Chapter 7: The Veil of Truth
The night was restless.
By morning, silence engulfed the Lian household. The only sounds were the faint movements of two servants carefully brewing medicine. Everyone else remained sequestered in their rooms, too fearful to stir. Even the very air seemed stagnant.
Lian Heng, feeling stifled, stepped out into the courtyard for some fresh air.
The autumn wind rustled, sending golden butterflies fluttering all around.
"Little butterfly, who are you dancing for?" Lian Heng murmured as he gently caught one in his hand. He sighed, "Overnight, everything in this house—every flower, every blade of grass, every person—seems lifeless."
"Even for a tiny daisy growing in the cracks, the butterflies will continue to dance," came a warm, composed voice from behind.
Startled, Lian Heng turned to see a tall, refined figure in azure robes. "Detective Di, what brings you here?"
Di Yun cupped his hands in greeting. "Miss Lian, good morning. Lady Lian dispatched her steward to the yamen at first light to file an official complaint. I'm aware of what transpired last night. Since the victim is my aunt, the magistrate assigned me and my senior, Yun Shixing, to investigate."
Turning toward the door, Di Yun called, "Brother Yun! Come in!"
A young man in his mid-twenties strolled leisurely into the courtyard.
His slender frame was clad in the standard red-vested uniform of a constable over his blue tunic. However, his long black hair was tied casually with a simple ribbon instead of the usual disciplined knot. His jade-like face carried an air of playful indifference, while his sharp, arched brows added a roguish charm. His elongated eyes gave him a uniquely captivating appearance.
At that moment, he was spinning his constable's round hat on his finger with a nonchalant grace.
Even though Di Yun was striking in his own right, the other man's magnetic aura seemed to eclipse him completely.
"This is my senior, Yun Shixing. Brother Yun, this is Miss Lian," Di Yun introduced succinctly.
"Lian Heng? Ah, I've heard of you." Yun Shixing's eyes gleamed as he studied her.
Lian Heng blinked in confusion. "I wasn't aware I was well-known."
Yun Shixing grinned. "The sole heiress of the Lian family's immense fortune—who wouldn't know of you? Though now, with your father's new child, you may no longer be the 'sole' one. Haha!"
He chuckled heartily and swaggered toward the main hall.
What does that mean?
"Is he implying I'm a suspect too?" Lian Heng frowned, watching his retreating figure.
Di Yun's tone was gentle. "For us detectives, we can't afford to make judgments based on feelings. Everyone is a suspect until proven otherwise."
He paused, his expression softening. "But, this time, I have a strong feeling it's not you. Nor is it your mother."
Lian Heng felt a warmth rise in her chest. Smiling brightly, she said, "Thank you for your trust, Detective Di."
Di Yun returned a faint smile. "Perhaps I'm not a very good detective after all. Let's head inside."
In the main hall, Yun Shixing adhered to his "suspect everyone" philosophy by gathering all the household members.
Madam Lu Qiaoqiao had recovered after taking the imperial physician's elixir, though she still looked pale. Lian Zheng sat beside her, his concern plain to see.
Di Yun was quietly reassured by this sight. Bowing to the family, he took his place beside Yun Shixing, who immediately assumed a commanding presence.
"Human hearts are treacherous," Yun Shixing began, his tone sharp. "Anyone here could be the one who framed the third madam. Including the third madam herself!"
His statement sent a wave of murmurs through the room.
"However," he continued, silencing the commotion, "evidence is everything. There's no need to argue. I'll get to the bottom of this."
Di Yun interjected, "Since the issue lies with the food, we should start by questioning the kitchen staff."
They interviewed everyone, but apart from Yu Ma and the two kitchen workers, everyone else had alibis for the time between lunch and dinner. This brought them back to square one. The prime suspects remained those three.
Yu Ma wiped her tears. "Master, I've served this family faithfully for so many years, always wishing for more heirs. Why would I harm the madam's child?"
Xiao Ge, the young kitchen maid, was pale with fear. "I don't know what happened! It was supposed to be ham soup, not turtle soup with rhubarb. It wasn't me!"
Yu Luoying, unflinching, said, "Detectives, I have nothing to hide. Investigate as you will."
Lu Qiaoqiao, weak but composed, spoke softly, "Husband, I trust my sister. She wouldn't harm me. Don't let this incident disrupt the harmony between you."
Moved, Lian Zheng tightened his grip on her hand but remained silent.
Su Caiyun added, "I also believe it's impossible for Elder Sister to do such a thing."
Lian Zheng sighed deeply. "I trust Yu Luoying's character. But Yu Ma and Xiao Ge have no reason to harm my child either. Since my wife insists on involving the authorities, please investigate thoroughly."
Di Yun studied the faces of Yu Ma and Xiao Ge in silence.
"Let's check the kitchen," Yun Shixing declared, dragging Di Yun with him.
"Detectives, I have a few questions," Lian Heng said, catching up to them.
"Little girl, don't meddle in our investigation," Yun Shixing dismissed her with a smirk.
Ignoring him, Lian Heng turned to Di Yun. "I inspected the kitchen earlier this morning. There was no trace of turtle remains or rhubarb in the trash. Clearly, the perpetrator cleaned up thoroughly. But why leave the leftover soup?"
"You're suggesting the soup was left intentionally?" Di Yun's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Exactly!" Lian Heng nodded. "It's as if someone wanted us to know that the soup caused the miscarriage scare. If the kitchen staff were responsible, they would've erased all evidence, including the soup."
"You make a strong point," Di Yun acknowledged, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "I've been pondering this while watching Yu Ma and Xiao Ge's tearful denials."
Lian Heng continued, "There are three possibilities:
The kitchen staff are guilty and deliberately left the soup to frame my mother. But what's their motive? Is there a mastermind behind them? The kitchen staff are innocent and unknowingly presented the evidence, making my mother a suspect. Yet, knowing my mother's nature, she's not one for underhanded schemes. And even if she suddenly had malicious intent, she wouldn't botch it so badly. Neither my mother nor the kitchen staff are responsible. Someone else sneaked into the kitchen and tampered with the food, completely unnoticed by Yu Ma and Xiao Ge."
When she finished, she noticed Yun Shixing had stopped inspecting the area and was now staring at her intently, his eyes gleaming with a peculiar light.
"How old are you, girl?" he asked in a low voice.
"Fifteen," Lian Heng replied calmly.
"Fifteen? Truly?" Yun Shixing raised an eyebrow, muttering, "How can someone so young think so much?"
"Miss Lian is sharp and observant beyond her years," Di Yun remarked with genuine admiration.
"Thank you, Detectives. I hope you can uncover the truth soon," Lian Heng said earnestly.
"Don't worry, little girl," Yun Shixing said with a sly grin as he bent closer. "I've never failed to solve a case."
Lian Heng took a step back and replied, "I hope that remains true."
"Brother Yun, stop teasing Miss Lian. Let's continue investigating," Di Yun said evenly.
Yun Shixing chuckled, "Why are you so serious? This girl is quite interesting!" He extended a long arm as if to ruffle Lian Heng's hair.
Lian Heng stepped further away and politely excused herself.
As she left, she heard Di Yun's quiet voice. "Brother Yun, please, enough. It couldn't possibly be her. She's a good girl. Let's focus on the kitchen staff."
A warmth spread through Lian Heng's chest as she quickened her pace toward the rear wing.
Yu Ma and Xiao Ge were confined to a guest room. During this tense period, the entire household was instructed to remain within the estate for two days. Housekeeper Wang temporarily took over cooking duties.
That night, Xiao Ge was found dead in the kitchen, her wrists slit, her body drained of blood.