Xue Rui and Yu Shu walked out of the gate of the observatory side by side. The guards in the courtyard bowed their heads and let them through, "Lord Shaoqing."
It was dusk, and the sun was setting on the West Bridge. The Taishi Library was even quieter. The two walked under the empty wall, and their backs were dyed orange by the afterglow.
"Where do you plan to investigate this case next?" Yu Shu asked with concern.
She was not a group of brainless girls. She understood that Xue Rui sent people to monitor Jing Chen, not because he suspected that Jing Chen was the murderer. However, there was only a note as a clue. It was not easy for Xue Rui to follow the clues through Jing Chen.
Sure enough, she heard Xue Rui say, "I still can't determine the purpose of the murderer's murder. If it was just to frame Daozi, this method is too far-fetched. With Daozi's identity, why would he kill a female student who he had only met a few times? This doesn't make sense at all. But if it wasn't for Daozi, then the note was too real, and the timing was just right. From this, it can be seen that the perpetrator not only knew Daozi's every move, but was also proficient in literature and had martial strength. Combining these three conditions, I suspect that it wasn't just one person who committed the crime, or there was the existence of an accomplice. "
After Yu Shu finished listening to Xue Rui's analysis, she had some clues as well, and she pondered for a short moment before saying, "I feel that since the murderer was able to avoid the eyes and ears of everyone to send that note to Young Miss Cao, and he was able to make her believe that the person who came to the appointment wasn't Jing Chen, then he's an acquaintance. Can we start investigating from this point?"
Xue Rui looked at her approvingly, "Not bad, this is also a clue. You think very clearly."
"You don't have to praise me." Yu Shu shook her head and said, "I think you have already thought of what I can think of. This murder case is very strange. If you continue to investigate step by step, the progress will inevitably be slow. Why not ask the Celestial Commissioner for advice? If there is someone who is proficient in the art of Yin and Yang, he might be able to find some clues from the deceased's body. "
There was a branch of Fengshui called the Art of Yin-Yang, which was the only one in the Yi Xue that could restrain the dead. Among the people, there was a small group of people who called themselves Onmyoji. It was said that they could communicate with the dead. However, it was not recognized by the orthodox school of Yi, because the traditional Yi Masters believed that "when a person dies, his destiny ends." Since there was no fate energy, how could there be divination?
Yu Shu was not superstitious about these things, so she spoke aimlessly. The day before yesterday, she had flipped through a handwritten book in the Tower of Philosophy, which recorded an old story. It said that during the reign of Emperor Xizong, there was once a young supervisor of the Celestial Commissioner who was proficient in the art of Yin and Yang, and he made the deceased "speak" in a murder case. Identify the culprit.
She really wanted to know if there was such a strange person among the hidden talents of the Celestial Commissioner.
"Haha," Xue Rui listened to Yu Shu's words and actually laughed. Under her puzzled gaze, he asked her, "Have you read the Asking the Underworld Story somewhere?"
Yu Shu was stunned and nodded. She had read the story of the case solving. It was indeed called the Asking the Underworld Story.
Xue Rui held back his laughter and said, "There is a record of that time in the Supreme Court's archives. If it is spread, people will mistakenly think that there is a strange person who is proficient in Yin and Yang and can communicate with the dead. However, they don't know that this is just a trick to lure the murderer. Don't take it seriously. If such a strange person is still alive, why would the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court be needed? Whenever there is a murder case, just ask the Celestial Commissioner to solve it, and I don't have to worry about it now. "
"…" When Yu Shu heard the truth, she suddenly felt that she was a little silly to be teased by Xue Rui. She felt depressed. She touched her chin and her eyes lit up. She said, "That might not be true. Maybe I can help you."
"Oh?" Xue Rui was interested. "What do you want to help me with?"
Yu Shu pretended to be mysterious. "First, give me Cao Youling's date of birth and I will tell you later."
Xue Rui saw that she was keeping him in suspense and became even more curious. However, he was not in a hurry to find out the answer and nodded in agreement.
As they were talking, they walked out of the North Courtyard. When they were about to reach the female dormitory, Yu Shu stopped.
"You can go back. I want to stay in the Library for the night."
Xue Rui frowned. "Why don't you go home?"
Yu Shu then told him about the good news of Zhao Hui giving birth to a son a few days ago. She said, "Last night, I was close to a dead person and I have bad luck on my body. There is Xin 'er at home and his life is delicate. Don't be offended by me again. I will first send someone to send a message back. I will stay here for a few days and return home after seven days. "
"No." Xue Rui disagreed. "There was a murder case just now and the murderer has not been found yet. Who knows, he might be hiding in the Library. You are the witness who found the corpse. Isn't it dangerous for you to stay here?"
Yu Shu hesitated. Xue Rui's concerns were not unreasonable. However, she could not stay in the female dormitory and could not go home. Where was she going to sleep for the next few days?
"I said that you are smart but you are silly again. Can't you stay in the Wang Ji Lou for a few days?" Xue Rui could not help but remind her.
Yu Shu's eyes lit up. She patted her forehead and said, "Look at me. How could I forget about this place where I can eat and drink and have people to serve me."
Xue Rui smiled. "Quickly go in and pack up. See if there is anything you want to take. I will wait for you here. We will go together."
Yu Shu did not think much of it. She responded and turned to quickly enter the female dormitory. She did not see the sly smile that Xue Rui revealed behind her back.
*
*
*
Xue Rui did not change out of his official uniform, so he and Yu Shu entered the Forgotten Machine Tower through the back door. Just as they arrived at the staircase, they saw Lin Fu jogging up the passageway from the front floor to welcome them.
"Young Master, Young Lady."
Xue Rui instructed, "Prepare a table of food and wine. Send it upstairs." He signaled for Yu Shu to go upstairs first. "I will look for you after I change my clothes."
Yu Shu nodded and reminded Lin Fu, "The food must be light."
Lin Fu agreed. He turned around and arranged for someone to boil water for cooking.
Yu Shu entered the room upstairs. Just as she poured some water to wash her hands, two maids, Xiao Qing and Xiao Die, came in with tea.
There were clothes in the room. Yu Shu changed into a pair of clean cotton shoes. She did not change her clothes either. She sat cross-legged on the short couch and peeled bananas to eat. Not long after, Xiao Qing and Xiao Die came to the table with food. There were three vegetables, two meat dishes, a mushroom soup, and a pot of osmanthus wine.
Xue Rui walked in wearing a clean blue gown. He saw that Yu Shu was holding a cup and drinking wine. She did not touch the food on the table. He could not help but say to her, "Why do you drink wine when you are eating? Don't you know that it is harmful to the spleen and stomach?"
Hearing this, Yu Shu put down the cup and laughed at him, "I only drank one cup. I need to calm down first. Otherwise, I will not have the appetite to eat."
She said it unintentionally, but it made Xue Rui's heart feel stifled. He sat down next to her and looked at the faint bruises under her eyes that had yet to fade. He secretly blamed himself for being careless. It was only because she appeared too normal and did not look like she was afraid that he was so engrossed in this case that he neglected the fact that she would not be frightened when she saw a dead person last night. He actually did not say a word of comfort to her.
It was not good to mention it again at this time. Xue Rui quietly picked up the wine pot and filled the cup in front of her. He also poured a cup for himself and said warmly, "It is not too much to do it once in a while."
Yu Shu raised her eyebrows and did not stand on ceremony. She picked up the cup and clinked it with his. She raised her head and put it in her mouth. The slightly spicy sweetness eased the suffocation in her chest.
After two cups of wine, she was very sensible and picked up the chopsticks to eat.
Xue Rui deliberately avoided the case and took the initiative to ask about Zhao Hui's child. He diverted Yu Shu's attention and let her eat a few more mouthfuls of rice.
After the meal, the plates and bowls were removed. Yu Shu saw that it was already dark outside and said to Xue Rui, "It is late. Are you still not going back?"
Thinking of this, Xue Rui said, "I am not going back. I will also stay at Wangji Lou. The case of Taishi Shuyuan is now being watched by me. There will be news coming from time to time. It is not convenient to go back to the fu. I still have to go to Taishi Shuyuan during the day. I can go with you. "
There was nothing wrong with what he said. It was as if he was staying for official business. If it was a few days ago, Yu Shu would not think too much. However, the situation was different now. She knew that he was thinking about her. She could not help but be more careful and suspect that he had selfish motives for staying with her at Wangji Lou.
Xue Rui calmly faced Yu Shu's suspicious eyes and smiled at her harmlessly. He stood up and said, "I have asked someone to prepare hot soup. You should take a bath and rest early. See you tomorrow morning."
“.....”
Yu Shu watched as Xue Rui left. She curled her lips and whispered, "He is quite good at pretending."
*
*
*
Using the hot fragrant soup to wash away the stickiness on her body, Yu Shu wore a loose cotton robe and leaned on the recliner to let the maid dry her hair. She casually tossed a few copper coins in her palm. It was not a divination.
"Miss, you should go to bed and rest." Xiao Die carefully combed Yu Shu's dry hair and tied it up loosely with a ribbon to prevent her from sweating and sleeping.
"Well, you two go and rest too." Yu Shu stretched, got up and sat down on the bed. She waved her hand to let the two maids go to sleep.
"Yes."
Xiao Qing and Xiao Die left a lamp at the head of her bed, closed the door and left.
Although Wangji Lou was a place where drinkers often gathered, the small building in the backyard was only for distinguished guests. There were few people staying there. Therefore, at night, there was no noise and it was very quiet.
Yu Shu lay on the bed and couldn't fall asleep. As soon as she closed her eyes, she kept thinking about the nightmare she had in the women's room during the day. She couldn't help but feel anxious and vaguely uneasy.
She felt uncomfortable lying on the bed, so she sat up, put on her shoes, covered herself with a coat and walked out of the room.
She gently closed the door. The corridor on the second floor was quiet. Under the eaves of the opposite house, there were a few women's lanterns, which were dim and gentle at night. Yu Shu stood by the railing and took a few breaths. She felt much more comfortable. She looked at the end of the corridor and walked over with her clothes closed. She planned to go to the courtyard on the third floor to get some fresh air.
After going up the stairs and turning the corner, Yu Shu saw a row of beaded curtains a few steps away. There was a candle behind the curtains and a slender figure was sitting lazily by the railing. His clothes were loose and he was holding a wine pot in one hand. When he raised his head to drink, he met her gaze and they were both stunned.
"Hehe." The person behind the curtain laughed first. His eyes flickered with joy. He stood up straight and waved at her, motioning her to come over.
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