Chapter 86: The Child

After leaving the Beijing Prefecture and walking a bit further, Bao quietly asked Zhu Ying, "Zhu, did you manage to offend the entire Beijing Prefecture?"

The two were of the same imperial examination year. Bao, being significantly older than Zhu Ying, often affectionately called her "Little Zhu" to set them apart.

Zhu Ying spread her hands, responding, "This case originally belonged to the Beijing Prefecture."

Bao inhaled sharply, about to lament how Zhu Ying used to get along so well with the folks at the Beijing Prefecture, regretting the lost rapport, but held back. The task was assigned by Zheng, and Zhu Ying had no choice but to accept. To speak plainly would seem like speaking ill of their superior behind his back.

He then mused, "Lord Zheng is too kind-hearted. General Zhou always causes trouble without reason and still receives his protection."

Zhu Ying casually remarked, "It's all about connections."

Bao expressed, "Well, we should stop pondering their complications. The real question is how you plan to mend your relationship with the Beijing Prefecture."

Zhu Ying replied, "The Beijing Prefecture isn't foolish. They wouldn't be thankful for us taking a case from them. Let's leave it as is for now and focus on the case. I'm worried there might not be any traces left."

Bao sensibly said, "It's good enough that Lord Wang isn't making things difficult for you. As for those beneath him, it's hard to say. It seems we can only rely on ourselves."

Zhu Ying pointed out, "The bodies are with them."

"But the suspect is with us."

"The suspect might not be the real perpetrator, but the bodies are indeed real."

As they walked and talked, Zhu Ying suddenly said, "Wait a moment." She sent the accompanying clerks back to the Ministry of Justice, changed out of her official attire with Bao, and went to investigate the brothel where the crime occurred.

…………———

Both changed into fashionable spring shirts and leisurely strolled to the Flower Street. By afternoon, Flower Street was already bustling, preparing to welcome guests, showing no signs of the murder that had happened there just the night before or early that morning. The street wasn't closed off, and the brothel where the murder occurred was still operating as usual, with residents living their lives and even preparing for customers.

As Zhu Ying and Bao took a peek, a servant promptly bowed and greeted them: "Gentlemen, please, this way!"

Entering the brothel, they found a courtyard with some floral and arboreal scenery, shallow yet seeming deep. Further in, a spacious hall with tables and chairs was arranged around a carpeted open space likely for musical and dance performances. The servant was leading them to a prime table.

Zhu Ying looked around curiously and said, "I heard that your place—"

The servant replied, "Which incident are you referring to? If it's that one, indeed it happened. Look, there are still two constables over there keeping watch."

Following his direction, they saw through the back door of the hall, left ajar, two constables with sabers.

Bao thought to himself about the heartlessness often said of prostitutes, finding it true as they seemed indifferent to the recent death, carrying on with business.

He asked, "Isn't it eerie? How can you continue operating?"

An older courtesan, resembling Ji Jiuniang in status but slightly better dressed, implying her prominence in the pleasure quarters, approached gracefully and said, "Gentlemen, we too need to make a living and pay our dues on time. The girls are frightened; I'd have them rest, but without their earnings, how can we afford our obligations?"

She likely was a notable figure in the world of pleasure, now appearing slightly anxious.

Zhu Ying stepped back, jokingly stating, "Don't look at me; I'm broke."

This elicited a laugh from her, followed by a graceful bow.

Concerned that Zhu Ying, being younger, might be overwhelmed, Bao stepped forward to inquire her name. She responded modestly, "My humble name is not worth tarnishing your ears, sir. Just call me Wu Niang. Here, claiming to have no money won't do."

Zhu Ying sighed and conceded, "Alright then. I do have some money, but not much."

Within moments, the two constables circled back from behind the hall, spotting them and jesting, "Who's this? Oh, Zhu Da Ren, are you a regular here too? We're ordered to watch for those snooping around. Apologies for any offense."

Bao, the judge, stated, "Dali Temple is investigating a case!"

The constables looked at each other, confused: "Dali Temple has a case here to handle? Wu Niang, your establishment is involved in another case?"

Wu Niang replied, "We always abide by the law; how could we commit any crimes? We are the victims here! So you two are from Dali Temple? I didn't recognize you, how may I address you?"

Zhu Ying introduced, "My surname is Zhu, and he's Bao. We're here to investigate." She then informed the constables, "By decree, Dali Temple and the Kyōto Prefecture are jointly handling this case, and Zhou You has been detained in Dali Temple's prison."

The constables, assigned to guard the scene early in the morning, were surprised by this turn of events: "What?"

Wu Niang, aware of Zhou You's notable background, thought to herself: Different fates for different folks; General Zhou indeed leads a charmed life.

Zhu Ying remarked, "I wouldn't have come here without orders from above. So, how is everything here?"

The constables explained, "Only a few rooms related to the case were sealed. We planned to seal off more, but they claimed they had nowhere else to live, so we allowed them to stay temporarily, not expecting them to continue business!"

Seizing the opportunity, Wu Niang instructed a servant to serve tea and have the girls present fruits and pastries to "the distinguished guests." Zhu Ying responded, "You need to make money, so money is your top priority. No amount of flattery equals a single coin. I'm here to solve a case, so the case is my priority. No distraction can delay my task."

Wu Niang, with a resigned expression, said, "How could we dare to delay you? This is no small matter, and we couldn't possibly hope to gloss over it. The southern army officers nearly demolished my establishment. Then the northern army threatened to burn down this 'den of thieves.' Thankfully, your presence has protected us, or we'd have fled to the countryside. We hope the case is solved soon, yet we didn't want to neglect your hospitality."

Assessing her "home," Zhu Ying, having been inside only one other brothel, found this place more lavish than Ji Jiuniang's, which boasted elegance and tranquility unique to Flower Street. This establishment, in contrast, seemed to focus on lively and grand ambience, appearing more spacious.

She suggested, "Let's start from the beginning, shall we?"

Wu Niang, recognizing Zhu Ying as the lead, personally served tea, mentioning, "This is Cold Secretary's favorite flavor. Please try it."

Zhu Ying's smile twitched, noting, "This case is personally overseen by Zheng of Dali Temple."

Wu Niang, persistently amiable, offered pastries, adding, "Where to begin? No one anticipated this end, so when it happened, no one paid much attention. Our establishment is just here, with people around, friends joking upon meeting, and enemies squabbling—such incidents are daily occurrences. Hence, when General Zhou and General Ma had their altercation, nobody took it seriously, thinking it'd be resolved with some persuasion."

Meanwhile, Bao, also served tea by a courtesan, inquired on Zhu Ying's behalf, "What was the argument about? What happened next? Was it over jealousy?"

"It wasn't about that," Wu Niang explained, "It was over seating arrangements. What kind of person is General Zhou? He wouldn't settle for a lesser spot. Unfortunately, the other party was also not one to easily concede. Both had their entourages, and the exchange of taunts escalated, losing all sense of propriety."

Bao asked, "What was said?"

"Well... General Ma mocked General Zhou as a nearly thirty-year-old boy..."

Zhu Ying couldn't help but laugh, finding General Ma's choice of words amusing.

Wu Niang also laughed helplessly: "He said that Zhou couldn't be the master at home, surely overshadowed by elders, hence sneaking here for some pleasure instead of legitimately calling for an official courtesan with a request slip. Instead of squabbling over seats here, he might as well go back and be breastfed, probably pampered by three or five wet nurses from childhood."

Bao, too, found this amusing and asked, "Did General Zhou then resort to physical confrontation?"

Who is Zhou You? Even facing someone like Zheng Xi, he sees himself as a peer, never feeling inferior to anyone.

Wu Niang continued, "It started with Zhou's servant hurling insults back, calling General Ma worthless, an old man trying to blend in without being able to take anyone home. The argument escalated into a brawl, with onlookers egging them on. It took some effort to separate them, each retreating to cool off."

"Where did each retire to?" Bao inquired further.

Wu Niang pointed, "Just behind here. General Zhou stayed on the left, and General Ma on the right."

Zhu Ying stood up to explore. Past the main hall, a narrow path led to several small courtyards arranged along it, adorned with rockeries, plants, and little ponds. Wu Niang explained as they walked that her establishment housed about ten "daughters" in just five courtyards. One "sister" would live in the main room of each courtyard with several "younger sisters," all taking care of each other. In this place, where women outnumbered, a dedicated maid was considered a luxury. Male servants resided in a row of low houses by the wall.

The accommodations from the previous night were in two fine courtyards facing each other diagonally, both adorned with beautiful gauze lanterns under the eaves, now sealed by the local government's closure notices.

When Zhu Ying wished to enter, a yamen runner said, "Madam Zhu, we dare not break the seal without permission."

Unperturbed, Zhu Ying examined the ground; it was still daylight. Not only were the doors sealed, but a section of the path by the courtyards was cordoned off as well. Even so, not many useful clues were preserved. She circled the exterior walls of the two courtyards, noting each had a side door. Beyond them, even Wu Niang's home had a back door, "for the convenience of those ladies misled by rumors about their husbands," Wu Niang explained.

After surveying Wu Niang's residence, Zhu Ying doubled back through the back door, inspecting the stables, nearby smaller courtyards, and the artificial mountains and ponds, eventually pausing outside the crime scene's courtyard to ask, "Many have been through here, haven't they?"

Wu Niang replied with a wry smile, "Just the entourages of those two brought several people, nearly starting a brawl. Then there were other patrons trying to break it up, myself included. By morning, when the incident happened, curiosity-seekers and officials brought even more people. Countless, really."

"How many went in and out of the courtyard?"

"Quite a few! Those serving, bringing tea and water, their entourages, plus the officials who came to arrest people in the morning."

"Do you lock up at night?"

"It depends on the clients' preferences. General Ma, for instance, had the courtyard gate locked."

"How many people are in your household?"

"Um, twenty-seven people in total, both men and women."

Zhu Ying then returned to the main hall and had Wu Niang bring everyone forward to be inspected against the list, having them walk back and forth in front of her before lining up. Besides Wu Niang, there was her husband, twelve "daughters" registered in their records, one son, three kitchen staff, two maids, and six male servants.

The missing "daughter" was currently lying in the coroner's room at the local government office.

When asked who shared a room with the victims and who stayed in the same courtyard as Zhou You, a gentle and compliant young woman named Lingling stepped forward, saying she served General Zhou. A few other girls from the same courtyard but who stayed in side rooms were also identified.

Zhu Ying asked, "What did Zhou You do?"

Lingling replied, "He drank, listened to music, joked with us, and… mentioned General Ma a few times. Then he fell asleep after drinking too much."

"Did he get up during the night?"

"He asked me to drink with him, and I also drank too much," Lingling confessed.

Other girls claimed they were busy with guests and didn't pay attention to Zhou You, while one mentioned she felt unwell last night, took medicine, and slept deeply, knowing nothing.

Regarding the deceased, the ones who shared his room were already dead, and those in the side rooms all said, "We don't know."

Zhu Ying inquired further, "Did the deceased have any particular habits?"

Wu Niang lamented, "Oh, what a tragedy. Whatever his habits were, it was us who bore them. He liked to hit people, to tie them up, to drip hot wax on their bodies…"

When asked if there was anything unusual, the whole household said no, with Wu Niang explaining, "The first half of the night was lively, but everyone was exhausted by the latter half and slept deeply."

Zhu Ying sighed and instructed the two bailiffs, "Keep a close eye on this place, and don't allow anyone else in."

Wu Niang inquired, "When will this be over for us?"

Bao Ping criticized sharply, "Enough with the questions!"

After leaving Wu Niang's place, Bao Ping commented, "So, nothing out of place. It's getting late. Shall we head back? Maybe we can try questioning General Zhou."

Zhu Ying replied, "You want to interrogate him? Let's go home! We'll see what Deputy Pei has found out tomorrow morning."

"Right," Bao Ping agreed, "Deputy Pei seems to have a bit of the resolve of the local government head. Perhaps he can uncover something."

The two agreed to meet at the Dali Temple early the next morning to deliberate further on their next steps. Bao Ping expressed his gratitude, "Thanks to Brother Zhu for keeping me involved in this case, despite Su Kuang's attempts."

Zhu Ying responded, "Why speak so formally? General Zhou isn't exactly reasonable. Seeing his disgrace might be a blessing or a curse for us, and now we're challenging the local government with a deadline to solve the case. I hope I don't drag you down."

Bao Ping declared, "Fortune favors the bold! I should thank you, Brother Zhu, for this opportunity."

They parted ways. Zhu Ying zigzagged to lose a tail from Wu Niang's household and knocked on the back door of a house.

A voice from inside asked, "Who is it?"

"Looking for Jiuniang."

The person inside cracked the back door slightly, but Zhu Ying pushed it open further. The person, not recognizing her, questioned, "Hey! Who are you? How can you just barge in? Why didn't you use the main entrance? Are you a thief?!"

Two muscular men rolled up their sleeves, approaching to expel the intruder. Zhu Ying stood her ground, demanding, "Call Jiuniang to see me."

"Who do you think you are, daring to summon Jiuniang by name?"

"Go ask her if Chen Dagongzi has been absent for a while."

"Pah! Chen Dagongzi doesn't look anything like you."

Smiling, Zhu Ying watched as the two men hesitated. The door opener finally decided, "I'll inform Jiuniang!"

Soon after, Jiuniang arrived gracefully, "Who is it? I was busy up front... Who... you are? Oh my, Miss Zhu!"

Zhu Ying asked, "Did you really expect me to enter through the front to ask questions?"

Jiuniang, startled, replied, "What's the matter? Is there another case related to my establishment? These days... surely not? We never harbor criminals here!"

Zhu Ying said, "Just a few questions. Let's talk here."

Jiuniang quickly sent everyone away, coming closer to ask, "What do you need to ask, Miss Zhu?"

"What do you know about the incident at Wu Niang's place?"

"That..."

"Why did I come through the back? To give you a way out."

Jiuniang remarked, "This whole street is much the same. Her establishment is far more formidable than ours! But with more people comes more trouble, and disturbances are common. As for General Zhou, he might seem infuriating, but having someone like him here is actually considered good fortune for us. He doesn't seem the type capable of murder."

Zhu Ying stated, "Whether he did it or not, I'll investigate. Tell me, did Ma have any enemies? Anyone on this street who hated him?" As for Zhou... tsk, he probably doesn't even know who he's wronged!

"General Ma had some unpleasant quirks; no lady could stand him. There were those who hated or feared him, sure, but none would dare to act against him. Besides, they couldn't best him in a fight anyway. Alas, Wu Niang has always been so dominant; this time, she's truly met with disaster."

Zhu Ying inquired, "Has anything notable happened at Wu Niang's place recently? Any envy, disputes, quarrels…?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual stuff."

Zhu Ying chuckled, "I'll be back in a few days. If you hear anything..."

Jiuniang nearly cried, recalling the last time Zhu Ying dealt with her, freeing a profitable pearl and insisting she couldn't detain the pearl's luggage – a significant sum of money lost! Another visit could mean betraying her peers. Though her relationship with Wu Niang was tense, risking further trouble seemed unwise.

"What are you afraid of?"

"Your presence here, does it mean I can't run my business anymore?"

"Hmm?"

"You don't seem like you're here for fun."

"Can't I be a scholar in distress?"

Jiuniang replied, "First is money, second is power. Talent and wit come far behind."

With a laugh, Zhu Ying opened the back door to leave, "I'm off, no need to see me out."

Hastily, Jiuniang summoned her enforcers, "That's someone from the Dali Temple. In the future, let's not offend them first! How did I end up unluckier than Wu Niang?"

…………——

Zhu Ying left Jiuniang's and as the evening darkened, she dusted off her clothes and strode home, reaching the neighborhood entrance just as the drums began to signal the curfew.

At home, Hua Jie and Zhang Xian Gu were setting the table for dinner, smiling, "Weren't you supposed to visit Master Yang's today? How come you're back so early?"

"Early? Listen, the drums are almost stopping."

"When have you ever not entered right at the last drumbeat? What's that odd smell on you?"

Having spent a good part of the day on Flower Street, mingling with the scents of Jiuniang and Wu Niang, she sniffed herself, "Ah, must've brushed against something accidentally. Dad, dinner's ready."

Zhu Da was sitting gloomily against the outer wall, "I'm coming."

Zhang Xian Gu scolded, "Can't keep still without showing off, can you? Full of frivolous bones, itching to float away with the wind!"

Glancing at Hua Jie, who whispered, "Are you working on a case now? In the afternoon, some folks from General Zhou's household came asking for your help with their general. The only General Zhou I know you know is Zhou You. Didn't dare take them in without knowing what the case was about."

"That's correct."

"What's it about?"

"A homicide, he's a suspect. Happened on Flower Street. The deceased was also a general. Jingzhou took the suspect first, then asked Zheng Da Ren for help, and Dali Temple took over the case. I'm assisting Pei Shao Qing with it."

"Ah!"

"Right, not taking them in was wise."

Stuffing chopsticks into Zhu Da's hand, Zhang Xian Gu remarked, "Exactly! What kind of general? Acting all high and mighty with just a gift! Must be no good! Hua Jie felt something was off. I thought, we shouldn't sound the alarm hastily; if you end up shielding him and get investigated, that'd be trouble for you, and this old man would be distressed."

Zhu Da retorted, "Nonsense! Why would I be distressed over that?!"

"Why are you concerned?"

Zhu Da exclaimed, "Money... our family is out of money."

The three women fell silent in unison. Zhu Ying calculated their finances and realized they indeed were running low on funds. Living in the capital, where everything was expensive, was manageable when she was a low-ranking official. However, as she climbed the ranks, social expenses skyrocketed, from clothing to general reciprocities. Now, just the annual rent cost nearly forty strings of cash. Her salary barely sufficed for housing, food, and clothing, let alone buying land or houses.

The small fortune she had amassed from a house raid was dwindling and insufficient for purchasing a suitable home.

Her family was genuinely running out of money. If it weren't for the profits from the raid, even affording their current residence would be a challenge. Their income was barely enough to cover their basic living expenses and rent.

They had... somewhat overextended themselves.

Zhu Ying cleared her throat, "As for the money, I'll figure something out. Let's not take money from outsiders."

Zhang Xiangui retorted, "Listen to him! Who says we're out of money? Every time he buys groceries, he skimps on the change! Losing a money bag once lost us over a dozen silver taels! Old man, I see you value your pride over practicality!"

The argument ended there.

After dinner, Hua Jie approached Zhu Ying to discuss ways to increase income and reduce expenses. She mentioned, "Household affairs shouldn't really be my responsibility, but don't worry too much."

Zhu Ying said, "What's this about 'shouldn't' or 'should'? Without your planning, we'd still be in a mess."

Hua Jie smiled and replied, "Actually, you already own some land, and I've almost finished planning the new farmstead construction. That's already one asset. We're not without money; it's just that living in the capital does have its challenges. For someone new to officialdom, at your age and rank, without family backing, you're doing better than one in a hundred. Don't be too hard on yourself."

Zhu Ying responded, "I'm not."

Hua Jie suggested she change out of her fragranced clothes to wash them tomorrow, adding, "I understand godfather's intentions. He's uneasy, always wanting some savings for emergencies. But haste makes waste. It's best to proceed step by step."

Zhu Ying pondered, "Hmm! Oh, how much would it cost to start a shop in the capital?"

Hua Jie was startled, "Are you thinking of renting? We're not suited to run it ourselves, and we don't have the resources right now. Buying... that's even more complicated and expensive than purchasing a house. Locations too remote, even if cheaper, won't turn a profit or attract tenants, just a waste of money. Prime locations are out of our reach. Either they're long-established brands or have strong backers."

Zhu Ying sighed, "Alright, forget that idea. I thought, with the land being far outside the city, it was just a fallback. It would be better to have something familiar in the city, easier to manage."

Hua Jie chuckled, "Take it slow. I've done the math with your salary; our current expenses are just about covered. I'll save a bit for you every month, adding up to more than a tael a year, plus any extra from festivals and bonuses. As godparents get older, they might need more for healthcare or tonics, and we should set aside money for that."

Listening to Hua Jie's meticulous planning, Zhu Ying thought to herself, "Damn, having a wife is great; I'm starting to want one too!"

She agreed, "Alright, I'll follow your lead."

Hua Jie whispered, "Is the case with General Zhou challenging?"

Zhu Ying replied, "Pei Qing is above me, and Zheng Xi is above him. If they can handle it, then it's none of my concern. If they can't, it's still not my burden to bear."

Hua Jie reassured her, "You always find a way, but don't overexert yourself. Take breaks when needed to go further."

"I've been resting for two years. I'm not tired."

Hua Jie smiled and walked away with the clothes.

Zhu Ying scratched her face, musing: Yes, we are short on money. Without it, owning a home remains a distant dream. Yet, living too frugally isn't worth it either.

After pondering over finances, Zhu Ying fell asleep.

………………

The next morning, Zhu Da returned with breakfast, though Zhang Xiangui and Hua Jie preferred to make it themselves to save money, dismissing yesterday's concerns about financial scarcity.

Shaking her head, Zhu Ying appreciated the variety in meals since Hua Jie's arrival, transitioning from meat pies to rolls and pastries.

Enjoying her meal brightened her mood, and she headed to the imperial city. Arriving at the Dali Temple, she found Zheng Xi and others were still at court, so she visited the prison first.

Zhou You was still asleep, and the ministry's personnel were just waking up. Zhu Ying greeted them and spoke quietly with the jailer, who commented on Zhou You's inability to handle responsibility.

"Has it been tough for you?"

"He's a handful, demanding this and that, complaining about the room's air and smell, requesting incense and pest control, and even specific dishes like lotus seed soup, which seemed unmanly to the jailer."

Zhu Ying decided to let Zhou You spend a few more days in prison.

Considering the murder weapon belonged to him, and given his altercation with the victim and harsh words, staying in Gong Jie's cell seemed fitting for the foppish Zhou You.

She handed a roll to the jailer, patted his shoulder, and left.

When Zheng Xi returned from court and delegated tasks, Zhu Ying was assigned to Zhou You's case, consulting with Pei Qing and Bao Ping Shi on the next steps.

Pei Qing inquired about the previous day's progress.

Zhu Ying reported the disdainful treatment from Jingzhao Fu, stating their visit to the morgue matched the initial findings without significant discrepancies.

Pei Qing, curious, asked for more details.

"Bao Ping Shi and I attempted to visit the crime scene, which Jingzhao Fu had sealed, preventing our access without causing a confrontation. We also spoke with the household, who noted no anomalies. I believe we need your intervention to examine the scene properly."

Pei Qing commented, "Hmm, Jingzhao Prefecture... Wang Yunhe is not a petty person."

Zhu Ying added, "Uh... about the subordinates..."

Pei Qing understood, "I see."

He then reported to Zheng Xi, who responded, "Correct, Zi Cheng should make it clear to Jingzhao. This isn't about Dali Temple wanting to snatch their case or take advantage of them. They should understand that the dispute between the southern and northern armies, if it escalates to the Emperor, remains my concern."

Pei Qing said, "You just have to wait until they make a fuss in front of the Emperor. Once His Majesty speaks out, it will all be settled. Poor little Zhu is in a tough spot after mixing in for so long and now has to face some difficulties. I will go down to the Jingzhao Prefecture to have a look."

Zheng Xi said, "Old Huang, call him over."

Pei Qing said, "Look at you, don't be too harsh on a child."

Zheng Xi said, "I have my reasons."

Pei Qing stepped aside to give Zhu Ying some dignity. When Zhu Ying came to see Zheng Xi, Zheng Xi asked, "Did you face any difficulties at the Jingzhao Prefecture?"

Zhu Ying said, "They wanted to take their frustrations out on me, but I wasn't about to let that happen, so they had to hold it in."

Zheng Xi chuckled, "I knew you'd say that! So, did they cause you any trouble?"

"No trouble, just obstructions. I saw the corpse, but the scene was sealed off, not letting me through. Oh, and I also questioned the family witness. I always feel there must be something hidden. I need to take a closer look."

Zheng Xi said, "Vice Minister Pei will personally go over. If you have any requests, you can tell him. Make sure you see everything you need to see and ask everything you need to ask. It's natural for there to be discord when two parties collaborate, and it's not just because of you."

"Yes."

"I don't believe you didn't notice anything from what you saw yesterday."

Zhu Ying said, "When I got home yesterday, I heard that General Zhou's family sent over many gifts, including gold and valuables. We didn't accept them. I think..."

"Hmm?"

"Let's lock Zhou You in solitary! Otherwise, by doing this, they'll still think I'm demeaning myself. They dare not accept the money and yet want to release the person."

Zheng Xi slapped the table, laughing heartily, "Ha ha ha, you! Such a mischief-maker! What now? He's innocent?"

"He's asking for it. His mouth, his hands, and even more so his feet—all guilty. To accuse him, we first need to prove the murder wasn't by his hand, even if the knife was his. Ah, I haven't even seen that knife yet."

"Hmm! You'll get to see it."

"I'm 99% sure he doesn't have the capability, but I still need to check the scene. I visited the prison today, and given his temperament, if we let him out, he could turn the Jingzhao Prefecture, the Dali Temple, the Flower District, and the Southern Army upside down. We need to keep him locked up to prevent any chaos."

"How can you tell it wasn't him?"

Zhu Ying said, "The crime scene was a small courtyard with a front and back door. The front door was diagonally opposite to where Zhou You stayed overnight. Everyone was drunk, no one heard anything. There were many people coming and going through the front door, making it hard to find traces. But near the door, I didn't see his traces. And at the small back door, only a few from the brothel itself had passed through. Also, that brothel, I need to investigate further."

Zheng Xi said, "Good. Remember, you only have fifteen days in total, and today is the second. If there's no progress in a few days, I'll have to loosen up on Zhou You."

Zhu Ying said, "You better keep it tight. I'm 99% sure it's not him, but only I can see this evidence. If we take it out, I'm afraid the Southern Army won't believe it."

"If it's not him, we need to find the real culprit."

Zhu Ying said, "Ah. The criminal is most likely a man, or at least there's a man among them. If it's a woman, she must be exceptionally skilled in martial arts, which is rare, and I haven't found such a person yet. There are several possibilities: one is a bandit, which leaves us no option. Second, various plausible reasons—like disputes over money or love at the brothel, acting on impulse like Zhou You, or enemies of Ma, Zhou You, or Wu Niang. It's also possible it wasn't aimed at Ma but the prostitute, which is another scenario. We need to thoroughly investigate the pasts of these three or four people. We really need the manpower of Jingzhao Prefecture. But, well..."

Zheng Xi said, "You don't need to worry about those. Pei Qing will follow up. I'll also make things clear with Jingzhao Prefecture."

"Don't. In kids' fights, whoever brings out an adult admits defeat and can never lift their head again. I can beat them."

Zheng Xi said impatiently, "As long as you know you're still a kid, that's enough. Off you go."

Zhu Ying stuck out his tongue, saying, "Ah."

Pei Qing waited for Zhu Ying to come out and asked, "All set?"

"Yes!"

Pei Qing also smiled. He had heard Zheng Xi laugh and thought to himself: Still such a child at heart.

…………——

As Pei Qing, along with Zhu Ying and Official Bao, headed towards Jingzhao Prefecture, they hadn't yet reached the prefecture's gates when Pei Qing saw a large crowd gathered there, his heart skipping a beat: Could it be that the Southern and Northern Armies were causing a disturbance at the gates again?

Other than these groups, he couldn't imagine who else would dare cause trouble at Wang Yunhe's doorstep.

However, this time he was mistaken. As they drew closer, he saw that there were no soldiers in uniform, just civilians forming a circle of onlookers. The yamen runners sighed, trying to disperse the crowd while consoling a girl in mourning clothes in the center of the circle, "Miss, Lord Wang will surely judge fairly! Do you doubt Lord Wang's integrity?"

The girl articulated clearly, "I trust Lord Wang implicitly. I am more concerned that the suspect, Zhou You, was taken away from Jingzhao under someone's protection, fearing there might be officials higher than Lord Wang who could harm him! I am now taking my father's remains back for burial, so as not to burden Lord Wang. After burying my father, I will go to the palace to appeal my case! I refuse to believe that even His Majesty would favor a murderer!"