Chapter 28 (2/2)

“Brilliant.” Jiang Moyin praised.

Feng Luodi smiled. Behind the scenes, she was taking matters into her own hands. After that day at Moonglade, she had taken down the names Shun had given, and cross-referenced them with the clients that sold the fabric found on the bloodied robe. It was just as she had advised Constable Zheng. However, instead of staking out the few households that were suspicious, she’d made another trip down to Moonglade. Using the authority her badge had provided her, she’d mentioned the names a few times in her conversation with Linglong. Seeing as how the handmaidens were murdered in such close proximity to her bedroom, she found it hard to believe that Linglong had not heard anything when the crime was committed. Perhaps it was her intuition, but even though Linglong had kept her composure when Feng Luodi mentioned those names, she suspected that Linglong not only knew who had killed the handmaidens, but also the person who took Wind Crane. However, Linglong had kept quiet to protect herself, steering out of the mess.

“Miss Feng,” the Administrator approached her quickly, “is the suspect w.a.n.g Ji in the room right now?”

“Yes, Administrator. Please, enjoy the show that's about to unfold, and judge for yourself afterwards.”

The Administrator nodded, trying to suppress his rage when he saw the bloodied tunic that the servant had retrieved.

Looking at Feng Luodi for approval, the servant placed the tunic on the tray and entered w.a.n.g Ji’s room. The rest of them quickly huddled close to the wall, peering into the room.

w.a.n.g Ji lay inclined on the bed, his upper body propped up with cus.h.i.+ons. A perverted smile hung on his face, his eyes fixated on the small book in front of him. Hearing the servant’s approaching footsteps, he commanded impatiently.

“What is it! Didn’t I tell you not to disturb me? ”

Not hearing a reply, w.a.n.g Ji looked up, annoyance written plainly on his face. “Didn’t I tell you to get out…”

His voice cut off abruptly when he saw the bloodied tunic on the tray. Scrambling off the bed, he pointed a shaking finger at the tunic.

“Di…didn't I instruct you to burn this?”

“Young master,” the servant said calmly, “I did burn the tunic the other time. But it appeared again in the courtyard just now.”

“Ar…are you serious?” w.a.n.g Ji stuttered, fear apparent in his eyes.

“Yes, young Master. When I was cleaning the dishes in the kitchen, I saw the two handmaidens that served Miss Linglong appear in the doorway, chatting about makeup and perfumes.” The servant continued. “I couldn’t understand why they were here, when they’ve died 8 days ago in Moonglade. Could it possibly be their… ghosts?”

The servant’s tone was calm and steady, lending an eerie tension to the room. w.a.n.g Ji’s eyes widened, and shook his head furiously.

“That’s not possible! That’s not possible at all! They definitely died that day! I’d checked them myself! I’d checked them myself!”

“But I just saw them with my own eyes, young master.” The servant looked emotionlessly at him.

w.a.n.g Ji waved his hand around frantically, caught in his own delusions. “It isn’t possible! It isn’t possible! Don’t come after me! I swear, I didn’t mean to kill you! All I’d wanted was to find out where Miss Linglong stayed! I didn't mean to kill you! I really didn’t!”

w.a.n.g Ji dashed haphazardly for the door, and the servant quickly shrunk into the corner. The door burst open, and the Administrator walked in, accompanied by the rest.

“The penalty for murder, is death. w.a.n.g Ji, You have nowhere to hide.”

The sight of the furious Administrator shocked w.a.n.g Ji out of his delusions, and he muttered frantically. “Admi….Administrator…why is the administrator here?”

His eyes fell on the servant, and in a second he understood everything. “You betrayed me!” He lifted his food to kick the servant, but was quickly stopped by Constable Zheng and the officers who then restrained him. Now they had all the evidence they needed, and the confession from the murderer. All that's left was the to find the location of Wind Crane, and the case will be closed.

The constable quickly left with w.a.n.g Ji, but the Administrator stayed back to speak with Feng Luodi.

“Thank you for your help, Miss Feng. We wouldn’t have solved the case so quickly otherwise. We will question w.a.n.g Ji about the whereabouts of Wind Crane, and let you know afterwards.”

“Let me thank you in advance then sir.”

“It’s but a small matter.” The Administrator glanced at the servant who stood in the corner. “This man here is a witness to the case, and we will need him at the yamen to get his statement. If you don't mind Miss Feng, please send him to us after you’re done here.”

“Of course, sir.” Feng Luodi curtsied, and the Administrator promptly left.

”That was quite the show we just witnessed just now.” Qi Jianqiu teased. ”For w.a.n.g Ji to end up like this, it must be because of the poor guidance from his father. Speaking of which, isn't Master w.a.n.g your father's subordinate?”

Xue Yiqi was angered by her gibe, and took it out on the servant. Lifting his leg, he wanted to kick the servant as w.a.n.g Ji had done, but Feng Luodi suddenly dashed out in front of the servant. Clutching her stomach in pain, Feng Luodi quickly steadied herself with the other.

“What are you doing!” Qi Jianqiu was shocked and upset by the turn of events. Even Jiang Moyin was surprised by his brother’s actions.

Xue Yiqi did not expect for Feng Luodi to step out as well, and was embarra.s.sed by his own mistake. He avoided looking at the rest, and said coldly to the servant.

“How dare you betray your own master like you just did! This is not how a servant should behave. Even if he isn’t indicted, Master w.a.n.g will not forgive him when he finds out what happened. Why not I punish him first on Master w.a.n.g's behalf?”