The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 689 - 651: Sophistry

"Sister Wan Qiu is dead? Oh my god, how is this possible?" She was just serving in the Chengming Hall last night, and in just a single day, she has met her demise; it’s absolutely horrifying!

Xiu Dong’s face stiffened, "Since she’s gone, where’s the body?"

Song Yuanbao gave Zhao Xi a glance, said nothing.

"It’s already been sent to Anle Hall," Zhao Xi said.

Xiu Dong was anxious, "Your Highness, could you permit the two of us to see her one last time?"

"Wan Qiu didn’t wish for you to see her," Song Yuanbao said. "Consider it as her final wish. After the cremation, you can send her to fill the well; perhaps her spirit in the heavens can find peace then."

Nian Chun and Xiu Dong exchanged a glance.

Not wanting anyone to see one’s appearance after death suggests disgrace, dying a humiliating death.

Thinking of this, the two young girls both had tears in their eyes.

Zhao Xi looked at the two of them, "Who has Zhi Xia been in contact with lately?"

"No one, she’s always been with us," Nian Chun said, wiping her tears. "But..."

"But what?"

"Yesterday, Aunt Gu Yu came to the East Courtyard, specifically named Zhi Xia to come to Chengming Hall this morning to help Your Highness dress, after that, we don’t know."

Zhao Xi recalled that Zhi Xia indeed came to Chengming Hall in the morning, but since he wasn’t used to having anyone but Wan Qiu serve him, he let her leave first.

The tone at that time wasn’t severe or unpleasant; he wasn’t someone who would scold servants at the slightest provocation.

"What happened afterward?" Song Yuanbao was puzzled.

Nian Chun glanced at Zhao Xi, and seeing that Zhao Xi had no intention of speaking, she said quietly, "Zhi Xia said she was sent out as soon as she reached the inner hall."

"If simply because of this, she schemed against Wan Qiu, it doesn’t make sense," Song Yuanbao pondered. "What happened afterward; did she say or do anything when she returned?"

Now, Xiu Dong looked at Nian Chun.

Nian Chun bit her lip and recounted word for word the complaints Zhi Xia had expressed that morning in the room.

After listening, Zhao Xi’s handsome face grew even darker.

Song Yuanbao furrowed his brows, seemingly deep in thought.

Nian Chun remembered Song Yuanbao’s earlier words and covered her mouth in shock, "Could it be that Sister Wan Qiu was harmed by Zhi Xia?"

Song Yuanbao said helplessly, "Just before Wan Qiu took her last breath, she told us to beware of Zhi Xia."

"Heavens! This is too terrifying," Nian Chun suppressed her tears, scared to cry out loud.

She was just a bedroom maid; if chosen, then lucky, if not, then it didn’t matter. How could that girl Zhi Xia be so utterly ruthless?

Just then, Eunuch Sanbao, who stayed behind to investigate the murderer, returned, wiping cold sweat off his face. "I questioned the eunuchs in Qingfang Palace, and each one insisted that it was Zhi Xia who sent them. However..."

"However what?"

Eunuch Sanbao looked desolate, "The servants found Zhi Xia’s body in Taiye Pool."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was stunned.

Nian Chun and Xiu Dong were so shocked they almost forgot to breathe.

To have lost two sisters in one day was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for them.

Zhao Xi, remaining calm, analyzed, "Since even Zhi Xia is dead, it seems there is someone else behind this."

Xiu Dong angrily said, "Who else could it be? It’s definitely that person from the West Courtyard. Last time, she almost disfigured Sister Wan Qiu with a beating, and this time she killed her outright, her heart is so vicious..."

Zhao Xi’s pupils shrank, "What’s going on, explain clearly!"

Xiu Dong truthfully said, "I also heard it from Sister Wan Qiu, who said that on New Year’s Eve, His Highness summoned Aunt Gu Yu for a drink, but Aunt fainted midway. Yesterday morning, she went to Sister Wan Qiu, without saying a word, she slapped her twice, called her a shameless seductress, and finally punished her to kneel outside for an hour, only allowing her to rise when it seemed His Highness was returning. Because her face was swollen from the beating, Sister Wan Qiu pretended to be ill. Originally, she planned not to see His Highness for half a month, but then somehow..."

Somehow ended up in Chengming Hall and became the Enlightenment Lady.

Upon hearing about the numerous abuses Wan Qiu endured, Zhao Xi’s eyes grew as cold as knives, "Go and bring Gu Yu!"

When Eunuch Sanbao went to the West Courtyard, Gu Yu wasn’t there. A little maid sweeping the courtyard said Gu Yu had gone to Kunning Palace after lunch and hadn’t returned yet.

Eunuch Sanbao had to run another errand to Kunning Palace, and upon paying respects to Empress Qi, he indeed saw Gu Yu standing beside her.

Gu Yu looked at him, seemingly smiling, "Why has Eunuch Sanbao come here?"

Eunuch Sanbao lowered his gaze, "Miss Wan Qiu is gone, His Highness sent me to invite Aunt back for the arrangements."

Empress Qi, originally smiling, froze, "What? Wan Qiu is gone?"

Gu Yu was also shocked, "The eunuch must be joking, right? I just told Her Majesty that the servants were so delighted receiving their rewards, it’s still warm in their hands. How could Wan Qiu be gone so suddenly? How did it happen?"

Wan Qiu’s death was not honorable, Eunuch Sanbao didn’t dare mention it to Empress Qi, nor did he dare say that the once calm and restrained His Highness was raging over this matter, only stating, "It’s currently under investigation, the cause of death is still unclear."

What was supposed to be a joyful occasion, Empress Qi planned to distribute rewards for the servants to join in the festivities. Yet, no sooner than the rewards were distributed in the morning, Wan Qiu died in the afternoon, leaving her feeling quite ominous. She waved for Gu Yu to follow Eunuch Sanbao back and urged the matter to be resolved quickly.

The pair exited the Kunning Gate, walking along the long passage. Eunuch Sanbao clutched his horsetail whisk tightly, suspecting that the true culprit might be Gu Yu, though currently there was no evidence to prove it was her doing.

So even though he disliked this venomous woman immensely, he couldn’t openly question her.

He remained silent, but Gu Yu spoke first, "Wan Qiu was His Highness’s favorite, dying suddenly and without reason, His Highness must be heartbroken, right?"

Eunuch Sanbao took it as if a fly was buzzing in his ear and ignored her.

Gu Yu then asked, "Where was she found?"

Eunuch Sanbao still didn’t respond.

Gu Yu curled her lips, I spit, you rootless fool, sooner or later you’ll be kneeling and calling me aunty!

Returning to the Eastern Palace, Eunuch Sanbao directly led Gu Yu to Chengming Hall to meet the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness." Gu Yu paid her respects and stood aside, while Nian Chun and Xiu Dong were still kneeling.

Zhao Xi asked her, "Where have you been today?"

Gu Yu replied, "This morning, Her Majesty ordered rewards for the servants, after distributing them I went to Kunning Palace to thank Her Majesty, expressing gratitude on behalf of the servants here. It’s been a while since Her Majesty saw me, she kept me there for a chat."

After a pause, she continued, "I heard from Eunuch Sanbao that Wan Qiu is gone, Your Highness, could this be a joke?"

Zhao Xi didn’t answer but coldly asked, "Why did you punish Wan Qiu to kneel yesterday morning?"

Gu Yu calmly replied, "Your Highness should remember, on New Year’s Eve, you said you couldn’t bring me to the banquet, so you returned to invite me to drink. But midway through, I suddenly fainted, only discovering yesterday morning that all was due to Wan Qiu’s tricks, she spiked the wine, causing me to faint. I know Wan Qiu holds a special position in the Eastern Palace, but I am someone close to the Empress, how can I allow a little wench to treat me this way? If left unchecked, other servants might follow suit, would I be constantly played with every day? Thus I had no choice but to punish her by making her kneel for an hour, as a warning to other servants. Your Highness values rules, and anyone who defies authority should not be treated lightly!"

Nian Chun and Xiu Dong listened, their eyes turned red with hatred, clearly Gu Yu acted recklessly, slapping Wan Qiu twice as soon as she arrived, now claiming it was for His Highness’s prestige, what a grandiose reason, what a quick-tongued debate, if according to her, even if she truly harmed Wan Qiu to death, it ends up being Wan Qiu’s fault and her innocence!

Xiu Dong couldn’t hold back, speaking out, "Even if Sister Wan Qiu was wrong, why didn’t you give her a chance to defend herself and directly hit her? You knew she was the backup bedroom maid for His Highness, once she was disfigured, it would ruin her life!"

Gu Yu sneered, "So you all admit she used her beauty to serve? His Highness is the Crown Prince, the future hope of Great Chu, how can there be a seductive wench by his side? In that case, I was right to clear the Crown Prince’s ranks, the Empress would be even happier knowing."

Xiu Dong’s expression darkened.

This vile woman, too good at arguing, uses her backing from the Empress to justify everything!

With a cold laugh, Xiu Dong said, "Sister Wan Qiu was personally chosen by the Empress, you say she used her beauty to serve and seduce the master, are you implying the Empress made a poor choice? Does Aunt think the Empress’s judgment is flawed, thus choosing the so-called ’wench’ to be His Highness’s bedroom maid?"

Gu Yu’s face turned stiff.

Thinking of Wan Qiu’s wrongful death, Xiu Dong risked it all, looking seemingly smiling yet not at Gu Yu, "Aunt constantly claims Wan Qiu used her beauty to serve, dare to ask, in this harem, which empress isn’t beautiful like flowers, if the masters prefer unattractive ones, would they choose women ten years older, aged and unattractive?"