Chapter 27 (2/2)

“My apologies, Miss Feng.” Officer Sun quickly apologised, reaching to take the handkerchief and hairpin back.

Feng Luodi kept the handkerchief quickly. “It’s fine this time round, but be more careful in the future. Go on ahead, officer.”

Qi Jianqiu wanted to berate her actions, but Feng Luodi quickly cut her off, pointing at Jiang Moyin who was leaning against the door, waiting for them with a smile on his face. “Let’s not waste any time now.”

The trio walked to the Xue household, and Jiang Moyin only had to mention his name to the guards before word was quickly sent in. They had barely waited for a few minutes when a handsome young man quickly walked out.

Seeing Jiang Moyin, the man clasped his hands together in greeting. “Second Brother!”

Jiang Moyin smiled, and introduced the two girls with him. “This is Miss Qi Jianqiu, and Miss Feng Luodi.”

“My greetings, Miss Qi and Miss Feng.” Xue Yiqi clasped his hands in greeting again, but he did not dare to look at the two.

Now that’s interesting. Feng Luodi exchanged a look with Qi Jianqiu, and curtsied in unison. “Greetings, Master Xue.”

“I haven’t had the chance to thank you for getting the physician for me the other time in Manchun Tang, Master Xue. Now that I have the honour of meeting you, please accept my grat.i.tude.” Feng Luodi bowed again.

Xue Yiqi still did not dare to look at the two. He waved his hand at Feng Luodi. “It is but a small matter, Miss Feng.” Turning to Jiang Moyin, “Is something the matter, brother? Why are you here at this time of the day?”

“I’ll explain to you as we go along.” Jiang Moyin gestured for Xue Yiqi to follow, and lead the way towards the Administrator’s household. Feng Luodi and Qi Jianqiu lagged behind, the former gripping the hairpin and handkerchief tightly in her hand. Feng Luodi let out a breath of air. This is going to work out. The case is going to be solved very soon, and finally I can play a song on Wind Crane.

Qi Jianqiu did not know why Feng Luodi was so excited, but she held her friend’s hand comfortingly.

By the time they had reached the household, Xue Yiqi had understood the situation. “This is nothing. When we get there, I’ll just tell them that my father has a message for the Administrator, and the few of you could question w.a.n.g Ji. If he was indeed the murderer, he’ll definitely be shaken and might let a few things slip up. If he isn’t, we have an excuse to get out of there as well.” He paused. “If what you suspect is true, I will have to take action. I cannot let a man like that work under my father and do nothing about it.”

“Thankyou, Yiqi.” Jiang Moyin quickly waved for the two girls to stay closer to them, and true to his words, the four entered the household without ha.s.sle once Xue Yiqi gave his name.

The Administrator wasn’t in, and the head steward invited them in to rest in the antechamber while they sent word to the Administrator. The situation was ideal for the four. Xue Yiqi quickly spoke up.

“I’ve heard that young Master w.a.n.g has been sick for a few days, and I’d like to visit him on my father’s behalf. May we see him?”

The head steward was elated. After all, the fact that the Defender-in-chief’s son would visit their young master was good news for the Administrator. “I’ll lead the way immediately, sir. The Administrator has always hoped that our young master can have distinguished acquaintances such as you, sir.”

As they walked towards w.a.n.g Ji’s room, Feng Luodi quietly approached Xue Yiqi and pa.s.sed him the hairpin, whispering a plan in his ear. Xue Yiqi nodded in understanding and quickly moved away, his ears red from the close proximity to her. Feng Luodi smiled, and joined Qi Jianqiu a little further back again.

When they reached his room, Xue Yiqi was led in by the head steward and spoke to w.a.n.g Ji, quietly leaving the hairpin behind when he left. They stayed back in the courtyard under the pretence of wanting to look around while waiting for the Administrator to return, and the head steward quickly left to resume his duties. After a while, a servant came bearing a tray of food for w.a.n.g Ji, and entered the room. Quickly, the four scooted along the wall to a window and, lightly breaking a small hole in the paper, looked into the room.

w.a.n.g Ji looked as sickly as he claimed, eye bags heavy and complexion pallid. He looked distressed and tired, without much of an appet.i.te for the dishes that were served. However, under the suspicion of murder, he looked like a man wrought with guilt.

He ate a few meagre bites, and commanded the servant to bring the rest away. As the servant walked out of the room, stepped onto something and bent to pick it up. It was the hairpin Xue Yiqi had left behind on purpose, and the servant quickly asked w.a.n.g Ji.

“Young master, did you buy this hairpin? You must have dropped it onto the floor.”

“What are you talking about? Why would I even buy a hairpin now? To woo girls? You must be mistaken.” w.a.n.g Ji shot a casual glance at the hairpin in front of him, and his expression turned into horror, falling off the bed in shock.

“Where…where did you get this hairpin!” w.a.n.g Ji stuttered, s.h.i.+vering uncontrollably.

The servant quickly went to him. “I found it on the floor, young master. Do you recognise it?”

“Throw it away! Now! Throw it away immediately!” w.a.n.g Ji frantically grabbed the hairpin and hurled it out of the door.

The servant was confused for a moment, then his eyes widened. “Does this have to do with what happened that day, young master?”

“Didn’t I warn you not to speak of that day again?! Get out! Get out of my room!” w.a.n.g Ji was enraged. He grabbed the plates left on the servants tray, and hurled them out of the room. “Get out right now!”

The servant quickly cleaned up the mess and left the room, with the hairpin picked up in his hand.

By the wall, Feng Luodi and the other three exchanged glances, and nodded simultaneously. Something is definitely up with w.a.n.g Ji.