TMBIABHL: Chapter 5

 Character & Term Glossary 

· Ye Chutang (叶初棠): The female protagonist, a reborn heir to an ancient medical family. The "Black-Hearted Lotus." Runs a small clinic in Jiangling.

· Ye Yunfeng (叶云风): The fourth brother (四郎), accused of murder. Fiercely loyal but hot-tempered.

· Ye Jingyan (叶璟言): The third brother (三郎), calm and strategic. It was he who secretly summoned the authorities.

· Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): The male lead. A severely wounded nobleman recuperating at the clinic. Observing events unfold.

· Lian Zhou (连舟): Shen Yanchuan's attendant/guard.

· Madam Cao (曹夫人): The grieving mother of the deceased Cao Chengwu.

· Cao Chengwen (曹成文): The eldest son of the Cao family. His behavior is growing increasingly suspicious.

· Wu Xu (吴旭): A yamen runner (官差) who owes Ye Chutang a favor for saving his life.

· Zhang, the Coroner (张仵作): The official coroner for the magistrate's office.

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Chapter 5: You've Raised Your Daughter Well

Madam Cao answered subconsciously, "He… he couldn't eat river shrimp before. If he did, he'd get itchy all over and break out in red rashes…"

As she spoke, her eyes widened suddenly. "You! Are you saying he—"

Ye Chutang thought, Just as I suspected. Cao Chengwu's condition indeed matched death by allergic asphyxiation. As long as the allergen was identified, this trouble could be resolved.

"After he returned yesterday, did he come into contact with river shrimp?"

Madam Cao looked lost. "N-No! Everyone in the family knows he can't eat river shrimp; we never keep any in the house! How could…"

Ye Chutang's eyes narrowed slightly. "Everyone in the family knows?"

The Cao family was considered wealthy in Jiangling, with a large multi-courtyard house and a host of maids and servants.

With so many people and such clutter, who could guarantee there was no problem?

"What did he eat after returning yesterday?Who prepared it? Is there any of it left?"

Ye Chutang fired off several questions in succession. Madam Cao looked utterly bewildered, unable to answer a single one, merely shaking her head and muttering that it was impossible.

"Second Miss Ye!"

Cao Chengwen suddenly called out to her, his expression seeming pained.

"My second brother's passing has already been a tremendous shock to my mother. Please stop pressuring her!"

Ye Chutang's gaze swept over him calmly.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Eldest Young Master Cao, I can understand your and Madam Cao's feelings. But I'm doing this to uncover the truth quickly and give everyone an answer. How can you call it pressure? Unless… you don't want to know how your brother truly died wrongfully?"

The words were harsh but blunt.

Ye Chutang didn't want her brother to be a scapegoat. Seeking the truth was her undeniable right.

The questions she asked were standard for an inquiry and couldn't reasonably be called "excessive."

Cao Chengwen immediately retorted loudly, "How could that be!? D-Don't talk nonsense!"

Ye Chutang said, "It's normal for Madam Cao to be too distraught to remember right now. It's fine. We can simply question everyone in the Cao household. Wouldn't that clear things up?"

Cao Chengwen fell silent, his eyes darting.

"There are so many people in the household, and a full day has passed. How could we possibly find out now? Second Brother is already gone. Why must we put him through this again!"

He snapped at the servants nearby, "Why are you still standing there!? Help Madam back inside at once!"

Two maidservants hurriedly assented and stepped forward.

Cao Chengwen's face was a mask of grief. "Father is still out of town and hasn't returned. If he knew Second Brother had to suffer even after death, who knows how heartbroken he would be! What are you all gawking at!? Take Second Brother home!"

He was the Cao family's eldest young master. With Madam Cao distraught and emotional, the servants naturally obeyed him.

"Wait!"

A shout came from outside the crowd. Two yamen runners strode over quickly.

"We received a report of a homicide here. What exactly is going on?"

Cao Chengwen was startled. He instinctively looked at Madam Cao, lowering his voice urgently. "Mother, did you send for them? Didn't I tell you clearly this morning not to involve the authorities yet!?"

Madam Cao also looked surprised. "I—I didn't!"

Her mind had been a chaotic mess since her son's death. After hearing Cao Chengwen mention the fight between Cao Chengwu and Ye Yunfeng, she had instinctively decided Ye Yunfeng was the murderer and rushed over to block the Ye family's gate without a second thought.

Cao Chengwen had specifically warned her that Ye Chutang had once cured that runner, Wu Xu, of a sudden severe illness, effectively saving his life. If they involved the runners, it might disadvantage them, so she hadn't sent for the authorities.

Now that they were here, Cao Chengwen hurriedly explained, "N-No! It's just a misunderstanding! Sorry to trouble you two for this trip!"

Wu Xu's gaze swept around, lingering on the black coffin for a few seconds.

Anyone could see something was wrong—why else would someone block a gate with a coffin!?

He looked at Ye Chutang, his attitude noticeably respectful.

"Physician Ye, what is your account?"

Ye Chutang bowed slightly and impartially summarized what had just happened.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"...That is the gist of it. I originally didn't wish to trouble you both, but the charge of murder is far too grave. If I don't ask for clarification and let my brother bear this accusation unjustly, his entire life would be ruined. I must ask for your understanding."

Wu Xu stroked his beard, nodding repeatedly.

"Quite right! Since the Cao family claims Ye Family's Fourth Lad committed murder, we must investigate this thoroughly! In that case, we will first move Cao Chengwu to the public mortuary. Coroner Zhang from the magistrate's office will perform an autopsy. Once the cause of death is determined, we will make a judgment!"

"This—"

Cao Chengwen opened his mouth to refuse, but the other party was an official, and he was a commoner. How could he argue?

He still wanted to protest,but Wu Xu had already raised his hand.

"Move out!"

He took two steps, then turned back. "Both parties involved, come with us! We'll get this sorted at the magistrate's office!"

This was exactly what Ye Chutang wanted.

Before stepping out earlier, hearing the other party's aggressive shouts, she had known they meant trouble. She had specifically instructed A-Yan to climb over the back wall and ask their neighbor, Auntie Yang, to report this to the authorities on their behalf.

Three years ago, Wu Xu had owed her a life debt. Today was the day to collect.

The Cao family wanted to make a scene? Then she would make the scene even bigger, and see who was the one with a guilty conscience!

Ye Yunfeng never thought a simple fight would bring such immense trouble to his family.He was only twelve, after all; it was impossible not to be nervous and afraid.

"Elder Sister, I'm sorry." He hung his head, utterly ashamed. "It's all my fault!"

Ye Chutang said with calm composure, "You said you didn't kill him. Elder Sister believes you, but others might not. If we cannot prove your innocence today, your entire life will be ruined, with no chance of recovery."

Ye Yunfeng lowered his head further, mortified.

It was all because he was too impulsive! If only he hadn't—

"Therefore, the most important thing when acting is to consider whether you can bear the consequences. Since you've done it, you must dare to face them." Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow slightly. "Or are you saying you don't even dare to go to the public mortuary?"

"Of course I dare!"

Ye Yunfeng abruptly straightened his back.

He hadn't killed anyone, so what was there to fear!

Only then did Ye Chutang nod in satisfaction. "Then let's go."

Xiao Wu was at home with A-Yan looking after her, so there should be no problem there.

Reassured, she glanced at Cao Chengwen, whose face had taken on a greenish pallor up ahead, and followed the procession without a change in expression.

…

Inside the house, Lian Zhou finished recounting the events, still amazed.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"...To think a young woman like her dared to open a coffin and examine the corpse in public! That's truly—"

He thought for a long time but couldn't find the right word. Then, worry surfaced again.

"But Master, if she doesn't come back, your injuries…"

His master's condition had just started to improve. If Ye Chutang were detained, then—

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "She will be fine."

A young woman?

That term truly didn't suit her in the slightest.

That pure, innocent face of hers was far too deceptive. Those who didn't know better might really think she was a delicate, vulnerable little flower. Little did they know…

Suddenly, he sensed something and looked up to see a small head peeking through the slightly ajar door.

The little milk bun stared with big, dark, curious eyes, adorable and milky-sweet.

A curve touched Shen Yanchuan's lips.

"However, she has raised her daughter quite well."

(End of Chapter)

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Shen Yanchuan: My wife will take care of me.

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