“Then it’s settled.” With that, Cuiji turned and left. Du Ruhui casually glanced at his departing figure, and as he was about to look away, his expression suddenly changed slightly. When Cuiji had walked about ten steps, he suddenly called out: “Brother Cui.”

Cuiji stopped and turned back: “Brother Du, is there something else?”

Du Ruhui smiled: “Before coming here, Brother Pei and I discussed visiting the place where Brother Zheng fell into the water in a few days to pay our respects. I wanted to ask if Brother Cui has been there. If not, you might as well come with us.”

Cuiji replied without hesitation: “Good. Brother Du, once you’ve set the date, tell me and I’ll definitely go.”

After Cuiji left, Pei Qiancheng asked in confusion: “When we came here, when did we ever discuss paying respects?”

Du Ruhui glanced at him: “What, you don’t want to go?”

“Of course not, I just…” Before he could finish, Du Ruhui was already striding outside. Pei Qiancheng quickly caught up: “What’s wrong with you?”

Du Ruhui didn’t speak, just pulled Pei Qiancheng out of the Cui residence. Only when they reached a secluded alley did he stop and say solemnly: “Do you remember what shoes Cuiji wore that day we went to Jinshui River?”

Pei Qiancheng was stunned, then said: “How would I remember that? Why are you asking such a strange question? You’ve been acting odd since earlier, and when I ask you won’t say. What’s really going on?”

Du Ruhui ignored his words and only said: “I remember that day at Jinshui River, Cuiji wore Huayue shoes. Where Brother Zheng fell into the water, there were many azure moss-covered pebbles, and the soles of our shoes all got some on them. Today he’s wearing Feiyun shoes, but when he lifted his foot, the sole also had the same azure moss. I mentioned the matter of paying respects to test whether he’d been to that place recently. From his answer, it seems he hasn’t gone. If he truly hasn’t been there, where did that moss come from?”

Pei Qiancheng thought for a moment: “Perhaps he stepped on it elsewhere? That’s not the only place with azure moss. If Brother Cui had really been to Jinshui River, he couldn’t possibly not tell us.”

“What you say makes sense, but…” Before Du Ruhui could continue, Pei Qiancheng interrupted: “Enough with the ‘buts.’ Ever since spring began, it’s been raining constantly. It’s rare to have such good weather today – come with me to Qingxu Wine House for a drink. Come to think of it, we haven’t been there for quite some time.”

Seeing him say this, Du Ruhui nodded and went with him to the wine house. Upon arriving, the customers sitting in the shop were, as always, discussing Yunyi’s affairs, only this time Cuiji’s name was mentioned frequently in their conversations.

Pei Qiancheng raised his full bowl of wine and declared loudly: “Come, let’s toast to the Princess and Brother Cui’s long-lasting love and affection!”

His loud voice drew everyone’s attention. Some recognized them and quickly shut their mouths, not daring to speak further, while those who didn’t know them paid no heed to his words.

During this drinking session, Du Ruhui drank absent-mindedly, occasionally thinking about Cuiji’s moss-stained shoe sole. At that time… was he being too suspicious?

After leaving the wine house, he went to Jinshui River once more. It was still as cold and desolate as ever. Looking along the riverbank, he could see fishermen in twos and threes pulling nets to catch fish in the distance. Other places usually had people coming and going, but this particular spot was unusually quiet – you could go half a day without seeing a soul. Yet Zheng Yang had specifically come to this place. What exactly had happened on that stretch of road from Qingxu Wine House to here that ultimately brought him to this location?

On his way back, Du Ruhui encountered several people living nearby and asked about Zheng Yang again. The results were the same as that day – all said no one had seen Zheng Yang, let alone whether he was alone or with someone.

Just as Du Ruhui was feeling disappointed, a farmer carrying a hoe who had just returned from the fields heard his words and said: “The person you’re talking about – was he a tall, sturdy young man?”

Hearing this, Du Ruhui hurriedly said: “Yes, my friend was indeed rather tall and sturdy. Brother, did you see him?”

“I suppose I did see him.” The farmer said: “I remember that night I went to my brother-in-law’s house for drinks. On my way back, I saw a figure stumbling ahead of me. Since this place rarely has visitors, especially late at night, I found it strange and wanted to ask about it. But I accidentally tripped over a stone, hit my head, and passed out. When I woke up, the figure was long gone. But whether it was the person you’re looking for, I don’t know.”

Du Ruhui asked urgently: “Was that the ninth day of the second month?”

“Well…” The farmer scratched his head: “You’re asking me so suddenly, I really can’t remember clearly. It was around that time anyway.”

“When you saw him, was he alone or with someone?” The farmer thought for a moment about Du Ruhui’s question: “It was pitch black, so I couldn’t see clearly. It looked like one person, but also like two people.”

Du Ruhui pressed on: “Think carefully again. This is very important to me.”

The farmer shook his head: “I really couldn’t see clearly. I just remember he seemed to be carrying a large bundle.” He gestured with his hands to show the size – about half the size of a person.

Unable to get more information, Du Ruhui could only bow and leave. Although he had found someone who saw Du Ruhui that night, the clues provided were too few to be useful. The only thing that could barely be considered useful was the large bundle he mentioned.

When Zheng Yang was pulled from the water, there was only his body and nothing else – certainly no bundle. Had it been taken away beforehand, or had it drifted elsewhere with the current?

However, if Zheng Yang had truly come to this place carrying such a bundle, it wouldn’t be the drunken wandering they had previously speculated, but rather that he had business here. He just couldn’t figure out what business would bring Zheng Yang to this place.

The only thing he could be certain of was that Zheng Yang’s death wasn’t simply an accident – there must be more to it. He hoped… it truly had nothing to do with Cuiji.

Days passed one by one amid the city’s discussions and controversies. In the blink of an eye, it was already March, with only eight days remaining until Yunyi’s wedding. The Imperial Wardrobe Bureau had already delivered the completed phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, while Changsheng Palace was piled high with gifts from various palaces and courtyards, including from princesses like Xin’an and Wenyu. Regardless of how much they disliked or envied Yunyi, they still had to maintain appearances to avoid giving people cause for gossip.

Jixiang joyfully picked up the phoenix crown and ceremonial robes: “This wedding outfit is truly beautiful. The Princess will surely look as beautiful as a celestial fairy wearing it.” Then she said to Yunyi, who was reading: “Princess, please try it on quickly to see if it fits. If it doesn’t, we can still have the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau take it back for alterations.”