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墨書 Inktalez
Gu Mingyuan believed 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 above suspicion. However, he never anticipated that Shen Mo could be so meticulous and perceptive, unraveling the entire truth from a hint of sweetness in the Mo Xiang, a pinhole in the window frame, and an unusual action from a maid.
When the fierce constables appeared in the elegant teahouse 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 overwhelmed him. He attempted to flee and even resist, but against several fierce constables, his feeble 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 priceless collections had sparked murderous intent, how he painstakingly acquired the deadly poison "Drunken Immortal Dew" at a high price from a long-lost merchant from the Western Regions who had traveled through Jiangnan, and how he had used his expertise in calligraphy and painting to design the poisoning of Wen Boyuan while attempting to frame others. Every detail sent chills down spines.
Wen Shaoqing was initially rendered speechless by the shocking revelations. A complex expression crossed his face—there was hatred for his stepmother and Gu Mingyuan, fear at nearly being drawn into their schemes, shame for his past reckless behavior, and a twinge of late remorse for his deceased father. Despite their strained relationship, blood ties ran deep; learning that his father had fallen victim to such a conspiracy affected him profoundly.
Uncle Zhong, the old steward who had served the Wen family for a lifetime, was moved to tears. He felt a sense of solace that justice would finally be served for his master while also mourning the family's misfortune. Bowing deeply to Shen Mo, his voice choked with emotion, he said, "Mr. Shen, if it weren't for your keen insight and clarity, my old life might have ended unjustly here in this Ink Garden due to that word 'loyalty.' This kindness will never be forgotten!"
Shen Mo gently helped him up and smiled faintly. "Uncle Zhong is being too kind. Discovering the truth and apprehending the real culprit is merely my duty; I cannot claim credit."
With the case now clear, the principal offender Gu Mingyuan, accomplice Liu Xinlian, and the maid Xiao Cui who had aided them were all identified and imprisoned to await severe punishment under the law. The subsequent affairs of Ink Garden would temporarily be managed by Uncle Zhong 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 take on responsibilities as heir to the Wen family estate, preparing for his father's funeral and managing family affairs.
Shen Mo declined the Wen family's offer of generous rewards for his services and only accepted a basic fee as previously agreed upon for his investigative work.
As he prepared to leave Ink Garden, an unexpected miracle occurred: after days of continuous rain during plum rain season, it finally ceased. The setting sun broke through thick clouds, casting thousands of golden rays that illuminated Ink Garden's darkened tiles washed clean by rainwater, reflecting an unusual yet warm glow. The air was filled with the fresh scent of damp earth after rain and... that seemingly everlasting hint of Sweet Fragrance mixed with Mo Xiang.
Shen Mo stepped into a waiting blue cloth sedan chair. As the bearers lifted it up, he turned back one last time to gaze at this renowned Jiangnan garden that had just weathered such a thrilling storm. The high walls remained unchanged; the flying eaves stood firm. Ink Garden quietly stood under the sunset—yet within its former tranquility and elegance lay an indelible shadow and scar.
The curtain of the sedan chair slowly fell, cutting off outside views. Shen Mo closed his eyes against its walls. Beneath Jiangnan's seemingly gentle facade lay hidden turbulent waves; behind scholars' romantic pursuits lurked potential greed and malice; even what appeared to be an impenetrable secret chamber could ultimately be easily unraveled by treachery... All these thoughts intertwined and settled within him.
Perhaps the most challenging puzzle in this world is not those cleverly devised criminal methods but rather what drives all these desires—greed, anger, ignorance, resentment—love and hate; something deeper than ink itself; more hidden than "Drunken Immortal Dew"; more lethal still—the unfathomable depths of human hearts.
The sedan chair creaked as it carried Shen Mo slowly away into Wuzhen's labyrinthine alleys shrouded in mist.
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