The Golden Hairpin

He had even boasted about his grave-digging skills, never expecting Yuxuan to discover it so quickly—though he was sure Yuxuan would never guess that the people who had excavated the graves were all standing right before him, one being the current Prince Kui and the other the constable he had come to seek help from.

Of course, Yuxuan had no idea that the young Constable Zhou standing before him with a complicated expression was the culprit. He only said slowly, "I think everyone in Chengdu knows that Prefect Huang was honest and upright, and his tomb contained mostly writing brushes, ink, and books. What grave robber would target such a burial site?"

Zhou Ziqin nodded righteously. "Exactly! Brother Yu is absolutely right! I think there must be something fishy going on here!"

Huang Zixiang lowered her head in silence, staring absently at the bamboo branches beside her.

Li Shubai pulled down one of the bamboo branches, examining its veins carefully as if they held golden words of wisdom.

Zhou Ziqin glanced at the two of them, but their expressions were inscrutable, giving nothing away. Seeing they weren’t backing him up, he had no choice but to ask Yuxuan, "Then what do you think... why would someone dig up Prefect Huang’s tomb?"

Yuxuan shook his head. "I don’t know, but there must be a reason—perhaps someone wanted to use this to undermine the new prefect. Or, Constable Zhou, you must also know that Prefect Huang’s daughter, Huang Zixiang, fled and has been missing ever since. Maybe someone wanted to lure her out by doing this, to harm her?"

At the mention of Huang Zixiang, Zhou Ziqin was instantly alarmed. "No way? That’s their intention?"

"I don’t know... I just hope Constable Zhou can keep an eye out for any suspicious individuals. Or..." His gaze shifted to Huang Zixiang, his voice rising slightly, "let Huang Zixiang know that there might be a hidden force preparing to act against her."

"Oh... We’ll definitely pay attention. The yamen will take extra care to protect Prefect Huang’s tomb," Zhou Ziqin said, secretly winking at Huang Zixiang and Li Shubai as if to say, See? He’s overthinking it and has no idea it was us, hahaha!

But Huang Zixiang ignored his little gesture. Standing in the bamboo grove, she pondered for a moment in the rustling wind before lifting her gaze to Yuxuan, her eyes calm and clear. "Thank you for your kind warning, and for your concern for Huang Zixiang’s safety. But this matter... I don’t think there’s any hidden force involved. There’s no need to worry too much."

He looked at her, puzzled.

She averted her gaze and said, "It was us."

Yuxuan was stunned, even stumbling back a step in disbelief. His voice was hoarse, barely forming words: "You... you dug up Prefect Huang’s tomb—and others’?"

Huang Zixiang nodded. "Yes. And we found irrefutable evidence that Huang Zixiang is not the murderer."

Yuxuan stared at her, murmuring again, "You personally dug up... the graves of your own family?""Actually, Chonggu was sick that day and didn't go. It was me who went alone to reopen the case and re-examine the body, so... so I went by myself." Zhou Ziqin concealed Li Shubai's involvement, boasting proudly, "I was very thorough, wasn't I? After digging up the grave and examining the body, I rebuilt everything exactly as it was. Unless you visit the grave every single day, I guarantee that in two or three days—or maybe just after one rain—no one would be able to spot any traces."

He was full of self-praise, but Yu Xuan paid him no attention. Instead, he strode forward, placed a hand on Huang Zixia's shoulder, and stared intently at her as he demanded, "What were the results of the re-examination? What is the irrefutable evidence you mentioned that proves Huang Zixia isn't the murderer? Who is the real culprit? How did they commit the murder? Why frame someone else? And what was the method of framing?"

Huang Zixia saw that his usually clear and bright eyes were now bloodshot, almost losing all rationality. She could only sigh and say, "Calm down. I haven't found the real culprit yet."

"But... you've already proven your innocence?" he pressed further.

Huang Zixia silently met his gaze, slowly removing his hand from her shoulder without answering.

Li Shubai turned to Zhou Ziqin and asked, "Ziqin, I didn't pay attention earlier—how many petals were on the hydrangea in Wen Yang's room?"

Zhou Ziqin immediately broke into a sweat. "Huh? Is... is that relevant to the case?"

"No, but I'd like to go count them." With that, he turned and walked away.

Zhou Ziqin could only grimace helplessly at Huang Zixia, waving before hurrying after him.

Seeing Li Shubai's light and swift steps as he departed, Huang Zixia relaxed and turned back to Yu Xuan, nodding. "Yes, my family members didn't die from arsenic poisoning."

"Not arsenic? Then that means..." Even though he had mentally prepared himself, he couldn't suppress his shock. He stood frozen, his facial muscles twitching slightly as horror, regret, joy, and fear intertwined into a turbulent storm, nearly making him lose his footing.

Only after unconsciously retreating two steps and leaning against a cluster of bamboo did Yu Xuan steady himself. His gaze was distant and sorrowful as he stared at Huang Zixia, his voice trembling as he asked, "I... I was wrong?"

Huang Zixia looked at him calmly and replied, "Yes. Although I did buy arsenic, and although you claimed to have seen me holding that packet with a strange expression, none of it had anything to do with my family's deaths—because they didn't die from arsenic poisoning."

"I... wronged you." He repeated the words numbly, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Yes. And you didn't believe me. You used the love letters I wrote to you as evidence against me, personally branding me with an inescapable accusation." Huang Zixia didn't avert her gaze. She stared straight at him, her voice low and steady. "But fortunately, we've uncovered undeniable truths. One day, the truth will clear my name."

Yu Xuan's eyes widened as he stared at her in stunned silence.

He saw her standing before him, her pupils clear, her entire being radiant with the vitality of midsummer. The sunlight bathed her, making her appear even brighter, almost painfully dazzling to his eyes.

Overcome by the sting in his eyes, he raised the back of his hand to shield her from his view—and to hide the faint mist blurring his vision, lest she see his loss of control and regret.He recalled the resentment he had felt back then—the hatred for her who had destroyed his home in an instant. After years of wandering, he had finally found a shelter, a sliver of warmth, only to have it shattered by the very person he loved. His mind was haunted day and night by the image of her clutching that packet of arsenic, her icy and eerie expression at that moment... That love had turned into thick, black, tainted blood, overwhelming him, drowning his senses in darkness. By the time he regained his composure, he was already in the military governor's residence, and that love letter had been placed on Fan Yingxi's desk.

Leaning against the bamboo behind him, he felt drenched in cold sweat. Fate had split his world into two phantoms before his eyes, leaving him trembling, his chest aching as if carved by a blunt knife, the pain unbearable.

One phantom was from the early summer of his sixteenth year, when he first saw Huang Ziyao barefoot in the mud, the sunlight blurred and tinged red, dyeing the entire world a bloody hue. It was their first meeting, so beautiful yet so ominously foreboding.

The other was from when he was fourteen, opening his eyes to sunlight streaming through the broken window lattice, the surroundings deathly silent. He climbed out of bed, stumbling outside, only to see the mottled earthen wall bathed in the same reddish light, casting the shadow of his mother hanging from the beam, swaying ever so slightly.

Life was often like this—meeting someone, parting from someone forever—all seemingly painted in the same colors. So, it was impossible to tell whether fate was joy or sorrow, whether the vivid red before him was blood or light.

Huang Ziyao's voice faintly echoed in his ears: "I've already investigated everyone in the household at the time, but no suspects have been found yet. So now, I'm focusing first on the murder case at the Fu residence in Songhuali."

Yu Xuan took deep, ragged breaths, his chest heaving violently as he forced himself to calm down. His voice trembled slightly, but he managed to speak: "You said you've proven you're not the murderer because... it wasn't arsenic poisoning?"

"It was poisoned wine. The symptoms are very similar to arsenic poisoning, so even the most renowned coroner in Chengdu misdiagnosed it multiple times," Huang Ziyao nodded.

He stared at her for a long time before asking again, "Then where did the poisoned wine come from? How was it administered? If it was poisoned wine, wouldn't it have been even easier for you to slip some in unnoticed on the road than arsenic?"

Huang Ziyao retorted, "I had no way of obtaining poisoned wine! That kind of poison is only circulated within the palace and is rarely found among commoners. Moreover, deliberately using a poison that mimics arsenic poisoning after death must mean someone else framed me."

"Then... how do you explain that letter?" His voice trembled faintly with hesitation, letting her know he still couldn't fully trust her.

Huang Ziyao paused, remembering the letter she had written to Yu Xuan back in Longzhou, and said, "That letter... was just me rambling. You're overthinking it."

"Is that so..." he murmured, though his expression softened as he looked at her. "Perhaps... I was wrong to stubbornly believe you were the murderer... If there's anything you need, you can always come to me. I also want to uncover the truth behind my adoptive parents' deaths with you.""Mm, and then there's the suicide case in Songhua Lane. There are indeed some things in this case where I need your help. After all, one of the deceased is someone you knew." Huang Zixia let out a long breath and said softly, "This case at the Fu residence in Songhua Lane might be related to what happened to my parents. Because... the poison used is the same."

"Is the poison truly that rare?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes."

Yu Xuan pressed his temples, waiting for the dizziness to pass before saying, "I didn't interact much with Wen Yang, but we occasionally met at the same poetry gatherings before."

Huang Zixia then asked, "Were you aware of his relationship with Fu Xinruan?"

Yu Xuan paused, then seemed to recall something. "I heard... he committed suicide with a courtesan?"

Huang Zixia nodded and pressed further, "What was he like normally?"

He lowered his gaze, avoiding her eyes, and said quietly, "Wen Yang was usually reserved in public, but privately... his reputation wasn't good."

"What kind of reputation?" Huang Zixia persisted.

Yu Xuan hesitated but, seeing her unwavering, finally said, "His private conduct was improper, so I kept my distance from him."

Huang Zixia understood—Wen Yang must have been caught frequenting brothels, and someone like Yu Xuan would naturally avoid associating with him.

"Then, did others know about Wen Yang's behavior?"

Yu Xuan shook his head. "Probably not many. Otherwise, most people in our poetry gatherings, who uphold moral integrity, wouldn’t have mingled with someone like that."

Huang Zixia nodded and remembered another matter. "Do you often visit Monk Muxian at Guangdu Temple these days?"

Yu Xuan nodded. "The world is impermanent, and all things are transient. Lately, I’ve been reading Buddhist scriptures and feel the vastness of the universe, with our bodies as insignificant as mustard seeds. The suffering of mortals is but a speck of dust on such a seed. Sometimes, reflecting on this brings temporary relief."

"But it’s only temporary, isn’t it? Only by uncovering the truth and honoring the deceased can one find lasting peace."

Yu Xuan gazed at her resolute face and said softly, "Yes, A'Xia. In the end, I’m not as clear-sighted as you."

"I’m neither clear-sighted nor profound. I have no interest in transcending the world." Huang Zixia shook her head. "In this world, whether it’s suffering or joy, I’ve never wanted to escape. Whatever comes, good or bad, I’ll face it head-on. Until the truth comes to light, I’ll never give up."

Yu Xuan nodded silently. The two stood in the bamboo grove, listening to the murmuring stream around them, momentarily speechless.

On the other side of the alley, Li Shubai and Zhou Ziqin had already returned.

Li Shubai looked calmly at Huang Zixia and said, "Let’s go."

Zhou Ziqin, however, asked excitedly, "Do you know how many petals are in that painting?"

Without turning her head, Huang Zixia replied indifferently, "Many."

"Ah, with that attitude, you’ll never become a great detective like Huang Zixia! She knows every inch and every detail of a crime scene. Not like you—your attitude is all wrong..."

Yu Xuan bowed to them and left with his belongings.

Both Li Shubai and Huang Zixia chose to ignore Zhou Ziqin and mounted their horses to ride ahead.

Zhou Ziqin pouted helplessly and muttered, "Chonggu, you’re so petty. So what if you’re not as good as Huang Zixia? Why can’t you just admit it?"