In the prison of the prefect's government office, Wu Yu was once again awakened by a basin of cold water. Zhan Yang looked at Wu Yu, his eyes filled with stern coldness. "Wu Yu, if you continue to remain silent, it won't end like this."
Wu Yu's body was covered in bloody marks. Not far away, on a wooden rack, hung dozens of torture instruments. A yamen runner had already placed a sharp hook for piercing the collarbone into a charcoal basin burning bright red. The hook alone was terrifying enough, but when heated to a glow, it would only inflict unbearable agony on the victim.
Wu Yu raised his head indignantly. "Zhan Butou, I've told you everything I know, yet you refuse to believe me. While you're here torturing me, the real culprit is still at large. Zhan Butou, is this your idea of justice and integrity?!"
Zhan Yang narrowed his eyes at Wu Yu. "Justice and integrity? I only believe what I see!"
Wu Yu spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground. "What you see? Seeing is believing, but sometimes, what the eyes perceive isn't necessarily the truth. Zhan Butou, you've been deceived! You've been fooled by the real culprit!"
Wu Yu's face was filthy, his body covered in bloodstains, but as he spoke these words, his eyes shone with a piercing intensity. Zhan Yang frowned, a flicker of hesitation crossing his expression. Yet he pressed on, "Then tell me, why were you in that residence?"
Wu Yu let out a cold laugh and lowered his head. "My presence in that residence has nothing to do with the case you're investigating. Why should I explain it?"
Zhan Yang turned and leaned against the edge of the table, his expression half-smiling. "Is it because it's unrelated to the case that you refuse to speak, or are you afraid that if you do, the old Earl of Weiyuan won't forgive you?"
Wu Yu's expression shifted, the certainty on his face instantly vanishing.
Seeing his reaction, Zhan Yang's smile turned colder. Wu Yu was a tough nut to crack, unlike the pampered young masters of typical noble families. Yet it was precisely this quality that indicated he was no ordinary individual.
Zhan Yang continued, "Among the four brothers of the Weiyuan Earl's household, the other three are all useless. You're not the old Earl's biological son, yet he had no choice but to entrust the yamen duties that support the family to you. Over the years, you've done your utmost for the Weiyuan Earl's household. Without your relentless efforts, the family would have long since collapsed completely."
Zhan Yang scrutinized Wu Yu for a moment. "Your mother remarried with you in tow, enduring great hardship. That's why you've been exceptionally filial to her. But the Earl of Weiyuan is not your biological father. Your so-called elder and second brothers are not only unrelated to you by blood but also idle good-for-nothings. You've watched as you struggled to keep the household afloat, yet the old Earl still intends to divide the family's assets among them. Deep down, you resent this, so you began embezzling, trying to turn the family's public assets into your private property."
"Third Young Master, am I correct?"
Zhan Yang's tone was mocking. Wu Yu pressed his lips into a sharp, tight line.
Zhan Yang went on, "But that wasn't enough for you. You also sought wealth and a way to save your mother. So when you heard about the matter of setting up an altar, you wanted to give it a try. Six years ago, while traveling in the west, you learned of the Moon Worship Sect's dark arts. On your way back to the capital, you stopped at Guanyin Town south of Lin'an. There, you killed three people to test the method, but had to abandon the attempt when the victims reported the crime and officials arrived. The case eventually fell into the hands of Zhang Daoshi at the time, and he unjustly bore the blame for you for six years."Wu Yu's expression shifted from unease and gloom to astonishment, then he let out a helpless laugh. "If Constable Zhan weren't in his current position, he'd make an excellent storyteller. It's true I traveled to the southwestern regions six years ago, but I never heard of any Moon Worship Sect. As for the Guanyin Town you mentioned, I have no idea where it is!"
Zhan Yang's gaze sharpened. "After all this time, of course you can deny it!"
Wu Yu sneered coldly. "Since you know how I acquired my residence, I might as well tell you—the people I was meeting at my western estate were my subordinates. Those three brothers of mine are all worthless. Why should the fortune I've painstakingly accumulated be divided among them? The Weiyuan Earl's estate had already been squandered by the eldest and second brothers! If not for me these past few years, they'd all be rotting in prison! So what if I embezzled public funds? I deserved every bit of it!"
Having reached this point, Wu Yu no longer feared speaking openly. Zhan Yang's eyes turned icy as Wu Yu continued, "The eldest and second brothers—one obsessed with women, the other with gambling—not only indulged in debauchery but committed heinous crimes for their vices. Constable Zhan, since you're so righteous, you should be arresting them! As for my fourth brother, he was completely corrupted by the other two. The Weiyuan Earl's estate is nothing but an empty shell—a pretty facade that's rotten to the core. If I stop propping it up, within two years it'll become the laughingstock of the capital!"
Wu Yu laughed bitterly and mockingly as he spoke, madness flickering across his face. "Constable Zhan thinks I'd kill for my mother? That I'd set up altars and commit murder for wealth and glory? Hah... You probably don't know—I've never believed in any Buddha or Celestial Worthy! Since childhood, I've only believed in myself. Altars and rituals are nothing but jokes in my eyes. Yet you actually think I'm behind these crimes... Those who follow the Path or worship Buddha are utterly worthless in my view. I'm someone who can climb up through my own efforts—why would I bother with altars?"
As if a floodgate had opened, Wu Yu both defended himself and vented his frustrations from the past two days. Zhan Yang watched him with frosty eyes when suddenly a bailiff entered and whispered in his ear. Frowning, Zhan Yang glanced at Wu Yu again and ordered the guards, "Take him back and keep him under close watch!"
The bailiff nodded. Zhan Yang picked up his blade and strode out.
Walking along the passageway, Zhan Yang's expression remained grim. Only when he emerged from the prison into the daylight did he exhale and appear more composed. Without pausing, he headed directly to the rear hall where meetings were often held.
Qin Guan was already waiting in the rear hall. Turning as he entered, she asked, "Any results?"
Zhan Yang bowed slightly and shook his head. "Still refuses to talk, though he admitted to embezzling the earl's public funds."
Qin Guan nodded. "Perhaps the third young master of the Wu family truly isn't involved in this matter."
Zhan Yang immediately frowned. "Your Highness, this..."
Qin Guan looked at him and said, "The killer failed last time, but Constable Zhan should know there remains one final opportunity—tomorrow night..."
Zhan Yang quickly responded, "Your Highness means—""Zhang Daoshi said that with each person the killer murders, the power of this altar grows stronger. Therefore, the killer won't miss tomorrow night's opportunity. Whether the killer is Young Master Wu—perhaps we'll know the answer tomorrow evening."
Zhan Yang hesitated but held his tongue. He trusted Qin Guan, especially since the Wu family's third young master was already captured. Even if he investigated others, the third young master would remain imprisoned. Qin Guan continued, "Zhang Daoshi represents the previous tragedy, so tomorrow night still requires Zhan Butou's cooperation."
Zhan Yang quickly asked, "Does the princess already have suspicions?"
Qin Guan nodded, beckoning him closer.
Zhan Yang took two steps forward, and Qin Guan began giving quiet instructions.
...
...
After leaving the magistrate's office, Qin Guan went straight to Marquis Anyang Manor. Upon arrival, Yue Ning and Wei Qizhi had been waiting for some time. Seeing them, Qin Guan said, "I've already spoken with Zhan Butou. Tomorrow, we'll proceed as originally planned."
Wei Qizhi looked unusually solemn and steady. "If it truly turns out as the princess predicts..."
Qin Guan responded, "If it turns out as I predict, then we'll have captured a murderer. What's wrong with that?"
Wei Qizhi sighed. "It's just that worldly affairs are unpredictable, and human hearts are inscrutable."
Qin Guan and Yue Ning exchanged glances. Yue Ning asked, "What? Can't bear the thought?"
Wei Qizhi smiled at Yue Ning. "Not exactly. I can still distinguish right from wrong. If I couldn't even tell that much, how would I dare be friends with two princesses?"
Yue Ning made no comment. Qin Guan added, "Tomorrow we'll still meet at the Marquis Manor."
Wei Qizhi raised his chin. "Princess, rest assured. I definitely won't delay matters."
Qin Guan shook her head with a laugh at Wei Qizhi's demeanor. After speaking, Wei Qizhi took a yellowed booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Yue Ning. "Princess, see what this is—"
Yue Ning looked surprised. Taking the booklet and opening it, her eyes immediately lit up. "Is this the military treatise written by the former dynasty general Lu Zhigong?"
Wei Qizhi quickly nodded. "Exactly. The other day, I borrowed a military book from you to read. After finishing it, I still wanted more, so I had people search for others and found this volume."
Yue Ning was overjoyed. "His military writings heavily emphasize practical combat. They're hard to find nowadays."
As she spoke, Yue Ning couldn't wait to unfold it. After just a few glances, she became completely absorbed, reading while saying, "I never expected you to also enjoy military texts."
Wei Qizhi looked somewhat proud. "Why can't I like them? Are you the only one allowed?"
While studying the booklet, Yue Ning secretly marveled. Meanwhile, Qin Guan glanced at Yue Ning, then at Wei Qizhi, her eyebrows rising high. Having obtained the military treatise, Yue Ning was ecstatic, occasionally asking a question or two. Qin Guan knew nothing of military strategy, so only Wei Qizhi conversed with her. Back and forth, it became apparent that Wei Qizhi actually possessed considerable knowledge.
Yue Ning seemed to have found a kindred spirit, unusually engaged in lively discussion with Wei Qizhi.
Qin Guan sat drinking tea while watching them, growing increasingly uncomfortable. Seeing that it was getting late, she reminded Wei Qizhi it was time to leave. Reluctantly, Wei Qizhi headed for the door, looking back every few steps...
Qin Guan watched Wei Qizhi depart while Yue Ning continued reading the military treatise. Qin Guan remarked, "I truly never imagined Young Master Wei would be so well-versed in this Path..."Yue Ning quickly said, "Indeed, I never expected it. Seeing him now, he seems much more steady and reliable."
Qin Guan pondered this remark and silently cursed Wei Qizhi in her heart!
...
...
Early the next morning, just as Wei Qizhi had risen, a servant came to report, "Young Master, there is someone outside requesting to see you. They say they're from the Ink-Stained Painting House—"
Wei Qizhi was slightly surprised. "Did they say anything else?"
The servant shook his head. "No, only that they wish to see you."
Wei Qizhi didn't dare take it lightly and hurried to the front hall, where he indeed saw a servant he had met at the Ink-Stained Painting House standing there.
Upon seeing him, the servant promptly said, "Young Master Wei, the painting that was supposed to be delivered yesterday was delayed. The old gentleman said the buyer must come to collect it in person. Our young master is bedridden with illness and specifically sent me to inform you."
Wei Qizhi was taken aback, as he was planning to visit the Marquis' residence later—
Wei Qizhi didn't necessarily need to attend to this matter urgently, but thinking of Qin Guan's genuine desire to buy the painting, he said, "Where is the old gentleman your young master mentioned before?"
The servant quickly produced a slip of paper. "This is what our young master asked me to give you."
Wei Qizhi took the slip, opened it, and saw that the residence was located in the southeastern part of the capital, not far from the address Ning Buyi had mentioned last time, though it was somewhat distant from him. He hesitated for a moment, then considered that a round trip before noon would be sufficient, and nodded. "Very well, I'll go fetch it now."
The servant promptly replied, "Then I shall return to report to our young master."
Wei Qizhi waved his hand, and as the servant left, he immediately had someone help him change clothes, took enough silver with him, mounted his horse, and set off. Wu Shu accompanied Wei Qizhi, galloping toward the southern part of the city.
The two rode for nearly half an hour before arriving at the residence written on the slip. The house appeared small and somewhat old, but it was tidy and clearly inhabited. Ning Buyi often acquired paintings from declining noble families, and this residence seemed to fit the description. Wei Qizhi dismounted and instructed Wu Shu to go forward and knock on the door.
Summer had arrived, and the early morning already carried a hint of heat. Glancing at the rising sun in the sky, Wu Shu looked at his master with confusion. "Young Master, you said you were going to the Marquis' residence, but this trip will delay us quite a bit."
Wei Qizhi raised his hand and gave Wu Shu a sharp tap on the forehead. "What do you know! I have no small trinkets to bring today. If I arrive with a painting, wouldn't the princess be pleased?!"
Wu Shu rubbed his forehead helplessly. "But this painting isn't for the Yongning Princess.".."
Wei Qizhi raised his hand to tap Wu Shu's head again. "What do you know! Since when do you meddle in your master's affairs!"
Wu Shu wore a pained expression and was about to argue when the old courtyard gate suddenly creaked open. Standing inside was an elderly man in gray robes. The old man looked at Wei Qizhi, then at Wu Shu, and said, "Here for the painting?"
The greeting was less than courteous, but Wei Qizhi, intent on buying the painting, paid it no mind and nodded. "Yes, old sir. Please take me to see your master—"
The gray-robed elder smiled and nodded, first ushering the two inside the gate.The two entered the gate, and the gray-robed old man closed the courtyard door before leading them toward the main hall. Upon reaching the main hall, they found it empty and deserted. Instead, the gray-robed old man guided them around the side hall toward the rear courtyard. The exterior appeared clean and tidy, while the interior was equally orderly—so orderly that it seemed as though the courtyard was maintained but uninhabited.
Wei Qizhi felt a flicker of doubt in his heart but refrained from asking anything. When they arrived at the rear courtyard, refreshments and an incense burner had already been arranged in the pavilion. The gray-robed old man said, "Young Master Wei, please wait here for a moment. This old servant will fetch the master."
Wei Qizhi nodded and walked over with Wu Shu. With a quick glance, he noted the exquisite refreshments and incense burner, from which wisps of sandalwood incense drifted. He lifted his robe and took a seat, scanning the refreshments but making no move to partake.
The rear courtyard, adorned with lush flowers and trees, held a certain refined charm. Shortly after sitting down, two figures emerged from the rear hall. Wei Qizhi instinctively rose to greet them, but upon seeing who appeared, his expression abruptly changed.
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