The Fourth Lady

Qingyan listened to Murong Jingxuan's words and poured herself a cup of tea, slowly speaking, "I was just fortunate enough to have seen her true appearance, however, this is already something of my previous incarnation."

Murong Jingxuan, seeing Qingyan's appearance, suddenly became curious about this Gu Clan Priestess. And under Murong Jingxuan's continuous stare, Qingyan could only tell him everything that had happened in the past in detail.

The Gu Clan Priestess was the most powerful person of the clan. They all regarded the priestess as the next Clan Leader, and Muhu Luja was also a very beautiful woman. At the time, there were many people in the Gu Clan that liked her, but the Priestess can't have feelings. Once it's discovered that a priestess is no longer a pure woman, they say the Gu Clan will definitely be met with the gods' punishment.

As for the specifics of what happened afterwards, Su Qingyan wasn't clear either, and she didn't know why Muhu Luja would change her face and name, and come to Donghe as Deng Yan. But she still think that this matter isn't as simple as she'd imagined.

"So you mean to say that you don't know why this priestess would appear in the Su manor either?" Murong Jingxuan played with the teacup as he looked to the frown on Qingyan's brow.

"However, as long as we wait until after she comes out, perhaps we can know the specifics. I still think this matter isn't that simple." Qingyan waved her hand at Murong Jingxuan, "Maybe Yiniang has her own thoughts."

"If when the time comes, Deng Yan dies, what do you plan to do?" Murong Jingxuan looked to the still tightly frowning Qingyan, "You can't just overtly take her into the General's manor."

Qingyan looked to Murong Jingxuan, nodding, "However, if we were to use some method, it's still possible."

After all, she promised Su Qingcong and Su Qingxue that she would definitely rescue Deng Yan, let them all reunite, even if she'll no longer be Deng Yan by that time. They can't openly call Deng Yan mother either, but this was the best way to leave the Su manor. "Yan'er, how about I help you arrange Deng Yan's matter?" Murong Jingxuan looked to Qingyan and said in seriousness, "My mother has a distant relative that just past away, but no one knows.

Qingyan listened to Murong Jingxuan's words and when she looked to him, she reluctantly shook her head, "This matter I have my own arrangement, you don't need to worry. But if you were to handle it, maybe it's not necessarily undoable either."

In the end, Qingyan still had her own misgivings. After all, Deng Yan needs to move into General's manor when the time comes, but if it was through Murong Jingxuan, then Deng Yan won't be able to enter. When she thought of this, Qingyan still tightly frowned. "Yan'er, what are you thinking about?" Murong Jingxuan reached over, wanting to smooth out the creases between her brow.

"Murong Jingxuan, if Yiniang were to move through your arrangements, she won't be able to live in the General's manor. That way, I won't be able to fulfill Cong'er and fifth sister's promise."

Hearing Qingyan's words, Murong Jingxuan felt she had a point, "If that's the case, you can do as you see fit."

Qingyan nodded at his words, "It's late, Shizi please return, I want to rest."

"Alright, then I will wait to see a good show tomorrow." Murong Jingxuan glanced to Qingyan before turning to leave.

Early next morning, when Su Qingcong woke, he saw Su Qingxue sleeping on a nearby bed. He quickly got down and ran over to Su Qingxue, "Big sister, you came? How's mother's situation?"

When Su Qingxue heard Su Qingcong's voice, she pulled him into her arms with a smile, "Mother is fine, but in order to let mother leave that place, fourth sister set up a scheme, and this scheme needs our cooperation."

"What scheme needs our cooperation?" When Su Qingcong heard Su Qingxue say that their mother can leave the Su manor, his face was full of smiles.

Su Qingxue told Su Qingcong the entirety of the matter in accordance to Su Qingyan's explanation from yesterday. And Su Qingcong also indicated that he will bear it in mind, and not cause trouble for Qingyan.

Meanwhile, Qingyan was also instructing the servants the specifics of what to do, else, when the time came and the two sides don't add up, it would be bad.

During breakfast, Qingyan also informed Su Yun and Luo Bing the whole sequences of events, but didn't tell them about Deng Yan's matter.

Seeing the two petite children before their eyes, Su Yun and Luo Bing also felt very sorry for them. She even specially ordered the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes. Just then, the Su manor housekeeper frantically ran over, telling them that Deng Yan had passed away last night. Hearing about Deng Yan's passing, Su Qingxue loudly burst into tears at once, and Su Qingcong also followed after, bursting into tears.

Qingyan pulled them into her arms and patted their heads, "Don't cry, Cong'er, fifth sister. Let's go with father and mother over there right now to see."

The two in her arms simultaneously looked up to Qingyan and nodded.

When they arrived at the Su manor, they saw the capital's Magistrate there too. And the one that reported to the courts was Deng Yan's most loyal servant, Linghua. As soon as they saw Deng Yan's body, Su Qingxue and Su Qingcong threw themselves over, bawling. "This humble official greets your Highness, Junzhu*." The Capital Magistrate looked to Qingyan and respectfully greeted. "This humble official received the case this morning, saying, the Su manor's third madam had plotted to murder the concubine." (*T/N: In case you've forgotten, Qingyan was bestowed a title as Junzhu, so officials have to treat her like royalty.)

"Sorry to disturb. Just conduct your business as usual." Qingyan looked to the Capital Magistrate and spoke with a smile. She pointed to the two crying over Deng Yan's body and said regretfully, "Yesterday, these two children came to seek shelter with me, saying Yiniang was suffering from third aunt's abuse. Originally, I wanted to come over today to see, yet I didn't think something like this would happen."

"Junzhu has a merciful heart, it is the good fortune of the people of Diqiu." The Capital Magistrate looked to Qingyan still with a respectful tone, "The coroner just examined the body, seems like was beaten to death."

At this time, Chai Yiyun walked out wearing a brightly colored dress. She looked to the body on the ground, "I wonder what Sir Magistrate has called this subject over for?"

But before the Capital Magistrate was even able to speak, Su Qingxue and Su Qingcong already pounced over, screaming words like, "Give me back my mother."

Chai Yiyun watched them with a disdainful expression, but since the Capital Magistrate and Su Qingyan were present, it simply wasn't convenient to get angry. "When have I ever harmed your mother?! Don't slander me!" Chai Yiyun looked to them and spoke with ample confidence.

"Sir Magistrate, it's the third madam that murdered our Yiniang!" Linghua spoke as she heavily kowtowed, "I ask Junzhu and Sir Magistrate for justice!"

When Su Yun and Luo Bing saw this scene, they also found it unbearable. The Magistrate looked to Linghua, his stern voice sounding, "Can you tell me everything that's happened?"

Linghua glanced to Deng Yan lying on the ground and told everything that had happened to the Capital Magistrate through endless weeping.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐