Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 262 Silver Hundred Flowers
"Did she tell you anything else? You two have a personal relationship, has she ever mentioned the person who took her in here?"

Cao Qin shook her head. "She didn't explain anything else. We can't really be considered to have a personal relationship. It's just that I'm quite good at embroidery, and many embroiderers on this street come to me for tailoring. Some of them will say a few words about it, but Thirteen Sister has never mentioned it."

As Cao Qin spoke, she bit her lip until it bled before finally saying what she had said.

"Actually, I once saw that gentleman get off his carriage from afar. He looked quite old and very dignified. I didn't see his face clearly. He was somewhat pot-bellied and had a retinue of men with swords by his side. He was rushing to the curfew."

He wore a veil and looked exceptionally cautious. I only glanced at him and didn't dare to look any longer.

When I was helping other flower enthusiasts choose flower patterns, they mentioned Baihualou and Shisan Niang. They said that Bai Jiu Niang was able to become the most famous flower queen in the area entirely because of that official. Bai Shisan Niang was far less beautiful and charming than Jiu Niang.

The nobleman didn't particularly like her, and visited far less often than when Bai Jiuniang was in charge. But she was lucky; she gave birth to a young master in one go.

Even if she couldn't enter the manor, with the young master around, she wouldn't have to worry about her beauty fading and her love waning; she'd have a secure future. She was considered one of the luckiest courtesans. Who would have thought?

As Cao Qin spoke, her eyes reddened.

She was of average appearance and supported herself entirely with her excellent skills. But after spending a lot of time in Rouge Lane, she also came to understand a certain truth.

These people are like crabapple blossoms on a treetop, dazzling briefly on the branches before falling into the mud and rotting.

No one cares about the withered flowers; they only sing praises for the new blossoms that will bloom again next year.

She didn't have much of a relationship with Bai Shisan Niang. She would sometimes tease her, saying that she was aloof and difficult to get along with. But now that she was gone, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss, like a rabbit mourning the death of a fox.

Zhou Zhao listened and looked at the two brothers from the Northern Army, "I would like to trouble you to take her to the Court of Justice to find Min Wenshu to record her statement."

After the two men led Cao Qin away, Zhou Zhao looked at Han Ze, whose face was somewhat pale.

Han Ze cupped his hands in greeting and said without hesitation, "General, Bai Jiuniang has been murdered."

Zhou Zhao and Su Changying exchanged a glance, their expressions both changing. "When did this happen?"

Su Changying asked.

"Just a short while ago, the magistrate arranged for someone to escort Bai Jiuniang back to the Court of Justice. When we entered the prison, we happened to run into the jailer Li Jia coming out. I didn't pay attention at first, but when I got to the prison where Bai Jiuniang was, I found that she had been stabbed through the heart with a sword and was dead."

I immediately chased after Li Jia, and we surrounded him. Before I could even ask him any questions, Li Jia slit his throat.

Lord Pei Jiusi did a quick investigation and sent me to report to the General. Li Jia owes a large gambling debt, and we found a bag of gold and silver in his house; he was clearly bribed.

Su Changying frowned. "Have Pei Jiusi continue investigating who bribed Li Jia."

Han Ze nodded heavily, "Yes, sir!"

As Zhou Zhao pondered, a slight heaviness settled in her heart; she had a persistent feeling that a storm was brewing.

She thought that their relentless pursuit had caused heavy losses to her adoptive father's men, and the day they clashed was not far off.

My adoptive father's martial arts skills are unparalleled in the world.

Now that she is injured, she may join forces with Su Changying to bring him to justice and catch the murderer who killed her brother.

Or perhaps they intend to take her life while she is injured.

Soon after, the letter to his deceased wife will light up again, and she will face another death.

Zhou Zhao thought for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Su Changying. Both of them had a determined look in their eyes. They had originally planned to proceed slowly, but now it seemed that no matter whether the time was right or not, even if it meant risking their lives, they had to make their move. After Han Ze finished his report, he led a group of people away in a hurry.

Seeing that he had become much more composed, Zhou Zhao looked at Su Changying with curiosity, "He seems to have changed a lot. Pei Jiusi has joined the Northern Army?"

"Han Ze encountered danger during his trip to the Lost City, and his comrade died saving him. Hmm, he's only been here a few days. He said he and I used to be good brothers?"

Zhou Zhao nodded to Su Changying, "Pei Jiusi's father, Pei Zhun, was a fallen general under your father's command."

Pei Jiusi fought alongside you in the past; he was one of the personal guards your father arranged for you.

After your accident, Pei Jiusi stayed in the army and didn't return to Chang'an. Later, your good-for-nothing younger brother became the Marquis of Lu, and your father asked Pei Jiusi to assist him. Pei Jiusi refused to come to Chang'an, and coincidentally, his mother passed away at that time, so he withdrew from the army and returned home to observe mourning.

In recent years, Zhou Zhao has witnessed the fickleness of human nature.

Even Su Changying's father, Marquis Lu, passed on his title to another son, allowing him to inherit the Su family army.

How could she blame the people who used to be around Su Changying, each seeking their own way out?
She didn't mention it to Su Changying, because those who wanted to follow him would gradually return, and speaking of those who didn't want to follow him would only add to the sadness.

"Why arrange for someone to kill Bai Jiuniang? It must be because Bai Jiuniang had also met the murderer."

Zhou Zhao put aside the disappointment he felt upon hearing Pei Jiusi's name and returned to the case.

She knew that since the murderer was an acquaintance of Bai Shisan Niang, and she could see through that person's thoughts, why didn't she leave behind a single word about that person? Even if she didn't know the real person or their true face, at least they had a name or a code name for each other.

Sure enough, that name was left in the most conspicuous yet most hidden place.

Fang refers to the fragrance of a hundred flowers.

"Silver flowers".

Su Changying instantly understood Zhou Zhao's meaning. She knew that she was referring to the murderer, her godfather's right-hand woman, Yin Fang.

He shook his head without saying a word.

At that time, Gongzi Yu told him that Sister Yinfang had told him that he had joined the Northern Army and become a high-ranking official.

Yin Fang was the one who took care of Gongzi Yu.

"Be careful," Su Changying said. This wasn't the place to talk, but given his understanding with Zhou Zhao, he believed Zhou Zhao would understand what he was about to do.

Zhou Zhao nodded slightly. "Someone has been killed in the Northern Army prison. General Su should hurry and find out the truth. I also need to return to the Court of Justice."

Su Changying gave Zhou Zhao a deep look before striding into the rain.

Zhou Zhao turned to the side and looked in the direction of the Court of Justice. He believed that the big mouth had already spread the news that she knew who the child's father was and that she had inquired about the carriage, all the way to the murderer's ears.

The seven people from Baihualou were determined to make a big scene, even at the cost of their lives. The murderer must have been caught off guard and is now furious.

All she had to do was wait, wait for the murderer to finally come to her.

He waited until his adoptive father could no longer contain himself and saw Su Changying again.

Waiting for her moment to hunt.

Zhou Zhao thought to himself, then lightly touched the ground and disappeared into the rain.