Facing everyone’s surprised gazes, Wei Zhuo handed the case files to Ming Shu and the others, then turned around with his hands behind his back and said, “Wei Xian has held the position of Commander for five years. He’s long harbored ambitions for promotion, and recently there’s been a promotion assessment. The Ministry is waiting for my list of recommendations. However, though I’ve only worked with him for three years since returning to the capital to take command of the Imperial Army, I found him impure of heart and overly ambitious – not worthy of being a good general. Therefore, I had no intention of recommending his promotion. He must have caught wind of this, for yesterday he invited me to his mansion under the pretense of reporting a spy in the army. But upon arriving, he didn’t discuss military matters at all and merely hosted a banquet instead.”
After pausing briefly, Ming Shu seemed to understand some of the connections and speculated, “No banquet comes without ulterior motives. Was he trying to bribe the Commander with beauty?”
Yan Shao was the beauty Wei Xian used to try to seduce Wei Zhuo.
Wei Zhuo was known in court as the Iron-Faced General who never bowed to the powerful or yielded to benefits – as immovable as iron. His relationships were difficult to influence. However, he had been widowed for many years without taking another wife or concubines, so Wei Xian set his sights on using feminine charms. If Wei Zhuo could be seduced by Yan Shao, that would be ideal. If not, he would have to think of other methods.
Yan Shao was Wei Xian’s concubine. If Wei Zhuo were to have relations with her, it wouldn’t simply be a matter of acquiring a woman. Once word got out, it would become a scandal of Wei Zhuo taking his subordinate’s concubine. Although Yan Shao was a courtesan, although she was merely Wei Xian’s pawn to be given to the powerful, how would outsiders know these inner workings? As long as Wei Xian was willing, he could easily slander Wei Zhuo.
This was Wei Xian’s double insurance. If Wei Zhuo accepted, he would no longer be untouchable and would have to become complicit with Wei Xian in the future. If Wei Zhuo refused, the matter would become leverage in Wei Xian’s hands, so he had to make it happen.
“That cup of drugged wine – was it offered to Commander by Wei Xian? He wanted to force the Commander and Miss Yan Shao to…” Lu Chang quickly caught on, though he trailed off at the end due to Ming Shu’s presence.
Ming Shu completed the thought frankly: “To make it a fait accompli that could be exposed the next day?”
At these words, Lu Chang rubbed his forehead while Song Qingzhao and Ying Xun looked at her, but Ming Shu remained completely unabashed.
Wei Zhuo nodded and finally turned around: “He thought he had planned it perfectly, but such amateur tactics are nothing before me.”
How could a mere cup of drugged wine escape Wei Zhuo’s notice? What kind of person did they take him for? Using such underhanded methods against him was simply an insult. However, he still needed to extract information from Wei Xian, so he didn’t expose it and secretly switched the two cups.
That cup of wine drugged by Wei Xian was inadvertently consumed by Wei Xian himself.
“After drinking that cup, he probably thought success was near at hand, so he made an excuse to leave, leaving me Yan Shao at the table, waiting for the drug to take effect,” Wei Zhuo said coldly. “Though Wei Xian has some real ability, his methods are truly filthy. His rise to power these years likely involved no small amount of dirty tricks.”
“What happened after Wei Xian left?” Song Qingzhao asked.
There should have been more than just Wei Xian, Wei Zhuo, and Yan Shao in the hall at the time.
“After he left, Wei Chao quickly departed as well, and the other servants followed suit, leaving only myself and Yan Shao at the table. I don’t know if Yan Shao had been informed beforehand about the drugged wine, but she remained to dance. I didn’t speak, and she couldn’t leave until she finally collapsed from exhaustion and was helped away. When she left the table, it was nearly the end of the Zi hour.”
With his explanation, the case began to take shape.
“Given Uncle Wei’s abilities, they would have needed to use a large dose to successfully drug you. So when Wei Xian drank the wine, he must have quickly lost consciousness. That leaves two possibilities: either Wei Xian fell into the lotus pond and drowned after passing out, which would be an accident; or the killer found Wei Xian unconscious and decided to murder him on the spot by pushing him into the lake to drown,” Lu Chang analyzed carefully.
“It wasn’t an accidental fall. We found drag marks on the grass near the lotus pond. He must have passed out on the grass by the pool, been discovered, then dragged to the edge and pushed in. It wasn’t an accident – it was murder,” Ying Xun said. “We focused our investigation on people who entered the East Garden between the Hai and Chou hours. Currently, the only person who can be confirmed by witnesses to have entered the East Garden is Wei Chao. Many people saw him follow Wei Xian into the East Garden one after another.”
Therefore, Wei Chao was under heavy suspicion.
“Strange – why would Wei Xian go to the East Garden in the middle of the night? The East Garden is all landscaping, pitch black at night with nothing to see. If he wanted to return to the back courtyard to rest, he could have gone directly through the second gate. Why detour to the East Garden?” Ming Shu asked puzzled.
“I questioned Wei Chao about this point. Wei Xian probably went to the East Garden because he was annoyed by Wei Chao’s pestering. Wei Chao had developed a gambling addiction outside and owed a large sum to an underground bank. He had come to Wei Xian to borrow money to pay it off. He had already asked Wei Xian three times before, and Wei Xian had refused each time. Now at the final deadline, he came to beg Wei Xian again. The brothers got into an argument, and since there were people around, Wei Xian didn’t want others to see their dispute, so he went into the East Garden.”
“So you suspect Wei Chao killed him out of desperation when he couldn’t get the money, taking advantage of his brother’s unconscious state to drag him to the lake and push him in? With Wei Xian dead, given Madam Wei’s weak health and their only son being simple-minded, the Wei household would surely fall into Wei Chao’s hands,” Song Qingzhao continued reasoning.
This was a very logical and conventional deduction.
Ying Xun nodded: “We sent people to investigate the underground bank. He indeed owes five hundred taels of silver and has reached the deadline.”
Although Ming Shu disliked Ying Xun, she had to admit that his work efficiency was extremely high. In just one day, he had already sorted out all the branches of this case. No matter what they asked, he could answer with composure.
“But without evidence, we still can’t prove he committed murder, right? Besides Wei Chao, Yan Shao could have also secretly entered the East Garden after leaving the banquet. She was serving at the table and would have been most likely to know that Wei Xian had drunk the drugged wine. Moreover, the East Garden has two entrances – one in the front court and one in the backcourt. We’ve only investigated the front entrance, what about the back?” Ming Shu asked.
“The door connecting the backcourt to the East Garden is locked at night, with old women keeping watch nearby. There are two keys – one with Wei Xian and another with Madam Lu, who serves Madam Wei. I’ve investigated and confirmed that during the time of the incident, Madam Lu was with Madam Wei the whole time, basically ruling out the possibility of her involvement,” Ying Xun said, then after thinking added, “Also regarding what you mentioned about Madam Wei and Ding Xuan – I’ve verified that Madam Wei indeed has multiple injuries, old and new, including whip marks, impact wounds, and burns.”
Ming Shu’s breath caught at hearing this. She clenched her fist and muttered quietly: “Beast.”
Lu Chang quietly gripped her fist, his warm palm offering infinite comfort. Ming Shu gave him a grateful smile.
“As for Wei Chao, we found the prosthetic foot he hadn’t managed to destroy in the old master’s room. The footprints match those found near the fake mountain. When questioned, Ding Xuan confessed everything,” Ying Xun continued. “He stayed at the Wei household because he was indebted to Wei Xian and agreed to be his confidant. However, witnessing how Du Wenhui was treated in the household, he felt sympathy and worked out this plan with her to help her leave the Wei family.”
The prosthetic foot allowed Ding Xuan to walk normally, but not quickly, so he didn’t use it regularly. He only wore it when playing ghost to appear normal. The marks left on the ground were easy to compare, and with Wei Xian dead, there was no point in hiding the ghost impersonation anymore, so he simply confessed everything.
This wasn’t much different from what Ming Shu had guessed – it just confirmed Wei Xian’s character.
“However, Ding Xuan always took orders in the outer court. Although no one saw him enter the East Garden, we can’t completely rule him out as a suspect. His motive for murder is also quite strong. Perhaps he was the first to discover Wei Xian unconscious and decided to finish the job. If he could play ghost for Du Wenhui, he could certainly kill for her,” Ying Xun said.
“So now besides Wei Chao who is the prime suspect, both Yan Shao and Ding Xuan are highly suspicious. We should focus our investigation on these three people,” Song Qingzhao said.
“Not ‘we.’ You and I are not on the same side,” Ying Xun replied coldly. Though he had discussed the case with them at length out of respect for Wei Zhuo, he still didn’t consider himself one of them. “The case files have been delivered. If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”
He bowed to Wei Zhuo as he said this.
Wei Zhuo nodded: “Thank you for your hard work.”
“See? Isn’t he just hateful!” Ming Shu complained, staring at Ying Xun’s retreating figure.
“Never mind others,” Lu Chang drew her attention back.
“Well? What do you plan to do next?” Wei Zhuo, who had been silent, finally spoke.
“I think… we should split up. Since Wei Chao is the primary suspect, I’ll trouble my brother and Master Song to meet with Wei Chao and hear what he has to say. I’ll go to the backcourt to see the Second Madam Wei, and then we can all examine the scene together?” Ming Shu quickly suggested.
Unlike the Song Ling Academy incident where Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao were more familiar with the academy’s situation, leading to three different perspectives with no one able to influence the others, this time Ming Shu knew the Wei mansion better than them, so naturally she took the lead.
Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao had no objections. The three split into two groups – Ming Shu headed to the backcourt while Lu and Song went to see the detained Wei Chao.
Though the hour was late, Second Madam Wei, Lady Liu, hadn’t retired. She sat by her bed crying inconsolably, resistant to all attempts at comfort. Upon seeing Ming Shu enter, Lady Liu immediately rose and grabbed her hands, saying, “Lady Lu, my Wei Chao is wrongly accused! He’s a man who wouldn’t dare kill a chicken – how could he have the courage to kill his elder uncle? You know the Commander, and you’re the sister of the new Top Scholar. I beg you to help me, to speak to them on our behalf. It couldn’t possibly have been my Wei Chao!”
Ming Shu gestured to the maid, who quickly brought over a wrung-out damp cloth. Ming Shu personally wiped Lady Liu’s tears, speaking gently, “Second Madam, don’t worry. The case isn’t closed, there are still many questions. The magistrate’s office won’t wrongly accuse an innocent person. Please, sit down.”
As they spoke, both women sat at the round table. A maid brought over a lamp and placed it on the table. In the lamplight, Lady Liu’s eyes were swollen like walnuts.
“They say Wei Chao killed his uncle over a gambling debt of five hundred taels. Heaven and Earth be my witness, my Wei Chao revered his uncle the most. Never mind five hundred taels – even for fifty thousand taels, he wouldn’t dare kill his uncle!” Lady Liu choked out between sobs.
“So the gambling debt of five hundred taels is real?” Ming Shu asked her.
“That damned man made friends with two good-for-nothings and secretly went to the gambling house with them…” Lady Liu had only just learned of this matter herself, and speaking of it made her both angry and anxious. “But to say he killed his uncle over this five hundred tael debt – I simply don’t believe it! You’ve seen him these past days – how could he have such courage? Even if he were truly desperate, he should have come to me. I… I have some savings. We could have repaid the five hundred taels. He didn’t dare come to me only because he feared I would argue with him if I found out.”
“So he did have a way out of this five hundred tael debt,” Ming Shu followed her reasoning.
Lady Liu nodded: “Actually if it had reached the point where creditors came to collect, his uncle wouldn’t have stood idly by. Being someone who cared so much about family reputation, how could he allow such a thing to happen? At most, he would have taught Wei Chao a lesson. Besides, what benefit would killing his uncle bring us? Our entire family depends on him for our livelihood. Only if he was well and advancing in his career could we have good days ahead. What would Wei Chao gain from killing him?”
“With Wei Xian gone, the first branch’s property would all go to the second branch,” Ming Shu said softly.
“Nonsense!” Lady Liu angrily slammed the table and stood up abruptly. “These past two years, for the sake of his promotion, Uncle has been spending money like water. How much could the first branch have left? It’s already fortunate they haven’t had to sell their fields to grease palms. Moreover, if we wanted the first branch’s property, there would be no need for murder. Uncle had long intended to adopt one of our sons as his heir. Why would we risk our necks doing something so foolish?”
Ming Shu quickly rose to pacify her: “Second Madam, don’t be angry. These are just outside speculations. I came here specifically to clear up these doubts with you. But you mentioned they wanted to adopt one of your sons as heir – I’m a bit confused about this. Commander Wei is in his prime; having more children shouldn’t be difficult. Why must they adopt from your family?”
“They wanted to have more children, but they needed to be normal children! Not giving birth to three or four monsters that would frighten people to death, like several years ago…” she suddenly covered her mouth, looking guiltily at the candlelight and saying no more.
Ming Shu frowned: “Second Madam, what happened several years ago?”
Lady Liu turned away: “Don’t ask. That’s ancient history now, it has nothing to do with the present.”
“Second Madam, we’re trying to clear your husband of suspicion. You can’t hide anything. You must first explain why the first branch had to adopt an heir from your family. Otherwise, who would believe what you’re saying?”
After much internal struggle, Lady Liu finally dismissed the maids in the room and said to Ming Shu: “Fine, I’ll tell you. Uncle he… has an affliction. The children he produces… are either simple-minded or… monstrous.” As she spoke, she seemed to recall something and shuddered, continuing, “His first child with First Madam was simple-minded. That child has always been kept in the backcourt, never allowed out. At the time, the family thought it was just a chance. Besides blaming First Madam, they didn’t make much of it. But First Madam was weakened after that birth and couldn’t conceive again. For the sake of heirs, Uncle took two worthy concubines.”
Ming Shu had heard about Wei Xian’s other two concubines. They should have been taken in ten years ago, but shortly after, they died of an epidemic. After that, Wei Xian didn’t take any more concubines until Yan Shao entered the household.
“Those two concubines were capable – they both became pregnant soon after. This should have been a joyous occasion, the whole mansion was happy. But after ten months of pregnancy, when it came time for delivery…” Lady Liu struggled to continue, pausing for a long while before saying, “They birthed monsters, nearly frightening the midwife to death. One child died at birth, the other didn’t live more than a few days. Afterward, Uncle sealed off their courtyard and confined the two concubines there. Soon after came news of their deaths from illness, and all the servants in that area were replaced. I don’t know what happened, but I heard Wei Chao mention that the problem with heirs must lie with Uncle – no matter how many children he had, the result would likely be the same. Sure enough, Uncle never took another concubine, and the first branch never had more children.”
She sighed and continued: “You wonder why that little harlot Yan Shao could live in the main court? It’s because the small side court originally used for concubines was locked – the one in the northwest corner. No one is allowed to enter.”
The northwest side court?
Ming Shu had some impression of it – it was a separate courtyard with only one door connecting to the backcourt. The door had a rusted lock on it. She had passed by once but hadn’t paid it much attention.
“Who keeps the key to that courtyard?” Ming Shu asked casually.
“It should be with Uncle, though Madam Lu might have one too, I’m not sure. Madam Lu is Uncle’s trusted person in the back residence. Besides taking care of First Madam, she also manages affairs in the backcourt. You can ask her,” Lady Liu said.
Ming Shu nodded, calculated the time, offered a few more words of comfort, and took her leave.
————
At the entrance to the East Garden from the outer court, Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao had finished meeting with Wei Chao and now each held a lamp, waiting for Ming Shu to arrive.
There was no idle chat between them. After a moment of silence, Song Qingzhao suddenly spoke.
“Brother Lu, I have some heartfelt words I wish to share with you.” In the lamplight, Song Qingzhao’s expression was extremely serious. “I understand your fierce protection of your sister, not wanting Ming Shu to suffer any harm or covetous intentions, but I hope you can also understand that my feelings for Ming Shu…” he took a deep breath, “are not frivolous or disrespectful. I am serious, and I hope to gain your approval.”
No matter what, Lu Chang was Ming Shu’s brother. To win the fair maiden’s heart, he would have to get past Lu Chang first.
Lu Chang didn’t speak, but his hand gradually clenched into a fist.