Chapter 209 - 207: Xu Jing’s Deduction (Second Update)

Chapter 209: Chapter 207: Xu Jing’s Deduction (Second Update)

Vice General Sun?

Xu Jing immediately recalled this afternoon, when Qingyun hurriedly went to find Madam Cen and accidentally bumped into her, Qingyun had gone to see Madam Cen because of this Vice General Sun.

If she guessed correctly, it was around that time when Duke Liang returned. After handling Vice General Sun’s affairs, Duke Liang, in his anger, drank two large cups of cold tea, which led to the poisoning.

Madam Cen cast a sharp glance at Feng Zhao and said, "Rest assured, I have already sent someone to find Vice General Sun. Today, I am determined to uncover the tumor that poisoned the Lord!"

Feng Zhao shivered slightly under Madam Cen’s gaze but continued through gritted teeth, "Besides... besides Vice General Sun, there’s also Steward Liao! Steward Liao also came this afternoon. He said he wanted to come in to fetch something for Madam, but he left shortly after, and I saw his hands were empty. It didn’t look like he was there to get anything!"

Steward Liao is the chief steward of the Duke Liang Mansion. Tall and chubby, he always has a smiling face like a Maitreya Buddha, and every time Xu Jing visits the Zhao Family, she sees him.

Madam Cen was taken aback and her expression turned serious, "I never asked Liao Shangwen to fetch anything today!"

Liao Shangwen is Steward Liao’s full name.

Having said that, she turned to Qingyi, "Where is Liao Shangwen! Didn’t I ask you to send someone to find him? Such a big incident has happened, and yet there’s no sign of him!"

Qingyi hurriedly replied, "Madam, this servant has already sent four maids to look for Steward Liao, but there has been no news so far."

Everyone frowned immediately.

As the chief steward of the Duke Liang Mansion, today should have been his busiest day. It’s illogical that he didn’t show up when Duke Liang had an accident, and now he can’t be found at all. Any reasonable person would suspect something strange is going on.

Madam Cen couldn’t help but harshly question, "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

Qingyi, distressed, said, "This servant... this servant couldn’t find the right moment to say it. Earlier, the Lord’s situation was critical, and all Madam’s attention was on the Lord. Afterwards, Madam asked this servant to gather all the people who had entered the courtyard this afternoon..."

Zhao Shao Hua couldn’t help but say, "I heard from my mom that some family matters had troubled Steward Liao recently, and his wife was making quite a scene. Uncle and Auntie both lectured him. Could this have made him resentful..."

Madam Cen pursed her lips and said, "I don’t think so. It was just a trivial matter, and besides, Steward Liao has been with our Mansion for a long time. In his youth, he was with your grandfather, and it’s unlikely he would betray Duke Liang Mansion over such a small issue. Qingyu, go check on Steward Liao’s room right away!"

Qingyu responded immediately, "Yes!"

Steward Liao’s room wasn’t far from there. Qingyu returned quickly and reported, "Madam, Steward Liao is not in his room, and several drawers in his room were opened. Those drawers are where Steward Liao usually keeps valuable items, and now they’re all empty. His wardrobe looks like it’s been searched too."

Everyone’s expression changed.

This... clearly signals packing for an escape!

Feng Zhao immediately said, "I’ve been saying Steward Liao didn’t look right today! He must have poisoned the Lord in anger over his reprimand and fled in haste, fearing exposure when the incident came to light! We have always been loyal to the Duke Mansion and could never poison the Lord. Please, Madam, discern the truth!"

The others quickly agreed with Feng Zhao, all fearing they’d be mistaken for the poisoners.

Madam Cen gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, saying, "Someone, trace Liao Shangwen immediately! Make sure to capture him and bring him back!"

At that moment, Xu Jing, who had been silent, suddenly said, "May I ask, around when did Steward Liao disappear?"

No one expected her to speak, and everyone gave her a surprised look.

Zhao Jingming, suddenly recalling something, brightened his eyes and also said, "Can someone answer Miss Xu’s question? Come on, everyone, roughly say when you last saw Steward Liao!"

He suddenly remembered that Miss Xu was also a genius in solving cases and might help them find the criminal who poisoned his father!

Truthfully, from an emotional standpoint, he couldn’t accept that the poisoner was Steward Liao. He’d been around as long as Zhao Jingming could remember, like a brother or father, and Zhao Jingming couldn’t fathom a reason for his betrayal.

Since Zhao Jingming put it that way, everyone thought for a moment and began to gradually state the last time they saw Steward Liao. The closest time was from Qingyi, who said, "This servant saw Steward Liao around 3:35 PM, when Madam sent me to find Doctor Xu. I saw Steward Liao on my way, heading hurriedly towards the backyard, and he didn’t hear me when I called out to him.

This servant knew he was busy today, so I thought nothing of it."

3:35 PM?

The poisoning occurred around 5:15 PM, a gap of only about half an hour.

Xu Jing furrowed her brow slightly, looking at Feng Zhao, asking, "Do you remember around when Steward Liao came to Madam Cen’s courtyard?"

Feng Zhao froze for a moment and said, "I remember it was before 3:00 PM when Steward Liao came over."

If he was the poisoner, the timing was rather early.

After pondering for a moment, Xu Jing suddenly asked, "May I ask what the reason was for Madam Cen and Duke Liang to reproach Steward Liao earlier?"

Zhao Shao Hua couldn’t help asking, "Doctor Xu, why are you asking this? Have you figured something out?"

Xu Jing had easily exposed Lady Hua’s scheme against Young Madam Jiang earlier, and Zhao Shao Hua remembered it vividly.

Xu Jing nodded and said, "I have an idea I want to verify."

Among those present, only Madam Cen knew why Steward Liao was reproached. After a moment of hesitation, her face turned a little pale as she said, "It was Steward Liao’s family matter, and I didn’t want to broadcast it. Steward Liao had a son, about the same age as Jingming, who unfortunately died in an accident five years ago. Since then, Steward Liao and his wife have wanted another child, but have had no luck.

He’s not yet forty this year, and his mother, distressed to see his wife’s belly still empty, brought a young woman to the Western Capital recently, wanting Steward Liao to marry her and ensure the Liao Family line. His wife was furious and caused a few scenes at home, even bringing it to me and the Lord’s attention. We called Steward Liao in, reproached him, and told him to resolve his family matters quickly.

Steward Liao has always been dedicated and responsible, and this was the first time in all these years that the Lord and I have reprimanded him."

It was because of such a trivial matter!

Zhao Jingming’s face darkened slightly, "I didn’t expect it to be because of this. I remember Zi’an, I used to play with him often when we were kids. Father had high hopes for him and even said he’d let him train in the military when he got older, but then he was just gone... Steward Liao was despondent for a long time after that."

Zhao Shao Hua hesitated and said, "But just because of such a small matter, Steward Liao wouldn’t poison Uncle!"

She thought the reason for their reprimand was something more severe.

Xu Jing glanced at them and said, "I agree with Young Madam Zhao. I believe the real culprit is not Steward Liao. Steward Liao has been used by the real criminal and is now likely in grave danger."