I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2678 - 1664: The Yangtze River Flows East

"It does sound a bit like an accident."

Fujiwara Takuya laughed, but there was not the slightest hint of amusement in his eyes.

"What if it wasn’t an accident?"

"Then there are many possibilities. Many friends are probably not too happy about our alliance with the Imperial Family."

The simplest motivational analysis is nothing more than the word "benefit."

With Wataru Tetsuya dead, whoever stands to gain is likely to be suspect of the crime.

This principle is simple.

This is also why Fujiwara Takuya is so troubled; there are simply too many suspects.

"Clan Leader, do we need to temporarily hide this from the young lady?"

His confidant felt that Fujiwara Takuya’s immediate act of delivering the bad news was inappropriate.

As the Crown Princess, learning that her husband died tragically on the streets just before the wedding would be an immensely cruel thing.

"Do you think she doesn’t know?"

Does she know?

In the phone call, Fujiwara Reiki’s demeanor clearly suggested she was unaware.

The confidant said nothing more.

This remark from the master was too profound.

In the setting sun, Fujiwara Takuya’s expression darkened prematurely.

Many people are worth suspecting.

Among them.

Does it not include the bride-to-be?

"Mother."

When Fujiwara Takuya returned to the ancestral home, he happened to catch Lady Fujiwara during her meal.

Four maids were attending to her.

"Have you eaten?"

Fujiwara Takuya shook his head, came in, and sat down cross-legged.

"Bring another bowl and chopsticks."

Lady Fujiwara, dressed in a kimono, instructed.

Indeed.

She is also a widow.

Being a widow is not pejorative; sometimes, it’s even a tempting label.

Exactly.

The ethical standards are insurmountable; as the biological son, Fujiwara Takuya certainly would not entertain such ideas.

"No need."

He sat by the table, hands resting on his thighs, slightly bowed, "I want to chat privately with Mother."

Lady Fujiwara’s eyes flickered; although her son had "reformed," after all, he had a past record; being alone together...

"You all go out first."

Lady Fujiwara dismissed the servants, ultimately granting basic trust to her clan leader son.

She not only has a good son.

But also a good daughter.

As long as her daughter is there, there’s no need to worry too much.

Hence.

Either don’t have children, or have more than one.

"Creak."

The door closed.

The room quieted down.

The incense in the corner burnt silently.

"Speak."

Lady Fujiwara, seated with legs folded neatly, bore a tranquil expression, her posture flawless and exceeding the palace etiquette instructor, like an exemplary pattern in a textbook, fully showcasing the ancient grace and dignity.

"I can wait for Mother to finish eating first, otherwise Takuno fears upsetting your dining mood."

"Before you arrived, I already ate most of it."

Lady Fujiwara signaled he could speak freely.

Fujiwara Takuya bowed his head.

"Wataru Tetsuya is dead."

Though told to speak freely, this was too direct.

Lady Fujiwara instantly went silent as if in meditation, surely losing her appetite.

"When did it happen."

However, the mistress of this century-old Japanese family was not an ordinary housewife; she quickly calmed her mind.

"Today. I was with Wataru Tetsuya going to Yasukuni Shrine for worship, and at the gate, someone opened fire at him, the bullet hit the temple, and Wataru Tetsuya died on the spot."

Fujiwara Takuya simplified things, using concise language to swiftly inform his mother of the general sequence.

"Does Li Ji know?"

At the news of her son-in-law’s tragic end, Lady Fujiwara remained astonishingly calm.

Indeed.

Who hasn’t lost a husband?

"The police department and Ministry of Internal Affairs have arrested everyone on the scene and immediately sealed off the information."

Fujiwara Takuya’s answer was artistic, merely addressing the matter without directly responding to whether his dear sister was actually informed, "I called Li Ji on the way back; she should be arriving shortly."

"The killer? Did they commit suicide?"

"Was apprehended on the spot."

"What’s their identity?"

"Commoner. Judging from societal relations, there’s nothing suspicious."

"So, it’s an accident?"

Faced with this question, Fujiwara Takuya didn’t respond.

Lady Fujiwara fell silent.

"Mother, what should we do about the wedding with the Imperial Family next?"

Fujiwara Takuya asked.

"What do you think?"

Lady Fujiwara countered.

She is indeed the mother, but ultimately, the son is the clan leader.

"The wedding date is set, and the outside world is already aware; if we cancel, the Imperial Family might not blame us, but there would certainly be criticism and attacks against us."

"But the person is dead. How can the wedding continue? Would you let Li Ji marry a dead man?"

Fujiwara Takuya looked up, meeting his mother’s gaze, "Mother, even though the wedding hasn’t yet taken place, in the eyes of the world, Li Ji is already a Princess."

Lady Fujiwara was silent.

Indeed.

Canceling or not doesn’t affect the established fact.

What is an established fact?

It is that their Fujiwara Family’s eldest princess has gone from a bride-to-be to a widow.

A joyous occasion turned funeral.

For a woman, what blow could be more cruel than such a tragedy?

"How are you?"

Lady Fujiwara finally remembered to care for her son.

The situation has come to this.

No matter how cruel, the only choice is to face it.

"Thank you for your concern, Mother; the shooter’s target was very clear, solely Wataru Tetsuya, I was unharmed."

Lady Fujiwara silently watched her son, possibly like Fujiwara Takuya, also started pondering the possible mastermind?

"If it wasn’t an accident, then those orchestrating this are disregarding the Imperial Family and our Fujiwara Family."

Lady Fujiwara said softly, "Such arrogant fools will certainly pay a painful price for their actions."

Fujiwara Takuya seemed oblivious to his mother’s undertone.

Just as he suspected anyone.

Mother also had the right to suspect anyone.

— Including him, her son.

From Mother’s perspective, sister’s suffering was her brother’s pleasure; he had ample motive, even perhaps the primary suspect.

But he knew.

He was innocent.

Slaying an ugly dwarf, besides venting anger, does it have any other meaning?

No.

Instead, it might put him at a disadvantage.

If so, why not bet directly, choosing to eliminate the dear sister?

Naturally.

These inner thoughts couldn’t be directly explained to his mother, even if they were mother and son, many times only through indirect means.

"Please rest assured, Mother, I am the clan leader of Fujiwara Family. Wataru Tetsuya’s death isn’t just the Imperial Family’s disgrace, but also ours at Fujiwara Clan. If it wasn’t an accident, I, Fujiwara Takuya, swear to Amaterasu, will ensure the mastermind pays with blood."

As it sounds.

It really doesn’t seem like he did it.

But can oaths truly prove innocence?

Amaterasu is undeniably the supreme deity in Japanese people’s hearts, akin to Shen Zhou people never rashly swearing by their ancestors.

But one must understand.

What sort of person is this Fujiwara Family clan leader?

Outsiders don’t know, would Lady Fujiwara as the mother not know?

This person had thought of overpowering his sister and mother and additionally committed patricide.

He’s done every abominable thing.

Hence.

Would such a beast care about ancestors? Care about Amaterasu?

"You go out first; when Li Ji returns, I’ll talk to her."

Fujiwara Takuya wished for his mother’s outright acknowledgment, but unfortunately, he was disappointed.

Lady Fujiwara avoided discussing, did not dissipate internal suspicions.

Prejudices in people’s hearts are indeed a mountain.

Like scars, they only scab over, never truly revert to the original, past mistakes can never be considered as if they never happened.

Fujiwara Takuya had no grievances, stood up, bowed, his gaze swept past his mother’s towering peaks that even the qipao couldn’t conceal, then fell onto the wrinkled white socks padded under her thighs.

"Then pardon Mother."