Taking the Princess as My Wife - Chapter 8

“Tomorrow is a day of rest; Prince Consort, do not forget our excursion.”

The couple was stunned, their eyes rimmed with red.

“Lord, have you… have you found my daughter?” The man’s rough, calloused hands tightened their grip.

Liu Ruheng’s heart sank to the bottom of an abyss. She opened her mouth, her voice thick and strained: “On the nineteenth day of the fifth month, the Court of Judicial Review discovered your daughter’s remains.”

Upon receiving this definitive answer, the couple in the noodle shop froze where they stood. Their faces turned deathly pale in an instant, as if their souls had left their bodies. The woman reached out to wipe the tears from her eyes and suddenly collapsed to her knees before Liu Ruheng, her voice trembling: “Lord, was Ah-Xiu harmed by someone? She always looked out for us; she couldn’t have possibly just…”

Liu Ruheng instinctively stepped forward to help her up. She felt as though something was blocking her throat, and her voice grew hoarse: “Auntie, please stand up first before we speak. She…”

Liu Ruheng could not bring herself to say it. The girl called Ah-Xiu had indeed been murdered, but the perpetrator held a position of extreme status. If no concrete evidence could be found, the case would be relegated to an unsolved mystery. After a powerful noble family arbitrarily pinned the blame on a page or a maid, it would, at most, be dismissed as “poor household management,” and before long, no one would remember such a “scandal.”

Perhaps sensing Liu Ruheng’s hesitation, the man, his eyes bloodshot, knelt down alongside his wife. His voice wavered but remained utterly firm: “Lord, please, just tell us. No matter what it is, we can endure it.”

Liu Ruheng helped the two of them up. “She was indeed murdered, but the killer has not yet been found.”

The couple finally regained some semblance of composure. They exchanged a glance, and the man spoke again: “Has the Lord come today to search for the true culprit?”

Liu Ruheng nodded slightly. She said, “I came today first to confirm the identity of the deceased, and second to ask where she went and whom she had contact with before she disappeared.”

Their eyes dimmed. The woman said with a trace of bitterness: “On the day she went missing, we were busy with the business. That child stayed home to embroider handkerchiefs to sell, wanting to help support the family, so we let her go.” At this point, the woman broke into uncontrollable sobs. She clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, struggling to suppress her cries as she added: “She often went to the market near the east of the city to sell things. She said the prices were higher there, and it would save us from working so hard.”

Liu Ruheng did not know how to comfort these two pitiable people who had lost their daughter in middle age. Before leaving, she could only offer a promise: she would do her utmost to find the true murderer.

The east of the city was exactly where the Mansion of the Marquis of Yuchang was located, not far from the market. Walking from here to the east of the city would take nearly the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn. Liu Ruheng had also visited the market the couple mentioned; it was near her own home.

Traveling by horse was, after all, much faster than on foot. As Liu Ruheng passed by her home, she thought that wearing official robes was inconvenient for gathering information. Just as she finished changing clothes and led her horse out, she happened to run into Sister-in-law Li, who was on her way to the market to buy groceries. She was carrying a bamboo basket covered with a handkerchief Liu Ruheng had never seen before.

Liu Ruheng reined in her horse. After calling out to Sister-in-law Li, she asked, “Sister-in-law Li, did you buy that handkerchief at the market?”

Seeing Liu Ruheng’s curiosity, Sister-in-law Li handed her the handkerchief and said, “A sensible little girl was selling them. I saw she was about the same age as Anyu, so I bought a few more so she could go home early. Master, if you think this handkerchief is nice, I’ll go back and get you a few new ones to use.”

Liu Ruheng thanked Sister-in-law Li for her kindness and asked, “Roughly how old was that girl? Is she the one with a mole between her eyebrows?”

Sister-in-law Li nodded, confirming Liu Ruheng’s question, and then asked with some confusion, “Has Master also bought her handkerchiefs? I don’t seem to have seen her around lately.”

Liu Ruheng made up a casual excuse and asked when Sister-in-law Li had last seen her. Sister-in-law Li smiled and replied, “It was on the seventeenth of the fifth month. She had good luck; just as I finished buying vegetables, I heard that a noble person took a liking to her handkerchiefs and bought them all up at once. They even had someone take her away to wait for the noble’s instructions and pick out some beautiful embroidery patterns.”

“Which noble family was it!” Realizing her tone was a bit too aggressive, Liu Ruheng softened her voice. She urged Sister-in-law Li not to mention their conversation today to anyone, and if anyone asked about the noble, to simply say she didn’t know. After that, she hurriedly mounted her horse and headed for the market.

The market was as bustling as ever, with everything imaginable for sale.

Liu Ruheng tied up her horse. She found a vendor who frequently set up shop in the market and, while picking out items, tried to gather information. The vendor only said he wasn’t sure and suggested she ask around the area where embroidery was sold.

Following the vendor’s directions, Liu Ruheng walked toward the embroidery stalls. There were currently two women still there, chatting idly with one another.

After observing the two for a while, Liu Ruheng stepped forward and asked, “Do you two ladies know the young girl who was selling embroidery here a few days ago?”

The two looked at each other and, upon hearing the question, lowered their heads, a flash of guilt appearing in their eyes. “Lately, it has only been us two sisters setting up shop. Perhaps the young master should ask someone else.”

Liu Ruheng’s heart sank. The behavior of these two clearly indicated they knew something. She softened her attitude and said gently, “Do you two ladies have some concerns?”

As she spoke, Liu Ruheng displayed her official seal and pressed some silver into their hands. “You may rest assured. If any trouble arises, I, this official, will take responsibility.”

The two hesitated for a long time before pushing the silver back.

Liu Ruheng’s face darkened. Before the two could speak, she said in a stern voice, “This matter involves a human life. I ask that you two think carefully before you speak.”

She had a handsome face and a tall stature; now, looking down at the two inexperienced young women with a darkened expression, she appeared quite imposing.

The younger of the two trembled, but in the end, she said nothing. The older girl shielded her sister and replied shakily, “Lord, we dare not say much. That person has powerful backing; how could common folk like us afford to offend them? We ask for your understanding, Lord.”

Liu Ruheng’s expression softened slightly. She handed over all the valuables she had on her and advised, “Do not worry. These things should be enough to trade for some silver. In the future, you two will not need to set up a stall here. Once that person is captured for their heinous crimes, they will be too busy saving themselves; no one will know it was you who spoke.”

She paused, then added heavily, “If this person is not removed, how do you know when you yourselves might face such an ordeal?”

After a long silence, the two took the money and left quickly, uttering only a single name.

“Yuji.”

Having obtained the lead, Liu Ruheng hurried home, bringing along all the handkerchiefs she had bought from the two women.

In the study, Liu Ruheng made marks and sketches on paper.

The surname Yu. In the entire capital, the only family with the surname Yu was the Mansion of the Marquis of Yuchang. Furthermore, the woman had just mentioned the name ‘Yuji.’ Aside from the masters, only favored “domestic slaves” born into the household would be bestowed the family surname.

As long as the whereabouts of the person named Yuji were discovered, the information regarding the mastermind behind the scenes could be revealed.

The next day, Liu Ruheng’s expression was somber. She had spent the entire night writing her report. Because she had omitted the two witnesses, the testimony was somewhat lacking, and further evidence was required.

Just as she was tethering her horse, she happened to run into Shaoqing Lu.

After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Ruheng stepped forward to salute. She gave a verbal account of yesterday’s events and then handed over the report.

Lu’s expression was grave. He remained silent for a long while before saying, “Do not breathe a word of this. Remember to comfort the victim’s family and do not alert the enemy.”

Liu Ruheng nodded, but she still felt uneasy. She asked, “The Mansion of the Marquis of Yuchang is surrounded. If this person flees—”

Before the words could leave her mouth, she was interrupted by Lu. “Do not listen, and do not ask. There are some matters that are not for a mere Clerk of the Court of Judicial Review to manage.”

Perhaps feeling his tone was too harsh, Lu said nothing more. He took the report from Liu Ruheng’s hand, turned, and walked away.

Liu Ruheng worried for several days while Lu remained elusive. One afternoon, he sent an attendant to summon Liu Ruheng for a talk.

This time, Lu brought good news.

The Marquis of Yuchang had been punished with the stripping of his noble title for failing to manage his household strictly.

The primary culprits were the inconspicuous Second Master of the second branch and the Second Madam—the woman who had spoken only a single sentence that day. Faced with Yuji’s testimony, the two were unable to refute the charges.

The accomplice was Yuji, who had been hiding out at a rural estate and had scars on his arm.

Due to the heinous nature of their actions, the three were sentenced to be beheaded after the autumn equinox.

Liu Ruheng felt a sense of melancholy. Although the criminals had been caught, that day’s “do not listen, do not ask” had a profound impact on her.

Before the imperial examinations, her teacher had only taught her to be a principled gentleman; he had never spoken of the “deafness and blindness” inherent in officialdom.

Fortunately, the true culprit had been found.

After returning home, Liu Ruheng’s spirits improved slightly. It happened that tomorrow was a day of rest, allowing her to take a break.

As was her habit, Liu Ruheng went to feed the pigeons under the veranda, only to discover a letter tied to a pigeon’s leg. Her hand holding the grain paused. The pigeon hopped forward a few steps and let out two “coos.”

Carefully removing the letter, Liu Ruheng unfolded it. The handwriting of the Princess met her eyes.

“Tomorrow is a day of rest; Prince Consort, do not forget our excursion.” Seeing the brief note, Liu Ruheng remembered the formal request for a meeting she had written days ago—it was an invitation she had sent to the Princess to go out together on their day off.

After finishing with the pigeons, Liu Ruheng hurriedly went to bathe. After bustling about, she picked out a set of new clothes she had made after arriving in the capital. She would scent them with incense today to wear when she met the Princess tomorrow.

After the last time, Liu Ruheng felt that when facing the Princess, she must make her happy and let her see her good qualities. Perhaps one day, if her secret were discovered, the Princess might have a moment of soft-heartedness and let her go.

Mother Liu, having heard that Liu Ruheng had assisted in solving a mysterious case today, came to the small courtyard where she lived to celebrate in high spirits.

When she arrived, Liu Ruheng was just trying on her new clothes. Seeing her daughter’s figure standing as upright as a bamboo stalk, Mother Liu’s face immediately broke into a wide smile: “Why have you only now thought to dress up? Could it be there is some good news you haven’t told me?”

Hearing this, Liu Ruheng nodded. She said, “Tomorrow, Princess Huaqing and I will take a stroll through the capital together.”

Mother Liu’s expression changed instantly. She stammered a few words, tears welling up in her eyes. Princess Huaqing had a poor reputation, and nothing good had come of their last meeting. Meeting again now, would it not mean another disaster of imprisonment?

Liu Ruheng was looking down, picking out a waist belt. When she turned and saw Mother Liu in tears, she felt somewhat helpless. “Mother, there is really no need to be so dramatic. Princess Huaqing is a good person.”

Support Taking the Princess as My Wife