Seeing Jiang Si, Prefect Zhen Shicheng felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, and he couldn’t help but blame his son’s incompetence.
What? It was he who had been rejected by her father?
At the time, the Earl of Dongping had been interested but later changed his mind. Ultimately, it was because the young lady hadn’t agreed.
How could the young lady be picky about him? It must be his son’s lack of ability to capture a young girl’s heart.
Prefect Zhen’s gaze made Jiang Si feel uncomfortable.
She didn’t want to encounter such situations every time either! She was supposed to be a quiet young lady!
But soon, Jiang Si’s attention was drawn to another person.
The person stood beside Prefect Zhen, tall and thin, with fair skin and a naturally cold demeanor when expressionless.
Jiang Si was stunned for a moment, wondering why Yu Qi was there.
Yu Jin struggled to control the urge to look at her, his hand at his side gently rubbing Erniu’s head.
Erniu looked at his mistress and then at his master, wagging his tail in confusion.
Jiang Si was even more surprised when she noticed Erniu.
Yu Qi appearing with Prefect Zhen was already strange, but bringing Erniu along made her completely bewildered.
The crowd soon noticed Erniu’s presence, and their expressions became peculiar.
Since when did officials bring dogs to investigations?
“Heir Su, can you take me to see your son?” Prefect Zhen asked.
“Please follow me, Prefect Zhen.”
Su Qingyi’s body had been moved indoors. Prefect Zhen examined it carefully, then signaled the coroner he had brought to conduct a further examination. He then moved to the hall to begin questioning.
“Was it you who heard the Second Young Master calling for Cousin Si?”
The young maid knelt before Prefect Zhen, about to answer when she felt a cold gaze sweep over her, chilling her to the core.
She glanced at the tall, thin young man beside Prefect Zhen from the corner of her eye. The young man’s face was icy, his hand resting on the scabbard at his waist.
The young maid’s scalp tingled, and she quickly lowered her head.
Seeing the maid’s silence, Prefect Zhen frowned, “What’s wrong?”
“The Prefect is asking you a question. Have you gone mute?” Madam Yu wanted to slap her.
This wretched servant, being stupid at such a crucial moment.
The young maid hurriedly nodded, “Yes, this servant heard the Second Young Master call out like that.”
Prefect Zhen stroked his beard and asked calmly, “When you heard the call, did you go to look?”
“No, this servant was on another small path. Although it wasn’t far from Juxia Lake, flowers and trees blocked the view of the lakeside. At the time, this servant was in a hurry to complete a task and didn’t linger.”
“So you’re saying you only heard the voice but saw nothing?”
The young maid hesitated.
Prefect Zhen’s face darkened, “Just answer me, yes or no.”
“Yes.”
“Very well, you may step aside for now.” Prefect Zhen turned his gaze to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si walked calmly to stand before Prefect Zhen and curtsied, “Prefect, please ask whatever you wish.”
All eyes turned to Jiang Si, with one gaze particularly intense. Jiang Si knew who it was without looking in that direction.
“Miss Jiang, do you agree with what the young maid just said?” Despite his private admiration for Jiang Si, Prefect Zhen maintained a proper attitude during the investigation.
Jiang Si was silent for a moment before speaking, “Not long ago, I did indeed encounter Second Cousin by Juxia Lake.”
“So it was you who harmed Yi’er!” Madam Yu said hatefully.
Jiang Si looked at her coolly, “First Aunt, how strange. Does encountering Second Cousin mean I harmed him? If everything is based on conjecture, why do we need the authorities?”
“You—” Madam Yu was so angry she couldn’t speak.
She never expected a young girl to be so sharp-tongued at a time like this.
Yu Jin couldn’t help but curve his lips.
It seemed Jiang Si’s quick wit wasn’t reserved only for him; she showed no mercy to this detestable old woman either.
Thinking of this, Yu Jin’s smile faded.
Being compared to a detestable old woman wasn’t something to be happy about…
“Madam, please remain quiet while I’m conducting the investigation,” Prefect Zhen said.
Madam Yu felt her face burning with embarrassment.
“Miss Jiang, please describe in detail your encounter with the Second Young Master Su.”
Without any shyness or unease, Jiang Si spoke loudly enough for everyone present to hear, “I was going with Aman to find my elder sister. When we passed by Juxia Lake, Second Cousin suddenly jumped out from the flowers and trees, blocking my path—”
Yu Jin’s heart ached as he listened.