Chapter 391: Chapter 392: Dragged Down

Gao Ning drained his teacup. After having the waiter refill it, he waved the staff away.

Seeing this, Ancient Wen Heng also instructed Ming Feng to stand guard outside.

"You must be curious why I asked you to meet me here."

"Mr. Gao has his reasons," Ancient Wen Heng replied.

Looking at Ancient Wen Heng’s placid expression, Gao Ning inwardly sighed at how dull the man was. "Bai Jinglie and I are acquainted. When he had to leave the capital, he asked me to look out for you. It seems he was worrying for nothing."

"I’m sure Mr. Gao didn’t come all this way just to tell me that," Ancient Wen Heng said.

"No wonder you became the Champion Scholar. You’re remarkably level-headed." Gao Ning observed. "Most people would be overjoyed by now, yet you remain completely unfazed."

"I won’t keep you in suspense. The Xiao Family’s daughter has confessed. But she claims she only poisoned Lord Niu because you instructed her to do so."

Ancient Wen Heng could no longer maintain his composure. His eyes widened. "I’ve almost forgotten what she even looks like! Besides, every time we’ve met, other people were present. We have no real connection. How could we have conspired to poison Lord Niu?"

"That’s why I had my doubts," Gao Ning said, "and why I launched an investigation.

However, her story is quite detailed and convincing. She even produced a piece of jewelry she claims you gave her as evidence."

Ancient Wen Heng’s mind reeled. "Gave her jewelry? Is she dreaming?"

"I had my men look into it. Your Madam does indeed own a piece of jewelry of the exact same style."

"What does that prove? There are people in this world who look identical, let alone inanimate objects." A flicker of irritation crossed Ancient Wen Heng’s face. "Does your investigation proceed by letting people spout baseless accusations and then questioning others on that premise, my lord?"

"I am reluctant to believe it myself," Gao Ning continued. "But the woman claims that Prefect Xiao once intended to betroth her to you. The match was only called off because you already had a wife and children.

She says you were in love, however, and carried on a secret, intimate relationship.

Under pressure from her father’s primary wife, she reluctantly married Lord Niu.

According to her, she played the part of a virtuous wife and mother for a while. But everything changed after you became the Champion Scholar.

It was because you wanted to have both her and your wife that you instructed her to strike a fatal blow against Lord Niu. She claims you are the root cause of all of this."

Ancient Wen Heng took a deep breath. "My lord, you can verify all of this. Prefect Xiao did try to arrange a marriage for her back then, but the prospective groom was a fellow apprentice of mine, not me.

At the time, however, my fellow apprentice had no desire to marry, so he took us and left Prefecture City in the middle of the night.

As for her claim that we were having an affair, that is pure slander.

Not to mention the clan rules that forbid such things, my wife and I are childhood sweethearts. We are deeply in love and have been through thick and thin together. I have promised her my heart for all of eternity; it will never waver.

Besides, as I recall, the woman isn’t even particularly attractive. On what grounds would anyone believe I would abandon my beloved wife and young children to get involved with her?"

"This is, after all, just your side of the story," Gao Ning said. He knew there were inconsistencies, or he wouldn’t have made this trip.

Even his deep friendship with Bai Jinglie wouldn’t be enough to sway his official stance in the slightest.

Ancient Wen Heng said, "My lord, I can say with a clear conscience that I am innocent. I only hope that you will clear my name."

"...I will handle this case impartially," Gao Ning stated. "But if you have indeed committed a crime, Mr. Gu, do not expect me to be lenient."

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"Please, handle it impartially, my lord," Ancient Wen Heng replied.

...

After returning to their residence, Ancient Wen Heng followed his usual routine. He had supper with the old madam, then helped her walk a few laps around the rear courtyard to aid her digestion before finally returning to his own rooms with Jin Qianqian.

As soon as they were alone, Jin Qianqian asked, "Did something happen today? I saw you frowning several times."

Ancient Wen Heng no longer concealed the anger on his face. He recounted his entire conversation with Gao Ning, the Shuntian Prefect.

Jin Qianqian’s anger flared. "How outrageous! She’s trying to drag us down with her."

"I never thought I’d see the day I’d be framed like this." Ancient Wen Heng felt it was degrading to even be associated with such a person. "She’s a vicious one, trying to pin her own crimes on me."

"I don’t think she’s clever enough to come up with this on her own," Jin Qianqian said, her eyes narrowing. "Which piece of jewelry was she talking about? The ’identical’ one?"

Ancient Wen Heng was also puzzled. "He didn’t specify. Besides, all our jewelry is bought from shops. It’s perfectly normal for a jeweler to make more than one of the same item. That can’t possibly be used as evidence."

Jin Qianqian gritted her teeth. "It seems she’s made up her mind. Even if she can’t drag you down with her, she’s determined to ruin your reputation. Her intentions are truly vile."

"Don’t worry, I won’t let her succeed," Ancient Wen Heng said. "If she dares to provoke me, she’d better be prepared to face the consequences."

"We can’t just sit back and be passive," Jin Qianqian said. "I’ll have your men go out and investigate. I refuse to believe we can’t unearth her secrets."

"Have someone watch the Huang Mansion," Ancient Wen Heng added. "Pay special attention to her elder sister by the primary wife."

"Alright. They had better not get involved. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to make sure they lose their shops."

...

Back at his office, Gao Ning conferred with his steward. "It seems Ms. Xiao is still not telling the truth."

"You were able to sound him out, my lord?" Steward Feng asked, tidying the written confession on his desk. "He is the Champion Scholar, after all. His mind is bound to be meticulous. I’m afraid if he is guilty, he’s already swept away any traces."

Gao Ning shook his head. "If I hadn’t gone to see him myself, I would have thought the same thing.

But based on my years of experience in judging character, a man with Ancient Wen Heng’s personality would find it beneath him to lie."

Steward Feng shared his own findings. "I also made some discreet inquiries. This Mr. Gu, while his official career is flourishing, has always maintained a low profile.

He only has a few friends and typically just travels between the Hanlin Academy and his home. Unlike others who enjoy gathering with companions, his days are even more monotonous than those of retired officials."

"And the jewelry? Have you had someone look into it?" Gao Ning, of course, wouldn’t rely on a single person’s testimony and had already sent men to investigate the item.

"We’ve checked with every jeweler in Shangjing City," Steward Feng reported. "They all say it wasn’t made by them. I’ve already sent a man on an express horse to Dao City with the jewelry."

In the past two years, the Xiao Family’s Daughter has only lived in two places. If it wasn’t made in Shangjing, it must have come from Dao City.

"Now we just wait for news from that end," Gao Ning said. "But don’t let this Xiao Family’s daughter sit idle. Take some men and question her a few more times when you have a moment. If she’s lying, her story will have discrepancies each time."

"Yes, my lord." Steward Feng had the same idea.

Just as Steward Feng was about to step out the door, Gao Ning added one more instruction. "You should also ask who else might know how to harm someone using this method of interacting substances.

Compile a report on this method of insidious poisoning. We’ll make it public to prevent more innocent people from becoming victims in the future."

If they hadn’t found a few clues and applied a bit of pressure, the Xiao Family’s daughter wouldn’t have confessed so quickly.

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