In the spacious dining hall of the farmhouse courtyard, a group of people stood solemnly. Shan Yulan slightly cupped her hands towards the lady of the house and said, "Madam Yang, I apologize for disturbing you at such a late hour."
The woman returned a gentle nod, her eyes shimmering faintly with moisture as she replied softly, "You are too kind, sir. I only hope you can swiftly investigate and bring the culprit to justice, restoring fairness to my late husband."
Gazing at the marks left by the flying knives slashing across the wall, Gu Yun, with her back to the lady, asked, "Could you recount the details of the incident once more?"
The woman turned her head, noticing the little girl who had been looking around curiously since entering, uncertain of her intentions. Though the official had not stopped her, the woman felt a trace of unease but still recounted everything meticulously, "My health is frail, and my husband wished to take good care of me. Yesterday afternoon, he and I went to Wanli Bank to exchange silver notes. Upon stepping outside, an inattentive man nearly knocked me down. My husband, quick-tempered, quarreled with him, and they began to shove each other. Fearing a fight, I persuaded my husband to leave, thinking the matter was over. Yet, that evening, my husband's close friend Li Zhi came to our home for dinner. Just as the table was set, the man appeared again and, after a few words, suddenly attacked. Neither my husband nor Li Zhi could fend him off. Terrified, I ran out to find help and met two guards from the General's residence, Huang Yi and Wang Wei. When the three of us returned, we saw my husband collapse."
Squatting quietly in the center of the hall, fixated on something unseen, Gu Yun didn't raise her head as she inquired, "Are there interrogation records of the three men?"
"Interrogation records?" Shan Yulan guessed her meaning and replied, "The confessions of the three suspects have been signed and are consistent with Madam Yang's account."
Gu Yun slowly lifted her head, looking at the woman and casually asked, "Did the victim fall dead right here?"
The lady was taken aback, then nodded in affirmation.
Shan Yulan's expression stiffened; Lou Xiyan's sharp eyes gleamed with authority—this woman was no ordinary person. The bloodstains on the floor had been cleaned, but the hall's walls and ground bore countless knife marks and traces from the victim's desperate sword swings. How could she, within mere minutes of entering, pinpoint the exact spot where the victim fell? All eyes fixated tightly on Gu Yun. Finally, she rose and declared loudly, "I think—I'm famished!"
What?! Hungry?! The crowd, eager for her explanation, twitched with disbelief. Zhuo Qing burst into laughter outright.
Stretching leisurely, Gu Yun approached Su Yu and nonchalantly asked, "You mentioned a small shop with excellent noodles—does it still serve?"
Su Yu looked a bit perplexed but answered, "Uh… yes."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Ignoring the countless eyes on her, Gu Yun grabbed Su Yu's sleeve and tugged him toward the door. After a few steps, she suddenly turned back and smiled at Lou Xiyan, "Xiyan, care to join us for noodles?"
Zhuo Qing's face darkened—she really dared to call her that. Lou Xiyan smiled softly, replying, "I'd love to."
Gu Yun and Su Yu strode ahead, Lou Xiyan and Zhuo Qing followed behind. The four leisurely wandered away, leaving Shan Yulan with a darkened expression and Madam Yang bewildered.
Strolling through the gentle early summer night breeze, Lou Xiyan glanced at Zhuo Qing beside her and said, "Your sister is quite intriguing; she seems to have a knack for investigations."
How to reply to that?! Pretending to ponder the sky, Zhuo Qing forced a laugh, "Haha, I'm not sure—I seem to have amnesia."
Such an excuse.
Near midnight, the moon hung over the treetops. The quiet alley was nearly deserted, shops on both sides shuttered early, save for a small noodle shop emitting a warm candlelight glow.
"Boss, another bowl, please."
A petite woman held a large bowl of noodles, mumbling her order. On the table, a gold ingot gleamed dazzlingly—something the boss, who was well into his sixties, could never earn in a year. He nodded repeatedly while his assistants busied themselves making more noodles.
Gu Yun set down an empty bowl, took the new one from the boss, and ate voraciously, heedless of her manners.
Su Yu watched the three piled bowls before her with disdain. "Are you a pig?!" he sneered, amazed to see a woman eat so much with such poor table manners. With her slender, almost bamboo-like figure, Su Yu wondered where all the food went—how did she never gain weight?
Gu Yun glanced up lazily, casting him a sidelong look, leaving a scornful retort, "Are you a chicken?"
For a grown man to eat so little!
This jab immediately ignited Su Yu's fiery temper. Slamming his hand on the table, he shouted, "Boss, ten more bowls!"
As if joking—did he think he could out-eat her?
The boss froze but quickly set to work, silently admiring the youth's vigor to eat so much this late.
Zhuo Qing, tired of waiting, rested her chin on her hand and lazily remarked, "Why don't you two eat slowly? I'll head back for some beauty sleep and come back later."
Watching the empty bowls piling up, Zhuo Qing's only thought was: Two absolute gluttons.
Gu Yun didn't look up, replying, "You may leave, but Xiyan may not."
Xiyan, Xiyan—she was really addicted to calling him that.
Zhuo Qing didn't press for reasons. Lou Xiyan remained elegantly composed on the side, but someone nearby lost patience.
"Why not?"
"I'm meeting Qian Jing shortly."
Gu Yun finished the last spoonful of soup, patted her satisfied belly, finally full—two days without food was unbearable!
Su Yu frowned deeply. "Didn't you just see him?! What does your meeting with Qian Jing have to do with him not being able to leave?"
Gu Yun ignored him. Lou Xiyan understood instantly and quietly called, "Mo Bai."
Mo Bai's tall figure swiftly appeared outside the shop. Gu Yun marveled at his speed—she hadn't sensed his presence at all.
Lou Xiyan whispered instructions; Mo Bai nodded lightly and pushed the door open.
Su Yu pondered for a moment, realizing Gu Yun intended for Lou Xiyan to escort her into the prison. Frustrated, he shouted, "I can take you in too! It's just the Ministry of Justice prison!"
"How do you plan to get me in—by yelling like before or knocking out the guards? If that's your method, I don't need you."
She wanted to enter stealthily. Talking to this fool would exhaust her.
Su Yu pouted but resigned himself—the outcome was what mattered, getting inside.
"He didn't tell the truth earlier. Are you sure he'll be honest with you now?"
Lou Xiyan found this point intriguing. Tonight's girl was full of surprises. He was the first to learn that a young woman could consume so much food.
Bowls piled high, Su Yu's slap earlier had sent soup splattering everywhere, leaving the table in disarray.
Lou Xiyan remained composed, as if no matter the circumstance or challenge, he could handle it with grace. Gu Yun sighed inwardly—Zhuo Qing had truly found a treasure.
Glancing at the impatient Zhuo Qing, Gu Yun smiled, "He won't talk to me, but he might to her."
Zhuo Qing shot her a glare and scoffed, "What makes you say that?"
Just a feeling! Gu Yun wisely kept silent to avoid an eye-roll.
Rubbing her satisfied belly, Gu Yun finally rose, "Full now, let's go."
At that moment, the boss brought ten bowls of noodles over. Gu Yun glanced at Su Yu with a light chuckle, "Take your time, little chicken."
With that, she strode out gracefully. Zhuo Qing sympathized with the stunned Su Yu and followed, chuckling softly.
Gu Yun's sharp tongue remained as biting as ever.
Lou Xiyan cleared his throat to stifle a smile, lightly saluted Su Yu, and followed outside.
The boss stared at the increasingly sullen young man.
"Qing Mo, you deserved that for calling someone a little chicken!"
A furious roar followed, and Su Yu's figure dashed out of the shop. The boss frowned, staring helplessly at the still steaming ten bowls of noodles.
What to do now?
Returning to the prison, Gu Yun noticed the original gate guards had been replaced by a new squad. Four stood rigidly, eyes fixed forward, seemingly oblivious to the visitors.
Speaking quietly to the agitated Su Yu, Gu Yun said, "Wait outside."
"Why?" Su Yu retorted sharply, irritated.
"The fewer people inside, the better. Do you want tonight's interrogation to fail again?"
Gu Yun's rare kindness pacified Su Yu's resistance.
By contrast, Lou Xiyan was more tactful, smiling lightly, "If that's the case, I won't go in either."
"Let's go."
Satisfied, Gu Yun nodded and took Zhuo Qing's hand as they entered the prison.
Inside, Gu Yun keenly observed. The first time she came, guards were stationed every ten meters. Now, none were in sight, making the forthcoming interrogation easier.
At Qian Jing's cell, the lock was already open. Gu Yun admired Lou Xiyan's meticulous
plan. The prisoner sat with back hunched, face pale yet still proud.
The door quietly shut behind them. Qian Jing's calm voice drifted, "You're really stubborn, Gu Yun."
Gu Yun smiled softly, "And you're still as sharp-tongued as ever."
The night was young, and the fate of the case was about to unfold...