Love at First Sight - Chapter 38: Ordered to Search the Mansion

On this day, the Third Prince’s residence was thrown into chaos. Both the front and rear courtyards were in disarray as Liu Yi, accompanied by a squad of guards, began a thorough search, starting with the sewing room and turning over every chamber in the household.

The incident had come so suddenly that none of the maids or eunuchs in the rear courtyard understood what was happening; not one of them even dared ask why. Liu Yi’s search was meticulous, and in the process, some contraband was uncovered. There were gambling tools hidden away, stolen valuables from the residence, and even forbidden drugs, though none of this was related to Wen Yueqing. Liu Yi dealt with these matters as he saw fit: some were given a beating, some were driven out of the residence, and others had their wages docked for several months. In this way, the search became an opportunity to rid the household of those with light fingers.

Meanwhile, Lady Tian was painting in her room when Qiao’er, having heard the commotion outside, went out to inquire. Soon she hurried back to Lady Tian and said, “Miss, something’s happening in the residence. Steward Liu Yi is leading a search. They’ve finished with the front courtyard and are starting on the back.”

“Oh? Is that so? It seems something major has occurred.” Lady Tian smiled. “The residence is lively for once—looks like there’s a good show ahead for us.”

“Miss, what do you think could have happened? For such a fuss, does it really require Steward Liu himself to investigate?” Qiao’er asked, her face full of curiosity.

Lady Tian arched her brow and a faint smile played at her lips. “What else could it be? Right now, it’s only Beauty Li’s pregnancy that’s of any real value.”

As they spoke, Liu Yi arrived with his men.

“Lady Tian, sorry to disturb you.” Liu Yi greeted her politely and directed his men to begin searching.

Lady Tian made no attempt to stop them and watched politely from the side. “Steward Liu, has something happened in the residence? Did His Highness lose something of value?”

“No, not that. Miss Wen has been set up. We’re searching for evidence,” Liu Yi replied offhandedly.

“Miss Wen? How is she? Is she all right?” Lady Tian asked, feigning surprise and concern.

“It’s hard to say,” Liu Yi sighed.

“I see.” Lady Tian said no more, but secretly thought, “Beauty Li acts swiftly indeed. I only wonder if she’s clever enough in her scheme.”

“Chief Steward, we’re finished searching. Nothing was found,” a guard reported to Liu Yi.

“Lady Tian, please rest well,” Liu Yi said with a wave of his hand. “Let’s go. Next, we search Beauty Li’s quarters.”

Lady Tian gave a courteous bow. “Steward Liu, take care.”

After they left, Qiao’er gestured toward Beauty Li’s pavilion and whispered, “Miss, do you suppose this is...”

“Don’t speak thoughtlessly. Mind your tongue when you have no proof,” Lady Tian rebuked her sternly.

“Yes, Miss.” Qiao’er stuck out her tongue. Her mistress was always so cautious.

Elsewhere, Cui’er had also heard the commotion, and her expression was anxious. She turned to Beauty Li and said, “Miss, they’ve started searching the rear courtyard. It seems our plan worked, though I wonder if the method was effective.”

Beauty Li peeled a tangerine and ate it, dabbing her lips with a handkerchief when she finished before reclining languidly on her couch. “If I’m not worried, why are you? Calm yourself.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll keep my composure.” Normally, Cui’er was lively and outspoken, but in truth, she was timid—this was her first time scheming against someone.

Beauty Li smirked. “You’ve taken care of the trinkets we acquired?”

Cui’er replied quickly, “They’ve all been taken care of. I burned the rest, you can rest assured.”

“Good. Hmph, I want to see just how tough Wen Yueqing’s fate really is.” Beauty Li pressed her lips together in satisfaction.

“Yes, Miss. When Madame sent word, she said those trinkets had all been buried with corpses. They’ve come into contact with all manner of filth, and the venom in them is deadly.”

Cui’er felt nauseous just saying it, and it seemed Wen Yueqing’s chances were slim.

“Hah, serves her right. She keeps crossing me, even trying to seduce His Highness, hoping he’ll take her into his chambers?” Beauty Li said as she picked up another tangerine. “I absolutely won’t allow it. For a mere maid to dream of rising above me—ridiculous!”

Cui’er echoed her sentiments.

Just then, Liu Yi arrived. “Beauty Li, forgive the disturbance. We must search your quarters.”

Beauty Li slowly sat up. “Steward Liu, must you search here as well? I’m not feeling well and would prefer not to move.”

“This is His Highness’s order. We’re simply following instructions,” Liu Yi replied with a smile. The woman before him was currently carrying a golden child—no one dared offend her.

“Then I’ll rest here and watch you search,” Beauty Li replied softly, her tone laced with indolence.

“Of course, please rest,” Liu Yi agreed, instructing the guards, “Be thorough in your search.”

Cui’er stood quietly by the couch, head lowered, tense and motionless for fear of being discovered.

The guards spread out, searching every corner, even lifting the bedboards. When they finished, a guard reported, “Chief Steward, nothing suspicious was found.”

Liu Yi inwardly cursed his luck—he’d spent the entire day turning the residence upside down, yet found nothing useful. How was he to answer to Zun You?

He clicked his tongue, at a loss.

Seeing his frustration, Beauty Li felt a thrill of delight. She smiled and said, “Steward Liu, what exactly are you searching for, to cause such an upheaval?”

“Beauty, you’re with child—best not concern yourself with such sordid matters. We’ll take our leave,” Liu Yi replied, preparing to depart with his men.

As he passed Cui’er, something struck him as odd. This maid was usually the most lively, always eager for conversation—even when there was nothing to say. Yet today, in the midst of such chaos, she was uncharacteristically silent, head bowed, as if she weren’t even there.

Liu Yi’s instincts told him something was amiss. He was almost out the door when he turned back suddenly, catching his guards off guard.

“Chief Steward, is something wrong?” one asked.

“Beauty Li, would you please stand for a moment? We haven’t checked the couch you’re lying on,” Liu Yi said, smiling pleasantly.

Beauty Li’s expression soured. “I’ve been lying here the whole time—there’s nothing there.”