Chapter 55: The Death of Xu Chunhua

Chapter Title: 055 Xu Chunhua Dies

Inside the room, red gauze fluttered, candlelight flickered, and the decadent dreamlike atmosphere gave an instant impression of a luxurious private suite—like paradise on earth. Yet, Fang Rulai immediately sensed the fierce killing intent lurking beneath the warmth and softness.

After two encounters at the mourning hall, even if Xu Chunhua herself couldn’t guess there was a problem, those behind her surely would. Now, with Fang Rulai voluntarily presenting herself, not only did they not hasten to conceal their influence, they became even more blatant, boldly declaring: “I am indeed up to something.” This revealed their confidence in their established power, so much so that the moment Fang Rulai appeared, they threatened her with a forceful “once you enter, you will never leave.”

Behind the faintly visible gauze, Xu Chunhua lay half draped over someone, beckoning seductively to Fang Rulai. “Master, come here.”

A maid beneath the red gauze moved behind Fang Rulai to close the door.

“No need, benefactor. This humble monk will close it himself.” Fang Rulai stepped back, quickly closing the door first—if the view was blocked, and Banxia acted prematurely, it would spell trouble.

Xu Chunhua interpreted this as her interrupted seduction finally having its effect—the monk closed the door out of fear others might see.

“Hehe, little monk, you’re quite cautious,” Xu Chunhua teased.

Fang Rulai pointed at the red gauze above. “Not nearly as bold as you, Benefactor Xu.”

Even with caution, she hadn’t dared to be as brazen as Xu Chunhua—courting death so openly!

Xu Chunhua laughed louder. “You mean while the house is draped in white, here I am shrouded in red? Yes, it’s unfilial. If discovered, I ought to be drowned or beaten to death, right? But what can I do? It won’t be discovered at all. Because those who would discover it are already dead!”

Having finally recovered from her fright, Xu Chunhua spoke the last words with deliberate emphasis, clearly wanting to scare Fang Rulai in return.

Unfortunately, she faced Fang Rulai.

Fang Rulai’s expression didn’t change; she replied coolly, “Oh, that does fit your bold style, Benefactor Xu.”

Xu Chunhua’s laughter stopped, her face surprised. “You’re not nervous? Not nervous that you might be the next to discover something and never live to tell?”

“Of course I’m nervous,” Fang Rulai pressed a hand solemnly to her chest, as if to prove the truth of her words. “My heart is racing, my blood surging.”

If all went well, could this trip to Pingcheng end ahead of schedule? Ha, she was not just nervous—she was so excited she could almost smell the intoxicating aroma of stir-fried blood tofu.

“You!” Xu Chunhua suddenly sat up, angered—was she being mocked for her empty threats?

“Chunhua, you’re being rude.” The person beneath Xu Chunhua turned their face toward her. “The master is a guest; how can you shout at him? Go, apologize.”

With those words, the person raised an arm and swept it outward. To Fang Rulai, it was almost graceful, like a dancer. But in the next moment, Fang Rulai no longer found it beautiful.

Xu Chunhua’s body was suddenly thrown, soaring through layers of gauze, hurtling directly toward Fang Rulai’s chest.

Such power in a mere gesture!

As Xu Chunhua drew near, Fang Rulai stepped back twice; Xu Chunhua landed with a heavy thud.

The loud impact made Fang Rulai wince on her behalf, but Xu Chunhua, when she looked up, didn’t show a trace of pain. Maintaining her professionalism, she continued her unfinished task with a coy pout. “Master, weren’t you here to see Chunhua? Why didn’t you catch me?”

“Oh, didn’t that person say this was an apology? If I caught you and ruined the gesture, wouldn’t that be a grave offense?” Fang Rulai replied to Xu Chunhua, but her gaze narrowed toward the figure behind the gauze.

The distance was too great, the layers of gauze too thick—apart from those predatory, chilly eyes, Fang Rulai could barely make out any identifying features.

This wouldn’t do! Facing an enemy, not even knowing their appearance—this put her at a great disadvantage.

With this in mind, Fang Rulai instinctively stepped forward. “May I ask, are you Second Young Master Zhao Liang?”

“Haha,” the person behind the gauze laughed aloud. “Since you want to know, why not come closer and see for yourself? Someone, remove all these gauze curtains.”

At that command, four maids leapt up, their sleeves swirling, quickly clearing away the dense, crisscrossed red gauze as if sweeping away a spider’s web.

The room instantly became clear and bright.

The person did not hide, lifting his chin to meet Fang Rulai’s gaze, while also scrutinizing the monk who had foiled Xu Chunhua—and thus, himself—once.

Standing there, benevolent and serene, he looked every bit the calm, accomplished monk; but the cunning in his eyes was unmistakable.

Was he just a passing monk, jealous of the Zhao family and seeking a share? Or was he the old man’s relentless aid, brought from afar to uncover the truth? Either way, the monk’s appearance must be a disguise.

“You’re not a monk!” the man said darkly.

Fang Rulai stopped before his couch. “And you are not Zhao Liang!” She didn’t know what Zhao Liang truly looked like, but the door frame she touched earlier had told her clearly: this was not Zhao Liang.

The man’s eyes contracted; he sat up straight. “Little monk, has no one told you that being too clever shortens your life?”

“Like the real Zhao Liang?” Fang Rulai’s words were sharp as a knife. “He must have been the first to notice your attempt to use the Xu-Zhao marriage to divide the Zhao family, so you dealt with him first, then impersonated him in the Zhao household—faking illness to avoid detection. The eldest son sensed something amiss, so you dealt with him; then, as the third son grew up and began to suspect, you targeted him as well.”

“Hey, monk! Don’t pin things on us. What we did, we admit—second and eldest sons. But for what we failed to do, don’t make us take the blame. We tried with the third son, but didn’t succeed.” The man lounged against the headboard, enjoying the rare chance to talk with someone who had uncovered so much. “You’re from Shengjing, aren’t you? Then you should know the third son died in Shengjing, nothing to do with us, though we wished for it. I’m quite curious how you discovered all this!”

How did she discover it? Everything here spoke for itself, but she would not tell him.

Fang Rulai only answered what mattered. “Who said you failed? You succeeded—the real Ke Shao died at your hands at the end of last month.”

“What?” The man’s face changed. The recent news of Ke Shao’s death—“You really are that old man’s investigator!”

Xu Chunhua came over, making a silencing gesture. “Qiang-ge, should we keep him any longer?”

Qiang-ge waved her off, never taking his eyes from Fang Rulai. “That old man finally found someone with brains to help; unfortunately, still not smart enough. You come alone to my turf—do you think you’ll leave alive—”

“There’s another possibility: too smart.” Fang Rulai interrupted with a playful smile. “Since I could uncover the truth, wouldn’t I have made arrangements before coming in? Why else would I dare enter alone?”

The room fell silent, the atmosphere heavy.

On the verge of confrontation, Qiang-ge waved his hand; the four maids went to vantage points by the courtyard.

Soon, they reported one by one, “Qiang-ge, nothing unusual here.” “No anomalies here.” “Nothing.” “Nothing.”

Xu Chunhua snorted with laughter. “Little monk, you can pretend all you like, but be careful—play-acting too much might get you killed faster.”

“Oh, really?” Fang Rulai hooked a stool over with his foot and sat down leisurely. “Are you sure there’s nothing unusual? Just a distant glance?”

Her composure was so steady that even Qiang-ge, who trusted his people, began to doubt. “Check again! Be thorough this time.”

The four maids obeyed, soon reporting back. “Old Liu by the wine vats is still dozing.”

Fang Rulai interjected, “Perhaps he’ll sleep forever now.”

Qiang-ge rose from the couch. “And the others?”

“The tree planters are still planting under the tree.”

Fang Rulai, “Indeed, and still working on the same tree they haven’t managed to plant since I arrived.”

“The branch pruners are still pruning under the tree.”

Fang Rulai, “Yes, and still using darts for pruning—the flight paths miraculously never vary.”

No sooner had she finished than Xu Chunhua panicked. “Qiang-ge!” Were they surrounded?

“Little monk!” Qiang-ge’s body tensed and, in the next moment, shot toward Fang Rulai like an arrow. “Dare to strike at me? You court death!”

A surge of killing intent erupted. Qiang-ge’s hand, shaped like a blade, struck straight for Fang Rulai’s left chest. If they were surrounded, he’d take someone down with him.

Almost simultaneously, behind him, Xu Chunhua turned and ran for the back door. Fighting was none of her concern—survival was all that mattered now.

“Chunhua, why the rush? I promised to keep you safe; I won’t let you be harmed.” With danger imminent, Fang Rulai’s words were directed to Xu Chunhua. “Chunhua, come to me.”

Xu Chunhua halted at the sound. “Monk, you—”

She had no time to object. At Fang Rulai’s call, Qiang-ge instantly changed direction, his hand blade plunging straight into Xu Chunhua’s left chest from behind. Xu Chunhua collapsed, her face still bearing the surprise from hearing Fang Rulai’s words.

Thank you, dear Chao Jin Lu Kui, for the encouragement of your flowers!

A conflicted confession: big sunflower, you suddenly hand me such a sweet date and forbid me to mention it? Are you sincerely trying to kill me? Begging for mercy!

This book is first published at...