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Dust on the Path-Part11

Dust on the Path-Part11

Under the dense veil of night, Luo Mansion lay shrouded in obscurity. The evening's haze muted the lights of the mansion, leaving only a few weak glimmers piercing the darkness.

Mu Jin remained steadfast in her post, her senses attuned to the whispers of the night breeze rustling through the leaves, almost as if she could hear the night's very breath. Countless days and nights seemed to have passed in just such a manner.

At some unmarked hour, Wei Zhao Yang arrived, gliding through the night air, and settled beside Mu Jin with a smile. "You must be hungry after such a long wait," he said, producing a pack of exquisite red bean cakes from his robes. "These are specialities from the Hundred Flavors Shop in the western city, renowned for their taste. They're still warm, try one."

"Thank you," Mu Jin replied with a nod, accepting a cake. "All this time, just for these cakes?"

"Of course not," Wei Zhao Yang chuckled enigmatically. "The real show is about to begin. Just watch."

Mu Jin turned her head, showing little interest in his cryptic words.

Soon enough, Li Bao Cai, disguised as a vegetable vendor with his face smeared black and a large hat concealing his identity, hurried towards the back gate, his eyes darting around under the shade of his hat.

The night guards, accustomed to the quiet, were immediately alert upon spotting the vendor. "Who goes there?!" they challenged.

Li Bao Cai, his voice lowered, attempted a hasty explanation. "The steward sent word of urgent business, needing these vegetables delivered at once."

His clumsy disguise and unconvincing story did little to persuade the guards. "Nonsense, we received no such notice. Do you have a note from the steward?"

Faced with the guards' skepticism and not wishing to linger, Li Bao Cai reluctantly revealed his true face. "It's me."

Recognizing him, the guard immediately bowed and asked with surprise, "Why such a disguise, sir?"

Li Bao Cai hesitated, "The official from the magistrate's office ordered me to come incognito tonight, to secretly search for my nephew's killer. Let me in, and keep it quiet."

Though puzzled, the guard dared not obstruct and stepped aside to let Li Bao Cai pass.

Li Bao Cai set his baskets aside, revealing a hidden bundle which he slung over his shoulder before stealthily making his way to Zhang Shi's quarters.

With few servants around due to Luo Tian Qi's preference for quiet, Wei Zhao Yang and Mu Jin found it convenient to conduct their secret investigation, which also facilitated Li Bao Cai's sneaky approach.

Observing Li Bao Cai's arrival, Wei Zhao Yang and Mu Jin concealed themselves and watched intently.

Li Bao Cai tiptoed to Zhang Shi's door and knocked softly. Her confused voice came from inside, "Who is it at this late hour?"

"It's me," Li Bao Cai responded hastily.

At the sound of his voice, Zhang Shi hurriedly opened the door and pulled him inside.

Chen Geng gently shifted the eaves, revealing the scene inside—

Li Bao Cai stood near the door, watching Zhang Shi pace back and forth in agitation. "Why are you here? Didn't I specifically send a letter urging caution and advising against contact for now?"

Li Bao Cai, equally perplexed, pulled out a note, "I'm confused too. You sent a maid with a letter this morning, then this evening, this note came."

"A note?" Zhang Shi stopped, snatching the note from his hand.

The note read: "Our plot has been exposed. I have hired a boatman on the south bank to take us away. We must meet tonight."

"This isn't my handwriting!" Zhang Shi exclaimed in horror, thrusting the note back at Li Bao Cai. "We never should have resorted to murder, and now it's clear someone has found us out! It's all your fault! What do we do now?"

"Blame me! Always blaming me!" Li Bao Cai retorted angrily. "I never should have become involved with you, only bringing trouble upon myself."

Their argument escalated, seemingly forgetting their precarious situation.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open. Wei Zhao Yang and Mu Jin stood at the entrance, their cold gazes fixed on the arguing pair inside.

Startled, Li Bao Cai panicked and dashed for the window, leaping out in haste.

Wei Zhao Yang, without a moment's hesitation, followed suit.

...

In the early morning of the following day, the courtyard of the county magistrate's office was bathed in the first light of dawn. A blend of footsteps and murmurs filled the air as members of the Luo family, summoned by Chen Geng, gathered in the great hall. Even Luo Yue Sheng, long bedridden with illness, had made his way there, his frail body seated at the forefront. A palpable mix of unease and anticipation permeated the air, notably marked by the absence of the widow of the deceased, Zhang Shi.

As the assembly completed, Chen Geng rose to address the gathered crowd, his voice steady and calm, "After thorough investigation, it has been determined that Luo Tian Qi did not die accidentally, but was, in fact, drowned."

A sharp, penetrating gaze swept over the crowd, cutting through the tense atmosphere. A ripple of surprise crossed the faces of the Luo family members.

"It's impossible! Tian Qi always detested water, and there are neither ponds nor large water containers in his courtyard," protested an elder of the Luo family, his voice tinged with disbelief and anger. "We saw him return to his quarters that day. Although his residence is secluded, such an incident could not have occurred unnoticed."

Chen Geng did not offer an explanation but instead turned his gaze to Cheng Wu Yue, who understood the cue. Stepping forward, Cheng began to explain the autopsy findings to the assembly: "Spasms in the throat, protruding tongue, and bloodshot eyes. Despite the burns on the skin, there was still noticeable cyanosis on the lips and fingernails..."

Each statement by Cheng weighed heavily on the hearts of the Luo family, and soon, they fell silent, no longer harboring any doubts about the cause of Luo Tian Qi's death.

Luo Yue Sheng, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke, "Sir, have you found the person who murdered my son?"

Chen Geng nodded affirmatively. The doors of the hall were pushed open, and Wei Zhao Yang entered, escorting Li Bao Cai and Zhang Shi.

"Li Bao Cai!" Luo Tian Jie exclaimed upon seeing Li Bao Cai.

Zhang Shi, overcome with emotion, knelt at the front of the hall, turning to Chen Geng with a plea——

Three days prior.

In the depths of the night, Luo Tian Qi entered the small courtyard, his heavy footsteps intertwining with the distant chirping of crickets, creating an eerie nocturne. The whispering wind rustled through the leaves, and his eyes, bright as stars in the night sky, sparkled with the joy of returning home.

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He hadn't anticipated that this journey would unfold so smoothly. His heart brimming with happiness, he quickened his pace, eager to share his joy. However, as he approached his bedroom, muffled, deep voices halted his steps.

Luo Tian Qi furrowed his brow and tiptoed to the window. Peering through a slit, he saw Zhang Shi under the lamplight, her eyes brimming with affection. But the object of her affection was a man who should not have been there.

"That child..." Li Bao Cai's voice was low and ominous, his face flickering in the candlelight.

Zhang Shi's trembling hand covered her belly. "I... I am not sure."

Luo Tian Qi was shaken to the core, piecing together the implications from their fragmented conversation. His initial joy was swiftly replaced by a seething rage.

Before Li Bao Cai could finish his sentence, Luo Tian Qi burst into the room, his eyes bloodshot with fury: "You!"

Recognizing the danger, Li Bao Cai instinctively lunged forward, smothering Luo Tian Qi's mouth and nose. The struggle was swift; Luo Tian Qi soon lost consciousness from asphyxiation. Li Bao Cai gritted his teeth: "In for a penny, in for a pound..."

In a blend of panic and determination, they dragged the unconscious Luo Tian Qi to the study. Li Bao Cai, like a merciless judge, covered Luo Tian Qi's face with wet paper, each sheet a suffocating grasp of death. The only sounds in the study were the friction of paper against skin and Luo Tian Qi's faint breathing. Once the deed was done, Li Bao Cai set Luo Tian Qi's clothes ablaze – the study and everything within it descended into a hellish inferno of sin.

"Despicable wretches! Deserving of the gravest punishment!"

With the truth now laid bare, Li Bao Cai and Zhang Shi were dragged to the dungeon amidst the crowd's curses.

As the Luo family members dispersed with heavy hearts, Chen Geng turned to Luo Yue Ping: "Luo Second Master, where were you on the day of the incident?"

Luo Yue Ping's lips pressed tightly, silent at first, then spoke: "With the murderer apprehended, I surely have no involvement. Why the persistence?"

Chen Geng, unfazed, turned away: "It's unrelated indeed. But there's something you must be informed of."

Luo Yue Ping's expression tightened, impatiently retorting: "My whereabouts need not concern you. If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Just as he was about to leave, Ye Nan Qiao entered with an elderly midwife – the same one summoned to Drunken Life Tower.

As the incense in the ornate burners swayed, the tension in the hall intensified.

Chen Geng asked solemnly, "Madam, I've heard you were the Luo family's midwife. Did you deliver Miss Luo Cai Huan?"

The midwife's hands trembled, her eyes filled with remorse and confusion. She didn't respond directly but bowed her head, seemingly praying for forgiveness for past deeds.

Chen Geng, growing impatient, pressed on: "Madam, what happened that year?"

The midwife hesitated, then whispered: "Yes, I... I delivered Miss Cai Huan..."

"Was there anything unusual at her birth?"

Her trembling intensified, tears welling up: "On that day, Luo Family Head was away. When the Miss was born, she had... an extra finger..."

As her words fell, a stunned silence enveloped the hall.

The midwife continued, her voice breaking: "Mrs. Kong's expression... she asked me to... to remove the extra finger."

In an instant, all eyes turned to Luo Yue Ping – known to have six fingers and adopted into the Luo family.

Kong Shi looked around in terror, unsure where to turn.

Luo Yue Sheng sat silently, deep in thought, his gaze fixed on the floor as if clinging to the past.

"Enough!" Luo Yue Ping shouted, admitting his presence at Kong Shi's quarters that fateful night.

The hall fell eerily quiet, everyone frozen in disbelief.

"Enough," Luo Yue Sheng murmured, rising shakily, dismissing himself without looking at anyone.

Three days prior.

In the depths of the night, Luo Tian Qi entered the small courtyard, his heavy footsteps intertwining with the distant chirping of crickets, creating an eerie nocturne. The whispering wind rustled through the leaves, and his eyes, bright as stars in the night sky, sparkled with the joy of returning home.

He hadn't anticipated that this journey would unfold so smoothly. His heart brimming with happiness, he quickened his pace, eager to share his joy. However, as he approached his bedroom, muffled, deep voices halted his steps.

Luo Tian Qi furrowed his brow and tiptoed to the window. Peering through a slit, he saw Zhang Shi under the lamplight, her eyes brimming with affection. But the object of her affection was a man who should not have been there.

"That child..." Li Bao Cai's voice was low and ominous, his face flickering in the candlelight.

Zhang Shi's trembling hand covered her belly. "I... I am not sure."

Luo Tian Qi was shaken to the core, piecing together the implications from their fragmented conversation. His initial joy was swiftly replaced by a seething rage.

Before Li Bao Cai could finish his sentence, Luo Tian Qi burst into the room, his eyes bloodshot with fury: "You!"

Recognizing the danger, Li Bao Cai instinctively lunged forward, smothering Luo Tian Qi's mouth and nose. The struggle was swift; Luo Tian Qi soon lost consciousness from asphyxiation. Li Bao Cai gritted his teeth: "In for a penny, in for a pound..."

In a blend of panic and determination, they dragged the unconscious Luo Tian Qi to the study. Li Bao Cai, like a merciless judge, covered Luo Tian Qi's face with wet paper, each sheet a suffocating grasp of death. The only sounds in the study were the friction of paper against skin and Luo Tian Qi's faint breathing. Once the deed was done, Li Bao Cai set Luo Tian Qi's clothes ablaze – the study and everything within it descended into a hellish inferno of sin.

"Despicable wretches! Deserving of the gravest punishment!"

With the truth now laid bare, Li Bao Cai and Zhang Shi were dragged to the dungeon amidst the crowd's curses.

As the Luo family members dispersed with heavy hearts, Chen Geng turned to Luo Yue Ping: "Luo Second Master, where were you on the day of the incident?"

Luo Yue Ping's lips pressed tightly, silent at first, then spoke: "With the murderer apprehended, I surely have no involvement. Why the persistence?"

Chen Geng, unfazed, turned away: "It's unrelated indeed. But there's something you must be informed of."

Luo Yue Ping's expression tightened, impatiently retorting: "My whereabouts need not concern you. If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Just as he was about to leave, Ye Nan Qiao entered with an elderly midwife – the same one summoned to Drunken Life Tower.

As the incense in the ornate burners swayed, the tension in the hall intensified.

Chen Geng asked solemnly, "Madam, I've heard you were the Luo family's midwife. Did you deliver Miss Luo Cai Huan?"

The midwife's hands trembled, her eyes filled with remorse and confusion. She didn't respond directly but bowed her head, seemingly praying for forgiveness for past deeds.

Chen Geng, growing impatient, pressed on: "Madam, what happened that year?"

The midwife hesitated, then whispered: "Yes, I... I delivered Miss Cai Huan..."

"Was there anything unusual at her birth?"

Her trembling intensified, tears welling up: "On that day, Luo Family Head was away. When the Miss was born, she had... an extra finger..."

As her words fell, a stunned silence enveloped the hall.

The midwife continued, her voice breaking: "Mrs. Kong's expression... she asked me to... to remove the extra finger."

In an instant, all eyes turned to Luo Yue Ping – known to have six fingers and adopted into the Luo family.

Kong Shi looked around in terror, unsure where to turn.

Luo Yue Sheng sat silently, deep in thought, his gaze fixed on the floor as if clinging to the past.

"Enough!" Luo Yue Ping shouted, admitting his presence at Kong Shi's quarters that fateful night.

The hall fell eerily quiet, everyone frozen in disbelief.

"Enough," Luo Yue Sheng murmured, rising shakily, dismissing himself without looking at anyone.

The Luo family members dispersed one after another. The midwife, seeing no one held her accountable for her past actions, quickly found an opportunity to slip away unnoticed. The once crowded hall suddenly became empty and silent.

Ye Nan Qiao gazed at the scene before her, her heart heavy with melancholy. "I somewhat regret delving into Miss Luo's origin. It's not about losing face, but rather a pity for Old Master Luo — to end up like this. Sometimes, the truth seems less important."

"The truth is always important," Chen Geng responded, approaching Ye Nan Qiao. Standing beside her, he looked into her eyes without hesitation.

Feeling a tremor in her heart, Ye Nan Qiao looked back at Chen Geng, seeing in him a flicker of hope she had never seen before.