Chapter 434: An accident, or premeditated? (1/2)

Chapter 434: An accident, or premeditated?

Baili Mingxiang’s entire body turned taut, but she still didn’t utter a sound. Han Yunxi was extremely light with her movements as she carefully applied medicine and gauze. Compared to her usual professionalism, there was a pronounced crease between her brows. Without a doubt, the accident had left her severely perturbed.

After binding up all the injuries, Zhao mama approached to help Baili Mingxiang change. Han Yunxi stopped her and used a pair of scissors to cut off Baili Mingxiang’s clothes instead so she could take them off without disturbing the burns. At the sight of Baili Mingxiang’s smooth back, Su Xiaoyu simply rolled her eyes and looked away.

Meddling slut! She mentally cursed. If it wasn’t for Baili Mingxiang’s interference, she would be seeing Han Yunxi’s back by now. Then she’d be able to verify whether the woman had a phoenix-shaped birthmark like the woman her master’s clan was looking for. She’d taken such a big risk, but all for naught! Despite leaving no evidence behind, the sudden explosion of the stove would definitely attract suspicion. Now it would be more difficult for her to make a move.

Su Xiaoyu grew more depressed the more she thought about it. Her gaze turned venomous as she wished she could burn Baili Mingxiang again! No, it’d be better if I’d just burn her to death outright! Compared to Su Xiaoyu’s poisonous glare, Zhao mama’s eyes were filled more with pity and compassion. Baili Mingxiang hadn’t said a word of complaint through her entire ordeal. After living for so long, this was the first time she’d met such a brave young woman.

Once things had been settled, Han Yunxi exhaled and said, “Thank you.”

“Esteemed wangfei is exaggerating. This is this servant’s duty,” Baili Mingxiang replied hastily.

Han Yunxi expected her to say as much, but she kept her gratitude in her heart. She told Zhao mama to take good care of Baili Mingxiang and prepared to leave when the woman spoke up. “Esteemed wangfei, Mingxiang has one request. I don’t know if…”

Su Xiaoyu silently broke into a cold smile. She just knew Baili Mingxiang couldn’t be so simple. Since she’s done so much, wouldn’t she seize this chance to make requests?

“Whatever you need, just say it,” Han Yunxi was puzzled. Baili Mingxiang wasn’t the type of girl to ask for favors.

“It’s just a little private affair,” Baili Mingxiang seemed a bit uncomfortable. Immediately, Han Yunxi dismissed Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu and personally shut the doors.

“If there’s anything troubling you, say it outright.”

Baili Mingxiang dropped her voice. “Esteemed wangfei, today’s events didn’t seem like an accident. I’ve used that stove multiple times, but it didn’t make sense that it exploded. It’s possible that someone tampered with it!”

Han Yunxi was stunned. She already harbored doubts from the stove exploding out of the blue and was planning to investigate herself. However, she was more shocked by Baili Mingxiang’s attitude. Just then, the woman had said she had a request and gotten Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu sent away. Could it be that…

“You suspect…” Han Yunxi couldn’t believe it.

Baili Mingxiang was resolute. “If it was premeditated, the culprit has to be either Zhao mama or Su Xiaoyu!”

Han Yunxi’s heart shook. Of those two, one was a loyal mama who had served Long Feiye for years, while the other was a child less than 10 years old. It was really hard to suspect either of them.

“Esteemed wangfei, think it over carefully,” Baili Mingxiang grew serious.

Han Yunxi sat by the edge of the bed and lost herself in thought. The stove had always been working fine. Baili Mingxiang had used the same charcoal as always for today’s fire too, so it didn’t seem like an accident. If that was the case, only Zhao mama or Su Xiaoyu would be the likely suspects, because there was no one else at the Leisurely Cloud Pavilion. Moreover, they’d used the stove so many times that it couldn’t have been sabotaged ahead of time.

Han Yunxi had always considered the Duke of Qin’s estate to be the safest place for her ever since Murong Wanru was married off and Grand Concubine Yi retired to pray. From then on, she’d hardly taken precautions against anything in the house. But what happened today was so sudden that the prospects of intentional sabotage left her heart cold!

Seeing Han Yunxi’s serious expression, Baili Mingxiang sighed. “I only hope that it was an accident. However, this servant believes it’ll still be better to be careful.”

Han Yunxi glanced at the feeble Baili Mingxiang with admiration. Here was a woman who could hide needles in silk, a beautiful and intelligent soul with an unusually calm and steady mind. Leaving aside the fact that she was a cultured daughter of a rich and powerful family, even normal servant girls would be hard-pressed to maintain their cool. Most of them would be crying and calling for their parents because of this. How would they ever have presence of mind to consider so many different aspects?

“Take good care of yourself, I’ll make a thorough investigation. If it really was premeditated, I’ll return the favor with thanks!” Han Yunxi said coldly as a ruthless light flashed past her eyes.

By the time she left the room, a few guards were already looking around the courtyard. Steward Luo had arrived as well, while Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu stood watching everything from the sidelines. Han Yunxi gave them both some tasks to do so they were sent out of the way. When she approached Steward Luo, he fell to his needs.