Chapter 182: I Believe You

Qi Eryu never expected Wang Qiongshi to blurt out such words. Her mind buzzed, but she reacted quickly, tears instantly welling up in her eyes, wearing the expression of someone who had suffered a profound grievance.

"What are you saying! How can you slander me like this! Jingxiao..."

The moment she turned her head, she saw Yu Jingxiao looking at her with a pale, utterly shocked face.

Regardless of whether Yu Jingxiao believed it immediately or not, the impact of those words was simply too heavy for him.

A courtesan?

Was Qi Eryu formerly... a courtesan?

Wang Qiongshi also realized she had spoken out of turn and felt a twinge of vexation.

It was true that Qi Eryu used to be a courtesan, and they could not let Yu Jingxiao continue to be hoodwinked by her.

However, no matter what, she should not have shouted about it in front of so many people. Where would that leave Yu Jingxiao's dignity?

The more Wang Qiongshi thought about it, the more regretful she became, growing quite flustered. Lin Yanbei sighed helplessly, stepped forward, and pulled her aside.

Lin Sangqian glanced at Qi Eryu and said, "Young Master Yu, let's go inside first."

Yu Jingxiao nodded with difficulty and led Qi Eryu toward the guest room where he had stayed the previous night.

The others tactfully refrained from following and instead entered other rooms.

"What on earth happened?" Lin Hongda still looked bewildered. "Is that Young Master Yu's wife? Just now, Lady Wang said she was..."

With his children present, he found it unseemly to utter that specific word.

Liao Shuxia explained it to him in a low voice, and realization dawned upon Lin Hongda. He sighed again, saying, "Young Master Yu is such a good person; how could he run into this sort of trouble?"

After all, Yu Jingxiao had shown him considerable favor.

Had Yu Jingxiao not recognized his martial prowess back then and hired him as a personal bodyguard, he never would have met General Xiao, let alone rushed to the battlefield and achieved such meritorious service.

Thinking of General Xiao, Lin Hongda said to Xiao Yawen, "Your father still has some matters to handle, which is why he couldn't come. We agreed to meet directly in the capital, and I will bring you to him then."

"Mm! My father already wrote to tell me about it," Xiao Yawen said with a smile.

Lin Beitao was startled. "You're going to the capital? Father... then, what about us?"

"I was just about to discuss this with you all," Lin Hongda said. "What do you think? Should our family move to the capital?"

This was something none of them had anticipated. However, Lin Hongda would sooner or later have to enter the capital to see the Emperor. Having rendered significant military service in this campaign, the Emperor would undoubtedly bestow an official position upon him. If it were a post in the capital, they would inevitably have to relocate there.

It was hardly possible for him to serve as an official in the capital while leaving his wife and children behind.

"Father, moving to the capital is no trivial matter; we must plan it carefully," Lin Sangqian said.

"I know," Lin Hongda nodded. "You've built your business so large over the past few years, and we can't just abandon it overnight."

If they truly decided to move, they would need to make substantial preparations.

As Lin Sangqian pondered this, she turned around and saw Guan Yanqing looking exceptionally pleased, his eyes practically gleaming.

...

In another room, Qi Eryu clutched Yu Jingxiao's hand, weeping bitterly: "Jingxiao, I truly never expected that they would detest me so much and resort to such vicious words to slander me!"

Yu Jingxiao looked at her, his expression deeply complicated.

In the past, he would have believed Qi Eryu without a moment's hesitation.

Yet, after experiencing so many trials, he suddenly found himself unsure of whom to trust.

"Jingxiao, why aren't you speaking?" Qi Eryu looked up at him, her face full of hurt. "Do you really believe Wang Qiongshi's words? Would you rather trust an outsider than your wedded wife?"

As she spoke, she reached behind her back and signaled Yemei, who had been following her closely.

Yemei immediately understood, hurried over, and knelt on the floor with a tearful voice: "Young Master, you cannot doubt the Madam! This maid has served the Madam since childhood. She grew up in the Qi household draped in silks and satin, pampered and accustomed to luxury. Even after the decline of the Qi family, she could never have gone to a place like a courtesan house!"

Qi Eryu took a step back and offered a bitter smile. "I understand now, Jingxiao... If you refuse to trust me, then I have no choice—I have no choice but to prove my innocence with my death!"

With that, she made a motion as if preparing to hurl herself headfirst against the wall to die.

"Madam!" Yemei cried out in alarm.

Yu Jingxiao rushed forward to stop her, and Qi Eryu tumbled smoothly into his arms, weeping, "Jingxiao, my parents are both dead, and my brother is utterly useless; I have only you! If you trust others and refuse to believe me, then I truly cannot go on living!"

"I know, don't be rash," Yu Jingxiao soothed. "I believe you."

Though he said the words, there was not a trace of warmth in the depths of his eyes.

"Really? Jingxiao, I knew you were the kindest to me! Those girls from the Lin family have always disliked me, so they make up all sorts of lies to fabricate stories about me. Jingxiao, you must never believe them!"

"Mm, I know."

Yu Jingxiao gently pushed her away and said, "Rest here for a moment. Yemei, take good care of the Madam."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Where are you going?" Qi Eryu asked hastily.

"I'm going to see Guan Yanqing about something," Yu Jingxiao turned back and gave her a smile. "Get some rest, and I'll come back to see you shortly."

"All right..." Qi Eryu nodded.

After Yu Jingxiao left, Yemei hastily stood up and helped Qi Eryu sit down on a chair.

"Madam, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I can still hold my ground," Qi Eryu bit her lip. "Damn that Wang Qiongshi, how dare she bring this matter up to Yu Jingxiao!"

"Fortunately, the Young Master still trusts you, otherwise it would have been truly disastrous," Yemei said, lingering fear in her voice.

And yet, deep down, Qi Eryu remained filled with unease.

Did Yu Jingxiao really believe her?

Why did she still have a lingering sense that something wasn't quite right?

...

Yu Jingxiao found Guan Yanqing and pulled him into another room to discuss a matter.

Guan Yanqing knew what he wanted to talk about, and in any case, the things he had investigated would sooner or later have to be told to Yu Jingxiao.

Before entering the room, he gave some instructions to An Yu, who immediately departed upon hearing them.

Lin Sangqian brought them two cups of hot milk tea and was about to leave when she heard Yu Jingxiao say, "Lady Lin, please stay as well... There are some things I still wish to ask you."

Hearing this, Lin Sangqian understood his intent roughly.

It seemed Yu Jingxiao intended to thoroughly and completely uncover the truth about Qi Eryu.

"Zicheng, I know your reach is vast and extraordinary, so I want to ask for your help in investigating..."

At this point, Yu Jingxiao seemed unable to bring himself to finish the sentence.