Zhong Li sat at the table in the private room, her chin propped on her hand as she gazed at the Xuan paper before her.
She had sketched the design of the bracelet found on the female corpse’s arm that day and was now scrutinizing it. Perhaps it was the fatigue from taking care of Zhong Wuyou these past few days, but she couldn't recall where she had seen this bracelet before.
"What are you looking at?" A voice shattered her thoughts.
Zhong Li looked up and met Lu Wuxie's gaze.
"You're back?" she said, watching the man who slowly leaned over the desk, looking at the Xuan paper in her hand. She frowned slightly.
"Isn't this Grandmother's bracelet?" Lu Wuxie recognized the bracelet at a glance.
Zhong Li was stunned by his words.
If she recalled correctly, Liang shi's bracelet had been exchanged for Qi Shui Shui's IOUs to Xie Xu. How could it be...
"Could the female corpse in the lake be Qi Shui Shui?" Zhong Li murmured to herself.
Upon hearing Qi Shui Shui's name, Lu Wuxie's previously casual expression turned serious. "Li'er, what did you say?"
Zhong Li's expression darkened. "If this bracelet belongs to Qi Shui Shui, then Qi Shui Shui is dead?"
Lu Wuxie narrowed his eyes, gazing at the Xuan paper. "Li'er, where did you go today? What exactly happened?"
Hearing this, Zhong Li recounted everything that had happened that day to Lu Wuxie. "I just returned from the southern suburbs. How could Qi Shui Shui have appeared in Yongcheng?"
"After the Xie family case concluded, I had Lin Jin keep a close watch on Qi Shui Shui," Lu Wuxie picked up Zhong Li's words.
Zhong Li fell silent. She could understand Lu Wuxie's actions. After all, Qi Shui Shui had used despicable means to take Liang family's heirloom treasure, and then used most of the money she had accumulated as a courtesan to buy her own freedom. Given Qi Shui Shui's usual extravagant spending, it was highly likely that Liang shi's bracelet would be pawned within a few days.
If Lu Wuxie had taken this opportunity to redeem the bracelet, it would have been an explanation to Liang shi and the Xie family. However, no one had anticipated that Qi Shui Shui would die so inexplicably, her body dismembered, which was truly shocking.
"Given Qi Shui Shui's nature, after tricking them out of this bracelet, she should have eloped with her 'Xiao Lang.' Why would she come to Yongcheng?" Zhong Li asked.
Lu Wuxie picked up the Xuan paper on the desk, examining the details repeatedly as he spoke. "According to my investigations, Xiao Chu is somewhat literate and not bad-looking, but he is a swindler."
"A swindler?" Zhong Li was perplexed.
Lu Wuxie nodded. "Xiao Chu is also an alias. His real name is Xiao Ran. He previously appeared in places like Liao City, where he deceived everyone from noble ladies to infatuated women in brothels, taking their bodies and money. His arrival in Jinzhou was probably because he couldn't make a living in Yongle Commandery."
"Since he deceived so many, why didn't those noble ladies and prostitutes report him?" Zhong Li asked.
Lu Wuxie shook his head. "Noble ladies care about their family's status and reputation. Who would be willing to admit publicly that their precious daughter was defrauded of money and her body? As for the prostitutes... it's probably due to the inaction of the local officials."
Hearing this, Zhong Li showed a look of helplessness. In the eyes of the authorities, prostitutes were the most lowly beings in society. They already sold their bodies, so how could they be considered deceived? Therefore, it was likely that Qi Shui Shui, who came to Yongcheng alone, had also been defrauded of her body and money.
As for coming to Yongcheng, it was likely to seek refuge with her former patrons. Unfortunately, fate was unpredictable, and she had met such a tragic end.
"However, the female corpse was headless. I only preliminarily identified her as Qi Shui Shui based on the items on her person. If the young lord wants to retrieve Liang shi's belongings, he will still have to go to the yamen to see for himself," Zhong Li said, standing up and walking to the round table.
At this moment, the waiter had already brought the evening meal as per her request.
Zhong Li preferred light meals and couldn't eat much at night, so she had only ordered some congee and green vegetables.
"Li'er, you haven't had dinner yet?" Lu Wuxie asked in surprise as he watched her eat with focus.
Zhong Li's gaze swept over the bowl of plain congee opposite her. She said coldly, "Yes, I thought the young lord was busy with official matters, so I didn't expect you to have already eaten!"
As she spoke, she shot a glance at the hem of his clothes.
Lu Wuxie didn't understand at first. It wasn't until he sat opposite her, and with a gust of wind, the scent of women's rouge wafted into his nostrils, that he understood what she meant by 'full.'
"Li'er, you've misunderstood," Lu Wuxie quickly explained.
However, before he could finish his words, a chopstick of green vegetables was placed on the small plate in front of him.
"Young lord, you should eat more vegetables. Eating too much greasy food can lead to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol!" Zhong Li threw out this remark, seemingly unwilling to pay Lu Wuxie any mind. She quickly finished the congee in front of her, stood up, and went into her private room, closing the door with a cold finality.
Lu Wuxie followed behind her, unable to utter a single word. The door panel that was almost slammed shut nearly hit him.
"Young lord!" Lin Jin happened to enter at this moment and saw his master being shut out. He called out awkwardly, his lips twitching a few times, about to leave.
"Come back!" Lu Wuxie said gruffly, turning to sit at the table and look at the green vegetables and plain congee before him. When had he eaten anything greasy? He had only drunk a few sips of tea that day, and what were these three highs? He had no idea.
"Young lord, do you need me to change these dishes for something else?" Lin Jin asked cautiously from behind him.
Lu Wuxie stirred the rice in his bowl aimlessly. When he saw that there was sweet potato in his spoon, his annoyed expression froze. He looked up at the closed door opposite him, his mood seeming to improve greatly. He ate while saying, "No need, this is quite good."
Lin Jin scratched his head, looking at Lu Wuxie's pleased expression.
"Why were you suddenly looking for me?" Lu Wuxie asked.
Reminded by this, Lin Jin quickly cupped his fists and said, "Young lord, a female corpse was salvaged from the southern suburbs this afternoon. Your subordinate estimates..."
"It's Qi Shui Shui, isn't it?" Lu Wuxie finished his words.
Lin Jin was stunned. He had never expected his master to know about this.
Lu Wuxie finished the last mouthful of congee, narrowed his eyes, and looked out the window. "This case is not simple. Go and investigate a woman named Zhu Yin in Yongcheng, especially who she was closely associated with during her time at the Jiaofang."
"Zhu Yin?" Lin Jin thought his master would ask him to find Qi Shui Shui's killer, but he never expected him to ask him to thoroughly investigate an unrelated person.
"Is there a problem?" Lu Wuxie raised his eyes.
Lin Jin quickly lowered his head, cupped his hands, and said, "Yes," before flashing out of the room.
Now that Lu Wuxie was alone in the room, he looked at the cold green vegetables in front of him and picked some up to put in his mouth.