Zhong Li and Lu Wuxie sat in the main hall, watching the sobbing woman opposite them.
"Third Madam, I am the Director of the Dali Temple, here to thoroughly investigate the case of Governor Guo. Young Master Ren mentioned that Governor Guo died in your room?" Zhong Li coughed lightly and inquired.
Qing Yuanfang glanced at Zhong Li through the silk handkerchief in her fingers, then shifted her gaze back to Lu Wuxie, and began to sob again.
How could Zhong Li not notice the woman's little intentions? She turned to Lu Wuxie beside her and raised an eyebrow in a gesture.
Lu Wuxie had no intention of getting involved in such matters of the inner courtyard, but out of respect for Zhong Li, he could only brace himself and ask, "Third Madam, Governor Guo..."
"My Lord! Sob sob..." Before Lu Wuxie could finish, Qing Yuanfang suddenly stood up, staggered a few steps, and threw herself at his feet. "This concubine, this concubine is innocent. I have heard that the Young Master of the Judicial Inspection Office is fair and meticulous in his investigations. I implore the Young Master to vindicate me! Sob sob..."
Lu Wuxie held his forehead, veins pulsing on his face. He thought that if he had not cultivated such forbearance over the years of lying low, in his previous life, he would have already stormed out or even kicked this pretentious woman.
"When did you hear that I investigated cases fairly?" he raised his eyebrows at Qing Yuanfang.
Just as Qing Yuanfang was about to speak, Lu Wuxie continued, "That's right, I have always been adept at upholding justice, even at the cost of family ties. I not only personally sealed off the Xie family but also slit the throat of my own brother-in-law. Moreover, I intend to thoroughly investigate the entire Prince Xian's mansion upon my return. Since Third Madam trusts me so much, this case must..."
Qing Yuanfang froze and quickly shifted her gaze to Zhong Li, who was sitting beside Lu Wuxie, quietly drinking tea.
"You are Director Zhong, aren't you?"
Zhong Li glanced at her and remained silent.
"This concubine is innocent, I implore Director Zhong to do me justice," Qing Yuanfang pleaded.
Zhong Li put down her cup and looked at her for a while before saying, "Whether Third Madam is innocent or not will be determined by the thorough investigation. However, it is a fact that Governor Guo died in your room. If Third Madam is willing to cooperate, please find the steward of the Guo manor."
Qing Yuanfang stared at Zhong Li in this manner, then glanced at the maid behind her.
The maid quickly ran out and returned with an old man in tow.
"Director Zhong, this way," Steward Liu walked in front of Zhong Li. Despite his age, his steps were swift. As he led Zhong Li towards the backyard, he said,
"Third Madam's room is just ahead. Yesterday morning, screams were heard from Third Madam's room. We rushed in upon hearing them and found His Lordship lying on Third Madam's bed, his face ashen, without a breath. This old servant knows His Lordship's status, and it is a grave matter for His Lordship to have passed away. I immediately ordered the servants to report to the prefectural office. This room was sealed yesterday, awaiting Director Zhong's thorough investigation."
As he spoke, they arrived in front of Third Madam's chamber. The two constables guarding the entrance naturally recognized Zhong Li. Seeing her arrive, they quickly stepped aside.
Zhong Li nodded to the two constables in greeting and pushed the door open.
Third Madam Qing Yuanfang's room, like most rooms in wealthy merchant households, was divided into an inner and outer suite, with opulent furnishings. The only discernible difference was a screen placed before the inner chamber. It was not in the style of Southern Yue's ink wash paintings but rather in the unique Ukiyo-e style of Yingzhou, which appeared somewhat eerie at first glance.
"Your Third Madam is not from Southern Yue, is she?" Zhong Li turned to look at Steward Liu.
Steward Liu smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "Director Zhong is wise. Third Madam entered the manor three years ago. She was a beautiful concubine brought from Yingzhou by His Lordship."
Yingzhou.
Zhong Li narrowed her eyes and thought for a moment. "Did Governor Guo travel to Yingzhou in the last three years? Wasn't he supposed to be stationed at the Jinzhou port?"
Steward Liu's smile stiffened. He looked up at the woman opposite him and, seeing her still waiting expectantly for his explanation, coughed a few times. "This... at that time, Ying State was about to conduct a maritime trade with Southern Yue. The matters of the Jinzhou port were primarily managed by His Lordship, so His Lordship went to negotiate. His Lordship reported this to His Majesty afterward."
"Oh, so it was a case of acting first and reporting later?" Zhong Li asked again.
Steward Liu's lips twitched. He was momentarily unsure how to answer.
Seeing his reaction, Zhong Li smiled, shook her head, and walked behind the screen. From this exchange, she understood that Governor Guo, taking advantage of the vast distance from the capital, was practically doing as he pleased in Jinzhou.
The inner chamber was somewhat tidier than she had expected. On the dressing table near the window, there were scattered cosmetics and blush. The remaining items were a few seemingly valuable vases placed on high shelves. The only thing that drew attention was the large bed, over six feet wide, which was in disarray as if it had been ransacked by bandits.
Zhong Li, without much thought, put on her gloves and approached the bed.
As her fingertips touched the quilt, Steward Liu behind her said, "Director Zhong, are you sure you want to lift the quilt?"
Zhong Li turned back to look at Steward Liu, confused.
Steward Liu explained, "Director Zhong, I mean no offense, but I just wanted to say that you are either not yet married or not married. Lifting it like this might damage your reputation."
Zhong Li looked back at the quilt. As a coroner, who barely belonged to the lowest strata of society, what reputation did she have to uphold?
With that thought, she threw aside the quilt. As she did so, several items rolled up inside it fell to the floor with a clatter.
At first, she didn't understand what these things were. Could it be that Governor Guo and Qing Yuanfang were playing Go in bed?
It wasn't until she followed the sound and looked down to see several wooden pestles of varying sizes, some as thick as rolling pins, that she understood everything.
"Someone!" she coughed lightly and shouted outside.
Moments later, the two constables waiting outside rushed in.
"Go find a small box and collect all these items. Make sure not to miss a single one," she instructed.
"Yes!" The young constables recognized the items. Their faces flushed, and they ran out.
Zhong Li shook the quilt in her hands, ensuring nothing else was inside, and then looked at the bed.
The bedding and sheets on the bed appeared to be newly changed, with faint stains but nothing else noteworthy. It seemed that Guo Qi had no external injuries.
Next, she walked to the table, picked up the cups and teapot one by one to inspect them, and then said to Steward Liu, "Please trouble the steward to call Third Madam here. I have something to ask her."
Steward Liu nodded and ran out. He returned a moment later with Qing Yuanfang following him.
Qing Yuanfang, at this moment, was no longer as affected and dramatic as before. It seemed she had realized what her fate would be if Guo Qi's death case was not solved. Upon seeing Zhong Li, she said, "Director Zhong, whatever you wish to ask, I will answer truthfully, but I truly did not kill anyone."
Zhong Li scanned the bed and asked, "That night, until what time did Third Madam and Master Guo engage in their... activities?"