The eldest miss of the Chen family is dead, not by suicide but by violent means, on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
A single slash to the neck—one fatal blow.
Although the security in Vice Minister of Personnel Chen’s household was not impenetrable, it was still the residence of a high-ranking court official, not a place where assassins could come and go as they pleased.
Yet Miss Chen’s death was suspicious.
The case was transferred to the Ministry of Justice and even alarmed the emperor. In the Gao residence, Gao Yuexing also heard about it. She had a vague sense of foreboding.
The coroner’s autopsy concluded that the murder weapon was a sharp, narrow blade.
The estimated time of death was during the Chou hour (1-3 am) of that day.
The Ministry of Justice conducted an in-depth investigation and found a witness, an elderly night watchman. He claimed that at the third quarter of the Chou hour, he saw Li Fuxiang riding swiftly past the rear gate of Minister Chen’s residence.
Li Fuxiang’s personal blade, the “Shenwu,” was found to match the murder weapon closely.
Li Fuxiang was listed as one of the suspects and was summoned immediately. The news spread throughout the capital’s streets and alleys, causing an uproar among the people and enraging the emperor.
—”Huayang Street is clearly on the way back to the imperial city. How could it suddenly become exclusively tied to the rear gate of Chen Jingchen’s family? Does that mean everyone passing through Huayang Street is a suspect? Should I allocate annual toll fees for Huayang Street now? Utter nonsense!”
Consort Xian observed quietly, keeping her composure. She knew the emperor needed to vent his emotions at the moment.
The emperor paced back and forth irritably in the main hall of Chunhe Palace, his hands clasped behind his back, and said angrily, “The Ministry of Justice, huh? Excellent. I never knew my Ministry of Justice handled cases so recklessly.”
Consort Xian advised, “Your Majesty, please quell your anger. If they must summon him, then let them. Our Fifth Prince is undoubtedly innocent. What is there to fear?”
The emperor glanced at her and replied, “Naturally, I have ways to prove Fifth’s innocence. But beneath the imperial city, who is plotting against my son?”
This was not merely a scheme but a wolf’s ambition concealed within.
Who had such precise knowledge of Li Fuxiang’s movements?
Who possessed the audacity and capability to infiltrate Minister Chen’s residence, kill the eldest miss of the Chen family without alarming anyone, and leave undetected?
And who was brazen enough to pin the blame on his son, Li Fuxiang?
Did they not understand the consequences if their plot was exposed?
Before Li Fuxiang departed for the Ministry of Justice, Gao Yuexing went to the palace to see him.
Li Fuxiang stood at the palace gate, holding his “Shenwu” blade, waiting.
Before the carriage had come to a complete stop, Gao Yuexing leapt off in haste.
Li Fuxiang extended his arms and caught her securely.
Gao Yuexing’s beautiful eyes were filled with panic. “How… how could this happen?”
After catching her, Li Fuxiang did not let go but instead held her tightly, gently stroking her back. “Don’t be afraid.”
How could Gao Yuexing not be afraid? A well-prepared conspiracy had already ensnared Li Fuxiang, and every detail tugged at her unease.
Li Fuxiang repeated, “Don’t be afraid. During this time, don’t go out, don’t watch, and don’t listen. When I return to the palace, I’ll immediately send a carriage to pick you up.”
The carriage carrying Gao Yuexing to the palace stopped at the gate and turned around; it was about to take Li Fuxiang to the Ministry of Justice.
Gao Yuexing grabbed Li Fuxiang’s sleeve. “What can I do to help you?”
Li Fuxiang replied gently, “Just wait for me.”
The sound of the carriage wheels rolling over the stone-paved road echoed softly.
Once again, Gao Yuexing felt utterly at a loss.
The glazed tiles on the palace roofs shimmered in the summer sunlight, reflecting a crystalline brilliance, yet they only made her feel cold to the core.
Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder. “Long time no see, Miss Gao.”
The voice was somewhat unfamiliar, and Gao Yuexing didn’t feel inclined to respond. She hesitated for a moment before slowly turning her head to see who it was.
What caught her eye first was the flamboyant Feiyu robe, followed by the simple yet chilling embroidered spring blade.
Gao Yuexing’s lips parted slightly. “Xi Heng?”
After several years, Xi Heng’s stubble remained, deliberately left as it was.
Xi Heng said, “So, you still remember me.”
Gao Yuexing replied, “Of course I remember. How could I forget?”
Xi Heng: “What are you standing here dazed for?”
Gao Yuexing: “Why ask when you already know? You must be aware of what’s weighing on my heart the most right now.”
Xi Heng cast her a disdainful glance. “I always thought you were sharp, but at critical moments, you just have to get stuck in a dead end!”
Gao Yuexing lowered her head, staring at the light and shadow on the ground before her toes—half bright, half dim. She murmured, “I am stubborn because the person in my heart cannot afford even the slightest mishap.”
Xi Heng shook his head at her. “Ah, the earnest feelings of youth. Truly moving.”
Gao Yuexing: “There’s no need to persuade me. I know what I’m doing.” She gave him a polite bow, excused herself, and turned to leave.
Xi Heng spoke up. “I’ll take you home.”
Instead of taking a carriage, Xi Heng rode a horse while Gao Yuexing sat on its back. They avoided the official roads, taking the quieter paths outside the city.
The wind caught her words as Gao Yuexing spoke. “I can’t figure it out. Could the purpose of killing Miss Chen really be just to frame Li Fuxiang?”
Xi Heng: “Choosing someone with past grievances against the young prince, someone whose relationship with him is unclear, makes it easiest to cast him into the flames of public outrage. This is the most basic method of framing.”
Gao Yuexing: “Then why did they specifically choose Miss Chen?”
Xi Heng slowed his horse’s pace and leaned down to ask, “Do you have another theory?”
Gao Yuexing’s eyes regained their composure in the wind. “…I suspect that killing Miss Chen must bring the murderer additional benefits.”
Xi Heng considered her words calmly and said, “Your perspective is sharp, but it always points us toward new possibilities.”
As they approached the bustling market ahead, Xi Heng dismounted and steadied the horse so Gao Yuexing could remain seated. Leading the horse, he walked her to the gates of the Gao residence.
Gao Yuexing said, “Thank you.”
Xi Heng helped her off the horse and said, “No need to thank me. Let me leave you with one final thought: throughout the entire capital, when it comes to solving cases, your father is unmatched. The Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Jinyiwei—they’re all useless. This case will only be unraveled and the truth revealed in your father’s hands.”
Gao Yuexing understood the deeper meaning behind his words and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Lord Xi, for your guidance.”
The night watchman who claimed to have seen Li Fuxiang riding alone past Minister Chen’s backyard did not realize the weight of Li Fuxiang’s noble status. Recently released from house arrest and still recovering from illness, it was impossible for the emperor to allow him to roam the city unaccompanied.
The eight elite guards of the Jinyiwei were always by Li Fuxiang’s side. At a critical moment, they could testify on his behalf, but the laws of the dynasty deemed testimonies from close associates as reference material, not admissible evidence.
Thus, if the case were to be thoroughly investigated, no detail could be overlooked.
Li Fuxiang visited the Ministry of Justice and emerged unscathed. While suspicion lingered, the Ministry of Justice couldn’t extract any useful information and had no grounds to detain him. Similarly, they couldn’t clear his name due to a lack of solid evidence.
As Xi Heng had predicted, the following day, the case was transferred to the Dali Court under the command of Gao Jing. He was tasked with uncovering the truth behind Miss Chen’s death and bringing the murderer to justice.
Li Fuxiang, keeping his promise, sent a carriage to the Gao residence after leaving the palace to fetch Gao Yuexing. However, this time, she didn’t arrive. Instead, a carriage from the Gao residence came bearing an official from the Dali Court. The official, though holding a minor position and appearing to be a civil servant, exuded an unyielding demeanor. He saluted Li Fuxiang with a cupped fist gesture. “Your Highness, I am a registrar of the Dali Court. On orders from my superior, I must request your presence at the court.”
Li Fuxiang boarded the carriage.
This time, he didn’t fetch anyone but instead delivered himself to the court. He could foresee what awaited him at the Dali Court, but he wasn’t afraid. He only regretted not seeing Gao Yuexing before heading in.
Gao Jing, following the imperial decree, personally interrogated Li Fuxiang. The questions were similar to those asked at the Ministry of Justice but conducted with greater intensity. The Dali Court was far more forceful than the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice dared not act against him, but the Dali Court could.
As such, Gao Jing detained him under the label of “highly suspicious.” However, with the truth still unclear, Li Fuxiang was not a convicted criminal and couldn’t be imprisoned. Instead, the Dali Court prepared a room designated for holding witnesses and had him stay there.
The emperor did not intervene.
That evening, Gao Jing returned home. As he pushed open the door to his study, he found Gao Yuexing waiting quietly with a cup of tea.
Gao Jing paused. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Gao Yuexing replied, “I was waiting for you, Father!”
A doting father could never refuse his daughter’s care.
Even though Gao Jing knew his sly little fox of a daughter had ulterior motives, his heart still felt warm, tinged with helplessness and a slight ache.
He gently tapped her forehead, deliberately putting on a stern face. “You… all this for a man.”
Gao Yuexing smiled and said, “For a lifetime, just this one. Father, do you think he is worthy of my trust?”
Gao Jing replied, “Like you, he’s been a fox since he was a child. Foxes can’t be trusted for life. You need to find an honest bear.”
Gao Yuexing hadn’t expected her father to still have the energy to tease her even now. She let out a soft laugh and cheerfully replied, “Your daughter doesn’t like bears. Your daughter only likes clever and cunning foxes like herself!”
Gao Jing sighed again and said, “Extreme cleverness can lead to harm, child. Two hedgehogs huddling together for warmth will inevitably hurt each other, but two foxes living together can find happiness. The truth of life lies in the art of feigned ignorance. Sometimes, when two people are too intelligent, it doesn’t always lead to good outcomes.”
Gao Yuexing lit the lamp on her father’s desk.
Gao Jing had assumed that his brilliant and opinionated daughter would dismiss his old-fashioned wisdom, but as her father, there were things he felt compelled to say. To his surprise, Gao Yuexing not only listened but responded, “Father is right. I understand the truth in your words. Life is difficult, and if I can have him by my side in this lifetime, I’m willing to serve and play the fool, just as you said—feigned ignorance is a rare virtue.”
Gao Jing was deeply moved. “Ah Xing…”
Gao Yuexing asked, “May I ask Father a question?”
Gao Jing replied, “Go ahead.”
She asked, “What was it like when you and Mother fell in love?”
This was a secret belonging to her parents, something Gao Yuexing had never known—neither in her previous life nor this one.
Gao Jing hesitated to discuss it but softened when he saw the eager look in her eyes.
The first tenderness in his heart came from his wife. Although they weren’t childhood sweethearts, it was close. They met when their lives were modest, before Gao Jing had achieved success. Similarly, the Gao family hadn’t yet risen to prominence.
One was a poor scholar; the other, the daughter of a poor scholar.
Gao Jing copied books to support himself, while Madam Gao copied books to fund her younger brother’s education and sustain her family.
Their love came to fruition not only because of mutual affection but also with the support of their families.
Perhaps others wouldn’t understand, but Gao Jing knew better than anyone: love has the power to make people peaceful and kind.
Gao Yuexing seemed to have already made up her mind.
As she said, life in this world is difficult, and so is love. If she could have him by her side in this lifetime, she was willing to serve and play the fool. Feigned ignorance is a rare virtue.
Moonlight poured through the window.
Two young hearts—one at the Gao residence and one at the Dali Court.
They were still too young to grasp the profound wisdom in the phrase “feigned ignorance is a rare virtue,” yet they had instinctively learned it.
Gao Yuexing knew how to play the role of a noblewoman, a beautiful fool. She had been such a person in her previous life and had already decided. When Li Fuxiang grew up and became a responsible man, she would put away all her schemes and sharp edges, leaving everything to him.
Li Fuxiang was no different. His tiger’s fangs were gradually growing sharper, his wings fuller by the day. He knew Gao Yuexing’s soft spots better than anyone. Her heart softened for him outside the Xiaonan Pavilion, for the obedient, pitiful boy in need of protection. Thus, he kept that vulnerable mask on, unwilling to discard it completely.
Their love, unnoticed even by themselves, surged and brewed in their hearts for many years, becoming a vintage wine.
The wine may not intoxicate, but those who drink it are drunk nonetheless.