Chapter Eleven: Outsmarting the Frame-Up Scheme

Young Master Zhou fanned himself, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. His arrival caused the bustling temple fair to fall into an instant hush. Every gaze turned toward Qu Wanqing, as if the crowd were collectively waiting for a drama to unfold.

"Young Master Zhou, what is the meaning of this?" Jiang Yu stepped forward, shielding Qu Wanqing, his tone laced with wariness. He stood before her without a moment’s hesitation, his heart racing. He knew that Young Master Zhou was no simple figure, yet he would not allow Wanqing to come to any harm. Regardless of the danger, he would not retreat; this was his promise to her and the deepest conviction in his heart.

Young Master Zhou gave a soft laugh, his eyes sweeping between Qu Wanqing and Jiang Yu. "It means nothing at all. I simply heard that the eldest Miss Qu had become embroiled in a theft case, and I was curious enough to come and watch the fun." He paused, then added, "After all, Miss Qu is a famously talented woman; how could she ever do such a thing? It is truly hard to believe."

Qu Wanqing took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm. She looked around at the curious, scornful, and gloating eyes that pricked at her nerves like needles. She knew this was no time for panic; she had to find the mastermind and prove her innocence.

Her gaze scanned the crowd and eventually landed on a sneaky figure nearby. The man was short and stout with shifty, rat-like eyes—it was Wang Dahu, who had been watching her earlier. Beside him stood his lackey, Liu Er-mazi. Liu Er-mazi was clutching a pouch tightly, the design of which was identical to the one lost from her stall earlier.

Qu Wanqing sneered inwardly. It seemed the director of this play had finally revealed a flaw. She did not expose them immediately, however, instead shifting her gaze away as if she had noticed nothing.

"It seems Young Master Zhou is quite interested in my affairs," Qu Wanqing said with a faint, mocking smile. "However, I shall not trouble you with my concerns."

Young Master Zhou raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her reaction.

"Is that so? Then I shall wait and see." With that, he fanned himself and stepped aside, maintaining the air of a spectator.

Ignoring him, Qu Wanqing turned to Jiang Yu and whispered, "Go and find Matchmaker Sun."

Jiang Yu blinked, then understood her intent. He nodded and turned to push through the crowd toward where the matchmaker stood. The onlookers began to whisper, confused by Qu Wanqing’s actions.

Suddenly, Qu Wanqing spoke up: "Wang Dahu, you dropped your pouch."

Wang Dahu froze, then instinctively felt his waist, his face turning deathly pale. "My pouch... my pouch is gone!" he shouted in a panic.

Qu Wanqing gave a cold laugh. "Is that so? How unfortunate. I believe I just saw someone pick it up." She turned her gaze toward Liu Er-mazi.

Liu Er-mazi’s expression shifted, and he instinctively hid the pouch behind his back.

"You... you’re lying! I didn't pick up his pouch!"

"Is that so?" Qu Wanqing’s voice was like a blade of ice as she stared him down, every word forced through gritted teeth. "Then how do you explain the pouch in your hand?" Liu Er-mazi felt as if her gaze could pierce through his very soul; his knees went weak, and he nearly collapsed, the pouch slipping from his grasp. The crowd held their breath, frozen by the tension, waiting to see how he would squirm out of this.

Just then, Jiang Yu returned with Matchmaker Sun.

"Matchmaker Sun, you’ve come at the right time," Qu Wanqing said, pointing at the pouch in Liu Er-mazi’s hand. "Do you recognize this?"

Matchmaker Sun glanced at the pouch, her face paling slightly. "Isn't... isn't this Wang Dahu's pouch?"

"Are you certain?" Qu Wanqing pressed.

"I am certain!" Matchmaker Sun nodded firmly. "I saw with my own eyes Wang Dahu stuffing this pouch into Liu Er-mazi's hand..."

Before Matchmaker Sun could finish, Wang Dahu interrupted her rudely. "You’re lying! You’re spitting venom!" He glared at her viciously. "If you dare spout any more nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart!"

Terrified, the matchmaker trembled and dared not speak another word.

Seeing this, Qu Wanqing let out a cold laugh. "Wang Dahu, have you been driven to rage by your own shame?" She turned to Jiang Yu. "Jiang Yu, seize them both!"

Jiang Yu nodded and moved to step forward, but was blocked by Young Master Zhou.

"Wait," Young Master Zhou said, fanning himself with a mocking smile. "Eldest Miss Qu, isn't this a bit too hasty?"

"Hasty?" Qu Wanqing raised an eyebrow, a cold smirk on her lips. "Does Young Master Zhou have some profound insight?"

Young Master Zhou spoke slowly: "Matchmaker Sun’s words lack credibility. Who is to say she wasn't bribed to frame Wang Dahu?"

The crowd began to murmur again. Some felt he made sense, while others believed Qu Wanqing would not frame a man without cause.

Qu Wanqing felt a pang of anxiety. His words held weight; if the matchmaker had been bought off, would she not look foolish for trusting her? Yet, the woman’s eyes did not look like those of a liar. No, regardless, she had to gamble. She trusted her own judgment.

Suddenly, Matchmaker Sun knelt and cried out, "Eldest Miss, everything I said is true! I wouldn't dare lie! It was... someone paid me to slander you!"

"Oh?" Qu Wanqing asked with interest. "And who paid you?"

Matchmaker Sun hesitated, then pointed a trembling finger toward a direction in the crowd. "It was... him!"

The crowd looked where she pointed, only to see a man in a grey robe trying to slip away unnoticed.

"Catch him!" Jiang Yu commanded. Several guards immediately rushed forward and apprehended the man.

Dragged before Qu Wanqing, the man turned pale and shook with fear.

"Speak! Who ordered you to frame me?" Qu Wanqing demanded.

After stuttering for a long while, the man finally confessed. It turned out that those involved in the earlier conspiracy were worried that Qu Wanqing’s investigation would lead to them, so they had paid Wang Dahu and the matchmaker to frame her and stop her progress.

The truth struck the crowd like a bolt of lightning. Qu Wanqing stood in the center, the sunlight draping over her like a golden veil. The onlookers stood as if spellbound, silent for a moment before erupting into an uproar. Her gaze was steady and calm; she was like a queen judging those who had dared to plot against her. In that moment, her image was etched into everyone’s hearts—her wisdom and her aura were unforgettable.

Wang Dahu and Liu Er-mazi were scorned by the crowd and slunk away from the fair.

With her innocence proven, the surrounding people looked upon her with even greater respect.

Jiang Yu looked at Qu Wanqing, his eyes filled with love. He took her hand firmly and said softly, "Wanqing, I'm just glad you're alright."

Qu Wanqing squeezed his hand in return, feeling the warmth of his palm and a wave of comfort in her heart. Their eyes met, and the surrounding crowd could feel the intensity of their bond. The scene was filled with tenderness and romance.

"Wanqing," Jiang Yu suddenly said, "Matchmaker Sun might know more."

Qu Wanqing’s eyes brightened. As expected of her strategist, he always grasped the key points.

Matchmaker Sun, still shaken by the recent turn of events, was eager to please now that Qu Wanqing had questioned her. She poured out two important clues: first, that Qu Wanqing’s prospective second husband was not as simple as he appeared and seemed linked to an old, cold case; second, that strange rumors had recently appeared within the manor, clearly spread by someone to ruin Qu Wanqing’s reputation.

"Good grief, the plot thickens," Qu Wanqing thought to herself, though her face remained impassive. These two clues were like lamps lighting her path forward.

"Whoo! Here we go!" she cheered internally, feeling as if she were only a step away from the truth.

The surrounding air seemed to lighten with her joy, and the noise of the fair became almost pleasant. However, new clues brought new dangers. The force manipulating everything behind the scenes was far more complex and powerful than she had imagined.

Qu Wanqing furrowed her brow. It felt like playing a game—finally defeating a minor boss, only to find a much larger one waiting. It was enough to make her blood pressure soar.

But who was she? She was Qu Wanqing! A heroine with a rebellious spirit! What was a minor setback like this?

"Don't panic. Just hold my little Jiang Yu tight, and we’ll clear this level together!" she encouraged herself.

The joyous atmosphere was instantly replaced by a sudden gravity, and the bustle of the fair transformed into dangerous whispers.

"Jiang Yu," Qu Wanqing said, her eyes resolute, "we must keep investigating!" She knew the road was filled with the unknown and the perilous, but she had to continue—for the sake of her own fate and for those around her.

The temple fair crowd surged like a deep, turbulent sea hiding countless dangers, and Qu Wanqing, like a lone boat, was about to sail into those uncharted waters.

Seeing her resolve, Jiang Yu felt a surge of concern. "Wanqing, no matter what happens, I will be by your side." He gripped her hand tighter, lending her his strength.

Just then, a dark shadow flashed by and vanished into the crowd...

Qu Wanqing whipped her head around. "Who's there?"