Chapter 47 : Clues and Traces, The Left-Handed Man
47: Clues and Traces, The Left-Handed Man
"This is the Song family young lady's wedding gown!"
Yue Ning's voice held astonishment. That day, she too had stood very close by and had seen it extremely clearly.
Yue Qing glanced at the vivid red wedding gown in his hand, an involuntary shudder running through him. Yet, in front of Qin Wan, it wouldn't do to simply throw the gown away. He stiffened his neck and said, "Why would her wedding gown appear here?"
As Yue Qing's words fell, his gaze settled on Qin Wan.
Everyone was looking at the wedding gown in his hand. Only Qin Wan had already moved to the edge of the flower bed. She had taken a lantern herself and was carefully searching for something within the flower bed, head bowed.
However, with her long skirt and holding the lantern in one hand while lifting her hem with the other, moving about was quite inconvenient.
Suddenly, the lantern in Qin Wan's hand was taken by another hand.
Qin Wan turned her eyes, meeting Yan Chi's deep, phoenix-like gaze.
Their eyes met. Yan Chi's expression was as unmoving as a mountain. Qin Wan pressed her lips together briefly without further comment. With one hand holding her skirt and the other parting the monthly rose bushes, her gaze was sharp as a torch.
"Could it be that her spirit attached itself to the wedding gown?" Jiang‑shi, after all, was an inner household woman who still believed in Buddhism, Taoism, and those supernatural tales. "I've heard before that after death, if someone wishes to return to the mortal world, they often attach their spirit to a very personal object. Miss Song died wearing her wedding gown that day. I'm afraid... I'm afraid she blames our marquis's estate..."
"Mistress, what ghosts and spirits are you talking about? Didn't you hear what Ninth Young Miss said? It's most likely a person."
With Yue Qiong saying this, Jiang‑shi's expression steadied somewhat. She looked again at Fuling's frightened face. "Girl, tell us, what exactly happened?"
Fuling's eyes were slightly red, her voice trembling lightly. "Just after you left, Mistress, Miss and this servant were speaking for a while. When I glanced up, I saw the Song family's young lady standing outside. It was pitch black outside the window, but her wedding gown was a startling, vivid red. She had somehow appeared outside our window without us knowing. Her gown was worn perfectly, hands clasped before her, standing gracefully as if a living person. But she... she was like that day in the sedan... she had no... no head..."
As Fuling spoke, fear flickered again in her eyes. Jiang‑shi and Yue Ning, picturing the scene she described, also felt a chill run down their spines. Just as they were about to speak further, Qin Wan turned from a corner of the flower bed. "Marquis, please look here."
Yue Qiong hurried forward. He saw Qin Wan pointing at the section of flower bed before her. "That person was very careful, leaving almost no footprints. But look, Marquis. These few clusters of monthly roses have entire blooms wilted and fallen, and the petals are scattered in one direction. It must have been brushed by that person in haste. And here..."
Qin Wan pointed to the roof tiles atop the rear wall. "There are two marks on the moss here, as if stepped on."
The monthly roses in the flower bed were at the very end of their blooming season, at their most vibrant peak. Many flower buds hung heavy on the branches, seemingly on the verge of wilting. Yet, looking across, not a single one was fully wilted and fallen. Only the clusters Qin Wan pointed at were bare, stripped down to just the flower centers, as if someone had torn them off in handfuls. Strangely, the fallen petals were scattered in one direction.
Before her was Plum Garden's rear wall. Ordinarily, no one tended to it daily, so the moss covered the entire expanse of roof tiles. But in two places, there were marks of being pressed or stepped on.
Wherever something occurs, traces will be left. After speaking, Qin Wan turned to look at Yan Chi. "Can His Highness the Heir discern how these marks were made?"
Yan Chi hadn't expected Qin Wan to ask him. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a faint, shimmering light appearing in their depths. "This wall isn't high. Someone with martial skills could leap up and scale over it. Any ordinary practitioner of martial arts could manage it."
Qin Wan turned her gaze back to Yue Qiong. "Marquis, this matter is definitely the work of a person. Regardless of why this person dressed up like this to come here, this incident is undoubtedly connected to the case of the Song family's young lady."
She paused slightly, then looked at Yue Qing. "Second Young Master, could I take a look at the wedding gown?"
Yue Qing was more than willing. He hurried forward, spreading the gown out on his hands. Concerned that Qin Wan might be afraid, he didn't hand it directly to her but held it conveniently for her inspection. Qin Wan also felt this was quite convenient and proceeded to examine it, turning it over on his hands.
Yan Chi, holding the lantern nearby, narrowed his eyes, his gaze deepening.
After some examination, the wedding gown appeared brand new, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood. Evidently, it had been perfumed but never worn. Turning it over again, Qin Wan suddenly noticed a tiny, faint dark stain on the left sleeve cuff.
The wedding gown was a vivid, luxurious red, made of extremely high-quality material. Why would there be this slight imperfection on the left sleeve cuff?
Looking closer, Qin Wan was even more surprised to find a half-inch-long pulled thread beside the stain. Both the imperfection and the pulled thread were very inconspicuous. If one weren't examining it this closely, they would be extremely difficult to spot.
"Ninth Young Miss, what is it?" Yue Qing, being closest, couldn't help but ask.
Qin Wan hadn't yet reasoned out the origin of this tiny flaw in her mind. She examined other areas but found no other issues. She shook her head and looked at Yue Qiong. "Might I ask, Marquis, after the incident, where was Miss Song sent? And where is her wedding gown?"
Yue Qiong's gaze intensified. "Miss Song was sent to the mortuary. The wedding gown is still on her person."
The wedding gown was still on Song Rou? Then where did this set of wedding gowns come from?
Qin Wan lowered her eyes for a moment, then suddenly said, "How many of the Song family escorts for the wedding procession are staying at the estate? I suspect they likely prepared two sets of wedding gowns for Song Rou. This one is most likely among the luggage they brought!"
The Song family was a noble house from the capital. Song Rou was marrying far away. Preparing two wedding gowns as a precaution against mishaps on the journey was not at all strange.
Seeing that Qin Wan had released the gown and stepped back two paces from Yue Qing, Yan Chi finally withdrew his gaze. He looked toward the area beyond the courtyard wall. "What is behind this wall?"
Yue Qing promptly answered. "Behind is the estate's West Garden, not far from the Mirror Lake within the grounds."
Hearing this location, it was clear it was a place people within the estate could freely come and go. Qin Wan understood Yan Chi's implication. After a brief contemplation, she looked at Yue Qiong. "I do not know the details of the case regarding Miss Song. However, since this wedding gown is here, this matter is most likely related to someone from Duke Song's household. I heard the wedding escorts are all staying within the estate. Among them, those skilled in martial arts are particularly suspect. Also, Marquis, you could inquire whether they prepared a second wedding gown. If they indeed did, go check if that gown is still there..."
Yue Qiong's eyes darkened. "Regarding Miss Song's case, the Prefect still has no leads. However, I never imagined such an incident would occur within the estate. I'll send a message immediately for the Prefect to come to the estate. This matter might aid his investigation."
Qin Wan thought the same. Yue Qiong asked further, "Ninth Young Miss must have been frightened just now. Are you feeling unwell?"
Qin Wan quickly shook her head, glancing at Fuling not far away. "Only Fuling received a fright. I am fine. Marquis need not worry." She paused, then smiled wryly. "It's just, I don't know why they came to Plum Garden."
Yue Qiong's eyes also darkened. Song Rou's death had absolutely no connection to Qin Wan. What was this person's intention?
Too many things couldn't be pondered for now. Yue Qiong turned and instructed Yue Jia. "Send a message to the Prefect immediately, requesting his presence. Also, send people to search the estate grounds, see if any suspicious persons are about."
Yue Jia assented and left. Only then did Yue Qiong look apologetically at Qin Wan. "Inviting Ninth Young Miss here was originally for my mother's illness. Yet now we've allowed you to suffer such a fright. I truly am remiss..."
Qin Wan hurriedly bowed slightly. "The Marquis is too kind." She then glanced at Fuling, whose eyes were still red. "However, I'm afraid Plum Garden might not be suitable for resting tonight. I wonder if there is another place in the estate to stay?"
Qin Wan could still settle her mind, but Fuling had been terrified badly. Qin Wan worried she might fall ill from the fright. Moreover, Plum Garden wasn't safe. Thus, it was best to change lodgings for the night. As soon as Qin Wan's words fell, Yue Ning strode over. "Stay at my place!"
Jiang‑shi also came over. "Ning'er has a warm chamber in her quarters where you can rest. I'm just afraid you might find it cramped, Wan'er..."
Qin Wan met Yue Ning's bright eyes and curved her lips. "How could I? Then I'll trouble you, Young Princess."
Yue Ning shook her head. "It's only right."
Hearing this, Yue Qiong looked satisfied. Then his expression turned stern as he instructed Yue Qing. "Have people guard Plum Garden. After Ninth Young Miss leaves, search this courtyard thoroughly, see if there are any other anomalies. Keep this wedding gown. Wait for the Prefect to arrive."
Yue Qing acknowledged the order. Yue Qiong then looked at Qin Wan and Yan Chi. "The hour is late. His Highness is injured and shouldn't be troubled further. Ninth Young Miss should also rest. Please be assured, this matter will not involve you. Once the Prefect reaches a conclusion, we will give you an explanation."
After all, it was a case involving a human life, and such a horrifying, terrifying one at that. If word spread, it would inevitably give rise to talk of ghosts and spirits. Outsiders could gossip about the Anyang Marquis's estate, but it wouldn't do for Qin Wan to be tainted by this matter.
Qin Wan understood Yue Qiong's good intentions. She performed a slight curtsey. "The Marquis's consideration is thorough. Thank you, Marquis."
This matter had implicated Qin Wan because of the Anyang Marquis's estate. Yue Qiong couldn't possibly accept her thanks. He hurriedly instructed Yue Ning to take Qin Wan back to her courtyard to rest. Qin Wan bowed, then first returned to her room with Fuling.
Since they wouldn't be staying here, Qin Wan needed to gather the items she had used these past two days, along with the gifts from Jiang‑shi. Over on one side, Fuling was packing. Qin Wan, looking toward the rear window, was lost in deep thought.
Yue Ning stood waiting at the doorway. Seeing her expression, she hurried inside. "What is it?"
Qin Wan frowned, tilting her chin slightly toward the rear window. "At that time, Fuling and I were standing right here when we saw it. The person we saw had no head. I'm thinking, how did that person accomplish that..."
As Qin Wan was speaking, suddenly, Yue Qing's figure appeared outside the window.
He was directing servants to search the flower bed behind. That vivid red wedding gown was still in his hands. Perhaps because he had been holding it for a while, his initial revulsion had faded. He even imitated Qin Wan, holding the gown up before his eyes to examine it.
Yue Ning had an idea. "Second Brother!"
At this call, Yue Qing instinctively turned around. As he turned, he hadn't yet lowered the wedding gown in his hands. It happened to block his head and face.
Qin Wan's eyes narrowed sharply. "The person who came is six chi tall. It's a man!"
She paused slightly, her voice deepening. "And it's a left-handed man."