Miss Truth
Chapter 290 - 183 Ying Luo (3)

Chapter 290: Chapter 183 Ying Luo (3)

"Assistant Minister Xiao, please have a seat." Su Luan ordered a mat to be placed to the left of the three-legged table.

Xiao Song sat cross-legged on the mat, casually observing the surrounding environment, and commented, "An extremely elegant place."

Not just elegant, an average merchant’s family would never build such a stage.

Once Xiao Song was seated, Su Luan lightly flicked open her wide sleeves, sat down across from him, and sighed softly, "This pavilion and stage were both built by my father for my mother, but it’s a pity that things have changed and the people are no longer the same."

Xiao Song’s brows raised slightly. Normally, he wouldn’t have the patience to listen to people recounting the past and lamenting the present, but at the moment, he didn’t immediately clarify his intention, "Your mother must have been very skilled at dancing."

Su Luan’s mother was a Hu dancer, and this stage must have been for her performances.

"Yes!" A radiant smile, unlike her usual demeanor, spread over Su Luan’s graceful face as she stared at the stage opposite her and said, "When I was young, I would sit with my father in the pavilion and watch my mother dance. She was an extremely beautiful woman, her skin fair and her skirt crimson. When she danced, her large skirt twirled like a blooming hibiscus, such fervent dancing, I’ve never seen again in my life."

Xiao Song picked up the teacup, gently flicking away the tea leaves, but didn’t drink, just looking for something to do while waiting for her to finish speaking.

"I thought that Hu dances would be different from those in the Central Plains, so I went to Chang’an to see for myself... but they were just so-so," Su Luan spoke slowly.

Putting down the teacup, Xiao Song said indifferently, "Perhaps it is because dancing for someone who captures your heart is the most moving."

Su Luan, startled for a moment, suddenly shed tears as she looked at the stage opposite her.

Her father did everything for her mother, even willing to give his life at any moment, yet he could never elicit a hint of warmth from her. It turns out her mother had feelings for her father after all!

Su Luan took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears, apologetically saying, "I’ve been rude."

"No bother." Xiao Song gave her a glance but said no more, taking out a piece of white folded cloth from his sleeve and placing it on the table, gently opening it.

As Xiao Song’s long hands uncovered the concealment, the object wrapped inside was revealed—a deep red coral bead.

As red as a drop of blood staining the pristine handkerchief.

"These coral beads are quite rare, aren’t they, Lady Su?" Xiao Song suddenly looked at Su Luan, his handsome face wearing a smile that seemed to see through everything.

Su Luan’s eyes flickered but recovered in an instant, saying, "Indeed, such blood-red coral beads are truly rare."

"Lady Su, guess where I found this bead?" Xiao Song asked with a smile, watching Su Luan who appeared composed. He didn’t wait for her to answer before he continued, "When I found this bead, there were still a few strands of thread on it, red ice silk..."

Under Xiao Song’s sharp gaze, Su Luan’s complexion changed slightly. She had long heard of Xiao Song’s reputation; over sixty percent of the cases each year at the Ministry of Criminal Justice were handled by him. He likely wouldn’t have come knocking without sufficient evidence.

Legend had it that ice silkworms came from the barren Northern Desolation, feeding on zhè leaves, producing threads remarkably tough, not to be cut by knives or swords, superior even to the strings made for zithers and harps, and would melt upon encountering fire. In reality, while ice silk didn’t possess such magical properties, it was indeed very resilient, soft, and comfortable, making it one of the tributes. With its extremely limited annual production, ordinary families wouldn’t have it.

In all of Jushui County, probably only the cord Su Luan wore around her neck, stringing the Ying Luo, was made from ice silk.

"Assistant Minister Xiao is indeed as reputable as they say. I had guessed that you would come, but I didn’t expect it so soon," said Su Luan, her voice tinged with resignation. She didn’t know how things would end for her. She hadn’t had the chance to make arrangements for Min’er, nor had she found an ideal husband for her...

In the end, Su Luan couldn’t help but close her eyes.

"Bring them in!" Xiao Song called out loudly.

Shortly after, County Magistrate Zhou led his men rushing up.

Xiao Song glanced at the Clerk beside him and said, "Prepare to take notes." Then, turning to Su Luan, he continued, "Someone has pleaded on your behalf. Though I cannot make exceptions out of personal considerations, I can afford you some dignity. If your crime does not warrant death, I will order County Magistrate Zhou to not imprison you for the time being, and you can wait at home for the Ministry of Criminal Justice to review your case."

Su Luan looked slightly taken aback; that person must carry great influence to make the steadfastly law-abiding Assistant Minister Xiao extend such leniency to her.

"Thank you, Assistant Minister Xiao, and thanks to that noble person as well," Su Luan said, performing a deep respectful bow, secretly making up her mind.

"No need for formality, speak of the case now," Xiao Song was pleased with Su Luan’s cooperation. Seeing her somewhat relieved expression, he guessed that the murder and destruction of the body might not be entirely her doing.

"Ten years ago, the seventh son of the Mu Family became my family’s son-in-law," Su Luan continued, seeing no one stopping her from bringing up such an old matter, "My husband was the legitimate heir in the Mu Family, and after he joined mine, he greatly disliked other people’s gossip and idle talk. I was busy with business and rarely considered his feelings, which led to him spending his days in drunken stupor."