Chapter 254 - 106 Prison_2
Qiongzhi was a clever girl; while her intelligence might not shine through scholarly pursuits, she was thoroughly familiar with worldly affairs. People who make a living in the markets often possess a keen ability to read expressions and understand subtext. A woman like Qiongzhi who grew up in a brothel would naturally be more cautious than the average person, always on her guard.
"Now, can you tell me about Tongxiang?" Jiang Li asked.
"Do you really want to know?" Qiongzhi inquired.
Her hand hidden within her sleeve unconsciously clenched tighter, her heart as if lifted by a thread, swaying precariously in the air.
"Telling you won’t hurt, the Xue Family is pretty much ruined. In these days, every time I entertain numerous clients, I’ve managed to gather some clues." First, she glanced at Jiang Li, her tone growing somber, "Initially, I thought maybe the death of Xue Zhao was some absurd tale you concocted, still harboring a sliver of hope in my heart. That was until I met a noble who had just returned from visiting relatives in Yanjing. She told me, the wife of the Top Scholar, Xue Fangfei, truly dwindled away and died from an illicit affair, and her brother Xue Zhao was murdered by bandits on his way to Yanjing, his corpse discarded in the river, just as you said, not a word different."
"Those are Yanjing matters," Jiang Li said, "What about Xue Huaiyuan of Tongxiang?"
Perhaps it was the urgency in her voice which Qiongzhi caught. Qiongzhi paused before looking inquiringly at Jiang Li, "That’s what I don’t understand. You said Xue Huaiyuan died half a year ago and wanted me to find out why he died and where he was buried, but Xue Huaiyuan isn’t dead."
"What did you say?" Jiang Li exclaimed, unable to contain her shock.
Always calm and composed in front of Qiongzhi, Miss Jiang the Second had never lost her composure, this was the first time Qiongzhi saw Jiang Li visibly disconcerted.