Chapter 55

Chapter 55

“Madam, the Rain-Listening Pavilion has been prepared. Will my lady… be staying there tonight?”

Due to the prolonged delay at the city gate and the unknown source of the leaked information, the dismemberment murder case at the East Market began to spread like wildfire. Along the way, many people were heard vividly recounting the rumors.

Some claimed the corpse had been chopped into eight pieces, while others insisted it had been minced like ground meat. In any case, the rumors grew increasingly exaggerated. Later, some superstitious individuals stirred up trouble, claiming it was a vengeful spirit, a demon emerging to devour countless souls, and that more people would continue to be harmed. Before long, more than half of the capital was in an uproar, with the common people jumpy and fearful, terrified and on edge.

By the time Shen Anning returned to the mansion, the sun had already set.

After finishing dinner and bathing, Huan Xi came to inquire.

Earlier that day, the first thing Shen Anning had done upon waking was to order the lakeside pavilion to be prepared. Using the excuse of the late summer heat and the stifling weather, she decided to move to the pavilion for a few days. Ostensibly, it was to escape the heat, but in reality—

It was to avoid sharing a bed with that scoundrel Lu Suian.

This decision came after two consecutive nights of sharing a room with him, leaving her feeling frustrated and angry.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, she had reluctantly given in, half-allowing it, but last night, his greed and overbearingness had crossed the line.

Shen Anning had no plans to become pregnant anytime soon, and long-term use of contraceptive concoctions was harmful to her health. However, judging by Lu Suian’s words, he had somehow suddenly become intent on heirs in this lifetime and had abruptly brought up the idea of having children. If Lu Suian set his mind on something, he was not one to merely talk—he would undoubtedly put it into practice.

But how could Shen Anning bear it? Thus, she came up with the idea of moving to the Rain-Listening Pavilion to temporarily avoid him.

However, with the incident outside the city today—two dismemberment cases already committed—and the prediction that the next few days would likely be even more unsettled, Lu Suian would probably be increasingly busy and have no mind for other matters.

Still, Shen Anning had spent the last two years of her previous life in the Rain-Listening Pavilion before her death. She was accustomed to the tranquility there. Troubled by today’s case, she decided to go to the pavilion for some peace and quiet, and to sort out whether she should, and how she should, tip off Lu Suian about the killer’s identity.

"To think that the esteemed Princess Fuyang was killed by a lowly actor, and in such a gruesome manner. Ah, the Princess truly is pitiable. What does it matter to be a princess of the dynasty? In her later years, she had neither children nor any hope. In my opinion, she didn’t even live as freely as an old woman like me."

In her previous life, Fang Shi would often return from banquets and couldn’t help but bitterly disparage every noble she encountered, as if doing so would vent her frustrations.

The reason was that Fang Shi’s status was not high enough to mingle in those noble circles, yet she stubbornly forced her way in, inevitably ending up humiliated each time.

Most of what Shen Anning knew about Princess Fuyang’s victimization came from Fang Shi’s constant grumbling.

Shen Anning remembered that the killer was an actor, but everything else was hazy.

In her previous life, this case had caused an enormous uproar, with so many people killed. Every moment delayed now meant another potential victim. Shen Anning knew she ought to immediately share this information—which only she knew—with Lu Suian, so he could capture the killer sooner and give others a chance to survive.

But she couldn’t reveal her secret, which made it difficult to broach the subject.

Thus, even after moving to the Rain-Listening Pavilion, she leaned against the windowsill, her expression grave, unable to sleep for a long time.

It wasn’t until around 9 PM that the main residence suddenly lit up and noises could be heard. The main residence and the pavilion faced each other across the lake, so Shen Anning knew Lu Suian had returned.

When Lu Suian returned that night and saw the lights out in the main residence, he assumed Shen Anning had already gone to sleep. After all, as a woman of the inner quarters, she must have been unsettled by today’s events and the dangers she faced. Lu Suian had intended to comfort her, but upon entering the main residence, he discovered she wasn’t there—she had moved to the lakeside pavilion.

Lu Suian stood at the door, gazing into the distance. Across the lake, faint lights flickered on the opposite shore. He narrowed his eyes slightly.

Was she truly there to escape the heat, or... was she still avoiding him?

Or perhaps she was afraid that, after the incident at Little Qiong Mountain today, he would return to settle old scores with her?

Lu Suian’s eyes darkened as he pondered for a moment. After bathing, he ordered a lantern to be lit and headed straight for the opposite shore. However, just as he was about to step out, he suddenly heard a series of frantic "chittering" noises from inside the room.

Lu Suian’s left ear twitched slightly. With his exceptional hearing, he pinpointed the sound and looked toward the window. There, on the desk by the window, sat a birdcage—a sturdy, luxurious golden cage. But at that moment, what was inside wasn’t a bird, but rather—

A squirrel.

Having eaten and drunk its fill, it was now grooming itself, then leisurely lying down on a soft cushion to rest, looking utterly content and carefree.

It was that little creature!

Lu Suian frowned and slowly walked over.

Just then, Hong Li cautiously slipped into the room. As soon as she entered, she saw the lord had discovered the squirrel. She froze, about to retreat immediately, but her furtive movements caught the lord’s attention. Under Lu Suian’s authoritative gaze, Hong Li nearly burst into tears. After struggling for a long time, she finally stammered, "Reporting to the lord, Madam... Madam ordered me to bring this little squirrel over..."

Hong Li’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum.

It turned out that the moment Shen Anning heard Lu Suian had returned, she belatedly remembered the little squirrel was still in the main residence. Worried that it might displease him and endanger the squirrel’s life, she immediately instructed Hong Li to sneak in and steal the little creature out.

Hong Li, seeing no movement in the room, had assumed the lord had retired after bathing. She never expected to run into the lord, who was staring down the Madam’s beloved pet. Her courage instantly shrank by seventy percent, and in her fear and guilt, she confessed everything.

"So, Madam really brought this little creature back to the mansion?" Lu Suian asked, though he already knew the answer. Not only had Shen Anning brought it back, but she seemed intent on taking it everywhere, as if she planned to personally care for it.

He had always found the creature an eyesore. A hint of displeasure tugged at the corner of his mouth as he coldly added, "And she takes it wherever she goes?"

Hong Li shrunk back and said, "Yes, lord. This... squirrel was brought back by Madam during her outing today."

As she spoke, she quickly glanced up at him.

She saw Lu Suian’s cool gaze fixed on the blissful little creature. As if remembering something, his expression grew even more displeased. After a moment of contemplation, he suppressed all emotion on his face and said coldly, "Last year, the plague ran rampant in the Guandong region and nearly spread to the capital. This year, we finally managed to control the rodents. It’s better not to keep such filthy creatures around."

As he spoke, he instructed Hong Li, "Take it to the outer courtyard and have someone release it back into the wild tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Hong Li nearly cried.

Madam had tasked her with stealing the little thing out, but she had failed. The lord kept calling it a "little creature," and there seemed to be no room for negotiation.

But she dared not disobey the lord’s orders. Trembling, she picked up the cage and was about to leave when, unexpectedly, the lord changed his mind at the door.

"Never mind," he said. "Take it to the study."

Then he added lightly, "If Madam asks, tell her I’ve taken a liking to it. If she wishes, she may come to the study to feed it anytime."

As he spoke, Lu Suian had already reached the door. As he passed by her, he added another instruction: "Notify the front courtyard that if Mr. Pei comes to deliver grain in the future, do not stop him. From now on, directly escort Mr. Pei to the study to feed it."

After giving these orders, Lu Suian strode across the threshold, lantern in hand, and made his way along the lakeshore toward the pavilion on the opposite side.

Hearing this, Hong Li let out a long sigh of relief.

Speaking with the lord had nearly cost her half her life.

Fortunately, she had managed to save the Madam’s beloved pet. Not daring to delay any longer, lest the lord change his mind again, she hurriedly carried the squirrel to the study.

...

"The lord didn’t run into you or give you a hard time, did he?"

Hearing movement at the door, Shen Anning rested one arm on the windowsill, her chin propped in the crook of her elbow. The autumn breeze was pleasantly cool, and she felt too lazy to move. She merely tilted her head slightly and asked in a relaxed tone.

Then, a light, low voice sounded from behind her: "Does Madam truly think her husband is such a petty and harsh man?"

The voice echoed unexpectedly in the small decorated pavilion, greatly startling Shen Anning.

She turned around abruptly to find Lu Suian had already stepped inside at some point. Simultaneously, a large shadow filled the room, bringing with it an overwhelming sense of oppressive presence.

Their eyes met.

Shen Anning's face flushed with embarrassment—truly, if you walk by the river often, you're bound to get your shoes wet. She had been caught gossiping about someone right to their face.

It was honestly pretty awkward.

Why did Lu Suian walk so silently?

She had been staring out at the lake the whole time—how had she missed the sight of him approaching with a lantern in hand?

“Not at all, I was just worried the maid might be clumsy and fail to serve you properly.”

Fortunately, without the infatuation of her past life, even if they ended up in a fight, she wouldn't feel much emotional baggage.

She spoke calmly, without a trace of shame at having been caught bad-mouthing him.

As she spoke, she glanced behind him but saw no sign of Hong Li. Lu Suian’s hands were empty—had he not brought the little squirrel?

She wanted to ask about the squirrel’s safety but felt it was better not to invite trouble at the moment.

Lu Suian, however, stared at his leisurely, languid wife and did not respond. He neither pursued the matter nor spoke further. Instead, he stood in the room, hands behind his back, watching her quietly from a distance.

He didn't approach closer or take a seat.

He simply stood in the center of the room, looking at her.

Shen Anning, half-reclining on the low couch by the window, turned slightly and gazed back at him just as quietly.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither spoke.

As time passed, a strange atmosphere seemed to gradually fill the room.

It felt eerie, yet also somewhat… charged.

Earlier that day, on the mountain, due to the sudden murder case, he had ensured her safety but hadn't stayed long, leaving in a hurry. They hadn't had a chance to speak alone.

Even though Shen Anning tried to ignore it, she had noticed his urgency and concern. He had held her in his arms twice, even amidst the tension of what seemed like catching her in infidelity.

In that close embrace, she had faintly sensed the rise and fall of his chest and the subtle trembling of his body.

In this life, Lu Suian was different from the man she remembered in her previous life, and she had noted that.

But the memories of her past life could not be erased—they would remain forever in her mind.

Shen Anning's eyes drifted downward, once again slowly avoiding his deep, intense stare.

Lu Suian's expression faltered momentarily, and he came back to his senses, tightening his hands slightly behind his back.

Was it his imagination, or was Shen Anning still avoiding him?

It was just that her methods were different from before, and the degree was different too.

It wasn't something one would notice without careful observation, but Lu Suian could feel it.

The case today was serious, and he had been very busy. He had rushed back to the city overnight and collaborated with several yamen in the search. In the past, he would have stayed at the yamen directly, with almost no chance to rest tonight. But worried that she might be frightened by the day’s events—after all, women tended to be timid—he had made a special effort to find time to hurry back to the estate.

Yet she had moved to this small pavilion.

And why had Pei Yujin been with her today?

He didn't believe it was a coincidence.

There were many things he had originally wanted to discuss with her.

Just like their late-night conversation yesterday, clearing things up would allow them to quickly clear the air between them as husband and wife.

But though his wife was right before his eyes, she also felt distant.

Lu Suian stared intently at Shen Anning’s back. She seemed to blend into the night outside the window and the lakeshore. In his daze, he suddenly saw Shen Anning slowly rise from the couch and say, “I thought you would surely be too busy to return to the estate these days. The weather has been so stiflingly hot lately, and I thought it would be cooler by the lake, so I decided to move here for a few days—”

Shen Anning, now with complete composure, actively explained her reason for moving here tonight.

As if the previous moment had been nothing but an illusion.

Noticing that he had clearly already bathed and changed, but was now dressed in casual wear as if ready to go out, she asked in surprise, “Are you going out again tonight?”

After a pause, she added, “Are you going back to investigate the case? How is the investigation going? Have you found the culprit?”

As she spoke, Shen Anning slid down from the couch and looked at Lu Suian with rare concern.

She was more talkative today than before.

Unlike the previous few times when she had repeatedly tried to send him away, she now seemed more amiable.

Seeing her interest in the case, it seemed she was still shaken by what had happened during the day.

Indeed, even he had been somewhat rattled today.

At this moment, his wife seemed different from before, making him wonder if he had been overthinking things earlier.

When he looked up again, he noticed Shen Anning was wearing a jade-green dress with a light mist-colored gossamer cloak, looking ethereal and transcendent, like an immortal spirit from the mountains. Her clothes, though loose, made her appear even more otherworldly.

He remembered that Shen Anning used to prefer dark colors, always dressing rather drably. Of course, that was an observation his fourth brother Lu Jingxing had once made. Though Lu Suian had scolded him for it, he had also felt that a matriarch’s steadiness was not a bad thing.

But lately, he clearly felt that lighter, brighter colors suited her better.

As he was gazing at her, she said—

“You’ve been running around all day, it must have been exhausting. Please sit down and have some tea to refresh yourself.”

As she spoke, Shen Anning personally set out the tea set on the low table by the couch, poured a cup of tea, and brought it over to him.

Lu Suian was surprised to see his wife, who had been distant lately, for the first time in ages personally serving him tea. Compared to the unusual behavior of the past two months, it seemed as though things were gradually returning to how they used to be. Even her usually aloof expression now held a touch of attentiveness and consideration.

Lu Suian couldn’t help but feel taken aback. Seeing her softened expression, it seemed as though she was trying to show goodwill.

He lowered his gaze for a moment.

Was it because they had spent more nights together recently that Shen Anning’s displeasure had eased?

Or was it because he had rushed over on horseback today, making her see him in a new light?

Whatever the reason, if Shen Anning was showing signs of improvement and goodwill, Lu Suian was naturally happy to see it happening.

If that were truly the case, her sudden move to this pavilion under the pretext of enjoying the cool air would indeed make sense.

Thinking this, Lu Suian's expression softened slightly. He took the teacup and was about to sit down to accompany her for a moment when, before he could even settle, Shen Anning spoke up again, as if by chance: "By the way, how is the case going today? Any leads?"

Hearing this, Lu Suian looked up. He had a vague sense that his wife's rare show of goodwill today was not directed at him but... at the case? he thought.

Lu Suian couldn't help raising an eyebrow.

However, women do love gossip, especially since she had personally experienced the incident today. It was understandable that she would show more concern. Seeing Shen Anning taking such unusual interest in the matter, and given that the couple had just begun to reconcile, he found himself speaking up unusually: "We're still checking door-to-door at the foot of the mountain, and we’ve also sent people into the mountains to search. Don’t worry—as long as the culprit is still in the mountains, it’s only a matter of time before we catch them."

Lu Suian usually never discussed casework with his family, so these words were mostly meant to reassure.

But to Shen Anning’s ears, it meant that the killer had not been caught, and there were no leads yet, she thought.

Yet time was of the essence—the killer would strike again tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that.

Shen Anning began to feel quietly anxious.

She had to hide any trace of it on her face. After a moment of thought, she made a show of casual conversation: "The girl’s family must be heartbroken."

Sighing softly, she added, "Such a brutal method is rare. The killer is likely someone with a peculiar and twisted personality. Ordinary people tend to abide by the law, and even those with ill intentions often hold back out of concern for family and friends, rarely so cruel. The killer probably mingles with rough company—eccentric and isolated individuals."

After a brief pause, she continued slowly, "The first crime occurred in a densely populated area within the city, while this one happened in a remote location outside the city. If the same person is responsible, it means the killer can travel dozens of miles between the city and the outskirts within three days, likely with access to a carriage or horse. Either they have properties or relatives in both places, or they work in a profession that allows them to move freely between the city and the outskirts and are accustomed to traveling between the two."

At this, Shen Anning pretended to ponder deeply: "What kind of person would be always traveling around like this?"

She seemed to be murmuring to herself, but when she looked up, she saw Lu Suian staring fixedly at her under the dim lamplight, his gaze sharp and intense.