Suddenly called upon, Cheng Hang cleared his throat lightly to suppress a smile, hastily lifting his gaze and responding earnestly:
"There remain two paramount enigmas that have long eluded my understanding. The rooms of all the victims were sealed tight—doors and windows shut firmly. After the murderer committed the crime, how on earth did he escape? Could he possess the power to soar through the skies or vanish beneath the earth? Furthermore, the method by which the killer executed the murders baffles us still. How did he manage to render the victims utterly helpless, watching passively as their hearts were plucked from their chests without a single struggle?"
Lou Xiyan furrowed her brows deeply. This case was indeed a thorny puzzle. A whole month had passed, and yet Dan Yulan had not deciphered the killer's modus operandi. The allotted time was running perilously thin.
Lü Jin continued:
"Through our investigations, we uncovered several commonalities among the three victims. Firstly, all had recently ordered garments from Qiansi Pavilion's embroidery workshop. Secondly, each had been taking piano lessons with Su Mufeng during this period. Thirdly, all rooms were imbued with the scent of sandalwood incense."
Their suspicions now fell upon Su Mufeng. Zhuo Qing exchanged a glance with Lou Xiyan, who whispered with a wry smile:
"Minister Dan, we encountered Su Mufeng on the road just now and made a rather intriguing discovery."
"What might that be?" Dan Yulan's curiosity was piqued by Lou Xiyan's choice of words.
"He faints at the sight of blood."
Cheng Hang exclaimed softly:
"Is that even possible? Fainting at the sight of blood? What an odd affliction!"
Zhuo Qing chuckled softly, explaining:
"This is quite common. Many girls experience mild blood faintness. It is far rarer among men, but not unheard of. Su Mufeng's case is evidently severe."
"Could he be feigning it?" Lü Jin pondered. It seemed too coincidental that whenever they suspected him, he was discovered by Lou and company succumbing to blood faintness.
Zhuo Qing shook her head, her tone grave:
"Unlikely. His complexion turned pale and his limbs cold to the touch—it was no act. Moreover, according to the Su family's servants, he has suffered this condition since childhood."
Since childhood? Either the Su family was lying or this was irrefutable proof that Su Mufeng could not be the culprit. The breakthrough they had so painstakingly uncovered now lay in ruins.
At dawn, Zhuo Qing and Lou Xiyan breakfasted quietly in the flower hall when Mo Bai's cold, indifferent voice echoed outside the door:
"Master, the magistrate's officers seek an audience."
"Send them in."
Several days had passed with no news from Dan Yulan—could there finally be a breakthrough?
"Greetings, Minister Lou, Madam."
It was Cheng Hang who entered, his youthful face shadowed by undeniable worry. Zhuo Qing and Lou Xiyan exchanged a glance; his expression was rarely a harbinger of good tidings. Before they could inquire, Cheng Hang's voice sank low:
"Another incident occurred last night. The magistrate requested your immediate presence."
This was the fourth innocent woman to fall victim. Zhuo Qing's eyes narrowed sharply:
"Who is the victim this time?"
"The second young lady of Wu Zhigang, the Deputy Minister of Justice."
This time the killer struck directly at the heart of the Ministry of Justice. Each attack was swift and flawless. Could this not be the work of a lone assassin, but rather a coordinated organization targeting the upcoming celebration? Lou Xiyan fell into deep contemplation.
Zhuo Qing whispered:
"Let us go. We shall speak further once on the scene."
The three hurriedly departed the minister's residence. As Zhuo Qing prepared to board the carriage, a rapid series of galloping hoofbeats thundered closer. In the morning light, two towering, pure black steeds charged toward them at breakneck speed.
The horses moved so swiftly that one appeared to carry a tall figure, while the other seemed riderless. Lou Xiyan grasped Zhuo Qing's hand, retreating to the gates of the residence, while Mo Bai and Cheng Hang instinctively stepped forward, alert.
The steeds came to a screeching halt before the residence, nearly colliding with the waiting carriage. With a long neigh, two figures—one tall, one short—dismounted with agile grace.
Seeing the newcomers, Mo Bai coldly stepped aside, while Cheng Hang gaped at the delicate young woman before him.
Dressed in sleek black attire, the petite woman beside the horse appeared even more fragile. Her high-up hair revealed a face of exquisite beauty, marred only by a scar that sliced across one cheek, which somehow only heightened her fragile charm, eliciting sympathy rather than fear.
Their eyes met, and Cheng Hang was taken aback—such a lovely girl harbored such piercing, bloodshot eyes, betraying unmistakable weariness.
She brushed past him directly, heading toward Minister Lou's wife. Behind her stood—General Su Ling?
Gu Yun, expressionless and exhausted, approached her. Zhuo Qing stepped forward, smiling softly:
"You've finally returned."
It was the ninth morning, and Gu Yun's arrival was no surprise. Zhuo Qing discerned from her icy gaze and frigid demeanor that she had scarcely slept these past days. Her physical condition was extraordinary—where most would falter under fatigue, she remained razor-sharp, a paradox Zhuo Qing could not fathom.
Even Su Ling's return was unexpected. Zhuo Qing glanced at him, suppressing a smile with a gentle cough:
"General Su, are you well?"
Su Ling looked utterly haggard, far worse than Gu Yun—his black clothes rumpled, eyes bloodshot. Days of relentless pursuit had tangled his once-defiant hair into a wild knot, and his chiseled features resembled a bronze statue, radiating a deadly chill.
Su Ling's ice-cold gaze flicked toward her but remained silent. Zhuo Qing had anticipated as much and paid it no mind.
"What is the situation? What case are we dealing with?"
Gu Yun's hoarse voice made Zhuo Qing frown. The journey had clearly exhausted her. Lifting the carriage curtain, Zhuo Qing whispered:
"We're en route to the crime scene. We'll discuss matters along the way."
"Very well."
Gu Yun climbed aboard with decisive grace. From start to finish, she never glanced at Su Ling, as though they had arrived separately. Su Ling's expression grew colder still. Cheng Hang, slow to catch on, smiled awkwardly beside them:
"General Su, I didn't expect you'd be back in the capital. I've long admired the Su family's military renown, and—"
Before he finished, Su Ling had mounted his horse with a cold turn, galloping off in pursuit of the carriage. Cheng Hang stood embarrassed. Lou Xiyan stepped forward, patting his shoulder gently:
"Let's go. The general is probably just exhausted."
"True enough."
Su Ling certainly looked worn out. Cheng Hang's curiosity persisted:
"Minister Lou, who is that young lady?"
Lou Xiyan mounted the black horse left by Qing Mo, smiling faintly:
"She's the one you requested via pigeon post."
Watching the shadow closely tailing the carriage, Lou Xiyan's lips curled subtly. General Su's aversion to women seemed to be easing. The Qing family's daughters were indeed extraordinary.
"Qing Mo?!"
Cheng Hang finally recalled that figure, but with it being only the ninth morning, how had they returned so swiftly?
At the Wu residence, Cheng Hang burst breathlessly into Miss Wu's chamber:
"Master, Minister Lou and Madam have arrived, along with Miss Qing Mo and General Su."
He had hurried desperately to catch up. Those two Qing ladies moved remarkably fast!
Dan Yulan cast a cold glance his way. Cheng Hang's haste and clumsiness were baffling today.
Before he could speak further, Lou Xiyan and Zhuo Qing appeared at the doorway. Dan Yulan bowed slightly:
"Minister Lou, Madam."
The heavy scent of blood lingered in the air before they even entered. Zhuo Qing merely nodded in acknowledgment, then asked gravely:
"Where is the deceased?"
"Still on the bed."
He had not expected their swift arrival. They had only just arrived themselves. Zhuo Qing nodded and hastened into the inner chamber.
"Master Dan."
A hoarse female voice sounded behind Lou Xiyan. He shifted slightly, and Dan Yulan caught sight of the black-clad woman behind him.
It was truly Qing Mo. A flicker of surprise crossed Dan Yulan's eyes—it was indeed only the ninth day, just as Qing Ling had said she would appear.
The woman was truly astonishing. Concealing his astonishment, Dan Yulan bowed slightly:
"Miss Qing, I apologize for causing you to rush back so urgently."
With a slight wave, Gu Yun dismissed him curtly:
"No need for formalities, Master Dan. I already know the basic situation. I will first examine the crime scene. We can discuss the details later."
She stepped into the room but did not enter the inner chamber immediately. Instead, she surveyed the central hall beyond the screen, as if searching for something unseen.
Lou Xiyan stood silently at the door, flanked by the ever-silent Su Ling. Dan Yulan frowned slightly:
"General Su was supposed to be eradicating bandits. Why such a commotion today?"
"Finished."
The words dropped like ice, chilling the air. Su Ling's dark eyes fixed cold
ly on Dan Yulan, who dared not meet his gaze.
Lou Xiyan inhaled deeply, steadying herself. The investigation had entered a decisive phase. The truth was close, yet still elusive.
Her mind raced: The killer's identity, the method of entry and escape, the strange combination of incense and piano lessons... All were pieces of a vast, tangled puzzle.
Suddenly, a cold breeze swept through the open windows, stirring the sandalwood incense into a pale smoke that swirled in the sunlight.
The answer was near.
But the question remained—how long before it all came crashing down?