Huo Weilou walked toward Bo Ruoyou. In the dim lantern light, he seemed as though he had stepped out of a snowy night. His phoenix eyes were cold, as if the stars of the dark sky had fallen into them. Meeting his gaze, Bo Ruoyou felt she might be drawn into the abyss within.
Zheng Xiao was so frightened he forgot to cry, hiding at once behind Bo Ruoyou.
Bo Ruoyou rose, her lips moving slightly before she chose to bow her head in obedience. “Greetings, Marquis.”
Huo Weilou stopped before her, his deep eyes sweeping over her face, then past her to the boy behind. “What did you just say?”
Zheng Xiao clung tightly to Bo Ruoyou’s hand, unwilling to step out. Huo Weilou frowned.
Bo Ruoyou quickly turned to coax him: “Do not be afraid, young master. You promised me you would tell the Marquis what you just said. Now he is here. For your father’s sake, be brave and speak.”
Her voice was gentle, like soothing a younger brother. Zheng Xiao looked up at her, then nodded hesitantly.
Still clutching her hand, he timidly faced Huo Weilou. “My… my father was not a bad man. Third Uncle was. He wanted the title too. After Father died, Third Uncle forced Mother to hand over the memorial Grandmother had prepared to send to the capital. But Mother and I knew nothing of such a memorial. Third Uncle even sent men to search Father’s study. He must have known Grandmother intended Father to inherit the title. So he killed Grandmother, then killed Father…”
Huo Weilou listened intently, then asked: “Your grandmother intended to pass the title to your father?”
Zheng Xiao nodded quickly. “Though Grandmother and Father often quarreled, she once told him privately that his temper was too hot. The delay in granting the title was only to temper his nature.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Zheng Xiao added: “And even if Grandmother did not pass the title to Father, she would never give it to Third Uncle.”
Bo Ruoyou frowned at this. Of the two brothers she had seen today — Third Master and Fifth Master — both were lords of the household. Yet compared to Fifth Master, Third Master was clearly the one in charge, more polished and smooth. The Fifth Master had barely spoken all day, obviously only supporting the Third Master.
“Why would the title never pass to your Third Uncle?”
This was Bo Ruoyou’s question. Zheng Xiao looked at her and said: “Because Third Uncle is an ill-omened man. Grandmother never favored him since childhood. If Eldest Uncle had not suddenly died, Third Uncle would never have come to power in the household.”
Ill-omened man? Bo Ruoyou’s eyes darkened, puzzled as she looked at Zheng Xiao.
At this moment, Huo Weilou asked: “Who taught you to say these things?”
Zheng Xiao’s gaze flickered. Under Huo Weilou’s piercing eyes, even adults would falter — how much more a child? At last, Zheng Xiao could not withstand it and whispered: “It… it was Mother who said it. But it’s true! If the Marquis does not believe me, he can ask others in the household, ask Nanny Yu — they all know.”
Zheng Xiao was clever. Though young, he knew how to flatter, how to judge who was approachable, and spoke fluently. Yet the details he revealed today were far too intricate for a child alone to perceive. Huo Weilou understood that an adult was behind this.
Zheng Xiao lowered his head further and further. Just then, footsteps approached. Eunuch Fu and two Embroidered Guards hurried from the corridor, panting. “Marquis, why are you here? The Yaoyue Pavilion is already secured…”
So Huo Weilou had gone there first, which explained why he arrived later at the junction.
Eunuch Fu looked at Bo Ruoyou and Zheng Xiao. “What is going on here?”
Huo Weilou pointed at Zheng Xiao. “Send him back.”
Zheng Xiao’s face changed. One of the guards stepped forward, grasping his wrist lightly but firmly. Zheng Xiao struggled, unable to break free, clinging to Bo Ruoyou’s hand, looking at her for help.
Bo Ruoyou quickly said: “Young Master, it is late. The Marquis has heard all you said. Tomorrow he will investigate. Your father was indeed murdered, but trust that the Marquis will find the killer.”
Her assurance calmed Zheng Xiao somewhat. He hesitated, then leaned close to whisper: “Thank you, Elder Sister. You must help me…”
He cast a glance at Huo Weilou. A child cannot hide his thoughts — his face clearly showed he believed Bo Ruoyou and Huo Weilou shared some special closeness. Bo Ruoyou’s back stiffened instantly.
Zheng Xiao looked back three times as he was led away. Eunuch Fu glanced between Huo Weilou and Bo Ruoyou, certain that something had happened that he did not know.
Bo Ruoyou was still troubled, wondering how to explain the misunderstanding, but Huo Weilou turned away without expression. As he walked, he ordered the remaining guard: “Keep watch on Zheng Wenyàn’s courtyard tonight as well.”
Eunuch Fu did not leave immediately. He grinned at Bo Ruoyou: “Miss Bo, don’t take offense. My lord Marquis is always like this — every time he handles a case, he’s like the King of Hell, showing no mercy. This time, he came in haste, without his usual coroner. Fortunately, you are here to help. Though he seems cold and distant, the Marquis values talent. Do not be afraid.”
Facing Huo Weilou, Bo Ruoyou felt some caution, but truly no fear. She was not part of officialdom, had no rank for him to strip away — what was there to fear?
“Thank you, Eunuch. Rest assured, I am not afraid.”
Eunuch Fu smiled kindly, his face almost benevolent. “Rare, truly rare. Go rest now. Tomorrow will be busy.”
Bo Ruoyou bowed, then turned toward the small courtyard at the end of the corridor. She not only did not fear Huo Weilou, but she hardly thought of him at all. The case was already half uncovered; once it was solved, Huo Weilou might never return to Qingzhou, and they would never meet again. What did it matter how intimidating he seemed now?
Moreover, against a powerful household like the Marquis Anqing’s, only someone of Huo Weilou’s rank, wielding thunderous methods and showing no leniency, could keep control. One need only look at how Prefect He had been obstructed at every turn for half a month to understand.
Lost in thought, Bo Ruoyou reached the courtyard gate. It was half open, a faint light glowing within. She was about to call out when the door was pulled open, revealing a round face with almond eyes and rosy cheeks.
“I am Chun Tao, greeting Miss. I am the maid assigned to serve you here.”
Chun Tao wore a plain blue jacket, looking about eleven or twelve years old. Her expression showed a simple nature. She eagerly welcomed Bo Ruoyou inside, showing her the warm chamber and bedroom, then served her supper.
Bo Ruoyou subtly asked a few questions, and Chun Tao found her gentle and kind, speaking freely. In less than an hour, they were already like true mistress and maid.
After bathing, Chun Tao admired Bo Ruoyou’s long black hair, saying: “I had hoped to serve the old madam longer, to secure a good future. But who could have expected such a tragedy?”
Chun Tao had entered the old madam’s household half a year ago as a low-ranking maid. After the old madam’s death, her servants were dispersed. Chun Tao, being young and unskilled, had gone unassigned for half a month. Now, with the guest courtyard needing attendants, the steward had placed her here.
Hearing her mention the old madam, Bo Ruoyou asked: “After the old madam passed, was it Third Master who took charge of the household?”
Chun Tao nodded, then shook her head. “At first, not exactly. In the first few days, Second Master also managed affairs. But since some said the old madam’s death was connected to him, gradually it was Third Master who took charge.”
Bo Ruoyou’s eyes narrowed. “I saw Third Master treating people with great courtesy. The old madam had five sons — surely she favored him most in life?”
Chun Tao thought for a moment. “I never felt that. The old madam was devoted to Buddhism, her nature very detached. She treated all the masters about the same. Only, the Second Master had a bad temper and sometimes quarreled with her. As for Third and Fifth Masters, they were really much alike.”
Chun Tao had only been in the household for two years. Zheng Xiao had just said Zheng Wenyàn was born unlucky — that would require asking the older servants. Knowing she could not learn much from Chun Tao, Bo Ruoyou asked instead: “The eldest young lady’s marriage — was it prepared long in advance?”
At this, Chun Tao brightened. “Yes! The young lady’s marriage is the most important matter in the household. Her wedding gown was sewn last year by more than ten embroiderers, taking half a year to finish. Our young lady is marrying the Second Prince. I heard the dowry alone filled more than ten ships sent to the capital—”
“Oh? The young lady’s betrothal to the Second Prince is quite a story. They say that when Madam was first pregnant, she was still in the capital. Once, at a palace banquet, she saved the Second Prince when he fell into a lake. He was only four or five then, and remained unconscious after being rescued. Even the imperial physicians were helpless. The Noble Consort, desperate, summoned the Imperial Astronomer to divine his fate. The divination said the one who saved him was his destined lucky star — as long as she stayed by his side, he would awaken.”
“Madam kept vigil by him all night. And indeed, the Second Prince awoke! The Noble Consort was deeply grateful. Seeing that Madam was pregnant, she said that if the child were a girl, she would be betrothed to the prince. She even asked His Majesty to witness it. Later, when the young lady was born, the childhood betrothal was set. Last year, His Majesty formally granted the marriage, and preparations began at once. Isn’t it legendary?”
Bo Ruoyou was slightly surprised. She had not expected such a tale behind what seemed a perfectly matched union. “So that’s how it is. Truly like fate itself.”
Chun Tao beamed. “Exactly — a heaven-sent match.”
“And who oversees the wedding preparations?”
Chun Tao hesitated briefly. “It should be Third Master. He does seem steady. I heard when the dowry was sent, he accompanied it for half the journey.”
The marriage of the eldest young lady and the Second Prince was the most important matter of the Marquis’s household. That the old madam entrusted it to Zheng Wenyàn showed she did have some trust in him. So Zheng Xiao’s claim that the old madam disliked him and that he was ill-omened — was it true or not?
Bo Ruoyou asked: “Does Third Master get along well with his brothers?”
Chun Tao hesitated. “I suppose so. He seems to have a good temper and is kind to everyone.”
Bo Ruoyou thought for a moment, then realized she had not yet seen Fourth Master. “Fourth Master is said to be traveling and not yet returned. What kind of person is he?”
This truly stumped Chun Tao. “That, I do not know. I’ve been in the Marquis’s household for two years, and I’ve never seen Fourth Master once. Others say he never lived here since childhood, and in all these years, he has returned home only a handful of times.”
Bo Ruoyou frowned. A noble son of the Marquis’s house, yet never living here since childhood?
She felt the household was grand and prosperous, yet full of hidden secrets. Though curious, she thought Fourth Master’s absence meant he was unlikely to be connected to the case, so she did not ask further. Exhausted from the day, she soon went to bed.
Meanwhile, in another guest courtyard, Eunuch Fu sighed. “Originally, the Marquis did not intend to stay long. But now it seems he will remain until the case is solved?”
Huo Weilou replied: “With only He Cheng, solving this case would be near impossible.”
Fresh from bathing, Huo Weilou had changed into a robe. Damp black hair hung over his shoulders, softening his usual severity. He leafed through official papers, faint weariness lingering in his brow.
Eunuch Fu said: “Prefect He does have diligence, but against a great household like the Marquis Anqing, he cannot prevail. Only with you here does Third Master behave more obediently.”
Then Eunuch Fu added: “Still, it is rare that Prefect He discovered such a treasure of a coroner in Miss Bo.”
Huo Weilou’s hand paused over the papers. “What is her name?”
Eunuch Fu smiled. “Ruoyou — Bo Ruoyou. Truly, her name suits her. They say she is from Qingshan County, but she seems unlike it, with the bearing of a noble lady. And she is beautiful.”
Huo Weilou’s brows furrowed tighter, as if recalling something. Eunuch Fu continued: “Especially such a young lady, with the air of a noble daughter, yet possessing such skill in autopsy — it is astonishing. Most importantly, she is not afraid of you, Marquis. I have not seen such courage in years. Only pity that she lost her parents early — she is quite unfortunate.”
At last, Huo Weilou lifted his gaze from the papers. “What are you trying to say?”
Eunuch Fu chuckled, stepped forward, and pulled the papers from Huo Weilou’s hand. “Marquis, you’ve truly exhausted yourself on this journey. It’s time to rest, or else I won’t be able to explain to His Majesty when we return.”
The reigning Emperor Jianhe was Huo Weilou’s maternal uncle. Hearing this, Huo Weilou rubbed his brow, rose, and walked into the inner chamber.
Eunuch Fu, satisfied, murmured softly to himself: “If she were still alive… she would be about her age now…”
At dawn the next day, Bo Ruoyou rose as usual. Opening the window, she saw fresh snow had fallen overnight, the sky still heavy and gray.
Chun Tao was still asleep in the warm chamber. Bo Ruoyou ate a little of last night’s pastries, then left the courtyard. She wanted to revisit Zheng Wénchén’s mourning hall and examine the body again before He Cheng or Huo Weilou summoned her.
The estate was silent — partly because it was early, partly because Huo Weilou had ordered it sealed. The cold bit sharply. Breathing into her hands, Bo Ruoyou turned a corner and suddenly halted. In the southwest, she spotted a tall three-story pavilion. She was certain it was the Yaoyue Pavilion, where Zheng Wénchén had fallen to his death. Her heart stirred, and she approached. Two Embroidered Guards stood watch at the front. Looking up, she saw the pavilion towering higher than ordinary wooden buildings, its base paved with white jade tiles. A fall from the third floor would almost certainly be fatal.
Unable to enter, she circled to the back. She did not believe in ghostly murder — but how had the killer entered the pavilion, and how had they escaped under so many eyes? Perhaps outside the building lay clues.
Behind the pavilion, she looked up. The third-floor terrace encircled the structure, bordered by red lacquered railings carved with cloud patterns. The second-floor windows were sealed, with a sloping roof around them. Soon her sharp eyes noticed something unusual: On the ornate eaves, two gray tiles were missing.
She quickly lowered her gaze, searching the ground. Snow lay thick, so she bent down to dig. Just then, she heard a creaking sound above. At first, the wind masked it, but unease rose within her.
She looked up sharply — and saw a beam drop from the third-floor railing, plunging straight toward her.
The rush of air was sharper than the winter wind. Instinctively, she shut her eyes. It was falling too fast — impossible to dodge!
Bo Ruoyou had already braced herself for the beam to strike. But just as she closed her eyes, a sudden gust swept from behind. In the next instant, a strong arm encircled her waist and pulled her back.
With a deafening crash, the massive beam — thick enough for a man to embrace — fell, grazing the tip of her nose before smashing into the ground. Snow sprayed, the echo thundered in her ears. Rigid with shock, Bo Ruoyou opened her eyes to see a deep pit gouged into the snow before her. Instinctively, she turned — and fell straight into the cold, piercing phoenix eyes she had met the night before.