?

“Hurry and explain yourself, or what will we do?”

Jiang Xiuxiu seemed flustered. Now she trusted her husband completely; even if she did not understand him, she believed he would not deceive her again.

“Wait. Now is not the time.”

The louder the clamor outside, the harder it would be for him to clear his name later. But his mother’s illness had not yet been cured. How could he explain himself to the townsfolk?

Most people, once stricken with consumption, simply awaited death. His mother’s coughing grew worse, and at this rate, her body would not hold out much longer.

He had spent recent days poring over medical texts, but effective traditional remedies for this illness were rare. There was hardly any evidence that the disease could be cured.

Could he really be defeated by such a tiny affliction?

He refused to give up. For several days, he climbed the back hills in search of edible herbs. From these, he extracted certain substances, hoping they might kill the consumption’s germs.

After two days, he finally saw some change.

“Mother, drink these decoctions for a few days and you will get better,” he promised.

But his wife remained deeply skeptical.

“Aren’t you just boiling random herbs together?”

Even with her trust, Jiang Xiuxiu could not let him act recklessly.

“Wife, trust me once more. Would I ever poison my own mother?”