Chapter 17: Something Has Happened

“Lychee, you said Sister Shen loves them. I went to the palace early this morning to ask my aunt for some; they’re kept frozen in the ice cellar. I took them all out for you.” Xiao Tuyu patted Bai Jin’s shoulder with relief. “Consider me indebted to you.”

“What are you saying? Between us, there’s no need for such formalities. Just remember to cover for me next time I go cricket fighting—last time, I nearly got beaten to death by my father.”

Xiao Tuyu knew well this person’s mind wasn’t filled with much good sense.

Just then, Ying Xia came over carrying freshly heated lychee syrup, her eyes full of gratitude as she bowed to Xiao Tuyu and Bai Jin. “Thanks to you two young masters, the miss sends her regards and gratitude.”

Bai Jin clapped his hands casually. “Sister Shen and Zishu will be family sooner or later. There’s no need to be so polite with us.”

Xiao Tuyu frowned and lightly tapped him. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Bai Jin grinned. “Did I say something wrong? Aren’t you planning to marry Sister Shen?”

“Of course not, I just…” Xiao Tuyu didn’t know how to respond and suddenly faltered.

“Forget it. Put the things down; let’s go.” Bai Jin dashed inside in a flash. “No, I’m going to see Sister Shen.”

Fearing Bai Jin’s loose tongue might say something embarrassing to Shen Xianyue, Xiao Tuyu followed him in.

By the time voices were heard outside the door, Shen Xianyue was already awake, though her body still weak. She didn’t want to face Lady Xiao, so she leaned quietly against the headboard, listening to the sounds outside.

“Miss, the lychee syrup is ready. Please try it; is it tasty?” Ying Xia carefully brought it before Shen Xianyue, scooping a spoonful and blowing on it gently before feeding it to her.

“Where did this come from?”

Surely not from the Marquis’s household?

“It was sent by the Champion Marquis early this morning.”

“It’s mine, all mine. Last night, that brat knocked on my door in the middle of the night, telling me to find a way to get lychees from the palace early this morning. Look, there’s more here—I brought them all out for you. Sister Shen, am I impressive or not?”

Shen Xianyue glanced in surprise at the silent Xiao Tuyu, unsure if she had been undermined, feeling a bit awkward.

“Ahem… last night you said you wanted to drink it.”

Fragments suddenly flashed through her mind. So the warm embrace in her dream, the tender whispers—were they all Xiao Tuyu’s?

Shen Xianyue’s face flushed crimson instantly, especially since last night she had thought it was her father and mother and had pressed herself into someone’s arms repeatedly. The embarrassment was almost unbearable.

Seeing Shen Xianyue’s intense blush, Xiao Tuyu hurried to explain, “You were feverish and confused last night; nothing happened.”

Damn it, the more he explained, the worse it sounded!

For a moment, except for the clinking of the porcelain spoon and bowl, the room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Bai Jin’s scrutinizing gaze flicked between the two of them. “I wasn’t here for just one night, but what exactly happened last night? Why do you both seem so strange?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing my foot. Just by looking at you, I can tell something’s up. No way—I’m staying at the Marquis’s house tonight too.”

Bai Jin wore a look of heartfelt distress, as if he’d missed some great secret.

“Fine, I’ll have someone inform Uncle that you’ll be staying out tonight. How’s that?”

The thought of the whip he’d get for not showing up immediately smothered Bai Jin’s boldness. “Forget it, I’m not that curious.”

Shen Xianyue forced the flush from her cheeks and said, “Thank you both for today.”

“Oh, as I said, no thanks necessary. Your matters are Zishu’s matters, Zishu’s matters are mine. Since I arrived, you and your servant have said thank you so many times, if you keep it up, I’ll get goosebumps.”

Shen Xianyue smiled gently. “Alright, I’ll stop then.”

The bowl of lychee syrup was quickly drained. Illness comes like a mountain collapsing and leaves like a thread being pulled. Shen Xianyue’s exhaustion was clear. Xiao Tuyu took the moment to pull Bai Jin out so Shen Xianyue could rest properly.

Once outside the courtyard, Bai Jin heard Xuan Qing approaching proudly, bowing to Xiao Tuyu. “Master, everything is arranged.”

Xiao Tuyu gave a light hum and strode forward.

“What’s going on? Why wasn’t I told?”

“You’ll see when I take you out.”

Bai Jin was instantly excited, following Xiao Tuyu, bombarding him with questions. Unfortunately, Xiao Tuyu kept his lips sealed, promising a surprise but not uttering a word.

The three turned left immediately after leaving, arriving at the gate of the Jingzhao Magistrate’s office. Outside the gate, crowds thronged in layers, pointing and whispering about what was inside.

Two men stood aside, listening to the murmurs.

“I heard someone in the suburban village accused Zhu Rui of withholding wages, arbitrarily raising taxes, bullying both men and women, and refusing to admit it. I heard someone even died.”

“Who is this Zhu Rui to dare do such things right under the Son of Heaven’s nose? Isn’t he asking for death?”

A man with a beard leaned in. “Don’t you know? Zhu Rui is from the family of the Northern Marquis’s main wife. He’s highly favored by the Zhu family and even took their surname.”

“Now that you mention it, the matron of the Northern Marquis’s household is a Zhu, isn’t she? I never thought such noble families could have such dirty business!”

The crowd buzzed, each person speaking as if they had witnessed it firsthand.

Xiao Tuyu glanced at the interrogation scene inside. A middle-aged couple sobbed, recounting their daughter’s tragic fate—forced and tormented to death, the entire village’s taxes raised. Anyone who dared disobey was beaten or worse, leaving them half dead.

Most villagers were simple folk trying to eke out a living, not bound by fatal contracts. Such blatant lawlessness would surely bring harsh sentences.

Bai Jin withdrew from the crowd and approached Xiao Tuyu. Looking around to ensure no one was near, he whispered, “You were behind this, weren’t you?”

Xiao Tuyu glanced at him sideways and calmly replied, “No.”

“Ha, keep dreaming! What are the odds? The moment Sister Shen gets into trouble, the matron’s family is accused too. Don’t tell me some chivalrous soul is avenging Sister Shen!”

“I’m not worthy of your praise. I merely pushed things along behind the scenes.”

“See? You admit it! Didn’t expect the upright Champion Marquis to have such a devious side. Truly a worthy heir of my teachings!”

Bai Jin clasped his hands behind his back, adopting a professorial air.

“What teachings?”

“Of course, the art of backstabbing and tattling since childhood!”

“But…”