Chapter 70: The Truth

“You’re Big Senior Sister’s friend, don’t be so formal with me!”

Hua Shi’s enthusiasm didn’t diminish. Her eyes rolled cleverly as she said: “Hehe! But… when you ask Big Senior Sister to bring me along if she goes down the mountain, whether she has business or not. I haven’t been down the mountain for so long. It’s so boring up here just following rules, cultivating myself, and practicing martial arts every day. Now Big Senior Sister lives the most carefree life, I’m so envious.”

“Regarding what you said about self-cultivation… indeed, Sister Lan lives more freely.”

Lu Yuner smiled sincerely and said: “Your Big Senior Sister might be an exception! Everyone has seven emotions and six desires, this is inevitable. But it can’t be the only standard for judging people. Although Sister Lan has more flowery thoughts than most, she is loyal to the country, seeks welfare for the people, and treats others with righteousness. She is a good general and a friend worth having.”

Thinking about everything from when she was poisoned until today, it was all thanks to her running around. Otherwise, she really didn’t know where she would be now.

Hua Shi surprisingly scratched the back of her head, “Miss Lu, your evaluation of Big Senior Sister is really in line with our master’s, no wonder Big Senior Sister treats you differently. But… please still mention it to Big Senior Sister for me.”

“Alright!”

After interacting with her these past few days, she found her to be a lively, active little girl who loved to play! She accompanied her in daily life and care, so naturally she could be trusted.

Lu Yuner’s eyes moved, thoughtfully saying: “Wait, please help me with something. Write a letter for me and send it to the Lu residence.”

Because she knew she couldn’t hide from Young Master Su for three days, she had to deal with it quickly.

Hua Shi patted her chest, smiling happily: “No problem!”

After bathing, Lu Yuner sat in the room and dictated personally, while Hua Shi wrote a letter for her.

Regarding the content of the letter, the surprised Hua Shi hesitated, “Miss Lu, have you thought it through?”

Lu Yuner was silent for a long time, finally nodding, “I have.”

“Then I’ll send someone to deliver the letter.” As Hua Shi was leaving with the letter, she happened to run into Han Ranzhi and politely said: “Miss Han, you’re here!”

Han Ranzhi glanced at the envelope in her hand, her eyes flickering slightly as she nodded politely, “Mm.”

Hearing this, Lu Yuner looked towards the door.

After saying goodbye to Hua Shi, Han Ranzhi came forward and sat beside her. Looking at Lu Yuner who couldn’t see, there was a faint worry between her brows, “Sister Yuner, have you made up your mind?”

Lu Yuner paused for a moment, calm as water: “Yes.”

As an outsider, she had no right to comment on the relationship between Sister Yuner and Young Master Su, but she would support any decision Sister Yuner made.

Lu Yuner’s lips twitched slightly, changing the subject, “Sister Ranzhi, regarding this account book matter, how far has it progressed now?”

Han Ranzhi’s expression changed slightly. She poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, then said in a somewhat dejected tone: “This case has already been closed.”

“What? It’s already been closed?” Lu Yuner frowned and asked in confusion.

Han Ranzhi said gravely: “Through the account book matter, it implicated the victimization of a man named Yan Luo. At the same time, serious corruption in the Imperial Academy and suspected murder caused the Dean and Vice Dean to all fall from grace. But when they were to be arrested, the two had already committed suicide out of fear of punishment.”

“But you and I know this case can’t be so simple. Perhaps we’ve all guessed who it is. We originally wanted to use that assassin as a breakthrough point and specially assigned people to guard the prison. Who knew he would suddenly die in prison? You can imagine how long the controlling hand reaches.”

“The destination of that embezzled money is unknown. The Court of Judicial Review will continue to investigate, but because this case has had a serious impact, the Imperial Academy has been forced to suspend classes for a long time, so it needs to return to normal as soon as possible.”

Although Lu Yuner couldn’t see, she had adapted to life these past few days. She skillfully and accurately picked up the teacup on the table, took a slow sip, and said: “So the Imperial Academy is going to reopen, I…”

Han Ranzhi said: “Don’t worry, I’ve already informed Her Majesty of your situation. She specially instructed to let you recuperate at ease, so don’t worry about anything.”

Hearing this, Lu Yuner smiled knowingly.

At the Yun Qinwang’s mansion.

Chen Si looked at Yun Qinwang with a worried expression, saying concernedly: “Since the Young Master returned, as an unmarried man, he goes to the Lu residence every day. What kind of behavior is this? The Young Master waits from morning till night just to see her. He can’t eat well, can’t sleep well. This can’t go on! Are you really not going to do anything about it?”

Su Bai stood with her hands behind her back, gazing into the distance with a deep look, saying indifferently: “No interference.”

Knowing the truth, Chen Si said anxiously: “Why don’t… you just tell the Young Master the truth?”

Su Bai’s expression remained unchanged as she ordered: “These matters of the heart can be encountered but not sought. Let nature take its course. Whatever the outcome, neither you nor I should interfere!”

Chen Si stood to the side with a helpless expression, wanting to speak but stopping herself, feeling anxious. Suddenly, she thought of something, “Hua Ying failed to protect her master this time and has been punished for several days. Can the punishment be ended now?”

Su Bai’s eyes moved slightly, saying indifferently: “Mm, but have her go to the Extreme North Winter Cold Mountain for a trip.”

Chen Si’s eyelashes trembled, instantly understanding, “Yes.”

At the Lu residence.

Su Qingwan’s bloodshot eyes glistened with tears as he blocked Qiu Yi’s way, begging: “Manager Qiu, you said Sister Yuner had something to deal with with General Liu, but there’s been no news at all until now. Where exactly did Sister Yuner go? Please tell me!”

The young man’s face was haggard, his body weak and frail. His eyes still had bloodstains, and his hair seemed unkempt and a bit messy. A pair of sorrowful eyes stared firmly at her.

Qiu Yi looked away, unable to bear it, but still hardened her heart and said: “Young Master Su, I’m sorry, I really don’t know where the mistress went.”

Su Qingwan was somewhat distraught. Two teardrops silently slid down as he stared straight at her and shouted: “You’re lying to me! At that time, only you and General Liu were by her side. How could you not know where Sister Yuner went? You’re all intentionally avoiding me. Could it be that something happened to Sister Yuner?”

Sister Yuner had once made a promise to him, and she wouldn’t avoid seeing him. Given all the signs so far, the only possibility was that something had happened to her.

“I… I don’t know.” Su Qingwan’s speculation made Qiu Yi’s heart tighten. She lowered her eyes slightly to conceal her inner unease, her voice lacking confidence.

The slight change in Qiu Yi’s expression fell into Su Qingwan’s eyes, seemingly confirming what he had been thinking. Suddenly, he completely exploded.

“I trusted her so much, but… Sister Yuner is just a big liar! She lied to me! Lied to me about returning to the capital! Lied saying her body was fine! She even said she would marry me after returning to the capital, but now she’s not showing up, still has things to keep me in the dark about, and makes you all lie to me together!”

Su Qingwan covered his chest, tears streaming down his face, in so much pain he could hardly breathe, “Sister Yuner, that big liar, she lied to me! She lied to me!”

Qiu Yi’s face was full of helplessness and unwillingness, conflicted: “…”

Suddenly, Su Qingwan took out a short dagger from behind him and held it against his own neck, his heart as dead as ashes: “Manager Qiu, you must know where Sister Yuner is. Please! Just tell me!”

“Young Master Su, don’t be impulsive! Put down the knife quickly!” Qiu Yi looked at the grief-stricken Su Qingwan with shock and dismay.

Hearing the obviously abnormal sound, Xiao Yuan hurriedly ran over. Seeing this scene, his eyes immediately flashed with countless terrors. His voice trembled uncontrollably out of fear: “Young Master! What are you doing? Put down the knife quickly!”

The long wait had completely broken Su Qingwan down. His expression gradually calmed, looking not quite normal. His tone was calm and without any emotion, “Tell me, where exactly is she? Where is she?”

At this moment, Qiu Yi was like an ant on a hot pan, anxiously pacing back and forth.

Everything happened too suddenly. Back then, the mistress had specially instructed her that if anything happened to her, she must tie up and send Young Master Mu back to Jiangnan, and at the same time hand over the two real and fake account books to Miss Han. Miss Han used the fake account book as bait to lure out the snake, which is how they found the mistress’s whereabouts.

But the mistress was unexpectedly poisoned and instructed them to keep it completely secret from Young Master Su, not to reveal half a word.

In the days without the mistress, Young Master Su always came to the mansion personally to look for her. He would come and sit waiting for a whole day, perhaps becoming more and more disappointed.

The long-suppressed emotions finally erupted. How could she not know that Young Master Su was using death to force the mistress to appear!

But the mistress is now blind and still recuperating, how could she possibly come out to see him?

Otherwise, what’s the point of hiding it from him now?

But it’s not a solution to keep it hidden for long, it will have to be faced sooner or later. Obviously, the mistress still hasn’t decided what to do.

And Young Master Su’s feelings for the mistress, she had always seen with her own eyes. If not handled carefully, it could really cost a life.

Qiu Yi’s expression became solemn as she fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, an excited and flustered voice came: “Qingwan, what are you doing?!”

Seeing the broken down Su Qingwan, Wan Ling was completely dumbfounded: “Isn’t it just a Lu Yuner? She treats you so insincerely, why do you have to disregard your own life like this?”

Su Qingwan shook his head tearfully: “No! That’s not it! Sister Yuner has never treated me insincerely!”

Wan Ling had long been displeased with Lu Yuner. Last time, because she gave her a whip, it caused Qingwan to not talk to her for a long time.

Wan Ling’s face darkened, her gaze cold, her tone carrying a hint of disdain, “Hmph! If she truly cared for you, knowing you would worry about her, why hasn’t she shown herself yet? If this isn’t insincerity, what is it? Don’t be blinded by her sweet words. For a fickle woman full of lies, it’s not worth it! Qingwan!”

Su Qingwan said somewhat excitedly: “It’s not like that! It’s not like that! Sister Yuner is not that kind of person!”

Faced with others slandering her mistress, Qiu Yi was somewhat dissatisfied: “General Wan, you misunderstand my mistress. My mistress is not the fickle woman you speak of, she…”

“Heh! You’re telling me now that she’s not a fickle woman? Then has she cared about Qingwan at all these past few days?”

Wan Ling angrily grabbed Qiu Yi’s collar, the ferocity in her eyes fully revealed, “Now that Qingwan is holding a knife to his own neck, where is she! Where is she! She is just a thoroughly insincere, fickle woman!”

“That’s not true! My mistress was poisoned and injured, now…” Qiu Yi, eager to protect her mistress, blurted out impulsively. Realizing she had let something slip, she immediately covered her mouth.

Wan Ling’s eyelashes moved slightly, a hint of an indecipherable meaning flashing in the depths of her eyes. Suddenly her hand loosened, releasing Qiu Yi’s collar.

“What! Sister Yuner was poisoned? How is her body now?” Su Qingwan put down the dagger in his hand and immediately rushed forward, tightly grabbing her clothes like a madman, “Quick, tell me where she is! Tell me quickly!”

Qiu Yi knew the mistake couldn’t be undone, so she decided to tell everything, “After you left that day, the mistress kept vomiting blood due to poisoning, and was then taken to Changyun Mountain by General Liu. Although the mistress’s life is no longer in danger, the residual poison hasn’t been cleared, so she still needs to stay on Changyun Mountain to recuperate. Most importantly, the mistress…”

At this moment.

“Manager Qiu! Manager Qiu! The little master from Changyun Mountain has sent a letter!” A servant ran over hurriedly, interrupting Qiu Yi’s words, and handed over an envelope.

Only then did Su Qingwan loosen his grip. Qiu Yi took the envelope with one hand and opened it to read. After reading, she didn’t know how to tell the Young Master, so she handed the letter to Young Master Su.

Su Qingwan took it with slightly trembling fingers. His gaze fell on the contents of the letter, and suddenly his expression changed, “I want to go to Changyun Mountain to see her!”

Su Qingwan ran out without looking back, while Wan Ling frowned and followed.