When Zhong Li emerged from the study, dusk was approaching.
The backyard was still as silent and deserted as before. She knew that Madam Luo and Guo Xin had not yet returned, which was for the best, as it always made her feel somewhat restricted when investigating cases.
Madam Luo's Buddhist hall was not far from Guo Qi's study, just a short walk around the corridor and through a rock garden.
After greeting the officers guarding the Buddhist hall, Zhong Li pushed the door open, preparing to enter.
"Just the right time, Zhong Si." A voice called out from behind her as she was halfway across the threshold.
Zhong Li turned her head to see a young woman in a green jade skirt holding a wooden bucket, smiling at her.
Zhong Li recognized her as Ting'er, Madam Luo's maid.
"Why haven't you gone out, Ting'er?" she asked.
Ting'er glanced at the Buddhist hall and replied, "To Zhong Si Zheng, with the family head's recent predicament, the backyard has been in disarray. Moreover, with the eldest young lady about to be married, the First Madam has been overwhelmingly busy. Now that the Madam has gone out, Ting'er has stayed behind to handle some of the chores."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Li nodded. She swept her gaze over the wooden bucket in Ting'er's hands and asked, "Is this water for washing clothes?"
Ting'er nodded. "Yes. No one has washed the First Madam's clothes these past few days. I'm just hurrying to finish it when I have the chance."
Hearing this, Zhong Li turned and looked towards the back of the Buddhist hall, where numerous silk robes hung on a clothesline.
"Give me the dirty water, I'll help you dump it."
"How can that be!" Ting'er shook her head repeatedly. "Zhong Si Zheng is a distinguished official. Such dirty work..."
"It's fine, I need to check the back gate anyway, so I'll dump it for you on the way." Without giving Ting'er a chance to refuse, Zhong Li took the wooden bucket and walked towards the back gate.
Zhong Li walked for a considerable time. When she was nearing the back gate, she took out a silver needle from her sleeve and placed it into the water.
-------------------------------------
"Mother, can I really marry A'si smoothly?" Guo Xin and Madam Luo returned to the manor.
By now, lamps and candles were lit throughout the residence. Apart from the occasional officers and servants patrolling the grounds, only darkness and silence remained.
Madam Luo took Guo Xin's hand, squeezing it, then releasing it, and squeezing it again. After a long while, she spoke, "Mother will ensure Xin'er's future is peaceful and happy. As for other matters, they are not for Xin'er to worry about."
"But Mother, my stomach..."
"Hush!" As Guo Xin was about to speak, Madam Luo gestured for her to be silent.
Guo Xin frowned and slowly lowered her head, remaining silent.
Madam Luo embraced Guo Xin, saying, "Xin'er, that matter is in the past. As long as you don't speak of it, no one will know. Understand?"
Guo Xin nodded with difficulty.
Madam Luo sighed and held Guo Xin even tighter, saying, "Xin'er, don't worry. I have also made arrangements for what will happen after you go to your in-laws' home. The child's birth will either be delayed or brought forward; it's only a matter of a month or two. Mother will ensure it is done without anyone noticing."
"Mother, Xin'er worries about you..."
"Madam Guo's calculations are truly meticulous. However, for such a significant matter, asking your kind in-laws to take responsibility for your Guo family's affairs, isn't that a bit excessive?"
Guo Xin had only spoken half her sentence when, as they exited the corridor, the previously dim backyard was instantly illuminated. Zhong Li stood directly opposite them. Behind her stood several officers from the Jinzhou Governor's office, along with the Second Madam, Third Madam, and Steward Liu of the Guo manor. They held torches and watched the two women.
"Zhong Si Zheng, what is the meaning of this?" Madam Luo's brow furrowed slightly upon seeing this. She pulled Guo Xin closer, shielding her, and inquired.
"Madam Luo, don't you understand what I mean?" Zhong Li retorted.
Madam Luo's eyelashes fluttered, lost in thought. After a moment, she said, "Zhong Si Zheng, I would like to speak with you alone. Whatever you intend to do afterward, as long as Xin'er's wedding can proceed as scheduled, I will agree to anything."
Zhong Li pursed her lips. After a moment of consideration, she glanced at the people around them and then nodded, walking towards the Buddhist hall.
"Mother!" Madam Luo prepared to follow, but Guo Xin grasped her arm.
Madam Luo gently brushed her hand away, nodded emphatically at Guo Xin, and resolutely walked into the darkness.
The incense in the Buddhist hall had already been lit. Zhong Li stood in the dim candlelight, gazing at the benevolent Guanyin statue opposite her.
"It is said that those who practice vegetarianism and chant Buddha's name have the most compassionate hearts. I thought the First Madam had long since seen through the worldly desires. I never imagined that the one in the entire Guo manor most unable to let go of their obsessions would be you."
Zhong Li turned and looked at Madam Luo, who was hidden in the darkness.
Madam Luo chuckled softly, her voice laced with many emotions, a mix of sorrow, relief, and even a hint of pleasure.
"Does Zhong Si Zheng have proof?" Following her laughter, a cold question came from Madam Luo's lips.
Zhong Li did not wish to be so ruthless, but the person who had committed murder had already descended from the path of Buddhism to the path of demons. She took a silver needle from her sleeve and asked, "First Madam, do you know where this came from?"
Madam Luo swallowed several times and shook her head.
"You thought you were being completely flawless, didn't you?" Zhong Li asked again.
Madam Luo remained silent.
"You are very clever. With such skillful methods of killing, anyone else would surely not have discovered it. Fortunately, you encountered me." Zhong Li spoke coldly and then casually raised an account book from her sleeve.
Madam Luo's brow furrowed. "What exactly is Zhong Si Zheng trying to say?"
"Let's start with your method of killing," Zhong Li said, opening the account book. "Guo Qi, I don't know him, nor do I understand him. However, judging from his habit of personally reviewing and recording various accounts, Governor Guo was a cautious and meticulous man."
"Ever since the matter of the Beichuan Gang gained the attention of the court, and His Majesty decided to rectify the Jinzhou and Yongcheng ports, Governor Guo already knew that his dealings with the Beichuan Gang and Yingzhou could no longer be concealed.
At best, he would go to prison or lose his head. At worst, the entire Guo family would be implicated. He had two paths he could take: the first was to confess his guilt, and the second was to raise an rebellion.
As for which path he chose, that decision was made when he burned all the correspondence and account books related to his dealings with the Beichuan Gang. Zhong Li looked steadily at Madam Luo and asked, "Am I correct, First Madam?"
Madam Luo narrowed her eyes and remained silent.
Zhong Li, having anticipated that the person before her would not confess until she saw the coffin, continued, "Guo Qi chose the second path. He prepared to burn his bridges, even if it meant gambling with the lives of the entire Guo family, which is why he burned all the evidence of his crimes.
However, before burning them, he had to do one thing: ensure that all the evidence was present and complete.
And you, Madam Luo, took advantage of this loophole and killed Guo Qi."
Madam Luo looked up and said, "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
"Guo Qi had a habit when turning pages of account books: he would wet his fingers," Zhong Li said, flipping through the account book in her hand. The lower right corners of all the pages were slightly curled, clearly indicating they had been moistened.
"And all you had to do was smear arsenic on these places, and Guo Qi would slowly ingest it, being poisoned to death!"