He paused, his gaze growing distant as though he had returned to those years. “At the time, I even advised him that, since the restaurant could not do without Miss Tantai, and she possessed a talent for business, she was bound to make something of herself in the future. Why cling to the traditional expectations of marriage? Why not take in a son-in-law to carry on the family line? That way, Proprietor Tantai’s wish to continue the family name would be fulfilled, while his daughter could remain by his side and continue managing the family business.
“When I took my leave, I could tell from Proprietor Tantai’s expression that he had been moved by the suggestion. Miss Tantai… even went so far as to chase after me and present me with a box of pastries she had made herself, to thank me for speaking up on her behalf.”
Jin Chi took another sip of tea before continuing. “I arrived in the capital twelve days ago and went to pay a visit to Prince Ning at the Earl of Yuguo’s residence. As fate would have it, I encountered Miss Tantai there. Afterward, I asked someone to arrange a meeting with her and hinted at some of what I knew, beseeching her assistance. At first, Miss Tantai had many misgivings and refused to agree. She said that ever since marrying into the Earl of Yuguo’s household, she had concerned herself only with managing the shops and knew nothing whatsoever about the other affairs of the household. So I merely asked her to keep a little watch.
“About nine days ago, Miss Tantai’s maid, Fenghe, suddenly came to find me. She said that she had recently noticed Prince Ning seemed to be making unusual moves and was secretly transferring something, and asked me to wait a few more days. After that, Fenghe sent word from time to time, and every piece of information she provided was of the utmost importance.
“Yesterday, during the Hour of the Rooster, Miss Fenghe had someone deliver another message. We received the signal during the Hour of the Dog, took what we needed, and immediately hid ourselves in Miss Tantai’s courtyard. Only after the search was over did we disguise ourselves and slip out of the residence.”
A little after the Hour of the Dog, Ning Yuan drank the poisoned partridge soup. The search began afterward, and Wu Wang and Ding Xing were summoned away. When the poison took effect, Ning Yuan had no one to turn to for help.
It had all been too perfect—too perfect. The coincidences were so precise that it seemed as though an invisible hand had orchestrated every single step.
Yan Tongshu narrowed her eyes. “Other than this, is there anything else, Magistrate Jin, that you wish to tell me?”
Jin Chi shook his head.
Since that was all, Yan Tongshu rose to her feet. “Thank you for your time, Magistrate Jin. We’ve troubled you enough today.”
Jin Chi escorted Yan Tongshu and Zhang Jiu to the door. “Magistrates Yan and Zhang, take care.”
After Yan Tongshu and Zhang Jiu had left, Meng Zheng emerged from the adjoining room, his eyes instinctively following Yan Tongshu’s retreating figure.
Jin Chi was a civil official. He could not have scaled the wall and sneaked into the courtyard to steal something; naturally, he would have needed the help of a military officer.
No one was unaware of what had happened to Meng Yi—not even a local official like him.
Jin Chi patted Meng Zheng on the shoulder and let out a sigh. “She only acted in accordance with the law.”
Meng Zheng’s lips pressed into a tight line, his gaze lowered. “I know. I’m just… disappointed in myself…”
……
On the way back, Yan Tongshu took out the timeline she had organized at noon and carefully went over it again. “The clues are too scattered and tangled at the moment.”
Zhang Jiu pondered for a while. “I think the most crucial questions are still where the gelsemium poison came from and how it was administered. If we can solve those two points, we should be able to find the culprit.”
Yan Tongshu nodded. That was what she had been thinking as well. “But there’s one problem. I’m afraid we may never be able to trace the poison back to its source.”
Zhang Jiu thought about it briefly and understood.
At present, the person most directly connected to the poison was Wang Quan’an.
A sudden, inexplicable spread of honeysuckle had appeared in Wang Quan’an’s courtyard, and it had continued for seven years.
Seven years ago, Wang Quan’an’s wife, Zhong Jinyin, had died.
If this honeysuckle truly was the ghost of Madam Wang at work, then her death was very likely not accidental. That would explain why she kept using the honeysuckle as a warning.
It meant Madam Wang had most likely died from gelsemine poisoning as well.
If that was the case, Wang Quan'an had possessed this poison seven years ago. After so long, any evidence would have vanished. Finding out how he had obtained it would be exceedingly difficult.
Yan Tongshu said, “There is another problem. Gelsemine affects the brain. It would leave little trace on the bones. After seven years, Madam Wang’s body would already have decayed into a pile of bare bones. Even an autopsy would reveal nothing.”
After thinking it over, Yan Tongshu instructed, “Zhang Jiu, have someone look into Yu Xiujia of the Wang residence. Investigate her family background and her relationship with Madam Wang. I have a feeling she knows something.”
Zhang Jiu replied, “Yes, ma’am. I will see to it.”
By the time Yan Tongshu left the official quarters, it was already too late for her to return to the Kaifeng Prefecture office, so she went straight home.
Before leaving the Kaifeng Prefecture office, Yan Tongshu had given Pearl and Jinbao instructions. The two of them had returned to the Yan residence even before she did.
When Yan Tongshu arrived, the pair were huddled together, whispering about something.
Yan Tongshu crept over quietly, bent down, and squeezed between them. “What are you two talking about?”
“Ah!”
Pearl and Jinbao jumped in fright.
Jinbao in particular immediately ducked behind Pearl, hiding something in his hand.
Yan Tongshu tried to peer around Pearl at Jinbao, but Pearl spread her arms wide, shielding him like a mother hen protecting her chick.
Yan Tongshu was displeased. “Well, well. So now you two have secrets you’re keeping from me.”
Pearl stuck out her tongue at her. “Not telling.”
Yan Tongshu drew in a dramatic, huffy breath. “Then I want to know even more.”
When she moved left, Pearl blocked her from the right. When she moved right, Pearl shifted left to block her again.
Yan Tongshu planted her hands on her hips. “Pearl!”
Pearl made a face at her, then grinned and dragged Jinbao away at a run.
Yan Tongshu gave an indignant humph.
Those two little brats were excluding her.
Fine. She would ignore them too.
That night, Yan Tongshu was lying in bed when Pearl poked her round little head in through the doorway. “Young Master, are you still angry?”
Yan Tongshu hugged Yuanzi and turned her back to Pearl.
Pearl walked in with a cheerful smile. “Young Master, Jinbao and I made some sweet hawthorn rice balls. Would you like some?”
Angry or not, one could never skip a good meal.
Yan Tongshu sat up, still hugging Yuanzi. Pearl immediately ran out happily and brought in a bowl of hawthorn rice balls.
What Pearl and Jinbao were having were actually fermented-rice rice balls. But fermented rice was made with alcohol, and Pearl no longer dared let Yan Tongshu drink, even though Yan Tongshu could handle a little without getting drunk, provided she did not overdo it. Pearl simply would not risk it.
So for Yan Tongshu’s portion, she had replaced the fermented rice with a sweet-and-tangy hawthorn syrup. It had a flavor all its own.
After Yan Tongshu had eaten for a while, Pearl tugged at her sleeve and gave it a little shake. “Young Master, don’t be angry anymore.”
Yan Tongshu huffed. “You two were leaving me out.”
Pearl held up three fingers. “I swear, I absolutely didn’t. Young Master, please stop asking, all right?”
Yan Tongshu scooped up another spoonful of sweet-and-sour rice balls and considered it for a moment. “Don’t let it happen again.”
Pearl immediately threw both hands into the air in celebration. “Young Master is the best!”
The next morning, crystal-clear dew shimmered with a lovely halo amid the lush greenery.
The peach blossoms’ fiery red had faded away, but fresh green had appeared beside the little pond.
Willow branches drifted lazily in the breeze.
The dew fell, and morning court came to an end. As usual, Qin Yi went to the Chui Gong Hall to receive his senior ministers and discuss matters of state.
Lu Xi followed at his side, busy the entire time.
At last, once all the waiting officials had been seen, Qin Yi leaned back against the dragon throne and pressed his fingers to his temples in exhaustion.
Lu Xi hurried forward on silent feet and offered him a cup of warm ginseng tea.
Qin Yi took several sips, recovering somewhat. Then, his lowered gaze caught sight of the suspiciously bulging front of Lu Xi’s chief eunuch robes, and he asked casually, “What are you carrying in there?”
Lu Xi smiled. “It is a belt clasp this servant asked an acquaintance in the Imperial Household Department to make.”
He took the item from his robes. It was an exquisitely crafted square mother-of-pearl inlay box, containing a gold-and-jade belt clasp. The jade was smooth and lustrous, and the gold detailing was delicate.
Qin Yi’s gaze drifted to Lu Xi’s waist. Lu Xi hastily explained, “Your Majesty, it is already the greatest honor for this servant to attend at your side. How could I need such ornaments?”
Since he was taking a break, Qin Yi was in a relaxed mood and followed the thread of conversation. “A gift for someone?”
Lu Xi bowed. “In ten days, it will be Lord Yan’s twenty-third birthday. Some days ago, when this servant was on leave outside the palace, I saw Pearl and Jinbao secretly preparing gifts, so I asked about it. Miss Pearl said Lord Yan enjoys fine food, entertainment, and beautiful things. This servant has nothing precious enough to offer, except for several fine pieces of jade Your Majesty bestowed upon me back when we were at the Crown Prince’s residence. So this servant chose one and asked a friend in the Imperial Household Department to turn it into a belt clasp.”
A birthday, was it?
That brat was already twenty-three.
Hmph. Twenty-three, yet still not the least bit mature. Like some foolish hothead.
Qin Yi suddenly grew interested and began to ponder. “Yan Tongshu is twenty-three...”
Lu Xi did not understand why this mattered, but he answered earnestly, “Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Yan is twenty-three.”
Qin Yi considered it carefully. “Twenty-three, and still unmarried... Could there be... some problem?”
For instance, some hidden physical ailment.
Lu Xi replied softly, “From what this servant can see, Lord Yan appears to be in excellent health. Perhaps, like Your Majesty, Lord Yan simply has not yet met someone they like.”
Qin Yi casually picked up a memorial from beside him and tossed it at Lu Xi, not hard enough to hurt. “You dare compare me to them?”
Lu Xi picked up the memorial, respectfully returned it to the imperial desk, and smiled. “This servant misspoke and deserves punishment.”
Qin Yi thought for a long while before suddenly smiling. “If there is nothing wrong with their health, and they enjoy beauty, then I shall give them a beauty as a birthday gift.”
Lu Xi let out a small cry of surprise. “Your Majesty, would that really be appropriate?”
Qin Yi flung another memorial at Lu Xi. “You worthless slave. You’ve only known her for a short while, and already you’re taking her side?”
Lu Xi picked it up again and set it back neatly in place. “This servant lives and dies for Your Majesty. Naturally, my heart is bound firmly to Your Majesty alone.”
Qin Yi ignored Lu Xi’s flattery and began seriously considering what sort of beauty he ought to bestow upon Yan Tongshu.
After thinking for quite some time, he remained completely at a loss.
He simply could not imagine what someone as excessively upright and worldly as Yan Tongshu would look like after falling into the snares of love.
Qin Yi looked at Lu Xi and ordered, “Go ask Pearl and Jinbao, indirectly, what kind of woman Yan Tongshu likes. Then inquire among the unmarried daughters of prominent families. Find out whether there are any young ladies of good character and beauty whose temperament suits Yan Tongshu’s preferences. I intend to grant her a marriage.”
What?
Lu Xi instinctively felt this was a terrible idea, but His Majesty looked eager to try it. He did not dare object and could only reply, “Yes, this servant obeys Your Majesty’s decree.”
...
At the Kaifeng Prefecture office, Yan Tongshu was eating mung bean cakes when her nose suddenly began to itch. She sneezed five times in a row.
Rubbing her nose, she frowned. What did that mean? Was someone cursing her?
Yan Tongshu turned to Pearl beside her. “Were you cursing me in your head?”
Pearl looked at her, utterly speechless. “Young Master, why would this servant curse you?”
So it was not Pearl.
Yan Tongshu turned to stare at Jinbao.
Jinbao hurriedly waved both hands, shaking his head with all his might.
Yan Tongshu then looked toward the doorway. Could someone be plotting against her?
Just as she was mentally reviewing who might want to harm her, Xu Qiu entered. “Lord Yan, we found something.”
Yan Tongshu looked at Xu Qiu.
Xu Qiu would not harm her, nor did he have any reason to curse her.
She asked, “What did you find?”
Xu Qiu said, “Not long ago, my lord, you instructed us to investigate whether any of the guards at the place where the Wang sisters were serving their sentences had suddenly come into money.”
Xu Qiu’s face brightened. “Perhaps enough time has passed that he could no longer resist spending it. According to the guards assigned to watch him, the man is called Peng Sui. He is twenty-eight years old and has worked at the Wang sisters’ place of imprisonment for seven years. His duty is delivering meals to the prisoners. Both his parents are alive, and he has a wife and three children: two daughters and a son. With so many people in the household and so many children to support, his salary barely covers their needs, and they have always lived in hardship. But recently, he suddenly bought a great deal of new cloth for his wife and children to make clothes from, and he even took his father to see a physician. His father has often suffered from back pain, but because the family had no money, he kept putting off treatment. This time, not only did Peng Sui take him to the doctor, but he also bought several days’ worth of medicine.”
Yan Tongshu asked sternly, “Has he been detained?”
Xu Qiu replied, “We are only awaiting your order, my lord.”
Yan Tongshu gave the command at once. “Take him into custody.”
“Yes!” Xu Qiu answered in a firm voice.
Before long, Peng Sui was brought in.
Knowing that his crime had been exposed, Peng Sui knelt on the floor, trembling. “This humble one, Peng Sui, greets Lord Yan.”
Yan Tongshu deliberately put on a forbidding expression, her gaze sharp. “Peng Sui, do you know what crime you have committed?”
Peng Sui’s lips trembled, his voice hoarse. “Accepting bribes.”
Yan Tongshu’s voice was cold and severe. “Since you know, confess it yourself.”
Peng Sui hung his head. "About half a month ago, someone gave this lowly one thirty taels of silver and told me to slip Wang Yuyan a letter while delivering meals. I thought it was only a letter, nothing much, so I did. Then Wang Yuyan asked whether her stepmother and younger sister were dead. I told her the truth.
"She then asked whether her father had come to make trouble. Lord Wang causing such a scene at the prison was a major matter; naturally, I knew about it, so I told her he had come. She nodded. Following that person's instructions, I took the letter back and burned it right in front of Wang Yuyan.
"I thought that would be the end of it, but Wang Yuyan died the very next day. I was terrified. I dug a hole in my family's field and buried the thirty taels there. It was only these past few days, with spring arriving and the weather turning warm, when my wife, children, parents, and I scarcely had a decent set of clothes among us to wear outside, that I dug the money up and took one tael to buy cloth. I never expected the Kaifeng Prefecture to catch me red-handed."
Yan Tongshu demanded coldly, "What was in the letter?"
Peng Sui knocked his forehead to the ground. "My lord, this lowly one truly does not know!"
"You did not read it?"
"That person specifically told me not to read it, so I did not."
"Who bribed you?"
Peng Sui shook his head honestly. "I do not know either. When that person met with me, they wore a cloak with a hood and deliberately disguised their voice. They were wrapped up from head to toe. I could only tell from the voice, height, and embroidered shoes that the person was a woman."
A woman?
Tantai Mingzhu?
The guards at the torture grounds had said that Wang Yuyan had volunteered herself and died by accidental drowning.
First Gao Shengmei and Wang Chuning had fallen into the water and drowned. Then Wang Yuyan had drowned as well. That was why she had found it strange, why it had seemed too much of a coincidence.
Wang Quan'an, as well as Wang Yuyan's maternal family, the Zhong family, had thought the same. That was why they had repeatedly summoned coroners to examine the bodies.
But what if she looked at it from another angle?
What if Wang Yuyan had truly volunteered herself, deliberately seeking death in order to mislead them?
Wang Quan'an was a man obsessively devoted to love. Having also lost the woman he loved most, he would inevitably be driven to extremes.
Even without evidence, he would believe that the deaths of all three women had been murder.
Wang Quan'an had leverage over the Earl of Yuguo's estate. Once he had made up his mind, he would confront them. That was why, after Gao Shengmei's death, he and Ning Yuan had erupted into a fierce argument.
So Tantai Mingzhu had been setting Wang Quan'an up. That was why, at the critical moment, she had arranged for something to be suddenly stolen and for an urgent search to be launched. That was why Ning Yuan had been left alone in the courtyard when the poison took effect. The missing item was supposedly so important that the Earl of Yuguo did not spare a thought for his own son's safety.
She did not need to kill anyone herself. She only had to steer events in the direction she wanted.
No. There were still problems.
Why had Ning Yuan been lying peacefully in bed?
There was no vomit beside the bed, though there was some near the table. That meant the poison had already taken effect while Ning Yuan was at the table. Even if, in his confusion, he had mistaken it for a cold and gone to lie down, the agony of the poison would have been unbearable. He would have vomited in bed as well. Yet there was nothing.
The bed and the area around it were both spotless.
And how had Wang Quan'an administered the poison?
The onset of gelsemium poisoning was so rapid. When had he administered the poison, and how had he managed to evade the notice of the hunter Wang Liang and the cook Zhou Ping?
When the partridge entered the Earl of Yuguo's residence, it had clearly been lively and full of life, showing no signs of poisoning whatsoever.
And most importantly, what was the crucial piece of evidence?
Everything Yan Tongshu had pieced together so far was merely conjecture. There was no proof.
Without evidence, there could be no conviction. Wang Quan'an was not Wang Yuyan, much less Wang Chuning. He could not be tricked into confessing.
Yan Tongshu turned the matter over and over in her mind, but found no answer. In the end, she decided to pay Wang Quan'an another visit.
That afternoon, around the time the hunters would be coming down from the mountain, Yan Tongshu had Jinbao prepare the carriage and leave the city.
On the way to Gao Shengmei's grave, Yan Tongshu first made a detour to the temporary game market that Wang Liang had mentioned.
When they arrived, Yan Tongshu and Pearl stepped down from the carriage.
The so-called temporary market stood at the entrance to a village, not far from the official road at the foot of the mountain.
At first, villagers who gathered wild vegetables and mushrooms from the mountain would set up stalls there to sell their goods. Later, seeing the crowds, other villagers joined them. When the mountain hunters realized there was a market, they began bringing down their surplus game to sell as well. Gradually, more and more people came to buy things, and the place developed into a makeshift marketplace.
Yan Tongshu and Pearl walked toward it. Yan Tongshu was dressed casually, but her clothes were fine, and she had both a maidservant and a young attendant beside her. One glance was enough for the villagers to know she came from money. They immediately held up their freshly picked greens.
"Young master, does your household eat water shield? I picked these at dawn today. They're fresh as can be."
"Young master, take a look at my shepherd's purse. It's delicious in dumplings or pancakes."
Yan Tongshu passed through the shouting vendors and reached the game section.
Most of the people buying things here were servants from wealthy households, all hoping to bring home something fresh and unusual.
Wild chickens, hares, wild pigeons.
There were even snakes for sale.
The snake was black as soot and still alive. When its pitch-dark eyes fixed on someone, it sent a chill through the heart.
Yan Tongshu hurriedly pulled Pearl away from it.
It was far too frightening.
Pearl was terrified as well, gripping Yan Tongshu's hand tightly.
After walking a little farther, Yan Tongshu spotted Wang Liang. He sat on a bundle of dry straw with two cages before him. One bamboo cage held a partridge; a bamboo basket contained a rabbit with an injured leg.
The basket holding the rabbit had been placed in front, while the cage with the partridge rested by his ankle. Clearly, the rabbit was for sale, but not the partridge.
Yan Tongshu walked over. "Has someone already reserved the partridge today?"
Recognizing Yan Tongshu, Wang Liang nodded honestly. "The Earl of Yuguo's household doesn't want it anymore, but plenty of other masters and ladies still enjoy this sort of thing. Partridge is best in spring, and it's in high demand. My lord, would you like one? If you want to try something fresh, leave me a deposit. If I catch one tomorrow, I'll deliver it to your residence first."
Yan Tongshu shook her head, then asked, "Has that picky person come by these past two days?"
Wang Liang said, "Of course. Every day. Sometimes several times a day."
He looked up at the sky. "Judging by the light, it should be about time. He'll be here soon."
Yan Tongshu nodded. Just then, someone came over to ask how much the wild rabbits cost, so she stepped aside, not wanting to get in Wang Liang’s way while he did business.
At that moment, an enraged man stormed up to the hunter’s stall beside Wang Liang’s and slammed a butchered wild rabbit onto the counter.
“Take a good look at this! This is the rabbit you sold me, you bastard. You stuffed its belly with grass and even stones to make it weigh more. Did you really think I wouldn’t come back for you?”
The hunter had already pocketed the money and naturally refused to give it back. He shoved the man away. “This rabbit was caught in the wild. How am I supposed to know what it ate before I caught it? Maybe it just likes eating stones.”
The man punched him square in the face. “And you still dare spout that nonsense? I took it home and cut it open, and the grass in its belly hadn’t even been digested! You told me yourself you caught it half a day ago. If you didn’t feed it the grass and stones, then who did?”
The hunter had just taken a punch and was about to fight back when, by sheer coincidence, two of the man’s brothers happened to pass by. They cracked their knuckles and stared menacingly at the hunter.
Unwilling to take on three men alone, the hunter backed down. Not only did he refund the money, but he also handed over a wild pheasant as compensation.
The man even took the gutted rabbit with him when he left.
Yan Tongshu stared at the injured hunter, motionless. She had the distinct feeling that an idea had just flashed through her mind, only too quickly for her to grasp.
“Young Master, he’s here.”
Pearl and Jinbao pulled Yan Tongshu aside and hid with her.
Wang Quan’an approached.
His gaze swept from side to side, as though he were searching for something that suited his fancy.
After a while, Wang Quan’an stopped at Wang Liang’s stall, his eyes fixed intently on the partridge by Wang Liang’s feet. Wang Liang hurriedly pulled the cage behind him.
“Listen, sir, I really can’t sell you this partridge today. Someone reserved it in advance.”
Wang Quan’an held out his hand. “Let me see it.”
Wang Liang shielded the partridge and firmly refused.
When Wang Quan’an realized he would not hand it over, he did not press the matter. He simply moved on to the next hunter.
The partridge in this hunter’s cage was badly injured. It lay sprawled inside, barely clinging to life. Wang Quan’an crouched down and studied it for a moment with his dark eyes. Then he curled his lips in distaste and turned his attention to the two wild pheasants in another cage.
Pointing at the cage, Wang Quan’an ordered, “Open it. I want to inspect them.”
The hunter’s expression became difficult to describe. “Why is it you again... Oh, forget it. You’re a poor soul too.”
He found Wang Quan’an distasteful, but then he remembered that the man’s wife had only recently died. It was understandable that grief might leave him behaving strangely.
Forget it. As long as he paid for whatever he bought, there was no point making a fuss.
The hunter opened the cage. “Be gentle. It wasn’t easy catching two of them alive. Don’t manhandle them to death.”
Wang Quan’an paid him no heed. He thrust one hand through the narrow cage opening and, with a sharp jerk, yanked one of the pheasants out.
His handling was exceedingly rough, and the already injured bird shrieked in pain.
The hunter was not the only one distressed by the sight. Even Yan Tongshu, hidden among the crowd, felt her heart ache for the poor creature.
