Mrs. Cao answered instinctively, "He... he could never eat river shrimp. Otherwise, he'd get itchy all over and break out in a red rash..."
As she spoke, her eyes widened. "You! Are you saying that he—"
'So it's true,' Ye Chutang thought. 'Cao Chengwu's condition at death is consistent with asphyxiation from an allergic reaction. If I can just find the allergen, this whole mess can be solved.'
"Did he come into contact with any river shrimp after he went home yesterday?"
Mrs. Cao looked completely at a loss. "N-no! Everyone in the family knows he can't eat river shrimp. We never keep them in the house! How could..."
Ye Chutang's eyes narrowed slightly. "Everyone in the family knows?"
The Cao Family was one of the wealthier households in Jiangling, with a sprawling three-courtyard residence and a host of maids and servants.
With so many people coming and going, who could guarantee that nothing went wrong?
"What did he eat after he went home yesterday? Who handled the food? And are there any leftovers?"
Ye Chutang fired off a series of questions, but Mrs. Cao just stared blankly, unable to answer a single one. She only shook her head, muttering that it was impossible.
"Miss Ye!"
Cao Chengwen suddenly called out to her, his expression pained.
"My brother's death has already been a huge shock to my mother. Stop pressuring her!"
Ye Chutang's gaze swept over him coolly.
"Young Master Cao, I understand what you and Mrs. Cao are going through. But I am doing this to find the truth quickly and give everyone closure. How can you call that 'pressuring'? Or do you not want to know how your brother died so unjustly?"
The words were harsh, but blunt.
It was perfectly justifiable for Ye Chutang to seek the truth and prevent her brother from being made a scapegoat.
Her questions were standard for an inquiry; they were hardly excessive.
Cao Chengwen immediately raised his voice in protest. "How could that be! You... Don't you dare make such baseless accusations!"
Ye Chutang said, "Mrs. Cao is grief-stricken. It's understandable that she can't recall things right now. That's fine. We'll just question everyone in the Cao household. Then everything will be clear, won't it?"
Cao Chengwen didn't speak, but his eyes flickered.
"There are so many people in the household, and a whole day has passed. How could you possibly find anything? My brother is already gone. Why disturb his peace like this!"
He barked at the servants standing by, "What are you waiting for? Help my mother back inside!"
Two maids hastily agreed and hurried forward.
Cao Chengwen wore a grief-stricken expression. "My father is still out of town and hasn't returned. I can't imagine how devastated he'd be if he knew my brother was being subjected to this even after death! What are you all gaping at? Hurry up and take my brother home!"
He was the eldest young master of the Cao Family. With Mrs. Cao distraught and emotional, the servants naturally followed his orders.
"Wait!"
A shout suddenly came from outside the crowd, and two government officers came striding over.
"Someone reported a murder. What's going on here?"
Cao Chengwen was stunned. He shot a look at Mrs. Cao and lowered his voice, hissing, "Mother, did you call them? Didn't I tell you this morning not to report this to the authorities yet!?"
Mrs. Cao looked just as surprised. "I... I didn't!"
Her son was dead, and her mind was in turmoil. When Cao Chengwen had casually mentioned that Cao Chengwu fought with Ye Yunfeng the day before, she'd instinctively decided Ye Yunfeng must be the killer. Without a second thought, she had brought her people to block the Ye Family's door.
Cao Chengwen had specifically warned her that Ye Chutang had once treated Officer Wu from the government office for a critical illness, essentially saving his life. He feared that calling the officers would put them at a disadvantage, so she hadn't reported it.
Now that they were here, Cao Chengwen hurriedly explained, "N-no! It's all a misunderstanding. We're sorry to have troubled you, Lords!"
Wu Xu's gaze swept around, pausing for a few seconds on the black coffin.
Anyone could see something had happened. Who brings a coffin to block someone's door otherwise?!
When he looked at Ye Chutang, however, his attitude was exceptionally polite.
"Doctor Ye, what is your account of this?"
Ye Chutang bowed slightly and gave an impartial, brief account of what had just transpired.
"...and that's the gist of it. I didn't want to trouble you two, but murder is a heavy accusation. If I don't get to the bottom of this and let my brother be wrongly blamed, his life will be ruined. I hope you'll understand."
Wu Xu stroked his beard, nodding repeatedly.
"Indeed! Since the Cao Family claims the Ye Family's fourth son committed murder, we must investigate this until the truth comes to light! Therefore, we will first take Cao Chengwu to the Yizhuang, and have the government office's forensic doctor Zhang Wuzuo perform an autopsy. After the cause of death is determined, we will make a judgment!"
"But—"
Cao Chengwen opened his mouth to object, but they were officials and he was a civilian. How could he possibly argue?
He wanted to protest further, but Wu Xu had already raised a hand.
"Let's go!"
He took two steps, then turned back. "Both parties, you come along too! Come to the government office and make things clear!"
This was exactly what Ye Chutang had hoped for.
Earlier, before leaving the house, she had heard their belligerent shouts and knew they had come with ill intent. She had specifically instructed Yan to climb over the wall and ask their neighbor, Aunt Yang, to report the incident to the authorities.
Three years ago, Wu Xu had come to owe her a favor. Today was the day to collect.
'If the Cao Family wants to make a scene, I'll make it even bigger. We'll see who's the one with something to hide!'
Ye Yunfeng never imagined a simple fight could cause his family so much trouble. Being only twelve, it was impossible for him not to be nervous and afraid.
"Sister, I'm sorry." He lowered his head, filled with guilt. "It's all my fault!"
Ye Chutang said calmly, "You said you didn't kill him, and I believe you, but others won't. If we can't prove your innocence today, your life will be ruined, with no chance of ever recovering."
Ye Yunfeng lowered his head, utterly mortified.
'It was all because I was too impulsive! If only I hadn't—'
"That's why the most important part of doing anything is considering whether you can bear the consequences. Since you've acted, you must be brave enough to face the outcome." Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow. "Or are you telling me you don't even dare go to the Yizhuang?"
"Of course I dare!"
Ye Yunfeng shot upright.
'I didn't kill anyone. What's there to be afraid of!'
Only then did Ye Chutang nod with satisfaction. "Then let's go."
'Xiao Wu is at home with Yan, so she should be fine.'
Reassured, she glanced at Cao Chengwen, who was walking ahead and to her right. His face had taken on a sickly pallor. Without a word, she followed.
...
Inside the room, Lian Zhou recounted what had just happened, still marveling.
"...I can't believe a seemingly delicate woman like her would dare to open a coffin and examine a body in public! That's really—"
He wracked his brain but couldn't find the right word. A new worry surfaced.
"But Master, if she can't come back, your injuries..."
The Master's condition had only just started to improve. If Ye Chutang got held up, then—
Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "She'll be fine."
'A delicate woman?'
'That description couldn't be further from the truth.'
'Her pure, innocent-looking face was incredibly deceptive. Anyone who didn't know better would mistake her for a fragile, helpless flower, but in reality...'
Suddenly, he sensed something and looked up, only to see a small head peeking out from behind the slightly ajar door.
The Little Milk Group stared with wide, dark eyes, looking both curious and utterly adorable.
The corners of Shen Yanchuan's lips curved up.
"But she certainly raises a fine daughter."