The case involved not only the Shun Tian Fu but also the Da Li Si, as You Bawang died at the Chang residence, under the watchful eyes of Lord Chang, assassinated by Lai San.
If the case were to be thoroughly investigated, both Shun Tian Fu and Da Li Si would have to recuse themselves. In such a scenario, the case would fall to the Ministry of Justice, or the Emperor would have to appoint an official to oversee it.
Under the cover of night, Prefect Bai and Lord Chang exchanged glances. Xiang Zhuang dancing the sword was meant for Pei Gong; it was feared that the true purpose behind Yao Damin's suicide and You Bawang's murder was to target Da Li Si and Shun Tian Fu.
"Hmph, I don't trust Shun Tian Fu. Zeng Ming, bring your men and guard this place personally. Unless you have my command, no one is to enter this room. Those who disobey will be killed on sight!" Marquis You spoke sternly, ordering his personal guards to secure the room.
"My Lord, you must get justice for Ran'er..." cried the grief-stricken Madam Du.
Supported by her maids, Madam Du approached and grabbed Marquis You's arm, tears streaming down her face. "Ran'er cannot die without justice. My Lord, you must catch the murderer and make his entire family pay with their lives for Ran'er!"
Although You Bawang was a lecherous scion, he was still the heir of the Marquis's estate. His murder might not result in the extermination of his killer's entire clan, but it could certainly lead to the implication of three generations.
"Rest assured, even if I have to lay down this old life, I will get justice for Ran'er!" Marquis You's voice was hoarse with grief and pain. His sinister gaze fell again upon Prefect Bai and Lord Chang.
Even though he knew the death of You Haoran was not simple, it involved two government offices and two court officials.
However, upon thinking of his only son's tragic demise, Marquis You clenched his fists. These people deserved to die, and he would not let any of them go!
...
The next morning, as the New Year approached, the bustling sounds of people buying New Year goods could be heard from early on.
He Nuan went to the kitchen to fetch water and informed Chef Xiao, who was busy at the stove, "There's no need to prepare breakfast today. The weather is warm, and the young lady wants to go for a walk outside."
"I've noted it," Chef Xiao replied gently.
Life was now leisurely and comfortable. She only prepared three meals a day and did some laundry and cleaning. Her monthly salary was even a tael of silver more than when she was at the Xiao family estate. Chef Xiao was genuinely grateful to Zhan Feiyu for buying her from the employment agency.
After He Nuan carried away the bucket of hot water, Cui Ya came in with a freshly cleaned perch. Seeing the steamed buns and rice porridge on the table, she asked in surprise, "Doesn't the young lady want breakfast?"
Normally, after Zhan Feiyu finished breakfast, Chef Xiao and Cui Ya would clear the dishes together with He Nuan.
"It's lively outside because of the New Year, and the young lady wants to go for a walk," Chef Xiao wiped her hands and looked at Cui Ya, who showed a hint of envy. "After you've eaten, go to the grocery store and see if they have dried lotus seeds. He Nuan said the young lady wants to eat tea eggs boiled with dried lotus seeds."
"Dried lotus seeds?" Cui Ya blinked in surprise, then nodded. "I'll ask at a few more shops. It's rare for the young lady to crave something."
"No rush, you can stroll around too," Chef Xiao had to be explicit, otherwise, this simple girl wouldn't know to take the opportunity to walk around.
Although the sunlight outside was bright, it was still winter, and the shaded rooftops were covered in thick snow. Fortunately, the hooded cloak wrapped Zhan Feiyu like a ball, and holding a hand warmer, she felt no chill from the capital's winter.
"Welcome, esteemed guests. Piping hot wonton noodles are here..." the shop assistant greeted enthusiastically. The rich broth, simmered from large bones and old chickens, was placed on a large stove at the entrance. When the lid was lifted, the savory aroma made one's stomach rumble.
He Nuan found a table by the window, wiped it clean, and then helped Zhan Feiyu take off her cloak. "This is an old establishment in the capital. It's said that even His Majesty has eaten wonton noodles here when he was in disguise."
Zhan Feiyu looked around. The chatter of diners, the shouts of the assistants, and the savory aroma of the wonton noodles made Zhan Feiyu, who usually buried her head in books, feel alive.
Listening carefully, most diners were discussing visiting relatives or buying New Year goods for the upcoming festival. Zhan Feiyu asked, "Has the matter of the Chang residence been suppressed?"
He Nuan was unsure. She had been busy all morning and now looked at He Sheng, who was sitting opposite her.
"The killer is the jailer Lai San," He Sheng said in a low voice. The news of You Bawang's death had indeed been suppressed by the joint efforts of Shun Tian Fu and Da Li Si; otherwise, the streets and alleys would be abuzz with the news of You Bawang's demise.
Zhan Feiyu's dark eyes widened slightly. She turned to look at He Sheng, "After the incident with Yao Damin, Shun Tian Fu actually let someone escape?"
With Yao Damin dead, his case of assassinating Bai Zhaohui became a cold case, with no leads to follow. This was already a dereliction of duty by Shun Tian Fu.
Now, even Lai San could escape from prison, infiltrate the Chang residence, and ultimately kill You Bawang. Someone must be pulling the strings behind this, but Shun Tian Fu was too negligent.
He Sheng continued in a deep voice, "Prefect Bai thoroughly investigated everyone in Shun Tian Fu last night and will report to His Majesty at the morning court today."
"Three guests, your wonton noodles are here. The young lady might find them too hot," the assistant said as he brought over three bowls of noodles.
After the assistant left, Zhan Feiyu didn't rush to eat. "To involve both Shun Tian Fu and Da Li Si at once, with only the Ministry of Justice remaining among the three judicial organs, the person behind this has considerable ambitions."
Mentioning the Ministry of Justice brought to mind Liu Yu, the Vice Minister of Justice who had previously clashed with Zhan Feiyu. In the Yao Damin case, the two had become enemies. Now, with You Bawang's case falling to the Ministry of Justice, and considering Zhan Feiyu's involvement, He Nuan's expression turned grim.
"Don't worry, this is the capital, my teacher's territory," Zhan Feiyu picked up a spoon, scooped up a wonton, blew on the steam, and said with a smile, "Since Prefect Bai and Lord Chang are both involved, the presiding official in the Ministry of Justice will surely be Minister Qiu. Perhaps His Majesty will also appoint an official to observe the case."
Prefect Bai and Lord Chang were both close confidants of the Emperor. Now, with one case implicating both officials, Zhan Feiyu didn't know whether to call the mastermind too ambitious or to say they were courting death like an old man hanging himself at the age of ninety.
"It's likely one of those few people," He Sheng said coldly. To dare to meddle with Shun Tian Fu and Da Li Si, besides a few princes, no one else would have such audacity. Of course, it could be a single prince, or several factions working together.
It took Zhan Feiyu a quarter of an hour to finish the bowl of wonton noodles, the taste was absolutely superb. "A Nuan, how about..."
Before she could finish, a figure suddenly lunged towards Zhan Feiyu.
He Sheng and He Nuan immediately became defensive, but the person fell to their knees not far from Zhan Feiyu, kowtowing repeatedly. "Please, Miss Zhan, save me!"
Zhan Feiyu slowly put down her chopsticks and looked at the middle-aged man kneeling on the ground, pleading. He wore a slightly worn padded jacket, had a square, honest face, and looked somewhat thin. However, it was evident that he had lived a good life before, as his skin was fair and smooth, with no wrinkles, despite being in his forties.
Zhan Feiyu smiled. This person had come straight for her after entering the establishment. "You know me?"
Although there had been constant trouble since arriving in the capital, Zhan Feiyu spent at least six out of twelve hours studying. Apart from a few summons from the government offices, Zhan Feiyu rarely went out. Today, seeing the warm weather, she had only just left the Yu Feng Lou, only to be targeted.
Zhan Feiyu didn't recognize the kneeling middle-aged man, but He Sheng did. "Miss, this man is Zeng Pin, the second steward of Prefect Bai's inner household. After Lai San's incident, Prefect Bai beat Zeng Pin and sold him off to the mines."
Madam Bai, having believed rumors, thought Zhan Feiyu would "leverage her favor" to marry Bai Zhaohui. Therefore, she had instructed Steward Zeng to take banknotes to Lai San's home, coercing and enticing Lai San to deliver a message to Yao Damin in prison.
Ultimately, after falsely accusing Zhan Feiyu of being the mastermind, Yao Damin committed suicide, and Bai Zhaohui cleared Zhan Feiyu of the "life-saving debt." However, after the matter was exposed, Prefect Bai verbally warned Madam Bai, beat Steward Zeng, and sold him to the mines. Given his age and his years of pampered living, going to the mines was a sure death.
Yet, this man now appeared in the capital and, moreover, in front of Zhan Feiyu. All of this seemed peculiar.