Une aura glaçante

Chapitre 15

"Oh, it's vegetable pancakes," Wang Gui quickly replied. "The rabbits in this manor are picky eaters and greedy. If they're not fed enough, they'll bite the flowers. So I specially made vegetable pancakes with soybean dregs, sweet potatoes, plantain, and dandelion. Today I even added a few fresh apples."

Xiao Dao and Xue Beifan exchanged a speechless glance—so that's how it is. They had just thought he was feeding the rabbits with manure, and Wang Gui's expression when he fed the rabbits was quite frightening; something felt off.

Wang Bibo frowned and asked Wang Gui, "Didn't you say she quit her job?"

“I…” Wang Gui hesitated, lowering his head.

"Speak," Wang Bibo said, raising her voice slightly. Wang Gui quickly replied, "It was Miss Biao who called the person away. I was a little worried, so when I went to check, I heard a scream at the courtyard gate, so I quickly retreated." As he spoke, he pointed to Xiaodao, "Miss Xiaodao saw it too."

Wang Bibo turned to look at Xiaodao.

Xiao Dao recalled what happened in the afternoon and nodded, "Hmm... I did hear the screams, and I even ran into Steward Wang, but he said it was just a stray cat, so I didn't pay any attention to it."

"Where is Miss Biao?" Wang Bibo asked the maids.

The maids immediately shrank back and stepped aside, saying, "Miss Biao has been in her room ever since she came back, and she's probably already asleep."

Wang Bibo turned around and walked away.

When everyone tried to follow, he yelled, "What are you following for? Go do what you're supposed to be doing!"

The maids and servants quickly dispersed.

Xue Beifan and Xiao Dao subconsciously glanced at each other. The people of Bibo Manor had to listen to Wang Bibo, so there was no reason for them to listen to her too, right? So, the two of them quietly slipped into the backyard when no one was paying attention, to find Yu Lanzhi's courtyard and listen to what Wang Bibo had to say to her.

"Don't you think..." Xue Beifan tried to strike up a conversation, "that we actually get along quite well?"

Xiao Dao walked forward with his hands behind his back, clearly unconvinced. "Stop being so vain. Who wants to be in your shoes?"

When they arrived near Yu Lanzhi's courtyard, the two saw several maids peeking in curiously, their faces full of schadenfreude.

Xiao Dao squinted, wanting to step forward, but Xue Beifan pulled him back and led him to hide behind the corridor, where he listened intently.

Several maids were whispering among themselves.

"Will the master of the manor drive Miss away this time?"

"That would be best, it's really annoying to look at."

"But the master is so fierce, and Miss Biao likes him so much."

"Hmph, you can't make a sale by being too eager."

Xiao Dao shook his head, while Xue Beifan clicked his tongue twice, "Women's jealousy is really unbearable."

Xiao Dao chuckled, "Jealousy is a deadly thing; women have it, and so do men."

"So it's entirely possible that Yu Lanzhi killed Cui'er out of jealousy." Xue Beifan leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, peeked out and said to the maids, "A woman's enemy is another woman."

After he finished speaking, the maids all lowered their heads in embarrassment and ran away.

Xiao Dao glanced at him with a smile, "Why are you bullying those little girls?"

"I just can't stand it." Xue Beifan shrugged. Seeing Xiao Dao turn around, walk out of the corridor, and leap onto the wall of Yu Lanzhi's courtyard, he followed.

Yu Lanzhi's room door was not closed, and Wang Bibo's voice was quite loud. He scolded her sternly, and before long Yu Lanzhi started to cry, and she cried more and more sadly.

Xiao Dao, arms crossed, watched clearly from the wall. A smile played on his lips as he gently patted Xue Beifan. "Let's go. We still have some time to get a good night's sleep before dawn. I'm so sleepy."

"Hey." Xue Beifan grabbed her. "This isn't like you. Yu Lanzhi is being bullied like this, and you don't even stand up for her? Aren't you supposed to be a helper for all women?"

"Go to hell!" Xiao Dao shook him off and muttered to herself, "I never would have guessed that Wang Bibo was a fool. I thought he was different from Shen Xinghai; he's got a clear head!"

"What do you mean?" Xue Beifan caught up with her. "Wang Bibo turned on her quickly. She spoke harshly to Yu Lanzhi before even investigating the matter. In my opinion, that's rather heartless."

"Tsk." Xiao Dao glanced at him. "What are you pretending for? Isn't this a trick you grown men always use? If Wang Bibo can do it, there's no reason you can't." Saying this, Xiao Dao shook his head. "First, you pretend to be a bad guy, then you let the other person accidentally discover your good intentions, and then you easily fool them into being completely devoted to you." After saying this, Xiao Dao shrugged. "So fake!"

When the two returned, the area ahead was in complete chaos.

A short while later, Wang Bibo brought over Yu Lanzhi, whose eyes were red from crying, and reprimanded her in front of everyone. Yu Lanzhi sat on the stone bench, sobbing pitifully. Even Hao Jinfeng couldn't bear to watch anymore. "I say, Master Wang," he said, "there's no solid evidence to prove that your cousin is involved. Isn't it a bit premature to jump to conclusions?!"

“Indeed.” Chonghua pointed to the wound on the corpse. “The force of the knife was quite great; it even broke the bone. The murderer must have been a man, or someone who knew martial arts.”

Everyone agreed that it made sense.

"I don't know any martial arts, I've never even killed a chicken, you're accusing me of murder!" Yu Lanzhi probably suffered more grievances today than she has in her entire life as a rich young lady.

"Then you did see Cui'er last this afternoon." Wang Bibo still seemed doubtful.

"No matter what I say, you won't believe me. In your heart, I'm not even as good as a servant!"

...

After all, it was a matter for Bibo Manor, and the host family had their own way of handling it. Xiao Dao and the others were just guests, so they didn't interfere too much.

Back in the courtyard, Xiao Dao washed up and lay down on the bed, pondering how to enter the Nine Pearl Dragon Pool.

Xiaoyue, on the other end, tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and finally let out a long sigh.

"What's wrong, Xiaoyue?" Xiaodao stood on tiptoe, tucked the blanket around himself, and looked at Xiaoyue on the other side.

“Yu Lanzhi is not worth Wang Bibo’s deep affection.” Xiaoyue turned over. “He doesn’t trust her at all.”

Xiao Dao leaned against the pillow. "Wang Bibo must have some ulterior motive for wanting to marry me. He really likes his cousin."

"What?" Xiaoyue asked, her eyes wide with confusion. "Really?"

"Hey, let me tell you." Xiao Dao leaned closer and whispered to Xiao Yue, "Someone poisoned me before, and this time they killed Cui'er. The most suspicious person is Yu Lanzhi, isn't she?"

"Yeah, so it was aimed at her, it seems like they framed her."

"Also, aren't many people in her family saying bad things about her?"

"yes."

"So Wang Bibo's indiscriminate scolding of her has two effects." Xiao Dao propped a pillow under his arm, rested his chin on his hand, and swung his legs back and forth. "If someone were to frame Yu Lanzhi, they would be very pleased with themselves and might escalate their actions, making it easy for them to slip up. Besides, you don't like Yu Lanzhi either, do you?"

Xiaoyue thought for a moment, then shook her head helplessly, "Being both arrogant and spoiled is really not endearing."

"So, even if you don't like her or understand her, you still feel sorry for her. Although the maids don't like her usually, they've all seen how good Yu Lanzhi is to Wang Bibo, and if they empathize with her, they'll all sympathize with her. This time, the hardest thing to do is to stop the gossip. If Wang Bibo protects Yu Lanzhi, the maids will spread rumors about her everywhere, convinced that she killed Cui'er, and it might even lead to legal trouble. Then the pampered young lady will really suffer. But this time, the maids all sympathize with her and unanimously believe that she was wronged. Although Yu Lanzhi was scolded, she was actually protected, which is exactly what Wang Bibo wanted."

After listening to what Xiaodao said, Xiaoyue suddenly realized, "So, Wang Bibo intentionally played the bad cop!"

“Wang Bibo is very proud, and he’s known for being gentle with women. The fact that he’s willing to disregard his pride for Yu Lanzhi shows that he’s sincere.” Xiao Dao sighed. “Alas, this makes me worried. I don’t know what he’s trying to do with me.”

Xiaoyue was startled and looked at Xiaodao, "Using you?"

Xiao Dao reached out and poked Xiao Yue's cheek. "You really think there are so many cases of love at first sight in this world? If a man is inexplicably interested in a woman, there are only two reasons: either he likes her, or he has ulterior motives. As for women, there are always better ones out there. I'm at most slightly above average; I'm not that easy to make someone lose their mind. Neither Xue Beifan nor Wang Bibo are smart men who lack women. It's not a good thing for them to be targeting you for no reason." As she spoke, Xiao Dao rubbed her nose with her pointed index finger. "My mother was right: 'Unsolicited kindness is either a swindler or a thief!'"

Fight evil with evil.

The next morning, just as Xiao Dao had predicted, the whole Bibo Manor was abuzz with the news that Cui'er had been murdered and that the manor lord, Wang Bibo, had indiscriminately berated his cousin, Yu Lanzhi.

The maids and servants all exclaimed, "A man's heart is like the weather in June; he can turn on you in an instant. He's so heartless! Yu Lanzhi poured her whole heart and soul into Wang Bibo, only to be discarded like trash in the end. Wang Bibo is even going to marry Yan Xiaodao. Poor Yu Lanzhi waited so many years for him."

Xiaoyue admired Xiaodao so much that she held her bowl while eating breakfast and said, "Xiaodao, you're so amazing, you guessed everything correctly."

Xiao Dao shrugged. "It's not that I'm good, it's that Wang Bibo is a scumbag."

"You're already cursing first thing in the morning?" Xue Beifan walked in from outside the courtyard gate, sat down opposite Xiaoyue and Xiaodao, and picked up a few peanuts from the plate to eat. "Wang Bibo at least sacrificed himself this time, and you still call him despicable?"

Xiao Dao glanced at Xiao Beifan and said, "This kind of man won't do anything without a reason. He'll definitely expect a return for his efforts. Just wait and see."

While they continued eating breakfast, Yu Lanzhi came strolling in with a small dish of side dishes. "Xiao Dao, eat this dish. It's best with porridge."

Xiao Dao poked at the dish with his silver chopsticks, muttering, "Miss, this dish isn't poisoned, is it?"

Yu Lanzhi glared at her, then smoothed a lock of hair that hung down in front of her chest, looking extremely pleased.

Xiaoyue glanced at Xiaodao, who pouted, dangling a piece of pickled vegetable between his fingers, muttering, "Oh dear, a woman's heart is the easiest to deceive."

"What are you saying!" Yu Lanzhi kicked Xiaodao under the stone table, looking around as she went. "Where's Constable Hao? I need his help with something."

Xue Beifan looked at Yu Lanzhi and said, "Miss, are you asking Detective Hao for help in investigating the case? He went to the yamen early this morning to ask the coroner to examine Cui'er's body."

"Oh." Yu Lanzhi nodded. "I was just thinking about this. I wanted him to help me find out the truth so that my cousin could be cleared of suspicion."

Everyone was stunned by her words. Xiao Dao held the porridge bowl, shaking his head as he slurped down his porridge.

Xue Beifan found it somewhat amusing and asked, "Miss, you were the one wrongly accused of murder this time, so how do you plan to clear your cousin's name?"

Yu Lanzhi pursed her lips and smiled gently, her smile so shy and gentle. "Today, I finally understand my cousin's good intentions. My deep affection for him all these years was the right thing to do..." As she spoke, her face turned red.

Xue Beifan's lips twitched as he looked at Xiao Dao, only to see her holding an empty bowl and looking around. "Where's the maid? Give me another bowl of porridge. This pickled vegetable is so cheap, it's delicious!"

Yu Lanzhi wrinkled her nose again and reached out to pinch Xiao Dao's arm.

"Ouch." Xiao Dao pulled his hand away, rubbing his arm and looking at her with dissatisfaction, "You've already gotten what you wanted, why are you still pinching me?"

Yu Lanzhi became even more smug, "You really have no feelings for your cousin? Why are you talking so sourly?"

"Tsk tsk." Xiao Dao shook his head repeatedly. "You should keep your pickled vegetable cousin to yourself. My little heart can't hold his big worm."

"What are you saying? You're disgusting." Yu Lanzhi said sternly. "Xiao Dao, can you do me a favor?"

Xiao Dao was displeased. "Just because I eat your bowl of pickled vegetables doesn't mean I have to help you!"

"You've come to the right place. I'll treat you to a big meal, no problem." Yu Lanzhi, befitting her status as a wealthy heiress, patted her chest generously. "Just tell me what you want."

Xiao Dao rested his chin on his hand and said, "I don't want the stuff, but I've heard there are many treasures in the Nine Pearl Dragon Pool of Bibo Manor. Can you show me some?"

Xue Beifan raised an eyebrow at Xiao Dao – Alright!

Xiao Dao wanted to throw the pickled vegetables at him.

"Nine Pearl Dragon Pool? What's so special about that?" Yu Lanzhi casually agreed. "I can take you there anytime."

"Really?" Xiaoyue asked in surprise. "I heard that the Nine Pearl Dragon Pool is full of traps and contains rare treasures."

Yu Lanzhi was stunned for a moment, then covered her mouth and giggled, "That was so many years ago! You don't know, there are actually so many treasure pavilions in the Nine Pearl Dragon Pool, and there are several that we can't get into!"

Xue Beifan frowned slightly. "Can't get in?"

"Back then, a fire destroyed my uncle's study and several buildings in Jiuzhulongtan. Many keys were lost at the time, and the mechanisms in those attics were burned or deformed. Over the years, my cousin has spent a lot of money and found many skilled craftsmen, but he still couldn't open those most crucial buildings."

After hearing Yu Lanzhi's words, Xiao Dao tapped the edge of his bowl with his chopsticks, making two "ding-ding" sounds. His mind was in turmoil for a moment before he finally stood up.

Everyone was puzzled as to why Xiaodao had suddenly stood up, and judging from her expression... Xiaoyue asked in surprise, "Xiaodao? What's wrong with you?"

At this moment, Yan Xiaodao had a sullen face, his eyes fixed on the empty bowl on the table.

"Hey." Xue Beifan tugged at her sleeve. "What's wrong? Did you eat something dirty?"

Xiao Dao glanced at him inexplicably, a look that startled Xue Beifan.