The Hidden Depths of the Clouds (Part 2)
Han Wenqing slammed the gavel and shouted, "The Su family will be dealt with by flogging if they disrupt the court again. Di Yun, proceed with your statement."
Di Yun held up a jangling set of keys. "These are the duplicate keys Su had secretly made for all the doors in the Lian residence! However, while it's true Su was behind Xiao Ge's death, it was her own doing—her sins had caught up with her! Because it was she who assisted Su in swapping the soup that poisoned my aunt."
"Oh?"
"I investigated at the local market and found an elderly fish vendor, Granny Gao, who helped Xiao Ge prepare turtle soup. Granny Gao was puzzled as to why Xiao Ge, a cook in the Lian family, didn't prepare it at the residence. Xiao Ge explained it was for her brother and inconvenient to cook at the main household. Please summon witness Gao Shi."
A frail, white-haired old woman in tattered clothes was soon brought into the courtroom to testify.
Han Wenqing asked, "Why would Xiao Ge help Su swap the soup to harm Lady Lu?"
"Xiao Ge's suicide note mentioned resentment toward my aunt. In truth, my aunt didn't falsely accuse her—Xiao Ge really did steal her bracelet. I visited Xiao Ge's hometown, where I learned she had brought silver coins back, claiming they were gifts from the second lady of the household. Please summon Xiao Ge's brother, Liu Wang."
A rural youth with a face covered in acne was brought into court.
Lian Heng stared at the boy in astonishment, then looked at the composed Di Yun, marveling inwardly: How much effort must it have taken to uncover these people and events? This Di Yun is truly remarkable.
Liu Wang prostrated himself on the ground, choking with emotion. "My sister was honest and could never have killed anyone—it's all because of the second lady! My sister once brought silver coins home, praising her endlessly, calling her as kind as a Bodhisattva! My sister admitted to stealing the bracelet to secure a marriage for me. After the theft, she ran out through the side kitchen door and was spotted by the second lady. Terrified, my sister thought she was done for. But the second lady smiled and said, 'Give me the bracelet, and I'll return it when there's a chance. Let's pretend it never happened, but don't repeat this.' My sister was grateful and even received more silver coins from the second lady to help with my wedding. Our whole family owed her a debt of gratitude! Who knew this wicked woman was just using my sister, costing her life! My lord, you must deliver justice for my sister!"
Han Wenqing slammed the gavel heavily. "The witness is excused. The connection between Lady Lu's miscarriage and Xiao Ge's suicide to Su is clear. Di Yun, continue."
"Su's plot was to eliminate the third household first, then the first. When one scheme failed, she devised another, leading to the incident where Miss Lian was pushed into the water. That day, while escorting Lian Zheng, my aunt, and Miss Lian to the marketplace with Yun Shixiong, we coincidentally encountered Yuzhong. A close analysis reveals that the hidden hand behind the push was Yuzhong. However, judging by the scene, her actions were half under orders and half improvised."
"Why would Yuzhong obey Su so willingly? And what's her connection to Mo Xiaotian?" Han Wenqing asked, perplexed.
"Yuzhong was once Mo Xiaotian's maid. Both she and her brother sold themselves to the Mo family. Mo Xiaotian promised to return their indenture contracts if she succeeded. Additionally, Su offered monetary inducements—those jade bell-shaped hairpins and phoenix-wing gold hair ornaments were gifts from Su. Even the Western-style alphabet earrings Yuzhong wore came from Su. That time Yuzhong wore them to attract Lian Zheng's attention, but Su caught her and scolded her harshly. That reaction reveals Su's guilt and attempt to cover up. Su, who lived in the Lian family for ten years, should have considerable savings from her monthly allowance. Yet her room had little wealth. The phrase 'sacrificing the child to catch the wolf' fits perfectly; she spared no expense to achieve her goals!"
Di Yun stopped and cast a cold gaze at Su Caiyun.
Su Caiyun glared back at him with hatred. "You speak as though you witnessed it yourself. What proof do you have? And why would Mo Xiaotian help me with this?"
The courtroom murmured in rising whispers.
Han Wenqing coughed loudly. "Silence! Di Yun, your assertions are bold and detailed, but how do you know what Mo Xiaotian promised Yuzhong? Yuzhong, do you admit to what Di Yun just said?"
Yuzhong remained silent, her head bowed, appearing dazed.
"I learned of Mo Xiaotian's promises to Yuzhong through servants in the Mo household. As for why Mo Xiaotian helped Su, I currently know two reasons: first, he values loyalty in the martial world and shares the same hometown, Chizhou, with Su Caiyun; second, he's an opportunistic businessman, always chasing profits. Their mutual interest and hometown connection made them natural allies. There may be other factors, but Mo Xiaotian is currently missing, and my investigation hasn't uncovered more."
"Ridiculous! This is slander! My lord, please see through Di Yun's conspiracy to frame me for his aunt's sake! If I intended harm to the lady, why would I save her when Lady Lu tried to kill her at night?" Su Caiyun retorted, agitated.
Han Wenqing slammed the gavel again. "Su raises a valid point. Di Yun, what do you say to this?"
"In my aunt's incense burner, I discovered a hallucinogenic drug. According to the apothecary's examination, this substance can induce a sleepwalking state, allowing others to manipulate behavior. My aunt didn't attempt murder—she was framed!"
At this moment, a bailiff handed Di Yun a few sheets of paper. Di Yun presented them to Han Wenqing. "These are the apothecary's examination reports, my lord."
After perusing the documents, Han Wenqing pondered silently.
Di Yun continued, "That night, my aunt was alone in her room. Su sneaked in, concealed the drug there, and gently led her out, bringing her to the lady's quarters. Su poisoned the lady's teapot, handed my aunt a prepared dagger, then shouted, 'Murder!' waking both the lady and my aunt. Su staged herself as stopping the crime. Naturally, everyone believed my aunt had malicious intent. The next morning, the lady vomited blood from the poisoned tea. When the drug was later found in my aunt's room, all evidence pointed to her, causing her such distress that she lost her child!"
Hearing this, Lian Zheng's face flushed with shame and guilt.
"After targeting my aunt, only the lady remained in Su's way. So Su devised another scheme, sending Yuzhong in my aunt's clothes to seduce Lian Zheng last night, planning to stage a scandal of 'maid usurping the wife's position.'"
Su Caiyun shouted, "That's Yuzhong's own disgraceful act. Why blame me? Just because one is honest doesn't mean they deserve to suffer!"
"This morning, I met Luo Ma at the Lian household's gate, who was heading to find a matchmaker. She mentioned locking the third lady's room securely last night, yet Yuzhong somehow obtained her clothes and disguised herself as the third lady..."
"Luo Ma, is this true?" Han Wenqing asked.
"Yes, my lord. I was perplexed. The door and windows were shut tight. How that vixen got in, I couldn't fathom—until just now, I realized it must've been...the second lady's duplicate key!"
Su Caiyun's face alternated between red and pale as she stammered, "Those keys were planted to frame me! I never made duplicates!"
"Whether you did or not isn't hard to verify. Duplicating the lady's keys and returning them quickly must have been done locally," Di Yun remarked calmly, noting Su Caiyun's paling face. "Returning to the matter: Su's plan to use seduction against the lady failed when Lian Zheng remained unmoved. Early this morning, she sought poison from Shopkeeper Zhou, using the signal of dropping a coin at the counter—something I witnessed from hiding. A servant then slipped the poison into a small hole in the garden wall. After he left, I retrieved it. This poison was meant to kill Yuzhong and implicate the lady in her death. Su Caiyun, tell me if my deductions are correct!"
At that moment, a group of bailiffs dragged in several men—Shopkeeper Zhou and his staff from the Heavenly Pavilion.
Though Shopkeeper Zhou remained tight-lipped, his servants quickly confessed under duress.
"Su Caiyun! Witnesses and evidence are at hand. What have you to say in your defense?" Han Wenqing asked coldly.
The courtroom fell into an uneasy silence as all eyes turned to Su Caiyun—some in shock, others in fear, disdain, or sorrow.
Su Caiyun's lips curled into a cold smile, yet she said nothing.
Unexpectedly, Yuzhong, who had been as silent as a shadow, suddenly erupted, lunging
toward Su Caiyun with a shrill scream. "You wicked witch! How could you use me so? How could you ruin my brother?" Guards pulled her away as Su Caiyun's sinister laugh echoed in the room.
"My lord," Di Yun added, "the case's origins, connections, and players are now exposed. I only hope the law can judge fairly and prevent such tragedies from repeating."
As Di Yun finished, Su Caiyun's defeated smirk dissolved into quiet sobs—whether out of shame, fear, or the weight of her own sins remained unclear.