### Chapter 115: Eyewitness

### Chapter 115: Eyewitness

Gu Zi's response caused He Qingxiao's eyes to change, but his tone remained gentle. "Take your time."

He Qingxiao's calmness helped soothe the little beggar's agitated emotions.

"Er'gu Ge isn't very bright, and he sleeps by the wall at night," Gu Zi pointed to his head. "That night, Grandpa suddenly started shaking all over. I was terrified and ran to find Er'gu Ge for help. But then I saw someone walking up to the wall and stopping by Er'gu Ge."

The memory filled the little beggar with fear. "I was very curious and hid quietly, watching as that person covered Er'gu Ge's mouth and nose with something. After a while, they dragged Er'gu Ge away. I was so scared, so scared."

The little beggar, tormented by guilt and fear, began to cry.

After that night, he had thought about it many times. If he had been brave enough to shout, Er'gu Ge might have woken up in time and not been taken away.

But he didn't dare; he feared that if he couldn't wake Er'gu Ge, he and his grandfather would be in danger.

The little beggar didn't dare to look up, afraid of seeing a scornful expression on the other's face.

Not only did he not shout that night, he also didn't dare to tell anyone afterward, let alone report it to the authorities.

A large hand landed on his shoulder and patted him gently. "Gu Zi, did you see what the murderer looked like? Can you describe it?"

Gu Zi's attention shifted immediately, and he spoke without having to recall. "The person was tall, wearing a long robe, and didn't seem young. However, because the light wasn't good, I couldn't see their face clearly."

In the past few days, he couldn't stop replaying the scene in his mind, making the person's appearance clearer rather than fading.

"If you saw that person again, could you recognize them?"

"Yes!" Gu Zi blurted out.

Although the face was somewhat blurry due to the poor lighting, he was certain that he could recognize it if he saw it again.

He Qingxiao asked one last question. "What was Er'gu wearing that night?"

"Er'gu Ge?" When asked about someone he saw every day, Gu Zi had to think hard before answering. "It was the same as usual. The clothes were too dirty and torn to tell the color or style."

He Qingxiao took Gu Zi back to the bridge tunnel.

The beggar who had run to buy pastries returned, eating voraciously. Seeing the two approach, he nearly choked with his mouth full.

Gu Zi couldn't help swallowing.

He Qingxiao instructed his men to take care of Gu Zi and his grandfather, then went to Qingsong Bookstore alone.

In the reception room connected to the book hall, He Qingxiao noticed that in addition to the tea set, there were two boxes of nuts and sweets.

"Sir He, has the case made any progress?" Xin You pushed the box of nuts toward He Qingxiao.

He Qingxiao hesitated between eating a few pine nuts to save face in front of Miss Kou and discussing the matter, ultimately deciding to talk first.

"We found an eyewitness."

Xin You's eyes lit up. "What did the witness say?"

In recent days, rumors had spread that the owner of the opposite bookstore had been arrested and thrown into jail. Xin You wasn't surprised by Yaxin Bookstore's tactics; business was like war, with some playing fair and others resorting to dirty tricks.

But she didn't jump to conclusions about the true culprit being from the opposite bookstore.

He Qingxiao recounted Gu Zi's words, taking a sip of tea. "The witness said Er'gu was wearing his usual clothes that night. When Er'gu's body was found outside the Imperial Academy, he was identified as a student because he was wearing a typical student's robe. This means the murderer bathed and changed Er'gu after taking him."

"The purpose of this—" Xin You picked up a pine nut, her mind racing. "Was to make people believe a scholar was killed by an evil spirit, implicating Qingsong Bookstore?"

"This is the most likely scenario. So, Miss Kou, think carefully—has Qingsong Bookstore offended anyone recently?"

"Recently, Qingsong Bookstore has been doing well, and many must be envious. The most affected would undoubtedly be Yaxin Bookstore across the street."

"The murderer seen by the eyewitness was tall, which doesn't match the description of Yaxin Bookstore's owner. If Miss Kou can't think of anyone specific, we'll gather everyone from Yaxin Bookstore and have the witness identify them."

As He Qingxiao spoke, Liu Zhou's voice came from outside the door. "Master, the owner of Yaxin Bookstore wants to see you."

Xin You raised an eyebrow in surprise and turned to He Qingxiao. "Sir He, please wait here. I'll go see."

In the book hall, a handsome young man was looking towards the entrance of the reception room, while Hu the shopkeeper rolled his eyes silently.

Seeing Xin You come out, the young man smiled. "Miss Kou, my name is Wu, and I am the owner of Yaxin Bookstore. I've come to apologize to you."

Xin You stared at the young man, her mind consumed by a terrifying vision.

In a courtyard near a well, the young man lay on the ground, and a man stabbed a knife into his heart, twisting it wildly.

Blood splattered onto the man's face as he muttered, his eyes bloodshot.

Throughout her life, Xin You had seen countless visions, but most involved minor misfortunes or accidents. Few compared to the gruesome scene before her.

Hu the shopkeeper, noticing Xin You's distraction, quickly reminded her. "Master—"

This guy is much uglier than Sir He; why is Master giving him so much attention!

Xin You composed herself, and the vision of the man lying helplessly on the ground disappeared, replaced by the young man smiling politely with a hint of self-satisfaction.

"Mr. Wu."

The young man bowed. "I just learned that our shopkeeper did such a thing. I am deeply ashamed and hope Miss Kou will forgive us."

As he spoke, he pulled out a small box from his sleeve and offered it. "This is my apology. Please accept it."

Xin You took the box and handed it to Hu the shopkeeper, smiling at the young man. "Accepted, forgiven."

The young man, prepared for rejection or even harsh words, was caught off guard by Xin You's acceptance and instinctively looked at Hu the shopkeeper.

The old shopkeeper was even more bewildered.

Just like that, it's forgiven?

"I'm still entertaining a friend, and it wouldn't be good to keep them waiting. If Mr. Wu has any further matters, please discuss them with our shopkeeper."

"No issues, it's fine if Miss Kou doesn't hold a grudge." The young man left in a daze.

"Mr. Dong, you— " Shopkeeper Hu raised the small box.

"Please keep it for now, I have something to discuss with Lord He." Xin You couldn't afford to explain further to Shopkeeper Hu and immediately walked into the reception room.

He Qingxiao paused in his motion of picking up a pine nut.

Xin You quickly walked over and sat down opposite him.

"Lord He, just now when I saw the owner of Yaxin Bookstore, I suddenly thought of someone!"