Chapter 48 : The Mystery of the Wedding Gown
48: The Mystery of the Wedding Gown
"A man? Six chi tall? And left-handed?" Huo Huaixin looked at the wedding gown laid out on the table, his expression puzzled. "The height is one thing, but how does the Marquis know he's left-handed?"[ TN: Modern china: 1 chi = 0.333 meters (exactly one third of a meter). Traditionally varies by dynasty and region, roughly 0.31–0.34 meters. ]
Yue Qiong picked up the gown. "Please look, Brother Huo. This gown was worn by that person. It's brand new, but only the left sleeve cuff has a stain and a pulled thread. In contrast, the right sleeve cuff has none. I've already had someone check. The stain is moss from Plum Garden's rear wall. It must have been accidentally brushed against when that person entered the courtyard. Wearing the gown, that person would have been very careful. And they must be accustomed to using their left hand, which is why they inadvertently left a mark on the left sleeve cuff..."
Huo Huaixin examined it closely, his eyes suddenly brightening. "The Marquis is astute!"
Receiving such praise, Yue Qiong dared not claim credit. The corners of his lips twitched upward in a slightly bitter smile. These deductions weren't his doing at all. He was just afraid of implicating Qin Wan, so he omitted her part in it.
Huo Huaixin pondered for a moment, then added, "Tonight's incident is indeed bizarre. But it also provides a turning point in the case. Among Duke Song's wedding procession, there are twenty low-ranking attendants for carriages, horses, and ceremonial equipment, twenty guards, eight matrons and stewards, six personal maidservants, and then the escorting Young Master Wei and his two personal attendants. If, as the Marquis suggests, this gown was prepared by Miss Song as a precaution, then simply ask her head matron. At the same time, investigate all those guards and male servants one by one. Wouldn't that be straightforward?"
Yue Qiong's expression turned serious. "Exactly. However, Brother Huo, what is the purpose of this act?" He paused, then spoke more ambiguously. "That person impersonated Miss Song's corpse. They didn't come for me or for Jia'er and the others. Instead, they specifically targeted an unrelated... servant of the estate. For no apparent reason, why frighten an unrelated person?"
Huo Huaixin didn't catch the nuance. Just as he was about to speak, a clear, bright voice rang out.
"Naturally, it's to create panic within the estate. The Marquis and the Heir have multiple layers of guards. That person found it difficult to get close, so they targeted other servants instead. They only needed to appear and let someone see them."
Huo Ning stood to the side, his expression solemn and grave. "This matter concerns both Duke Song's household and the Anyang Marquis's estate. This person might want to stir up trouble, provoke a conflict between the two houses. Or perhaps they aim to confuse the investigation, to prevent us from properly examining the case. However, the Marquis's servants are clever. They remembered the person's characteristics. It shouldn't be difficult to identify them."
Huo Ning's face was full of certainty. Huo Huaixin shot his son a glare, then turned to Yue Qiong with an apologetic smile. "Please forgive him, Marquis. My son is determined regarding this case, so I've let him follow along to gain experience."
Yue Qiong's lips curved slightly, not particularly concerned. "Huo Ning is young and capable, and wants to share your burdens. That's a good thing. However, from what Huo Ning says, it seems he's certain the culprit is among the wedding procession?"
Huo Ning hesitated slightly. "This... we'll only know after investigating. After all, Song Rou is a young lady of the Song family. Whether servants or guards, the wedding procession are all loyal to Duke Song's household. There's no reason for them to harm Miss Song."
Yue Qiong gave a slight nod. This case had already been filed with the prefectural yamen. Even to investigate people, Huo Huaixin needed to be present. So he said, "In that case, I'll take Brother Huo to the East Garden now. Currently, all the servants from Duke Song's wedding procession are staying there. Jia'er and Qing'er have already gone to count the guards and male servants, ensuring not a single one is missing."
Huo Huaixin's spirits lifted. "Excellent! If we find this person, even if they aren't the murderer, they can provide crucial clues. Then this case will be much simpler. Unlike now, where we have no idea where to start."
The deceased was a young lady from Duke Song's household, and it also involved the Anyang Marquis's estate. Huo Huaixin knew that solving this case well might not bring great merit, but failing to solve it would be a grave mistake!
Three days had passed since the incident, and he still had no leads. Just as he was anxiously tossing and turning, unable to sleep, this disturbance occurred at the Marquis's estate. It was practically delivered to his doorstep! Huo Huaixin was certain this case would be solved within days!
Beaming with satisfaction, Huo Huaixin followed Yue Qiong to the East Garden. The entire East Garden was brightly lit. All the Song household's male servants and guards had been gathered in one place. When Huo Huaixin arrived, Yue Qing was speaking with a bewildered Wei Yanzhi.
"Brother Yanzhi, it's not that I'm not telling you the truth. We must wait for the Prefect..."
As he spoke, his gaze swept around. "Ah, the Prefect is here!"
Wei Yanzhi also saw Huo Huaixin immediately and hurried forward. "Prefect Huo, has there been progress in Xiao Rou's case?"
Wei Yanzhi was the leader of this wedding procession, representing Duke Song's household. Huo Huaixin dared not treat him lightly. However, he truly couldn't report any progress. So he could only say, "Please don't be anxious, Young Master Wei. Coming tonight is precisely for this case. On the night of the incident, I already brought people to question everyone. Now some new developments have occurred. There are a few matters we need to ask about again."
Wei Yanzhi's face showed disappointment. He then asked hoarsely, "Is Xiao Rou... well?"
This question sent a chill down Huo Huaixin's spine. Song Rou was dead, her death state so tragic. Lying in the mortuary for days, it was hardly a sight to behold. What did 'well' even mean here? Huo Huaixin forced a bitter smile. "She is... as she was. The incense hall you set up at the mortuary that day is still there. The incense offerings have not ceased these past days. Please accept my condolences, Young Master Wei."
Wei Yanzhi gritted his teeth, nodding with difficulty. "I must ask the Prefect to take this seriously, to quickly find Xiao Rou's murderer and solve this case. I've dreamed of Xiao Rou for two nights in a row. It's hard for her to rest in peace in the netherworld. She came alone to Jinzhou Prefecture. Now she lies alone in the mortuary, her fragrant soul extinguished, unable to even have proper funeral rites. It's truly..."
Prefect Huo felt immense pressure. This was just Wei Yanzhi. In a few days, when proper representatives from Duke Song's household arrived, they might hold a knife to his neck demanding he solve the case. "Naturally. I work day and night, not daring to be negligent in the slightest. Young Master Wei also knows the procedures of the prefectural yamen. Before the case is fully investigated, the deceased can only remain at the mortuary. The mortuary is guarded. It's most conducive to solving the case."
Wei Yanzhi nodded, stepping back dejectedly. "Ask whatever you need, Your Honor. We will cooperate fully and dare not conceal anything."
Huo Huaixin was quite satisfied with Wei Yanzhi. He instructed the dozen or so constables following him. "You, split into two groups. Question each person individually. Those questioned are to leave the courtyard directly and are not to speak with those remaining."
Huo Huaixin, after all, had been an official for many years and had a set of procedures. As soon as he gave the order, the constables sprang into action. They commandeered two empty rooms in the East Garden. All the male members of the Song household wedding procession waited outside, called in one by one for questioning.
Turning around, Huo Huaixin added, "Find Miss Song's head matron. Ask her if she recognizes this wedding gown."
The gown was currently in the hands of a constable. Hearing this, Wei Yanzhi looked toward the constable's hands. His pupils instantly trembled.
Wei Yanzhi stepped forward. "Wait a moment. Where did you obtain this gown?"
Huo Huaixin frowned, not answering the question. "Does Young Master Wei recognize it?"
Wei Yanzhi stepped forward without hesitation, examining the gown. His eyes immediately widened. "I recognize it! Of course I recognize it! This is the workmanship of the Jinxiu Workshop in the capital. The embroidery patterns are all done with gold thread. The pomegranate bursting with seeds and other embroidery motifs are even inlaid with crushed gems. This single gown alone is worth a fortune. On the journey here, we were with Xiao Rou day and night. Everyone recognizes this as Xiao Rou's gown!"
As he spoke, his expression darkened. "Has the Prefect taken Xiao Rou's gown?"
Huo Huaixin couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. Song Rou's body was stored at the mortuary. However, given her status, Wei Yanzhi had set up an incense hall there the very night. Moreover, he stated that until Duke Song's household sent someone, Song Rou's remains were not to be disturbed. Huo Huaixin would have liked to change Song Rou's clothes. Who knew how horrifying a headless female corpse clad in red looked lying in the mortuary!
"Of course not. This isn't the one Miss Song was wearing!"
Wei Yanzhi was stunned, then said incredulously, "Could it be... Xiao Rou's spare one?"
Huo Huaixin and Yue Qiong exchanged a glance. Huo Huaixin nodded. "Very likely. That's why we're calling for Miss Song's head matron."
Wei Yanzhi looked utterly bewildered. "But... as far as I know, that gown was never taken out. How did the Prefect obtain it?"
Huo Huaixin didn't answer, only said, "Young Master Wei will know shortly."
As they spoke, someone had gone to fetch Song Rou's head matron, who was resting elsewhere.
Wei Yanzhi's face was full of shock and suspicion, his eyes fixed anxiously on the courtyard gate. Not long after, two women in dark blue narrow-sleeved ruqun walked in. The commotion in the East Garden tonight was considerable. However, male and female servants were housed separately. The two matrons didn't yet know why they were summoned and were feeling apprehensive. As soon as they entered the courtyard gate, they saw the vivid red wedding gown in Wei Yanzhi's hands!
Their faces paled. The two matrons' eyes filled with terror, and they halted their steps.