Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
After so many years of operation, Qixiang Pavilion had opened its doors early for the first time in history.
Ms. Yun San wore a distressed expression as she watched Chen Wensi meticulously inspect the items in the Qing Xi room for quite some time. Unable to hold back her frustration, she complained, "Head Constable Chen, you've been looking for ages. What more do you want?" As she spoke, she wiped her forehead where no sweat existed, her face a picture of helplessness and anxiety.
"Nothing much. I just wanted to ask Boss Yun if there were still guards stationed outside Qingxi Girl's door last night, like before," Chen Wensi replied without looking up, her gaze sharp and focused as she examined every detail in the room.
"No!" Ms. Yun San's face fell immediately, resembling a long-faced bitter melon. "It's only been a few days since that Pei died in her room; who would dare to take that risk? Many of her previous customers have already left. The gentleman who wanted to hear her sing last night was from out of town and had drunk too much. I had to persuade him quite a bit before he agreed to find her! She used to be the cash cow of Qixiang Pavilion, but ever since that incident, business has dropped off. I couldn't afford to keep many around, so I sent those who were just there for show back home."
As Ms. Yun San spoke, she sighed repeatedly and occasionally stole glances at Chen Wensi, wondering what the constable was really after.
"Was Qixiang Pavilion busy at that time?" Chen Wensi paused her actions, straightened up, and looked intently at Ms. Yun San.
"It was quieter than usual but still had a few regulars. To keep the customers, I even specially hired musicians and dancers from Tian Le Fang at a high price to liven things up!" Ms. Yun San quickly replied, gesturing with her hands to better illustrate the situation.
"Are the musicians and dancers still here?" Chen Wensi pressed on, a glimmer of excitement flashing in her eyes as if she had caught onto something significant.
"They're planning to take the afternoon boat back to Tian Le Fang; they're resting in the backyard right now!" Ms. Yun San hurriedly responded.
Upon hearing this, Chen Wensi nodded knowingly and suddenly nudged Liu Zimu, who was still in a daze beside her. "Lend me some silver!"
"What do you want it for?" Liu Zimu stumbled slightly from the nudge and glared at her with wide eyes. "Xinruan is still waiting for you in jail to help clear her name!" He placed his hands on his hips, fuming with cheeks puffed out.
Ignoring his protest, Chen Wensi reached over and grabbed the money pouch from his waist, swiftly pulling out a piece of silver before striding over to Ms. Yun San and handing it to her.
Ｍs. Yun San's eyes widened in surprise, her previous frown vanishing in an instant, replaced by a professional and flattering smile. She hurriedly said, “Oh, Head Constable Chen, what brings you here?” As she spoke, she quickly tucked the silver into her bosom with remarkable speed.
“Please summon yesterday's musician and theater troupe, and have them perform the pieces from last night as they should—play what needs to be played and dance what needs to be danced,” Chen Wensi said, his tone steady and authoritative.
“Right now?” Ｍs. Yun San hesitated. It was broad daylight, and having music and performances at Qixiang Pavilion was something she had never tried before. Doubts began to creep into her mind.
Liu Zimu, already in a foul mood, noticed her dawdling and frowned deeply. He snapped, “What? Is that a problem? If it is, then give the silver back!” He reached out as if to snatch the money away.
Startled, Ｍs. Yun San quickly shoved the silver deeper into her clothing. Turning to see Attendant Scribe standing timidly outside the door with her head down, she exclaimed anxiously, “Alright, alright! Attendant Scribe, hurry up and bring them out!” Her voice was sharp and urgent.
Attendant Scribe didn’t lift her head but softly replied before hastily running off to find the others.
Half an hour later, the previously quiet Qixiang Pavilion buzzed with activity again, filled with the sounds of singing and dancing.
Chen Wensi stood before Qing Xi's door, a knowing smile on his face as he looked at Attendant Scribe. “ Attendant Scribe, let’s begin!”
Attendant Scribe ’s gaze darted away nervously; she feigned bravado but her hands instinctively clenched the hem of her clothes, betraying her anxiety. “ Head Constable Chen, what exactly do you want?” she asked.
“Nothing much. I just want to understand something that puzzles me. I want to see if I could have discovered any overlooked details had I been at the crime scene,” he replied, his smile fading as he crossed his arms and his expression turned serious. He emphasized once more, “Let’s start!”
With no other choice, Attendant Scribe slowly raised her hand and gently knocked on the door, her voice trembling slightly: “Miss, Miss, your mother is calling for you to come down and meet the guests!”
Inside the room, with the door tightly shut, Liu Zimu sat quietly, bored out of his mind as he picked at his fingers. He occasionally rolled his eyes in annoyance, clearly reluctant about the situation.
" Attendant Scribe " called out twice, but there was still no response from inside. She turned to "Chen Wensi," her eyes betraying a hint of panic. " Head Constable Chen, I called for the lady twice last night, but she ignored me. I couldn't push the door open, so I was about to leave. Just as I took a few steps, I heard Ms. Yuan opening the door. When it swung open, I saw what was happening inside!"
"Alright!" Chen Wensi slapped the door forcefully and shouted towards the inside, "Open the door!" His voice was loud enough to make the door vibrate.
Upon receiving the command, Liu Zimu lazily opened the door and mumbled weakly, "Why should I accompany you in this boring task?" He yawned and stretched his arms widely.
However, Chen Wensi did not respond to him. Instead, he turned his gaze back to Attendant Scribe, his eyes sharp. " Attendant Scribe, I remember you mentioned yesterday that you heard the sound of the latch when Xinruan opened the door. You just said you heard her opening it. But just now, when we stood side by side on the stairs facing the stage, amidst the sounds of bells on the dancers' feet, the musicians' tunes, and the ladies urging drinks, there was one sound we did not hear—the sound of the latch you mentioned!"
At his words, Attendant Scribe's head drooped to her chest as she stammered, "I really thought I heard it... or maybe I misheard..." Her voice grew softer, and her body began to tremble slightly.
"Although Attendant Scribe just entered Qixiang Pavilion, she doesn't seem like someone who would speak without thinking. You didn't mishear; in fact, you did hear a latch sound, but it wasn't the sound of it being opened—it was the sound of it being secured!" Chen Wensi said as he suddenly grabbed her arm and forcefully pulled her into the room. With a loud 'bang,' he shut the door. The various sounds from outside immediately diminished, and they could clearly hear the sound of the latch being secured.
"You emphasized that only Xinruan and Qing Xi were in the room at that time by mentioning the latch. But in reality, the door wasn't latched at all. You only called out twice before Xinruan came to open it for you."
As Chen Wensi spoke, he tightened his grip on her arm slightly, his gaze exuding pressure. "If I'm not mistaken, you were already in the room when you dealt with a dazed Xinruan and the body before casually walking out. As Qing Xi's maid, you had no reason to go down to the main hall unless Boss Yun was looking for Qing Xi. It just so happened that you were nearby. I've observed that Boss Yun doesn't have a personal maid; she usually gives orders to whichever maid is closest. All you had to do was time your scream perfectly and pretend to faint to distance yourself from everything. Am I right?"
"You've said so much based on mere speculation!" Attendant Scribe quickly looked up at Chen Wensi with defiance and stubbornness in her eyes, but his next words left her speechless for a moment.
"It doesn't matter if you don't want to admit it; after all, I have plenty of time. We can just linger here in Qixiang Pavilion." With that, he confidently sat down in a chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table while looking at her with a half-smile. "Qingxi Girl!"
Comment 0 Comment Count