◎Inspector Liu went out with Elder Zhang again◎

This question was somewhat strange, but Luo Wanqing was genuinely curious.

Why would Xie Heng’s private room contain these items? Who exactly were they for?

However, she felt it was inappropriate as soon as she asked. If Xing Ling’s matter was private, this was even more so. Yet she didn’t know why she cared so much about it. Having asked, she said nothing more, only quietly awaiting Xie Heng’s answer.

But Xie Heng didn’t speak immediately. Silence filled the entire room for a moment as he quietly gazed at her.

Everything in this room was plain and simple, except for Luo Wanqing, who was exquisitely beautiful, seeming both out of place in this room yet as if she belonged here.

His gaze made Luo Wanqing somewhat uncomfortable. She inexplicably felt that his presence was gradually intensifying in this silence, permeating the entire room.

This atmosphere made Luo Wanqing nervous. Just as she was about to speak and leave, she heard his hoarse voice: “What do you think?”

Luo Wanqing was startled. Xie Heng lowered his eyes and answered coldly, “I just had someone install the vanity table.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing suddenly realized why Xie Heng hadn’t concealed any of the methods for entering this place.

He had shown her how to enter, installed a vanity table for women – clearly intending to transform this solitary dwelling into a place for two people.

With this realization, everything in the room suddenly felt somewhat scorching. Luo Wanqing felt restless and immediately bowed, saying, “This subordinate has finished asking questions. If there’s nothing else, this subordinate will take leave first.”

Xie Heng didn’t make things difficult for her. His expression showed no joy or anger, remaining calm as usual, only his voice somewhat hoarse as he said, “I still have matters to attend to. You may leave on your own.”

Luo Wanqing dared not overthink, only wanting to quickly leave this place. She immediately bowed and retreated.

But just as she stepped onto the stairs, she heard Xie Heng suddenly call out: “Xiniang.”

Luo Wanqing curiously looked back to see him leaning against the desk, quietly watching her as he said hoarsely, “Come find me early.”

Luo Wanqing looked at his seemingly substantial gaze, paused, nodded, then stepped forward along the original path upward.

Xie Heng watched her retreating figure, forcing himself to look away, yet couldn’t help but smile.

Luo Wanqing quickly returned to her room. Having distanced herself from Xie Heng, she sat at her desk for a moment to free herself from that strange atmosphere.

She knew Xie Heng’s temperament – he kept public and private matters separate. When handling official business, he wouldn’t discuss other things. But perhaps it was her guilty conscience; though Xie Heng had done nothing, just standing there made her feel uneasy.

They had been alone together before…

Luo Wanqing stopped herself from thinking wildly and began considering Xie Heng’s words.

Now they had obtained the Phoenix Feather Hairpin and the iron box. The only missing piece was the key to open the box. This key was one character selected from the twenty-two characters of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, and Xiang Sizi said she was the person most likely to know this key.

Why? What exactly had her father told Xiang Sizi? And what was the specific relationship between her father and Xiang Sizi?

After thinking for a while and confirming she had no other clues related to the three characters, Luo Wanqing simply rose and decided to find Xiang Sizi for a conversation first, to see if he had any specific information.

She rose and went to Xie Heng’s room. Seeing he wasn’t there, she went to find Xuanshan. After obtaining the token to see Xiang Sizi, she headed straight to the guest room where Xiang Sizi was staying.

Xiang Sizi couldn’t exactly be called a prisoner and could still stay in the guest room. Just as Luo Wanqing reached the door, she saw Zhuque leading Zhang Yiran inside.

Seeing the two, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but feel puzzled and called out, “Zhuque Envoy? Elder Zhang?”

“Inspector Liu?”

Both turned to greet her. Zhuque was equally puzzled: “Why is Inspector Liu here?”

“I’m looking for Xiang Sizi about some matters.”

Luo Wanqing pointed at the door. Zhuque smiled, “What a coincidence. Elder Zhang is also here to see Xiang Sizi.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing knew that Xie Heng had taken her words from yesterday to heart. She confirmed, “The young master’s orders?”

“Of course,” Zhuque nodded, pointing at Zhang Yiran, “Without the young master’s word, who would dare bring him here?”

“Thank you, Chief Xie.”

Zhang Yiran, hearing the reminder, wisely thanked Zhuque.

Zhuque waved his hand, then said, “Since Inspector Liu is here, you take him in. I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll go first.”

Luo Wanqing acknowledged and saw Zhuque off with Zhang Yiran.

The two looked at each other, and Zhang Yiran smiled, gesturing, “Inspector Liu, please.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t decline and entered the courtyard with Zhang Yiran. Zhang Yiran pushed open the door, saying gratefully, “Yesterday, Inspector Liu said she’d help me ask around. I wondered what to ask about, but yesterday afternoon I received word that Xiang Sizi was at the Supervision Department. Inspector Liu helped arrange this, didn’t she?”

“It was also the young master’s intention.” Luo Wanqing didn’t dare take credit, only saying, “Even if I hadn’t spoken, the young master would have helped Elder Zhang sooner or later.”

“Still, thank you.”

As they talked, the two stepped into the courtyard. In the courtyard, Xiang Sizi lay on a reclining chair with a book covering his face, while Qinglu sat at a tea table brewing tea. Hearing footsteps, Xiang Sizi spoke: “Oh, two people came?”

Speaking thus, he sat up straight. The book slid from his face, revealing his rather handsome features. The red mole on his forehead was vivid and striking, still the same righteous yet wicked appearance as when Luo Wanqing first met him.

He lazily glanced at the two, then smiled, “Both of you came?”

“Senior.”

Both bowed together. Xiang Sizi nodded and rose to sit at the table, with Qinglu stepping forward to serve tea.

Luo Wanqing nodded to Qinglu as a greeting. Qinglu glanced at her and tactfully withdrew.

When only three people remained in the courtyard, Xiang Sizi took the initiative to speak, glancing at Luo Wanqing: “I thought you’d come alone.”

Xiang Sizi knew her identity and had kept it secret until now. Luo Wanqing understood his meaning and explained, “I met Elder Zhang at the entrance, so we came in together.”

Hearing this, Xiang Sizi understood the appropriate boundaries for conversation and nodded, “You two may ask whatever you wish.”

Zhang Yiran and Luo Wanqing exchanged glances. Zhang Yiran pondered for a moment before speaking: “You should recognize me.”

“I remember,” Xiang Sizi glanced at him, saying indifferently, “Little Brother Jiuran. I arranged the identities for you and your mother back then.”

“Back then…” Zhang Yiran hesitated, “Were you…”

“I was the one who killed your father.”

Xiang Sizi spoke directly. Zhang Yiran’s expression changed slightly. Xiang Sizi seemed to know what they wanted to ask and said calmly, “Back then, I was a spy planted by the Cui family in Fengyu Pavilion. I had just entered Fengyu Pavilion not long ago, and my position wasn’t high – just a minor leader. One day, I suddenly received two orders from the border: first, to cooperate with Luo Qushu, arrange his whereabouts, and protect him; second, to go to Jiangnan to receive something escorted from the border by Zhang Qiuzhi.”

Xiang Sizi continued, taking a sip of tea: “But shortly after receiving this news, I simultaneously received orders from Fengyu Pavilion to intercept and kill a shipment in Jiangnan. When I arrived, I discovered that the person I was supposed to rob was your father. I could only take advantage of the chaos to hide the item in a tree, then return to retrieve it later. When I returned, I encountered Wang Hu. He saw me taking the item – I could either kill him or use him. I could only choose one path. Later, I was ordered by Fengyu Pavilion to search your home. Fengyu Pavilion was unwilling to let go of what they hadn’t obtained, and that’s when I encountered your sister.”

Thinking of Zhang Jiuran, Xiang Sizi fell silent for a moment before finding his voice again: “She was a good blade. She wanted to trade her life for you and your mother’s safety, so I let her make that trade.”

“Why didn’t you save her?”

Zhang Yiran couldn’t help but ask after hearing this: “Since you could let me study properly, why couldn’t you let my sister live properly?”

“I’m an assassin, not a charitable saint running a charity hall,” Xiang Sizi glanced at him, only saying, “If your sister hadn’t been talented, she wouldn’t have even qualified to make that trade with me.”

Zhang Yiran was momentarily speechless, showing some anger on his face. Luo Wanqing noticed his emotional fluctuation and interjected, “Who executed the order to kill Zhang Qiuzhi back then? Who issued it?”

Thirty people executed it in total. Except for me, they’re all dead now,” Xiang Sizi said matter-of-factly, slowly continuing, “The order was issued by Wang Qinshu, master of the Dark Pavilion.”

Seeing Zhang Yiran’s confused expression, Xiang Sizi reminded him: “Fengyu Pavilion is divided into the Ming Pavilion and Dark Pavilion. Ming Pavilion’s tasks mostly come from external bounties, but Dark Pavilion’s tasks come from the court. Fengyu Pavilion is an assassin organization built by the Wang family. Wang Qinshu’s orders mean this command came from the Wang family. At that time, the Wang family members who could speak were either the Empress or Wang Shenfeng.”

“So it was the Empress or Wang Shenfeng who killed my father?”

Zhang Yiran’s face showed anger as he couldn’t help but say, “The Wang family’s crown prince drove my sister to death, and his family killed my father?!”

Xiang Sizi remained silent, tacitly acknowledging this. After a long while, he finally said, “Now that you know, you know. But cherish your life. Don’t throw eggs at rocks and waste your sister’s sacrifice.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran clenched his fists. He understood Xiang Sizi was right and suppressed his emotions, asking, “So what exactly was that thing?”

“I don’t know either.”

Xiang Sizi said, turning to look at Luo Wanqing: “I took that thing and placed it on Liufeng Island. You know what happened after that. As for Luo Qushu, I met him once in Jiangnan. He had the key to unlock it and the password to open the lock. We didn’t talk much during that meeting. He only instructed me about two things.”

“Which two things?”

Luo Wanqing was curious. Xiang Sizi pondered, “The first was that if something happened in the future, I must take the key away.”

Luo Wanqing nodded. Xiang Sizi continued, “The second thing was for me to protect your family members. He knew I was unreliable and told me that if his daughter died, no one should expect to open that box.”

This statement startled Luo Wanqing. Zhang Yiran couldn’t help but frown: “But his daughter… didn’t she already die on the road to exile in Lingnan?”

Xiang Sizi didn’t speak. He glanced at Luo Wanqing and continued, “At that time, he told me that the child he valued most was Luo Wanqing. He said his daughter Luo Wanqing, though seemingly fragile, had the tenacity of weeds. She was brave and resourceful. If the Luo family fell into trouble, if there was any hope for the future, it would be her.”

Hearing this, a dense soreness rose in Luo Wanqing’s heart. She felt like crying for a moment, but couldn’t show any abnormality in front of Zhang Yiran.

She could only force herself to say, “But now Luo Wanqing has no clues. Do you have any other hints about this password?”

Xiang Sizi listened and thought seriously for a long time before saying, “I don’t know if this counts as a hint.”

“Mm?” Luo Wanqing was curious. Xiang Sizi said slowly, “During that meeting with him, though we didn’t speak directly about it, I felt that he knew Zhang Qiuzhi.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing instantly recalled the Matchmaker Temple that Zhang Yiran had mentioned when they went shopping yesterday.

Back then when he came to Jiangnan, her father would regularly take her to the Matchmaker Temple on the third day of the third month, and Zhang Qiuzhi would also take Zhang Yiran to the Matchmaker Temple on the third day of the third month.

She suppressed her suspicions and continued asking, “Why do you have this feeling?”

“Intuition, I suppose.” Xiang Sizi pondered, “We didn’t chat deeply, but he specifically asked about Zhang Qiuzhi’s family and jokingly said he wanted to adopt him.”

Speaking thus, Xiang Sizi glanced at Zhang Yiran, who looked somewhat stunned.

Xiang Sizi continued, “I didn’t think much of it then, but later I thought about it and always felt there was something similar about Luo Qushu and Zhang Qiuzhi that I couldn’t quite place. But now that the people are gone,” Xiang Sizi smiled bitterly, “it’s hard for me to investigate further. Since Luo Wanqing is no longer here—”

Xiang Sizi held his teacup, glancing at Zhang Yiran: “Why don’t you ask Elder Zhang?”

“Understood.”

Luo Wanqing nodded and continued asking, “So after meeting Luo Qushu once in Jiangnan, you never contacted him again?”

“No.”

Xiang Sizi shook his head: “I did not need to take risks. I only came to collect the Phoenix Feather Hairpin after his family met with trouble.”

“Then I have a question.” Luo Wanqing stared at Xiang Sizi, keenly asking, “You said you were ordered to cooperate with Luo Qushu and then come to Jiangnan to receive the Xuantian Box. That means Luo Qushu’s coming to Jiangnan was his own choice?”

“Yes.” Xiang Sizi nodded, “He decided to come to Jiangnan himself. I fabricated a mission for him at Fengyu Pavilion.”

“Why did he come to Jiangnan?”

Previously, everyone assumed the item sent by Cui Qingping was in her father’s hands, mainly because his timing of coming to Jiangnan was too coincidental. Since he wasn’t the designated recipient, why come to Jiangnan?

However, Xiang Sizi couldn’t answer this question either, shaking his head: “I don’t know. He never answered that.”

Never answered meant the question had been asked. Since Luo Qushu hadn’t said, no one could know.

Luo Wanqing nodded in understanding. Xiang Sizi looked up, “Any other questions?”

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and shook her head: “No more.”

“Mm.” Xiang Sizi acknowledged, seeming somewhat weary, “Even if you ask me more, I don’t have much else to say.”

“Then thank you, senior. Elder Zhang and I will take our leave.”

Luo Wanqing led Zhang Yiran in rising. After Zhang Yiran bowed to Xiang Sizi, he walked out with Luo Wanqing.

His expression seemed to be restraining something with great effort. Luo Wanqing glanced at him and knew his thoughts, saying directly, “Want revenge?”

“Inspector Liu…” Zhang Yiran’s voice was somewhat dry, “I… I’m unwilling to accept this.”

“I understand.” Luo Wanqing nodded. She thought for a long time, then said, “Then could Elder Zhang help me with something?”

Zhang Yiran looked up puzzledly. Luo Wanqing pondered, “Elder Zhang should have understood what I discussed with Xiang Sizi just now. Now that Luo Wanqing has perished on the road to Lingnan, I can only hope for Elder Zhang’s help.”

“I…” Zhang Yiran, hearing Luo Wanqing’s words, was somewhat confused. “What help can I provide?”

“Yesterday, Elder Zhang mentioned to me that your late father would take you to the Matchmaker Temple every third day of the third month. I wonder what your late father took you there to do?”

Luo Wanqing voiced her suspicions. Zhang Yiran was stunned, then realized, “The Inspector thinks this is a clue?”

Luo Wanqing nodded, only saying, “Perhaps?”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran dared not be negligent and thought carefully, “My father… my father didn’t do much. He would just have me get a peach blossom steamed bun, then he would take down a piece of red cloth from the marriage tree and tie up a new piece of red cloth.”

Listening to this, Luo Wanqing remembered her father seemed to follow the same process and couldn’t help but feel that this seemed like a special communication method.

She curiously pursued, “What would be written on the red cloth?”

Zhang Yiran recalled, only saying, “Each time was a different sentence, hard to say exactly what, but they were love poems.”

Naturally, what was placed on the marriage tree would be love poems, but whether there were other hidden meanings was hard to guess.

Seeing Luo Wanqing remain silent, Zhang Yiran continued recalling, “After that, he would take me to pray, then we’d leave.”

“Besides the Matchmaker Temple, did your father have any other places he would visit at fixed times?”

Luo Wanqing recalled that back then, Luo Qushu would not only visit the Matchmaker Temple at fixed times but also go to some other places at specific times.

For instance—

“My father would regularly go to Mingcui Tower for meals on the eighth day and to Kaiyuan Gambling House on the tenth day.” Zhang Yiran recalled, and Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but stare at him as he continued, “These two places weren’t necessarily in the third month, but whenever he went, it was either the eighth or tenth day. I remember my father specifically met with a woman called Cui Niang at Mingcui Tower.”

Luo Wanqing listened, repeating, “Cui Niang?”

“Yes.” Zhang Yiran nodded, pondering, “At that time, he brought me along. That woman lived in the back courtyard and was very beautiful. The two of them talked alone in the room for a while, then my father took me away. I told my mother about this, and she made a big fuss, but after going to Mingcui Tower once, my mother never minded this matter again.”

“What about Kaiyuan Gambling House?” Luo Wanqing immediately asked, “Did your father meet anyone at Kaiyuan Gambling House?”

“No.”

Zhang Yiran shook his head, recalling, “I followed him to the gambling house several times. He would just gamble, then leave after gambling.”

Luo Wanqing said nothing more. She was certain that these three places must be related to her father, because back then her father had also gone to the same places at the same times in the same manner.

Looking at it this way, Zhang Qiuzhi’s escort mission was not a random choice – perhaps her father had already arranged it in advance.

If so, what role did her father play in this matter?

Luo Wanqing pondered as she walked out. Zhang Yiran, seeing her deep in thought, couldn’t help but ask, “Inspector Liu, what are your plans next?”

“Oh,” Luo Wanqing came back to her senses, thought for a moment, and continued, “Does your father have any other special places he would visit?”

“No more,” Zhang Yiran shook his head, “These are the only places he would definitely visit each year, which were rather special.”

“Then…” Luo Wanqing considered, “Let’s go to Mingcui Tower first to find Cui Niang and ask her some questions.”

Among the three places, only Mingcui Tower had someone they could question. Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing turned to look at Zhang Yiran, “Is it convenient for Elder Zhang to come with me? If there are any clues along the way, please let me know.”

“Naturally.” Zhang Yiran smiled, “I was able to see Xiang Sizi today thanks to Inspector Liu’s help in arranging it, wasn’t it?”

Not expecting Zhang Yiran’s wooden head to turn so quickly, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but smile, only saying, “Then you helping me with this favor makes us even. Just wait for me to change clothes,” Luo Wanqing looked down at her black Supervision Department uniform and immediately said, “I’ll go with you.”

Zhang Yiran nodded in agreement and waited for Luo Wanqing in the courtyard.

Luo Wanqing hurried back to her room, casually picked out a purple dress to wear, used a silver hairpin to half-pin her hair, equipped her usual hidden weapons, brought her dagger, and walked out.

Mingcui Tower was a famous restaurant in Yangzhou. She does not need to bring weapons to frighten ordinary citizens.

She hurried past Xie Heng’s door, instinctively glancing inside to see Xie Heng discussing something with Xuanshan.

He had changed into another outfit – a white robe embroidered with cranes, a jade crown inlaid with pearls, looking noble and refined with a touch of Daoist composure.

Not expecting Xie Heng to have changed clothes again in such a short time, Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised and couldn’t help but take another look.

Xie Heng noticed her gaze and looked up. Luo Wanqing quickly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn’t seen anything, and hurried away.

Xie Heng quietly watched Luo Wanqing in her purple dress. This attire was nothing grand for an ordinary woman, but for Luo Wanqing, who wore Supervision Department uniforms year-round, it was already formal dress.

Moreover, her features naturally carried a sense of fragile beauty like glass – the more plain her dress, the more stunning her beauty appeared.

This ordinary outfit, when worn on her, created graceful movements and exceptional refinement.

Xie Heng stared in the direction she had left without speaking, unconsciously rubbing his fingertips.

Xuanshan, noticing Xie Heng’s sudden silence, couldn’t help but ask, “Young master, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Xie Heng withdrew his gaze, lowered his head to drink tea, then called out to wake Zhuque, who was dozing outside.

“Zhuque.”

Zhuque startled, alert, and quickly stood straight, appearing at the doorway: “Young master?”

“Have someone follow Inspector Liu,” Xie Heng said seemingly casually, “See what Inspector Liu is going out to do.”

Zhuque nodded in acknowledgment and ran off.

After a short while, Zhuque hurried back, saying happily, “Young master, I found out.”

Xie Heng handed the documents to Xuanshan, waiting for Zhuque’s report.

Zhuque stepped forward, quite excited, “Inspector Liu went out with Elder Zhang again!”

Xie Heng’s movements paused. He looked up at Zhuque, “To do what?”

“Xiang Sizi told me they seem to have found some clues,” Zhuque pondered, “Judging by the direction, they’re going to Mingcui Tower.”

Speaking thus, Zhuque couldn’t help but wonder, “What would they do at that kind of place?”

Xie Heng said nothing and directly stood up. Zhuque and Xuanshan were startled, then heard Xie Heng say, “Zhuque, follow along.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater 1]

Luo Wanqing: “Young master, can’t you just bring this box upstairs? Must I go down there?”

Xie Heng: “The box isn’t important. First, tour this room and tell me if there’s anything you’re unsatisfied with.”

Luo Wanqing: “I have just one question.”

Xie Heng: “Mm?”

Luo Wanqing: “Those shackles on the bed – who uses them?”

Xie Heng: “Wow, straight to the advanced level, huh?”

[Mini Theater 2]

Luo Wanqing: “Young master loves beauty – changed clothes again.”

Xie Heng: “Why do you think I changed clothes again?”

[Mini Theater 3]

Zhuque: sleeping

Xie Heng: “Zhuque, go find out what Inspector Liu is doing.”

Zhuque: “Huh? She just left, didn’t she? If you want to call her back, I’ll help you call her back.”

Xie Heng: “I’m asking you to find out what she’s doing, not to call her back.”

Zhuque: “Wouldn’t it be faster if you called her back and asked directly?”

Xie Heng: “I want you to secretly investigate. Don’t let her know!”

Zhuque: “Young master, why are you secretly investigating what people are doing? Are you sick? Aren’t you just increasing my workload?”

Xie Heng: “Do you want to go back to the Daoist sect to study?”

Zhuque: “Fine, fine, fine, I’ll go investigate. Crazy boss!”