When she looked up again, the woman standing before her was dressed in a peach-pink spring gown. Her face, round as a silver moon, featured delicate eyebrows and large eyes. Compared to Liang Wan's own light, slender frame, this woman was far more curvaceous and elegant, exuding the absolute air of a pampered young lady.
This was the Fourth Lady of the Liang Mansion, her younger cousin, Liang Jiao.
Liang Jiao stepped forward and snatched the embroidery from behind Liang Wan's back with a smile. "Stop hiding it. I saw you doing needlework from miles away. Who in this mansion doesn't know you've always despised this sort of thing? What a rare sight today!"
Unable to snatch it back, Liang Wan felt her cheeks burn. She bowed to Mrs. Zhang. "Aunt."
Unlike Liang Jiao, Mrs. Zhang wasn't curious enough to inspect the embroidery. Instead, she walked straight up to her. "You've only just recovered a little. Why are you sitting out here in the wind, doing something so exhausting?"
Liang Wan lowered her head, offering no reply.
"Sister, this pouch doesn't look like something you'd use yourself!" Liang Jiao waved the small bag in her hand, teasing her. "You'd better be careful. Don't let First Aunt catch sight of this, or you'll be in for it!"
Liang Wan's expression stiffened.
"Ajiao!"
Mrs. Zhang shot Liang Jiao a reproachful glare, then took Liang Wan's hand and sat down beside her. "Tell your aunt the truth. Is this pouch a gift for the Grand Commandant?"
Liang Wan nodded slowly, her face flushing as she explained. "Aunt, please don't misunderstand. Uncle was right to scold me the other day. He saved my life, after all, so I must show some appreciation. I don't have anything valuable to offer, so I can only make something with my own hands to express my gratitude."
Mrs. Zhang studied her for a long moment before smiling. "It is naturally good that you think this way, but—" She suddenly changed the subject. "The day before yesterday, your uncle personally went to the Master's Mansion to visit the Grand Commandant. Guess what happened?"
"What happened?"
Liang Wan's heart pounded. Lu Xiu was not an easy man to deal with at all. Going to his door so recklessly—being denied a welcoming face would be getting off lightly, especially considering how he had killed without blinking an eye in her past life.
"He wasn't there!"
Liang Wan breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness they hadn't met; otherwise, not only would her act fall apart, but she feared Lu Xiu wouldn't spare her.
"But even though he wasn't there," Mrs. Zhang continued, "your uncle heard some news—"
"My lady—"
Mrs. Zhang was cut off mid-sentence as Chun'er came rushing over.
Displeased by the interruption, Mrs. Zhang's expression soured. Seeing Chun'er shouting and making such a fuss, even her usually good temper flared with a touch of anger. "What is so urgent that you have to panic like this?"
Panting, Chun'er hurriedly bowed. "Second Madam, please forgive my recklessness. However, the Family Head says people from the Ministry of Justice are here and have questions for the Third Lady. I was just anxious."
"The Ministry of Justice?"
Mrs. Zhang and Liang Jiao were deeply shocked, looking at Liang Wan in astonishment.
Liang Wan's heart sank, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Did they say what this is about?"
Chun'er shook her head, her face looking extremely unnatural. "The Family Head didn't specify. You should go see for yourself, my lady."
Liang Wan didn't waste any more words. She refused to believe Chun'er was unaware of Zhang Shi's death! She had thought this matter could simply be glossed over, but it seemed she had underestimated the situation. Lu Xiu wasn't here to bail her out today, so what was she going to do?
Despite the anxiety churning in her chest, Liang Wan kept her steps steady.
When she reached the front hall, she saw Liang Cheng sitting and drinking tea with the men from the Ministry of Justice.
Upon seeing Liang Wan, Liang Cheng set down his teacup, his tone particularly stern. "This is Chen Sizheng from the Ministry of Justice."
Beside Chen Sizheng stood two other men, both of whom she had seen that night.
Liang Wan approached and bowed. "Greetings, my lords."
Chen Sizheng turned to his companions. "Is this the woman you saw that night?"
Unsurprisingly, the two men nodded in unison. "Yes."
Chen Sizheng glanced at Liang Cheng. "Vice Minister Liang, please allow me a few words with the young lady of your household."
His tone was polite yet distant, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation. The Ministry of Justice had its own set of rules for interrogation. No matter how full of questions Liang Cheng was, he couldn't stubbornly insist on staying. He had no choice but to excuse himself as requested, though the look he shot her before leaving carried a clear warning.
Liang Wan gave no response, lowering her eyes to calm the panic in her heart. "May I ask what Chen Sizheng needs from me?"
Only then did Chen Sizheng take a serious look at her. There was no ferocity on his slightly plump face. "I heard that you were seen near the East Market that night?"
Tongle Hall was right by the East Market.
Liang Wan nodded frankly. "Yes. I even met these two lords that night."
Chen Sizheng gave a slight nod and asked, "Have you heard that the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat was murdered at Tongle Hall?"
Though his expression remained placid, his eyes were incredibly sharp, observing her every move.
Liang Wan instinctively shook her head. Suddenly, she paused, hesitating slightly. "May I ask, is this the lord with the surname Zhang?"
"Why, do you know him?"
"Not exactly know him. I only heard the Grand Commandant's attendant mention it that night."
"Oh?" Chen Sizheng tilted his head in thought. "And what did he say?"
"Only that a lord surnamed Zhang had passed away at Tongle Hall."
Chen Sizheng knitted his brows. "If I may be so bold as to ask, were you with the Grand Commandant the entire time that day?"
Liang Wan waved a hand in denial. "No. I was only with him later in the evening."
Chen Sizheng's frown did not ease. "You say you don't know the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, so why did his attendants claim to have seen you?"
Liang Wan's heart tightened. Even though Zhang Shi was dead, the men who had kidnapped her were still alive. Naturally, they had seen her. Chen Sizheng and his men did not miss the stiffness that briefly washed over her face.
"It seems you are hiding something from us."
"I truly do not know him. It's just—" Liang Wan's eyes showed a hint of difficulty. She hesitated before asking, "Have you inquired with the Grand Commandant about this matter, my lord?"
Chen Sizheng and his men stiffened. "We have not."
Liang Wan instantly understood a bit more. They must have heard the testimony of Zhang Shi's servants and grown suspicious of her, but due to Lu Xiu's involvement, they could only come here to ask a few probing questions. After all, Lu Xiu's protection of her that night had been very obvious. However, mere protection wasn't going to be enough.
Liang Wan sighed softly. "That day, I had originally made plans to meet with the Grand Commandant. Who could have known I would run into thugs along the way? Fortunately, the Grand Commandant arrived just in time."
"Thugs? Do you mean Lord Zhang?"
Liang Wan hurriedly shook her head. "I don't know Lord Zhang. I simply assumed they were ordinary thugs, and even now, I'm unsure of their identities. But since you just mentioned that Lord Zhang's attendants saw me, I suppose that must be who they were.
"I was terrified at the time. Aside from stepping in to save me, the Grand Commandant didn't explain anything else, and it wasn't my place to press him. As for now, it's even harder to talk about."
Her face displayed both bashfulness and helplessness.
Taking it all in, Chen Sizheng said, "I understand what you mean. However, it seems you haven't told Vice Minister Liang about these matters. Your account even contradicts his."
Liang Wan's heart hammered in her chest. It seemed he had already questioned Liang Cheng about her whereabouts that night.
"Family Head—"
Just as they were speaking, a servant unexpectedly led a group of people through the doorway.