Zhao Yuman stared at Qing He. Seeing her pale face and the urgency and terror in her eyes, which did not seem feigned, her taut anger gradually faded. Her brows slowly furrowed instead, and a trace of unease rose in her heart.
Seeing this, Qing He hurried on, "Everyone outside is saying Young Master Shen was murdered at home last night. He died horribly... they say the killer twisted his head right off, and even, even his brains were... were drunk..."
Qing He's voice trembled over those final words. The rumors had clearly frightened her badly.
"Impossible!"
Zhao Yuman still could not believe it. She knew Shen Lie's strength. Ordinary martial artists could not even get close to him. How could he have met such an end?
Yet Qing He's account had a nose and eyes to it, and word had already spread outside. Despite herself, her heart gave a jolt.
She paced back and forth twice, then called gravely, "Laifu!"
The guard outside hurried in at her summons. "What are your orders, Miss?"
"Go to Anxing District immediately and find out whether something has happened to Young Master Shen Lie. Report back as soon as you hear anything!" Zhao Yuman ordered rapidly, her gaze sharp as a blade.
"Yes!"
The guard dared not delay. He turned and hurried away.
Only after sending the guard off did Zhao Yuman turn back to Qing He. Her expression remained stern, her tone carrying a harsh warning. "Remember this: if the inquiry finds Young Master Shen safe and sound, just see how I punish you for spreading wild rumors and unsettling everyone!"
Qing He shrank back and hastily lowered her head. "Yes... I understand."
Inwardly, however, she prayed that what she had heard was true. It was not that she wished Shen Lie