As promised, the group arrived at the Shenshi Judicial Office study room. Two square tables were pushed together, laden with files, surrounded by several stools. At a glance, Zhuo Qing immediately guessed it was arranged by Gu Yun. Sitting opposite Gu Yun with Lou Xiyan, Zhuo Qing glanced around but saw no sign of Su Ling. She smiled faintly and asked, "Why hasn't General Su come?"
Gu Yun shot Zhuo Qing a sharp glare, his voice cold as he retorted, "Where is what I asked for?"
Since arriving here, this woman had grown increasingly inquisitive and meddlesome. Tossing the papers in her hand toward Gu Yun, Zhuo Qing turned her head to feign ignorance of his piercing gaze. Lou Xiyan smiled knowingly at the exchanged scornful looks between them. Her eyes paused over a drawing on the table depicting an unusual pattern. Picking it up to examine it closely, Lou Xiyan whispered, "This looks strangely familiar."
Gu Yun, looking up from the autopsy report Zhuo Qing handed him, asked in surprise, "You've seen it before?"
"This pattern strongly resembles a pendant from the Jade Pavilion," Lou Xiyan replied.
"Are you certain?" Zhuo Qing was equally astonished.
Lou Xiyan chuckled softly, "You probably saw it too. When we were at the Cold Moon Tower, among the items sent from the Jade Pavilion was a pair of jade pendants bearing this very pattern."
Indeed, she had never paid proper attention to those items. Gu Yun had originally intended to gift her that pair of pendants—engraved with a pair of mandarin ducks—but since she didn't like them, he had let it go. The pendants were of exquisite jade quality, and the mandarin ducks were carved in an exceptionally unique style, which left a deep impression on him. Zhuo Qing naturally had no recollection, having never seriously selected anything then. Still, she trusted Lou Xiyan's memory; if he said they were pendants from the Jade Pavilion, they likely were.
"Send someone," Dan Yulan instructed as he handed the drawing to a court officer. "Take this pattern to the Jade Pavilion and verify if there is a pendant bearing this design."
"Yes, sir," the officer acknowledged and hurried away.
Another officer briskly entered and announced loudly from outside the door, "My lord, someone from the Prime Minister's residence requests an audience with Lord Lou."
"Show them in," Dan Yulan responded, exchanging a glance with Lou Xiyan, whose eyes flickered with curiosity.
A moment later, a man dressed plainly as a servant entered, bowing respectfully. "Master, Lord Dan."
Lou Xiyan asked softly, "What brings you here?"
The man leaned close to Lou Xiyan's side and whispered a few words. Lou Xiyan's expression remained composed, his faint smile unshaken. He waved gently, and the man withdrew respectfully behind him.
Suddenly rising, Lou Xiyan smiled and said, "Lord Dan, there are matters at the Prime Minister's residence I must attend to. I shall take my leave first."
Dan Yulan's smile was calm, betraying no emotion, as he nodded and said, "By all means, Lord Lou."
Bowing slightly, Lou Xiyan whispered in Zhuo Qing's ear, "I'm leaving now. The carriage outside is for you. When you finish, Mo Bai will escort you home."
Sensing something was amiss, Zhuo Qing asked softly, "Do you want me to accompany you?"
Patting her shoulder gently, Lou Xiyan's voice lowered to a soothing murmur, "No need. Rest assured, it's nothing serious."
After a moment's thought, Zhuo Qing nodded slowly. "Alright, take care of yourself."
"Hmm."
With a graceful nod to the others, Lou Xiyan turned to leave, his steps noticeably hurried.
His abrupt departure left Zhuo Qing and Dan Yulan lost in thought, both distracted.
"This is already the fourth victim, and we still have no clue about the murderer. Yet the killings continue relentlessly, even targeting a pregnant woman. It's truly despicable!" Cheng Hang slammed the table in frustration, snapping the others back to attention.
Gu Yun finished reviewing the autopsy report and turned to Dan Yulan, who had remained silent. "What is your assessment, Lord Dan?"
"The sealed room, the sandalwood scent, the victim's lack of struggle, death by exsanguination from heart removal—this case resembles the previous three, yet it is not entirely the same. The victim's face shows no terror. The door was forced open, not opened by the attendant maid. And the Miss Wu was pregnant," Dan Yulan analyzed.
Gu Yun raised an eyebrow, acknowledging Dan Yulan's perceptiveness. "I agree with your view. The autopsy shows that the chest wound's angle and length differ from the earlier victims. The biggest distinction is the victim herself—she was drugged before the heart was taken. I believe the killer was someone familiar to her."
"Exactly!" Cheng Hang exclaimed, pulling out two porcelain cups from a bag as he elaborated, "The cups we brought back were tested and found to contain a sedative with a faint scent of wine. This means Miss Wu drank with someone before her death. Considering the late hour and her pregnancy, whoever she drank with must have been close to her. I spoke to the maid Fei'er this afternoon—she said Miss Wu instructed her not to serve her that night, clearly sending people away herself. I suspect that person was her lover!"
Cheng Hang's confident tone prompted Lv Jin to smile. "You've made great progress."
Unabashed, Cheng Hang nodded vigorously, then glanced at the two utterly ordinary cups on the table and asked, "By the way, how did you know those cups were suspicious?"
Gu Yun replied casually, "Out of the five cups on the tray, only two had their handles facing outward, indicating they were used."
"That simple?" Cheng Hang frowned. "Used cups aren't unusual in a room. How does that prove anything?"
With a slight raise of his cold eyes, Gu Yun fixed Cheng Hang with a serious gaze. "At a crime scene, every seemingly insignificant clue must be examined thoroughly if you want to uncover the truth."
His husky voice was not pleasant to hear, yet it struck a chord with Cheng Hang, who felt ashamed. He nodded emphatically. "I understand."
Dan Yulan glanced at Cheng Hang, who seldom conceded to anyone, and saw him quietly seated beside Qing Mo. The handwriting on the autopsy report was clearly Lv Jin's—when had he ever willingly done such trivial recording? Smiling gently, Dan Yulan asked, "Two young ladies, do you happen to be interested in taking apprentices?"
If Cheng Hang and Lv Jin could learn their skills, it would be a boon to the Ministry of Justice. After all, they couldn't always rely on the ladies from the Prime Minister's or General's households to assist with investigations!
Cheng Hang and Lv Jin looked at Dan Yulan in stunned silence—did he really mean for them to be apprentices to two young girls?! How could that be? Yet realizing their own skills were inferior, they hesitated, when two cool female voices simultaneously responded, "No interest."
Their refusal left Cheng Hang and Lv Jin awkwardly glaring at the women, unsure what to say.
Resting her chin on her hand and ignoring their gaze, Zhuo Qing smiled lazily, "How much they learn depends on their own aptitude. I don't take apprentices."
"Agreed," Gu Yun said coldly, eyes on the files. So they would still teach, just without formal apprenticeship?
Lv Jin and Cheng Hang exchanged looks, uncertain whether to feel pleased or vexed. It was fortunate not to have to call such young girls 'master,' but frustrating that they didn't even bother to grant the title.
The study's atmosphere grew chilly until the officer who had just left returned, announcing, "My lord."
"Enter," Dan Yulan ordered.
Standing by the long table, the officer reported, "The owner of the Jade Pavilion confirmed they indeed had a pair of jade pendants with this pattern. The design was specially carved by the pavilion's master and only one such pair exists. The pendants were purchased by Miss Wu five days ago, with a request for a bellflower carving on them. Miss Wu collected them the day before yesterday at noon."
"This is the pendant design obtained from the Jade Pavilion." The officer produced a drawing from his pocket.
Dan Yulan took it, waving his hand, "Good. You may withdraw."
The drawing was spread on the table, clearly depicting four exquisite circular designs—the front and back of the two pendants. The front bore identical characters for "happiness," which combined into the double happiness symbol when paired. The backs each showed a pair of adorably plump mandarin ducks, radiating joy.
After studying it for a while, Cheng Hang sighed, "Miss Wu's room has been thoroughly searched, but no pendants were found. Could she have given them away? Even if to a lover, she should only give away one."
Rubbing his chin, Lv Jin speculated, "According to servants, Miss Wu rarely left the estate. Any man involved with her must be someone inside the household or someone frequently visiting the Wu residence."
"Cheng Hang, commission an artist to create several drawings of the pendants and question everyone at the Wu residence. Lv Jin, discreetly investigate the maids and servants closest to Miss Wu—who regularly interacts with her?"
"Yes, sir."
After over a month, they finally had a lead. This time, they could not let the killer slip away!
Against the backdrop of dark clothing, Gu Yun's complexion appeared even paler. Zhuo Qing gently advised, "You've been overworked these past days. Go rest for now."
Gu Yun nodded faintly, clearly near exhaustion.
Rising, Zhuo Qing smiled at Dan Yulan, "Lord Dan, we will take our leave. Please inform us if there is any news."
"Of course," Dan Yulan replied.
Watching their retreating figures, Dan Yulan's smile vanished. What were the two sisters doing during the full moon? Why were they so familiar with the murder case? And Qing Feng—what were her capabilities?
All these questions swirled in his mind like a dark storm...