Chapter 27: The Death of Xue Zhao

Although she had her doubts, she still carried out the task with the utmost seriousness.

When fifteen shimmering silver ingots were placed upon the table, Song Lin stood nearby and asked in disbelief, "Do you... have another job on the side?"

How else could one explain the appearance of these silver ingots out of thin air?

Pei Ji felt a slight sense of helplessness. He had not expected Shen Yuan to actually deliver the silver. He picked up an ingot, his thumb tracing its smooth surface, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a rare smile. "Indeed, it is a task that allows for no errors."

Song Lin did not understand. Was this man actually neglecting his proper duties as Commander to dabble in some money-losing side business?

***

The Northern Suburban Garden.

A plain carriage appeared at the gate of the estate. Shen Yuan, in disguise, knocked lightly on the door, followed closely by Liu Yan and a physician named Dr. Yang. The servant who opened the door saw that Shen Yuan matched the description provided by his master and led them inside.

Two days later, Shen Yuan saw Nurse Su again. Pei Ji’s men had been taking excellent care of her. Upon seeing Shen Yuan, she beckoned with a joyful expression. "The Third Young Lady has returned? The Old Madam is in the inner room; let me lead you in."

Nurse Su stood up from the couch, limped toward the door, and then pushed it open again, as if re-enacting the act of entering. Shen Yuan watched her silently, not daring to draw a full breath, fearful of missing any useful information.

Nurse Su approached the empty bed and wore a puzzled expression. But suddenly, she became agitated, pointing at a corner of the bed and screaming, "Stop! Quickly, stop!"

Nurse Su knelt on the floor, her hands frantically groping at the air. She seemed to be embracing someone, stroking them over and over to offer comfort. Seeing this, Shen Yuan’s eyes turned red.

Liu Yan stepped forward to help Nurse Su up and immediately asked Dr. Yang to examine her.

"This woman has suffered from trauma, leading to these intense reactions. Her actions likely mirror events from her past. Regrettably, her right leg, which was broken, has been left too long and cannot be healed."

Liu Yan suddenly realized: was this bewildered old woman the same nurse who had been driven away during the Old Madam’s funeral?

Shen Yuan knew that no matter how skilled Dr. Yang was, he could not restore Nurse Su to her former self. "Please, Dr. Yang, do your best. Money is no object."

Shen Yuan was willing to spend any amount of wealth to ensure Nurse Su’s safety. Firstly, she saw the shadow of her grandmother in this woman. Secondly, she needed her to testify in court. Her grandmother could not have died in vain!

Dr. Yang bowed his head. "A physician’s heart is one of benevolence; I shall certainly exhaust every effort."

"I am in your debt."

***

Shen Yuan approached Nurse Su and helped her sit on the edge of the couch. Looking at that aged face, it was as if her grandmother were standing right before her.

"Nurse Su, listen to the doctor and eat well. I will surely obtain justice for Grandmother."

The word "Grandmother" seemed to awaken her. A spark of light appeared in Nurse Su’s eyes. She stared blankly at Shen Yuan, wanting to reach out and touch her, but her hand paused in mid-air, afraid to make contact, before she let out a foolish, gentle smile.

Shen Yuan wiped the tears from her eyes and rose to leave the room. As she crossed the threshold, she saw Pei Ji standing in the corridor with his hands behind his back.

Shen Yuan did not linger and walked straight past him. In the next second, Pei Ji gripped her wrist tightly.

Liu Yan, who had followed her out, froze at the sight. "Young Lady, Commander Pei, he... I think I left something behind!" She retreated back into the room and pulled the door shut.

Shen Yuan struggled to shake off Pei Ji’s hand, staring at her reddened wrist with indignation in her watery eyes. "Does the Commander intend for me to be drowned in the gossip of the Shen household with this display?"

If Shen Wanning saw this, she might cry and scream that she wanted to hang herself. The others in the Shen household would also view her as an enemy. "Oh, that’s right. Whether I live or die seems to have nothing to do with Commander Pei." Shen Yuan’s tone was cold, veiled with suppressed anger.

Pei Ji sighed softly. "You always think of me that way."

Shen Yuan pretended not to hear and prepared to leave. Just as she turned, she ran into someone coming the other way. She stopped in her tracks.

Song Lin also stopped, his eyes full of shock. "Jiang... Concubine Jiang?"

"Aren't you dead?"

His gaze drifted downward, and upon noticing Shen Yuan’s flat stomach, he remembered the child the Commander had lost before it could enter the world. He looked at Pei Ji in horror and asked in disbelief, "You found a body double?"

Pei Ji’s tone was leisurely and languid. "What do you think?"

Song Lin studied Shen Yuan again. He had served under Pei Ji since he was young and had naturally met Jiang Yao. Even when the two were at odds, he had been the one to mediate. Now, seeing Shen Yuan, who looked exactly like Jiang Yao, Song Lin was at a loss. He was certain his information was correct: Concubine Jiang had perished. Yet, this person before him...

"It is truly a lifelike resemblance!"

Shen Yuan glanced at him sideways, her expression one of extreme calm. In other words, she was looking at him as if he were a fool.

"This is the Third Young Lady of the Shen household, named Shen Yuan," Pei Ji said.

"Then she is the Fourth Young Lady’s sister? The Commander’s sister-in-law?" Song Lin suddenly understood.

A cold gaze was cast upon him; Pei Ji’s expression did not look pleasant. He did not like the title of "brother-in-law," nor would he ever allow her to become that.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Song Lin guiltily touched his nose and changed the subject. "Oh, right! The matter the Commander asked me to investigate has yielded a lead!"

Pei Ji’s eyes flickered at these words. He turned to Shen Yuan, who was about to leave, and asked softly, "Regarding Xue Zhao, may we step aside to speak?"

Xue Zhao...

A pang of pain shot through Shen Yuan’s heart. That little brother who had treated her like his own sister—he was only a year older than her, yet he always pretended to be so steady. Even in his final moments, he was still protecting her.

"It seems you truly have nothing better to do!"

Shen Yuan would not allow anyone to desecrate the memory of Xue Zhao, nor would she allow Pei Ji to use malice to speculate on her relationship with him. To Xue Zhao, it was an insult, and to her, it was the same.

Watching Shen Yuan turn away with a resolute look in her eyes, Pei Ji could not help but say, "Xue Zhao... he might not be dead."

His words were like a thunderclap, causing Shen Yuan’s breath to hitch. She had personally dug the pit and buried him; how could he... not be dead?

Pei Ji’s voice continued from behind her: "In the pit you buried with your own hands, there was nothing but a blood-stained black garment. There was no body."

"You dug up his grave?" Shen Yuan’s eyes trembled as she gripped her palms and turned back, feeling that it was utterly absurd.

"I only wanted to prove that his death had nothing to do with my mother. Once we investigate this clearly, there will be no more barriers between us."

Shen Yuan stared at him blankly for a long moment, then suddenly revealed a mocking, half-smile. She shook her head gently, her tone laden with deep resentment.

"Xue Zhao’s death is not the barrier."

"My death is."