Dead!
"Outrageous!" Zhu Yinian said angrily, his face grim. "How can Qinghe's marriage be arranged so hastily?"
“My Zhu family is at least a respectable family, while the Xu family is just a bunch of nouveau riche scoundrels who are now riding roughshod over us.”
Zhu Qinghe curled up on the bed, pretending to wipe away tears. As Song Shi explained to Zhu Yinian with a forced smile, a hint of contempt flashed in her eyes. If she was right, Song Shi would soon start making a fuss about her "unlucky" fate.
As expected, after delivering her eloquent explanation, Madam Song changed the subject: "However, I didn't know that when Qinghe went to pray for blessings last time, she actually drew the worst possible fortune."
Madam Song lowered her head, looking regretful and heartbroken: "Now that the Xu family has learned about this, I'm afraid it won't be long before the whole capital knows that Qinghe is an unlucky woman who brings misfortune to her husbands."
Ha, she immediately labeled her as a jinx, no wonder she's from the Song family, so ruthless and cruel.
Zhu Yinian frowned. He had always possessed the vain, face-conscious air of a scholar-official, and this incident would obviously have a great impact on his reputation.
Seeing that the time was right, Zhu Qinghe spoke softly and weakly, "Since that's the case, I certainly don't want to implicate Father and Aunt."
“Therefore,” Zhu Qinghe emphasized, “my daughter has decided to leave the Zhu family so that the Zhu family can be safe.”
Zhu Yinian and Song Shi were both taken aback.
Song's first reaction was ecstatic. Zhu Qinghe had actually taken the initiative to propose to set up her own business. That was truly a joyous occasion. In that case, no one would oppose her anymore.
Moreover, with one less mouth to feed, the household can save a lot of money. In the future, the Zhu family mansion will be her and Rou'er's domain.
Song was calculating with great speed, his face beaming with undisguised joy.
Zhu Yinian was somewhat worried: "How can a young woman like you live on her own? How can she support herself?"
Zhu Qinghe thought to herself that the money she had earned from fortune telling over the past few months was more than enough to support herself, but this was something she couldn't tell outsiders, especially since there was still one very important matter that hadn't been resolved.
Zhu Qinghe looked at the smug look in Song's eyes and smiled. "Aunt Song, you're too proud of yourself."
“It’s alright, Father,” Zhu Qinghe suddenly looked up, her clear eyes innocent and hopeful. “Didn’t Mother leave me a shop?”
Madam Song's expression changed drastically. She remembered that shop, located in the most prosperous area of the capital. It was the only valuable thing left to her by Zhu Qinghe's short-lived mother.
She had only been in charge of the household affairs for a few years after marrying into the family when she handed the shop over to her younger brother to run. Now the business was thriving, so why did this little slut suddenly remember the shop?
This felt like a piece of flesh had been ripped from her heart; Song's heart was bleeding.
Zhu Yinian was still hesitant. It wasn't that he was heartbroken about the shop; besides, it was originally... something her mother had left her. Since Jin Sang passed away, he had married Song Shi and neglected this daughter.
Seeing her pitiful and frail appearance now, he couldn't help but feel guilty. Moreover, more importantly, with the reputation of being "unlucky," if he continued to stay in the Zhu family, it would inevitably affect his official reputation, making it even more difficult for him to get promoted in the future.
After some thought, Zhu Yinian was ultimately reluctant to give up his official reputation, so he waved his hand and approved it, silencing Song before she could even utter a word.
Everything unfolded as Zhu Qinghe had anticipated. She lowered her head to hide the smile on her face, her voice filled with sorrow: "If that's the case, then I blame my unfilial daughter for not being able to serve Father from now on."
With the future bright and boundless, she wished Qinghe complete freedom.
-
As night fell, the largest brothel in the capital, Hongxiuzhao, was a scene of bustling and decadent revelry with singing and dancing.
The girls greeted guests at the door, waving fans, their alluring eyes penetrating the heart and making one's heart itch.
The madam stood at the door, holding the silver in her hand, but her face was filled with worry. Some of the girls, seeing her like this, asked curiously, "Madam, what's wrong?"
Why are you still unhappy after receiving the money? That's really a rare thing.
The madam, her hands adorned with bright red nail polish, adjusted the gleaming gold hairpin on her head and sighed, "I feel uneasy all day; I have a feeling something is about to happen."
“Didn’t you say you were going to see Mr. Science?” a girl asked.
"I asked him the day before yesterday, and Mr. Sai only told me to be careful lately, without saying anything else." The madam looked into the building. There were important guests today, and she hoped that nothing bad would really happen.
"Ah—Help! Someone's dead!"
A sharp sound rang out, and the building was thrown into chaos. The madam outside the door looked terrified, and the gold ingot in her hand fell to the ground.
Could it be that Mr. Science was right after all, and this is—a bloody disaster!
The madam stumbled and cried as she rushed into the building. The girls at the door exchanged a startled glance and followed her in through gritted teeth.
The officials arrived quickly, and when the sword-wielding constables surrounded Hongxiuzhao, they blocked many guests who wanted to escape.
A young master from a wealthy family covered his eyes and shouted, "I'm not a criminal, why can't I leave!"
The guards remained unmoved and ignored him completely.
A cold voice answered him: "Until the case is solved, everyone here is a suspect."
The young master looked toward the source of the sound. The newcomer was dressed in a black long robe with flying fish patterns and a dark-colored belt with dragon and beast patterns around his waist. He was tall and had a straight posture.
Although he had outstanding features, his gaze was dark and sharp, like a demon god in the underworld, making the young master feel cold all over.
The leader spoke up: "Boss, we've already investigated. The one who died was the second young master of the Minister's mansion, Chen Shikun."
"Let's go see the scene." Shen Wumei went straight up to the second floor.
On the second floor, in the Agarwood Pavilion, the madam was blocked at the door, wailing and lamenting, "Oh dear, how could this happen so suddenly? How am I supposed to keep my Red Sleeve Pavilion open now?"
"Who the hell is plotting against me?"
"If I had known this would happen, I should have listened to Mr. Science and closed the door for a few days."
Shen Wumei happened to hear the last sentence when he walked over, but he didn't take it to heart. His subordinate was very perceptive and frowned, scolding, "Sir, you are handling a case. All irrelevant people, get out of here immediately."
The girls were frightened by his fierce appearance and quickly helped the madam downstairs.
Shen Wumei then pushed open the door and went inside. The deceased, Chen Shikun, was disheveled, with his collar wide open. His outer shirt had been thrown aside, but his trousers were still on.
A dagger was stuck in his chest, the blood already congealed, and his eyes were wide open, as if he couldn't believe that he would be assassinated while he was having fun.
It's obvious that he killed him. To dare to kill someone in such a flamboyant place as Hongxiuzhao, the murderer must have a strong mentality and a deep resentment towards Chen Shikun.
As the second son of the Minister's family, Chen Shikun held a noble position, yet he died absurdly at the Red Sleeve Pavilion, which was not a respectable thing for the Minister's family.
Shen Wumei instructed the coroner to examine the body, and then went downstairs.
The Hongxiuzhao area is complex and bustling with people. The fact that the murderer could commit murder under such circumstances and escape safely in such a short time indicates that the killer was very familiar with the Hongxiuzhao area.
Therefore, these girls from the red sleeves are the most suspicious right now.
They interrogated her all night but didn't get any useful information. The madam insisted that the matter had nothing to do with the girls in her building and that it was an outsider seeking revenge.
Shen Wumei felt a headache coming on. He had dealt with Minister Chen before, so he was considered an acquaintance. If this matter wasn't investigated thoroughly, he would face endless troubles.
He led a few of his men out to investigate the shops near Hongxiuzhao when a surprised question drifted into his ears from the crowd.
"Did something really happen at Hongxiuzhao last night?"
Shen Wumei stopped and went over. The one who spoke was a young man in white, with a look of relief after surviving a disaster: "I was going to Hongxiuzhao last night, but Mr. Sai said there would be bloodshed there, so I didn't go. Now it seems that Mr. Sai was really a genius."
Mr. Science? Shen Wumei's long eyebrows furrowed slightly; this was the second time he had heard this name.
The young man in white was still patting his chest in感慨 (a feeling of deep emotion) when a person stood in front of him and asked in a deep voice, "Who is this Mr. Science you mentioned?"
He was captivated by the other person's sharp, hawk-like gaze and obediently pointed in a direction: "It's Mr. Sai, the fortune teller who tells fortunes at the bend in the city wall."
Shen Wumei's eyes flashed with a chilling light: "Let's go and meet this Mr. Sai."
Meanwhile, Mr. Science, namely Zhu Qinghe, was putting up big-character posters at the base of the wall.
Ruyi asked, puzzled, "Miss, what are you doing?"
"Um?"
Ruyi quickly changed her tune: "What are you doing, sir?"
Zhu Qinghe finished attaching the four corners and stroked his fake beard with satisfaction: "Oh dear, now that we have a shop, we won't need to set up a stall here anymore. So we need to tell everyone where our new shop is so that they won't have trouble finding us."
Ruyi nodded as if she understood, but could anyone really understand Miss's handwriting?
Zhu Qinghe stood up and turned around. Several men with swords were standing in front of the stall. The man in the lead had an extraordinary air about him, with outstanding features and eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.
Zhu Qinghe narrowed her eyes and her mind raced, but she put on the air of a fortune teller: "Gentlemen, you've come at an inopportune time. I'm not setting up my stall today."
Shen Wumei wasn't buying it. She took the sword from her waist and threw it onto the small wooden table with a clatter, making the table wobble precariously.
"I want my fortune told."
Zhu Qinghe clenched her fists under her sleeves, trying to calm herself down. Then she carefully examined him and said, "My lord, you have a full forehead, clear eyes, and an extraordinary aura. You are destined for great wealth and honor."
Shen Wumei sneered inwardly at the common tricks of fortune tellers. "You charlatan, I'll expose your true colors soon enough."
Zhu Qinghe continued, "However, the gentleman is of a resolute character, disdains relying on his family's wealth, and moreover—"
Zhu Qinghe stopped there, and Shen Wumei frowned, looking at her: "And what else?"
Zhu Qinghe stretched out her palm upwards: "It's never good to reveal heavenly secrets. You should at least show some sincerity, sir."
Shen Wumei gave a cold laugh of disgust and took out a piece of silver from her pocket and handed it to her.
Zhu Qinghe put the silver into her palm with satisfaction and continued, "Moreover, your career is going smoothly, and you are definitely not someone to be underestimated."
Shen Wumei's eyes grew even colder: "Sir, you've said so much to praise me, don't you think there's anything wrong with me?"
He really is a charlatan, all he knows is how to fool people. Does he think he's one of those rich kids who get all cocky at the sound of nice words? He'll see just how capable this "Half-Immortal" really is.
Zhu Qinghe increasingly felt that this person was there to cause trouble; perhaps he was sent by a competitor to sabotage her business. However, she wasn't afraid. If he didn't like hearing nice things, then he shouldn't blame her for being outspoken.
"No one is perfect, and everyone has their flaws. I'm just afraid that if I say it, the adults will be unhappy."
“Go ahead and say it.” Shen Wumei stared at her.
Zhu Qinghe nodded, "Judging from your appearance, sir, you have weak family ties and few friends. I suppose your relationship with your family is not very harmonious."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wumei's expression changed.
"May I ask your honorable name, sir?" Zhu Qinghe asked.
"Sinking Without Charm".
Zhu Qinghe stroked his beard and sighed, "I bet you don't have a younger sister in your family."
How do you know?
Zhu Qinghe smiled sincerely and kindly: "Look at your name, Shen Wumei, Wumei, that means you don't have a younger sister."
"..." That's utter nonsense. Do they think he's an idiot?
Shen Wumei stared coldly at her: "The 'mei' in 'demons and monsters' refers to you fortune tellers and charlatans. Take me away!"
?
You bastard! Who are you calling a charlatan?
Before Zhu Qinghe could react, the constables who surrounded her grabbed her arm. Ruyi shouted anxiously from the side, "What are you doing? Let go of our master!"
Shen Wumei said expressionlessly, "A murder occurred at Hongxiuzhao last night. I now suspect you are a prime suspect. Come with us."
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