The Golden Hairpin

After discussing at the entrance of the West Market, the three decided to split up. Zhou Ziqin rushed to Puning Ward to deliver the good news to Zhang Xingying, while Wang Yun and Huang Ziguang headed first to the Dali Temple.

Huang Ziguang said to Wang Yun, "I'll take a quick look around first," and deliberately detoured to take a glance at Lü's Incense and Candle Shop.

Old Man Lü was still at the back of the shop, crafting another giant candle identical to the one that had been destroyed, though the patterns and colors had yet to be painted.

Huang Ziguang watched him from the side, neither entering nor speaking, just observing him calmly. The old man, already in his sixties, hunched over with a stooped back, squinted his clouded eyes as he meticulously painted dragons, phoenixes, and flowers onto the candle.

Despite the sweltering heat, he held an iron tray divided into compartments, each filled with wax of different colors. To prevent the wax from hardening, he frequently held it near the nearby stove, warming the liquid wax over the fire.

Steam rose from the heat, drenching him in sweat. His brown short robe was completely soaked, yet he remained focused, pressing close to the candle as he painted with painstaking precision, almost reverently.

Wang Yun glanced at him, then at Huang Ziguang, whispering, "What's the matter?"

Huang Ziguang let out a long sigh and murmured, "Nothing. I was just thinking—since Dīcuì is being released from prison today, should we inform her father?"

"A father and daughter reuniting is only natural, isn't it?" Wang Yun said.

So Huang Ziguang entered the shop with him and addressed Lü Zhìyuán, "Old Master Lü."

Lü Zhìyuán squinted at her, whether recognizing her or not was unclear, and mumbled vaguely, "Oh, it's you."

"I’ve come to bring you good news. Your daughter, Lü Dīcuì, is being released from the Dali Temple today. Would you like to go see her?"

Lü Zhìyuán paused briefly before resuming his work on the candle. "Released? Good that she’s out. I almost thought she’d drag me down with her."

Knowing the old man’s temperament, Huang Ziguang said no more. She simply stood before the giant candle at the back of the shop and remarked, "It’s almost finished."

Lü Zhìyuán ignored her entirely—he had nothing but disdain for eunuchs.

Wang Yun, meanwhile, noticed another pair of decorative candles in the shop and called to Huang Ziguang, "Chonggu, come take a look."

The pair of candles stood about a foot tall, shaped exquisitely—one like a dragon, the other like a phoenix. Each scale and feather was painted in a different hue, with red alone ranging from deep crimson to pale pink, vermilion, rose, and rouge. The array of colors the old man had mixed was truly astonishing. The sculpted forms of the candles were even more remarkable—the dragon and phoenix appeared lifelike, their energy flowing vividly. Each creature’s head bore a wick, and the candles were adorned with countless copper leaves, flowers, and bells. In the dimly lit shop, they shimmered brilliantly, a dazzling spectacle that made one imagine how resplendent they would look when lit.

Impressed by the craftsmanship, Wang Yun turned and asked, "Shopkeeper, are these candles for sale?"

"Not for sale," came the blunt refusal.

Wang Yun, ever good-natured, could only smile at the rebuff. "Well, having these displayed in your shop is the best advertisement."

As they stepped outside, a breeze swept through, gently swaying the bells on the candles. The copper leaves and flowers chimed against each other, their crisp, melodious notes like celestial music to the ears.

Unconsciously, Huang Ziguang glanced back one last time at that pair of candles.Wang Yun stood beside her and suddenly said in a low voice, "If you like them, we could have a pair of these wedding candles made for us when we get married."

Hearing this, Huang Ziguang felt a surge of heat rise in her chest—a mix of embarrassment and shock—that instantly turned her face crimson. Yet within that flush was a sharp, icy sting, like needles piercing her limbs, rendering her completely immobile.

Noticing her rigid posture, Wang Yun smiled—a strained yet tolerant smile—and his voice remained as gentle as ever: "Just a joke, of course. We’d have to wait until the truth about your family’s case comes to light first, wouldn’t we?"

She didn’t know whether to nod or shake her head.

This man before her was well aware of her tarnished reputation, of the rumors that always linked her name to Yu Xuan—yet he deliberately ignored them.

After a long silence, she finally replied in a hoarse whisper, "Yes... when my family’s wrongful case is resolved..."

As if reminded by her own words, she suddenly snapped back to clarity.

Huang Ziguang, didn’t you swear the moment your parents and loved ones died that nothing in this world would ever affect you again? That you would cast aside all tenderness and sentiment, sever every bond and attachment, and live only to avenge your parents’ blood?

Yu Xuan, Wang Yun—neither was something she needed to consider now.

So she lifted her head and smiled at Wang Yun, her voice slightly rough but her tone calm: "Captain Wang is joking. As a eunuch serving in the palace, who could I possibly marry in this lifetime?"

Wang Yun froze for a moment, then laughed at himself. "Right... I shouldn’t have made such a joke."

They left the candle shop and went to the nearby Qian Family Carriage House. The moment the shopkeeper saw Wang Yun, he hurried out to greet them: "Ah, Captain Wang! What an honor to have you visit us today—we weren’t prepared to receive you!"

The Qian Family Carriage House had done several large transactions with the Capital Defense Bureau, so they were familiar. The staff ushered them inside, bustling about to prepare tea and refreshments.

Wang Yun stopped them. "We’re just passing by—no need for the trouble."

"Ah, Captain Wang, we’re so sorry about this. Ever since our boss was taken in, we’ve been at a complete loss..." As the shopkeeper spoke, Madam Qian and her three children rushed over, weeping and kneeling to beg Wang Yun for help.

Wang Yun, ever mild-mannered, could only smile wryly at their clamor. "I have no say in this matter. If you want to appeal, go to the Dali Temple."

"This... this officer came to see our master last time—they say he’s from the Dali Temple!" A servant quickly pointed at Huang Ziguang, addressing Madam Qian and the shopkeeper.

At once, the entire family turned their pleas to Huang Ziguang, with Madam Qian crying the hardest: "Our master was such a good man, always so cautious and timid—how could he possibly kill anyone..."

Huang Ziguang quickly helped Madam Qian up. "Actually, I came to ask a question. Do you know which steward was assigned to repair Sun the Lame’s house that day?"

The shopkeeper hurriedly replied, "The accounts for house repairs are kept at the shop next door. I’ll go fetch them right away and see who was sent that day.""If it's convenient, once you find him, go straight to Sun the Pockmarked's house in Daning Ward. I have a small matter to attend to and will join you there after I'm done," Huang Zixiao said, then added after a moment's thought, "Also, bring along Zhang Liuer, the sewer cleaner."

"Yes, yes, we'll head over as soon as possible!"

After two rounds of delays, by the time Huang Zixiao and Wang Yun arrived at the Dali Temple, Zhou Ziqin and Zhang Xingying were already waiting for her. Zhang Xingying was holding a small child in his arms, with two unfamiliar adults standing behind him.

"This is my elder brother and sister-in-law. They happened to be visiting my home with their child. When they heard we were bringing A'Di home, they insisted on coming along," Zhang Xingying explained.

Zhang Xingying's brother, named Zhang Xingwei, was as tall and sturdy as his younger brother. He and his wife smiled awkwardly and said, "A'Di is part of our family. Today's her homecoming—a joyous occasion—of course we'd come."

Zhou Ziqin chimed in, "Indeed. If not for Elder Zhang's recent recovery and our persuading him to rest, he would have come too."

Seeing the Zhang family's sincere affection for Dìcuì, Huang Zixiao felt reassured and nodded with a smile. "Please wait a moment. I'll go inside to bring A'Di out."

Surprisingly, Cui Chunzhan was still present today and seemed to be in high spirits. Spotting her, he greeted cheerfully, "Eunuch Yang, running errands for His Highness again?"

Huang Zixiao hurriedly bowed and presented the Prince of Kui's warrant. "His Highness mentioned that since another, more significant suspect has been identified in this case, and Lü Dìcuì had absolutely no possibility of committing the crime at the time of the princess's passing, he sent me to discuss with you, Assistant Minister, whether Lü Dìcuì could be released to await trial at home. Keeping a young woman in the Dali Temple's detention quarters indefinitely seems inappropriate."

"Oh, this matter? Simple." Cui Chunzhan had an attendant fetch a form for Huang Zixiao to fill out, then personally escorted her to retrieve the detainee.

As they passed the other empty detention rooms, Huang Zixiao asked, "Where is Qian Guansuo now?"

"Him? He's already been transferred to the Ministry of Justice's prison," Cui Chunzhan replied casually. "With both witnesses and material evidence confirmed, he confessed this morning."

Huang Zixiao was stunned. "He confessed?"

"Yes, confessed." Cui Chunzhan avoided her piercing gaze, those clear eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything in an instant. Lowering his voice, he said, "Eunuch Yang, this case... is closed. Solved so quickly, with irrefutable evidence—His Majesty and Consort Guo are fully convinced. The Dali Temple has achieved a great merit, and the Ministry of Justice can wrap things up. Isn't this the best possible outcome?"

Standing under the dark eaves of the detention quarters, Huang Zixiao remained silent for a long while before asking, "How... did Qian Guansuo confess?"

"How did he confess? Surely you can guess, Eunuch Yang," Cui Chunzhan said, staring at the bare brick floor beneath the eaves with a resigned sigh. "The Ministry of Justice sent their most skilled clerk, armed with a full set of tools. They say he's interrogated over a hundred and twenty people—none failed to confess. Qian Guansuo... was no exception."

Huang Zixiao frowned. "He admitted to the princess's murder as well?"

"He did. Yesterday afternoon, he confessed to Sun the Pockmarked. By evening, it was Wei Ximin. By dawn today, he signed a full confession admitting to killing the princess."

A chill settled in Huang Zixiao's chest, and she could only say woodenly, "Truly... impressive methods.""The case records have been swiftly copied and submitted to His Majesty. I expect the imperial decree will be sent back from the palace any moment now," said Cui Chunzhan.

So this was why he hadn't returned home after lunch—he was waiting for this.

Huang Zixiang remained silent. Behind her, the clanking of chains sounded as Diciu was brought out. Having spent several days in the detention cell, she looked haggard and dazed. When she raised her eyes and saw Huang Zixiang, she managed a faint nod in her direction.

"Lü Diciu, today you are being bailed out to Puning Lane under the guarantee of the Kui Prince's residence. Until this case is concluded, you must not leave Puning Lane and must present yourself whenever summoned by the Dali Temple or the Ministry of Justice. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand..."

Huang Zixiang helped her gather the bedding sent by Zhang Xingying and escorted her out of the Dali Temple.

As she stepped out of the Dali Temple, she immediately spotted Zhang Xingying waiting outside. The numb, dazed expression on her face finally gave way to sorrow and joy, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Second Brother Zhang!"

Zhang Xingying set down the child in his arms and rushed up the steps, clasping Diciu's hands tightly in his own and pressing them to his chest. He gazed at her for a long moment before choking out, "A Di, let's... go home."

The onlookers smiled knowingly at the scene. Even the child held by Zhang Xingying's sister-in-law reached out toward Diciu, calling, "Auntie... Auntie..."

After calling out twice, the child suddenly turned away, straining toward the roadside in front of the yamen and shouting, "Brother! Brother!"

Seeing the child nearly wriggle free from his mother's arms, Zhang's elder brother hurried over to help hold him while glancing toward the street.

Passing by on the other side of the road was a tall, graceful man. As he walked beneath the elm trees lining the street, he turned his head upon hearing the child's call and looked in their direction.

The ordinary street seemed to brighten faintly with that single glance.

Huang Zixiang's gaze lingered on his face, her breath catching. The summer sunlight and the sweltering afternoon wind brought her a suffocating pain.

Amid the scorching summer heat, this man carried an aura of untainted purity. His slightly slender frame resembled a freshly sprouted bamboo shoot, cleansed of dust and still bearing a faint luster—utterly refined.