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Gu Mingyuan believed that his plan was flawless, intricately designed to exploit the illusion of the secret chamber, the misdirection of Jue Bi, and the weaknesses of human nature, allowing him to remain untouchable. However, he never anticipated that Shen Mo could be so meticulous and insightful, unraveling the entire truth from a hint of sweetness in Mo Xiang, a pinhole in the window frame, and an unusual action from a maid.
When the fierce constables appeared in the elegant tea room of Gu Yun Zhai, Gu Mingyuan was leisurely savoring this year's new tea, his face reflecting dreams of the future. The moment he learned that his scheme had been exposed, panic set in. He attempted to flee and even resist, but against the ferocious constables, his frail strength was utterly insignificant. He was quickly subdued and pinned to the ground.
Faced with overwhelming evidence and the tearful testimonies of Liu Xinlian and Xiao Cui, Gu Mingyuan's psychological defenses crumbled completely. In the grand hall of the county office, he detailed his illicit affair with Liu Xinlian, how greed for the Wen family's immense wealth and invaluable collections had sparked murderous intent, how he had painstakingly acquired the deadly poison "Drunken Immortal Dew" at a high price from a wandering merchant from the Western Regions who had long since disappeared, and how he had used his expertise in calligraphy and painting to design the poisoning of Wen Boyuan while framing others. Every detail sent chills down spines.
Upon learning the full truth, Wen Shaoqing was first struck speechless with shock, then his expression became exceedingly complex. He felt intense hatred for his stepmother and Gu Mingyuan, fear for nearly being drawn into their plot, a twinge of shame for his past reckless behavior, and a late sense of remorse for his deceased father. Although his relationship with his father had been strained, blood ties ran deep; discovering that his father had met such a tragic end due to this conspiracy affected him profoundly.
Zhong Shu, the old steward who had served the Wen family for a lifetime, was moved to tears. He felt a sense of relief that justice would finally be served for his master’s wrongful death but was also deeply saddened by the immense upheaval faced by the Wen family. He bowed deeply to Shen Mo, his voice choked with emotion: "Mr. Shen, if it weren't for your keen insight and clarity in discerning truth from falsehoods, my old life might have been unjustly ended here in Mo Garden because of loyalty! This kindness will never be forgotten!"
Shen Mo simply helped him up gently and smiled lightly: "Zhong Shu is too kind. Uncovering the truth and apprehending the real culprits is my duty; I dare not claim credit."
With the case now clear, principal offender Gu Mingyuan, accomplice Liu Xinlian, and maid Xiao Cui—who had failed to report and assisted in lookout—were all identified and imprisoned, awaiting severe punishment under imperial law. The subsequent affairs of Mo Garden would temporarily be managed by Zhong Shu along with several members of the Wen family who hurried back upon hearing the news. After this upheaval, Wen Shaoqing seemed to shed much of his previous impetuousness overnight and began to learn how to shoulder his responsibilities as heir to the Wen family by preparing for his father's funeral and managing family affairs.
Shen Mo declined the generous monetary offer from the Wen family members as thanks and only accepted a basic fee for his investigative services as previously agreed upon.
As he prepared to leave Mo Garden, the persistent plum rains miraculously ceased. The setting sun broke through thick clouds, casting golden rays that illuminated Mo Garden's darkened tiles washed clean by rain, reflecting an unusual yet warm glow. The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth after rain and... that seemingly indelible fragrance mingled with a hint of Sweet Fragrance from Mo Xiang.
Shen Mo stepped into the waiting blue cloth sedan chair. As soon as it began to move, he glanced back one last time at this renowned Jiangnan garden that had just weathered such a thrilling storm. The high walls remained unchanged; the eaves still soared elegantly. Mo Garden stood quietly under the sunset—yet within its former tranquility and elegance lingered an indelible shadow and scar.
The curtain slowly fell shut, cutting off external views. Shen Mo closed his eyes against the sedan wall. Beneath Jiangnan's seemingly gentle facade lay hidden turbulent undercurrents; behind scholars' romantic pursuits lurked potential greed and malice; even what seemed like an impenetrable secret chamber could be easily unraveled due to human treachery... All these thoughts intertwined and settled within him.
Perhaps the most difficult riddle in this world has never been those cleverly devised criminal methods but rather what drives all these emotions—greed, anger, ignorance, love, hate—deeper than ink itself and more elusive than Drunken Immortal Dew: the unfathomable human heart.
The sedan creaked softly as it carried Shen Mo slowly into the winding alleys of Wuzhen shrouded in mist.
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