TMBIABHL: Chapter 29
Glossary
·Ye Chutang (叶初棠): Female Protagonist. Heir to an ancient medical family. "Black-Hearted Lotus."
·Ye Jingyan (叶璟言): Third Brother. Calm, studious.
·Cao Deping (曹德平): Owner of Caoji Restaurant.
·Cao Chengwen (曹成文): Eldest Young Master of the Cao family.
·Liu Si (刘四): Servant in the Cao household. The confessed murderer.
·Zhou Shi (周氏): Auntie Yang's niece. Wife of Liu Si.
·Auntie Yang (杨婶子): Neighbor of the Ye family.
·Xu Fengchi (徐凤池): The Left Vice Censor-in-Chief. Sender of the warning letter.
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Chapter 29: Danger in the Capital, Do Not Return
Ye Chutang shook her head. "Right now, it's just a lead. To find the real truth, we have to keep investigating."
Hearing this, Ye Jingyan was somewhat disappointed. But he also knew that obtaining any lead at all was already difficult. After all, the mastermind behind it all had been very cautious, and three years had passed. Investigating further wouldn't be simple.
He seemed to understand something and asked tentatively, "So… the lead is in the capital?"
…
Shen Yanchuan set down the book in his hand, casually placing it on the small table beside him.
Lian Zhou was curious. "Master, is there something wrong with the book?"
Shen Yanchuan shook his head, smiling faintly. "They're just ordinary books."
Physician Ye was more than a little guarded against him.
But this was within his expectations. Ye Chutang was no ordinary woman; how could she not guess his real purpose in borrowing books?
He tested the waters, and she openly showed him: you won't get to see a single book you actually want.
Both were well aware of the other's thoughts. Though excessively straightforward, it did save a lot of trouble.
Lian Zhou didn't know what his master was thinking about and brought up another matter.
"By the way, news of the failure of those assassins should have reached the capital by now. Do you think—should we continue waiting here?"
Shen Yanchuan had anticipated this. He replied with a light smile, "No rush."
The one who wanted him dead, having failed twice in a row, should be the most panicked, shouldn't they?
Shen Yanchuan added, "Besides, isn't it quite interesting staying here?"
…
The Ye Clinic returned to its usual peaceful tranquility, as if nothing had happened. However, the Cao residence was not having such an easy night.
Crash!
Cao Deping smashed his favorite teacup, furious beyond measure. "Deceitful! That Ye Chutang is utterly deceitful!"
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
He had thought everything would proceed according to plan. Who knew it would end like this!
Not only had they failed to bring down the Ye Clinic, they had almost exposed the Cao family too!
More crucially—it had implicated his cousin!
When he learned Ye Chutang had cleared her name at the clinic, he knew it was bad. He rushed to see his cousin but was stopped at the gate of the Magistrate's residence.
This was the first time he had been refused entry. Moreover, the servants' attitude carried obvious disdain. What else was there to understand.
Cao Deping could only slink back home, a bellyful of anger with no outlet, both furious and panicked.
Furious that such a perfect scheme had allowed Ye Chutang to escape unscathed!
Panicked because this was the first time he had asked his cousin for help, and it had gone so wrong. He could easily imagine the Magistrate taking his anger out on her.
This—
Cao Deping paced anxiously back and forth in the room.
"Father?"
Hearing the commotion, Cao Chengwen hurried over.
He carefully closed the door. Having never seen Cao Deping so agitated, he could only try to console him. "Father, don't be so anxious just yet. Even though it didn't work, as long as those people don't implicate us, we'll be fine!"
Cao Deping was seething. "Easier said than done!"
Those people were just temporarily bribed. How tight-lipped could they be?
Once word got out, the trouble would be immense!
Growing even angrier, he pointed at Cao Chengwen and roared, "If it weren't for cleaning up your mess, how could there be so much trouble!"
Cao Chengwen's eyes darted, both guilty and resentful.
He couldn't help but say, "…I warned you before, Father, that Ye Chutang isn't easy to deal with. You didn't take it seriously at the time…"
Now he was blaming everything on him…
"You!"
Cao Deping's face turned livid with anger.
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
If this weren't his only remaining son, he absolutely wouldn't have bothered with any of this!
Seeing this, Cao Chengwen knew he couldn't provoke him further. After all, he still wanted to remain the secure Eldest Young Master of the Cao family.
He quickly tried to soothe him. "Father, you really don't need to worry so much. Didn't you say before that the Magistrate has hopes for promotion this time? Even for his own sake, he'll definitely suppress this matter!"
Cao Deping narrowed his eyes.
There seemed to be some logic to that. If the Cao family were investigated, it would surely drag his cousin down with them.
In that case, how would the Magistrate himself handle it?
If nothing else, being implicated in this would ruin his official career for life!
So no matter what, he would surely bury this matter!
Thinking this, Cao Deping's emotions finally stabilized somewhat.
After pondering for a long time, he decided to cut off contact with his cousin, Liu Liyi, for the time being.
For now, they could only stay still and adapt. As long as they didn't draw attention, once the storm passed, everything would return to normal.
The Cao family would remain the unshakable prominent household in Jiangling.
Cao Deping took a deep breath, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
"Once Liu Si dies, all these matters can come to an end."
…
The night was deep, a bright crescent moon hanging diagonally in the sky.
Cool, water-like moonlight spilled through the window frame, illuminating the floor.
By candlelight, Ye Chutang looked once more at the letter in her hand.
The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, the strokes flying freely, revealing the agitated state of the writer's heart as they penned these words.
Ye Chutang's gaze scanned line by line, finally settling on the end.
"The capital is now shrouded in unpredictable clouds, full of danger and uncertainty. Unraveling the truth behind your father and brother's deaths will be a long and difficult road. But do not worry. I am here. The situation is perilous. Do not come!"
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
There was no signature at the end, only the character "Xu."
Ye Chutang set the letter down.
This letter, painstakingly delivered from the capital, was extremely precious, its advice earnest, every word sincere.
She knew Xu Fengchi genuinely didn't want them to return, because it meant too much danger.
But…
She could never stand apart from this.
They were her father, her mother, her elder brother. She had watched them be killed before her eyes. The day was bitterly cold, yet their blood was scalding.
That day, she had promised her elder brother she would take good care of Xiao Wu and the others.
That same day, she had promised herself that one day, she would uncover the truth and avenge them!
She always kept her promises.
When she asked A-Yan those questions today, she hadn't shown him this letter because her mind was already made up.
Ye Chutang picked up the letter and held it near the candle flame. The warm orange fire leaped up, quickly consuming the paper.
A wisp of blue smoke silently dissipated.
She then took out the reply she had written during the day and placed it into a prepared envelope.
The capital—she would return!
…
The final verdict for Liu Si's case was announced: public execution in three days.
Zhou Shi, receiving this heavy blow, fell gravely ill.
Auntie Yang went to help care for her for two days, returning with constant sighs.
"Left with just a woman and a child only a few years old… what are they going to do!"
Not long after, Ye Chutang visited with some silver, hoping to help, but Zhou Shi refused.
"Physician Ye, thank you so much, but we don't need this." She gave a bitter smile. "We've decided to leave."
A flicker of movement passed through Ye Chutang's eyes.
"Leave? Go where?"
(End of Chapter)
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