There is a god in the sky

Chapter 87 The Arson Case at the Yu Mansion (Part 8)

Xiao Ji hadn't thought of this part yet.

He doesn't have the habit of reporting everything to his fiancée.

However, Shen Lan's concerns were reasonable. If the other party misunderstood, it might cause unexpected setbacks in the marriage.

"I'll write the letter myself," Xiao Ji decided.

"it is good."

Fu Qingyan stepped between the two and said, "Let's not talk about that for now. I've met Miss Zhao before. She's well-educated, reasonable, and very sensible. She certainly won't get angry over such a small matter."

Shouldn't we drink until we drop to celebrate Miss Shen's safe return?

He had already bought the wine and was just waiting for everyone to drink together.

"This wine was recommended by Young Master Song; I heard it's exceptionally fragrant and mellow."

Xiao Ji looked at him in confusion, "When did you become so close to Song Langfang?"

"In the past two days, I've gone out with him a few times, and I've discovered that Young Master Song is quite an interesting person."

"He took you to a brothel?" Xiao Ji asked, his face darkening.

He hadn't forgotten how Fu Qingyan ran away from home and how he was on the verge of death.

"No, no, how could I dare to go drinking and carousing at a time like this?" Fu Qingyan raised his hand to assure him.

Seeing that he was completely under Xiao Ji's control, Shen Lan suddenly felt that if this young master could continue to be under Xiao Ji's discipline, he might really change.

She said, "I have some things to do tonight, so I'll have a drink with Mr. Fu another day."

She went back to her room to change her clothes, then came out carrying a food box.

Xiao Ji stood with his arms crossed, waiting for her outside the door.

Seeing her dressed in white, he noticed she looked thoughtful.

"Where are you going?"

Shen Lan replied obediently, "I was just about to report to the magistrate that I want to visit Madam Yu in prison."

Aren't you afraid she'll hit you?

"She can't beat me, and I wasn't trying to provoke her."

Xiao Ji untied the purse from his waist and tossed it to her, saying, "Take this and use it to bribe the jailers."

Shen Lan was extremely grateful. "I owe Lord Xiao a great debt. Consider this an advance on my wages for next month."

She was also lucky to have a generous boss who always paid her wages in advance.

However, Xiao Ji said, "Consider these as payment for your guidance of Fu Qingyan."

Shen Lan discovered that he could always find various pretexts to give her money.

Employees probably all like this kind of boss.

Shen Lan was short of money and couldn't be noble, so she could only silently praise Xiao Ji a few more times while holding the money.

And he secretly resolved to improve Fu Qingyan's grades.

Upon arriving at the prison, the jailer, upon hearing that Shen Lan had come to visit Madam Yu, politely allowed her to enter.

After all, Madam Yu has not yet been convicted, and the Yu family has provided ample funds to ensure that Madam Yu is treated well.

Shen Lan carried the food box inside and saw Madam Yu sitting in the room reading a book, quiet and peaceful.

She had never actually met Madam Yu, but in her imagination, she must have been short-tempered and restless.

Madam Yu looked up, revealing a face full of wrinkles.

She must have been frowning all the time, which is why the frown lines on her forehead are so prominent.

Upon seeing Shen Lan, she looked puzzled, then her gaze turned cold, and she tossed aside the book.

"You are Shen Lan, aren't you?" Madam Yu asked coldly.

Shen Lan put down the food box and took out the food one by one and placed it on the table.

"Madam Yu has a good eye, it's me."

"What are you doing here? To laugh at me? Or to seek revenge?"

Sitting opposite Madam Yu, Shen Lan pointed to her face and asked, "Madam Yu, did you see the smile on my face? Does it look like I'm mocking you?"

"Feigning concern."

Shen Lan wasn't angry at all.

After all, she wasn't the one imprisoned here now, so she could indeed mock Madam Yu as a victor.

But it is not necessary.

"Madam Yu has been married to Lord Yu for many years, hasn't she? Has she ever regretted it?"

"This has nothing to do with you."

"The reason Lord Yan believes you are the murderer is most likely because of your marital discord, but I know you cannot be the murderer."

Madam Yu scoffed, "I don't need a maid like you to worry about my affairs."

"I wouldn't say I'm worried, I just want to make a deal with Mrs. Yu."

"On what grounds? Just because you're Xiao Ji's roommate?"

"Of course not, because I can help Madam Yu get out of here."

"Oh? What great ability you have! Tell me about it." Madam Yu revealed a contemptuous smile, clearly not believing her.

Shen Lan wasn't in a hurry. She poured her a cup of tea and asked, "Does Madam think she can get out of this predicament?"

"It doesn't matter." Madam Yu remained calm; she was not afraid of death.

"Outsiders say that Madam Yu has no feelings for Lord Yu anymore, and she doesn't even handle the funeral properly. But in my opinion, Madam Yu is simply heartbroken."

Madam Yu was moved, and she struggled to hold back her tears.

"What do you know, you little girl?"

“I heard that when Lord Yu was traveling to Jiangzhou, he fell in love with his wife at first sight. His wife went against the wishes of her elders and was determined to marry him. She was willing to follow him to a small place like Qingmu County to suffer. How could their feelings not be deep?”

Mrs. Yu was lost in her memories.

In our youth, who hasn't experienced a passionate love affair?

She was willing to break with her family to marry Yu Yuanwang. In the prime of her life, she was confined to the small place of Qingmu County, bearing him children and managing his household affairs.

She found it sweet.

When did things start to change?

It seems to have been after arriving in Jiangzhou.

He got promoted, and the number of people around him who fawned over him increased. Many women were sent to him, and he began to frequent brothels, abandoning his aging and faded wife at home.

Shen Lan said softly, "Outsiders say that Lord Yu was able to be transferred to the position of Vice Prefect of Jiangzhou because of your family's help, but I guess that's not true."

Madam Yu said angrily, "My family broke off relations with me long ago, so why would they help him? The more outsiders talk like that, the angrier he gets, and the less willing he is to talk to me. He always feels that I look down on him."

Mrs. Yu gave a bitter smile. "It's clearly him who has changed his mind and is tired of me, but he always tries to find excuses in me. Men, they're just too proud to admit it."

Shen Lan sighed: "Lord Yu has a strong sense of self-respect. After arriving in Jiangzhou, he felt ashamed, whether it was the teasing from outsiders or the disregard from your family."

So he began to seek pleasure in prostitutes, who were submissive and always obedient to him.

To put it bluntly, this is nothing more than the arrogance and conceit of a petty person who has gained power; you misjudged him from the start.

Mrs. Yu asked, puzzled, "But he used to be so obedient to me, and we had loving days together. Were all of that just a lie?"

"It can't be faked, but people's hearts can change."

"So, what did you go to him for? Did you want money or a formal title?"

"No, I'm here to ask Lord Yu about something, something that happened ten years ago."

Shen Lan returned to the previous topic, "Ten years ago, Lord Yu was still the assistant magistrate of Qingmu County, working under Lord Liu. Now Lord Liu has been promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue, so it would be easy for him to help Lord Yu."

"You actually know all this? What brings you here?"

"Ten years ago, a plague swept through the town of Guli, and all of this was caused by Magistrate Liu. What role did Assistant Magistrate Yu play in this?"