Chapter 8: The Scent of a Conspiracy
The guestroom where Xiao Ge and Yu Ma were detained last night was locked from the outside. It was spacious, with two beds separated by an intricately carved wooden screen. The air was thick with the scent of camphor, lingering from years of disuse.
"There is, after all, a fourth possibility," Yun Zixing muttered as he frowned at a piece of paper lying on the table.
The note was scribbled in uneven handwriting:
"Last time, the Third Madam falsely accused me. I hated her and wanted her to feel pain too. You don't need to investigate anymore. This has nothing to do with the Madam or Yu Ma. If Master finds out, I'm doomed anyway."
"A mere servant like Xiao Ge knows how to write a farewell note?" Di Yun said, clearly puzzled.
"Miss taught us every day… All the maids in the household… know a few simple words," Yu Ma, who was the first to discover the body, mumbled in reply.
"Your mistress is quite remarkable! So it seems Xiao Ge killed herself out of guilt?" Yun Zixing crossed his arms, falling deep into thought.
Di Yun's gaze turned cold as he looked at Yu Ma. "Yu Ma, someone died less than five feet away from you last night, and you didn't notice anything?"
Terrified, Yu Ma trembled and stammered, "I-It has nothing to do with me! Last night, I don't know why, but I slept… deeply. Maybe it was because I was scared during the day… This morning, as soon as I woke up, I saw her… dead! Blood everywhere… I screamed for help…"
Yun Zixing and Di Yun exchanged a glance before Yun Zixing suddenly chuckled. "I wonder what your mistress falsely accused her of to make her so resentful?"
"A month ago, Xiao Ge delivered some soup to my room. Later, I found that a jade bracelet I had placed on my dressing table had gone missing. This one here." Lu Qiaoqiao gently rolled up her sleeve, revealing a delicate jade bracelet gleaming softly against her snow-white wrist, enhancing her alluring beauty.
"No one else entered my room that day except Xiao Ge, so I was certain she stole it. I summoned her for questioning, but she kept denying it. I scolded her, yet she cried and insisted she was innocent. My sisters persuaded me to search again. Eventually, I found the bracelet in a drawer of the Eight Immortals table. I didn't think she'd hold such a grudge!"
Sadness welled up in Lu Qiaoqiao's heart, reddening her eyes.
"Even if she had harmed me, I wouldn't have wanted her to die. After all, my child and I are unharmed."
"Even if you wouldn't, the Master dotes on you and would surely punish Xiao Ge severely," Yun Zixing remarked, leaning against the doorway.
Di Yun looked at her with concern for a moment before sighing. "Take care of yourself. This family is large and complicated—be cautious not to offend anyone easily."
"Sanlang, I understand," Lu Qiaoqiao sighed. "It's just that the bracelet was the first token of affection the Master gave me. I was naturally anxious when it went missing."
"Everyone, there were no signs of a struggle at the scene. Judging by Xiao Ge's wound, its position and shape indicate it was self-inflicted. The facts are clear: Xiao Ge bore resentment toward the Third Madam and sought to harm her. Unexpectedly, others were implicated, and the matter escalated, involving the authorities. Fearing her crime would be discovered and that the Master would kill her, she took her own life," Yun Zixing, the renowned detective, announced to the assembled members of the Lian household in the front hall.
"This matter ends here. We'll report to Magistrate Han upon our return. Everyone, please resume your affairs," he concluded.
Lian Zheng bowed deeply and said sincerely, "Thank you, Officer Yun." Then, he turned to Di Yun with a warm tone. "I heard from Qiaoqiao that you are her long-lost nephew. You do resemble her by four or five points. Your aunt has been feeling unwell lately; visit her whenever you can."
"Understood. Thank you, Master Lian," Di Yun replied solemnly, while Lu Qiaoqiao's face lit up with delight.
In this era, no matter how favored a concubine might be, her family was not acknowledged by her husband. For Lian Zheng to say this meant he placed great importance on Lu Qiaoqiao. Was it sincere, or merely because she had borne him a child?
Regardless, Lu Qiaoqiao felt overjoyed. She smiled as she gazed at Lian Zheng, unable to tear her eyes away.
Lian Zheng returned her gaze with equal tenderness, his eyes brimming with affection.
At that moment, they saw no one else but each other.
The crowd quietly dispersed.
Yu Luoying pressed her lips together and left without a word. Once upon a time, he had looked at her with the same deep affection, making her believe it could last a lifetime.
Now, who sees the lonely traveler? The solitary shadow of a distant crane.
"Officers, please wait!" Lian Heng hurried after the two detectives heading toward the door.
Yun Zixing spun around dramatically. "Miss, is there something else? Don't tell me you've fallen for my irresistible charm and can't bear to let me leave?"
Lian Heng almost fainted at his words. She sighed silently, then said seriously, "Are you really closing the case just like that?"
"What? Do you want us to investigate further? The matter is straightforward!" Yun Zixing styled his hair confidently.
Di Yun asked gently, "Miss Lian, have you noticed anything suspicious?"
"For now—nothing specific," she admitted.
"Then it's settled?" Yun Zixing raised an eyebrow.
"But sometimes, the more reasonable and flawless something seems, the more likely it is to have cracks," she said, looking directly at him.
Di Yun gazed at her thoughtfully, his dark eyes reflecting deep consideration. After a moment, he nodded. "You're right."
"You know quite a lot for a little girl!" Yun Zixing teased with a blade of grass in his mouth. "Too bad, sometimes things are just simple. Go back to embroidering!"
"Senior brother! Maybe we shouldn't rush to close the case. I also felt something odd in the crime scene earlier," Di Yun said, raising a sharp eyebrow.
"Fine—stay here and investigate further. You can get a good look at your aunt's living conditions, too. It'll save you the worry!" Yun Zixing said, striding toward the door. "I've got a date with Miss Linglong at Yunxin Pavilion. Later!"
Di Yun shook his head, amused, as he watched Yun Zixing's departing figure.
"If there's still doubt, wouldn't that put Qiaoqiao in danger?" Lian Zheng said anxiously. "How about I speak to Magistrate Han and have you stay at the manor for now? You can investigate while ensuring her safety—this is an official duty, after all!"
As a wealthy merchant, Lian Zheng had close ties with County Magistrate Han Wenqing.
"That would be ideal," Lu Qiaoqiao said, unafraid of lurking danger but delighted at the prospect of spending more time with Sanlang.
Di Yun nodded. "If Magistrate Han approves, that would work. I'll first revisit the scene of the crime."
In the guestroom, Xiao Ge's body had already been removed.
Di Yun meticulously examined every inch of the room until he crouched beneath the window, frowning.
Taking out his tools, he carefully scraped something off the floor and placed it in a small paper pouch.
"What's that?" Lian Heng asked curiously.
"We'll know after the coroner inspects it."
He continued his investigation, picking up several camphor balls from beneath the bed.
"Are you taking those for testing too?" Lian Heng asked, more puzzled than ever.
"Exactly. Something feels off, though I may be overthinking." He smiled and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Here, use this." A pair of delicate hands extended a simple white handkerchief.
"Thank you." Di Yun accepted it, the smooth fabric and faint fragrance making his face flush.
She smiled warmly. "I don't think you're overthinking. Sometimes, a conspiracy is only just beginning." She took a deep breath. "I can smell the scent of a scheme."
In truth, only the scent of camphor lingered in the air.
Di Yun's eyes, however, were filled with concern. "I need to speed up my investigation. My aunt is a simple person. She's endured a hard life and finally found peace. She only wants to live out her days in tranquility."
Lian Heng nodded. "I also think the Third Madam isn't someone with deep schemes. Don't worry, I'll keep a close watch to ensure she isn't wronged."
"Miss Lian, I'll leave her in your care!" Di Yun clasped his hands in gratitude, his deep, dark eyes sincere.
Lian Heng nodded firmly, moved by his trust.
As a detective, he had every reason to suspect her. For instance, the Third Madam's child could affect her claim to inheritance, or
Lian Heng's interest in uncovering the truth might merely stem from curiosity.
But something about her seemed to confirm she was a pure and righteous person. She truly cared about helping the innocent find justice.
Maybe he wasn't ready to admit, deep down, he wanted her to be trustworthy.