“Young Master—” Cang Qianlang and He Butuo quickly bowed in greeting. Jun Ye’an nodded casually, his smile gentle and warm. “Qian Lang, our family rule states that punishment is not to be inflicted on the weak. Do you remember this rule?” Cang Qian Lang, kneeling on one knee, lowered his respectful gaze but spoke with firm resolve, “Young Master, the Lady of Wang Yun Zhai has been murdered, and this girl is highly suspicious. The Jun family’s rule is also to reward and punish clearly.” Jun Ye’an chuckled softly, bending down in front of Chu Xia, who had already fainted. In a low voice, he said, “Fainting might be for the best, less pain.” Before he finished speaking, he had already grasped her arm, gently pushed, and realigned her dislocated arm. Chu Xia was jolted awake by the sharp pain, only to see a strange young man before her. His eyes sparkled like stars, his slightly raised eyes paired with a prominent nose, making him so handsome it was hard to look away. She was momentarily stunned. The young man’s smile was warm and friendly; he casually took off his fox fur cloak and draped it over her, brushing away the sweat-dampened hair from her forehead, then instructed others, “Take her to rest. I’ll need to question her later.”
“Young Master—” Cang Qian Lang tried to intervene, but Jun Ye’an straightened up, his lips slightly pursed, the initial warmth now gone. “Since she doesn’t know martial arts, why use such force?”
“Initially, I was unaware she didn’t know martial arts, fearing she might lash out, so I acted more forcefully.”
“Enough.” Jun Ye’an waved his sleeve, gently rubbing his brow as he watched the guards take the maid away. In a soft voice, he said, “Qian Lang, come with me to inspect Wang Yun Zhai.”
Chapter Two
On the winding path, Cang Qian Lang followed Jun Ye’an at a brisk pace. “Such a tragedy in the mansion is due to my lax oversight. I am willing to accept punishment…” Jun Ye’an, now only in a simple robe after giving his fur to Chu Xia, showed no fear of the cold. His figure was upright as he calmly said, “I doubt it has anything to do with that young girl. Qian Lang, it seems you’ve jumped to conclusions.”
Cang Qian Lang wanted to argue but ultimately just asked, “When did Young Master arrive?”
“Not long ago.” Jun Ye’an stopped in front of a rockery wall, squinting upwards. “I didn’t expect to see the whole place lit up upon my return. I thought everyone was waiting for me. I wondered if you, the grand steward, had become so adept at predicting the future.”
Cang Qian Lang looked slightly embarrassed but said nothing. Jun Ye’an pushed open the door, and a warm, sweet fragrance mixed with the scent of citrus and the stench of blood hit him, making him nauseous. This small retreat was once the favorite spot of the former head of the Jun family, where his beloved concubine, Wang Yun, was renowned for her beautiful hair. Today, someone dared to commit such a heinous act in the Jun family’s esteemed residence. Jun Ye’an’s expression grew solemn. After examining the room, he turned to ask, “Was that young girl a maid of Lady Wang Yun?”
“Yes,” Cang Qian Lang answered. “The previous maid left to care for her sick mother. This girl, named Chu Xia, joined the Jun household half a year ago. She was assigned to Wang Yun Zhai due to her cleverness.”
Standing by the desk, Jun Ye’an’s gaze fell on a red-glazed peach-shaped porcelain basin. The flowers inside had withered, waiting to fall. He reached out, casually touching them, then asked, “Where does that maid live? Let me see.”
Chu Xia’s quarters were in a side room below Wang Yun Zhai. Jun Ye’an retraced his steps, looking thoughtful. “Why are there no maids living outside Wang Yun Zhai?”
Cang Qian Lang shook his head. “I… I don’t know.”
The room was simply furnished with just a bed and a desk. The bedding was half-tossed aside, indicating Chu Xia had left in haste. Jun Ye’an surveyed the room, stopping at the desk where a crude, unglazed clay vase held a few branches of white plum, their scent subtle yet proud. In the dim light, the servants’ lanterns cast blurry outlines. Cang Qian Lang watched Jun Ye’an’s profile, trying to guess his thoughts.
“It’s been a chaotic night,” Jun Ye’an finally spoke after a long silence. “Everyone, go rest. I’ll question the maid when she’s better.”
“Young Master, what about here…”
“Ensure Lady Wang Yun is properly buried.” A trace of fatigue crossed Jun Ye’an’s brow as he sighed, “Qian Lang, I fear this year will not pass peacefully.”
Chu Xia felt like she had been dreaming for ages. At first, she was following her lady’s orders, buying New Year’s trinkets at the market in Cangzhou City, enjoying some snacks at a teahouse, and listening to stories about the young master, her heart filled with joy. But then, the dream turned dark; the bright day became a night of heavy rain, blood-red rain falling on her beautiful lady. Frightened, she fell, and upon getting up, saw her lady lying dead on the bed, accused of the murder, her arm twisted by the chief steward, about to be tortured… until… until a handsome young man saved her.
She didn’t remember how he had realigned her arm, but she could still feel his cool fingers brushing her forehead, as gentle as brushing away petals. Slowly opening her eyes, confusion filled her gaze until she saw the young man sitting by her bed, and clarity returned.
“Young Master…” Scenes from last night flashed before her eyes, and Chu Xia sat up in panic, pleading, “Please, Young Master, I didn’t kill the lady…”
Jun Ye’an gently pressed her shoulders, his smile soft. “Do you recognize me?”
Still trembling, Chu Xia lowered her gaze, her lips tightly pressed together. “I’ve been in the Jun household for only half a year. I’ve never seen the Young Master before.”
The casually dressed young master looked down at the still-shaking girl with interest, “Hmm.” “Who else but the Young Master could have saved me from the chief steward?”
Chu Xia took a deep breath, lifting her head slightly, her eyes full of plea. “Please, Young Master… investigate.”
Jun Ye’an let go of her, speaking slowly, “If you want to clear your name, answer my questions carefully.”
Chu Xia nodded. “Yes, Young Master, please ask.”
“When you got up to go to Wang Yun Zhai, was it at the third quarter of the hour of the Rat?”
“Lady’s room needs charcoal added at night, so I usually wake up at that time. I’ve never missed it.”
“Was everything normal when you entered the room? Why were you holding a dagger, and why was there hair in your hand?”
“I went to add charcoal to the copper furnace as usual, and when I approached the inner room, I noticed a strange smell inside…” Chuxia tried to recall, a hint of fear flashing across her face. “I thought to open the window in the inner room a bit to let in some air for the madam. But as soon as I entered, something tripped me, and I fell. Then… when I got up, I found a dagger and a strand of black hair in my hand… probably picked up when I fell.” Jun Ye’an slightly furrowed his brows: “Probably picked up?” Chuxia shook her head vigorously: “I don’t know… I can’t remember clearly. I was in a daze when I stood up, and in the moonlight, I saw the madam’s… body, and I screamed. Then, the head steward came in with others.” Jun Ye’an softly hummed in acknowledgment, his phoenix eyes slightly closed. After a moment, he called out, “Qianlang, come in.”
As Cang Qianlang appeared, Chuxia couldn’t help but shiver, instinctively hiding behind Jun Ye’an. Although Young Master Ye’an had his back to her, he seemed to sense her fear and turned to say gently, “Don’t be afraid, Chuxia. No one will hurt you again.”
“Qianlang, you said the windows were wide open when you entered Wang Yunzhai, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Good, Chuxia, did you open the windows?”
