Chapter 288: It Was Murdered

At worst, they'll just beat me up."Li Cheng listened, and much of the resentment in his heart subsided. He was no longer polite to him and replied: "Then Brother Lin, please be careful later."Lin Rui...Today is a good day for marriage, even after the snowfall and the first sunny day. It's still a auspicious day according to the Yellow Emperor's calendar.

The only legitimate daughter of the Grand Master of the Imperial Academy is getting married today. She is marrying the eldest son of Minister Shen of the Ministry of Works. Both families are a good match.

To say that Mr. Shen, who was once a poor scholar, has made it to where he is today, there's some luck involved. Heaven secretly helped him, allowing him to meet Madam Shen, who fell in love with him at first sight, during his time of poverty and hardship. With the support of Madam Shen and her family, he was able to study and pass the imperial examinations, step by step achieving his current status. His son is also promising, having entered the Hanlin Academy, bringing glory to the Shen family.

Now that Shen's family is also in-laws with the Song family, the Song family has a solid foundation in the capital city. The Song family and the equally well-established Qi family are also related by marriage. Mrs. Song is the eldest aunt of the Qi family. With this layer of familial ties, Shen's family's status in the capital has also risen considerably.

When Meng Jin Yao arrived at the Song household, Song Xin Ning was already dressed and made up, her face radiating the joy and shyness of a bride. She was chatting with a group of her peers.

She greeted everyone and then presented the gift of makeup to Song Xining: “Aning, I wish you and Master Shen a hundred years of happiness and an early birth of a precious child.”

Song Xining, upon hearing the phrase "early birth brings prosperity," blushed even deeper, her face already rouged. She took the makeup set presented in a rectangular wooden box with both hands and smiled, replying: “Thank you, Ayao.”

Soon, Princess Jingning also arrived and presented Song Xining with wedding gifts.

When the welcoming party arrived at the Song family, everyone also saw Song Xining's prospective husband, Shen Shuxian, who was 22 years old. He had a gentle temperament and was much more stable than teenagers in their teens. He was also handsome and very well-matched with Song Xining.

Watching the wedding procession depart in a grand manner, Meng Jinyao couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth. Her best friend was married, marrying her childhood sweetheart. She estimated that in a year or two, there would be adorable little ones calling her "Auntie Meng".

Quietly, the Princess of Jingning said, "This husband-to-be of An Ning is a talented and handsome man. He seems quite good.

Meng Jin Yao replied, "Young Master Shen is quite good. His wife and Madam Song have known each other for a long time, so Young Master Shen and An Ning are childhood sweethearts. They were supposed to get married last year, but the Song family couldn't bear to part with their daughter, so he waited another year."

The princess of Jining County showed an envious look on her face, but after a moment, she drooped her head again.

Upon seeing this, Meng Jiny Yao asked: "What's wrong"

Jing Ning County Princess sighed, "Watching sisters around my age get married one after another, I suddenly feel a little anxious. I don't know what kind of husband my mother will find for me in the end. I'll be sixteen next year, so my marriage should be settled next year, at the latest the year after."

Meng Jinyao softly comforted: "When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight. Don't think too much, the princess will definitely choose a suitable and agreeable husband for you."

Jingning County Princess rolled her eyes, a hint of helplessness in her voice: "Let me tell you in secret, although I don't dislike the match she chose for me, I don't like it either. I don't feel the kind of love at first sight that storybooks describe when it comes to those young masters. Just the other day, I refused a young master my mother had chosen for me."

Meng Jinyao questioned, "Why refuse"

"He's good in every other way, but he's a little short," said Princess Jingning softly. "When we stand together, he's only three inches taller than me. And he's already twenty years old, so he probably can't grow any taller. I'm not even sixteen yet, and I think I can still grow a bit taller. What if I end up being taller than him"

After hearing this, Meng Jin Yao was stunned. She subconsciously estimated the height of Princess Jingning and found that she had grown taller than half a year ago, already two inches taller than herself, definitely able to grow even taller.

Jingning County Princess saw the envy in her eyes and helplessly said, "Why are you still envious of me"

Meng Jin Yao was upset: “I envy you for being taller than me, and it looks like you can still grow taller. I don't seem to have grown an inch this year.”

What is a girl so tall for

Jing Ning County Princess glared at her, annoyed: "Look at you, petite and delicate, as if you've just reached the height of the Marquis's shoulder. So small and fragile, leaning into Marquis Gu's arms like a little bird seeking comfort. But I am growing taller, and in the future, before my husband, I won't be a little bird seeking comfort, but a soaring roc! At that time, it will be him seeking comfort from me. I really don't want to grow taller.

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao couldn't help but giggle: "What nonsense are you talking about What kind of 'spreading wings like a Dapeng' Even if you grow taller, you'll still be a delicate young lady. If such a situation were to occur, it would only mean the other party was too short, not that you were too tall.

Jingning County Princess heard this, and suddenly felt much better. She nodded repeatedly: "Yes, it's just that the other party is too short. I need to find someone taller." Just as she finished speaking, she remembered something and asked again, "Ayao, have you heard about the Shen Guogong's Mansion

Meng Jin Yao nodded lightly. Although it happened two days ago, she had also heard about it.

I heard that Shen Guogong's stepson, the second son of his remarried wife, died. He was reportedly killed by wolves, with his face completely mangled. Luckily, he was wearing thick winter clothes and was well wrapped up, so most of his flesh was protected.

Duke Shen and his wife were heartbroken. As the couple only had this one child, seeing their son's body, the Duchess fainted on the spot.

Although Duke Shen didn't faint, he wasn't doing well either. Within a year, he lost his only two legitimate sons. The remaining illegitimate sons were all useless. Previously, the eldest son, Shen Yunzhou, was in danger and his life or death was unknown. Because he hadn't seen the body, he couldn't accept that his excellent firstborn son was gone. He sent people to continue secretly searching for him. This matter did not leak from the Duke's mansion until yesterday.

However, Meng Jin Yao and Jingning County Princess both knew that Prince Shen Yunzhou was not dead. When he was on the brink of death, they saved him. That Prince Shen is in the capital city, but he has not shown himself.

Princess Jingning: “Aiyao, do you think… it could be a murder”

Although she didn't explicitly say who, Meng Jin Yao knew who she was referring to. After recovering from his injuries, the Second Prince of Shen had remained in the capital without returning home or informing his family and friends of his return. Now, with the Second Young Master Shen being killed by a wolf, it was hard not to suspect something.

Meng Jinyu looked around, seeing that no one was coming near. She lowered her voice and said, "A-Yan, sometimes when people are pushed into a corner, they won't show mercy. Because being kind to the enemy is cruel to oneself."

Jingning County Princess's expression faltered, and the image of Shen Yunzhou's handsome face flashed in her mind. She shivered involuntarily, thinking that he was so beautiful but wielded such ruthlessness in his actions

The next moment, she thought back to when she found Shen Yunzhou. He was on the verge of death back then, and those injuries on his body must have been inflicted by his stepmother and younger brother's scheme, right

If she were Shen Yunzhou, she would not let those who tried to harm her go free, even if she escaped death.

Thinking about it, she found Shen Yunzhou's actions reasonable. If someone wanted to kill her, then she should kill them first and eliminate the possibility of them attacking her again.

Meng Jinyao gave her a glance and instructed: "A-Yan, some things are just speculation, don't tell anyone about things without evidence. Keep this between you and me. When you see him again, don't bring it up. Just act like you know nothing, understand"

Jing Ning Junzhu knew she was doing this for her own good, and hurriedly nodded: "Ai Yao rest assured, I won't talk nonsense. Other people's business has nothing to do with us, we just treat it as gossip.to stir up any trouble and end up living uncomfortably at her in-laws' place, so she spoke and acted more cautiously than others, taking careful steps.Gu Jingxi had spent many years in the officialdom...