If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

Shen Qingdai asked the headmaster for leave.

With such a big thing happening at home, she had no heart to go to school.

I'll help out with whatever I can when I get home.

She was upset, and Xi Lingxian couldn't sit still either.

Since learning that she and Wang Jue had completely broken up, Shen Qingdai gave up on asking Xi Lingxian to plead with Wang Jue on her behalf.

She didn't want to put her in a difficult position.

But everything is reciprocal. Shen Qingdai didn't want to put Xi Lingxian in a difficult position, and Xi Lingxian couldn't bear to see her friend sad and shed tears for this.

"Sister Qingdai, don't worry. I'll go back to the manor and discuss it with my father and elder brother. I'll definitely find a way to help you."

Having witnessed the fickleness of human nature in just a few days, Shen Qingdai was now completely lacking in confidence, feeling helpless and lost.

Xi Lingxian was both shocked and heartbroken.

These noble ladies, who usually live a life of luxury and ease, become easily frightened if their families are in danger.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. After the family is destroyed, the path left for the women is one worse than death.

Since his young master rarely spoke up, Xi Rui went to great lengths, trying to stop Wang Jue from speaking after court for several days in a row.

"Brother Qingyu, if you tell me something about our relationship that we can't talk about, just give me a little hint, and I promise I won't tell anyone else."

"You know my character; I would never conspire with anyone to harm anyone. I'm just curious."

Looking at Xi Rui, who seemed to have no ulterior motives, Wang Jue wondered how he managed to be so invincible on the battlefield.

"This case involves many parties, each with their own version of events, and none of them are willing to give in, so it's difficult to reach a conclusion in the short term."

Xi Rui stroked his chin and asked without hesitation, "Then in your opinion, was the Shen family framed and falsely accused?"

Wang Jue glanced at him.

Xi Rui felt inexplicably guilty, touched his nose, and said, "If you can't say, then don't say. I won't ask anymore."

Feeling bitter inside, my younger sister is bound to complain about him again.

The father was more intelligent than the son. Xi Jian, being the Grand Secretary, followed the clues and uncovered many leads through secret investigations.

In recent years, in order to increase tax revenue, the imperial court has implemented the "land quota" policy. For the long-term planning of the family, Shen Pu, the head of the Shen family, has always actively supported the court's investigation of household registrations and has repeatedly suppressed the unregistered households under the names of the Gu and Qian families in order to gain the trust of the central government and arrange official positions for his family members.

The three parties have been locked in a stalemate for years, but no one expected that they would completely break off relations and bring the conflict into the open this time.

The day after Shen Qingdai returned home from her studies, Xi Lingxian also asked the headmaster for leave and returned to Jiankang City.

This is the time when the Shen family needs people the most. Even if she stays by Shen Qingdai's side and does nothing, it's better than letting her worry alone.

Over the years, Shen Qingdai's father, Shen Pu, had personally handled all the affairs of the family. Having been pampered by her husband for decades, Madam Shen was a gentle and naive woman. When the accident happened, she fell ill with fright within a few days.

Xi Lingxian visited the mansion and said some comforting words to put Madam Shen to sleep before taking Shen Qingdai out.

In the dead of winter, it was impossible to stand outside, so the two went into the warm room to talk.

"Sister Qingdai, please tell me everything you know about the whole story, and I'll see if I can help you in any way."

Shen Qingdai cried for a long time, and then sobbed as she told her some things that no one else knew.

Even Shen Pu's retainers were bribed; this was no ordinary scheme or frame-up.

Seeking justice will likely not be an easy task.

Neither her father nor her elder brother could get Wang Jue to talk, and Xi Lingxian didn't think she had that ability.

And she didn't want to see him either.

She just declared she was cutting ties completely, and now she's coming to my door—isn't that contradicting herself?

Having lived an extra lifetime, Xi Lingxian pondered for a moment and then selected two candidates.

……

Qingxi Riverbank

The neighbor of the Xi family, separated by only one wall, was the residence of the Lu family of Wu County.

Lu Yun is currently serving as a physician in the Court of Justice. He is a calm and astute person, and we might be able to glean some information from him.

Lu Yun was somewhat surprised to see the girl who had suddenly appeared.

"Miss Xi..." Lu Yun carefully chose his words, "Regarding the Shen family's affairs, although I have some leads, but..."

"Young Master Lu, I know you are selfless and devoted to the public good. I've come today to tell you some other clues that the Shen family asked me to provide."

Lu Yun remained silent for a moment, wanting to ask why he didn't go to find Wang Jue, but he felt it would be impolite and swallowed the words back.

"Very well, Miss Xi, please come in."

……

After leaving the Lu residence, Xi Lingxian, following Lu Yun's instructions, went to the Xie residence.

When Xie Chenxu heard the servant announce it, he gasped and a playful glint appeared in his eyes.

As expected of a daughter of a military family, she has quite the courage.

"Miss Xi, what brings you here?"

"Young Master Xie, please forgive my uninvited visit. But the matter is urgent, and I cannot spare any other considerations. The three most crucial letters for convicting the Shen family are all forgeries. I have heard that you are most skilled at tracing clues by handwriting, seals, and paper. I humbly request your assistance. The Xi and Shen families will never forget your great kindness."

Xie Chenxu chuckled, "All the evidence has been examined. The forged letter to the Northern Border was written on silk paper that the court bestowed upon the Shen family. Shen Pu did indeed have that kind of paper in his study."

"All the evidence is currently against the Shen family."

Xi Lingxian's eyes lit up. "Oh? Such a clever design?"

"Of those three letters, one is addressed to the leader of the refugees in Jiangbei, inviting him to come south and plunder the Gu family manor. My father has already sent people to investigate. Could you possibly lend us a hand, young master?"

Although the Xie family's Northern Army is not as powerful as before, it still retains some of its old troops and connections.

If the Xi and Xie families jointly determine that the correspondence between the Shen family and the leader of the refugees in this letter is untrue, all other evidence can be overturned.

Xie Chenxu paused for a moment, then said, "Miss Xi, it's best for a young lady like you not to get involved in these matters; it won't do you any good."

"The Shen family's daughter is my closest friend. How can I stand idly by when she is weeping and heartbroken?"

"Then why don't you go after the Wang family?"

"..."

"Grand Commandant Wang is busy with many affairs of state and may not have the mind to deal with these petty squabbles of the Jiangdong aristocratic families."

Xie Chenxu paused, but what he wanted to say was not about Grand Commandant Wang.

"Besides, the Northern Army is Xie family territory, so it's more appropriate for them to come to you."

That excuse is impeccable.

Xi Lingxian took out a stack of silver notes from her pocket and waved them in front of Xie Chenxu, "I won't let you work for nothing."

This was given to her by Shen Qingdai just now. When asking someone for a favor, it's always good to give them a little something, no matter who they are.

Hsieh Chenxu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You think I'm short of money?"

"I don't lack money, but no one would refuse money, right?"

Xie Chenxu glanced at it. "How much can you give?"

Xi Lingxian counted out five silver notes with a face value of one thousand taels each. "Is this enough?"

People from aristocratic families usually live extravagantly and have a particular taste in food; who among them is not short of money or does not love money?

Xie Chenxu was somewhat tempted. "Alright, I'll send someone to inquire right away. I hope we can catch up with Uncle Xi."

whee.

Xi Lingxian was a little smug. See? Money is useful everywhere.

Xie Chenxu didn't earn those five thousand taels of silver so easily. He personally rode a horse to the former subordinates of the Northern Army and questioned each of the leaders thoroughly.

No, there's nothing at all.

Four or five days passed in total.

Young Master Xie lamented how difficult it was to make money.

But when he thought that with those five thousand taels, he would have enough money to buy the jade screen he had recently set his sights on, he felt it was worth it.

The evidence brought by Xie Chenxu matched the testimony Xi Jian obtained during his investigation in Jingkou, confirming that the letter accusing the Shen family of intending to annex and murder the Gu family was a forgery.

The credibility of other so-called "evidence" is naturally greatly reduced as a result.

Upon hearing that he had earned five thousand taels of silver, Lu Yun became unbalanced and started shouting.

"No, why should I?"

"I helped too, why didn't I?"

Xie Chenxu looked smug. "What did you do to help? I, your humble servant, have been traveling back and forth for several days, and I deserve this money!"

The two started arguing back and forth in Wang Jue's study.

"No, give me half."

"Dream on! I'm going to buy a jade screen as a betrothal gift for Yuan'er."

Wang Jue, who was bowing his head to official documents, suddenly looked up and looked down at Lu Yun and Xie Chenxu.

"You, the young master of the Xie family, are taking money to do things?"

His disdain was palpable.

Xie Chenxu felt no shame whatsoever, "What do you mean by taking money to do things? I earn money through my own abilities."

"I'll have to tell Sister Xi to come to me again if there are any good opportunities like this in the future."

He blurted out something unintentionally, and before he knew it, the person above him was already glaring at him with an icy gaze.

"Sister Xi?" he said slowly and deliberately, enunciating each word.

Xie Chenxu subconsciously took a half step back.

"Did she give you the money?"

Xie Chenxu quickly retorted, "No, no, she's from the Shen family. She's just a contact person."

Lu Yun looked utterly bewildered. "Why won't you give it to me?"

Hsieh Chen-hsu kindly offered words of comfort: "Perhaps it's because you seem to have plenty of money?"

"..."

Wang Jue's hand holding the pen didn't move. The pen made a soft sound between his fingers, and ink seeped out from the gaps, staining his originally slender and clean fingertips black.

He was completely unaware.