"Where do you come from, madam? Where are you going? When will you be entering the shop?" Gu Xin began asking in the corridor.
Dongxue brought over a cup of hot tea and gave it to the woman to drink in order to calm her down.
"Your Highness, my husband's surname is Fang, and my maiden name is Liu. You may call me Fang Liushi. My maiden name is in Taizhou Prefecture, and my husband's family is in the capital. The day before yesterday, I traveled from the capital to Taizhou to visit my parents. I returned to the capital this morning, and by the time I arrived in Qi'an Town tonight, it was already dark. I was worried about my safety, so I got off the carriage and checked into an inn, planning to return to the capital early tomorrow morning. This is my usual itinerary when I visit my maiden name." After drinking a cup of hot tea, Fang Liushi was indeed much calmer, and her answer was clear and organized.
"So after you entered the store, you found the severed arm in your room?" Gu Xin asked.
When Fang Liu heard about the severed arm, her face turned pale and her hands trembled slightly.
"Don't be afraid, there are so many people here, nothing will happen. You can talk about it later." Gu Xin gently patted Fang Liu's shoulder and said softly.
"Thank you, Princess. I'm alright, I'm alright." Looking into Gu Xin's calm eyes, Fang Liu felt her fear vanish as if it had been sucked away.
"That's good." Gu Xin smiled.
“Because I go back to my parents’ home once a month, I always stay at the Qi’an Inn when I return to the capital. I’ve become familiar with Madam Du and the waiter there, so after I booked my room, I didn’t need the waiter to lead me. I just took the key and went upstairs to open the door myself.” Fang Liushi paused here.
"After opening the door, I took a tinderbox to light a lamp, intending to put down my luggage, sit for a while, and then wait for the waiter to bring hot water and food. After eating, I would wash up and go to sleep. But who knew, as soon as I lit the oil lamp, I noticed something next to it... that thing. At first, I didn't see it clearly, but upon closer inspection..." Fang Liu swallowed, her pupils widening as if the severed arm was right in front of her.
Gu Xin gently patted her back, silently encouraging her.
"Then I was so scared that I had no strength left, but I was afraid, so I could only scream and crawl out." Fang Liu finished her last sentence.
"Okay, I understand. Don't be afraid, everything's packed up, and your things are gone. I'll have Boss Du find you the room furthest from this one in a bit. If you're still scared, I'll have my maid stay with you until you fall asleep. Don't worry," Gu Xin reassured her softly.
"Thank you, Princess." Madam Fang looked at Gu Xin gratefully.
"It's alright, it's alright." Gu Xin smiled at her, then asked softly, "You just said that the door to this room was locked when you came in, right?"
Fang Liu nodded.
"Then, have you noticed the windows in the room? Are they open or closed?" Gu Xin asked again.
Fang Liu was taken aback, then shook her head.
"I wasn't paying attention; I didn't look towards the window," Fang Liu replied, somewhat anxious and annoyed.
"It's okay, don't panic. I was just asking casually. It's really not a big deal," Gu Xin quickly said.
Fang Liu pursed her lips.
"After you came out, has anyone entered or left this room?" Gu Xin asked again.
"No." Fang Liu shook her head. "After I came out, Xiao Jin came over and asked me what was wrong. Then I couldn't speak, so he went inside."
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