“Young Master, what about here…”
“Ensure Lady Wang Yun is properly buried.” A trace of fatigue crossed Jun Ye’an’s brow as he sighed, “Qian Lang, I fear this year will not pass peacefully.”
Chu Xia felt like she had been dreaming for ages. At first, she was following her lady’s orders, buying New Year’s trinkets at the market in Cangzhou City, enjoying some snacks at a teahouse, and listening to stories about the young master, her heart filled with joy. But then, the dream turned dark; the bright day became a night of heavy rain, blood-red rain falling on her beautiful lady. Frightened, she fell, and upon getting up, saw her lady lying dead on the bed, accused of the murder, her arm twisted by the chief steward, about to be tortured… until… until a handsome young man saved her.
She didn’t remember how he had realigned her arm, but she could still feel his cool fingers brushing her forehead, as gentle as brushing away petals. Slowly opening her eyes, confusion filled her gaze until she saw the young man sitting by her bed, and clarity returned.
“Young Master…” Scenes from last night flashed before her eyes, and Chu Xia sat up in panic, pleading, “Please, Young Master, I didn’t kill the lady…”
Jun Ye’an gently pressed her shoulders, his smile soft. “Do you recognize me?”
Still trembling, Chu Xia lowered her gaze, her lips tightly pressed together. “I’ve been in the Jun household for only half a year. I’ve never seen the Young Master before.”
The casually dressed young master looked down at the still-shaking girl with interest, “Hmm.” “Who else but the Young Master could have saved me from the chief steward?”
Chu Xia took a deep breath, lifting her head slightly, her eyes full of plea. “Please, Young Master… investigate.”
Jun Ye’an let go of her, speaking slowly, “If you want to clear your name, answer my questions carefully.”
Chu Xia nodded. “Yes, Young Master, please ask.”
“When you got up to go to Wang Yun Zhai, was it at the third quarter of the hour of the Rat?”
“Lady’s room needs charcoal added at night, so I usually wake up at that time. I’ve never missed it.”
