Ch 293: The Disappearance of Ruan Yuqin

I thought and thought, and decided to report Ruan Yuqin to Lord Zhang.

Ruan Yuqin is indeed pitiful, and Ping’er is also pitiful, but aren’t Lanxin Hall and Chang Yunshang even more pitiful? Though I softened for a moment, after returning, the more I thought about it, the more I felt that Ruan Yuqin did not deserve forgiveness. They harmed so many people single-handedly, and I shouldn’t have covered for them.

My heart was heavy as I entered the Court of Justice. Lord Zhang frowned as soon as he saw me, saying, “Miss Yue, do you consider this Court of Justice a hotel or teahouse? Coming and going as you please? You are a young lady; you should not come to such a place.”

I looked up and said, “This time, I am here to provide important intelligence.”

Lord Zhang looked at me with interest, saying, “What important intelligence do you have? We have almost gathered all the evidence we need. We are busy reviewing those secret letters; what more important intelligence could there be?”

I looked at Lord Zhang; he understood and dismissed the people around, smiling, “Miss Yue, you are being so mysterious; is it that you are truly quite certain?”

I then told Lord Zhang that the real Ruan Yuqin was still alive, and living in Ox Tail Alley, and that they were not a woman, but a man. I requested that Lord Zhang send people to search; there would surely be a discovery.

But Lord Zhang looked disbelieving. Before I could finish, he waved his sleeve, teasingly saying, “Miss Yue, the more I hear, the less I understand. Everyone knows that Ruan Yuqin is the favored concubine of Lanxin Hall; how could a man be Young Master Lan’s concubine, and they have even lived together for three or four years? Tell me, hasn’t Young Master Lan noticed this for all these years?”

I was speechless for a moment. It seemed that Lord Zhang’s words made sense. A man sleeping in the same bed with another person, it’s impossible not to know whether the other person is male or female. Lord Zhang smiled again, “Miss Yue, your ability to fabricate lies is getting better and better. Look at you, your face isn’t even red; it’s just that your lie is unconvincing.”

I became anxious, arguing, “I really wasn’t lying! They are a man!”

Lord Zhang slowly said, “Miss Yue, I’ve already said this, don’t get involved in this anymore. I understand your desire to help General Chang overturn the case. However, facts are facts; no matter how much you say, it’s useless. The secret letters I’ve investigated already form a thick stack. You think you can reverse the situation with just a few words? I advise you not to bother.”

I was filled with resentment and frustration. Lord Zhang, having handled countless cases, is always cold and ruthless; the life and death of others are just a matter of his amusement.

My voice rose, “Zhang Tingxiu, if you refuse to investigate Ruan Yuqin, I will continue to report it. To my knowledge, His Majesty is very concerned about this matter. With a written accusation, if I go to the Imperial Court to lodge a complaint, I’m afraid you won’t be able to escape the consequences.”

Lord Zhang was somewhat surprised, then said, “Miss Yue is indeed extraordinary. Before, I only heard that you were exceptionally bold, but now I’ve witnessed it myself. However, some days ago, Aunt Xinze already came to inspect on behalf of the Imperial Court. Now, Ruan Yuqin is dead; that’s a settled matter. If another Ruan Yuqin appears, there is certainly a deception. Miss Yue, don’t be fooled by others. Besides, this matter has nothing to do with Yue Manor; your uncle and second uncle both advocate for the severe punishment of General Chang, yet you plead for the General before me. What you are doing is inappropriate.”

Lord Zhang hit my weak point again. I glared at him angrily. At this moment, someone came to report that Xie Liang’an had arrived. Soon, Xie Liang’an came before us. Seeing me, he seemed somewhat surprised, smiling slightly. Lord Zhang said to me, “Miss Yue, you should go back.”

I verbally agreed, but a plan formed in my mind. After taking only two steps, I pretended to stumble, falling to the ground. I cried out, “Ouch!” Xie Liang’an immediately ran over, leaning down to look at me, extending his hand, then seeming to think it was inconvenient. His eyes full of concern, he said, “Mo Yuan, are you alright?”

I softly said, “I’m fine, I’m fine.” Under Xie Liang’an’s gaze, I tried to stand up, but it was too difficult, and I fell again. This time, Xie Liang’an didn’t hesitate, extending his hand. As my fingertips touched his fingers, I felt his trembling.

Lord Zhang sighed, saying, “Liang’an, I called you because I need your help.”

Xie Liang’an didn’t look at him, but softly asked, “Mo Yuan, are you alright?”

I pretended to be strong, saying softly, “I’m fine.” After saying this, I gave him a strong smile. Seeing this, Lord Zhang said, “Since Miss Yue has sprained her foot and it’s inconvenient to move, I’ll have two maidservants send you back to the manor. Miss Yue is a miraculous doctor herself; this small injury should not be a big problem, right?”

I really wanted to slap him. This Lord Zhang doesn’t understand cherishing the fairer sex at all. I have important clues to tell him, but he finds it troublesome and refuses to continue investigating this matter. I am injured, and he suspects I’m faking it. Although I am indeed faking it, I’m doing it on purpose. He wants to find Xie Liang’an, but I’m holding onto Xie Liang’an, to see if Xie Liang’an will listen to him or care more about me. I felt a little smug.

Xie Liang’an’s eyes were full of worry, saying, “Tingxiu, let me send Mo Yuan back first. I’ll come back later; I don’t think I can help you much.”

Lord Zhang was unhappy, saying, “Liang’an, I really have important things that need your help.”

Xie Liang’an said, “I don’t know how to investigate cases or do official business. If you ask me to drink, I’ll accompany you even if it costs my life. Otherwise, it’s fine. I’ll send Mo Yuan back first.”

Lord Zhang stamped his feet anxiously, saying, “Liang’an, listen to me, this Miss Yue is a liar. I think her sprained foot is fake. Earlier, she came here saying that Ruan Yuqin is a man, and is still in the Capital City. If Ruan Yuqin is a man, then I’m a woman!”

Lord Zhang’s extreme confidence had reached the point of inflation. Xie Liang’an looked at me, his eyes gentle and bright, as if asking me a question, then said, “Tingxiu, I believe Mo Yuan’s words. You should listen too. It doesn’t mean something is fake just because you haven’t seen it yourself.”

Lord Zhang’s eyes widened, his face full of disbelief, he said, “Liang’an, you… you’ve also gone mad with qi deviation, how could you be like this?”

Xie Liang’an insisted on sending me back; I also wanted to annoy Lord Zhang. So, I allowed it. These two encounters with Xie Liang’an made us more familiar.

Seeing that it was inconvenient for me to get on the carriage, Xie Liang’an got on first, then extended his hands, motioning for me to come. This action must have taken great courage. I saw his face redden, truly infinitely gentle, as if drunk. I dared not look into his eyes; I felt embarrassed.

I smiled, “Young Master, there’s no need, I can manage myself.” Xie Liang’an had to retract his hand, showing a look of disappointment. When I swiftly and nimbly got onto the carriage, he was even more surprised.

I quickly explained, “Young Master, I’m sorry, I was pretending, I deceived you.”

Xie Liang’an was stunned for a moment, then smiled, saying, “It’s alright, your foot is fine, I’m even happier. Mo Yuan, you wouldn’t deliberately say this to comfort me, would you?”

He is such a kind young master; I felt even more ashamed. I then told him the truth, scolding Lord Zhang severely. Xie Liang’an watched me, smiling, like the indulgence of looking at a little girl. I became even more emboldened, and scolded for a while longer, before finally feeling deflated.

After I finished scolding, Xie Liang’an said, “Actually, Tingxiu is a good person. He just doesn’t want you to continue meddling in this matter. If it involves Yue Manor, it will become even more complicated.”

I asked Xie Liang’an, “In broad daylight, what were you doing looking for Lord Zhang?”

Xie Liang’an said, “Some of those secret letters are written in Liang Country script; Tingxiu can’t understand them, so he called me to take a look.”

I heard; he’s doing translation. Shouldn’t there be other people who understand Liang Country script? Why is the Grand Astrologer’s son being asked to do it? Xie Liang’an said, “Some of the script is quite obscure; not many people in the Palace understand it. If we were to hire someone from outside, it would also be troublesome, and it would cost money.”

Since it was important work, I said to Xie Liang’an, “My leg is fine; go help Lord Zhang first. I can go back by myself.” As soon as I said this, Xie Liang’an’s face instantly fell; his eyes seemed to lose some luster. I quickly said, “My matter is a small matter; the case is the big matter.”

He quickly smiled again, saying, “Alright, alright.” As he spoke, he got off the carriage. After he got off, I lifted the curtain and said to him, “Thank you, Young Master.” He stood straight beside an Osmanthus Tree, refined and elegant as jade, the air filled with a sweet fragrance. He kept smiling, his eyes faintly tinged with melancholy. I lowered the curtain; the Osmanthus fragrance filled me, like a rising tide. I don’t know if he was still standing there.