Chapter 11: The Object in the Palm

Madam Tu put on an expression of great anger and stepped forward, shouting, “Mr. Yang, what do you mean by that? Are you trying to say that our Suo family murdered our own son-in-law?”

Yang Can replied, “There are too many suspicious actions along the Suo family’s path. I have my doubts. Does Madam Tu forbid me from speaking?”

Madam Tu sneered coldly and said to Steward Yi, “Steward Yi, when the bandits fled that day, we captured one alive. He is currently under my watch. If you want to know who these bandits truly are, just interrogate him.”

Yang Can immediately retorted, “Commander Cheng wanted to interrogate that bandit, but you obstructed him repeatedly. Now the best chance for capture has passed, yet you pretend to be magnanimous. Are you saying the Suo family harbors no ulterior motives?”

After speaking, Yang Can turned to Cheng Dakuan. The man, nicknamed Leopard Head, hadn’t even noticed that in Yang Can’s mouth, he had fallen from “Commander Cheng” to just “Dakuan.” Yang Can’s words made him nervous, like a gambler about to stake his last chip.

Mr. Yang has placed a bet; should I follow?

Thinking of the Suo and Yu families’ alliance, with the Suo family stronger and the Yu family currently dependent on them, Leopard Head felt Yang Can’s unconventional tactics might backfire.

So, Leopard Head dryly said, “What Mr. Yang says is true. However…” He quickly added, “Madam Tu said the bandit was barely alive at the time and couldn’t withstand torture. Moreover, our priority was to escort the young mistress safely to Tianshui, so…”

Steward Yi had initially thought Yang Can truly knew something. Now, it seemed all he had was wild conjecture with no evidence, stirring up trouble. Yi was inwardly furious. This Master Yang, once clever beside the young lord, now seemed dazed. What reason would the Suo family have to kill the young lord?

He glanced coldly at Yang Can, then politely nodded to Madam Tu and said gently, “My name is Yi. Madam Tu need not worry; I won’t believe his baseless words. Let me pay respects to our young master first.”

Turning toward the ugly and shabby coffin, Yi sighed deeply. “Young master, your death—do you realize the turmoil it will bring to the Yu family?”

While Yi offered incense and paid respects, Madam Tu approached Yang Can and whispered just to him, “Mr. Yang, what exactly do you want?”

Yang Can’s lips moved slightly as he whispered back, “I just want to muddy the waters a little.”

Madam Tu smiled knowingly. “You think you can slip out of my grasp by doing this?”

Yang Can replied calmly, “That’s hard to say. If the water gets muddied enough to blind even an old dragon like you, then maybe this little loach can slip through the net.”

Before Madam Tu could respond, Yi finished his bows and turned to her, asking, “May I ask who this Madam Tu is?”

Her fierce expression quickly softened as she hurried forward and introduced herself, “I am Tu, the maid who accompanied our young lady as part of her dowry.”

Yi nodded, now understanding her status.

“Madam Tu, where is Miss Suo? I wish to see her,” Yi said.

Madam Tu frowned slightly at the way Yi addressed Suo Chanzhi. Calling her “our young lady” was natural for her as a family member, but Yi was from the Yu family; shouldn’t he address her as Young Mistress?

However, Yi was the chief steward representing the Yu family externally, akin to a regional magistrate. Madam Tu’s position was insignificant in comparison, so she didn’t correct him over what might have been a mere oversight.

She waved a hand politely and said, “Steward Yi, the Young Mistress is over here.”

---

Yi nodded and followed Madam Tu.

At that moment, Qingmei had raised the curtains of the carriage. Wearing wedding attire over mourning bands, Suo Chanzhi, holding Qingmei’s arm, stepped down gracefully.

Yi hurried forward, clasping his fists respectfully. “Steward Yi of the Yu family greets Miss Suo.”

Hearing this, Suo Chanzhi was momentarily taken aback, her beautiful eyes quickly darting to Madam Tu, who shook her head in confusion.

Suo Chanzhi bit her lip and softly said, “I am already part of the Yu family now. How could I deserve such a formal address from Steward Yi?”

Yi was slightly stunned.

Madam Tu quickly stepped forward and said, “Steward Yi, on the journey here, Young Master Yu and our young lady shared a room. I still have her original red handkerchief. If luck favors us, our young lady may already be carrying the young master’s child. Steward Yi should change how he addresses her.”

“What…” Yi’s face flushed with embarrassment.

He had hurried over on orders from Master Yu Xinglong to escort the spirit. Before coming, the master had told him directly: the Yu family cannot hold back Miss Suo’s life because the heir has died. Since the bride was already on the way, it was improper to send her back, but she should no longer be called Young Mistress.

Once the funeral affairs were settled, the master intended to adopt Miss Suo as a sworn daughter and send her back to the Suo family with honor. This would preserve the bond between the Yu and Suo families and secure Miss Suo’s future.

Because of this, Yi addressed Suo Chanzhi as Miss Suo.

What? The young master had already consummated his marriage with her?

Yi looked closely at Suo Chanzhi. Despite her sorrowful expression, she possessed both exquisite beauty and delicate charm. Even with his age and experience, Yi felt a stirring in his heart.

Suddenly, it made sense. Such a beauty could move even an old man like him. How could the young lord, full of youthful vigor, resist during the long journey?

Besides, she was already considered part of the Yu family. Though no grand wedding had taken place, calling them husband and wife was not wrong. Sharing a room en route was also proper.

Yet, what a pity—a budding flower, now wilted, with no chance of nourishment again.

Yi thought silently, then clasped his fists and bowed again to Suo Chanzhi. “I was rash. Please forgive me, Young Mistress.”

In Longshang, no unified empire ruled; the eight clans governed themselves. Their important retainers referred to their lords as “my lord” in the manner of vassals in the late Han and Three Kingdoms period, not the imperial system.

Since Miss Suo had consummated her marriage with the young master, the Yu family could not turn back. Yi naturally regarded himself as a loyal retainer to the family’s first wife.

Madam Tu’s satisfied expression appeared upon hearing this.

After a brief conversation, Suo Chanzhi allowed Qingmei to assist her back into the four-horse carriage.

Just as she was about to enter, Suo Chanzhi cast a quick glance at Yang Can not far off and pressed her lips lightly before bowing and stepping inside.

She did not know that Madam Tu planned to eliminate Yang Can that very night.

---

As the saying goes, “One day as husband and wife, a hundred days of affection.” Suo Chanzhi and Yang Can had been intimate for far longer than a day.

Madam Tu wasn’t sure what Suo Chanzhi’s current feelings toward Yang Can were, so to avoid complications, she kept this plan from her.

But Suo Chanzhi was no fool. As they neared the Tianshui territory, regardless of whether she was already pregnant, Yang Can’s usefulness was ending.

If Madam Tu wanted to silence him, it would be within the next day or two.

Thus, Suo Chanzhi quickly guessed Yang Can’s motive: he was trying to save himself!

By accusing the Suo family of murdering Yu Chengye, if he died now, even those who hadn’t doubted the Suo family would begin to suspect.

But would this really save him?

Suddenly, Suo Chanzhi realized that although she worried, it was no longer whether Yang Can could be killed—but about his safety.

Pah! Suo Chanzhi scolded herself inwardly. That scoundrel treated you so cruelly, and yet you still feel reluctant toward him.

Your kindness will be your downfall...

---

Yang Can, undeterred, chased after Yi, shouting, “Steward Yi, do not be fooled by the Suo family! In my view, they cannot escape involvement in the young master’s death!”

Madam Tu was furious. “Mr. Yang, if you continue spouting nonsense, don’t blame me for being rude.”

“And what if you’re rude? Are you going to kill me? Kill me, then! Kill me!” Yang Can found his opportunity and shouted even louder than Leopard Head.

“Our young master was killed under the heavy protection of your Suo family! How could a mere hundred or so bandits break into the camp and murder him? Right after his death, they immediately tried to break out. Doesn’t this look like a conspiracy, inside help and outside attack targeting our young master?”

Madam Tu laughed bitterly with rage. “You were right there with the young master. If the Suo family had done this, wouldn’t it have been easier to kill you too? Why keep you alive to talk nonsense? Besides, we have a live captive. With him, aren’t we bound to find the true culprit?”

Yi said coldly, “Mr. Yang, you claim the Suo family is involved in the young master’s death. What evidence do you have?”

Yang Can replied, “Steward Yi, I feel that…”

Yi interrupted sternly, “I don’t want your feelings. I only ask if you have evidence!”

Yang Can awkwardly said, “I… have no concrete evidence yet…”

Yi frowned in displeasure. “If you have no evidence and it harms the harmony between families, then don’t speak further!”

Yi swept his sleeve and left. Madam Tu gave Yang Can a sinister smile before turning away.

She had already decided to send Yang Can on his final journey that very night.

His struggles now were nothing more than the last defiance of prey in the hunter’s grasp—only to add a bit of sport to her hunt, nothing more.