TWWDS - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Ying Lusheng was, after all, the host here. When she caught the look Tang Fuguang gave her asking for help, she finally broke her silence. She looked first at Aba Gaotai and said, "Please restrain your subordinates. They must not continue fighting." Then she turned to Chao Qingxiu and said, "Miss Chao, please do not be angry."

Chao Qingxiu smiled faintly. "I already won. Why would I be angry?"

... At those words, Boli Yang, who had been thrown to the ground earlier, seemed ready to scramble back to his feet and exchange another few moves with Chao Qingxiu.

The young man in brocade seated opposite Ying Lusheng appeared to fear that Chao Qingxiu might continue brawling with members of the Northern Xi delegation. He stepped in to smooth things over. "We are all gathered here today to resolve yesterday's case as soon as possible. There is no need to waste time over trivial matters."

In truth, Chongming Academy and the Northern Xi delegation had already argued once before Chao Qingxiu arrived. That was why Aba Gaotai had not restrained his subordinate when the man deliberately went looking for trouble. Now that he saw Boli Yang driven back with a single move, he was too ashamed to continue the dispute. He waved a hand and said, "Enough."

Ruan Shifeng gave Chao Qingxiu a meaningful look. Chao Qingxiu gave a slight nod, walked to one side, and sat down.

Yan Kaixian finally exhaled in relief.

If anyone on the terrace understood Chief Constable Tang's anxiety, it was probably only Yan Kaixian, Senior Hall Master of the Zizhuo Gang.

Since the Gang Leader had taken action, Yan had remained on her guard. Several times, she had nearly scooped up her superior and carried her over the wall to flee. Her only concern was that there were too many experts present for them to escape unscathed. Now, at last, she had managed to relax, only to discover that a cold sweat had already broken across her back. Chao Qingxiu was unlike their former Gang Leader Shangguan, who had seldom been one to fight, but her clashes were every bit as dangerous and exhilarating.

Indeed, anyone capable of leading a gang was no ordinary person.

At that moment, Ying Lusheng and the others withdrew the attention they had fixed on Chao Qingxiu, and silence settled over the terrace.

Chao Qingxiu had a feeling that, judging by the situation, the other side was not genuinely suspicious of either her or Yan Kaixian. They had simply followed procedure by summoning every suspicious person here to be questioned in public.

As for the Northern Xi delegation, choosing to make trouble for her just now had been partly an attempt to make an example of someone, and partly a deliberate display of hostility.

Her guess was right. The main reason the Northern Xi delegation had summoned her was habitual troublemaking, with the hope of using the opportunity to diminish the prestige of Chongming Academy.

However, judging by the way the Northern Xi people refused even to look in Chao Qingxiu's direction, summoning her had probably not been such a good idea. Boli Yang in particular seemed to have learned the wisdom of getting along with other people.

At the upper end of the Wangyue Terrace sat the person who had just smoothed things over, Lu Yuelou, the sworn younger brother of Shouzhou's Assistant Prefect Wei. He had once studied at the academy, and now held the rank of a titular official, returning only very rarely to sit in on its classes. This time, he had been sent by his sworn elder sister to serve as the government's representative.

Apart from the academy instructors, the Northern Xi delegation, the Six Doors, and the government officials represented by Lu Yuelou, everyone else was an academy student. Among them was Xu Feiqu, who had long been away. She had noticed Chao Qingxiu and Yan Kaixian as soon as they arrived, and a flash of surprise had passed through her eyes, though not the least trace appeared on her face.

Among the students, however, the one most worthy of attention was not Xu Feiqu but another young person of perhaps seventeen or eighteen. She had stood behind Ying Lusheng throughout, as still as an ancient tree, so Chao Qingxiu had failed to notice her at first. Only when she observed the young woman more closely did she realize that her breathing was long and even and that her inner strength was impressive.

Ying Lusheng said to Tang Fuguang and Wu Shidao, "Lord Wu, Lord Tang, now that everyone has arrived, please begin your questions."

Tang Fuguang nodded, and Wu Shidao nodded as well. He then looked at Lu Yuelou and asked, "Lord Lu, Assistant Prefect Wei asked you to come. Did she give you any instructions?"

Lu Yuelou did not interfere. He replied modestly, "The Assistant Prefect merely asked me to attend as an observer. As for investigating the case, that naturally rests with the Six Doors."

Wu Shidao turned as if to say something, then hesitated. To Tang Fuguang he said, "Lao Tang, you had better ask."

Tang Fuguang looked as though she was well accustomed to everyone passing responsibility among themselves until it ended up back in her lap. She answered at once, then repeated the questions Ruan Shifeng had asked earlier in front of everyone.

Chao Qingxiu and Yan Kaixian gave the same answers as before.

When she said, "If I had done it, I would never have walked straight into the academy," someone from the Northern Xi delegation seemed eager to object, but no words came.

Tang Fuguang nodded. "In my humble opinion, few would be convinced if these two were implicated in yesterday's incident."

Li Guixian, who represented the Wenbei Sect, added, "I think so as well."

One of the Northern Xi delegates protested, "Is asking only a few questions enough? You asked us more than that when you questioned us the other day."

After considering his words, Tang Fuguang said, "Quite apart from the fact that it makes little sense, there is another point. Although Miss Chao's martial skill is good, killing the storeroom guard in an instant would still be somewhat difficult for her."

Curious, Chao Qingxiu asked, "How did that storeroom guard die?"

She had not directed the question to anyone in particular, but at her words, both Ruan Shifeng and Li Guixian tried to answer. Just as they were about to speak, however, Xu Feiqu's voice cut through.

"It is said that his heart meridian ruptured, causing him to vomit blood and die. There were no other wounds on his body."

This was no secret. Even if the instructors nearby thought Xu Feiqu should not have spoken unbidden, they would still defend her because of her outstanding results. When she finished, she also cast a sidelong glance at Ruan and Li.

She was curious why those two people, one from the Six Doors and the other a martial arts expert, looked as though they were well acquainted with Doctor Chao.

Chao Qingxiu nodded.

She had been practicing martial arts for less than half a year and remained far behind Yan Kaixian and the others. With so many experts present, the moment they observed her breathing and footwork, they ruled her out as a suspect.

After a few more remarks from those seated above, one member of the Northern Xi delegation spoke in a voice that struggled to contain his excitement. "Since it is not these two, it can only be Miss Shi."

"The incident took place inside Chongming Academy, so we naturally have no reason to suspect Academy Head Ying or the Wenbei Sect. The watchmen's involvement was ruled out long ago. Of everyone remaining, only she knew where the storeroom was, only she knew the item had been entrusted to the academy, and last night, no one could prove where she was."

Chao Qingxiu saw that the person they called "Miss Shi" was the martial student standing beside Ying Lusheng. Recalling the list she had seen on the notice board, she guessed that this was the celebrated Shi Sixuan.

Tang Fuguang immediately objected, "Could anyone attest to your movements yesterday?"

Aba Gaotai answered derisively, "We are all outsiders. How would we know the location of the storeroom?"

Li Guixian suddenly said, "This morning, I received word from my sect." He looked at Aba Gaotai. "I hear that the Aba clan of Northern Xi specializes in making rare incense, and the item you entrusted here the other day was a pill resembling a Wuling Pill..."

He was plainly hinting that Aba Gaotai might have put something inside the pill.

Aba Gaotai stared at Li Guixian for a moment, then smiled faintly. "It was not merely a pill resembling a Wuling Pill. It was the Wuling Pill itself. We trusted the academy and entrusted our treasure to it, only to have it stolen from us. We are deeply disappointed."

Since transmigrating, Chao Qingxiu had learned more about medicine than about anything besides martial arts. She had also seen the Wuling Pill mentioned in books. It was a rare pill from Northern Xi, beneficial to those who practiced inner strength. Very few circulated on the market, and a single pill was worth a thousand taels.

From what Li Guixian had said, everyone else could guess his implication. The Northern Xi people had probably concealed some unusual incense in the pills that only they could identify. Later, they had followed the scent to the storeroom and then killed the guard to take the item.

The theory made logical sense.

But the same problem remained. Li Guixian and the others had no evidence. Moreover, Prime Minister Sun's faction had persistently skewed the matter in the Northern Xi delegation's favor, and the emperor himself was inclined to heed that faction's advice. In the end, the case would probably die a quiet death.

Lu Yuelou suddenly said, "I hear this Miss Shi is a disciple of Beicang Residence and has come to study at Chongming Academy..." He left the thought unfinished, then added, "Beicang Residence is a major martial faction. If they cannot explain the matter quickly, it may provoke conflict among the major martial factions."

Wu Shidao followed, "Master Shi is under suspicion. Even though she is a student of the academy, we cannot afford to show extra leniency."

As soon as he finished, many of those present frowned inwardly. Wu Shidao was one of the Six Doors' imperial chief constables and had connections to many factions. Once he had made up his mind, others would find it very difficult to shake him. As for Ying Lusheng, she was Shi Sixuan's teacher and had always cared for this student. If she forcibly defended Shi Sixuan, the others might not accept it.

After listening for a while, Chao Qingxiu understood that she was merely the opening dish. The Northern Xi delegation's true aim was to make Shi Sixuan shoulder the blame.

Losing the item was already bad enough. If it also led to conflict among the major martial factions, that would be bad luck doubled.

With that thought, Chao Qingxiu shook her head and said, "The incident at the academy was not Miss Shi's doing."

Chao Qingxiu's voice was not loud, but no one on the Wangyue Terrace was speaking at that moment, so every person there heard her clearly.

The Northern Xi delegation had already resolved to ignore Chao Qingxiu. After all, it was hardly worth sending an expert to deal with a stranger who had merely come to swell the number of suspects, and most ordinary members of the delegation had little chance of getting the better of her. Boli Yang was proof of that.

What they failed to understand was that, for some people, choosing not to provoke a quarrel did not mean choosing to remain silent.

Chao Qingxiu was one such person.

After what she had said, the Northern Xi delegation had to give some response, however much they wished to ignore her existence.

Aba Gaotai challenged her. "On what basis are you so certain? Was Miss Shi with you when it happened?"

Countless gazes landed on Chao Qingxiu because of his words.

As an outsider who had arrived just before the incident, she was already under suspicion. By stepping forward to defend Shi Sixuan, she had only multiplied the suspicion surrounding her.

Yan Kaixian, however, remained calm.

Although judging by the martial abilities of those on the Wangyue Terrace, she did not advise the Gang Leader to fight them head-on, she had absolute confidence in her leader when it came merely to explaining the case.

Chao Qingxiu said evenly, "This matter is not difficult to explain."

At her words, not only the Northern Xi delegation but everyone else on the Wangyue Terrace also fell silent for a moment. Aba Gaotai and the others, however, found the silence particularly disagreeable.

Chao Qingxiu said, "Earlier, I asked whether the item stolen from the storeroom was meant to be transferred elsewhere in the near term."

Ruan Shifeng and Hua Yuanhuai both felt their hearts jump. Those seated above exchanged glances, and Lu Yuelou said with a smile, "I suppose that is not the case."

Chao Qingxiu said, "I saw Miss Shi's name on the notice board three times. Examinations are held once a month, so she has been at the academy for at least three months and knows its grounds very well. She may have had an opportunity to discover the location of the storeroom." She looked toward the Northern Xi delegation. "However, the item in the storeroom was not going to be transferred elsewhere, while you would not be staying here long. If Miss Shi truly meant to do this, wouldn't it have been easier to wait until all the outsiders had left and the watch had been withdrawn before acting?"

"And it is not only Miss Shi. For anyone in the academy, unless the stolen item was about to be transferred somewhere else, there was no need to act at this time."

"..."

After a silence, someone in the Northern Xi delegation said reluctantly, "Perhaps... perhaps she failed to think it through and chose the wrong moment to act."

Chao Qingxiu offered a friendly reminder. "As far as I know, Master Shi has ranked among the academy's top five several times in a row."

Grades could not decide everything, but judging by Shi Sixuan's manner, she did not seem like someone rash and headlong.

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