Madam Jiang, the second wife, looked towards the door as the voice drifted over.
As soon as she caught sight of Zhong Li in her fitted attire, her expression soured, and she quickly rose and retreated behind the screen.
Zhong Li remained still, observing the impolite back of Madam Jiang as she swept her gaze around the room.
This was, by far, the most peculiar room she had encountered. Counting the areas inside and out, it was like a three-bedroom apartment, yet there were only two or three small windows, and all of them were shut. It was almost noon, a time when most people would open their windows for fresh air and sunlight. This place, however, felt like a dark prison cell.
What was Madam Jiang trying to hide?
A flicker of suspicion ignited within her.
“Temple Official Zhong.” Steward Liu stepped forward apologetically upon recognizing Zhong Li. “Temple Official, I am truly unable to do anything. The second madam is stubborn and dislikes seeing outsiders, thus…”
Zhong Li raised a hand to halt Steward Liu’s explanation. “Instead, I should be asking Steward Liu to forgive my intrusion.”
Steward Liu shook his head. “Temple Official Zhong, what are you saying? Though others may not understand the laws of the Southern Yue Kingdom, I, as the steward of the Governor’s Mansion, certainly do. You are here to investigate a case, and the subordinates are meant to cooperate. If anyone refuses, you are completely entitled to apprehend us on the grounds of obstructing the Dali Temple’s investigation.”
As he spoke, he glanced behind the screen and quietly stepped back. His words were clearly directed at someone.
The room fell silent once more. Zhong Li glanced at the screen and politely said, “My apologies for the disturbance, Second Madam.” She then prepared to go around the screen to see her.
However, after taking just a few steps, her attention was drawn to a small cushion on the grand tutor’s chair behind the desk.
This cushion was unlike the ordinary soft cushions found in regular homes. It resembled a small pot, with the edges padded higher and a hole the size of a fist scooped out in the center.
How could this item be in the Second Madam’s room?
Zhong Li stared at the cushion, her brows furrowed. If she remembered correctly, Guo Qi had only one son and one daughter, both born to the First Madam. The Second and Third Madams had yet to conceive. This item was only used by a select few or by women who had recently given birth. Why would the young Second Madam use such a thing?
With this thought, Zhong Li’s gaze swept over the surroundings again.
Earlier, due to the darkness of the room, her attention had been fixed on the windows. Now, upon closer inspection, she realized something seemed to be missing from the room.
Zhong Li narrowed her eyes, looking at Madam Jiang’s figure behind the screen, and asked, “Is the Second Madam still unwilling to come out and meet me?”
A moment of silence met her question.
Zhong Li chuckled and casually picked up the special small cushion from the chair. “If the Second Madam does not come out, I shall enter. Should anything unfortunate happen afterward, do not blame me for taking forceful action.”
Her words fell, and without giving Madam Jiang any more time to stall, she quickly moved around the screen and dashed into the inner chamber.
However, there was no sign of Madam Jiang on the large bed behind the screen. Instead, the room’s only window swayed gently in the spring breeze, emitting an ear-piercing creaking sound as it opened and closed.
Damn it!
Zhong Li hurried to the window and saw a sleeve disappearing around a corner in the courtyard. Her expression darkened. Bracing herself against the windowsill, she leaped out and gave chase.
Although Madam Jiang had fled earlier, her attire was cumbersome, and she couldn't match Zhong Li’s speed. In the blink of an eye, Madam Jiang let out a pained whimper and collapsed onto the ground, her face covered in dust.
Zhong Li withdrew the leg that had kicked Madam Jiang and looked down at her as she awkwardly stood up, adjusting her sleeves and lifting her skirt.
“What’s wrong, are you not used to wearing clothes, or are you not used to wearing clothes like these?” she asked.
Madam Jiang’s body stiffened. She turned and glared at Zhong Li angrily, scolding, “You are merely a Temple Official of the Dali Temple. My master has just died, and you dare to bully me like this!”
Zhong Li, bathed in sunlight, saw Madam Jiang’s face clearly for the first time. Her skin was as fair as congealed fat, her chin slender and delicate, paired with eyes as clear and flowing as autumn water. It was no wonder Guo Qi had brought her into the courtyard and given her a title.
“I am bullying you?” Zhong Li raised an eyebrow and scrutinized Madam Jiang. “Then, does the Second Madam dare to undergo a body search?”
As soon as she spoke, Madam Jiang initially froze. After processing her words, her face stiffened. “You… what are you saying? What body search? How could I…”
“Stop pretending!” Zhong Li threw the special small cushion in her hand onto Madam Jiang. “You are a man, aren’t you? No wonder you stay cooped up inside all day, afraid to be seen.”
As she said this, everyone else who had rushed over from the Second Madam’s courtyard upon hearing the commotion was stunned. Steward Liu, in particular, looked as if his jaw were about to drop to his chest.
“Li’er, what are you saying?” Lu Wuxie walked over to Zhong Li and asked, his gaze towards Madam Jiang filled with confusion.
Zhong Li did not answer, her eyes fixed on Madam Jiang.
Madam Jiang blinked, her hands protectively covering her thighs. “This concubine… this concubine… simply does not understand what you are saying.”
Zhong Li looked at his gesture and said with amusement, “You don’t know? Then let me ask you about this cushion. What is its situation?”
“What, what situation?” Madam Jiang tried to quibble.
“Perhaps no one in this courtyard recognizes it, but that doesn’t mean no one knows the purpose of this cushion. You have severe hemorrhoids, don’t you?” Zhong Li asked.
Madam Jiang pursed her lips, her eyes glancing away. Her intention to not answer was evident.
Zhong Li did not rush. She continued, “This cushion has a hole in the middle. It’s generally used by people who have hemorrhoids. Most are women who have given birth. Of course, a small number of men also have them. The scope of hemorrhoids in these men is very small. It could be due to frequently sitting on cold surfaces, or being prone to constipation, or…”
Her voice trailed off as she spoke. Her gaze locked onto Madam Jiang’s face. “The male escorts at the Nanfeng Pavilion or men who prefer the company of men.”
As soon as Zhong Li finished speaking, Madam Jiang’s face flushed red with anger. She pointed at Zhong Li’s nose and exclaimed, “You are slandering me! I am but a weak woman. You are a Dali Temple Temple Official. Just because I did not come out promptly, you wish to take personal revenge!”
“Is that so?” Lu Wuxie narrowed his eyes, shielding Zhong Li behind him. His sharp gaze fixed on Madam Jiang’s extended fingertip.
Madam Jiang swallowed several times. Just as she was about to speak, Lu Wuxie glanced at her hands and said, “Temple Official Zhong has not finished speaking, but that does not mean she has not noticed. Your action of concealing your gender is too obvious. How do normal women shyly conceal themselves? Why do you only cover your lower body?”
Madam Jiang’s face turned a mixture of green and red at this reminder.
Just as she was about to turn and flee, Lu Wuxie was a step ahead. He grabbed her arm and said, “Since you wish to prove your innocence, allow this Lord to conduct a body search.”
“Let go of me!” Madam Jiang froze, hysterically trying to break free from Lu Wuxie’s grasp. “They say Jin City’s Lu Wuxie acts without regard for consequences, that he is dissolute and wild. If you treat me like this, how will I live in Jinzhou in the future? Others will see…”
“If you truly are a woman, at worst, this Lord will take you as a concubine!” Lu Wuxie frowned and coldly interrupted Madam Jiang. He found noisy people most irritating.
Startled by this threat, Madam Jiang could no longer speak. She could only allow Lu Wuxie to toss her into the room and close the door.