Zheng Zhenzhu’s smile was bitterer than wild herbs. She let out a sigh.
“Because I could not leave that courtyard. After killing me, that concubine-born daughter of the County Vice Magistrate didn't end up marrying him either. Guilt-ridden, Liu Zhengchuan moved here.
“If he hadn't gotten carried away with joy after my son passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, Xiao Huan and the others and I would never have found the opportunity to avenge ourselves.
“Mama Zhang did what she did for my sake as well. She nursed me from infancy and cared for me as her own child. This time, she acted rashly only because she thought you were sent to destroy us. Please, Constable, spare her.”
Gu Qingyun took in the scene and sheathed her saber. As the black energy around the vengeful spirit called Mama Zhang dispersed, she reverted to her ordinary ghost form, no longer capable of causing harm.
Zheng Zhenzhu explained the situation in just a few words, but her heart was far from calm. She hated herself for choosing such a heartless hypocrite, a man who took not only her fortune, but her life as well.
“In truth, even if you hadn't come, Miss, Mama Zhang and I would have already exacted our revenge. Now that the matter is settled, we were preparing to report to the Underworld.
“All these years, we remained trapped without release, yet we maintained our sanity mainly because I couldn't stop worrying about my son. Now that I know he is doing well and has made something of himself, I am truly content.
“Thank you. I never expected you would risk your life to come rescue people, let alone that the one you saved was my son. Truly, thank you.”
Gu Qingyun pursed her lips, deeply moved. “Madam, would you like to see Eldest Young Master Liu? And... why did you not kill that heartless man?”
“There is no need. My son and daughter-in-law live in perfect harmony; being too close to them would only bring them harm. I have already stolen a glance at him from afar. My son looks like me, and he has grown up wonderfully. You need not tell him about what happened to me, Miss. So long as he lives well, that is enough.”
Her tone shifted, and her brows knitted tightly. “As for Liu Zhengchuan, he will spend the rest of his life bedridden, unable to live or die. That will be his greatest torment.
“I cannot allow my son to resign from office to undergo Dingyou because of him. I will not ruin my son's future.”
She gave a relieved smile as a surge of black energy billowed out from her body. The maidservants beside her exchanged smiles of relief as well. As the dark mist separated from them, their spirits grew significantly fainter, and the thick fog blanketing the estate began to clear.
Watching the spirits, Gu Qingyun began chanting the Chapter of Salvation from her cultivation technique. Guided by her voice, the expressions on Zheng Zhenzhu and the others grew increasingly serene. A faint glow radiated from their forms as they bowed deeply to Gu Qingyun in gratitude before fading into the air and vanishing completely.
Gu Qingyun looked up at the sky. “Safe journey. May your next lives not be so bitter.”
“Constable Gu, you are amazing! The fog has cleared, the ghastly laughter is gone, and we all survived! By the way, what are you looking at up in the sky?”
A lively young maidservant stepped out of the room, crowding beside Gu Qingyun and chattering away, her words filled with the sheer relief of surviving the ordeal.
Having resolved the matter at the Liu estate, Gu Qingyun bade farewell to Head Constable Liu and the others who had entered to rescue them, then returned to the county yamen.
She privately shared the general outline of Zheng Zhenzhu's story with Liu Zhiyuan, leaving out all other details. The case was officially closed on the grounds that Liu Zhengchuan and his conspirators had died suddenly due to poor health.
Later, the Liu estate publicly announced that Zheng Zhenzhu had been murdered by a concubine, restoring her honor and reputation. As for why Liu Zhiyuan had insisted on staying in that former courtyard when he returned to pay respects to his ancestors after passing his examinations, who could say?
Three days after the incident at the Liu estate, Li Lai Fu led a group of people to deliver many gifts of gratitude. Not only did everyone receive a pouch of money, but Gu Qingyun also received two additional sets of black martial attire, complete with belts and shoes.
The fabric was clearly top-grade, exquisitely embroidered with bamboo leaves, and her name was even stitched into the borders. The sight brought an uncontrollable smile to her face.
“Brother Lai Fu, Lord Liu is being far too generous.”
Li Lai Fu waved his hand. “It is only right. The Madam's senior maidservants worked through the night to make these, all to express their gratitude to you and the others.
“We will be setting out for the capital in a few days, and there are still many matters at the estate that require our attention, so I shall take my leave now.”
“Safe travels.” Gu Qingyun accepted the two sets of new clothes, saw him out the door, and returned to the constables' quarters.
The constables and Head Constable Liu in the room were all smiles. When they saw her enter, they crowded around her. “Qingyun, thanks to you, we all received bonus silver! Quick, check how much reward money you got!”
Gu Qingyun looked around and understood. She opened her money pouch and tipped the contents out directly. “Five taels of silver. What about you all?”
Head Constable Liu patted her shoulder. “Haha, they all got three taels, and I got six. You getting five taels is well-deserved, kid! That night, you were truly risking your life out there.”
Gu Qingyun smiled softly. “Uncle Liu, I didn't get any less than you. I also received two sets of clothes, and I really like them.”
Head Constable Liu burst out laughing. “Oho, I almost forgot you're still a young girl who loves new clothes!
“Alright, alright, the matter is settled, so everyone dismiss! As for that murder case from last time, Wang Wu, you guys put some extra effort into it and make more inquiries. Time is running out, and if the magistrate asks about it later, it won't be easy to give an account.”
Seeing Head Constable Liu turn to official business, Gu Qingyun, Bai Fan, Old Liao, and the other constables on night patrol duty quickly slipped outside, wanting no part of the head constable's wrath.
Gu Qingyun returned to her room and held up the clothes from the Liu family against herself. She truly loved these garments. Fetching some water, she gave herself a quick wash before picking up the new clothes to try them on.
Inside the room, Gu Qingyun was preening before the washbasin. She stood up to grab the second set, but the moment she picked it up, something felt off to the touch.
Unfolding the garment gently, she found several beautifully embroidered hair ribbons and a fifty-tael silver banknote tucked inside. Looking over these items, Gu Qingyun tucked them away carefully and scratched Little Black's head. “Little Black, I've been on duty for less than two months and I've already saved up quite a bit of money. If I save up a bit more, I'll be able to bring my family over to live in the county seat. It's so much better to live in our own home.”
“Meow, meow, meow.”
“You think so too, don't you, Little Black? Let me work hard at cultivation, and when my family moves to the county seat, you can stay at home to protect them, okay?”
“Meow, meow, meow.” Little Black sat up and nudged her palm gently with its head. Gu Qingyun couldn't help but laugh.
“Alright, I get it. I'll still have you join me on night patrol. We're great partners, after all.”
With that, Gu Qingyun sat cross-legged on her bed and began cultivating. Little Black found its usual spot, curled up, and closed its eyes. Spiritual energy invisible to the naked eye swirled around the two of them, with a portion seeping into their bodies and disappearing.
Time slipped by as Gu Qingyun cultivated. By now, she no longer needed to sleep every day. Each time she finished cultivating, she felt full of energy, capable of running dozens of miles without breaking a sweat.
Gu Qingyun stepped out of the room with Little Black. It was already October, and the weather was gradually cooling down.
Out of all four seasons, this was her favorite. Back in the countryside, most of the wild fruits in the mountains would be ripe around this time. Being brave, she used to head into the mountains to pick plenty of wild fruits to bring back, which served as rare, cherished snacks for her family.
Gu Qingyun thought to herself that on her next rest day, she couldn't just idle at home. She had to go into the mountains to pick more fruits, as the women in her family all loved eating them.
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