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Chu Zhao had been investigating in the countryside for a long time, and because too much time had passed, there were few informed individuals, and almost no one was willing to tell the truth.

He had to spend money to get someone to speak truthfully.

The person who spoke the truth was a village woman living near the manor, who had seen He Family’s lady and Shen Chuwei and had heard some things about the matters inside the manor.

At first, when Chu Zhao came to inquire, she brushed him off, but when she saw the bag of silver in Chu Zhao’s hand, her heart was moved.

"Young man, what do you want to ask?" the village woman asked with a smile brimming in her eyes.

Chu Zhao weighed the money bag in his hand, deliberately showing the woman how heavy it was, before asking, "I want to know everything about Miss Shen in this manor."

The village woman had never seen so much silver, and she spoke completely differently than before, as if a floodgate of words had been opened, and she spilled everything.

She even mentioned why the lady from the He Family died after just two years.

She rambled on, and just as Chu Zhao was running out of patience, the village woman finally got to the point.

"Nine years ago, Miss Shen from the manor fell ill, and all the doctors said it was hopeless."

Chu Zhao pressed on, "And in the end? Who saved her?"

"For several days in a row, everyone thought Miss Shen had passed away, and some people saw a grave being dug and a body being buried at midnight.

Oddly enough, not long after that, Miss Shen appeared again, looking fine and well, until she was caught by the wet nurse in the manor and brought back. "

Chu Zhao, with a hint of confusion, said, "So, Miss Shen did not die."

The village woman leaned in and whispered, "Some people saw her; Miss Shen looked different, much prettier than before. Some guessed that Miss Shen had died and that the person in the manor was not the real Miss Shen."

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhao seemed to grasp something, "You mean, the Miss Shen who was taken back by the Shen Family was actually not their true family member?"

The village woman smiled and said, "It’s all speculation. We’re just ordinary village women; how would we know so much?"

Chu Zhao clearly understood the implication behind the woman’s words and handed over the money bag, "This bag of silver is yours now."

"Thank you, young man." The village woman held the money bag with both hands, her smile blooming for having so much silver for the first time.

Chu Zhao didn’t linger, and quickly rode his horse back to the Capital.

Capital, General Residence

Xun Qingqing initially couldn’t believe that Jun Wuxian was willing to marry her, but after asking again the next day and getting a definite answer, she realized she wasn’t dreaming.

The news of Jun Wuxian presenting a betrothal gift to Xun Qingqing had already spread around the General Residence.

While Xun Qingqing was happy and wanted everyone to know, she still followed Jun Wuxian’s wishes, letting him take the lead in matters of the marriage proposal.

Xun Changfeng, concerned about his sister, casually asked Cai Xia about his sister, accidentally letting slip about the betrothal gift.

Upon hearing this, Xun Changfeng turned around and told his mother, and then the news spread.

After Xun Qingqing left the palace, she faced quite a bit of controversy, and the debate only intensified after her disfigurement.

The dozens of families that Xun Qingqing had rejected were now making sarcastic remarks behind her back, implying that nobody wanted her, and that even if she presented herself, they would not accept her.

Because of this, the lady of the General Residence had declined many invitations to Tea Parties, simply out of fatigue from seeing their two-faced attitudes.

Moreover, Jun Wuxian, whether it be in his speech, behavior, or attire, did not resemble a commoner, but rather exuded an air of nobility.

So there was no need to worry that Jun Wuxian was marrying her for her wealth, feigning indifference to it.

The lady of the General Residence was naturally overjoyed.

From that day on, she treated Jun Wuxian as her son-in-law.

Jun Wuxian had just found out that the General Residence was aware of his betrothal gift, though what he presented was only an item. The actual proposal still had to go through due process, and the traditional rites of three letters and six betrothal gifts would not be neglected.

"What processes does one need to follow for a betrothal in Daxia?" Each place has different customs, let alone different nations, no?

Xun Qingqing had never paid attention to such matters, and when asked, she had no idea.

"I’m not very sure either, we can ask the Butler."

At that moment, Xun Qingqing was still somewhat unaccustomed to being without a veil in front of Jun Wuxian, but since he didn’t want her to wear one, she didn’t.

Jun Wuxian felt it was best to seize the moment now that everyone knew, to finalize the arrangement.

"Then let’s have the Butler come over."

Xun Qingqing instructed, "Cai Xia, go call the Butler over."

"Alright." Cai Xia trotted off.

It didn’t take long before Cai Xia led the Butler back.

The Butler, a man past the age of fifty, had served the General from his youth and could be said to have watched Xun Qingqing grow up. He was naturally happy to hear that Jun Wuxian wanted to marry Xun Qingqing.

"Miss, what do you need of this old servant?" the Butler asked with a smile.

Xun Qingqing looked to Jun Wuxian, signaling him to speak.

Jun Wuxian said, "Butler, I am not very familiar with Daxia’s customs; could you please prepare a list of betrothal gifts and the detailed process for me?"

Upon hearing this, the Butler instantly understood the meaning behind Jun Wuxian’s words and cheerfully responded, "Leave it all to this old servant."

Jun Wuxian said, "Then I’ll trouble you with this, Butler."

The Butler chuckled, "It’s no trouble at all."

After the Butler had left, Chu Zhao strode forward, greeting Jun Wuxian with a bow.

"Master, I have found some clues."

A flicker of anticipation passed through Jun Wuxian’s eyes, "Go on."

Chu Zhao recounted all he had learned, "...These are all that I have found out."

"So the current Shen Chuwei is not actually the Miss Shen from the Shen Family but someone impersonating her?"

Chu Zhao replied, "That’s what the village woman’s words suggested."

At this moment, Jun Wuxian felt a surge of excitement. He could boldly assume that Xiaojui had replaced the dead Shen Chuwei and became a member of the Shen Family, and Xiaojui didn’t remember anything, which meant something must have gone wrong in between.

Xiaojui had always been clever and quick-witted since she was a child; her disappearance seemed deliberate.

Knowing this, he became quite restless.

After listening to their conversation, even though Xun Qingqing didn’t hear an explicit explanation, she also guessed the situation and felt happy for Jun Wuxian that there was news of his sister at last.

"Axian, do you think the Crown Princess could be your sister?"