A few days later, when Su Cen returned to Guiyi Ward, it was still as dilapidated as before. Even though the bodies had been removed for several days, the stench of decay still lingered in the air. Su Cen had to cover his nose and mouth as he moved through the area.
The only difference was that many people had been taken away in the morning. Now, as Su Cen walked through the alley, the locals watched him from the shadows, their eyes filled with caution.
At least they knew how to be afraid.
As he walked, a group of children were playing on the ground. When they saw him, they stopped, and one timidly approached but then hesitated to come any closer.
This was the same child who had guided the officials before. Su Cen took out a few copper coins and said, “Take us to Wu Deshui’s house again.”
Seeing the money, the other children gathered around, but as Su Cen reached into his purse, Qi Lin drew his sword and said, “One is enough.”
The children immediately scattered in fear.
Su Cen frowned. It was just a few kids, and he wasn’t short on a few copper coins. Usually, Qi Lin wouldn’t say a word unless asked, but this time his behavior was unusual.
Su Cen followed a few steps behind and asked, “How long have you been with the Prince?”
Qi Lin kept walking and replied, “Since I was thirteen.”
“Thirteen?” Su Cen was slightly surprised. At such a young age, did Li Shi intend to keep him by his side from then on? He continued, “Why did you decide to follow him?”
Qi Lin glanced at Su Cen and, after considering his question, answered, “The Prince saved me.”
Su Cen nodded thoughtfully, “No wonder.”
No wonder these people were so loyal to him, even to the point of not showing mercy to their own kin.
Qi Lin scanned the dilapidated sheds and suddenly asked, “Do you find this place oppressive?”
“Hmm?” Su Cen was puzzled and nodded.
“That’s because you haven’t seen more bloodthirsty and cruel places,” Qi Lin continued walking. “If you can’t save them, don’t waste your time on futile charity.”
Su Cen was taken aback and glanced back at the children hiding in the corners, watching them. He then silently followed Qi Lin.
Wu Deshui’s house was just as it had been the last time Su Cen visited. The door panels were still in the same condition he had left them, and the interior was dark and cramped. Su Cen took a deep breath and covered his nose as he entered.
No one had been here for several days, and a thin layer of dust had settled on the furniture. Given that the place was already not very clean, Su Cen instinctively tried to avoid touching anything.
Qi Lin, however, was less concerned. He rummaged through Wu Deshui’s filthy bedding and then squatted in front of a few wine jars in the corner.
“How is it?” Su Cen asked as he approached.
Qi Lin examined the wine jars one by one and said to Su Cen, “Based on the dust accumulation, these two are new.”
These were the two yellow wine jars. Qi Lin lifted them and showed Su Cen the bottoms, saying, “This is palace wine.”
“Palace wine? Imperial wine?”
The jars were already empty. Qi Lin sniffed them and continued, “This is Huanglu Shao, which is from Luzhou and sent to the palace. Some is also sent to various mansions. As for the others, they are just ordinary yellow wine, diluted with water, easily available at Eastern Market wine shops.”
Su Cen reasoned, “Wu Deshui was just an Eastern Market gatekeeper. He usually drank diluted cheap wine, so no one would give him such fine wine as a tribute. Where did this wine come from?”
“It’s not just the wine,” Qi Lin added, “but also the quilt on his bed. Although the original color is no longer visible, the fabric is high-quality Dongyang flowered brocade.”
Su Cen stared at the two jars, deep in thought, then suddenly stood up. “Liu Xiang1here ‘Xiang’ means someone from high official rank.”
Wu Deshui was his uncle. If Wu Deshui was associated with these luxurious items, it could only mean one thing.
So, did Liu Xiang send Wu Deshui these two jars of wine on the day Wu Deshui was killed? Was it a coincidence or intentional?
Su Cen moved towards the door.
As he stepped out, a sword was crossed in front of him. Su Cen frowned and looked over, seeing Qi Lin’s calm expression. Qi Lin said coldly, “If you keep investigating, I can’t guarantee your safety. The Prince may not protect you either.”
Su Cen stopped.
Once he calmed down, Su Cen broke out in a cold sweat. He had indeed been reckless. Liu Xiang was a prominent figure, possibly backed by Empress Dowager Chu. Even though he was now allied with Li Shi, he wasn’t important enough for Li Shi to offend those two.
If he rashly went to Liu’s residence, he could be certain that by noon the next day, he and Gao Miao would both be executed.
Seeing Su Cen calm down, Qi Lin sheathed his sword and asked, “What’s the plan?”
Su Cen glanced back at the dark house. The lead had hit a dead end here. He sighed, “I’ve done everything I can. Now, I can only wait.”
Back at the Dali Temple, Su Cen had all the gatekeepers and Guiyi Ward people released and stared blankly at the empty courtroom.
The hour was past noon, and there was no news from the Ministry of Rites or from Xiu Niang.
Qi Lin brought a bowl of noodles from the back kitchen and placed it in front of Su Cen, saying, “Eat something. Being hungry won’t help.”
Su Cen blankly picked up the chopsticks and took a couple of bites, then looked up at Qi Lin. “Did you eat?”
Seeing Qi Lin nod, Su Cen lowered his head and ate the bowl of noodles with a sense of resignation.
He had to ensure he didn’t collapse before the day ended. If he passed out like last time, he doubted he’d want to wake up again.
“I’ll go urge the Ministry of Rites again.”
“No need,” Su Cen waved his hand, “with the Prince’s pressure, they wouldn’t dare slack off. If they haven’t delivered it yet, it’s likely because they haven’t found it.”
Qi Lin nodded, silently standing behind him.
As the sun set, the dying light stretched the red-painted pillars of the Dali Temple, casting the hall into patches of light and dark. Approaching the end of the working hours, Su Cen sat in the hall facing the entrance. The Dali Temple staff dared not speak or move, sighing in quiet sympathy with the young master.
When the last rays of sunlight faded completely into the corners of the hall, Su Cen suddenly stood up and instructed, “Move Gao Miao to a different cell.”
“Ah?” The staff were momentarily stunned.
“Move Gao Miao to a different cell, in front of Xiu Niang,” Su Cen repeated the order.
He had previously lied to Xiu Niang, telling her that Gao Miao would be sent to the Ministry of Justice after sunset. But sunset didn’t mark the end of the day; the day only ended when the city drum struck midnight.
No matter how resolute Xiu Niang was, she was still a woman. To have her stay with a man who would die because of her, and then watch him being taken away, would surely be emotionally stirring unless she truly was mad.
As time passed and the sun sank lower, the Dali Temple staff, worn out from a day of toil, also held their breath, sensing the end was near.
As dusk settled, someone rushed in from outside, beaming with excitement, “She confessed!”
Su Cen sprang up immediately.
“Tian!” the person said, “Xiu Niang mentioned a name: ‘Tian.’”
Another person rushed in, “The Ministry of Rites has delivered the list. The deceased from that year was named Tian Pingzhi!”
![Flying Dust [Fei Chen]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9k.png "Flying Dust [Fei Chen]")
