On the painting boat, the lights were dim, illuminating several young girls gathered together, occasionally bursting into laughter.

"It’s really unexpected that such a scandal has come out of the Gao Family. What can one say? It’s an unfortunate family affair!"

The speaker was a girl in a red peony embroidered dress. She was quite attractive, except for a few pockmarks on her cheeks, which marred her beauty.

Her eyes brimmed with intense disdain, her words sharp and sarcastic, yet her expression was one of extreme excitement.

The engagement between Miss Gao and the Lord Governor’s son was a big sensation in their circle, making many green with envy.

After all, that’s the Lord Governor, the Prefect of Jiangzhou City, a formidable figure. Being able to marry into his family, in the future, Gao Mansion’s business would naturally flourish.

This pockmarked girl’s family was also in commerce, directly competing with the Gao Family, often clashing. This made things complicated.

If this marriage were successful, her family would have to consider changing trades.

Yet, it’s hard to give up such a long-standing foundation.

"Isn’t that right, the Gao Family’s daughters, several are involved with a man. Even if Miss Gao is not among them, who knows what she’s like? Birds of a feather flock together."

Another round-faced girl continued.

As she spoke, a trace of jealousy glinted in her eyes. If anyone hated the marriage between Gao Mansion and the Prefect’s family most, it was her.

This lady was named Lin Ruochu. Her father, Lin Zhubu, was an assistant to the Prefect. Due to work, she often accompanied him to the Prefect’s Mansion, gradually becoming familiar with the Lord Governor’s son.

Others would even describe her relationship with the Lord Governor’s son as "childhood sweethearts."

Over time, she assumed she and the Lord Governor’s son were a couple. Last year, she confessed to him, but he said he saw her as a sister.

Lin Ruochu was very upset, thinking she wasn’t worthy of the Lord Governor’s son. After all, her father was just a minor clerk. She often blamed her father for his lack of ambition.

If his rank were higher, it would at least give her more bargaining chips, wouldn’t it?

Lin Ruochu felt she was of low status and couldn’t compete, but who would have thought the Lord Governor’s son, during the New Year, would say he wanted to be engaged to the Gao family’s eldest daughter!

What is the Gao Family? A merchant family. Based on the hierarchy of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant, how dare they aspire to connect with the Xie Family?

Therefore, she was very dissatisfied, even contemplating how to ruin this marriage and show Mr. Xie that a lady from such a merchant family is no better than a rat in a stinking ditch, to be despised by all!

As Lin Ruochu spoke, a fierceness flickered in her eyes!

The pockmarked girl added, "Tsk tsk, so frivolous and wanton, what a pity for the son of the Lord Governor to..."

"Ahem... watch your words, watch your words!"

The pockmarked girl was getting carried away, not noticing she had crossed a line, luckily someone immediately reminded her.

After all, it’s one thing to talk about the Gao Family, but speaking ill of the Prefect’s son is seeking trouble, isn’t it?

The girl then realized her words were inappropriate, suddenly feeling a cold sweat on her back.

The Lord Governor’s son was not to be trifled with—rumor had it that his methods were particularly ruthless. If he knew she was gossiping about him, she’d be in big trouble.

"Sister Lin..."

The pockmarked girl quickly cast an imploring glance toward Lin Ruochu.

Lin Ruochu’s face was slightly cold as she looked at the other girls: "The things we’ve said here on this painting boat today—if anyone dares to let slip a single word, then they’re not one of us and will face united retribution!"

"Sister Lin, rest assured, we’re all on the same side!"

The girl who had reminded the pockmarked girl immediately responded, then others nodded in agreement, showing they were resolute in keeping it a secret.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Just then, outside the small private room, there came a series of urgent knocks—it was the Prison Chief who’d arrived.

The knocking pattern was strange, three long knocks followed by two short ones, like a sort of code.

Lin Ruochu immediately knew who it was. She got up and said: "It seems something’s come up. You all chat; I’ll go take a look!"

With that, she left the private room directly.

The Prison Chief smiled at her, then followed her to the deck at the bow of the painting boat, standing in the fresh breeze.

"Miss Lin, just now two people came, saying they wanted to see that little hoodlum!"

"Two people?" Lin Ruochu frowned slightly. That little hoodlum was her setup—were they planning to trace it back to her?

She chuckled coldly and asked, "Who are they? What are they like? Are they from the Gao Family?"

"A man and a woman. The man is a stranger, and the lady is the third miss of the Gao Family!"

Lin Ruochu’s eyes suddenly turned cold, "Gao Family’s third miss? That Gao Mingyue? Hmph, she’s the smartest among the Gao Family! Luckily, you didn’t let her in. Otherwise, if she interrogated meticulously on her own, she might actually find something out!"

"Miss Lin, currently, while that little hoodlum is detained without being allowed to be interrogated by anyone, the Prefect will definitely want to inquire later. We fear... it might be best to..."

The Prison Chief spoke vaguely, suddenly making a slicing motion across his neck.

Lin Ruochu immediately tensed up.

"Uncle Chen, is this feasible?"

"Miss, this solves everything at once. In such poor conditions, how many prisoners have died in there? We could simply give him some laxatives... Heh, Miss may not know, but diarrhea... prolonged, can be fatal!"

If Long Yue were here, they would certainly agree.

Many who suffer long-term diarrhea without treatment, and without food or water, can die of dehydration or gastrointestinal infections.

And their passing would be far from peaceful!

One must say, the Prison Chief’s methods are indeed ruthless!

Lin Ruochu pursed her lips slightly, thinking carefully: "Isn’t there another way? I want him to implicate them, making them turn on each other! Uncle Chen, if you help with this, fifty taels of silver will be yours!"

"Turn on each other..." The Prison Chief, Uncle Chen, pondered and said, "That’s a bit tricky. Within the Gao Family, the main wife and two concubines get along very well, and the concubines listen to the main wife. Framing them is difficult!

However, Miss Lin, rumors already disseminated across Jiangzhou City will surely cause strife at the Gao Family, clamoring to interrogate him, so letting him die remains the wisest choice!"

Lin Ruochu hesitated. She wanted to ruin the marriage between the Gao Family and the Xie Family, but carrying a murder was ugly.

Moreover, once tainted with a murder, she would fall under this Old Chen’s control.

But hearing his reasoning, perhaps there was truth to it?

After much contemplation, she finally made up her mind: "Alright, nothing ventured, nothing gained!"