Chapter 22: Who is the Killer

A look of bloodshot, violent rage suddenly appeared in Lu Shiyi-lang’s eyes, so terrifying that it chilled Third Young Master Su to the bone.

"I don't know. Perhaps he simply despised noblewomen. When we used to play cockfighting together, he would often say that the people he hated most were those high-and-mighty noblewomen. Once, when he was drunk, he told me that he was born in the gutters. As a child, he was sold as a slave to a household where the master’s daughter often treated him like a dog. She would have dogs bite him, let the servants whip him for amusement, and even force him to eat excrement just like a dog. He said that from that moment on, he swore that one day he would have these noblewomen fall into his hands, where they would be unable to die and unable to live!

"Later, he met Zhou Xing, who was then just a clerk in the Ministry of Justice. Seeing that he was pitiful yet possessed a certain martial prowess, Zhou Xing adopted him as his godson and brought him into the Ministry of Justice to do his bidding."

At this point, Third Young Master Su’s face was filled with dread again. "I really only caught a glimpse that day. I know nothing else. I truly don't know..."

Hearing this, even the stern-faced Lu Ling changed color, clenching his fists in suppressed hatred. Lu Shiyi-lang struck a nearby stone with his fist, drawing immediate blood.

He felt no pain.

"I should have guessed she would fall into the hands of Zhou Xing and his son. But why couldn't I find her? Why?"

"That beast Zhou Jiu-lang! I will tear his corpse into a thousand pieces!"

With that, Lu Shiyi-lang rose and bolted toward the exit of the mansion.

At a command from Lu Ling, two constables quickly subdued him.

"Lu Ling, what is the meaning of this? Tell them to let me go! Should that beast not be punished? Should he not be torn into a thousand pieces?" Lu Shiyi-lang struggled.

Lu Ling walked up to him and said coldly, "He is already dead. Tearing his corpse into pieces will serve no purpose other than venting your anger, and it will only give Zhou Xing another reason to fabricate charges against you!"

"Zhou Xing has already reported this case to the Emperor. If he adds that this was an act of assassination and protest by those dissatisfied with the Emperor, the Emperor might grant him full authority to investigate the case. If that happens, countless more people will die unjustly at his hands!"

Only then did Lu Shiyi-lang’s expression stabilize.

"I fought hard to secure this case from the Emperor. Do not act impulsively!" Lu Ling added in a low, consoling voice.

Seeing that Lu Shiyi-lang had calmed down, Lu Ling turned to Xiao Muchen. "My apologies, Vice Censor Xiao, for this unseemly display."

Xiao Muchen was, after all, an official of the Censorate and a confidant handpicked by the Emperor. Although he had not recently impeached any court officials, even a single word from him in the Emperor’s presence could lead to their ruin.

Xiao Muchen understood the anxiety in Lu Ling’s heart and smiled faintly. "It is fine. In truth, I also feel that this Zhou Jiu-lang deserved to die! Rest assured, Junior Minister Lu, I never impeach those who truly serve the court and the people."

Lu Ling nodded.

Xiao Muchen asked, "By the way, what of Zhou Jiu-lang’s body?"

"It has been sent to the mortuary for the coroner’s examination."

"Then, would Junior Minister Lu be so kind as to lead the way? Let us also take a look at the corpse of this wretch. We can also bring these bones along to soothe the souls of the departed."

Lu Ling did not refuse. He ordered the constables to carefully wrap the seven or eight sets of remains, and the group hurried to the mortuary where Zhou Jiu-lang’s body was held.

Zhou Jiu-lang was dead, yet no one came to mourn. Even Zhou Xing had only taken one look before flicking his sleeves in anger and leaving.

Conversely, the wives of the Hou and Guo families had wept uncontrollably and vehemently refused any autopsies. After causing a scene outside the Supreme Court, they had simply taken their respective sons' remains home to hold funeral rites.

Thus, only Zhou Jiu-lang’s body remained in the mortuary.

A middle-aged man, who seemed to have just finished his examination, washed his hands and stepped forward upon seeing Lu Ling and his group.

"Junior Minister Lu!"

"How is it? Have you found anything unusual?"

The middle-aged man replied, "This morning, I confirmed that those three died of sudden over-excitement. There were no traces of toxins in their systems, nor were there any external injuries. But now, I have discovered something strange on Zhou Jiu-lang’s body!"

He flipped the corpse over to reveal its back. "Junior Minister Lu, please look! There were no marks on his back previously, but now, a plum blossom has appeared. Moreover, I opened the body; although the exterior looks unscathed, the internal organs, such as the liver, have already begun to rot. The decay is extremely rapid, and there is almost nothing left!"

A foul, peculiar stench of rot wafted through the air. Ah Shu could not help but retch violently.

Xiao Muchen also had to cover his nose.

Only Lu Ling remained composed, countering with a question: "So, the cause of death was poison after all?"

The middle-aged man looked puzzled. "But this type of poison is unknown. Even silver needles showed no reaction. I have consulted several physicians, and none can identify what he was poisoned with."

"And what of this plum blossom? It wasn't there before? It only appeared now?"

"Yes. It must be some kind of substance that only reveals itself under specific conditions." The man looked embarrassed. "As for what that substance is or why it appeared, I am still unable to determine."

"Does this plum blossom hold any special meaning?"

As Lu Ling reached out to touch it, Murong Huan grabbed his wrist, stopping his movement.

"Be careful of poison!"

Murong Huan said, "This plum blossom mark could be a humiliation to the deceased, a hint, or perhaps a form of psychological comfort for the avenger."

"Could it be Li Xiaomei?" Xiao Muchen interjected.

Lu Shiyi-lang said unhappily, "Xiaomei is dead; she died at the hands of this beast. What could this have to do with her?"

"That is why I believe it is more likely a hint," Murong Huan continued. "At the Duke of Huo’s residence earlier, Third Young Master Su mentioned that the woman he saw also had a plum blossom mark. Perhaps this blossom does not represent Li Xiaomei. It is more likely that all the girls killed by Zhou Jiu-lang bore a plum blossom mark."

Watching Murong Huan analyze the case with such seriousness, the curiosity and suspicion in Xiao Muchen’s eyes deepened. *Could it be,* he wondered, *that she is truly not the one who killed Zhou Jiu-lang?*

"Are you suggesting that Zhou Jiu-lang killed these young girls because they all bore a plum blossom mark?" Lu Ling asked, as if connecting the dots.

A flash of inspiration seemed to cross Murong Huan’s mind, and she nodded in silent agreement.

She approached the corpse and examined the plum blossom on his back closely. As she stared, images—familiar yet strange—flashed through her mind, as if she had seen this somewhere before, yet she could not recall when or where.

Seeing her look dizzy, Lu Ling reached out to steady her, but Xiao Muchen, having arrived at her side, stepped in first to support her.

"Are you alright? Is the air here too much for you?" Xiao Muchen asked, holding his breath against the stench.

Murong Huan shook her head, focusing her thoughts, and felt a hand resting on her shoulder—seemingly casual, but firm.

She cupped her hands to Xiao Muchen. "Thank you, Vice Censor Xiao, I am quite alright!"

Xiao Muchen turned to Lu Ling. "I see that you are not in a hurry to find Zhou Jiu-lang’s killer, but rather that the case of these eight innocent girls is more pressing. Perhaps we should conclude for today?"

"Are you acting as a guarantor for them, Vice Censor Xiao?" Lu Ling asked.

Xiao Muchen smiled. "What do you mean, Junior Minister Lu? Is this Fourth Young Master Su not here to assist you with the case?"

Lu Ling looked at Xiao Muchen’s serene smile for a moment before turning back to Murong Huan. "I will ask Fourth Young Master Su one question. I hope for an honest answer."

"Please, Junior Minister Lu."

"Does Zhou Jiu-lang’s death have anything to do with you?"

As the question fell, Lu Ling’s gaze bore into Murong Huan, searching for the slightest flaw in her expression. But Murong Huan merely raised her lips slightly; there was no flicker of fear or guilt in her eyes, only a hint of cold mockery.

Ah Shu spoke up indignantly, "Junior Minister Lu, what is the meaning of this? My master is kindly helping you with your case, and yet you suspect him?"

Lu Shiyi-lang also felt a twinge of guilt. "Yes! Tenth Brother, what are you doing? If you suspect anyone, it shouldn't be him!"

He turned to Murong Huan. "My apologies. Tenth Brother is in a position where he must be suspicious of everyone involved. He does not mean to target you specifically."

Murong Huan replied, "I understand! It is only natural for the Junior Minister to suspect me. I accept his suspicion and am willing to undergo his investigation."

Just as she finished, a carriage pulled up outside the mortuary, and a young girl and a lady stepped down.

Immediately, the girl’s voice rang out: "If the Junior Minister intends to be suspicious of everyone involved, should I not be the first one you suspect? After all, I am the one who most wanted Zhou Jiu-lang dead!"

Lu Ling looked toward the door and saw a graceful young lady and a beautiful noblewoman approaching the mortuary, followed by several servants.

A constable reported, "Junior Minister Lu, this Lady Wang and her daughter insist on seeing the body!"

The arrivals were indeed Lady Wang, Wang Xueying, and her mother, Lady Liu.

Lu Ling had heard the rumors of Wang Five’s forced marriage, her leap into the lake, and her miraculous recovery, but he could never have linked this seemingly fragile young lady to the crime.

He had not expected her to take the initiative to draw suspicion upon herself.

As Lu Ling looked at her, Wang Five turned her gaze toward the cross-dressed Murong Huan, her eyes showing a trace of surprise and gratitude, before she bowed to Lu Ling.

"Wang Five presents her respects to the Junior Minister."

"Why have you come here?" Lu Ling asked.