Chapter 25: Entangled in a Murder Case

Bai Feijun’s bandaging technique was exquisite. Because he had used superior silk, the dressing around Jiang Zhuo’s neck did not look like the result of an injury; rather, it resembled a cleverly tied silk ribbon.

“When Jiang Lie used to speak of you, he only mentioned that he had a cousin who—perhaps because she was named after a peach tree—had grown up to be exceptionally beautiful. He said that if the opportunity arose, he had to introduce her to me so that I could see what true beauty in the capital really looks like.”

Perhaps because Bai Feijun wore a mask, there was a layer of separation between them; Jiang Zhuo always felt his smile was as faint and indistinct as if seen through a mist.

“Since he said that,” Jiang Zhuo said with certainty, “he must have also told you that my temperament is atrocious and that I am incredibly spoiled, exactly like my father!”

“Haha.” Bai Feijun covered his mouth with a dry laugh, offering no denial.

“People are inherently different in character. Among men, there is a distinction between the civil and the martial. Scholar-officials are often overflowing with talent but prone to being pedantic and conservative, while military officers are valiant and fierce, yet prone to being impulsive and reckless. Strengths and weaknesses are always complementary. How can there be such a thing as a truly ‘atrocious’ temperament?” Jiang Zhuo said, pouting. “Men label a woman’s temperament as ‘atrocious’ simply because she does not display the character they need, expect, or benefit from.”

“I, however, find that Miss Jiang is indeed quite different from how Brother Jiang described her.”

Jiang Zhuo faintly sensed that Bai Feijun possessed a unique aura—at times carrying the chilling, murderous intent of Jiang Lie, and at other times, a sense of serenity and indifference reminiscent of Zhao Mingjing.

Could it be him?

Jiang Zhuo thought once again of the general who had buried her remains on that snowy night.

However, since the wound was bandaged, it was inappropriate for her to remain alone in a room with a man. Just as she was about to bid Bai Feijun farewell, a scream erupted from outside the door.

“Ah! A dead body! Someone’s dead!”

Jiang Zhuo and Bai Feijun exchanged a glance and stepped out of the Bamboo Room. The incident had occurred in the Chrysanthemum Room across the hall. The waiter, who had been screaming shrilly, stumbled down the stairs, and a crowd had already gathered below to gawk, creating a chaotic scene.

Jiang Zhuo stood on tiptoe, straining to look forward. Sure enough, a man in green robes lay sprawled at the entrance of the Chrysanthemum Room.

“It’s him! It’s him!” a waiter suddenly pointed at Jiang Zhuo and shrieked. “This person asked me this morning who was staying in the four premium rooms. I suggested he go to the Chrysanthemum Room, and now the guest in the Chrysanthemum Room is dead. He must be the killer!”

Hearing this, those who had been crowded around Jiang Zhuo quickly scattered in a panic, fearing they might be implicated by association with this “murderer.”

“…I have never met him.”

Seeing everyone casting sidelong glances at her, Jiang Zhuo felt quite awkward.

“Young man, did you see with your own eyes this young master beside me enter the Chrysanthemum Room?”

Bai Feijun, who was still standing by Jiang Zhuo’s side, asked.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” The official in charge of the ship arrived and rapped the waiter on the head. “You can eat whatever you like, but you cannot say whatever you like.”

“But I—” The waiter looked at the official with a sense of grievance.

The official gave the waiter a sharp look, and the waiter fell silent. Those staying in the premium rooms of an official ship were the highest-ranking passengers, and Jiang Zhuo was among them; she was not someone an ordinary person could afford to offend.

“Fine, none of you dare to speak.” A resonant voice came from the next room. A middle-aged man in a deep blue brocade robe, roughly the age of Jiang Zhuo’s father, emerged. “Then I shall be the one to ask.”

He immediately presented his official seal and appointment documents.

“I am Tao Zhengyue, the Judicial Commissioner en route to Quzhou. I have been appointed directly by His Majesty. I shall conduct the investigation today, and I take full responsibility for all matters regarding the inquiry.” Tao Zhengyue turned to look at Jiang Zhuo. “Well? Does the young master wish to verify my identity?”

“That is unnecessary,” Jiang Zhuo replied coolly.

Anyone capable of boarding this ship and staying in these rooms would have had their identity thoroughly vetted. Jiang Zhuo had never been one for pointless gestures.

“Since that is the case, then let me ask: is what the waiter said true? Did you kill him?”

“I did indeed ask the waiter about the guests in the premium rooms today, but I did not kill anyone.”

“See! I told you it was him! If he wasn’t going to kill someone, why would he be asking about other people’s information?!” The waiter below began to shout again.

Hearing this, the crowd began pointing at Jiang Zhuo once more.

“Silence!” Tao Zhengyue waved his sleeves to hush the crowd before questioning Jiang Zhuo again. “Then I ask you: who are you, why are you on this ship, and why were you inquiring about the guests in the premium rooms?”

“I am Jiang Zhuo, the daughter of the former Councilor Jiang Dun. My late father passed away in Quzhou, and I am traveling to my hometown to attend the funeral.”

“So, it’s a woman.”

“The daughter of Minister Jiang? Isn’t that the one who was recently granted the title of County Lady?”

“A County Lady? That makes her royalty. No wonder she has such an extraordinary air.”

At Jiang Zhuo’s revelation, the crowd on the ship began to murmur. Jiang Zhuo felt a slight waver in her composure, unsure if exposing her identity here and now was the right choice.

Bai Feijun tugged gently at Jiang Zhuo’s sleeve, offering a reassuring smile.

“You! Since you know my mistress is a County Lady, how dare you speak so recklessly!” Downstairs, Tonghua also did her best to defend Jiang Zhuo.

Jiang Zhuo smiled and continued.

“When I boarded the ship, I saw someone who bore a striking resemblance to my cousin, Jiang Lie, whom I hadn't seen in years. However, as we had been out of touch for so long, I dared not approach him rashly. That is why I made an excuse to ask the waiter, guessing that my cousin was staying in the Bamboo Room.”

“Where were you at noon today? Is there anyone who can testify for you?” Tao Zhengyue continued to press.

“I was originally eating in my cabin. I heard someone nearby mention that a Patrol Commissioner had arrived from the northern front. Hearing of his experiences made me even more certain it was my cousin. After asking the waiter, I took some pastries and knocked on the door of the Bamboo Room. I have remained in the Bamboo Room ever since.”

Tao Zhengyue nodded and turned to look at Bai Feijun, who stood beside Jiang Zhuo. “So, you are her cousin, Jiang Lie?”

“I am her cousin!” Jiang Lie’s voice rang out from behind Jiang Zhuo.

Jiang Zhuo turned to look and discovered that Jiang Lie had just emerged from the Bamboo Room.

Bai Feijun remained unflustered and nodded. “I am General Jiang’s military advisor. I, too, can testify for Miss Jiang.”

“Since the Lady is a woman, and General Jiang can vouch for her, it is unlikely she killed the guest in the Chrysanthemum Room. Haha, it must be a misunderstanding.” Perhaps seeing that both Jiang Zhuo and Jiang Lie were of significant status, the ship official stepped in to smooth things over.

“No.”

Tao Zhengyue walked into the Chrysanthemum Room, leaned in to inspect the body, and said with a stern expression, “The person who killed this man in green robes is, indeed, a woman.”