Chapter 48 Perceptive

No one saw what happened that night.

No one knew when he left the house, the time of his death nor the events that transpired before his death. As his body was found floating in the river with a couple of fishing equipment haphazardly thrown next to him, everyone just assumed that it was an accidental death by drowning.

After hearing this, Yu Tang fell silent .

Ah Cam looked at her expression and felt scared. He cautiously asked, Then, Miss, I, do I still have to find out more?

Theres no need. It was as if there was a fire burning up in Yu Tangs heart, but simultaneously as though she was submerged in ice.

The people living near the Wei familys land were all familiar faces. Ah Cam would be a stranger to them, so if someone wanted to investigate, they would soon be able to know Ah Cams identity. She absolutely cant alert the Wei family of this matter and plunge them into greater grief. This matter, it should end here with her.

She should let the Wei family continue to think that it was just a drowning accident.

The real truth, she will definitely find out.

If he really was murdered, no matter the reason or the person who did it, she will fight with her life to get an explanation and obtain justice for him.

Yu Tang held on to the table for support and slowly got up, and pushed open the windows.

Mid-Autumn Festival was fast approaching.

The flowers were blooming vibrantly and the fragrance was strong.

This was a festival that reunited families everyone should be happy and joyous.

Yu Tang sat under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard as she made flowers head pieces.

This time, she made camellia flowers. Various kinds, using all kinds of materials and in different colors. In another two or three months, she would be able to fill several boxes full of it. When the time comes, in addition to giving her mother, eldest aunt, Ma Xiuniang and her family, she intends to send some to the women of the Wei family as well.

Yutang lowered her head and slowly sewed the previously cut Zhang velvet petals together piece by piece, and it soon formed a flower. Thereafter, she made the green leaves, or used beads to make the dew, or used scraps of cloth to shape bees resting on it, and it looked bright and cheerful.

Zhang velvet was mostly a deep red, with fine texture, and felt like real camellia petals to the touch, delicate and comforting.

Strangely, something dripped down from seemingly nowhere, wetting the green leaf-shaped Lu silk in her hands.

Yu Tang frowned.

She looked up but found that the sky was clear and cloudless.

Where did the water droplets come from?

She wondered. Her face felt a little uncomfortable so she reached out to touch her face, and was surprised to see her fingertips damp, glistening with water.

Yu Tang was a bit confused, but Shuang Taos alarmed voice rang in her ears. Miss, what happened? Why are you crying so hard? I, Ill go to find Madam

She hurriedly yanked Shuang Tao back and said disbelievingly, Im crying?

Shuang Tao looked at her with concern, pointing to her face and whispered, Your face is covered in tears.

Dont let Madam know about this. Yu Tang said, Go now and fetch some water for me to freshen up.

Shuang Tao didnt want to worry Madam Chen, so she obediently went to fetch water.

Yu Tang returned to her room and looked in the mirror.

As Shuangtao said, her eyes were red and her face was puffy and full of tears.

Yu Tang sat woodenly in front of the mirror for a while, her mind was in a mess , even she herself didnt know what she was thinking. As Shuang Tao came in with the water and assisted her to freshen up, Ah Cam suddenly came in to inform that Wei Xiaochuan wanted to see her. Hes waiting at the back door.

Ill go and have a look. She got up and went to the back courtyard.

Wei Xiaochuan was leaning against the wall in their back courtyard with his school bag, kicking the small stones by his feet.

When he spotted Yu Tang, he immediately stood up straight and said solemnly, Lady Yu, I have something to say to you personally.

Yu Tang nodded and let him in, and sent both Shuang Tao and Ah Cam away.

Wei Xiaochuan asked her, Why did Ah Cam inquire of my second brother? Is your family hiding something from our family? Also, what exactly did you mean by those words you said the last time you came to my school?

Yu Tang did not expect Wei Xiaochuan to be so observant and perceptive. She thought about making up some excuse to fool Wei Xiaochuan, however, she didnt expect Wei Xiaochuan to continue saying, If you tell me the truth, I might be able to help you. However, if you lie to me, I will tell the elders of both our families about this.

Ah! Yu Tangs eyes widened.

Wei Xiaochuan looked smug and replied, Dont think that just because Im young I dont know anything. You sneakily came to my school to see me, surely your elders at home wouldnt be aware about it. Ah Cam is most likely acting on your orders. I advise you to be honest and not to provoke me into using drastic methods.

Yu Tangs sorrow was driven away by Wei Xiaochuans words.

She didnt know if she should cry or laugh as she answered, Being so young, youve already learnt how to threaten people. Arent you afraid that I would go to your house to report you?

It should be you that should be more afraid of me reporting this matter, right? Wei Xiaochuan snorted, Dont think Im naive, if you want my family elders to know about it, you would have already sent someone to ask directly. Evidently, youre doing something shady behind our backs. He added, Moreover, its not that Im threatening you, but what youre doing is too suspicious. I went back and carefully thought about it, everything that you asked about my second brother only revolved around his death. After saying this, his face gradually turned dark, and his eyes also showed a deep sadness.

I also think my second brother is not a reckless person. I just assumed that I was thinking too much you must know somethings amiss. He looked at Yu Tang and pleaded, Tell me! Just treat it as me owing you a big favor. I will definitely repay you later.

Yu Tang was taken aback by his words.

Wei Xiaochuan, however, firmly believed that she had some insider information and stubbornly stared at her, as though if she didnt say it, he wouldnt give up.

Yu Tang let out a long breath.

If this incident was really done with malicious intent, then this trouble was originally caused by her. If she was the cause, could she really cover it up and hide it? Could she pretend that nothing happened?

Time waited for no one, and she desperately needed help.

Okay! Yu Tang made up her mind almost immediately, and she said, I can tell you, but you have to solemnly swear never to speak about this to another person.

As for the consequences of this matter, she will bear them.

Wei Xiaochuan hesitated for a moment before promising her.

Yu Tang told Wei Xiaochuan about her thoughts, but did not mention anything about the painting, as she was afraid that Wei Xiaochuan or the Wei family would also be implicated. Therefore, she could only say that she suspected someone was jealous of Wei Xiaochuan.

I guessed correctly. Wei Xiaochuan murmured, Thats why I said, my second brother is an extremely responsible person. If the next day, hes going to propose marriage, how would he leave the house without even mentioning it to anyone. The rivers and streams near my familys fields and farms were all like my second brothers backyard, why would my second brother go fishing and drown? Moreover, the time was when the frogs and fishes were plentiful , so the children in the farm and fields would go to catch frogs and fishes together in twos and threes whenever they had the time, so how come no one saw my second brother

Such a small child, with a desolate look of hopelessness and loss was particularly heartbreaking.

Yu Tang wanted to comfort him, but he jerked his head up, staring straight piercingly at Yu Tang. Lady Yu, is it the Li family?

This child, is really intelligent!

Yu Tang was caught off-guard.

Wei Xiaochuan already continued on resentfully. I guessed it should be them. Except for their family, no one else wanted to marry you so adamantly.

Yu Tang blushed with embarrassment and apologized in a low voice. Im sorry. I dont have proof yet to know if it was them

What do you have to apologize for? Wei Xiaochuan said discontentedly, If there is a fault, it is also their fault. Just because you are pretty, they all want to have you, and yet pushing the blame on you? You dont have to apologize to me, and you dont have to apologize to anyone!

Wei Xiaochuan! Yu Tangs voice caught, her vision suddenly became a little blurry.

In her previous life, whether was it Li Juns death or Li Duans lust for her, Madam Lin always said it was her fault, that all these things wouldnt have happened without a cause. It took her a long time before she finally understood that there are times when reason is on the side of the minority.

She wasnt wrong, it was those people who harbored malicious thoughts who were wrong.

After her rebirth, this was the first person to tell her so confidently that she was not to be blamed.

Yu Tang was overcome with emotion and cried.

Wei Xiaochuan, however, said frustratedly. You women just like to cry! Big things, small things, when youre happy, sad, even when theres nothing wrong, you all love to cry so much. Can you stop crying its so annoying! Dont you know that?

His mouth was full of complaints, but his ears were red and flushed.

Yu Tang stopped crying and laughed, as she reached out to touch his head, saying, Its my fault, I wont cry anymore.

Wei Xiaochuan tilted his head away to avoid her touch and said, Then Im leaving. Ill tell you when I have any news.

Yu Tang was afraid that he would get into trouble, so she pulled him back and said, Lets find out more about this matter first. As long as we investigate thoroughly, no matter who did it, Ill have a way to deal with them. Dont take matters into your own hands and spoil my plans.

Got it, got it. Wei Xiaochuan remarked unconcernedly, Even if I want to do something, I cant do it on my own I need to find a helper.

So she was Wei Xiaochuans chosen helper!

Yu Tang finally understood why Wei Xiaochuan came to her and said these things to her.

However, she too needed helpers. With Wei Xiaochuan help, it would be more useful than having Ah Cam.

Yu Tang asked Shuang Tao to take a box of snacks and gave it to Wei Xiaochuan, saying. Youre still growing, so take this to school to eat. If you cant finish it, share it with your classmates.

The Wei family generally had enough to live relatively comfortably, but after all, they lived in a village and had many sons, so it would definitely be a heavy financial burden for them. Even festivals and special events, the children didnt have the habit of eating snacks, much less sharing them with fellow students. Thus, in school, Wei Xiaochuan was a bit withdrawn, not that he was reluctant to make friends, but mainly because making friends required him to spend silver. He was worried that it would only create more trouble for his parents and thus, was not willing to spend this silver.

He did not want to take Yu Tangs snacks, rolling his eyes as he pushed them back. However, Yu Tang said, Consider it as your reward for helping me ask for information.

Wei Xiaochuan felt her kindness, so he pondered for a moment before accepting them. Thinking that after he become a respected court official, he would repay her tenfold this favor.

Yu Tang gaze at Wei Xiaochuans retreating back and smiled, shaking her head. This child was so mature it made her heart ache with sympathy.

Within two days, Yu Yuan came back.

Yu Wen, Yu Tang and Yu Yuan again went to the study to talk, avoiding Madam Chen.

Master Qian was grateful that we specially went to warn him of this. Yu Yuan lowered his voice and said, He said that when he first saw it, he also suspected that it was a nautical chart, but he didnt want to get involved, so he didnt mention anything. If this matter became serious, he is ready to go to his brothers place to hide for a few years, and if he could continue his business there, he would not come back, so we do not have to worry about him. He also said that if we ever decide to go to Fujian, he has a friend over there that was very fond of studying maps, so he may know. He also told me his address, so we could try.

Yu Wen and Yu Tang couldnt help but smile in relief.

Thats excellent! Yu Wen even added, The words of the ancestors have some truth to them, there is indeed a good reward for doing meritorious deeds. We only went to warn Master Qian and Master Qian returned us such a big favor. Just as well, I do not need to inquire further on those people doing business in Fujian. we just need to go straight to the person introduced by Master Qian.

Yu Tang nodded repeatedly.

Madam Chen knocked on the door outside and complained, Why did you close the door again? I have something to say, open the door quickly.

All three of them exchanged looks, and Yu Tang opened the door.

Madam Chen frowned as she came in, saying, Its autumn and the weather is good, why dont you three talk in the courtyard instead of hiding in the study?

Yu Wen quickly changed the subject and said, What urgent matter do you want to see us about?

Madam Chen said, A matchmaker has come to our house

Yu Tangs heart immediately erected a barrier.

The matter of the Li family has not yet been resolved, so she would be harming whoever that came to propose marriage with her!

Mother, you should put my marriage on hold for a while! She said hurriedly, Its soon to be the Mid-Autumn Festival, and after the Mid-Autumn Festival is Chongyang, so lets wait until the tenth month!

Madam Chen listened before chuckling, saying with a twinkle in her eye, What if I insist on settling your marriage now?

Yu Tangs mouth opened wide in shock, but she saw a look of urgency in her mothers eyes.

Mother! She said helplessly, at a loss for words.

Madam Chen then smiled and prodded her forehead, laughing, How popular do you think you are? You think the matchmaker came to our house to arrange marriage for you?

Yu Tang said blankly, Isnt it?

Madam Chen laughed loudly and said, Dont we still have your cousin in our family?

Everyone was shocked.

Yu Yuans face turned red with embarrassment at her insinuation.

Yu Wen asked with confusion, Whats going on here? Why didnt they ask sister-in-law about Ah Yuan but instead found you?

Yes!

Yu Tang strained her ears to listen.

Madam Chen replied, Its the Wei family, Mrs. Wei. She said that its a pity that the marriage between Ah-tang and their second son fell through. However, they still want to be in-laws with us. She was afraid that sister-in-law would misinterpret her actions, so she let the matchmaker find me to test waters first. So I came here to discuss this matter with you.

Yu Yuans face turned red, wanting to leave yet even more so wanting to stay and listen, and was caught in a dilemma.

Yu Wen replied, Didnt they only have five sons in their family? How come there came to be a daughter? Is it one of the daughters of the Wei familys other relatives?

Madam Chen covered her mouth and smiled, saying, Mrs. Wei is trying to secure a match for her niece who grew up in the Wei family and our Ah Yuan.

That young lady? Yu Wen obviously had an impression of her and said, Yes, yes, I think its fine. Then you can go over and talk to sister-in-law about it. The Wei family are responsible and honest, its also a pity that we couldnt form a marriage alliance with them.

Madam Chen smiled and glanced at Yu Yuan before saying, Ill go over now. The matchmaker is still waiting for my reply! Although she said this, but she didnt leave. Yu Yuan was so embarrassed that he only wanted to curl up into a ball.

The couple laughed and asked Yu Yuan for his opinion, What do you say? Although it is said that in marriage matters children should listen to their parents, but we also hope that you can live a good life. You also think about whether you want to.

Yu Yuan nodded frantically. His face was so red as if it would drip out blood at any moment.