PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 42.2

By the time Xie Gang finished asking questions, the officer sent by Jiang Hongqing to report to the Governor returned, saying the Governor asked Lord Xie to enter the courtroom to review the case together. Xie Gang expressed his gratitude and gave An Ruochen a look when he left. An Ruochen understood. She had to exchange information with Zhao Jiahua by herself.

An Ruochen waited a long time in the side hall but did not find a chance to talk to Zhao Jiahua alone. The Governor was questioning one witness at a time in the courtroom. Occasionally, one person came in and went out in the side hall. She was also summoned to the courtroom for questioning and returned to the side hall to wait after answering.

She secretly observed Zhao Jiahua, and when Liu Ze was not paying attention, Zhao Jiahua provocatively looked back at her observant gaze. It made An Ruochen feel that Zhao Jiahua was also waiting for an opportunity.

The opportunity has finally come.

As the questioning of the witnesses came to an end, the side hall was almost empty, leaving only An Ruochen, Liu Ze, and his wife. Not long after, they summoned Liu Ze to the courtroom.

After Liu Ze left, Zhao Jiahua whispered a few words to her maid, who listened and then went out. Then Zhao Jiahua looked at An Ruochen.

“Chun Xiao, you go outside and see what Mrs. Liu’s maid is doing. Ask her more about the disappearance of her young lady.” An Ruochen instructed.

Chun Xiao felt the Governor has been asking questions for half a day like on a trial and was tired. After hearing this, she was naturally energetic and went out quickly.

Zhao Jiahua did not even look at Chun Xiao and walked toward An Ruochen.

“Miss An.”

“Mrs. Liu.” An Ruochen secretly clenched her fist nervously.

Zhao Jiahua sat on the chair beside An Ruochen, brushed the hem of her dress, and said indifferently: “I didn’t expect that the loss of my family’s child would alert the General.”

“The spies in the city are rampant. The General is concerned about the safety of the people, fearing that the spies are taking children and committing evil deeds, so he is asking about the case. Madam does not need to be concerned.”

“How can I not be concerned? I remembered that there is still no news about Miss An’s missing sister until now. With Miss An’s previous experience, I can hardly have confidence in the officials.”

An Ruochen’s heart jumped. Could this really be related to her fourth sister? 

She tentatively asked, “The Zhaofu Restaurant is well-informed as customers come and go. Did Madam hear any news about my fourth sister’s whereabouts?”

Zhao Jiahua shook her head: “If I knew, I would have told you.”

It was just an ordinary sentence and her tone was also normal. But An Ruochen suspiciously guessed whether Zhao Jiahua’s words had a deeper meaning.

Her fourth sister’s whereabouts, does she know or not? The fact that she arranged her daughter’s disappearance in comparison to her fourth sister’s, wasn’t it to imply this?

An Ruochen became annoyed. She stared at Zhao Jiahua. Is she better off locked up in jail and being strictly interrogated? Or is it more valuable to leave her outside to entrap the enemy?

Zhao Jiahua ignored her expression and said: “As a woman, no one appreciates our words. I am afraid that my grief over the loss of my daughter is not on the mind of the officials. Since Miss An is the steward of General Long’s residence, I think you can speak in front of the General. Miss An can understand my pain. Other people don’t care, but I hope you do.”

Is this throwing her bait? An Ruochen replied, “I only care about the things I care about.”

“If you care more for me, you won’t regret it.”

“Then, can my fourth sister return if I concern myself more with you?”

Zhao Jiahua shook her head: “I really don’t know about your fourth sister’s case.”

“Then, Mrs. Liu, it is better to wait for the Governor to find your daughter for you.”

“I’m afraid they think the woman’s words are unimportant. It would be terrible if they missed something. I am not very literate. I can’t read those papers and records, so I always wait for my husband to come and read them before I make a note. It is strange to say that although I don’t trust the government, I did have trust in you.”

An Ruochen looked at Zhao Jiahua seriously, and Zhao Jiahua looked back at her calmly.

“Mrs. Liu repeatedly said you had no confidence in the government but still reported this matter to the government as soon as possible.”

“There’s still hope if you report to the government quickly.”

“Two days ago, your maids returned to the house to report that the young lady was missing, but I did not see Mrs. Liu reporting it to the government then.”

“That day, my husband sent people to look for her. Fortunately, you sent my daughter back. There was no danger.”

“Then today, why didn’t you report to Boss Liu first?”

Zhao Jiahua blinked: “My husband was not at home, so I was in a hurry and only thought of reporting it to the government.”

“Mrs. Liu seems to hide a few things from Boss Liu.”

Zhao Jiahua said solemnly, “If I don’t hide it from him, there would be some things I am unable to do. Moreover, he also has many things hidden from me.”

The suspicion in An Ruochen’s heart grew. Now Zhao Jiahua is trying to make her turn her doubts towards her husband, Liu Ze. Is she better off locked up in jail and being strictly interrogated? Or is it more valuable to leave her outside to entrap the enemy?

“Mrs. Liu is so deep-minded and unpredictable that it makes me quite uneasy.”

“You have the General’s support now. Why do you feel uneasy? Unlike me, I have to risk it all.” Zhao Jiahua said.

There was something interesting in these words, but An Ruochen couldn’t assume what. Risk it all? An Ruochen’s heart was pounding. Could it be that there would be a big move on Mr. Xie’s side?

“Mrs. Liu may as well speak directly.” An Ruochen picked it out.

“Although I appreciate you, I can’t fully trust you yet.” Zhao Jiahua stared at An Ruochen and said, “Since you don’t know me well, then you won’t trust me either. If we say the wrong thing in this situation, we will get into trouble.”

“If Mrs. Liu is not willing, then to be frank, I am afraid there will be problems. I am not scaring you, but since you took the initiative to approach me, you have been acting politely in public and provocatively in the dark, and since I do not know your meaning, naturally, I feel frightened. Now, the spies are lurking in the city and it is full of hidden dangers. If I can’t trust your innocence, I need to detain you in the General’s office. Let the officials talk with you.”

Zhao Jiahua smiled up and shook her head. “If you arrest me, I will not be able to provide aid for you. The information that we don’t know will all stay hidden. Does Miss want this? Think about it. If I were not on your side, why would I take the initiative to approach you?”

“I am not on your side, yet I also want to get close to you.” An Ruochen poked holes in this reasoning and said, “Now the guards are standing outside the door, and when I give the order, they will come in and arrest you. Do not think I am too weak to do it. The Governor must consider Lord Xie’s face and General Long behind us.”

“If you have this power and prestige, I am truly happy for you.” Zhao Jiahua did not show any panic at all. She said, “But if you take me away, that would be a real mistake.”

“If I can’t take people back, I must take some useful clues back! Otherwise, how can I explain myself to the General?” An Ruochen deliberately gave up a step.

“I am the clue.” Zhao Jiahua put away her smile and looked solemn. “Miss An, I am the clue. Remember every word I say. Investigate my husband. Investigate where I originated from. My husband is obsessed with me. For me, he will do anything.”

Just as the words came out, An Ruochen saw Liu Ze walk into the side hall. Zhao Jiahua also saw it and whispered quickly: “And the bell. Keep an eye on the bell. You might be able to find the key person ……”