Chapter 40: The Peculiar Madam Guo

Lu Shiyi quickly "invited" the steward of the Guo residence to the Dali Temple.

As soon as he stepped into the interrogation room of the Dali Temple, the Guo steward was so terrified that cold sweat poured down like rain, and he immediately dropped to his knees.

"I didn't kill anyone! I merely obeyed the master's commands to hand those two dead corpses over to others for disposal."

"That is to say, it was your master who committed murder!"

"No, not the master, it was... the Grand Mistress! Ever since the Second Young Master passed away, the Grand Mistress has been going mad day and night. Suspecting that the two newly concubine-ranked maidservants taken in by the Second Young Master had seduced our master, she frequently beat and scolded the maids and concubines in the estate. These two concubines were accidentally beaten to death by the Grand Mistress."

"Since it was an accidental beating, why must you disfigure their faces after death, and then have people send and dump their corpses near Ruyi Tavern to frame Fourth Young Master Su? What could the Grand Mistress of the Guo family possibly mean by such an action?"

Faced with Lu Ling's inquiry, the steward's expression stiffened. He stammered with his lips for a long time before uttering, "I do not know. Perhaps the Grand Mistress saw that those two concubines were beautiful and thus jealousy took root in her heart. Our Grand Mistress is of mediocre appearance; ever since she married into the Guo family, she has never been favored by the master. The master also took several concubines, sleeping every night in the chambers of various secondary wives, and had not set foot in the Grand Mistress's chambers for several years. In fact, that Second Young Master was also snatched by the Grand Mistress from the arms of a secondary wife to be raised at her own knees. Later on, that secondary wife fell ill and died of grief from missing her son. Ever since then, the Grand Mistress has been like someone plagued by madness, constantly dreaming that someone wishes to harm her, and frequently venting her foul temper by beating and berating the servants.

As it happened, our Second Young Master died senselessly alongside Zhou Jiulang. Although the case has been closed—with Zhou Xing and his son deemed as getting what they deserved—our Grand Mistress refuses to accept it in her heart. Yet, lacking the courage to confront the Dali Temple and the authorities, she could only take out her frustrations by beating the servants. Who could have known that this particular beating went too far and beat the Second Young Master's two concubines to death?"

The steward's words carried hidden meanings, implicitly mocking the Dali Temple for perverting justice and failing to investigate the true cause behind the death of the Guo family's second young master.

Understanding the situation clearly, Lu Ling remained silent. He instructed Lu Shiyi to temporarily detain the steward, and promptly summoned the coroner Xin Wei, asking, "Have you determined the true cause of death for these two women?"

Xin Wei placed two blood-stained iron nails onto the desk and said, "Before dying, these two deceased individuals had consumed a large amount of alcohol and had engaged in marital relations with the same male, leaving residual traces on their bodies. Not only that, but both women bore whip marks and palm prints, and the ultimate cause of death for both was a bone-piercing nail." With that, he pointed to the two iron nails on the desk and continued, "Namely these. I surmise that these two women must have engaged in a desperate, tangled struggle with someone before their deaths. This might well be an assassination!"

"So that steward lied after all; those two deceased women were not beaten to death by the Grand Mistress alive."

Murong Huan chimed in, then asked the coroner, "Coroner Xin, can you determine the approximate ages of these two deceased individuals?"

"I can. Based on the degree of tooth wear and skin laxity, I can deduce that both were youthful maidens. As for this Xie Zi'e, she might even be under fifteen years of age."

"Under fifteen years of age?"

Xiao Mucheng also seemed to have realized something unreasonable, prompting Lu Ling to curiously ask, "What is it?"

"The proprietor of that establishment stated that several years ago, the Xie Zi'e he saw had already reached the age of maturity, and moreover, he had seen Xie Zi'e just a month ago."

A shred of doubt also arose in Lu Ling's mind: "Could Fourth Young Master Su's painting be erroneous?"

"Impossible!" Xiao Mucheng declared decisively. "I believe she has never laid eyes on this Xie Zi'e; she merely sketched this woman based on her skeletal structure.

I trust her paintings!"

Lu Ling nodded and looked toward Murong Huan: "If your drawing is without error, then it must be that the proprietor lied?"

Murong Huan shook her head. "No, the proprietor would not have lied either. I conjecture that there might exist another Xie Zi'e."

"Another Xie Zi'e?" Lu Ling and Lu Shiyi exclaimed in simultaneous astonishment.

"Yes, another person of similar appearance!" Having said that, Murong Huan added, "Grand Commissioner Lu, I wish to see the Grand Mistress of the Guo family. If you trust me, I will give you your answer in two days' time."

...

Lu Ling granted her the requested time. Murong Huan, accompanied by A-Shu and Xiao Mucheng, left the Dali Temple and was just preparing to head toward the Guo residence when Xiao Mucheng suddenly grabbed her hand and said, "After tossing and turning all night long, aren't you tired? Come to my Xiao residence to rest for a while first."

After tossing about for half the night yesterday in Ruyi Tavern, the remaining half of the night was spent within the Dali Temple; Murong Huan indeed had not managed to sleep soundly.

"I am only afraid that the more time we waste, the more people will die!"

"You suspect someone in particular, don't you?"

At Xiao Mucheng's inquiry, Murong Huan nodded. "Yes. I have only been in Luoyang City for a mere few days, and not many people are familiar with me. The Guo family members have never laid eyes on me—where else could they have obtained my portrait? Aside from the Su family, I can think of no one else."

"Then who in the Su family do you suspect wishes to frame you?"

Murong Huan pondered for a moment before replying, "It should be Third Mistress Qiu of the Su family and her father, Qiu Shenji!"

"Merely killing two people specifically to set up this trap for me still seems somewhat unlikely in my view. The Guo family must harbor other secrets they wish to conceal. Therefore, I wish to see for myself!"

Seeing her so persistent, Xiao Mucheng found it difficult to obstruct her further, yet insisted on accompanying her to the Guo residence to take a look.

By this time, the sky had grown completely bright. Morning makeup pierced through the slight chill, emerald flower spikes blew smoke straight upward, and swarms of butterflies danced around the eaves.

The streets of Luoyang were already bustling with the fine horses and ornate carriages of princes and nobles passing to and eff. Jade chariots galloped, golden whips trailed continuously, dragon-headed canopies and phoenix-tassels met the cascading dawn light, flashing with brilliant golden radiance and everywhere displaying the prosperity and flourishing splendor of the Divine Capital of Luoyang.

Xiao Mucheng had somehow procured a carriage. Once Murong Huan boarded it, she promptly fell asleep. When she finally awoke, she only heard the rumbling sound of carriage wheels. Her body seemed to be covered by a white-feather cloak, while Xiao Mucheng sat on the other side of the carriage, likewise closing his eyes for a light nap.

The pearl curtains were half-rolled, and the morning light broke through, illuminating the sleeping man to look even more picturesque than a scroll.

Yet Murong Huan felt a sense of unreality: the strands of kindness Xiao Mucheng cast toward her all seemed rather unusual.

From childhood to adulthood, she had only ever experienced pure kindness and care from her father, mother, master, and A-Shu. Most other people treated her with indifference and fear, much like the Su family.

Whether sensing her gaze fixed upon him or not, Xiao Mucheng slowly opened his eyes as well. Meeting Murong Huan's dazed stare, he offered an extremely warm and gentle smile.

This smile felt like warm spring water pouring into the ravines of her heart, and Murong Huan's heart gradually settled.

"Awoken from your sleep? It is a rare occasion that you didn't have nightmares this time, isn't it?"

Xiao Mucheng's remark broke her train of thought.

Murong Huan nodded, uttered a soft "Thank you," and handed the white-feather cloak draped over her back into Xiao Mucheng's hands. To her surprise, Xiao Mucheng said, "Early spring weather still carries a chill, and you are dressed far too lightly. This garment was just had Xuanwei purchase from the street; take it as a gift to you!"

Refusing no further, Murong Huan suddenly posed a question: "Why are you being so good to me?"

This sudden inquiry actually startled Xiao Mucheng.

His expression shifted slightly, allowing Murong Huan to catch a fleeting glimpse of a trace of guilt and pity, alongside a wisp of incomprehensible sorrow.

Immediately afterward, he flicked her forehead lightly and laughed in a chiding manner:
"You little maiden, what wild thoughts are running through your head? Must there be a reason given for treating you well? Can't I just be willing?" Pausing for a moment, he shifted the topic abruptly. "Or rather, you may simply assume I am asking a favor of you! I still require you to treat my illness and prolong my life!"

Just as the words reached this point, the carriage gave a sudden jolt and ground to an abrupt halt.

"My lord, the Guo residence has arrived!"

Following Xuanwei's announcement, the conversation inside the carriage was interrupted. Xiao Mucheng pushed open the carriage curtains, alighted, and extended his hand toward Murong Huan.

Murong Huan hesitated for a split second before finally resting her hand upon his wrist to step down from the carriage.

A-Shu watched this scene unblinkingly, falling into a daze.

"What are you staring at? You girl, hurry and move along!"

It was Xuanwei who issued a reminder, awakening her from her reverie. The group then strode swiftly toward the gates of the Guo residence.

Gazing upon the Guo family estate, built with upturned eaves and overlapping golden tiles, featuring a plaque inscribed with two gilded characters "Guo Residence" hung above the vermilion gates, complete with two gigantic stone lions guarding the entrance and brightly painted, resplendent lanterns, Murong Huan felt a sense of thoughtful surprise.

"A-Huan, this Guo family looks as though they are quite wealthy too!" A-Shu could not help sighing. "I wonder if anyone in their household is ill. If so, might we also earn a tidy sum in consultation fees?"

Now that returning to the Su family was out of the question, she might have to lodge in the Xiao household in the future. Although this Commissioner Xiao appeared quite amiable, after all, he was not A-Huan's kinsman. Once his illness was cured, she and A-Huan would still have to leave.

Money was truly of the utmost importance; only with wealth could they purchase a residence in Luoyang City and establish a home of their own.

Murong Huan nodded. "They do. Isn't the Grand Mistress of their household afflicted with madness?"

"That is simply wonderful!" A-Shu exclaimed happily.

Xuanwei suddenly recalled A-Shu's cheerful expression upon mentioning his master's illness on that previous day, and instantly came to an understanding. "So that is what you meant by 'wonderful'!"

"Precisely! That way we have money to earn!"

A-Shu went over eagerly to knock on the door. The gate abruptly swung open, and a page boy poked his head out, speaking unceremoniously, "What is it? Our Guo residence is not receiving guests at present!"

Murong Huan immediately pushed Xiao Mucheng to the front. "Commissioner Xiao is here on imperial decree to investigate a case; is entry still denied?"

The page boy's expression turned ashen with terror. Disregarding the door entirely, he scurried off in a hurry to report to the head of the Guo family.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Murong Huan saw a robust-looking middle-aged man leading a retinue of servants approach the entrance. Beaming with a hospitable smile, he cupped his hands in greeting toward Xiao Mucheng and said, "So it is Commissioner Xiao! Forgive me for failing to greet you from afar—please pardon my offense, pardon my offense!"

The moment she laid eyes on this man, a dark shadow flashed across Murong Huan's mind once again.

Snowflakes drifting down in the winter chill, two blindingly sharp glints of light piercing the empty air, setting off a myriad of crimson plum blossoms fluttering down.

Her mother had collapsed upon the snow-covered ground strewn with plum blossoms...

While Murong Huan was lost in her trance, Xiao Mucheng smiled with detached calm. "I heard that the wife of Censor Guo has fallen gravely ill, losing her wits somewhat. Xiao has specially brought a divine physician here to examine her."

So this was none other than Guo Hongba, the censor famous for tasting feces.

Guo Hongba hurriedly declined, saying, "To be frank with Commissioner Xiao, my wife's illness is actually not a recent affliction; it has been a chronic condition, only growing increasingly severe lately due to the death of my unworthy son. Guo has indeed sought renowned physicians to examine my wife, but they all declare this to be a disorder of the heart, incurable by medicine. Therefore..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Xiao Mucheng interposed, "As it happens, the divine physician I brought specializes precisely in treating heart ailments. She refuses to treat anything other than incurable diseases."