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"Did Yun Pianpian die on the spot?"
Xing Ruyi asked curiously, her eyes glancing at the female corpse on the ground. Not sensing any ghostly presence, she was too lazy to use Ghost Technique to investigate and only recalled that this Eldest Sister Yun did not seem like someone who would have fallen to her death.
"No! The Yun Family's attic isn't very high, and there were some maids and servants moving around downstairs, so when she fell, she only sustained minor injuries. With such a big incident occurring, even if the Yun Family wanted to cover it up, the Ma Family wouldn't let it slide. It quickly reached the Yamen, and at that time, it was the County Magistrate from the Paper Shop who was handling this case.
After bringing Yun Pianpian to the Yamen, there wasn't much talk; she revealed everything, and the maid's remains were found in some corner of the back garden. The case was clear-cut, and the main culprit confessed on the spot, so a verdict was reached quickly."
"What was the verdict?"
"Execution after autumn! However, they didn't wait until autumn. The day after the verdict was announced, the Yun Family sent someone to deliver items to this eldest sister. After that, Eldest Sister Yun committed suicide in prison!"
"Did she poison herself or hit her head against the wall?"
Xing Ruyi thought for a moment. The women's prison in the County Office was mostly narrow and low-ceilinged, usually housing many female prisoners together. However, based on the security situation of the Paper Shop and Eldest Sister Yun's family background, it was quite possible that the County Magistrate would give her a single cell. Given that someone visited her before her death, it couldn't be ruled out that the Yun Family sent poison to her for their own reputation.
"Neither!" Chang Tai shook his head. "Eldest Sister Yun committed suicide using her own clothing."
"She didn't strangle herself, did she?"
Li Mao recalled the strange situation he saw last night when he encountered Eldest Sister Yun's spirit.
"Yes! This Eldest Sister Yun's method was quite peculiar; she tied her clothing to the prison door and then made a knot with her sleeves to hang herself. Since the prison door wasn't high, Sister Yun's position at that time was particularly strange; even the Coroner who went to investigate felt uneasy about it. In the end, it was still the County Magistrate who sent someone to call for people from the Yun Family to collect this sister's body. Oh, by the way, when Eldest Sister Yun was taken out of the Yamen, the Ma Family also sent someone over; they probably wanted to see if Sister Yun was really dead or just pretending. There was quite a commotion at the County Office entrance at that time."
"What happened next?"
"The eldest daughter of the Yun family is certainly dead; otherwise, how could she have been carried out from the county jail?" Chang Tai remarked, glancing at the body of the Yun family's eldest daughter. Although her actions during her lifetime made it hard for people to feel sympathy for her, seeing her body being treated this way after death was somewhat unbearable.
"This official is correct; our elder sister is indeed dead."
Not long after Chang Tai finished speaking, another voice emerged from the crowd. Xing Ruyi looked closely and recognized it as the young woman who had identified her earlier.
"The woman, Maternal Family, is surnamed Yuan, and her husband's surname is Liu. They live in this village. Two years ago, she entered the Yun family through employment at the Yun residence, where she usually did rough work like washing. Some of the less frequently used items belonging to the eldest daughter were also given to us for washing, so during her time in the Yun family, I had a few encounters with this eldest daughter.
The Yun family has only one eldest daughter, and that is the one lying on the ground before us. Her courtesy name is Pian Pian; I heard she has a given name given by her husband, but the people of the Yun family rarely call her that, and we servants are even less aware of it. I heard from those in the Yun family that this eldest daughter originally had a very good temperament; otherwise, she wouldn't have been chosen by the Ma family as a future daughter-in-law. You must know that the master of the Ma family holds a high position in Divine Capital.
However, ever since Old Master Yun took a new wife, this eldest daughter's temperament became increasingly strange. First, she shut herself away for months without coming out. Although she eventually emerged, she remained silent for an entire year before returning to normal. While she appeared normal on the surface, according to the maidservants in her courtyard, this eldest daughter was quite different from before."
"What was different about her?"
"I can't say for sure; anyway, those maidservants in that courtyard said she became very strange. For example, she used to prefer light food but now enjoys salty and heavily flavored dishes; she once liked wearing plain clothes but now prefers bright colors; her temper was once very good—she would gently speak a few words even if a servant made a mistake—but now she often resorts to hitting or scolding."
"That's not unusual! If your father suddenly brings home a stepmother, wouldn't his affection be halved? Even his attention would decrease. As an eldest daughter, it's natural to act out a bit. As for tastes and clothing colors changing with age—that happens too. For instance, I used to like wearing dark clothes, but now I prefer beautiful ones that make me look like a fairy."
Xing Ruyi said as she tugged at her dress. Before crossing over to the Golden Tang Dynasty, she was an absolute homebody and lazy girl who mostly bought clothes in black, white, or gray—hardly any talk of matching or aesthetics. After arriving in the Golden Tang Dynasty, unfamiliar with her surroundings and lacking money while unable to shop online, she relied on Fox to help procure clothes and accessories for her. Given her usual laziness, naturally, she wore whatever Fox bought for her.
Later on, when she opened a Rouge shop and became familiar with the streets and shops of Luoyang, she also adapted to the dressing style that Fox had cultivated for her. Moreover, crucially, whether it was customers coming into her shop or later acquaintances like Li Mao and Deer Lady who became part of her life—they all praised how good she looked in those outfits. The customers' compliments likely contained some flattery or attempts to please her so that she'd sell Rouge and Face Powder at lower prices. As for Li Mao and Deer Lady, they might genuinely think she looked good or simply believe their own child looks good in anything. In any case, over time, it seemed her aesthetic sense had indeed improved, and she felt more confident about dressing up.
The young woman gazed enviously at Xing Ruyi's attire; regardless of craftsmanship, fabric quality, or embroidery work—it was all top-notch and naturally looked good no matter how it was worn.
Xing Ruyi noticed the envy in her eyes and glanced at her curvy figure, prompting Li Mao to fetch a coat from the carriage. "This garment was made just before I left the city. Although it isn't from a brocade workshop, it's not far off. It's just that I've lost some weight recently, so it might not fit perfectly. If you don't mind, elder sister, feel free to try it on. Also, I haven't worn this dress; I've only tried it on once, so it's almost new."
"Oh my, how can I accept this!" The young woman exclaimed as she hurriedly took the garment and happily put it on, nudging the man beside her with her shoulder and asking, "Does it look good?"
The man awkwardly glanced at Xing Ruyi and muttered, "It looks good!"
The young woman beamed, "This is my husband! He's just a farmer from the village and knows nothing about clothes. Thank you, miss! Thank you!"
"Aside from your changed temperament, taste, and dressing style, has anything else changed with the eldest daughter of the Yun family?" Xing Ruyi asked as she sensed it was time to continue her inquiry.
"Well, nothing much else," the young woman thought for a moment and shook her head. "Usually, the eldest sister stays in her own courtyard and doesn't come out often, except when Young Master Ma visits."
"Do you know anything about Young Master Ma and the maidservant?"
"We don't know the specifics since we are just lowly servants and are quite different from those in the inner residence of the Yun family. However, we do hear some gossip when we have free time."
Lowering her voice, the young woman continued, "Actually, Young Master Ma stayed at the Yun family not because they wanted him to stay or because Old Master Yun wanted him to get along with the eldest sister before marriage; it was Young Master Ma's own request. I heard this from a maid in the inner residence. She said Young Master Ma had heard that the eldest sister was different from before and often scolded her maidservants. So during his courtship, he wanted to stay behind to see for himself.
According to what I heard, one night, the eldest sister was scolding a maid as usual when she happened to be seen by Young Master Ma who had come out to look at the moon. Just imagine, this usually gentle and calm eldest sister turned into a wicked wife wielding a bamboo stick to beat her maidservants at night. If you were in his shoes and saw that scene, wouldn't you feel uncomfortable?
Young Master Ma was stunned! He stood there in the courtyard, unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed.
The maid who got beaten that night was none other than the one beside the eldest sister. I don't know what she was thinking at that moment; upon seeing Young Master Ma, she gritted her teeth and rushed over to him for help. You wouldn't believe it; this maid was also delicate and charming. Coupled with the moonlight and her tear-filled eyes at that moment, it softened Young Master Ma's heart. He didn't even glance at the eldest sister again and simply picked up the maid and took her back to his own courtyard.
The maid did not return all night and was only brought back the next day in the afternoon, her head lowered as she was led by Young Master Ma. Even if others were unaware of the details, we could still guess what had happened. It was clear that this maid had taken advantage of her pitiful demeanor to climb into Young Master Ma's bed and snatch away the fiancé of the eldest sister.
In my opinion, the eldest sister's anger was provoked by these two people. As for the maid who ended up as dumpling filling, she deserved it. After all, she was just a maid who didn't know her place, always thinking about seducing her master, and doing so right under her own sister's nose with her fiancé. If not for her, who else should be punished?
A young woman spat on the ground, clearly feeling indignant on behalf of Eldest Sister Yun.
"Thus, Eldest Sister Yun's cruel actions were indeed justified."
"Isn't that right? It's just that the eldest sister isn't thinking clearly. Isn't she just a maid? Once she becomes the mistress of the Ma family, won't she be able to deal with a mere concubine?" The young woman pouted.
Xing Ruyi smiled and gave her a thumbs up. "Eldest sister, you are quite perceptive. Indeed, while Sister Yun's actions may have been satisfying, they were ultimately not worth it."
"Exactly! This perfectly fine Sister Yun lost her life because of these two people." The young woman sighed as she glanced at Sister Yun's corpse. "You are dead now, gone for good, and in such a tragic and pitiful manner. Yet the Ma family still doesn't believe it and insists on bringing someone to examine the body—someone who is a man no less—to thoroughly inspect a young lady who hasn't even been married yet."
"What? The Ma family hired someone else to examine the corpse!"
"Examine what corpse? The coroner at the county office has already confirmed that the eldest sister is deceased, but the Ma family wouldn't accept it and insisted on humiliating her by bringing in a lecherous man. However, they didn't get away unscathed either; someone jumped into a well that very night!"
"Jumped into a well?" Xing Ruyi's gaze involuntarily fell upon an ancient well nearby.
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