Chapter 186: Unceasing Suspicions
Chapter 186: Chapter 186: Unceasing Suspicions
The back beneath her palm stiffened. Cao Danqing lifted her eyes, red from crying, and looked over in confusion.
Liang Wan gazed at her intently and squeezed her hand from within her sleeve.
Cao Danqing, seeming to only half-understand, wiped her tears and nodded gently. "Liang Ji, let’s go to the inner chamber for a cup of tea."
The Guard Commander and Gu Yu stopped at the doorway as Liang Wan followed Cao Danqing into the inner room.
She surveyed the room’s layout and furnishings. It appeared to be Cao Danqing’s maiden chamber. Her eyes then flicked to the tightly closed doors and windows.
She got straight to the point. "Cao Luyun is the one who killed the Grandmaster."
Cao Danqing was stunned for a moment, thinking she must have misheard.
Liang Wan said, "Your second sister caused the Grandmaster to contract the epidemic. The epidemic aggravated his chronic ailments, leading to his death. And now, she has vanished."
Cao Danqing shook her head in complete disbelief. "My second sister has such a gentle nature. She can’t even bring herself to say a cruel word. How could she possibly do something like this? Besides, why would she scheme against the Grandmaster for no reason? There must be some kind of misunderstanding!"
Cao Danqing’s reaction was not unexpected.
Liang Wan hadn’t expected to change her mind with just a few words. She only said gravely, "I’m afraid that in everyone else’s eyes, she will always be the model of grace, amiability, and tact. All I can say is that what I have seen is different from what all of you have. If she comes looking for you, you must send someone to inform me."
Cao Danqing’s brows furrowed in worry. "How could she have just disappeared? No, I have to tell Zhou Yun and ask him to help find her—"
Liang Wan stopped her. Seeing Cao Danqing’s scrunched-up face, utterly consumed with worry for Cao Luyun, she said, "Don’t panic just yet. She came to the Master’s Mansion with an ulterior motive. The full story is complicated, but rest assured, her life is not in danger for the time being."
Cao Danqing was astonished. "How do you know her life isn’t in danger?"
’It’s clear that Cao Danqing has been well-protected since she was a child, just like I was a long, long time ago.’
’When it comes to life’s storms, you can’t truly understand what they’re like just by hearing others talk about them. You have to experience them yourself.’
Liang Wan stated simply, "If they truly wanted to kill your second sister, they could have done it the moment they captured her. Why go to the trouble of taking her along while hiding from place to place?"
Cao Danqing frowned slightly, her eyes filled with confusion.
Liang Wan wasted no time. "How could Chancellor Cao have died so suddenly? I checked his pulse myself. While he was fraught with worry, it shouldn’t have been fatal."
At the mention of Chancellor Cao, tears welled up once more in Cao Danqing’s red-rimmed eyes.
Liang Wan asked, "Did Chancellor Cao meet with anyone before he passed away?"
Tears streaming down her face, Cao Danqing shook her head. "Father’s passing was so sudden. We only found out after we received the news—"
Her words trailed off as she broke down into sobs again.
Cao Danqing truly knew nothing, but Liang Wan refused to believe Chancellor Cao had died of natural causes.
She patted Cao Danqing’s shoulder. "Who was attending to Chancellor Cao before he passed away?"
Cao Danqing stared with her tear-filled eyes. "Are you suggesting that Father was murdered?"
After a long silence, Liang Wan asked, "Is the household doctor in?"
Cao Danqing nodded. "Yes. Do you want to see him?"
Liang Wan shook her head. "It would be too conspicuous for me to see him now. I’ll return tonight. I want to examine Chancellor Cao myself."
Tears rolled down Cao Danqing’s cheeks, and her lips trembled. "So, Father... he really was murdered?"
Liang Wan sighed as she looked at her. "Do you pay no attention at all to political matters? Did you never even inquire about Chancellor Cao’s health?"
Cao Danqing froze, wanting to explain.
Liang Wan cut her off. "It’s useless to say any of that now. It would be better to join me in investigating the true cause of Chancellor Cao’s death. And one more thing—you cannot tell anyone what I’ve told you, not even Zhou Yun."
"Why?" Cao Danqing didn’t understand. "Do you suspect him? No, that’s impossible! He would never harm my Father! You don’t know, he—"
Under Liang Wan’s quiet gaze, she fell silent and simply nodded.
Only then did Liang Wan speak. "I know what kind of man Zhou Yun is. I don’t suspect him. I’m just worried there might be people around him with ulterior motives. This is all just my speculation for now. Until the truth is uncovered, isn’t it better that as few people know as possible?"
She thought for a moment, then added, "As for what kind of person your second sister really is, you should think about that carefully, too. Back then, anyone who didn’t know us would have thought there was some deep-seated hatred between us. But in reality, on whose behalf were you always fighting?"
"I’d guess that you’ve often stood up for her and fought her battles, haven’t you? And afterward, your family—and even she—would blame you for being impulsive and reckless. Am I wrong?"
"The day I was attacked, why did she hide in the crowd and never once show her face? Weren’t you the least bit curious why Feng Qingyue shouted her name?"
The color drained from Cao Danqing’s face.
Liang Wan didn’t press the matter. "I’ll be back later tonight. Inform the household discreetly. This must be kept quiet."
Having said her piece, Liang Wan paid no mind to the dazed Cao Danqing, opened the door, and left the room.
Before she reached the main hall, she came face to face with Zhou Yun.
Liang Wan looked at him. "Grand Commandant Zhou."
A flash of embarrassment crossed Zhou Yun’s face.
Zhou Yun had recently been granted the title of Grand Commandant.
He lacked his usual playful smile, his serious expression tinged with exhaustion.
"I’ll return to the Master’s Mansion with you."
Liang Wan gave a slight nod. "Alright."
’He and Lu Xiu are close friends. For both professional and personal reasons, it’s right for him to go, especially since Lu Xiu can’t return right now.’
Their carriages traveled one after the other.
Back at the Master’s Mansion, Liang Wan accompanied him to offer incense and pay their respects.
Zhou Yun glanced at the people coming and going. "Could we speak somewhere more private?" he asked.
Liang Wan had the same thought. She sent Gu Yu ahead to prepare and led Zhou Yun toward the room where the three of them had once shared tea.
He looked up at her. "I never expected you and Danqing to get along so well."
’The first time she met Zhou Yun, he was a dashing, roguish young nobleman. He had these charming, alluring eyes that seemed to glisten, and a single smile from him was unforgettable, sending ripples through the hearts of countless ladies.’
’Even with Lu Xiu’s exceptional looks, compared to Zhou Yun, he was like a cold, unapproachable snowman—nothing like the gentle, stirring waves of a spring breeze.’
’One seems heartless but is full of feeling; the other seems passionate but is truly heartless.’
’This must be what Cao Danqing meant when she said they were different.’
’But matters of the heart can’t be controlled.’
’Zhou Yun wasn’t in the wrong, either.’
Liang Wan met his gaze and offered a faint smile. "There was never any deep-seated hatred between us. Besides, compared to someone like me who keeps things hidden, I truly admire her directness."
Zhou Yun was slightly surprised.
As they spoke, Liang Wan led him into the room.
A tea set was already laid out.
Liang Wan sat across from him and began to prepare the tea herself.
Zhou Yun got straight to the point. "Why did you tell me to be wary of... the people around me?"
Liang Wan had written two letters that day. One of them was for Zhou Yun.
She lowered her gaze with a slight smile, her hands continuing to roast the tea leaves. "I hear you’re quite fond of that concubine, Lotus."
Though she didn’t look up, she could feel him freeze for a split second.
’He probably never expected a woman to be so brazen as to bring up his favorite concubine with a man she was not related to.’
Liang Wan glanced at him. "I’m not bringing this up to chastise you on behalf of Cao Danqing."
Zhou Yun answered awkwardly, "Yes... her disposition is gentle and mild. When I’m handling official business, I like having her attend to me..."
A sneer touched Liang Wan’s lips. ’After all that, he might as well just say it: she looks like the Empress.’