Chapter 100: The Murder of the Aunt

Chapter Title: One Hundred Kills—Murdering the Aunt

The two passed each other at the doorway.

Li Yincheng’s fingers clenched tightly behind his back. “Want to settle the engagement? I’m afraid you’ll have the will but no life.”

Fang Rulai walked by calmly, unhurried. “Go ahead and make your move, or else I’ll have to do it myself.”

Li Lingcheng followed closely behind.

Only after their figures had moved some distance away did Li Yincheng suddenly remember and shout loudly, “Lingcheng, you and Miss Guan get some rest. The Crown Prince will arrange the carriages and horses properly for you.”

Fang Rulai halted just beneath the corridor, tilting her head to look at Li Lingcheng. “You followed here without arranging the carriages that were supposed to return to the city? Those carriages carry Zhu Xishi and the Shi siblings, and inside one sits that fool Guan Er.”

Li Lingcheng’s folding fan froze mid-wave. “You anticipated that the Crown Prince might personally intervene to stop you from entering and even prepared countermeasures in advance. Could it be that you neglected to arrange the carriages…”

He didn’t finish; Fang Rulai’s halted stance was answer enough.

Whatever the reason, they had left the carriages that hadn’t entered separately under the Crown Prince’s watch. That was far too dangerous!

Li Lingcheng snapped the fan shut and turned back. “You go back first; I’m going to rescue them. Those people must not fall into Li Yincheng’s hands; otherwise, we’re in trouble.”

Fang Rulai quickly grabbed his arm again. “No. Even if you go now, it’s too late.” Her mistake was getting too excited over winning two cities consecutively and forgetting about the carriages. But if the Second Prince chased out the door, there was no telling if he could return.

Li Lingcheng glanced at the empty doorway where the Crown Prince had disappeared. “Better late than never. Especially the Shi siblings—if they fall into the Crown Prince’s hands, all the information they’ve gathered on the journey could give him the leverage to bring us down.”

“Don’t worry. Guan Shiyin is still guarding outside. The situation shouldn’t be too bad,” Fang Rulai refused to dwell on the worst-case scenario.

Li Lingcheng’s eyes showed growing impatience. “The streets outside are packed with people. You know the Crown Prince fears acting too brazenly in public, but do you think he wouldn’t use Guan Shiyin to strike underhandedly, even with such public scrutiny?”

In front of the populace, even a cruel prince like the Crown Prince dared not openly wield power before he ascended the throne. He could only watch his younger brother build his reputation without daring to order him taken back to the palace.

The same applied to Guan Shiyin. If he acted without care for others, the Crown Prince could not take him down. But with so many witnesses and one “Guan Shiyin” standing in front, the real Guan Shiyin, unable to hide or appear openly, would be forcibly taken away under heavy guard to wherever the Crown Prince desired. They could even justify it as “arranging carriages for the future royal siblings.” Once away from the public eye…

“I must go immediately,” Li Lingcheng shook off Fang Rulai’s hand and dashed off, fearing that a moment’s delay could turn the tide.

Fang Rulai did not stop him this time. She had been too focused on how to get in through the Crown Prince’s door but had forgotten that those she brought had to get in safely too.

With the burning of Fahua Temple, Zhu Xishi’s small courtyard outside the city was no longer safe. She had to enter the Guan residence. And the Shi siblings, whose backgrounds were still unclear, must not fall into other hands. Besides, without them, how could they probe the rumors surrounding the favored cousin? Guan Shiyin himself need not enter, but he had to leave to secretly win over court officials. If he fell into the Crown Prince’s hands before leaving…

Fang Rulai clenched her fists. If she now chased after him and confronted the Crown Prince publicly again, what legitimate reason could she give to stop the Crown Prince from arranging the carriages for her? Now she realized that the Crown Prince’s loud proclamation at the gate was to let the public hear—he had already planned to act.

Things were becoming serious. Fang Rulai turned to follow the Second Prince but stopped abruptly as someone appeared at the corridor’s end.

“Shiyin.”

A woman’s voice, casual and natural.

In the Guan household, only one elder female could address Guan Shiyin with such familiarity—his aunt by marriage, the favored cousin mentioned by Shi Bilián, Guan Yihe’s second wife.

Fang Rulai paused briefly, then turned back.

At the corridor’s end, a middle-aged woman with an elegant air swayed forward with a captivating gait.

Fang Rulai’s mind flashed to the stories Shi Bilián had told about her: Shi Lingyun, a native of the renamed Lingyun village where the Guan residence stood, the younger sister of the old village chief’s wife, and Shi Bilián’s cousin. Over ten years ago, she had escaped the human traffickers in the capital, becoming the first to break free from the control behind Lingyun village. Her intelligence and cunning were evident.

But why, after marrying Guan Yihe as his second wife, had she never asked the Guan family to rescue other relatives? Was she truly so cold and self-serving? Guan Shiyin said she and Guan Yihe had been plotting to seize power and wealth all along. Had Shi Lingyun kept silent about her past to protect the family’s inheritance, avoiding any weakness?

“Shiyin! Are your legs truly healed? Come, walk a few steps for your aunt to see!”

Fang Rulai did not move. Guan Shiyin had said that before the servants, this stepmother always put on an exaggeratedly affectionate act, while he always ignored her.

“Oh, you child, after traveling far and seeing the world, why are you still so shy? Show your aunt how well you’re doing! What, is your aunt going to scold you?”

Fang Rulai recalled another of Guan Shiyin’s remarks about this stepmother: even if he ignored her, she could carry out the whole scene of a warm meeting between aunt and niece all by herself, without once showing embarrassment before the juniors.

“Where is the Second Prince? Didn’t he say today would be your engagement day? Why have you returned alone without His Highness? And the Crown Prince—why isn’t he here? Didn’t he come out early to greet you?”

Fang Rulai stepped into the courtyard, no need to chase after anyone now. Guan Yue hadn’t followed; she should be able to hold off the Crown Prince until the Second Prince arrived. Considering Guan Yue’s skills and tact, Fang Rulai felt somewhat reassured and could begin the next phase of her plan.

Guan Shiyin had said, passing through the long corridor connecting the front and back courtyards, the largest, most lavishly decorated courtyard beyond the inner gate was his. Easy to find—even without a guide.

“Hey, Shiyin, where are you going? You haven’t told me where the Crown Prince and the Second Prince are. The old master has prepared a welcome feast in the dining hall. Whether you attend or not, you should at least say something.”

Fang Rulai stopped beneath the inner gate’s arch and looked back at Shi Lingyun. This stepmother, who treated trivial matters as major ones, seemed thoroughly absorbed in her own identity. Had she truly abandoned all Lingyun village affairs for her new life? That wouldn’t do. They still needed clues from her to uncover the mastermind controlling Lingyun village. She wouldn’t be allowed to keep hiding forever.

“Do you have time to talk privately?” Fang Rulai tossed out the question, then without waiting for a reply, turned and walked on. Soon, footsteps ran to catch up behind her.

Fang Rulai halted before the main house door, glanced at the crowd of maids and elderly women surrounding her, and waved them away. “Go back.”

Shi Lingyun followed in, still playing the affectionate aunt. “Oh, our Shiyin has grown up! Whispering secrets to your aunt, huh? I understand—you’re getting married. That feeling is always…”

Fang Rulai closed the door.

Shi Lingyun immediately fell silent, then jumped away a few steps, her friendly expression vanishing cleanly. “What are you going to do? I’ll have you know the old master is still waiting in the dining hall. If I’m late, he’ll surely come looking for me here!”

“Looking for you? So what?” Fang Rulai sat at the table, voice cold. “When one is dead and buried, do you think, as a mere stepdaughter-in-law, he’d bother investigating the causes and seeking revenge on your behalf?”

“If you were truly Guan Shiyin, then no, you wouldn’t be worth it. But you’re not real—you’re a fake!” Shi Lingyun stepped forward, yanking off Fang Rulai’s veil. “Look at that face. No matter how much you resemble Guan Shiyin, you can only fool those unfamiliar with you.”

Fang Rulai met her gaze steadily. “Then why didn’t you expose me before the servants?”

Shi Lingyun’s expression stiffened.

Fang Rulai answered for her: “Because in your eyes, a fake Guan Shiyin is easier to deal with. Whether I’m real or not doesn’t matter. As long as outsiders believe I died as Guan Shiyin, that’s enough. Am I right?”

“You…” Shi Lingyun stepped back, clutching the veil.

Fang Rulai smiled. “No need to be so tense. Maybe you and Guan Shiyin are sworn enemies, but as far as I can tell, you and I have no grudge that would require killing each other. So, what exactly are you getting at?”

“Shi Bilián.”

Fang Rulai spoke bluntly. Shi Lingyun’s face paled instantly.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying!”

“If you tell me how you escaped the capital over ten years ago, I won’t expose to Guan Yihe that not only is your past a lie, but even your name is false.”

Shi Lingyun turned toward the door handle. “Shiyin, you must be tired from your journey. Rest more, your aunt will…”

“I brought the Shi siblings back from the capital.” Fang Rulai cut her off swiftly. “From now on, if you want to keep things hidden from the Guan household, you’ll have to coordinate with us first, understand?”

The door opened slightly, then stopped.

Shi Lingyun’s gaze dropped to her toes, voice barely audible. “I have no children. Marrying into the Guan household was just to save money for my old age. The schemes I carried out were all at Guan Yihe’s behest, not my own. Besides, Guan Shiyin isn’t harmed, is he? So I’ll leave the Guan household now. Let’s pretend you didn’t see me today, okay?”

“And the Shi siblings? They barely escaped someone’s control and came to Shengjing seeking your shelter. You don’t even mention seeing them and want to pack up and leave? Are you afraid they’ll be a burden, or is there something you know that scares you into running?”

Shi Lingyun suddenly trembled and pushed the door open wider. “I’m going back to pack and leave the Guan household. I don’t even know the person you mentioned…”

Suddenly, a sharp whizz cut through the air.

Fang Rulai sprang up, opening her mouth to warn Shi Lingyun to retreat inside. But before she could speak, a lethal arrow shot straight at Shi Lingyun by the door.

Shi Lingyun was terrified, unable to utter a sound.

Fang Rulai lunged forward. “Dodge…”

The arrow pierced flesh with a sharp, sickening sound.

Bright blood splattered against the white paper window.

Fang Rulai froze mid-stride, the word “Open” caught in her throat.

Looking up, she saw a shadow flicker across the rooftop opposite and vanish.

“Banxia, pursue!” Fang Rulai’s eyes narrowed as she commanded.

“Yes.” Banxia did not appear but responded and gave chase.

Fang Rulai steadied herself and knelt beside Shi Lingyun. The arrow had struck just left of her chest—a clean, fatal wound. Whoever was behind this had no intention of leaving her even a final word.

Unfortunately, they underestimated Shi Lingyun’s abilities.

Fang Rulai’s hand covered the woman’s clothes.

Who are you? Guan Shiyin isn’t here now, and I don’t know when he’ll return. The master’s orders must be postponed.

What? Guan Shiyin will be back in a few days? This is the master’s new plan? He changed his mind?

Hey, you’re just leaving like that? Am I only to follow the instructions in the letter, is that it?

Strange, this person hasn’t uttered a word all day. Has he gone mute?

Fang Rulai furrowed her brow. Who was this person? Why remained silent throughout? It seemed the master behind him was the true mastermind directing Shi Lingyun. But Shi Lingyun had said her actions were all under Guan Yihe’s orders. What was the plan in that letter? What was Shi Lingyun supposed to do to Guan Shiyin?

Hearing only Shi Lingyun’s one-sided monologue, Fang Rulai’s questions grew deeper.

She focused, sensing only trivial daily remarks from Shi Lingyun thereafter; the plan was never mentioned again.

Fang Rulai’s gaze shifted to the arrow. Could she start investigating there? What messages could it carry?

She reached out to grasp the arrow again, eyes closing—when suddenly an angry shout rang outside the door.

“Seize the murderer who killed his own aunt!”

The final update of February’s 4,000-words-per-day series. Tomorrow, March 1, I’m bracing myself to increase to 5,000 words daily.

Honestly, maintaining 4,000 words daily has already been overwhelming compared to the ease of 2,000 words.

Frankly, I’m not very confident about 5,000 words starting tomorrow, but I want to try!

I don’t mind if you come to the comment section to tear me apart when I occasionally fail to post at 9 sharp—I’m apparently the type who won’t quit without a fight (maybe revealing my masochistic nature here)…

But please don’t try to motivate me with gifts! (Yes, you—sweet talk won’t sting like a whip.) (Oops, that sounded off again.)

So, let’s try to make it to the end together!

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