Zheng Wenyàn had not yet grasped what *datura* was when Huo Weilou asked: “After the old madam’s death, was incense burned in the censer?”
Zheng Wenyàn shook his head blankly. “After Mother passed, we were busy with her funeral. Only a few of her personal relics were collected from the Buddha Hall. Nothing else was touched.”
Huo Weilou’s brows furrowed. Datura in the Yaoyue Pavilion, and now in the Buddha Hall — could it be the same killer?
He turned to Prefect He. “You searched the Buddha Hall before. Why did you notice nothing?”
Earlier, though Zheng Wenyàn had withheld Zheng Wenchen’s corpse from examination, he had allowed access to places connected to the old madam. Prefect He wiped his brow. “At that time, the constables searched. The incense ash had already burned out, so they found nothing unusual.”
Bo Ruoyou hesitated, then spoke softly: “Datura, once burned, leaves almost no scent. Only the ash changes color. Without medical knowledge and experience, ordinary people cannot detect it.”
Huo Weilou glanced at her, as if to speak but held back. Then he asked Zheng Wenyàn: “Are all the household members gathered?”
He had arrived yesterday afternoon, spending much time examining the corpse, and had not yet summoned everyone. Judging from the situation, most of the household had the opportunity to commit the crime — but the motive remained unclear.
Zheng Wenyàn quickly replied: “They are all gathered now, waiting in the flower hall.”
“Take the incense ash away,” Huo Weilou ordered Prefect He, then said to Zheng Wenyàn: “You lead the way.”
Bo Ruoyou did not follow this time. As a coroner, she excelled at examining bodies and evidence, but rarely confronted suspects directly. She sifted through the incense ash again. The amount was small. Something occurred to her, and she went to the surrounding windows. At the northwest corner, where the old madam copied scriptures, she found a tear in the paper — a small hole, blackened by smoke.
Prefect He came over and saw it too.
Bo Ruoyou said: “The killer knew the old madam was copying scriptures. He first used a drug, but it did not fully incapacitate her. She bore no external injuries, proving no violence was used. Most likely, he provoked her until her illness flared, saving him the effort.”
Then she asked: “Sir, does the household have a medicine store?”
Prefect He quickly answered: “There should be.”
Most noble households kept a pharmacy for emergencies. Bo Ruoyou said: “Datura is rare and not used for common ailments. Buying it outside would draw attention. But if the household pharmacy contained it, the killer would have had easy access.”
Bo Ruoyou paused, then continued: “In fact, by using datura, the killer’s method becomes rather clumsy. This drug is not hard to detect. Once discovered, the idea of a ghostly murder collapses. So why would the killer bother disguising themselves as the old madam?”
Prefect He, hearing this, ordered the constables: “Go ask if the household has a pharmacy.”
The constables quickly obeyed. Such things were common knowledge. They asked a steward and soon returned: “Sir, the household does indeed have a pharmacy.”
Prefect He felt reassured. “Come, let’s inform the Marquis.”
With Marquis Wuzhao present in the estate, such matters had to be reported. Bo Ruoyou followed Prefect He toward the flower hall. As they approached, they saw the hall crowded with people, all dressed in mourning white — the household masters.
At the doorway, they heard Huo Weilou’s deep voice: “Where is the First Madam?”
Bo Ruoyou glanced inside. She saw the Second Madam and Zheng Xiao, then Zheng Wenyàn with another woman beside him, accompanied by a boy of seven or eight — likely the Third Madam and Zheng Wenyàn’s son. At the back stood Zheng Wen’an and his wife. At the front, however, stood only a tall girl of fifteen or sixteen. From her noble bearing and dignified features, Bo Ruoyou guessed she was Zheng Yunní, the eldest daughter, soon to be married to the Second Prince.
“Marquis, my mother is gravely ill. She cannot receive guests at present.” Zheng Yunní’s voice was graceful. Though young and female, her position in the household was weighty.
Huo Weilou frowned slightly, turning to a guard. The guard, having already investigated the household, whispered something in his ear. Huo Weilou’s brows eased, but he did not press further.
“The deaths of the old madam and Zheng Wenchen — you all know of them. At first, it was uncertain whether they were homicides. Now it is certain: both were killed. And unless there is proof otherwise, every one of you had the opportunity.”
The words made faces pale. Zheng Yunní spoke: “Marquis, on the night of grandmother’s death, perhaps. But on the night of Second Uncle’s death, we were all at grandmother’s mourning hall. We can testify for each other.”
Others nodded in agreement. Huo Weilou looked at Zheng Yunní, his expression dark. She stood tall, relying on her status. Her fear of him was less than Zheng Wenyàn’s. After all, if she became consort to the Second Prince, she would not need to kneel before Huo Weilou. Everyone knew the Emperor favored the noble consort’s son. If the Second Prince were named crown prince, perhaps even Huo Weilou would one day bow to her.
At that moment, Prefect He entered, whispered a few words to Huo Weilou. His eyes narrowed, then turned toward Bo Ruoyou. She had stopped at the doorway, observing proper decorum by not entering. His glance drew everyone’s attention. Seeing a beautiful young woman standing outside, their expressions shifted.
Then Huo Weilou asked: “Who manages the household pharmacy?”
At this moment, Zheng Wenyàn stepped forward. “Marquis, I am the one in charge.”
Huo Weilou gave him a long, penetrating look, then turned to Prefect He.
Prefect He beckoned Zheng Wenyàn aside, whispered something to him. Zheng Wenyàn’s face changed. “I recall now — the estate pharmacy does indeed contain this medicine. But the key is always with me. Without it, the pharmacy cannot be opened.”
Prefect He immediately said: “Then, Third Master, please send someone to fetch the key at once. I will soon take men to inspect the pharmacy.”
Zheng Wenyàn summoned a personal attendant, gave instructions, and the man departed.
Inside the hall, Huo Weilou declared: “From this moment, everyone will enter the side hall one by one. I have questions to ask.”
Huo Weilou rose and went into the side hall, followed by Eunuch Fu and Prefect He. The flower hall was left with the Embroidered Guards watching.
Bo Ruoyou, conscious of her lowly status, remained waiting outside. Soon, Eunuch Fu came out of the side hall and beckoned her. “Miss Bo, come—”
Surprised, Bo Ruoyou entered under the gaze of the Zheng family. She had barely taken her place when Zheng Yunni walked in. Huo Weilou sat coldly at the head, with Eunuch Fu and Prefect He standing at his sides. Yet it was not he who asked the questions.
Eunuch Fu smiled. “Eldest Miss, may I ask — on the night of the old madam’s death, where were you?”
Zheng Yunni’s features were refined, her bearing elegant, every movement showing fine upbringing. Tall for a woman, she stood composed, chin lifted. Though Eunuch Fu questioned her, her eyes rested on Huo Weilou, as if only he had the right to ask. “That night, Second Uncle quarreled with Grandmother. I left before the New Year’s feast, returned to my quarters, washed, and rested. I did not leave my room all night. Only at dawn, when I heard Grandmother had passed, did I rush to the Buddha Hall. My maids, Mò Shū and Huà Yì, can testify, as can the other girls in my courtyard.”
Huo Weilou did not look at her. His left thumb wore a black jade ring, which he idly turned.
Eunuch Fu asked again: “And on the night Second Master died?”
Zheng Yunni glanced at him, her tone edged with impatience. “I already said — that night we were all at Grandmother’s mourning hall. It was the seventh day, and rituals had to be performed.”
Eunuch Fu’s smile did not waver. “All of you? Eldest Miss, are you certain?”
A shadow flickered in her eyes. She glanced at Huo Weilou, then restrained herself. “Fifth Uncle and Aunt arrived first, then I, then Second Aunt and Zheng Xiao, then Third Aunt and Zheng Hao, and finally Third Uncle. Second Uncle never came. We thought it strange. Third Uncle sent someone to look. Soon word came that Second Uncle had gone into the Yaoyue Pavilion, locked the door, and would not answer.”
“I did not want to interfere, but the report was odd, and Second Uncle was needed for the ritual. So I went with the others to the pavilion…”
Eunuch Fu asked: “When you went, did everyone go together?”
Zheng Yunni frowned. “No. Third Uncle stayed behind, since the ritual masters were still present and he had to host them. But when the incident happened, he did come.”
Eunuch Fu pressed: “Be clear, Eldest Miss. Did Third Master arrive before Second Master fell, or after?”
Her brows knit tighter. She glanced again at Huo Weilou, then said with restraint: “I do not know. I was at the front. When the accident happened, everyone panicked. I turned, and Third Uncle was there. I cannot say when he arrived.” Her lips pressed together, her chin lifted higher.
Eunuch Fu glanced at Huo Weilou, then smiled and said: “Very well, Eldest Miss, that will be all. When you leave, send in the Second Madam and the eldest young master.”
Zheng Yunni looked once more at Huo Weilou, who had never met her gaze, seeming dissatisfied. Yet she bowed and withdrew.
As soon as she left, Eunuch Fu sighed, his smile tinged with helplessness. Bo Ruoyou sensed a faint trace of mockery in it.
The Second Madam and Zheng Xiao entered.
Compared to yesterday, the Second Madam looked even more haggard. Zheng Xiao’s eyes kept darting toward Bo Ruoyou. Huo Weilou raised his gaze, and at once the Second Madam’s expression faltered.
Eunuch Fu remained kindly. “Second Madam, do not fear. These are simple questions. If you wish to know why Second Master died, answer truthfully.”
She nodded. Zheng Xiao clutched her gown nervously, half hiding behind her.
Eunuch Fu asked: “On the night of the old madam’s death, when did Second Master leave you? And in what mood?”
The Second Madam did not look at Eunuch Fu or Huo Weilou. Her eyes fixed on the floor two feet ahead, her voice weak as a mosquito’s buzz.
“He… he left at the hour of the boar. He was angry when he left…”
“Did he say anything extreme?”
“He… he only said, why did mother go back on her word…”
Huo Weilou lifted his head.
The Second Madam pressed her lips. “He said mother had promised to pass the title to him, and told him to change his temper. At New Year, she should have submitted the memorial to request his investiture. But she delayed. He said she broke her promise.”
Eunuch Fu’s face grew more serious. “And then?”
“Then he slammed the door and left. The next morning, when we learned Mother had died, we saw him at the Buddha Hall. He looked haggard, as if hungover. Third Brother asked where he had been. He stammered that he was in the study. But Third Brother said he had sent food and wine there, and found no one. He accused him of lying. They quarreled, and then reported to the authorities.”
At this point, the Second Madam suddenly lifted her eyes. Bloodshot, they seemed ready to weep blood. “But he would never kill! Third Brother insists it was him, only to seize the title. He even demanded we hand over Mother’s memorial. That proves she truly intended to petition for my husband’s investiture. It is Third Brother who was anxious. If anyone killed, it was not my husband…” Her tears spilled. Zheng Xiao’s mouth trembled, about to cry as well.
Just then, a constable appeared at the door. Prefect He hurried forward. After hearing a few words, he quickly returned to Huo Weilou, face grave. “Third Master cannot find the pharmacy key. He says it is missing.”
Huo Weilou’s hand paused on the black jade ring he had been idly turning. He raised his eyes and asked: “Last night — why did Zheng Xiao say Zheng Wenyàn was an ill-omened man?”