Chang Yanzhi sat beneath the crabapple tree, gazing at the withered branches and fallen leaves, and slowly closed his eyes.
"The first time I saw Tang'er was in this very spot. The crabapples were in full bloom then, and she was sitting beneath the tree, engrossed in reading a bamboo slip.
She was not in good health and spent most of her time in the courtyard. Every time I passed by my father's study, I could see her.
My father had high expectations of me, always hoping I would achieve great things in the Ministry of Works. Once, when the schematics for a canal project in Yongcheng were submitted and my father was displeased, I was berated until past midnight. Dejected, I sat alone in the courtyard, drowning my sorrows in wine. It wasn't until Tang'er heard me and came to find me, offering words of comfort.
I still remember what she said: 'When life disappoints, do not grieve in vain; all worldly talents have their plans.' It was these words that emboldened me to speak my mind to my father. Although I was, as expected, scolded harshly, it was a relief, at least I was no longer suppressed."
"At that time, she wasn't yet the third madam of the Anping Marquisate, was she?" Zhong Li asked.
Chang Yanzhi opened his eyes, looked at the woman beside him, and slowly nodded. "Back then, she was just a woman my father had rescued from outside.
But before I could confess my feelings to her, my father had already sent a betrothal gift to the Changsun family. She became my concubine, hehe..."
As he spoke, he seemed to find it absurd himself, shaking his head repeatedly. Tears instantly welled up in his eyes.
"So, your estrangement from your mother is also because of this?" Zhong Li asked again.
"No!" Chang Yanzhi shook his head. "If I were to fall out with my mother over this, it would make me seem very immature.
My mother and I broke ties after Tang'er died."
"What happened?" Zhong Li knew she had hit the mark.
Chang Yanzhi's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice trembling. "My father publicly announced that Tang'er died from a relapse of her old illness. But... but... she was actually poisoned."
At this point, Chang Yanzhi could no longer contain his grief. He clutched his head and sobbed.
Zhong Li's expression stiffened. She had already suspected that Tang'er's death might not be so simple when the kitchen maid mentioned it, but she never expected this outcome.
"Poison? Do you know..."
Chang Yanzhi shook his head wildly. "I don't know, I don't know what poison it was, nor do I know who administered it... I only remember that Tang'er's body was dark blue, her eyes wide open and red, as if she died with her grievances unaddressed...呜呜..."
"Since you don't know who did it, then you..."
"But my mother knows." Chang Yanzhi interrupted Zhong Li.
Zhong Li looked at him with surprise.
"My mother is the mistress of the Marquisate. She knows the affairs of the inner court better than anyone," Chang Yanzhi said.
"Then have you asked your mother?"
When Chang Yanzhi heard this, he gave a sarcastic laugh. "Ask? How could I not ask? But... she refused to say, even watching me leave and letting the rift between mother and son grow, she still wouldn't speak.
I know that ever since Tang'er married into the Marquisate, my mother and the second concubine disliked her. Especially the second concubine, who, along with the last to marry, Madam Lei, bullied her. Tang'er was kind-hearted and always let things go, which only emboldened them, ultimately leading to her death.
I just wanted my mother to give her justice, but she refused. That's why I..."
He tore at his hair in pain, his sobs echoing in the empty courtyard.
Zhong Li watched him, unsure how to offer comfort.
His most beloved woman was indirectly killed by his mother; anyone else would have chosen to escape.
"Did the Marquis know at that time?" Zhong Li asked.
Chang Yanzhi shook his head. At that time, his mind was entirely focused on the deceased Changsun Tang, and he didn't care about anything else.
Zhong Li sighed, gazing at the bright moon through the treetops.
After some time, she suddenly asked, "What was the reason your mother disliked the third madam?"
Chang Yanzhi froze, turning to look at Zhong Li in confusion.
Zhong Li squinted her eyes, subtly 'shrinking' the moon in her sight. "The second madam, Tao Shi, and the fourth madam, Lei Shi, entered the household one after another, and she accepted it silently. Even when the old Marquis hadn't visited her chambers for many years, she bore no complaints. Why couldn't she accept the third madam?"
"Magistrate Zhong, what do you mean?"
Zhong Li turned her gaze to Chang Yanzhi, her eyes sharp. "If it were me, I wouldn't like my son to be fond of my husband's concubine.
If someone could be gotten rid of, how do you think she would choose?"
After she spoke, her gaze swept over the tender sprouts winding up the wall near where Chang Yanzhi had burned paper. After a moment's contemplation, she stood up and quickly left Changsun Tang's backyard.
Behind her, Chang Yanzhi's pained sobs could be faintly heard.
Zhong Li exited the Anping Marquisate. The Dali Temple carriage was waiting at the gate. Hua Yao was dozing inside. She instructed the coachman to send Hua Yao back to the Hua residence, then she wrote a letter, handed it to the coachman, and returned to her room to rest.
The next morning.
Zhong Li emerged from Dali Temple and dozed in the carriage. The piece of pastry she held in her hand fell to the ground amidst the carriage's jolting.
"Ah!" she exclaimed, her bright, expressive eyes darting around. It was only when her gaze landed on the man opposite her, who was looking at her with a half-smile, that she fully awoke.
She had sent a letter to Lu Wuxie yesterday, asking for his help with something, and today she was dragged out of bed before dawn and rushed towards Anping County.
"We haven't reached our destination yet, Li'er. You can sleep a little longer," Lu Wuxie casually picked up the pastry from the ground and placed it on a nearby plate, then covered Zhong Li with the thin blanket.
Zhong Li shook her head, lifted the curtain, and looked at the scenery outside. It had been so long since she left Anping County, and this was her first time returning. She never imagined that the information Lu Wuxie had found indicated that Changsun Tang's hometown was in Anping County.
"No, I've slept enough. As for Mo Cang, he came to pick me up so early; he should rest more."
Lu Wuxie poured her a cup of clear water and placed it in her hand. "I'm fine. It's just that I wanted to see you earlier, so I woke you up a bit early."
Zhong Li's cheeks flushed. She held the cup, unsure what to say. When it came to feelings, she was naturally passive and inexpressive, exactly the opposite of Lu Wuxie, who always made her feel shy.
Lu Wuxie chuckled at her reaction and followed her gaze as she lifted the curtain to look outside. "Actually, there's another reason."
Zhong Li looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.
"Li'er has been away from home for more than half a year. Your adoptive father's grave needs its weeds cleared."
Zhong Li froze, looking at the man opposite her. His seemingly casual remark was entirely for her consideration.
"Okay!" she nodded.