“This sheet of gold-flecked paper was found inside the inkstone in the corner. It wasn’t burned elsewhere, but inside the inkstone. That shows Third Master Zheng was in great haste. The paper wasn’t fully burned, and he didn’t notice. The ashes of the burned part are intact, meaning he set the inkstone aside and never touched it again.”
Bo Ruoyou continued: “Preliminary judgment: Third Master Zheng died from blood loss after the vajra pestle pierced his heart. From the folds and pressure marks on his sleeves, neck, and waist, it can be deduced that he first lost consciousness, collapsed on the desk, and then the killer easily drove the weapon into his back.”
vajra pestle
Huo Weilou frowned. “Unconscious?”
Bo Ruoyou nodded, lifting a white handkerchief from the desk. On it was a small black stain. “This was found in his nasal cavity. It is still datura.”
“His body has not yet stiffened, nor has livor mortis set in. After death, the earliest change is relaxation of the muscles and blood vessels. Zheng Wenyan’s body shows this, and it is still warm. That means he died within the last half hour. He came to the study, burned the gold-flecked paper, and not long after, the killer arrived.”
As she spoke, Huo Weilou examined the rear window. Soon he found traces of smoke and scorching in the crack of the north wall window, not far from Zheng Wenyan’s desk but diagonally behind it. Even if smoke had risen, Zheng Wenyan might not have noticed immediately.
Without a word, Huo Weilou personally led the Embroidered Uniform Guards outside the rear window.
From the eaves to the back wall was less than ten paces, all covered in snow. Night had fallen, and the guards lit torches. As they approached, Huo Weilou saw chaotic footprints on the ground. He raised his hand, pointing to the ground and the wall. Guards immediately stepped forward to inspect.
Soon they returned. “Marquis, there are footprints coming and going — only one person’s. The snow on the back wall shows pressure marks. The intruder must have climbed over.”
Since this was within the estate, the walls were not high. To Huo Weilou and the guards, they were nothing. “Follow the tracks outward. Continue searching.”
Inside the study, Bo Ruoyou was still examining the body when she heard noises from the rear courtyard. Though the windows were shut, Huo Weilou’s voice carried clearly inside.
Bo Ruoyou felt something was strange. Lifting her gaze, she suddenly noticed, above the rear window and on the beam of the hall, a small opening like a vent. Her heart stirred.
When Huo Weilou reentered, he saw Bo Ruoyou standing on a chair.
At that moment, the Embroidered Uniform Guards and constables had been sent out, Prefect He was outside questioning the Fifth and Second Madams, and Eunuch Fu was speaking with Zheng Xiao. Inside, only Bo Ruoyou remained. She was not short, but even standing on a chair she could not reach the beam. She craned her neck, straining to see the vent.
Still, she could not tell if it was open or closed. She leaned back against the wall, tilting further, almost able to see — when suddenly the chair shifted beneath her. She lost her balance, about to fall, when a hand steadied her waist.
This danger was unlike the life-saving moment before. Huo Weilou merely supported her at the small of her back. His hand was firm as iron, fingers long and strong. In that instant, he realized her waist was so slender it fit entirely beneath his palm. His fingers tightened slightly, as though he could encircle it.
For the first time, Huo Weilou understood how delicate a woman’s waist could be. Soft as flowing silk, yielding as if boneless.
His arm tingled, recalling the sensation of holding her earlier. Then, unlike before, his thoughts wavered. Just then, he heard Bo Ruoyou’s soft exclamation: “The vent is open!”
With that, the weight in his hand lightened. She had steadied herself on the chair back, then leaped lightly down.
Huo Weilou instinctively moved to help, but she landed firmly, face alight with excitement. “Marquis, the vent is open. Please send someone to check.”
Her eyes shone with zeal for the clue she had found. Clearly, that fleeting touch had left no impression on her. Huo Weilou suspected she hadn’t even noticed he had steadied her. He looked at her deeply, then stepped onto the chair himself.
Bo Ruoyou’s height reached only his shoulder. Normally, the difference was not obvious, but now, standing on the chair, he towered above. She had to tilt her head back to look at him, his crown brushing the beam.
The study was filled with books. On ordinary days, windows were opened at noon for ventilation, depending on the weather. But the vent above the beam was always left half-open.
Huo Weilou soon stepped down. “The vent is indeed open.”
Bo Ruoyou’s eyes lit up. “The doors and windows were locked. Could the killer have entered through here?”
Huo Weilou glanced up at the vent. “The vent is very high. To enter from there, the killer would need skill. And though it is open, its diameter is barely ten inches. Unless it were a child under ten, no one could pass through.”
Bo Ruoyou’s bright gaze dimmed. “Then how did the killer enter, and how did they escape? The Embroidered Uniform Guards were watching outside. The killer would not dare be careless. And when Second Young Master came, he saw the killer. After he was frightened, the guards rushed in from the gate. That distance is only a few paces — mere breaths of time. How could the killer vanish into thin air?”
Her words carried her deeper into the puzzle, brows furrowed, eyes lifted again toward the vent.
Huo Weilou, though always focused on his duties, never let anxiety show. Everything seemed effortless to him. Bo Ruoyou was different — she did not yet know how to hide her emotions.
Just then, Prefect He entered. “Marquis, I questioned the two Madams. Nothing suspicious. Today, aside from the Second Madam and the eldest son, the Third and Fifth Madams were at the old madam’s mourning hall for the rites. Afterward, all dispersed peacefully. The Second Madam, unwell and in mourning for Second Master, did not attend. She remained in her courtyard, with many witnesses.”
His face darkened. “Also, word from the front courtyard: all household servants have been questioned. In the entire Zheng estate, aside from Nanny Yu, not a single servant has worked here for more than fifteen years.”
Huo Weilou’s brows knitted. “Not even the stewards?”
Among the servants of noble houses, many are born into service. Some families have generations working in the same estate.
Yet Prefect He said: “No. The oldest steward has only been here thirteen years. Other servants come and go without pattern. As for household-born servants, there are some, but most manage the outlying estates. None has served continuously within the main household.”
Prefect He frowned. “It feels as though, more than ten years ago, the Zheng estate underwent a great purge — as if all attendants were replaced.”
Without cause, it would be impossible to dismiss all servants.
Huo Weilou’s phoenix eyes narrowed. Glancing at the inkstone in the corner, he ordered: “Summon a Taoist of good reputation from Qingzhou City.”
Prefect He asked quickly: “Marquis, do you mean to investigate the meaning of ‘yin year, yin hour’?”
Huo Weilou nodded. “Of the four phrases on the paper, only this one is unusual. As for ‘repaying life,’ once we understand the meaning of ‘yin year, yin hour,’ the truth may not be far.”
Prefect He hurried off to arrange it. The phrase “yin year, yin hour” is clearly related to Taoist divination of fortune and misfortune.
Bo Ruoyou said: “The old madam died in the Buddha hall. Yet Second Master and Third Master both left their own courtyards before meeting their deaths. Marquis, do you think the killer used these four words to lure them away?”
Huo Weilou nodded. “Especially Second Master’s actions — most peculiar.”
Second Master ignored his mother’s seventh-day rites, yet went to the remote Yaoyue Pavilion. Unless deliberately lured, there was no other explanation.
Huo Weilou continued: “When Zheng Wenchen saw those words, if they were mere trickery, he would have ordered an investigation. Instead, he swallowed the paper. And Zheng Wenyan chose to burn his, unwilling for others to see.
“These four words may be tied to the Zheng family’s past. The two brothers knew of it. Seeing the words, they tried to conceal the matter, but were slain by the killer.”
Then Huo Weilou called loudly: “Summon Zheng Wenan.”
Zheng Wenan entered quickly. Huo Weilou asked: “Does your household place strong faith in spirits?”
Zheng Wenan hesitated, then shook his head. “Not really. Only my mother believed in Buddha.”
Huo Weilou’s gaze was sharp. “Your two brothers both saw gold-flecked papers with phrases. One line read: ‘Yin year, yin hour, for my life to be repaid.’ After reading, one went to the Yaoyue Pavilion, the other left his quarters for the study. Both were murdered. Do you know the meaning of this phrase?”
Zheng Wen’an’s eyes dropped quickly, then lifted again. “Marquis, the day Mother passed — New Year’s Day — was considered inauspicious. After her death, several ritual masters were invited. When calculating the burial date, they said the first day was a yin day, and no good days were near. They advised keeping her in for forty-nine days. After that, there would be auspicious dates. So Third Brother decided to keep her body for forty-nine days before burial.”
Zheng Wen’an’s eyes flickered, his expression turning fearful. “Marquis, could it truly be Mother’s ghost harming people?”
Huo Weilou looked at him coldly. “Your second and third brothers have died in succession. Tell me — if the killer is not caught, in seven days, who do you think will be next?”
Zheng Wen’an’s face went pale. His lips pulled stiffly. “N-no… it won’t be me. I was Mother’s youngest, always filial. It could never be…”
Huo Weilou’s lips curved faintly. “Better so. You may leave.”
Zheng Wenan bowed and withdrew, his steps heavy, his back hunched.
The smile vanished instantly from Huo Weilou’s face, leaving only a chilling darkness in his eyes. “A fine performance. Keep watch on him. I suspect tonight he will go seek out Nanny Yu.”
Prefect He quickly obeyed, sweating again under Huo Weilou’s oppressive presence.
Bo Ruoyou stepped forward. “Marquis, sir, Third Master Zheng’s body still requires further examination.”
Huo Weilou ordered the guards at the door: “Take the body to the west courtyard, place it with Zheng Wenyan’s remains.”
The guards complied, lifting the corpse. As they carried it out, the Third Madam clutched Zheng Hao and rushed forward, wailing.
Huo Weilou did not stop her but led Bo Ruoyou toward the west courtyard. Just as they were about to leave the gate, a disheveled woman suddenly rushed in. Not looking where she went, she crashed heavily into Huo Weilou. He halted, while she herself fell to the ground.
For an instant, everyone froze, holding their breath, fearing he would be angered. But Huo Weilou only looked calmly at the woman on the ground. She glanced at him, then at Zheng Wenyan’s corpse not far away. Instead of fear, her eyes widened, and she let out a shrill, eerie laugh.