All the way in the carriage, Yao Shu kept thinking. The memories from her two nights of dreams seemed tied to the Yao family murder case, as if they were faintly sending her clues.
“Stop daydreaming—we’ve arrived.” Fu Xiujin’s calm voice broke her thoughts. As she lifted her skirt to step down, she stumbled slightly, and Fu Xiujin suddenly reached out to steady her.
Before Yao Shu could thank him, another man’s voice rang out first.
“Am I seeing things? Fu Xiujin, you actually helped a woman? Girl, who are you?”
Turning toward the voice, she saw a young man in a purple-gold brocade robe hurrying over. His features were bold and spirited, the very image of a dashing youth.
He slung an arm over Fu Xiujin’s shoulder, half leaning on him, craning his neck to peer at Yao Shu with wide-eyed curiosity.
Fu Xiujin calmly released Yao Shu’s hand and brushed the young man’s arm off his shoulder. “Deng Xunfeng, you must be too idle. Should I mention to Marquis Changning the fine work you’ve been doing in the barracks?”
“Don’t, don’t! Prince Su, spare me and my loose tongue. Come inside quickly—my grandfather’s been waiting and muttering for half an hour.”
After winking exaggeratedly at Fu Xiujin, Deng Xunfeng turned and introduced himself to Yao Shu. Only then did she learn he was Marquis Changning’s grandson, the legitimate son of General Deng Zhenwei.
Yao Shu politely introduced herself, saying only that she was a new coroner at the Court of Judicial Review, carefully omitting that she lived in the Prince’s residence. Deng Xunfeng asked curiously why Fu Xiujin had brought her to Marquis Changning’s estate, but before Yao Shu could think of an excuse, Fu Xiujin answered for her.
“She was indispensable in the Chen Suqing case. Without her discovery of the problem with the bones, Chen Suqing would not have been found so quickly. Marquis Changning wanted details, so I brought her along.”
“Who would have thought? Miss Yao is so capable.”
The three chatted idly as they passed through rock gardens and arrived at the flower hall. From a distance, Yao Shu saw a stern figure seated at a table, watching them approach.
The talkative Deng Xunfeng suddenly fell silent, instantly adopting a proper demeanor. His transformation was so swift that Yao Shu was stunned.
“Grandfather, I’ve brought your guests. I’ll be off now.”
“Hmph.” Marquis Changning rose with the aid of his cane. Deng Xunfeng bolted away, while Fu Xiujin quickened his pace to greet the elder.
“Xiujin, you’re steady as always. If that rascal Xunfeng had half your ability, I could die content.”
“Marquis Changning flatters me. Xunfeng only looks careless—he knows what he’s doing. You needn’t worry.”
Yao Shu stood quietly behind Fu Xiujin. From their conversation, she learned that Master Chen was Marquis Changning’s friend, and that it was Marquis Changning who had insisted that the Chen Suqing case be transferred from the capital yamen to the Court. Today’s visit was simply to report the case’s outcome.
When Fu Xiujin mentioned that Yao Shu had discovered the problem with the bones, Marquis Changning finally looked at her. Though aged, his gaze was sharp and commanding, making Yao Shu instinctively stand straight like a dutiful student.
“You’re a proper one. I’ll have Xunfeng bring you some silver later. Thanks to you, the girl was found—consider it a reward.”
At the mention of money, Yao Shu’s eyes lit up and she was about to say something gracious, but Fu Xiujin cut her off.
“This is the duty of a Court coroner. Marquis Changning need not trouble himself. Court officials cannot accept private gifts. She accepts your kindness in spirit.”
Damn! My little money!
Yao Shu cursed Fu Xiujin inwardly, but outwardly, she could only nod calmly in agreement.
Marquis Changning did not press the matter; instead, chatting with Fu Xiujin about family affairs. Yao Shu had hoped to glean something about the Yao family murder case, but heard nothing useful. Growing drowsy, she excused herself to use the latrine.
But the Marquis’s estate was decorated in such a traditional, uniform style that everywhere looked the same. After leaving the latrine, Yao Shu lost her way and wandered into another courtyard.
In the corner stood a tall locust tree, beside jagged rockeries. Beneath the tree lay a small stone tablet. Drawn by some strange impulse, Yao Shu walked toward it.