Chapter 537 - 524: Madness

Chapter 537: Chapter 524: Madness

“The Ma family is about to celebrate some happy events, and everyone in the family is very busy. Hongyu probably had a lot to do and came back home late. When she returned, everyone else was fatally stricken, which shocked her into insanity.”

“So that’s what happened.”

“Because she had to help the lady manage a lot of things, she wasn’t at home that day and so she escaped the disaster.”

Chu Jinnian gave a slight smile, a glint of amusement in his raised eyes. “For this maid called Hongyu, I don’t know whether to say she’s fortunate or unfortunate.”

“Master Chu means…?”

Ding Gaochang didn’t understand Chu Jinnian’s words.

Did he mean that she was fortunate to survive but unfortunate to become insane due to the event?

However, looking at Chu Jinnian, it didn’t seem that simple.

“As Master Ding said, the entire Ma family was poisoned and died in the evening. There were many servants at home, all of whom had dinner at home. Only Hongyu was still busy outside and couldn’t even eat on time. I’m not sure whether this was due to her overworking or because she was being mistreated and bullied.”

“Considering how busy this maid is, one can imagine her daily life. But this horrible day was her only luck. I guess you could say it was luck in the midst of bad luck.”

Chu Jinnian’s playful smile became even more pronounced as he turned to Ding Gaochang, “What does Master Ding think?”

The meaning was obvious; he had suspicions about Hongyu.

That’s understandable; the only survivor naturally attracts some suspicion.

“Master Chu has a point. I initially suspected Hongyu too. But after inquiring around, I found out that Hongyu was sold to the Ma family as a maid when she was very young. She has always served Mrs. Ma and was quite favored. Even her daily attire was better than others.”

Ding Gaochang continued, “I also heard that Mrs. Ma liked Hongyu very much. She even said that she would help Hongyu find a suitable spouse after Ma Liangcai got married. After being freed from service, Hongyu was extremely happy. She even mentioned that Mrs. Ma planned to prepare a dowry for her and give her an additional ten taels of silver. Everyone who heard this was very envious and said that Hongyu was very lucky.”

In other words, Hongyu must hold no grudge against the Ma family since she received such favor.

However, what people see and what actually happened often do not match.

Chu Jinnian gave a slight smile, nodding in agreement, “Master Ding’s argument is reasonable. Let’s go see Hongyu first.”

Any speculation requires evidence to support it. Talking more about it is useless.

“Yes, Master Chu, please follow me.” Ding Gaochang quickly agreed and took the lead, guiding Chu Jinnian to the prison.

Hongyu was located in the cell closest to the entrance.

Because she was just being kept watch over, not imprisoned, the cell in which Hongyu stayed was quite clean. It was furnished with a bed, blankets, and so on. On the table nearby, there was food that looked like it had just been brought up for Hongyu’s dinner.

But at the moment, Hongyu was sitting cross-legged on the floor, hugging a pillow and mumbling to herself, occasionally letting out a cackle.

“It’s time to eat.” The female prison guard took the steamed bun from the bowl and pushed it into Hongyu’s hands, “It’s a warm bun, eat it quickly.”

As for Hongyu, she continued to give a silly grin to the prison guard. Holding the bun in her hand, she didn’t attempt to take a bite. She just pointed at the prison guard and said, “You’re lying, this isn’t a bun, this is roasted fish. I hate eating fish. My mother says that eating too much fish will make you stupid. I listen to my mother, I won’t eat fish.”

“Are you trying to get back at me because I stole your apricot from your pot yesterday and now you want to make me eat fish? I’m not stupid, I won’t fall for it.”

“I want to eat buns and drink rice porridge. If you don’t give it to me, I’ll tell my mother.”

“Ah, where’s my mother? Where did my mother go? I haven’t seen my mother for a long time…”

“That’s right, that’s right, my mother said she was going to town to buy me a flower to wear on my head. With that flower, people would find me very attractive.”

After mumbling for a long time, Hongyu suddenly stood up, seeing the prison guard, and threw her pillow to the side. She quickly hugged her, “Dad, why are you here? Weren’t you going to cut pork for me? I want to eat fried meatballs.”

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“Dad, it’s really hot, I am so hot.”

As she spoke, Hongyu started to undress herself.

However, her thick jacket did not come off even after she yanked it a couple of times.

But when Hongyu couldn’t undo it, she suddenly squatted down and pulled at her trousers under the long jacket, “Dad, my stomach hurts, I need to poop…”

“But you can’t do it here!”

The prison guard wasn’t bothered by any nonsense from Hongyu previously. But at this moment, she was surprised enough to hurriedly stop Hongyu.

There was no portable camp toilet in here. And the important guests were outside. If they saw this, it would be a joke.

The prison guard hurriedly got Hongyu to the side, where a bamboo screen was put up for a lavatory, and found her a camp toilet to use as soon as possible.

“Let’s go.” Chu Jinnian’s deep voice broke out, and he walked outside.

Ding Gaochang and Xu Zhengping quickly followed him.

“At first, I was worried that Hongyu was pretending to be crazy. But after observing her these days, it seems that she has indeed gone mad.”

Ding Gaochang said, “Like today, it’s already considered better. Usually, she talks nonsense all the time, like seeing a child running around, pointing at the jailer and saying that he looks like a ghost, or catching a mouse from nowhere.”

“Initially, she just held the rat and murmured at it. But later she ended up trying to put it in her mouth. Fortunately, the jailer stopped her, otherwise, the mouse would have ended up in her stomach.”

“That’s interesting.” Chu Jinnian narrowed his eyes and looked up at the sky above him.

It was a rare windless sunny day in winter. He could see the stars twinkling in the night sky, which was quite beautiful.

“Be wary of fire during this dry weather…”

From outside, you could hear the night watchman shouting.

Chu Jinnian turned his gaze and looked at Ding Gaochang, “Master Ding, this winter air is dry. It would be best to be careful about potential fire hazards. This is especially true in the prison.”

Ding Gaochang was stunned, “Does Master Chu mean…?”

“I wish to inspect Mr. Ma’s house tomorrow morning. I will spend the night in the County Government Office.” Chu Jinnian said in a deep voice.

“I will order someone to prepare a room immediately.” Ding Gaochang responded, “However, the county office is plain, and I’m afraid it may not be suitable for your stay, Master Chu. I will also stay at the county office tonight, so if there’s anything you need, feel free to ask me.”

“Hmm.” Chu Jinnian nodded.

Ding Gaochang and Xu Zhengping immediately ordered their men to prepare a room in the backyard for Chu Jinnian to rest.

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