The Golden Hairpin

Returning to Kui Palace late at night, Huang Zixiang still went to see Li Shubai first and recounted the day's events at the Dali Temple in detail.

Upon hearing it, Li Shubai couldn't help but laugh. "Tomorrow I'll ask Cui Chunjian—if this criminal is so meticulous and cunning, how could he have stolen the golden toad from the princess's residence and then gleefully flaunted it when questioned by the authorities?"

"But His Majesty is deeply concerned about this matter. If the case can be swiftly concluded now, all government offices can breathe a sigh of relief. From this perspective, quickly producing a scapegoat—one who happens to be the focal point of all suspicions—isn't an uncommon choice in official circles," Huang Zixiang said with a frown.

Li Shubai remained silent in thought for a long while before finally saying, "Moreover, an early conclusion to the case would mean you could soon accompany me back to Shu. For you personally, this is also a favorable outcome—after all, some evidence may vanish with time. To clear your name, the sooner the better."

"Does Your Highness also believe that having Qian Guansuo as the scapegoat is the best resolution for this case at present?"

"Of course not." Li Shubai lightly flicked the glass bottle containing the little red fish with his finger and said, "In my view, the best resolution would be to find a wicked person with no parents or children—there are plenty of such people in the world. Unfortunately, His Majesty wouldn't believe it, would he?"

Huang Zixiang said softly, "Qian Guansuo... though greedy and cowardly, isn't exactly a bad person."

"But what does that matter? You still need someone to answer to His Majesty. In this case, both you and I know very well that the three deceased—Wei Ximin, Sun Laizi, and Princess Tongchang—are all connected to the humiliation Lü Dicui suffered, regardless of their gender or social status. So the most likely suspects at present are Lü Dicui, Zhang Xingying, and Lü Zhiyuan." Li Shubai spoke without mercy. "Whether you deceive yourself or let personal feelings cloud your judgment, you have to admit that the prime suspect is Zhang Xingying."

Huang Zixiang was struck speechless by his blunt assessment of the matter weighing on her heart. After a long silence, she nodded quietly and said, "Yes, I know."

Li Shubai shifted his gaze from the little fish to her face, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "If he really is the murderer, I'd admire him. After all, no one in his position could remain indifferent. Some may dare to think but not act, while others may act but not execute it so flawlessly. If Zhang Xingying is responsible for these three cases, I'd truly have to see him in a new light."

Seeing his undisguised admiration, Huang Zixiang asked quietly, "Then, if he truly is the culprit, could Your Highness spare his life?"

Li Shubai frowned slightly and said, "Before Princess Tongchang's death, perhaps. But given the current situation, it's hard to say."

Huang Zixiang nodded silently. "Yes, a life for a life—that has been the way since ancient times."

Li Shubai continued, "If this case was indeed orchestrated according to that painting, and now all three victims match, first sort out the tangled threads of this case and present them to me."Huang Zixiao nodded, sat cross-legged behind the small table nearby, pondered briefly, then unrolled the paper and began writing slowly. Her calligraphy was modeled after Lady Wei's style—each stroke as graceful as a court lady's hairpin, elegant and refined, yet swift. In no time, she had finished copying and handed it to him.

First, the death of Wei Ximin: How did a lightning bolt strike the candle so precisely, and how did it manage to burn to death a short eunuch in the crowd? If it was indeed man-made, how did the perpetrator control the lightning? Where did the iron wire and mercury in the fish pond come from, and were they related to the case?

Second, the fall of the imperial son-in-law at the polo field: Was it intentional? If so, was it specifically targeted at him? How did the culprit ensure he chose that particular horse, and how was the horse tampered with?

Third, the death of Sun Laizi: How to solve the locked-room mystery? Why did traces of lingling incense linger in such a shabby room? Where did the murderer enter from, and how did they escape?

Fourth, the death of the princess: How was the Nine Phoenix Hairpin stolen under tight surveillance? After being dragged away from the crowd, the princess must have known she wasn't far from the bustling streets—why didn't she call out for her attendants?

Note: The death of the maid Doukou in the princess's residence, as well as the paintings from the Zhang family and the Prince of E's mansion, must be closely connected to this case.

After reading it, Li Shubai nodded and said, "You wrote in haste—'solve' was written as 'unravel.'"

Huang Zixiao flushed with embarrassment and hurriedly searched for the character on the paper.

Without even looking, he said, "Eleventh line, seventh character."

She couldn't help but feel awed. "Your Highness has an incredible memory. I suppose anything you glance at is forever etched in your mind."

"Not quite," he replied casually. "Or perhaps it's just that you wrote a total of two hundred and sixty-six characters, and 'unravel' is the one hundred and forty-third."

Disbelieving, she grabbed half a handful of counting rods from the case and scattered them on the table. "How many do you think are here, Your Highness?"

He glanced at them and answered without hesitation, "Forty-seven."

Huang Zixiao counted them one by one—forty-seven.

She looked up at him. "Your Highness, may I ask you something?"

He didn't speak, merely lifting his gaze to meet hers.

"That day at Jianfu Temple, how many people were there?"

"I didn't count." He gave her a look that said, "How trivial."

"But you were present. With your keen eye, you should have an impression of everyone who appeared before you, correct?"

"Hmm."

"Yet after Wei Ximin's death, you said you hadn't seen him in the crowd earlier."

Li Shubai thought for a moment, then nodded. "Perhaps because he was short, he was completely blocked by those around him."

"And Zhang Xingying and Lü Dicui, the two eyewitnesses present, also said they hadn't seen Wei Ximin before the fire broke out." Huang Zixiao mused, her eyes gradually brightening. "Logically, Wei Ximin was their enemy, and he was wearing such a conspicuous red eunuch's robe, right in front of them—they should have spotted him in the crowd immediately."

Seeing the light in her eyes, Li Shubai countered, "So, you've already noticed something amiss?"

"Yes, I think I've found the most crucial point in the Jianfu Temple fire case." She smiled, then tapped her finger on the second case—the imperial son-in-law's fall. "And from this, I also seem to have an inkling of the reason behind this incident."

Li Shubai watched her fingertip and asked, "So you've also figured out the timing of the murderer's actions?""I believe this is a case where once the motive is established, the method becomes irrelevant," she said, gazing at him with solemnity. "Your Highness, do you recall what I mentioned to you before—'the budding cardamom of early February'?"

Li Shubai naturally understood her reference. After a moment's contemplation, he frowned slightly and said, "The imperial family has treated him generously. Barely past twenty, he's already the Tongpingzhangshi—no one else in the court enjoys such favor."

"Yet even from such heights, discontent lingers, doesn't it?" she asked quietly.

Li Shubai pondered for a while before standing up.

"Tomorrow I'll accompany you to the princess's residence—"

"Tomorrow, may Your Highness take me to the princess's residence—"

They spoke simultaneously, voicing the same intention.

Huang Zixia was momentarily taken aback, then couldn't help but smile faintly. Li Shubai's gaze lingered on her smiling face for an instant before he silently looked away without another word.

Early the next morning, when they arrived, the princess's residence was already shrouded in mourning.

Servants were removing layers of silk draperies and hanging white mourning curtains. Wei Baoheng had also changed out of his embroidered finery into plain hemp mourning clothes. The chamber where the princess lay was filled with blocks of ice of various sizes to preserve her appearance, but it was summer after all—the preservation wouldn't last long.

Wei Baoheng personally came to the main gate to receive Prince Kui. With tears in his eyes, he said to Li Shubai, "The Lady of Qin said she had prepared a golden nanmu coffin years ago and wishes to offer it for the princess's burial. Our household has gone to fetch it now—otherwise, in this weather, I fear..."

Huang Zixia's eyes fell on the peacefully resting Princess Tongchang. She had been dressed in a deep purple brocade gown densely woven with pheasants, her hair adorned with the repaired Nine Phoenix Hairpin. Her makeup was immaculate—rosy cheeks, crimson lips—making her usually sharp and delicate features appear more vivid and beautiful than ever.

Huang Zixia asked softly, "Has the body been examined by anyone?"

"No. His Majesty is so grief-stricken—who would dare suggest such a thing?" Wei Baoheng replied, his tears finally falling as he looked at the princess's remains.

"May this humble servant examine her?" Huang Zixia asked.

"You are the investigator personally appointed by His Majesty—of course you must," Wei Baoheng nodded.

After apologizing, Huang Zixia approached the princess. Li Shubai and Wei Baoheng withdrew outside. She carefully unfastened the princess's garments to examine the wound on her chest.

The cleaned wound showed slightly contracted muscles, making the puncture appear even narrower. It was a clean, precise stab—the assailant had struck directly at the heart, killing the princess almost instantly.

They must have arrived right after the princess was stabbed and the murderer fled. Yet before that, the princess had been held captive for nearly half an incense stick's time. With so many people around, why hadn't she cried out? What had she and the murderer been doing during that time?

Huang Zixia meticulously checked the rest of the princess's body, confirming there were no other wounds before redressing her and stepping out.

"Well?" Wei Baoheng asked.

"Nothing unusual. The cause of death was indeed a stab to the heart. The wound is a small puncture, consistent with the Nine Phoenix Hairpin," she replied, then turned her gaze to Li Shubai.

Understanding her cue, Li Shubai said to Wei Baoheng, "Awei, there's something else I'd like to ask you."

Wei Baoheng nodded and led them toward Suwei Garden.As they passed by Zhijin Garden, Huang Zixiao stopped and asked, "May we go inside to take a look, please, Royal Consort?"