Chapter 108 Murder

Chapter 108 Murder

He Qingxiao prepared himself for the girl's dissatisfaction after saying this.

But Xin You's face remained unchanged: "I do have a suggestion."

"Please speak, Miss Kou."

"Mr. Songling might not come to see me in the short term. If we wait one or two months before reporting to His Majesty, wouldn't that be too late?" Xin You observed He Qingxiao's reaction. "I think His Majesty was just curious and asked out of a whim; he might forget about it soon. Perhaps reporting what you've learned from me about Mr. Songling would be enough?"

He Qingxiao raised an eyebrow slightly.

Was Miss Kou suggesting he deceive the Emperor?

Well, it wasn't entirely impossible.

"Thank you for your reminder, Miss Kou."

Xin You's heart stirred.

This Lord He didn't seem to follow the Emperor's every word blindly.

Her bookstore was near the Imperial Academy, and Lord He often visited. It was hard to plan anything without involving him. Her previous words were a test.

A less loyal minister was good news for her.

Xin You looked at He Qingxiao with a gentler expression, causing Liu Zhou to be surprised when he saw Lord He buying books again.

Of course, this time, the young clerk's shock was only internal, and his actions were swift. Instead, Xin You watched Liu Zhou take the money, feeling a bit reluctant after recalling Duan Yunlang's words.

He Qingxiao brought the new travelogue back to the marquis's mansion, which sparked Aunt Gui's curiosity.

"The Marquis seems to enjoy buying books lately."

"Hmm, these travelogues are worth reading over and over."

He Qingxiao's explanation did not convince Aunt Gui.

The young lord had always loved reading but rarely bought books frequently. Why was he suddenly spending money on them now?

Aunt Gui secretly noted the imprint on the travelogue: Qingsong Bookstore.

It seemed she needed to find an opportunity to visit this bookstore.

He Qingxiao soon went to the palace to meet Emperor Xingyuan.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Songling is a young man who arrived in the capital a few months ago. He is reclusive and hardly interacts with others. Currently, he only writes for Qingsong Bookstore."

"So he's a young man." After hearing He Qingxiao's report, Emperor Xingyuan did not ask more.

As an emperor, his interest in a writer had already gone quite far.

However, after He Qingxiao left, Emperor Xingyuan still instructed the chief eunuch Sun Yan: "From now on, if Mr. Songling publishes any new books, buy them for me to read."

Sun Yan, remembering the Emperor's dark circles, wanted to defy the order but dared not. He then instructed his subordinates: "If Qingsong Bookstore releases any new books, report it promptly."

Qingsong Bookstore was unaware of these developments in the palace. The entire bookstore was now worried about what to do once they sold out of *Painted Skin*.

Manager Hu had repeatedly tried to speak to Xin You, losing much of his beard due to anxiety.

Worried about upsetting the old manager, Xin You suggested, "Besides *Painted Skin*, reprint some other popular books. When *Painted Skin* sells out, customers might buy another book since they're already here."

Manager Hu was both amused and exasperated.

Why couldn't the owner think beyond *Painted Skin*?

Xin You herself wondered if she was being overly cautious.

Empress Shu's tantrum might not affect the bookstore—it was just speculation. So she set a deadline: if nothing happened within half a month, it should be safe.

One morning, Duan Yunlang rushed in, panting, "Cousin, have you heard? Something happened at the Imperial Academy!"

"Cousin, please tell me slowly. What happened?"

"A student was found dead at the entrance, gutted with his heart missing!"

Upon hearing this, Xin You immediately thought of *Painted Skin*.

"When did this happen?"

"It was discovered early this morning, almost giving the gatekeeper a heart attack. Many students ran out to see the commotion, and I slipped away to tell you."

"So, the body is still there?"

"Yes. But the officials ordered guards to keep people away and sent someone to report to the authorities. Cousin, I need to go back."

He had only seen part of it, and he didn't know which hall the victim belonged to.

"Cousin, I'll go with you to take a look."

Duan Yunlang hesitated for a moment but quickly agreed.

On their way, Xin You probed Duan Yunlang about why he came to tell her first.

Duan Yunlang scratched his head, "Everyone is talking about how the victim's heart was taken, like in *Painted Skin*. Meng Fei said it's best to let you know—"

"Meng Fei?"

"He's in my study hall. His grandfather is our chancellor."

Xin You had a vague impression of the young man with phoenix eyes.

"Meng Fei always overthinks things. We're all students of the classics; who would believe in such an absurd tale of vengeful spirits?"

"Then why did my cousin come to tell me?"

"Since Meng Fei has already said so much, it's perfect to share this scary story with my cousin."

As they spoke, they arrived at the Imperial Academy. A middle-aged man in a long robe was shouting red-faced, "All students must return to the lecture hall immediately for roll call. Those who disobey will be expelled!"

Duan Yunlang's expression changed. "Cousin, I'll go in first!"

Before Xin You could react, the young man vanished in a flash.

Xin You looked around. Although the number of students coming out to see what was happening had decreased, more and more people were arriving upon hearing the commotion, including the owner of the opposite bookstore.

As for the deceased, there was not even a hair in sight.

At that moment, a group of officials arrived.

"Move aside, move aside!"

The crowd quickly parted, allowing the officials to push through.

After some time, Xin You heard murmurs from those who had secured a good viewing spot.

"Why are they carrying him inside?"

"They say they're going to gather all the teachers and students. Any dormitory missing someone during roll call will have to identify the body."

Despite the closed gates of the Imperial Academy, the crowd in front of the entrance showed no signs of dispersing. Xin You knew that identifying the victim wouldn't be quick, so she silently turned and left, heading back to Qingsong Bookstore.

Manager Hu was standing at the door, looking toward the Imperial Academy. Upon seeing Xin You return, he immediately asked, "Boss, did something really happen to a student?"

Xin You nodded.

"How could such a thing happen to those young men!" Manager Hu sighed heavily, thinking of the students, most of whom were teenagers or in their early twenties.

Bad news travels fast, especially when it happens at a prestigious place like the Imperial Academy. Many families with children studying there rushed to inquire, hoping to confirm that their own were safe.

By the next day, the identity of the deceased had still not been determined, but a rumor spread like wildfire.

The student was killed because he bought *Painted Skin*, and a malevolent spirit emerged from the book, removing his heart.

This rumor terrified many, causing them to burn their copies of the book.

"Nonsense, sheer nonsense!" Manager Hu fumed, his mustache bristling. "How can people believe such ridiculous claims!"

Liu Zhou stood nearby, his expression complicated.

To be honest, after finishing *The Peony Record*, he had gone to the flower market to look at peonies, hoping that by nurturing them carefully, one might transform into a peony fairy and become his wife.

Unfortunately, peonies were expensive, so he reluctantly gave up.