“This servant pays respects to the Marquis and Prefecture Chief.”
The two matrons tremblingly knelt on the ground. Though their heads were lowered, their nervousness was evident.
Huo Huaixin raised his chin, and the runner brought forward the wedding dress. “Do you two recognize this item?”
The matrons looked up. One hesitated, but the other nodded, “Yes… yes, we recognize it.”
Huo Huaixin studied them both and questioned the one who had nodded. “What is this?”
The matron immediately replied, “This is our Young Miss’s wedding dress.”
With a scornful laugh, Huo Huaixin’s voice turned cold. “Think carefully. You two are the matrons in charge of Miss Song’s dowry. You know exactly which wedding dress this is—it’s not the one Miss Song was wearing—”
Both matrons trembled slightly, beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads.
Wei Yanzi watched from the side and spoke sorrowfully, “You two have served Xiao Rou for many years. Now that she has died unjustly, you must tell everything you know. How else can we clear Xiao Rou’s name?”
Wei Yanzi’s words were earnest. The two matrons, presumably thinking of the deceased Song Rou, also reddened their eyes. However, even so, their lips remained tightly pressed together, appearing to struggle with speaking.
Huo Huaixin narrowed his eyes and asked directly, “Is Miss Song’s backup wedding dress still there?”
Both lowered their heads. The one who had answered earlier looked terrified, while the hesitant one’s eyes darted around, clearly preoccupied with something. Huo Huaixin’s face darkened as he barked, “Think carefully, you two! This involves a murder case. If you lie or conceal anything, you’ll both be implicated. Could it be… you knew about your Young Miss’s death?”
At these words, the one who had spoken earlier immediately collapsed in fear. “Your Honor! No! I served the Young Miss for many years—how could I harm her? Your Honor, it’s not true…”
Huo Huaixin looked at the other woman and said coldly, “You speak.”
Though this matron’s eyes showed fear, she was considerably more composed. After thinking for a moment, seemingly unable to find a better solution, she prostrated herself and said anxiously, “We dare not hide anything from Your Honor. This wedding dress is indeed the Young Miss’s backup dress, but… but…”
“But what?!”
Huo Huaixin’s voice sharpened. Seeing this as key to solving the case, he was almost desperate to know the answer!
The matron glanced sideways at her companion. Seeing her fellow matron frightened pale, she gritted her teeth. “But… when we were organizing the Young Miss’s dowry last night, we discovered this wedding dress was missing!”
Huo Huaixin’s eyes widened. “What? You say you discovered it missing last night?!”
“Yes.” The matron stiffened her neck. “The Young Miss’s wedding dress is worth thousands of gold, and all the dowry is stored within the manor. After such an incident, we were both distraught and didn’t know what to do. We spent two days in fearful anxiety before calming down somewhat. Thinking we would inevitably be punished over the Young Miss’s death, we decided to quickly inventory her dowry before the Duke Manor’s people arrived, hoping to perhaps reduce our punishment. But who knew, the Young Miss’s wedding dress was gone…”
“If you discovered it missing, why didn’t you report it?!”
The matron lowered herself even further. “Your Honor, please understand. At the time, we didn’t know this was related to the Young Miss’s case. Moreover… failing to safeguard the Young Miss’s belongings is also a crime. We were afraid then and dared not speak up.”
Huo Huaixin glanced at Yue Qiong, who asked, “When was the last time you organized the dowry? Can you estimate when the dress went missing? Who normally has access to the wedding dress?”
“The last time… was at the Ten Li Temple, the night before arriving at the Marquis Manor. One of the Young Miss’s hairpins went missing then, so we opened the dowry chest to get a spare. For the Young Miss’s wedding, we had a complete spare set of phoenix crowns and wedding dresses. Though we didn’t take out the wedding dress then, we saw it was there. Usually, only we two have keys to the Young Miss’s dowry chests.”
Huo Huaixin frowned. “Are you certain?!”
The matron hurriedly nodded. “Yes, this servant remembers clearly. The Young Miss’s maids all know about this incident. Your Honor can ask them—if this servant speaks one false word, may heaven strike me dead!”
Huo Huaixin waved his hand—he naturally wasn’t interested in such curses and oaths. “Marquis, what do you think of this…”
Yue Qiong’s expression darkened. “It seems the wedding dress was indeed stolen. However, from that night at Ten Li Temple until last night spans three days and two nights. From Ten Li Temple, along the journey, then arriving at the manor—it’s difficult to determine exactly when it was stolen. Moreover, all of the Song family’s dowry is stored in a separate courtyard in the East Garden. Though the courtyard and room doors are usually locked, it wouldn’t be impossible for someone determined to enter…”
“Indeed, this makes investigation difficult.” Huo Huaixin said, looking at the two matrons. “Though your failure to report doesn’t constitute a crime, who knows how the Duke Manor’s people will handle this when they arrive. For now, return to your quarters. If you think of anything, come tell me immediately. If you can help clear your Young Miss’s name, surely the Duke Manor will treat you well.”
The two matrons had known the matter was exposed the moment they saw the wedding dress. Hearing these words, they could only nod and withdraw.
After they left, Wei Yanzi murmured beside them, “Someone stole Xiao Rou’s wedding dress… Prefecture Chief, where exactly did you find this dress?!”
Huo Huaixin turned to look at Wei Yanzi and suddenly asked, “Where was Young Master Wei tonight?”
Wei Yanzi was startled. “In the afternoon, several of us were sparring at the training ground. Later, when Prince Chi was injured, we went to Pine Garden. We only left after confirming he was alright. By then it was late, and I returned directly to the East Garden. After entering, I washed up and began practicing calligraphy. When Second Young Master came, I had just finished half a piece—the piece was still on my desk. My guards can verify this…”
“Where exactly does Young Master Wei stay?”
Wei Yanzi pointed to the main room behind him. “Right here.”
Huo Huaixin glanced at a nearby runner, who immediately entered Wei Yanzi’s room. Understanding that Huo Huaixin suspected him, Wei Yanzi remained calm, quietly waiting for the runner to return.
Seeing him so composed, Huo Huaixin’s suspicions were half dispelled. Soon the runner emerged and nodded to Huo Huaixin, who then cupped his hands in apology. “Young Master Wei, please don’t take offense. This is standard procedure.”
Wei Yanzi shook his head and asked urgently, “Now can the Prefecture Chief explain?”
Huo Huaixin nodded, pointing to the wedding dress. “Just an hour ago, someone wearing this wedding dress impersonated Miss Song to frighten people in the Marquis Manor. According to the manor servant’s description, the person was six feet tall and male, which is why we’re investigating.”
Wei Yanzi was shocked. “Frighten people? Impersonating Xiao Rou to frighten people?”
Huo Huaixin nodded. “So did Young Master Wei see anyone leave the East Garden tonight?”
Wei Yanzi hadn’t yet processed this information and shook his head blankly. “I stayed in my room and didn’t come out. I didn’t see anyone.” After a pause, he added hoarsely, “Could it be… could it be that Xiao Rou has returned…”
Yue Qing stepped forward and patted Wei Yanzi’s shoulder. “Brother Yanzi is overthinking. Does Brother Yanzi also believe in ghosts and spirits?”
Wei Yanzi spoke bitterly, “These past few days I keep dreaming of Xiao Rou’s wronged spirit returning. She always asks why I haven’t found her killer yet. I… I feel so guilty…”
Huo Huaixin sighed. “Young Master Wei needn’t be anxious. We are investigating this matter. Isn’t tonight a breakthrough? If we can find the impersonator, surely this case will be solved.”
Wei Yanzi nodded. “Then I shall wait for news with Your Honor.”
Since Wei Yanzi was no longer suspicious, Huo Huaixin nodded in agreement. With many Song family male servants and guards to question, the runners followed their orders carefully. By the time they finished questioning everyone, it was nearly dawn.
“Your Honor, here are all the statements.” Chief Runner Qi Hang, with dark circles under his eyes, woke the drowsy Huo Huaixin and handed him a book.
They were in the side hall of the East Garden, where Huo Huaixin and the others had been waiting, all showing the weariness of an all-night vigil.
At Qi Hang’s words, everyone perked up. Huo Huaixin waved his hand. “No need to read. Just tell me, what did you find out?”
Qi Hang said with a bitter expression, “Nothing at all.”
Huo Huaixin’s brows shot up. “Nothing at all?!”
“Yes, none of them left the East Garden. They all have witnesses to verify their whereabouts, and they share rooms with multiple people—not just one witness each. Moreover, among all the Song family’s servants and guards, there isn’t a single left-handed person!”
Wei Yanzi raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Left-handed?” Huo Huaixin hadn’t mentioned this detail last night.
Huo Huaixin nodded but didn’t explain how they knew this. He just looked at Yue Qiong with a dark expression. “Marquis, it seems the person isn’t among the Song family’s escorts. This makes things difficult. Could… could it be someone from the Marquis Manor?”
While Yue Qiong naturally didn’t believe anyone from his manor would do such a thing, since it happened there, he decisively asked, “Does Brother Huo want to investigate the manor’s people?”
After brief consideration, Huo Huaixin nodded. Yue Qiong turned to instruct Yue Qing and Yue Jia, “Go gather the servants.”
Huo Huaixin had been certain last night’s investigation would yield something, but they had come up empty-handed. This made the case even more perplexing. He followed the equally disappointed Yue Qiong out of the East Garden, placing his last hope in the manor’s people, though what motive would they have for dressing as a ghost to frighten others?
After a fruitless night of work, Huo Ning also wore a gloomy expression.
Lost in thought, he walked slowly at the back, and when he came to his senses, Yue Qiong and Huo Huaixin were far ahead.
He wasn’t in a hurry, just pondering if they had missed anything last night. As he thought, he caught sight of several graceful figures walking along the side corridor. Huo Ning initially thought it was Princess Yue Ning and was about to step aside, but on closer look, he realized it wasn’t Yue Ning but Qin Wan, wearing a pleated dress of sky-blue silk embroidered with connected lotus patterns!
Huo Ning frowned, completely surprised to find Qin Wan in the Marquis Manor.
Her mockery from that night still rang in his ears, and today, he was here investigating the case!
Thinking this, Huo Ning arrogantly walked toward Qin Wan!