27 Thorough Investigation to the End

The Old Matriarch, her face dark with gloom, gave an order to Aunt Qiu, who stood by her side. Only a moment later, Aunt Qiu returned like a whirlwind, bearing three one-thousand-tael banknotes.

This time, the man in black did not cause any further trouble. He took the banknotes, touched his toes lightly to the ground, and vanished before the eyes of the crowd.

The Old Matriarch immediately ordered men to give chase, but they returned empty-handed.

Lin Yuejiao watched the figure disappear, biting her lip in frustration. How could this fellow go back on his word? Before leaving, he hadn’t left her a single tael!

Just then, another commotion erupted from the direction of Yangliu Garden; Lin Qingliu was being carried out.

"How is Liu'er?" the Old Matriarch asked.

A maid beside Lin Qingliu fell to her knees with a thud. "Old Matriarch, the Eldest Miss is still breathing, but... her face is ruined..."

The Old Matriarch swayed, nearly fainting on the spot.

"What a tragedy," she murmured, feeling dizzy. Supported by the maids and matrons around her, she steadied herself, appearing to age two years in an instant. She turned her gaze toward the sea of flames and said sternly, "Investigate! Investigate this to the very end. I will oversee the inquiry myself. I want to know how the fire started, and I want to see who dared to harm you."

Lin Zijin gripped Lin Yuejiao’s hand, scanning her up and down, her eyes glistening with tears. "Fourth Sister, are you alright? I heard the East Pavilion caught fire, and I’ve been terrified ever since..."

"I'm fine, don't worry," Lin Yuejiao felt a warmth in her heart, knowing Lin Zijin’s concern was genuine. She comforted her with a few words, then looked around and asked, "Where is my mother?"

"When Third Madam saw the fire, she tried to rush in to save you, and no one could stop her," Lin Zijin replied. "Thankfully, she fainted in the end, or who knows what would have happened. She’s been carried back to Red Maple Garden to rest."

"Miss!" Iris and Tami crowded around, their own eyes brimming with tears.

"I’m fine, don’t worry, everything is alright." Lin Yuejiao gave them a reassuring smile, relieved to see everyone was safe.

The tragedy that had ruined her life in her previous incarnation had been averted in this one. She had avoided losing her mother, prevented her own disfigurement, and let Lin Qingliu reap the consequences of her own malice. From now on, she would change even more, protecting those around her and herself, and eventually settling the score with the enemies of both her past and present lives.

That night, Lin Yuejiao could not return to Yangliu Garden and was instead placed in the newly renovated Youran Garden. Just as she was preparing to sleep, she noticed a shadow appearing before her bed curtains.

"I thought you were a man of no integrity and had simply run off," Lin Yuejiao said, pulling back the curtains. Her face was clean and free of makeup, yet her bright eyes and pearly teeth revealed a beauty that could topple cities. She held out her fair hand to him with a playful smile. "The banknotes."

The Ghost-Masked Man looked at her, his voice hoarse with a hint of amusement. "The money is mine. Why should I give it to you?"

"Hey, we agreed I’d get one-third!" Lin Yuejiao glared at him, her spirited eyes shining brightly.

The Ghost-Masked Man curled his lips. "Did I ever promise you that?"

"You certainly—" Lin Yuejiao started, but suddenly realized the truth. He hadn't promised. When he had asked how much money there was, he hadn't committed to giving her a third.

This fellow was truly cunning!

"Your black-hearted nature is just like that Zhongyi Heir’s," she muttered, feeling stifled. She waved a hand dismissively, sighing, "Forget it, I don't want the money."

The money was in his hands; she wasn't skilled enough to snatch it back.

Although she had spoken in a low murmur, the Ghost-Masked Man’s hearing was far superior to that of an ordinary person. He heard every word clearly.

"Do you dislike Rong Yu?" the Ghost-Masked Man asked.

Lin Yuejiao waved her hand immediately. "Of course not. If it weren't for the Zhongyi Heir, my younger brother’s illness would be incurable. He gave me that rare, ancient medicine without a second thought. If not for him, where would I find such a miracle? I should thank you, too. It’s fortunate I had your letter; otherwise, with his cold and aloof personality, he never would have paid me any mind."

In truth, that letter had been completely blank—it contained no words at all.

"You did me a huge favor, so it’s only right that I helped you earn some extra silver today." Having reasoned this out, Lin Yuejiao stopped worrying about the money and smiled. "By the way, what brings you here?"

Hearing her words, the Ghost-Masked Man’s lips curved upward. "Answer me one question. I'll give you the third."

"Ask away!" Lin Yuejiao’s spirits lifted instantly.

She truly needed a sum of money to make arrangements for her future. Money made the world go round; without it, one could not take a single step.

***

The Ghost-Masked Man looked at Lin Yuejiao, his voice raspy. "Why are you not afraid of me?"

Lin Yuejiao looked back at him. He wore a pitch-black, hideous ghost mask that completely hid his face, revealing only a pair of deep, cold eyes. The mask was crafted to be exceptionally terrifying, as if he were a ghost king crawled out of hell. If someone were to catch a sudden glimpse of this mask in the middle of the night, they would surely think they had encountered a demon. Such a gruesome mask was designed so that no one would want to look at it a second time—which was exactly the man’s goal.

"The most terrifying things in this world are not faces, but human hearts. You haven't harmed me, so you aren't scary at all." Lin Yuejiao curved her lips into a smile and said in a comforting tone, "Don't feel inferior about your appearance. Rest assured, in my eyes, you look even better than the Zhongyi Heir, the most handsome man in our Great Zhao Dynasty."

The Ghost-Masked Man was left speechless, caught between laughter and tears.

Was she actually complimenting him?

Was she?

With a flick of his wrist, a one-thousand-tael banknote fluttered into Lin Yuejiao’s hand, and he turned to leave.

"Thank you!" Lin Yuejiao picked up the note, her smile growing brighter. Seeing him turning to vanish, she couldn't help but call out, "Hey, wait, don't go yet! I haven't asked you—the last time I caught a cold, you were there, weren't you?"

The Ghost-Masked Man did not respond, but his silence was as good as an admission.

Lin Yuejiao thought of what the Miracle Doctor had said the following day. What, exactly, had happened that night? And why did he keep coming to the Lin estate? What was here that could attract such an extraordinary hermit?

"He left so fast, I didn't even ask his name," she muttered to herself. She looked down at the banknote in her hand and curled her lips. "At least the money issue is sorted; now I can prepare for the next step of my plan."

The next morning, just as Lin Yuejiao had risen and was preparing to visit her mother in Red Maple Garden, Aunt Qiu arrived to say that the Old Matriarch requested her presence.

She heard that Lin Qingliu remained unconscious, and the doctor had concluded that her face could not be saved. The longevity Hall and the Eldest Branch had not slept all night, and early that morning, the Old Matriarch began presiding over the investigation, inviting Lin Yuejiao to attend.

Seeing her, the Old Matriarch said, "Now that the representatives of all four branches are gathered, the public hearing can begin. Yuejiao, how are you feeling?"

"Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I am mostly recovered, just a bit uncomfortable from the smoke. After a night's rest, I feel much better. I wonder how Sister Liu is doing..." Lin Yuejiao asked softly, dressed in a simple white gown.

Before the Old Matriarch could speak, Qian Yaoxian glared at Lin Yuejiao with hatred. "Spare us your crocodile tears! Liu'er was only burned because you invited her to the East Pavilion. It was you who harmed her!"

Qian Yaoxian had known all along that Lin Qingliu wanted to kill Lin Yuejiao, but because Lin Yuejiao was unharmed while Lin Qingliu had fallen into the trap, she concluded that Lin Yuejiao must have been the one to strike, even if there was no evidence.

"Aunt, I understand you are overcome with grief. But the most important thing now is to find the true culprit," Lin Yuejiao said with a look of concern.

In her heart, she sneered. In her past life, the Eldest Branch had burned her mother to death and caused her own disfigurement, yet Qian Yaoxian had feigned comfort while she had treated her like a true mother. In this life, she would make her taste that same bitterness. Every pain the Eldest Branch had inflicted upon her, she would return in kind.

"You are the culprit! The East Pavilion caught fire, so why is it that only my Liu'er was burned while you were fine? You are the one!" Qian Yaoxian glared at her, grinding her teeth. Losing her composure, she rushed forward to strike Lin Yuejiao, but was quickly restrained by the matrons around her.

"Qian Yaoxian, stop this!" the Old Matriarch snapped. "Are you upset simply because Yuejiao wasn't burned? Are you even Liu'er’s true mother? Instead of looking for the real criminal, you insist that Yuejiao must be burned just like Liu'er to satisfy you?"

Restrained by two matrons, Qian Yaoxian wept in fury, "Old Matriarch, it was her! She harmed Liu'er!"

"What evidence do you have? Did Liu'er tell you this herself?" the Old Matriarch demanded sharply.

Qian Yaoxian sobbed, "Liu'er hasn't woken up yet, but last night, when we took the count, a maid from Youran Garden was missing. Many maids from Yangliu Garden saw that it was that wretched maid from Youran Garden who set the fire. It must have been Lin Yuejiao’s doing—if not her, then who?"

"My maid set the fire?" Lin Yuejiao frowned. "Aunt, that’s impossible, isn't it?"

Qian Yaoxian cursed, "Stop pretending! That wretched maid from Youran Garden fled in fear of her crime. The facts are right before us; how can you still deny it?"

After the events of the previous night, Jiyu had indeed disappeared.

Nearby, Yi Hanbing watched the scene with a face full of schadenfreude.

"Grandmother, which maid is it? I was unwell last night and went to sleep, and I was summoned by you first thing this morning. I don't know what happened," Lin Yuejiao said, looking at the Old Matriarch with a bewildered expression.

The Old Matriarch said, "The maid who fled is named Jiyu."

"Her? That maid was demoted to a criminal slave after I punished her last time, and I haven't seen her since," Lin Yuejiao stood up from her seat and bowed. "I beg Grandmother to investigate clearly."

The Old Matriarch nodded. "I also believe you are innocent. Yuejiao, tell me, what happened that day? You were there; you know the situation best."

From the moment her grandmother had inquired about her health, Lin Yuejiao had known that the Old Matriarch had found evidence of her innocence and had already reached her own conclusions.

Lin Yuejiao recalled the events carefully. "Last night, I invited Sister Liu to the East Pavilion to appreciate some poetry. I intended to invite Zijin as well, but I heard she was with you, Grandmother, and I didn't dare disturb her. So, only the Eldest Sister and I were there. I understand why Aunt blames me; if I hadn't invited her, this wouldn't have happened..."

Lin Yuejiao’s expression was sorrowful. She paused before continuing, "The East Pavilion was the center of the fire. If the Eldest Sister had stayed in the main hall, she might have escaped. It’s all my fault. As we were talking, she said she was sleepy, and I felt exhausted too, and then we realized the fire had started. We tried to run, but our bodies felt heavy and sluggish. Sister Liu fell asleep, and I wanted to sleep too. In my stupor, I was kidnapped by a man in black with a ghost mask. I only woke up once he carried me out of the fire. Grandmother, I suspect someone poisoned us; otherwise, the Eldest Sister would not have remained unconscious."

The Old Matriarch nodded inwardly. What Lin Yuejiao said matched her own investigation exactly.

"Your suspicion is correct. I have investigated everything in the East Pavilion of Yangliu Garden. Although much was burned, some evidence remains. The incense you used contained an excessive amount of sedative, which would cause one to fall into a deep sleep without realizing it." The Old Matriarch’s gaze fell like a blade upon the maids kneeling on the ground. "You wretched maids, are you going to confess how the incense came to be?"

The maids kowtowed frantically. "We don't know, Old Matriarch, please spare us."

"Old Matriarch, they are maids from Yangliu Garden; they wouldn't harm Liu'er. Lin Yuejiao must have tampered with the incense! After she received it, she added more sedative, intentionally lighting it when Liu'er arrived to burn her alive. She is the killer!" Qian Yaoxian seized the opportunity, shouting through gritted teeth.

The Old Matriarch signaled to Lin Zijin, who stepped forward holding a box of incense. "This is the incense from the East Pavilion, in the form of paste. It wasn't completely burned in the side hall, so evidence remains. Inspection confirms the sedative content was dangerously high, causing unconsciousness. However, tell me, you maids who prepare the incense, how long does it take to turn the ingredients into powder and then into this paste?"

"Three... three days. At the fastest, three days," one of the maids replied timidly.

The Old Matriarch asked, "When was the incense delivered to the East Pavilion?"

"At noon today..." the maid replied.

"So, either the maids of Yangliu Garden were careless, or they were bribed by someone to give this incense to Yuejiao, intending to harm her," the Old Matriarch stated. "Are you going to confess who ordered this?"

The maids kowtowed, weeping and claiming no one had ordered them to do so.

Qian Yaoxian’s heart sank; the maids of Yangliu Garden were definitely innocent.

She pressed on, "But the one who set the fire was Lin Yuejiao’s maid—that is common knowledge..."

"Indeed. The one who set the fire was Jiyu. She fled in fear, but as soon as she escaped the Lin estate, she was silenced. The mastermind behind this is truly swift, leaving no live witnesses to avoid proof. Unfortunately, Jiyu left one thing behind." The Old Matriarch sneered. "Bring it in."

Lin Yuejiao exclaimed in surprise, "Jiyu is dead?"

"Yes. A servant who betrays her master deserves to die," the Old Matriarch replied coldly.

Two matrons brought in Jiyu’s body, and another carried a bundle found on her person. When the matron opened it, it contained not only clothes but a fortune in gold and jewelry, along with an oblong jewelry box containing a single gold hairpin.

When the matron opened the box and revealed the hairpin, Yi Hanbing’s face changed.

"When the Lin estate guards arrived, Jiyu had already been silenced. The perpetrator thought that with her dead, the truth would never be known. But heaven’s net is wide, and even a treacherous maid like Jiyu left a clue. Yi Hanbing, I gave you this hairpin during the New Year last year, didn't I?" the Old Matriarch asked coldly.

Yi Hanbing’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor, her expression one of disbelief. "Old Matriarch, I lost this hairpin months ago and never found it. I truly don't know how it ended up in the hands of that wretched maid."

"With all this gold and jewelry, you truly spent a fortune to buy Lin Yuejiao’s life." The Old Matriarch did not believe her for a second. She slammed the table and shouted, "I told you repeatedly that they were to enter the Chaohuang Academy, that they were the hope of our Lin estate! How could you hate her so much that you had to drive her to her death?"

Yi Hanbing, completely baffled as to how she had been dragged into this, kowtowed frantically. "Old Matriarch, please investigate! I really don't know—I know nothing! That maid must have stolen this hairpin; it has nothing to do with me."

"It wasn't your gift? It has nothing to do with you? Then how do you explain the note she left in this jewelry box?" The Old Matriarch threw the box, hairpin and all, into Yi Hanbing’s face.

Yi Hanbing’s trembling hands opened the box. Beneath the red satin lining at the bottom of the carved wooden box lay a slip of paper. It bore only one sentence:

"Yi Hanbing ordered me to burn Lin Yuejiao to death."

Yi Hanbing’s heart skipped a beat, and the box fell to the floor with a clatter. She looked as if she had been struck by lightning, her face draining of all color. "Old Matriarch, I... I don't know... I don't know this maid, I really don't! This is a frame-up, I am innocent, I am truly innocent!"

Qian Yaoxian, watching this, was shocked that it had somehow involved Yi Hanbing, suddenly recalling that Lin Qingliu had once said that Yi Hanbing would make an excellent scapegoat.