"My lord, I am wronged. I am but a village girl and know nothing of beauty, nor its use," the woman quickly kowtowed, defending herself.
"Your Honor, I request that you search my and her home, to see if anything is found," Wu Caiwei suggested.
"I am of the same mind. Since the hour is still early, let us make haste to Taohua Village." Seeing the woman about to speak again, the Prefect quickly interrupted, "My decision is made, no need for further words."
The party, in grand procession, arrived at Taohua Village and headed straight for the Wang family's residence. They had expected ordinary farmers, but instead found Madam Wang dressed expensively, her movements as graceful as flowing water.
Upon learning that the magistrate wished to search their home, Madam Wang and Master Wang cooperated enthusiastically. Everything appeared normal, yet Wu Caiwei felt something was amiss.
"Reporting to Your Honor, nothing. Reporting to Your Honor, nothing..." one bailiff after another returned with their reports. The Prefect led them in a meticulous search, afraid of missing even the slightest detail. The Prefect had also noticed the family's strangeness but lacked evidence.
Wu Caiwei, however, observed more. In the Wang family's backyard, some medicinal herbs were planted here and there, growing casually in inconspicuous places. If anyone noticed, they could easily dismiss it as coincidence. This family surely had someone who understood medicine, Wu Caiwei's first conclusion.
Just as they were at a loss, Lin Shuisheng came beside Wu Caiwei and whispered, "Our guards followed Master Wang and discovered a secret chamber."
It turned out Lin Shuisheng had not appeared because he was leading guards to secretly monitor the Wang family's every move. Just now, Master Wang, thinking he was unobserved, subtly lingered at the back and checked the floor of the bedroom. After he left, Lin Shuisheng and a few guards quietly entered. At the spot where Master Wang had stood, they tapped and searched carefully, discovering the entrance and mechanism of a secret chamber.
Before they could enter, Lin Shuisheng rushed to inform Wu Caiwei, who in turn relayed the discovery to the Prefect.
Upon hearing of the secret chamber, the Wang family's expressions changed, and they attempted to slip away. How could the Prefect give them such an opportunity? He immediately ordered the bailiffs to arrest them.
Entering the secret chamber, they found several large shelves filled to the brim with various medicines. Each medicine bottle was labeled with its name, including "Drunk Heart Grass" and "Beauty," and in a corner, a woman of indeterminate age was locked away.
The Prefect took the Wang family, all the medicines, and the mysterious woman back with him.
The matter was far more complex than anticipated. After further rigorous interrogation and with irrefutable evidence, the couple confessed. They admitted to mixing "Beauty" into the rouge because the Liu family's business was too prosperous, and they wished to open a rouge shop in the city, but Liu Feixue's business was in their way.
The mysterious woman scoffed, "Still not telling the truth? Li Qingyun, do you think you can get away with silence? I am standing here, a living person."
"Hahaha, Heaven has eyes. I have lived to see this day again. Your Honor, you may not know, Li Qingyun is the daughter my stepmother brought. My stepmother, wanting to live in luxury, sent her daughter to be a maid in a wealthy family. The mansion she went to was precisely the Princess Anhe's residence. As for me, by chance, I saved a divine doctor. Seeing my difficult situation, the divine doctor took me with him. The next time we met, I was already a renowned physician causing a stir throughout the capital. She recognized me first and said my father was dying and wished to see me one last time. As a result, they conspired to trap me in that secret chamber, where I lived for eighteen years, my daily task being to research various medicines."
"The medicines I have developed over the years are countless. I do not know where they have been used. And those people," the old woman pointed at the four burly men and the disfigured woman, "are not their biological children; they are likely adopted."
"If I am not mistaken, young lady, you must have offended Princess Anhe, which is why they resorted to such means to teach you a lesson," the old woman said indifferently. At her age, she had seen through everything.
The Wang couple did not object, implicitly admitting it.
As Princess Anhe was involved, the magistrate dared not adjudicate privately. The next day, he discreetly reported the matter to the Emperor. As expected, the Emperor greatly protected the Princess and ordered the matter to be resolved quietly.
Receiving confirmation, the Prefect ordered the Wang family to compensate the Liu family for their losses and then acted as if the incident had never happened, with everyone returning to their homes.
Looking at the old woman's bewildered eyes, Wu Caiwei approached her, "If you do not mind, come home with me. I have my own selfish reasons; I have studied medicine and can ask for your guidance from time to time."
The old woman did not hesitate and followed her. In this world, she no longer had any relatives. Her master had passed away before she returned to the capital. As for her father, without him, she would not have ended up in this state. The world was vast, yet there was no place for her. Since it was because of this girl that she had come out, she would follow her.
Although busy, Qiu Shuang and Dong Zhi kept track of Wu Caiwei's news. Upon learning that Princess Anhe had caused her trouble, they quickly informed the Crown Prince. Su Dan Novel Network.
Within two days, the Crown Princess sent an invitation to Princess Anhe, asking her to tea in the palace. Casually, she hinted at Wu Caiwei's special connection with the Eastern Palace and hoped Princess Anhe would be magnanimous.
Princess Anhe's condition was also simple: the business could continue, but the person could not remain in the capital and was forbidden from setting foot in the capital again.
When the Crown Prince had Qiu Shuang relay the message, he told Wu Caiwei to temporarily avoid the limelight.
Wu Caiwei and Lin Shuisheng discussed the matter.
"I think the Crown Prince is right. Now is not the time for revenge. I must admit, confronting the Princess is like a moth to a flame. This time, we only lost some money. Who can guarantee our personal safety won't be threatened next time?" Lin Shuisheng looked at her worriedly, analyzing earnestly.
"To leave like this, I am not reconciled," Wu Caiwei said, although she knew leaving the capital was the best option, she felt a persistent discomfort. She had come to avenge the original owner, not to be wronged.
"I know you feel wronged. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, we will return, and you can seek revenge however you wish," Lin Shuisheng quickly comforted her.
"There is no other way," Wu Caiwei sighed.
Having figured this out, Wu Caiwei hurried to buy gifts for Father and Mother Liu and visited her master's courtyard daily, describing the beautiful scenery of the south, trying to entice her to return home with her.
Wu Caiwei felt her initial unintentional act was incredibly worthwhile. Her master was the woman brought back, a renowned divine doctor who had caused a sensation throughout the capital. After only one day, Wu Caiwei was utterly impressed and spent many days before she was taken as a disciple.
Since studying medicine with her, her skills had improved by leaps and bounds.
One early morning, Wu Caiwei handed over the management of her businesses in the capital to a steward and set off on her journey home.
After many days of arduous travel, they finally returned to their hometown. Everyone was very excited, but as soon as they entered the city gates, they encountered an unexpected person.
"Feixue, you're back! I've been waiting here for you for several days, afraid I'd miss your return," Liu Yixuan said excitedly as soon as he saw Wu Caiwei.
"Young Master Liu, speak with caution. We no longer have any relationship. Men and women should not touch each other," Wu Caiwei said, utterly bewildered. Looking at his eager demeanor, she was curious about what had happened in the past few months.