Transmigration: of Mysteries and Songs

Chapter 27: Suspicion

Feng Luodi sat in the dining room of a teahouse, supporting her head with an arm. She had arranged to meet with Qi Jianqiu that afternoon, but she was early, and in the teahouse alone. Her other hand tapped the table idly as her thoughts wandered back to that afternoon, when she had lunch at the Qi household.

The thought of having lunch with the Minister made her really nervous. Not expecting to see Situ Muye in the Qi household, she froze in place when he appeared in the dining room. The person whom she thought she might never had the chance to see again, was right in front of her.

I must have seemed so silly back then! Feng Luodi covered her face. Back then, even the General who was known to keep a serious expression had burst out in laughter, and the Minister had to struggle to contain his laughter. My image as a lady is ruined! Thankfully, neither Situ Muye nor the Minister mention anything during lunch, but her appetite to eat was wrecked by her embarrassment.

The sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts. She had sent word to Constable Zheng that she would be spending her afternoons in this teahouse with Qi Jianqiu these few days, and he promised to send word of any developments in the investigation to her. Knowing the constable's efficiency, Feng Luodi knew she would be expecting news about the investigation these few days. It'll either be Jianqiu or an officer from the yamen, I guess.

The person that came up the stairs was Qi Jianqiu, dressed in a scarlet gown with golden embroidery. Surprisingly, another figure appeared behind her, none other than Jiang Moyin. He was wearing a robe of navy colour, with a matching belt of sapphire blue, cutting a striking figure.

"Why are you here as well?" Feng Luodi was straightforward.

"Why? Am I not welcomed here?" Jiang Moyin smiled as he sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"I met him along the way." Qi Jianqiu cut in, "He said he was free today, and asked to join us." Her hand reached for the desserts the moment she sat down.

"Oh, I see."

"How is the investigation going?" Jiang Moyin sipped his tea and asked casually.

"The same as before, I suppose. I'm still waiting for news from the yamen." Feng Luodi poured Qi Jianqiu a cup of tea, the latter too busy devouring the desserts.

"I really don't understand this." Qi Jianqiu said between mouthfuls. "Would someone really kill for a zither? The sentence for theft would be nowhere as heavy as that for murder, which is death; there's no reason to risk your life just for a zither!"

"You're right. It seems weird to kill just for a zither, but it would be another matter if someone else stole the zither in the chaos caused by the murder." Jiang Moyin then turned to Feng Luodi. "If that's the case, Luodi, you'll have to be mentally prepared that you might not be able to retrieve Wind Crane, even if the case is solved."

Feng Luodi nodded in agreement, but her expression did not change, full of confidence in retrieving Wind Crane.

Qi Jianqiu swallowed a mouthful of cake and was about to say something, when the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs echoed along the hallway again. The trio looked outside the room, and saw a man clad in the uniform of an officer from the yamen.

"Officer Sun?" Feng Luodi leapt to her feet in excitement. "Does Constable Zheng have any updates for me?"

"Miss Feng, Grand Tutor, Miss Qi." The officer greeted the three of them before he explained. "The constable had us check the merchants who sold the type of silk we found and who they sold it to, and cross-referenced that with the list of patrons Shun gave. We'd had the few households that satisfied both criteria staked out, and one in particular stood out from the rest. Wang Ji, son of the Administrator of the Consultation Section, has been 'sick' at home ever since the incident in Moonglade." He emphasized the word "sick".