Wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, Liu Kai bowed again, "Miss, I am an old man and will not trouble you further. I have made up my mind."
"After things are settled here, I will also go to Xiangguo Temple to accompany the master and spend the rest of my life."
Upon hearing Liu Kai's words, Liu Rumei's tears instantly fell. Liu Kai had served their family loyally his entire life. Even though her father had become a monk, Liu Kai still held onto his conviction and was determined to take good care of his master. Such loyalty was truly admirable. Su Dan Novel Network
"Old man, you are already so old. Please don't think about these things anymore. You should rest well."
Liu Kai sighed, "Miss, I am used to serving people. If you make me idle, what else can I do? Please don't worry about me. I will pack some things for you. Your journey to Hetou Village is long, and you will need to prepare some provisions."
Liu Rumei waved her hand, "Old man, you don't need to busy yourself. I won't bring anything with me to Hetou Village."
"No, no, Miss, how can you say that? The Marquis only has you, his daughter. We absolutely cannot let a rustic villager look down on us. When we were in prison, the Marquis told me to prepare ample dowry to send you off to Hetou Village in grand style."
Hearing Liu Kai's words, Liu Rumei fell silent again. She slowly stood up, "Old man, don't tire yourself. Rest early."
Liu Rumei turned and went back into the house, sitting down as tears streamed down her face.
The maid, Xiao Qing, stood by her side, also shedding tears. After a long while, she couldn't help but speak, "Miss, if you really can't bear to leave the capital, I can go talk to Chen Xiaobei, no, talk to the son-in-law, and you can stay in Wannian City."
Liu Rumei shook her head, "It's not about that. I don't care for the things in Wannian City. By the way, send all these to my brother later."
As she spoke, Liu Rumei stood up, opened her dressing table, and took out a paper bag from within.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Qing's face paled in shock, "Miss, these are all lands the Emperor and the Crown Prince bestowed upon you. Are you really going to give them away like this?"
"They are all external possessions. What use are they to keep?"
"I understand. Then why don't we sell this land and take the money to Hetou Village!" Xiao Qing was a little anxious.
Liu Rumei smiled faintly, her smile tinged with a hint of sorrow, "My mind is made up. I believe that even if I have nothing, Brother Xiaobei will not despise me!"
Xiao Qing could only take the paper bag and turn to see Liu Yuanwen.
Liu Yuanwen looked at the things Xiao Qing handed over with utter confusion, "Tell my younger sister that I will temporarily keep these things for her and send her the rent on time every year."
"But, Miss said to give all these to the eldest young master. How can I report back if I say this?"
Just then, outside in the courtyard, there was the sound of hurried footsteps, followed by Liu Tie's voice.
"Found it, found it! Old steward, the shoe is found." Hearing this, Liu Rumei stood up almost instantly and rushed outside. The others also hurried, and soon the courtyard was crowded with people.
Despite his age, Liu Kai was not slow. As he ran out, he shouted, "Quickly tell me, what's going on?"
Liu Tie cupped his fists at Liu Rumei and Liu Yuanwen, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, and then turned to Liu Kai.
"After careful searching, a shoe shop called Meng Ji says they sold this pair of shoes."
He pointed towards the main entrance, "I have brought the shop owner, Old Meng, here."
Liu Kai looked at Liu Rumei and Liu Yuanwen. Seeing that neither of them intended to speak, he said, "Quickly invite Shopkeeper Meng in."
He then instructed someone nearby, "Quickly prepare tea and clean the reception room."
A moment later, a middle-aged man, accompanied by two other shop assistants, entered the reception room and stepped forward to bow to Liu Rumei and the others in turn, "This humble one, Meng Yue, pays his respects to everyone."
Liu Kai gestured for him to sit and pointed to the tea on the table, "Shopkeeper Meng, please have some tea first. We can talk slowly."
Meng Yue took a sip of his tea and then clasped his fists again, "Steward Liu, please ask whatever you wish. I will tell you everything I know."
Liu Kai nodded and pointed to the shoe placed in front of him, asking in a deep voice, "You say this shoe was made by your shop. Do you have any proof?"
"I told Brother Liu Tie that there is our Meng family's mark on the shoe upper. Fortunately, it hasn't been worn for too long, and the mark is not completely faded yet."
"Oh, then can you recall who bought these shoes?"
"It's like this. I promise to replace any shoes that are worn out within half a year. Therefore, every buyer of a pair of shoes has a record. I have brought them all for you to review."
As he spoke, Meng Yue took out a roll of paper from his sleeve and pushed it forward.
Liu Kai stepped forward to take it and respectfully handed it to Liu Yuanwen. However, Liu Yuanwen did not take it but gestured for him to pass it to Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei naturally understood her elder brother's intention.
This was her decision to make. After all, she was the one who should be making the decisions regarding Huang Ying's matter.
Liu Rumei took the papers and carefully flipped through them. Indeed, as Meng Yue had said, every entry was recorded in great detail.
Those who bought these cloth shoes were ordinary citizens, and some were simply recorded as: Old Zhao, Number 3 Dongjia Hutong; Old Geng, West Street.
However, one entry made Liu Rumei frown. It was recorded as: Imperial Palace.
Seeing these two words, Liu Rumei couldn't help but ask, "Shopkeeper Meng, what is the meaning of these words 'Imperial Palace'?"
"Oh, it's like this. The person who bought the shoes was a eunuch, who claimed to be a person by the Emperor's side. I could not ask for his name, so I recorded it as 'Imperial Palace'."
"I see." Liu Rumei scanned the list again. Apart from this, there was nothing else unusual.
Liu Rumei placed the list on the table and smiled at Meng Yue, "Shopkeeper Meng, may I have a few more days to look at this list? I will send someone to deliver it to you later!"
"Certainly, certainly. Miss Liu can have it for as long as you wish."
Liu Rumei instructed Liu Kai to give Meng Yue two ingots of silver, and then saw him off.
After Meng Yue left, Liu Rumei stood up and took the list, about to head out, but was stopped by Liu Yuanwen.
"Miss, if there's anything, just assign it to others. It's late, you shouldn't go out."
Liu Rumei looked at her brother, "Brother, you don't need to worry. No one in the capital dares to do anything to me."
With that, she turned and left. Liu Kai winked at Liu Tie, who also followed closely.
Liu Rumei arrived at the inn, first offered three sticks of incense to Huang Ying, and then said to Chen Xiaobei, who was guarding nearby, "Brother Xiaobei, the killer has been tracked down with some clues."