Chapter 8

According to Fu Ling, Dong Jingmo had begun preparations for the banquet half a month before the incident.

Both Huai Xi and Fu Ling were assigned to serve at the banquet. Fu Ling, being only a maid, was tasked with serving dishes and pouring wine at most.

But Huai Xi was different. Not only did she have to perform singing and dancing at the banquet, but if any squire took a fancy to her, she would have to accompany him for the night.

“Sister Huai Xi has a bitter fate. She was bought at the age of eight to sing, and she signed a death contract. Even in death, she will die in this manor,” Fu Ling said tearfully. “Unlike us, who signed a living contract-after three or five years, our families can redeem us.”

“I see,” I continued to ask, “Then how did she become a skeleton at the banquet?”

Fu Ling was also puzzled: “I was not far from the stage where she sang. She was on a high platform, so I could see her clearly. But later, Master ordered her to come down and sing in front of Squire Li, so her back was to me. I couldn’t see clearly what happened, but I saw several people beside Squire Li tugging at her sleeves…”

At first, no one paid much attention, until someone said, “Why does this Singing Girl always hide her hands in her sleeves? Could she have six fingers?”

“No way! Let’s see! Let’s see!”

“Yes, yes! Pull up her sleeves and have a look!”

“These filthy men, once they’ve drunk, they just want to take advantage of people!” Fu Ling whispered angrily. “They shouted about checking her fingers, but really, it was because Sister Huai Xi is beautiful and they wanted to take liberties with her.”

I asked, “So what did they see when they pulled up her sleeves?”

Fu Ling shook her head, “More and more people crowded around, I couldn’t see what was happening inside, and as a little maid, I couldn’t leave my post. Later, I just heard those people suddenly cry out, and the crowd scattered. On the ground, there were only Sister Huai Xi’s clothes and a set of white bones.”

“After that, you never saw Huai Xi again?”

Fu Ling nodded, “No, I searched her room and all the places she often went, but there was no one.”

“Did she act any differently before this happened?”

“Differently?” Fu Ling thought carefully. “No, she was the same as usual.”

I pondered for a moment and asked, “Did she meet anyone? Someone unfamiliar, not from your manor?”

“Not from our manor…” Fu Ling suddenly said, “There was an old woman who often brought us rouge and powder. She came two or three times. I ran into her once, and Sister Huai Xi pulled her to the corner gate in the back yard and said something to her. When I asked, she said she had secretly embroidered a handkerchief and asked the old woman to sell it for her to exchange for some silver.”

My eyes lit up and I quickly asked, “Do you know where that old woman lives?”

Fu Ling replied, “I do. I went there once with the Housekeeper’s Wife when we went out shopping. She helps out at a rouge shop called Drunken Flower Beauty, and everyone calls her Mother Liu.”

“Drunken Flower Beauty… Mother Liu…” I memorized the shop name and said to Fu Ling, “I will go there to inquire. If I need to find you in the future, how should we meet?”

Fu Ling said, “You can go to the corner gate in the back yard and look for a servant named Yuan Hu. He is my cousin and trustworthy.”

“Good.” I looked out of the pavilion and saw Chang Pu approaching from afar with a food box. “Miss Fu Ling, I will definitely get to the bottom of Huai Xi’s case. Please wait in peace. If anything happens, you can come to the County Office to find me. With this as proof, no one will trouble you.”

I took the Fan Pendant from my fan and handed it to Fu Ling.

“Thank you, Lord,” Fu Ling carefully put away the Fan Pendant, wiped her tears, and stepped back to stand properly.

Chang Pu entered the pavilion, placed the food box on the table, and set out tea and snacks. I ate two pieces, then got up and walked back.

At the entrance to the small courtyard, I saw Dong Jingmo and two bailiffs standing at the door talking.

Seeing me return, Dong Jingmo came forward and said, “County Sheriff, someone from Songyang County has come to deliver a message.”

A bailiff bowed and said, “Lord Zheng, our County Sheriff Lord Zhou received an official letter from County Deputy Magistrate Xu and has brought the Coroner to re-examine the case. He sent me ahead to report.”

I nodded. Whenever there is a homicide in the county, after the Coroner’s initial examination, a neighboring county must be invited to re-examine the case within seventy-two hours.

Since the neighboring county was sending people, I had an excuse to stay. I also took the opportunity to tell Dong Jingmo that I wanted to question the Dong Family members who attended the banquet last night. “Well…” Dong Jingmo looked troubled. “The men are no problem. But My Mother and several Concubines also attended the banquet, though they only sat briefly before leaving. Does County Sheriff also wish to question them?”

I considered for a moment and said, “It is indeed inconvenient for the ladies, but it is not a problem. I have a Maid who often accompanies me on official business. She can question the ladies of your manor.”

“This…” Dong Jingmo looked somewhat displeased, but could not refuse me directly. He could only say, “I cannot decide this myself. I must ask My Mother.”

I smiled, “Eldest Young Master, please do as you wish.”

Dong Jingmo cupped his hands and hurried away with his servants.

I instructed Song Lan to take the two bailiffs to rest in the side room, then told him to return to the County Office and bring Zi Su here.