A Lot of Mist
"Why are there female officials in the Demon-Suppressing Department?" As soon as everyone entered the hall, Aunt Cui couldn't wait to make her presence known.
"Ignorance. Didn't you hear my father just now? The appointment document was issued directly by the cabinet! I bet Aunt Cui doesn't even know where the cabinet is!"
The mocking voice belonged to a young girl, no more than twelve or thirteen years old. She wore a stunning outfit—a golden silk smoke-patterned skirt—and adorned her hair with beaded floral ornaments. Her delicate pink face radiated charm.
She stood behind a refined and scholarly woman, her glittering jewelry contrasting sharply with her aunt's gentle and quiet demeanor.
Aunt Cui, instead of getting angry at the taunt, smiled sweetly at the girl. "Miss Zhihuan could read and write by the age of seven, so naturally, she knows more than us concubines."
"It's all thanks to Aunt Su's blessing. She gave birth to such a clever girl."
Aunt Su, exuding a cultured elegance, simply raised her eyes and smiled at Cui without a word.
"Enough." The old lady frowned. "Calm down. Let's return to the matter of the Demon Sect and consider how we should respond."
Aunt Cui, ever the outspoken one, waved her embroidered handkerchief dismissively. "What does the death of that servant have to do with us? As far as I see it, they shouldn't even be questioning us."
Just then, a servant entered and bowed respectfully. "Old Madam, the officials from the Demon-Suppressing Department have requested that the ladies and young mistresses go to the side room. They wish to question each person individually."
Everyone exchanged glances before turning their eyes to Huo, who stood beside the old lady.
"Why are you looking at me? I have the official document in hand. Just cooperate." Huo sighed before stepping out.
Yu Linlang, seated nearby, felt drowsy.
She had wanted to take a nap earlier but was rudely awakened by Madam Hu. Now, the sleepiness was hitting her hard.
Fortunately, the questioning was proceeding quickly. She had barely finished half a cup of tea before it was her turn.
A servant led the way and whispered, "Miss, do not be afraid. The officials are simply following protocol. Just answer honestly."
Yu Linlang responded with a quiet "Mm" and stepped into the side room.
The room was sparsely furnished. A long wooden desk sat at the center, behind which the Demon-Suppressing Officer, Chen Buyu, sat upright.
As she entered, Yu Shoudao, who had been standing beside him, immediately spoke. "This is my third daughter, Linlang. She has been recovering in the countryside due to her fragile health and only returned home recently."
"The deaths of Niu Erji and his wife have nothing to do with my daughter."
Chen Buyu offered a reassuring smile. "Miss Yu, there is no need to panic. This is just a routine inquiry."
Yu Linlang looked at him expressionlessly.
"Miss Yu, where were you and what were you doing between the hours of Chén and Sì today?"
Without hesitation, she replied, "I was in my room reading The Analects of Confucius, The Book of Filial Piety, and Female Precepts. My maid, Jiujin, can testify."
Yu Shoudao's expression softened in relief.
His daughter was quiet and elegant. Though she had been away for many years, she was still a daughter of the Yu family—dignified and well-read.
Of course, what he didn't know was that when Linlang said she was "reading," she had merely flipped through the pages, shook the books, and tossed them back onto the shelf.
"Did you step out of your room at any time?"
Yu Linlang shook her head, her face calm. "We were all very frightened. Naturally, I did not go outside."
Chen Buyu thought to himself: You expect me to believe that?
Judging from her expressionless face, she didn't look the least bit afraid...
"I heard that the female corpse was discovered by your personal maid?"
Yu Linlang cast him a sidelong glance and replied lightly, "Sir, I must correct you. The corpse was discovered by over a dozen people in the kitchen. My maid Jiujin was merely one among them. Many others were present at the time."
Bang!
The door to the side room was suddenly kicked open.
A female official named Wei Ling strode in, carrying a vine-woven box. "Sir, the body of Niu Erji, just like that of the street gangster Chen Ergou, was cut open—the heart and lungs removed."
She placed a small bamboo ball on the desk before Lord Chen, then continued, "However, there is one difference. Niu Erji's body and limbs bear clear marks of severe whipping. Based on the wounds and size comparison, the murderer brutally killed him before using a rattan whip to lash his arms and legs."
She pointed at the bamboo ball. "This was found near the corpse—left in an almost deliberate manner, as if the killer wanted it to be discovered."
Wei Ling narrowed her eyes at Yu Linlang.
Miss Yu remained calm, her gaze fixed downward. She neither flinched nor reacted.
"So, was this a demon's doing?"
Governor Yu interjected anxiously. "Chen Ergou was killed in the streets, but Niu Erji and his wife died inside my estate. Could there be some hidden connection?"
"What family did Chen Ergou belong to?" Chen Buyu asked.
A subordinate quickly responded, "None. We confirmed his identity only because Lord Lu sent men to inquire around the streets. His old companions told us that he had been an orphan since childhood. He never married and spent his days loitering in alleys."
Governor Yu frowned. "I can't imagine any connection between Chen Ergou and Niu Erji's family..."
"And these objects—the Trojan horse and the bamboo ball—what message was the murderer trying to send by leaving them behind?"
Miss Yu remained silent, keeping her head lowered. Only when Lord Chen dismissed her did she bow and quietly exit the room.
Wei Ling watched her go, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
Outside, Yu Linlang brushed her sleeves and happened to meet the gaze of Lu Qian, who was approaching.
Dressed in regular court attire, Lu Qian was slender and elegant, his demeanor gentle and composed. As soon as he saw Yu Linlang, he courteously greeted her.
She hesitated before returning the greeting. As she walked past him, a thought crossed her mind, and she instinctively stopped in her tracks.
Seeing her pause, Lu Qian turned to her. "Miss Yu, do you have a question?"
Yu Linlang took a few steps back toward him. "Master Lu, may I ask… what is the usual sentence for a farmer involved in a crime?"
Lu Qian nodded thoughtfully. "For a case like this, the Criminal Prison Department would typically sentence a farmer to imprisonment…"
He glanced at Yu Linlang's unreadable expression and added, "At most, three years. If the offender is an old woman, she may be pardoned due to her age."
One life. Three years in prison.
Yu Linlang let out a cold chuckle.
She nodded slightly to show she understood, then bowed again before turning away.
Lu Qian was momentarily stunned.
A hand suddenly patted his shoulder.
"Brother Xiwen, why are you just standing there like an idiot?" Mu Feng grinned and leaned in. "Has the Demon-Suppressing Department finished questioning?"
"No, I haven't gone in yet." Lu Qian shook his head. Seeing Mu Zhao approach at a leisurely pace, he smiled. "Ah, the prince has arrived as well."
"Brother, let's go in together and listen," Mu Feng suggested, his curiosity piqued. "Let's see what kind of trouble the Demon-Suppressing Department is stirring up this time."