Hatching A Plan

Qi Yan was very emotional at this point, so after he slammed his palm against the table again, he went through each of the suspects in the case, pointing out why they were suspicious and cursing them in turn, but did not reach any conclusion. He started scratching his head in frustration. “Who was it? Who in the world would have killed Fourth Missy Gan? Who?!”

Zhao Zhi had tolerated his furious outburst in the beginning, but he had to stop Qi Yan now, or else he would scratch a hole in his own scalp.

He whacked Qi Yan’s head hard. “Calm down.”

“Someone’s DIED, Brother Zhi! How do you expect me to calm down?!”

While they were speaking, Song Caitang just continued holding her teacup and stared at the leaves floating on the surface without saying anything.

It was only when she heard footsteps approaching that she raised her head with a sparkle in her eyes. “I think it’s time we got help for this case.”

“Help?” Qi Yan scratched his head in confusion. But Zhao Zhi immediately narrowed his eyes warily. “Who have you called to meet with us?”

There were two knocks on the door for mere courtesy’s sake before it was opened. A man who was as gentle as jade and stood as straight as a bamboo walked in with a faint smile on his face. “I’m not late, am I?”

Qi Yan instantly sprang up from his chair. “Wen Yuansi? Mr. Wen’s here!”

After taking a moment to realize what was going on, Qi Yan’s face was soon covered in pure delight and surprise. How could he have forgotten about Wen Yuansi?

They had all worked together on cases back in Luanze. While his Brother Zhi was still the best in the business, Wen Yuansi had proven to be someone with heightened senses, displayed decisiveness, and was aggressive yet meticulous enough. He was a really good leader. Song Caitang’s incredible skill at dissecting bodies and the way she was able to re-enact what might have happened worked wonderfully well with Wen Yuansi’s help. This was an amazing man!

Despite seeming quiet, Wen Yuansi was able to control the situation even in the midst of a storm. He was able to find the most suitable way to resolve any awkwardness without offending a single person too.

Zhao Zhi was way too domineering and overbearing, while Song Caitang’s presence was unable to make a difference in many situations because she was a woman. But Wen Yuansi’s elegance and peaceable demeanor had been able to smoothen out a lot of nasty conflicts and he was able to make everyone listen to him like obedient little lambs.

Wen Yuansi had been transferred to the Justice Department in Bianliang, so he could be assigned this case. He had been at that party too, so it was only right for him to be able to work on the case. Everything worked out perfectly!

Zhao Zhi stared at Wen Yuansi as he walked in and scoffed quietly.

Song Caitang had invited him, while this stupid Qi Yan was so happy to see him here, he was just short of hugging the man and throwing a welcome party. What else could he do about this?

“You’re not late at all, Mr. Wen. You’ve come just in time.”

Zhao Zhi could only utter a neutral sentence and accept reality.

He knew that the case was more important right now.

Today’s meeting had been arranged in a hurry and Song Caitang hadn’t seen Zhao Zhi for an entire day already, so it was impossible to have informed him beforehand. But when she noticed his downcast expression, she reached out to tug at his robe as she gave him a slightly apologetic look as if to say: Are you very bothered by him?

Zhao Zhi was a little annoyed, but he wasn’t really bothered, since it was more important to solve this murder case. Besides, Song Caitang was also secretly playing the cute card now…

He pursed his lips tightly and smiled a little as he shook his head with no other expression on his face.

Actually, he really wanted to push the table away to show the other two at the table that his relationship with Song Caitang was different! It was different from her relationship with them!

Wen Yuansi had already taken a seat at the table and poured himself a cup of tea. “I’ve already made a formal request to be assigned to Fourth Missy Gan’s case. The Justice Department has already done all the paperwork and they’ve allowed me to be on this case. I’ll have to count on your guidance once more, Commandery Prince Zhao.”

Zhao Zhi was feeling pretty smug after Song Caitang had paid attention to his feelings earlier, so he grinned widely and replied, “Sure, I’ll guide you again this time.”

Song Caitang groaned inwardly. Why couldn’t these two men exchange greetings like normal people?

This time, Qi Yan proved to be more useful. He slammed the table and declared, “Enough of these formalities, my brothers! We need to talk about the case now! There’s no time to waste!”

Zhao Zhi scoffed and nodded with an aloof expression, which meant that Qi Yan could go on.

He wasn’t the least sorry or embarrassed by how he had delayed their meeting.

Wen Yuansi wasn’t going to dwell on that anymore and started the discussion first, “This case is rather complicated and it has implicated quite a number of people. It seems like every person involved has a secret and we don’t have enough clues or information. Why don’t we try to sort things out, starting with this question: Why did Fourth Missy Gan have to die?”

The most important thing in a murder case was to find out the murderer’s intent and figure out the timing of the murder.

Why did Fourth Missy Gan have to die, and why at such a time?

That question successfully made everyone focus their attention back on the case.

Song Caitang lowered her gaze. “Because Gan Zhixuan had come to Bianliang and found his father. Their life and surroundings changed drastically.”

Such a change could cause a motive to kill to arise.

“Or perhaps, what happened five years ago,” Zhao Zhi continued, “The death of Jing Yan.”

Fourth Missy Gan carried Jing Yan’s jade pendant and might have been the last person to see him. She might have known a secret or two too, so after she set foot in Bianliang, she was discovered and silenced.

“Let’s start with Miss Song’s conjecture,” Wen Yuansi folded his arms in front of him. “Who could have wanted to kill Fourth Missy Gan?”

“Madam Wei, I suppose!” Qi Yan finally found a chance to speak. “She looks kindly, but she’s actually a fierce woman who would eat you alive if needed. You can tell from how empty the harem at the count’s house is – she couldn’t possibly allow the existence of the son of a concubine! She managed to fool Gan Zhixuan, but even if he’s too stupid, his mother wasn’t. She must have already realized this. So, if Madam Wei wanted to get rid of Gan Zhixuan, she would have to get rid of his overly protective mother first!”

But after saying all that, he started scratching his head again. “But if that’s the case… Wei He’an and his aunt, Madam Wei, are on such good terms that he took the initiative to help out at the party. Would he have wanted to do something to lessen his aunt’s burden?”

There were many ways for one to lessen another’s burden. Helping to grab crockery from the kitchen and helping to greet guests were one way, but helping to get rid of people she didn’t like was another.

“It’s rare that you’re able to think this far,” Zhao Zhi folded his arms and threw Qi Yan a look from the side of his eyes.

“Zeng Deyong is not completely off the hook either,” said Wen Yuansi after some thought. “All these years, he has allowed Madam Wei to do anything she likes and he’s even anxious only because of her, and considers her in all things. Could he have also… He wasn’t at the main hall where the party was when the case happened.”

Qi Yan piped up, “But there were so many people at the party. Zeng Deyong was the host, so he had to go around and talk to everyone, so it’s very possible for the people in the main hall to have missed him for a while. He was so busy that day. Would he have had time to commit murder?”

“There’s also Gan Zhixuan himself.” Song Caitang held up her teacup and reminded the three men, “He’s completely besotted with the idea of being a member of high society and blinded by money. I have a feeling that… he’s hiding something.”

He had been convinced by this new mother to watch the kitchen, so he had been very busy that day and didn’t even have time to come out to greet guests or connect with them. Yet he had gone near the scene of the crime not just once but twice.

Wen Yuansi’s gaze flickered. “Miss Lu Yuxue’s presence is also rather strange…”

“I agree!” Qi Yan nodded vigorously, then looked at Zhao Zhi. “When I heard about this case, I found out all the details as well. It might make you unhappy to hear me say this, but even if she wasn’t involved with Gan Zhixuan romantically, they’re definitely hiding something!”

But Zhao Zhi wasn’t bothered at all and merely raised his eyebrows slightly.

After listening to the other three discuss a bit more, he tapped a finger against the table and said, “Don’t forget, the evidence in this case is currently all pointing at Sang Zheng.”

That special type of poison and that special type of bottle all seemed connected to this man.

“Also, Qiu Wenkang.” Song Caitang’s eyes were clear and alert, but her voice was calm and quiet. “He has almost no dealings with the Count of Peace’s household and he attended the party purely out of obligation. He definitely has no relation to Fourth Missy Gan. So, why was he so concerned about the murder case and followed everyone to the scene of the crime? And why was he the one who noticed Zeng Deyong having a private conversation with Fourth Missy Gan? Was it really just a coincidence?”

Everyone fell silent for a while.

Wen Yuansi put one finger up. “So, that’s the conclusion to our first conjecture. The other is the one that Commandery Prince Zhao brought up. That this is connected to Jing Yan’s death five years ago.”

Even Qi Yan couldn’t help but sigh at the mention of this. “This conjecture is even worse. We don’t have any clues at all!”

“Not necessarily so,” Zhao Zhi shook his head.

Song Caitang put down her empty teacup and agreed. “Fourth Missy Gan was Zeng Deyong’s mistress, and regardless of the reason, she had run to a place far from Bianliang and even gave birth to a son. Do you think the count really didn’t know anything about this or didn’t care at all, or did not try to hunt her down all these years?”

Madam Wei and Zeng Deyong’s attitudes were all somewhat strange.

What secrets were this couple hiding, and what were they planning to do?

“What Fourth Missy Gan went through this past decade or more, especially if she went through anything major or dangerous, are very important. She had been away for many years, so we need to find out if she had any friends she trusted, anyone she could have asked for help, if she had any weaknesses that others could exploit…”

Song Caitang’s gaze flickered. This was all very important information.

If any of it overlapped with the people connected to this case, then… it would be key to solving this case.

Zhao Zhi nodded. “I’ve already sent my men to investigate, they’ll return with results soon.”

“There’s also one more thing we need to take note of,” said Song Caitang. “The victim died in a very odd manner. Her death involved both sex and poison.”

Qi Yan rubbed his nose and looked rather awkward at the mention of sex.

Song Caitang rolled her eyes at him. She didn’t feel awkward talking about it as a woman, so why was he feeling so awkward?

Wen Yuansi knew what she was driving at. The more important part was…

“There might have been one murderer, or there could have been two.”

Qi Yan instantly clamped a hand over his mouth and widened his eyes. “A team job?!”

Were they going to run into yet another case of Zuo Xiuwen and Li Zhengzhi?!

Song Caitang shook her head. “If there were really two people involved, it might have been a team job, or it could be that one knew about the other’s intention, so they took the chance to frame the other person.”

As for how one could frame another in a classy manner while still getting away unscathed, that was an artform in itself.

Poisoning and sex were two different directions. The former was usually an act of hate, while the other involved possibly hate, but also some sort of positive emotions. Who could it be?

Out of all the people Fourth Missy Gan was linked to, who was she a little too close to? Or perhaps someone had been watching her secretly for a long time?

As they spoke, Wen Yuansi brought up another point, “After her body was discovered, everyone rushed to the scene of the crime and I was observing everyone’s expression. Wei He’an and Lu Yuxue had met each other’s eyes, then quickly looked away.”

It had seemed odd to him.

Song Caitang was immediately reminded of how she had run into Lu Yuxue that day along the corridor too. Lu Yuxue had turned to walk further down the corridor while Wei He’an walked toward her direction along a different corridor.

The two had not said anything and had just briefly exchanged glances. They seemed surprised, or perhaps confused. It was hard to say.

Then when Gan Zhixuan said that he had returned to the room where the murder had happened because of Lu Yuxue, his expression was odd too, as though he was feeling especially guilty…

Song Caitang relayed her thoughts to the three of them, then said, “Right now, we need to confirm how these people are connected. There’s Wei He’an and Lu Yuxue, then there’s Lu Yuxue and Gan Zhixuan. Gan Zhixuan’s the son of the victim, so he’s especially important. We have to get him to tell us the truth.”

Qi Yan rubbed his palms together with a glint in his eyes. “I’ll take care of that! I’m almost well, so it’s time for me to stretch my arms and legs. I’ll show them how amazing I can be!”

Everyone had a different expression when they realized that the victim was Fourth Missy Gan. Wen Yuansi was a more sensitive and meticulous man, so he had noticed all their expressions and remembered them well. He proceeded to mention another person, “Qiu Wenkang seemed rather shocked by Fourth Missy Gan’s death. He looked like he knew her from before.”

Zhao Zhi tapped his knuckles against the table. “I’ll go and ask about this.”

He had initially thought that Qiu Wenkang was there purely by coincidence, but now…

Zhao Zhi’s gaze deepened. Qiu Wenkang was the head administrator of the crown prince’s residence. He was the most suitable person for this job.

“What about Sang Zheng?” Song Caitang mentioned one more person, “We need to find out about how he’s connected to Madam Wei and Zeng Deyong, as well as their stance…”

Zeng Deyong, especially. His stance would determine his position and motive in this case.

Sang Zheng had been hoping to find a way to repay Madam Wei for her kindness, and this thought had remained with him for decades now. Was that really all to it? Madam Wei was a beautiful woman, after all.

And what about Zeng Deyong? Would he have felt somewhat jealous? Even if he was just the slightest bit suspicious, or if he had some other opinions…

“I’ll take care of this,” Wen Yuansi straightened his sleeves. “When I first joined the public service, I had spent some time working for the Court of State Ceremonial, so I know some people.”

Everyone had taken the initiative to take charge of one part of the investigation, so naturally, Song Caitang was going to take charge of one part herself too. “I’ll take care of Wei He’an. I have a feeling… he seems to know me.”

He knew Song Caitang?

Zhao Zhi’s gaze instantly became wary.

This was Song Caitang’s first time in Bianliang, so she wouldn’t have known him from her time here recently. If he knew her, he must have known her from way before this.

Song Caitang could sense his gaze, so she smiled and consoled him, “I’m alright. Besides, I think… Why don’t we set up a little something so that we can help each other out?”

The case wasn’t easy and the suspects were not the most cooperative. If they could set up a trap to stress them out and throw in a few special questioning techniques… they might be able to make a breakthrough in the case.

“Sure!” Qi Yan was the first to raise his hand in support. “Let’s do this together!”

Wen Yuansi nodded and smiled too. “Sure.”

Zhao Zhi certainly didn’t have any objections. He put his teacup aside and stared straight at Song Caitang. “Tell us what plans you have.”

Song Caitang leaned forward slightly and motioned to the other three to come closer. They leaned forward and listened intently to her.

“I was thinking…”

After she finished telling them what she wanted to do, Qi Yan rubbed his palms gleefully. “That’s a great plan! We’ll do that!”

Wen Yuansi and Zhao Zhi both stared at Song Caitang in absolute amazement and admiration.

This woman always proved to be so different from everyone else.