Ripples on Still Waters

Within half a day, news that Yang Qing had signed a confession of guilt had swept through the city like a storm.

When the people of Yan Prefecture heard, they sighed with dismay.

Many spontaneously gathered to visit Yang Qing in prison, only to be told that no one could see him without Lord Fu's permission.

When Murong Qian learned of this, anxiety burned within her. She wanted to discuss it with Jiang Zhizhou, but could find no trace of him.

After turning it over in her mind again and again, she decided to go and see for herself.

But the Yan Prefecture offices were no longer what they had been. However long she thought about it, she could find no way in.

Even Dai Sheng privately urged her not to act rashly.

After much deliberation, Murong Qian decided to visit the guest residence.

Though the Murong Family lacked the wealth and influence the Li Household had once possessed, they had long been imperial merchants supplying imperial tea. Their clansmen had always followed the rules, earning them a fine reputation among officials at every level.

Thus, Murong Qian felt reasonably confident that she could secure an audience with Fu Bonian.

To her great surprise, however, the once-bustling guest residence now stood forlorn, with scarcely a visitor at its gates.

After making inquiries, she learned that Fu Bonian disliked the fact that a murder had just occurred there, and had therefore chosen not to stay at the guest residence after arriving in Yan Prefecture.

After some thought, Murong Qian headed instead for a secluded spot.

Though she was a woman, the eldest young lady of the Murong Residence was no sheltered maiden who never ventured beyond the inner gates.

On the contrary, Murong Qian handled many of the Murong Residence's business