Chapter 49 : Layers of Mystery, Encountering Qin Wan
49: Layers of Mystery, Encountering Qin Wan
"This humble servant pays respects to the Marquis, pays respects to the Prefect."
The two matrons knelt on the ground, trembling with fear. Though they kept their heads bowed, the tension radiating from them was palpable.
Huo Huaixin lifted his chin slightly. The constable stepped forward with the gown. "Do you two recognize this item?"
The matrons glanced up. One hesitated, the other nodded. "Yes, yes, we recognize it."
Huo Huaixin observed them both, asking the one who nodded. "What is this?"
That matron immediately answered, "This is our young lady's wedding gown."
Huo Huaixin let out a derisive snort, his voice turning cold and stern. "Look carefully. You two are the matrons in charge of Miss Song's trousseau. You should know best which gown this is. This is not the gown Miss Song was wearing."
The two matrons trembled, a fine sweat breaking out on their foreheads.
Wei Yanzhi watched from the side, his heart aching. "You two matrons have served Xiao Rou for many years. Now that Xiao Rou has died unjustly, you must tell everything you know. Otherwise, how can we clear Xiao Rou's name?"
Wei Yanzhi's words were earnest. The two matrons, likely reminded of the deceased Song Rou, also reddened their eyes. Yet even so, they pressed their lips tightly together, appearing to struggle with speech.
Huo Huaixin narrowed his eyes, asking directly, "Is Miss Song's spare wedding gown still there?"
Both lowered their heads further. The one who had answered earlier looked terrified and fearful. The other, who had hesitated, rolled her eyes nervously, as if thinking of something. Huo Huaixin's face darkened. He growled lowly, "You two think carefully! This concerns a murder case. If there are falsehoods or concealment, you two will also be implicated. Could it be... you know something about your young lady's death?"
At this, the matron who had spoken earlier immediately collapsed to the ground in fright. "Your Honor! No! This humble servant served the young lady for years. How could I harm her? Your Honor, no..."
Huo Huaixin looked at the other matron, his voice cold. "You speak."
This matron also had fear in her eyes but was much calmer. After thinking for a few moments, seemingly unable to think of a better way, she simply prostrated herself on the ground and said in a panicked voice, "We dare not hide anything from Your Honor. This gown... this gown is indeed the spare one the young lady kept with her. It's just... it's just..."
"It's just what?!"
Huo Huaixin's voice sharpened. Seeing this as the key to cracking the case, he was almost unbearably eager to know the answer!
The matron glanced sideways at her companion. Seeing her companion's face drained of color from fear, she gritted her teeth. "It's just... last night, when we two were sorting the young lady's trousseau, we discovered this gown was already missing!"
Huo Huaixin's eyes widened. "What?! You say you discovered it missing last night?!"
"Yes." The matron stiffened her neck. "The young lady's wedding gown is worth a fortune. And now, all the dowry items are stored within the estate grounds. After such a thing happened, we two were utterly distraught, not knowing what to do. We spent two days in constant fear before calming down a bit. Thinking that with the young lady's death, we would inevitably face punishment, we wanted to quickly take stock of the young lady's trousseau. Perhaps when Duke Song's household people arrive, our punishment might be lessened. But who knew... the young lady's gown was gone..."
"Since you discovered it missing! Why didn't you report it?!"
The matron pressed herself even lower to the ground. "Your Honor, please understand. At the time, this humble servant didn't know this matter was related to the young lady's case. Moreover... moreover, failing to safeguard the young lady's belongings is also a crime. I was afraid then, so I didn't dare to speak up."
Huo Huaixin glanced at Yue Qiong. Yue Qiong asked, "Where were you last time you sorted the trousseau? Can you estimate when the gown went missing? Normally, who could access the gown?"
"Last time... last time was at the Ten Li Temple. The night before coming to the Marquis's estate. At that time, one of the young lady's hairpins was missing, so we opened the trousseau to take out a spare one. For the young lady's wedding, a full set of phoenix crown and wedding gown was prepared. Although we didn't take the gown out then, we saw it was there. Normally, only we two have the keys to the young lady's trousseau chest."
Huo Huaixin frowned. "Are you certain?!"
The matron hurriedly nodded. "Yes, this humble servant remembers clearly. The young lady's several personal maidservants all know about this. Your Honor can ask them without hesitation. If I speak a single false word, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"
Huo Huaixin waved his hand dismissively. He didn't want to hear curses and oaths. "Marquis, what do you make of this..."
Yue Qiong's expression darkened. "It seems the gown truly was lost. But from that night at Ten Li Temple to last night, two nights and three days passed. That night at Ten Li Temple, plus the journey here, and then after arriving at the estate... such a long time. It's truly difficult to determine exactly when it was lost. Also, the Song family's dowry items are all stored in a separate courtyard within the East Garden. Although the courtyard gate and room doors are locked daily, if someone with intent wanted to enter, it's not entirely impossible..."
"That does make it difficult to investigate." Huo Huaixin said, then looked at the two matrons. "Your failure to report this knowledge, while not exactly a crime, leaves it uncertain how Duke Song's household will handle it when they arrive. For now, you may return. If you think of anything, come tell me immediately. If you can help clear your young lady's name, I believe Duke Song's household will treat you leniently."
The two matrons knew the matter was exposed the moment they saw the gown. Hearing this, they could only nod and withdraw.
Once they left, Wei Yanzhi murmured beside them, "Someone stole Xiao Rou's gown... Prefect, where exactly did you find this gown?!"
Huo Huaixin turned to look at Wei Yanzhi, suddenly asking, "Where were you tonight, Young Master Wei?"
Wei Yanzhi was taken aback. "In the afternoon, a few of us went to the training ground for a contest. Later, His Highness Chi was injured, so we went to Pine Garden. We didn't leave until His Highness Chi was out of danger. By then, it was already late. I returned directly to the East Garden. After entering, I washed up and then began copying calligraphy. Just before Second Young Master came over, I had finished half a sheet. The copy sheet is still on the desk. My guards can also testify..."
"Where does Young Master Wei reside?"
Wei Yanzhi pointed to the main room behind him. "Right here."
Huo Huaixin glanced at a constable beside him. That man immediately entered Wei Yanzhi's room. Wei Yanzhi understood Huo Huaixin suspected him but wasn't anxious, merely waiting quietly for the constable to emerge.
Seeing him so calm and composed, Huo Huaixin's suspicions diminished by half. Not long after, the constable came out and nodded to Huo Huaixin. Huo Huaixin then clasped his hands. "Please don't take offense, Young Master Wei. This is standard procedure for investigating a case."
Wei Yanzhi shook his head, urgently asking, "Can the Prefect speak plainly now?"
Huo Huaixin nodded, pointing at the gown. "Just over an hour ago, someone wore this gown, impersonating Miss Song, and frightened people within the Marquis's estate. According to the description from the estate's servants, that person is six chi tall and a man. That's why we came to investigate."
Wei Yanzhi was full of astonishment. "Frighten people? Impersonating Xiao Rou to frighten people?"
Huo Huaixin nodded. "So, Young Master Wei, did you see anyone leave the East Garden tonight?"
Wei Yanzhi hadn't yet processed this, shaking his head blankly. "I was inside my room and didn't come out. I didn't see anyone." He paused slightly, his voice strained. "Could it be... could it be that Xiao Rou has returned..."
Yue Qing stepped forward, patting Wei Yanzhi's shoulder. "Brother Yanzhi, you're overthinking. Does Brother Yanzhi also believe in tales of ghosts and spirits?"
Wei Yanzhi said bitterly, "These past few days, I keep dreaming of Xiao Rou's vengeful spirit returning. She always questions why I haven't yet found the person who harmed her. I... I truly feel ashamed..."
Huo Huaixin sighed. "Young Master Wei need not be anxious. We are investigating this matter. Isn't tonight a turning point? If we can find the impersonator, I believe this case will be solved."
Wei Yanzhi nodded. "Then I will wait with Your Honor for news."
Since Wei Yanzhi was no longer a suspect, Huo Huaixin nodded in agreement. The Song household's male servants and guards were numerous. The constables, following orders, questioned them meticulously. By the time everyone was questioned, dawn was approaching.
"Your Honor, these are the statements from everyone." The constable in charge of the interrogation, Qi Hang, had dark circles under his eyes. He woke the drowsy Huo Huaixin and handed over a ledger.
They were in a side hall of the East Garden. Huo Huaixin and the others had waited here, all showing the weariness of a night's vigil.
At Qi Hang's words, everyone perked up, fully awake. Huo Huaixin waved his hand. "No need to read. Just tell me directly. Did you find out anything?"
Qi Hang made a pained face. "Found nothing."
Huo Huaixin's eyebrows shot up. "Found nothing?!"
"That's right. None of them left the East Garden. They all have witnesses to vouch for them. Moreover, they all share rooms with several others, so there's more than one witness. And... among all the Song household guards, there isn't a single left-handed person!"
Wei Yanzhi raised his brows, slightly surprised. "Left-handed?" Huo Huaixin hadn't mentioned that detail last night.
Huo Huaixin nodded but didn't explain how he knew. He looked at Yue Qiong with a somber expression. "Marquis, I'm afraid that person isn't among the Song household guards. This makes things difficult. Could it... could it be someone from the Marquis's estate?"
Yue Qiong naturally didn't believe anyone from his estate could do such a thing. However, since the incident occurred within the estate, he decisively said, "Brother Huo, do you wish to investigate the estate's people?"
Huo Huaixin pondered briefly, then nodded. Yue Qiong turned and instructed Yue Qing and Yue Jia. "Go gather the servants."
Huo Huaixin had thought last night's investigation would surely uncover something. He never expected to come up empty-handed. Thus, the case once again became shrouded in mystery. His heart heavy with gloom, he followed the equally disappointed Yue Qiong out of the East Garden, pinning his last hopes on the Marquis's estate's people. But what motive would someone from the Marquis's estate have for pretending to be a ghost to frighten people?
A night of toil with no results left Huo Ning also looking sullen.
Lost in thought, he walked slowly at the back. By the time he came to his senses, Yue Qiong and Huo Huaixin were already far ahead.
He wasn't in a hurry, just bitterly pondering if there were any oversights from last night. As he was thinking, a few graceful figures came into view from a side corridor. Huo Ning initially thought it was Young Princess Yue Ning and was about to step aside. But upon a closer look, he realized the person approaching wasn't Yue Ning, but Qin Wan, wearing a sky-blue ruqun skirt embroidered with interconnected windblown lotuses!
Huo Ning frowned, completely unaware that Qin Wan was at the Marquis's estate.
Her mocking words from that night still rang in his ears. And today, he was here at the Marquis's estate to investigate a case!
With this thought, Huo Ning strode toward Qin Wan with an arrogant air!