"Help! Save me!"
"Ah! You can't touch there!"
"Ah! Don't undress me, I was wrong, I was wrong!"
...
Zhong Li stood at the door, listening to the hysterical screams emanating from inside the room. Jiang Shi had completely dropped the affected, high-pitched voice she had been faking. The male, pig-slaughtering howls that echoed throughout the Guo Mansion had thrown everyone into disarray.
She glanced subtly at Steward Liu beside her. Seeing his equally stunned and embarrassed expression, she knew Jiang Shi's identity could no longer be hidden in the Guo Mansion.
Not long after, the room door was opened, and Jiang Shi was kicked out. All he wore was his undergarment, his chest flat and bare.
Lu Wuxie followed closely behind, his brow furrowed as he looked at Jiang Shi with disdain.
Zhong Li walked over to Jiang Shi, casually pulled an garment from the clothesline, and threw it at him. "Second... Madam, put on your clothes. I have something to ask you."
Jiang Shi swallowed a few times, glancing cautiously at Lu Wuxie, then at Zhong Li. He knew his secret was out and there was nothing left to hide. He put on the clothes and walked back into the room.
Zhong Li opened the few windows in the room. As fresh air flooded in, the room gradually lost the dampness it had when they first entered.
"Speak. Is Governor Guo's death related to you?" Zhong Li asked Jiang Shi, sitting in the official chair at the desk.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shi shook his head like a rattle drum. "How could I possibly kill my lord? I would never do anything to harm him."
Zhong Li looked at Jiang Shi and said, "Then why were you disguised as a woman and hiding in the Guo Mansion..."
"I didn't want to," Jiang Shi's expression drooped. "Lord redeemed me. Otherwise, why would I put myself in such an awkward situation?"
"Redeemed?" Zhong Li's eyebrows rose. "So you were indeed from the Nanfeng Pavilion."
Jiang Shi nodded. Knowing some things could no longer be concealed, he truthfully stated, "Although Lord is the Governor of the Jinzhou Naval Forces, he is also a regular at the Nanfeng Pavilion. When I was at the Nanfeng Pavilion, Lord was always my esteemed guest."
"So he liked you and redeemed you?" Zhong Li asked.
Jiang Shi nodded again. "Actually, Lord redeeming me was accidental. Once, I was forced to serve a wealthy gentleman in Jinzhou. I was wronged and injured. Lord took pity on me and bought me back from the Nanfeng Pavilion.
"However, Lord is an official of the imperial court. It's not unusual for the mansion to have a few more concubines or secondary wives, but having another man would surely damage Lord's reputation. Therefore, I disguised myself as a woman to live in the Guo Mansion and became the second madam of the Guo Mansion."
"Was this your idea, Governor Guo?" Zhong Li asked.
"Mm!" Jiang Shi nodded.
"Then what is your situation with the Third Madam, Qingyuan Fang? Have there been any conflicts between you?" Zhong Li asked.
Although Jiang Shi was an elephant groom, he was not foolish. Hearing the hidden meaning in Zhong Li's words, he knew she was indirectly probing his motive for murder. He quickly waved his hands and said, "I admit I had some disagreements with the Third Madam, but I would absolutely not kill my lord and frame her because of it."
Zhong Li remained silent, looking at Jiang Shi.
Jiang Shi swallowed a few times, then glanced around. Seeing that Steward Liu was not present, he gathered his courage and said, "The Third Madam is a beautiful concubine sent to Lord by Ying Country. Lord did not like her at first. Later, I don't know what seductive methods she used, but after Lord visited her room once, he almost never came to my room again.
"At first, I was jealous and would occasionally trip up the Third Madam. Later, I don't know how the Third Madam found out that I was an elephant groom from the Nanfeng Pavilion. She threatened me with this, telling me to behave and even showing off in front of me sometimes for revenge. Over time, my relationship with the Third Madam became very bad.
"However, I also know my status, and I know what I have to rely on for the rest of my life. I would certainly not take my lord's life over such a minor matter and ruin the rest of my life, would I?"
Zhong Li listened to Jiang Shi's words, remaining silent.
She actually knew that with Jiang Shi's courage and his status, he was incapable of murdering Guo Qi. Her previous questioning was just to try and trick him into revealing any useful clues. As it seemed now...
"Li'er."
Just as Zhong Li felt that the case might require further deliberation, Lu Wuxie stood at the doorway, followed by a middle-aged woman.
"Who is this?" Zhong Li walked up to Lu Wuxie, her gaze lingering on the woman. She looked ordinarily dressed, but the fine brocade fabric of her simple gown indicated that this woman's identity was not simple.
"This concubine is Madam Luo of the Guo Mansion. I have long heard of the swiftness with which Lord Zhong of the Dali Temple solves cases, and seeing you today, I am deeply impressed," Madam Luo said, bowing to Zhong Li.
"Are you Governor Guo's official wife, Madam Luo?" Zhong Li remembered the introduction of Guo Qi in the case files and quickly asked.
Madam Luo smiled faintly. "Yes. I am late in making my appearance, and I hope Lord Zhong will forgive me."
Zhong Li quickly stepped forward to help Madam Luo up, then looked back at Lu Wuxie, as if asking if he had found Madam Luo.
Lu Wuxie nodded and glanced at Madam Luo.
Although Madam Luo had been devoutly practicing Buddhism for many years, she had been involved in official matters. She naturally understood the importance of certain things. She slowly took something out of her sleeve and presented it to Zhong Li and Lu Wuxie.
Zhong Li looked at the small square box in Madam Luo's hand, initially confused. She took it, opened it, and seeing the object inside, she exclaimed in surprise, "Is this the naval tiger tally?"
Madam Luo nodded and glanced at Jiang Shi, who was still kneeling on the ground.
Zhong Li realized what was happening and ordered the constables at the door to take Jiang Shi outside, waiting for Madam Luo's further words.
Seeing that only the three of them remained in the room, Madam Luo no longer held back and knelt on the ground with a 'thump'.
Upon seeing this, Zhong Li tried to pull her up, but Madam Luo waved her hand, refusing her kindness. "In truth, this concubine decided not to concern herself with the affairs of the mansion the moment my son Guo Lin left.
"But fate is unpredictable. My lord has unfortunately met with an accident, and with no one to lead the mansion, I had to step forward to manage things."
Zhong Li pursed her lips and remained silent.
Madam Luo sighed and continued, "My lord was loyal to the court in his early years, but human greed knows no bounds. Once one strays from the path due to greed, it is an inevitable journey.
"I knew something of my lord's actions, but since I had already decided to dedicate myself to prayer, I no longer managed such matters.
"Now that my lord is gone, I am aware of the mistakes he made, and I am even clearer about the consequences of such mistakes. I am willing to hand over this naval tiger tally, only asking for the safety of dozens of people in the Guo Mansion, from the master to the servants."
After speaking, Madam Luo kowtowed to Zhong Li and Lu Wuxie.
Zhong Li handed the tiger tally to Lu Wuxie, knowing it would be safest with him.
"Madam Guo, please rise first," she said, stepping forward to help Madam Luo up. "The actions of Governor Guo are essentially proven. My nephew and I will report this matter truthfully to His Majesty. As for Madam's request to exchange the tiger tally for the safety of the Guo Mansion, we will also plead with His Majesty to give leniency to the female members of the Guo family.
"However... the death of Governor Guo has not yet been clarified. If the killer was simply committing murder, that would be one thing, but if there is a hidden agenda, this case cannot be closed."
Madam Luo nodded repeatedly. "Lord Zhong speaks the absolute truth. This concubine only wishes to ensure the safety of the innocent people in the mansion. As for Lord Zhong's investigation into the mastermind behind my husband's murder, this concubine will certainly not obstruct it.
"But..."
Madam Luo looked at Zhong Li, as if hesitating to speak, and sighed. "In a few days, Xin'er will be celebrating her wedding. Her future in-laws will be coming to the mansion in the coming days to discuss the marriage. With such a major incident having occurred, I only hope that the marriage can proceed as planned. Secondly, can Lord Zhong investigate this matter discreetly?"