Chapter 101

“I’m called Nuoyi.”

The woman in the white and pink qipao smiled gently, sitting beside the round table in the living room, her snow-white fingers pressing against the pink handkerchief.

The steward excitedly pointed at Nuoyi and said, “This is the most beautiful young lady in our Wind Moon City.”

“Yes.” Xu Heran stood behind Xin Nuo, both hands resting on her shoulders, raising an eyebrow. “She’s my sister-in-law.”

“Your sister-in-law?” The detective “oh”ed, then said to the steward, “Your miss doesn’t look bad either.”

The steward quickly said, “Yes, she’s really not bad.”

“Don’t just say she’s not bad. My brother is dead, and you guys, these damn men, are still here talking about who’s pretty or not!” Xu Heran sat on a stool next to Xin Nuo, patting the table. “You’re here to investigate, so get on with it!”

The detective wiped the sweat from his forehead and whispered, “No wonder she can’t get married with this temper, tsk.”

Nuoyi furrowed her brows slightly and said to Xu Heran, “Azhu, don’t talk to the detective like that. We should be polite.”

“Okay.” The young lady who had just been domineering immediately sat up straight and politely said to the detective, “Please proceed quickly.”

Detective: “…”

At Zhao Mansion’s banquet last night, Zhao Dashao gathered friends and made merry all night long. In the early morning, a sober maid found the young master dead in the garden. The suspects included the young master’s wife, his sister, the steward, and maids in the mansion, as well as the friends who stayed at Zhao Mansion last night.

Xu Heran said to the maid, “I suspect you’re the murderer. I didn’t hear you scream in terror!”

The dog, Wang Wang, rolled its eyes towards the sky.

“Detective, see, she’s slandering me as soon as she comes up!” The maid with the surname Jiang had teary eyes. “I shouted so loudly that everyone within ten miles could hear me!”

The detective sighed, “Alright, alright, let me interrogate her!”

“Your brother is dead, and you’re not sad?” the detective asked Xu Heran.

Xu Heran toyed with the riding whip in her hand and smirked.

“I’m sad.”

Zhao Pearl, who seemed sad, had a smile on her face. “I’m usually reserved with my emotions. I don’t like people seeing through me.”

Detective: “…”

The detective turned to look at the wife of the deceased. “Aren’t you sad either?”

Xin Nuo clenched the handkerchief tightly and sighed.

“The lady is quite subtle too.” The detective shook his head, gestured with his large hand. “Search for evidence! I’m determined to catch the murderer!”

Xu Heran crossed her legs and leaned back on the sofa, chuckling.

The detective huffed, “I see you as the murderer.”

“Believe what you want.” Xu Heran responded with an indifferent expression.

“Calm down, detective, calm down.” The steward patted the detective’s back obsequiously and laughed. “You should know that when the young master died, the miss became the head of the household! Everything in this house now belongs to the young lady… including your payment.”

Detective: “…Ahem.”

“Miss, please.” The detective and the steward bowed together, asking the young lady to stand up.

“Heh, men.”

Xu Heran picked up the riding whip from the table, flicked the hem of her clothes with her fingers, and looked around with a smile.

“Since everything in this house now belongs to me, then…” She reached out to Xin Nuo, “Does that mean… my sister-in-law is mine too?”

Everyone: “???”

“I always found it strange. She came up and said she doesn’t like men. I think there’s something wrong with the young lady!” The detective exclaimed loudly. “Is she attracted to women? Does she like her sister-in-law?”

The other three immediately rushed forward to cover his mouth.

Jiang Qiong: “Detective, you can’t spread such rumors. Don’t tarnish our young lady’s reputation!”

“Wuwuwuwuwuwu?”

Tarnish her reputation? As if I would.

Young friend: “Don’t slander the girl’s reputation!”

“Wuwuwu?”

Slander?

Steward: “Payment, think about the payment.”

Detective: “Wuwuwu.”

Fine.

The three of them let go, intending to walk towards the crime scene, but they saw a young woman ahead wearing riding attire. She was already tall, and her long legs were even more prominent now. She leisurely adjusted her clothes and then extended her long arm to wrap around the slender waist of the woman beside her.

Qipao, well, it naturally highlights the advantages of a woman’s figure.

The person being embraced was caught off guard. Their shoulder lightly bumped against Xu Heran’s chest. She raised her head, her side profile delicate, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth, her long eyelashes reflecting the light inside the tent.

“Fool.” The girl lifted her handkerchief and waved it in front of Xu Heran, the soft fabric brushing against the girl’s lowered nose, carrying a light fragrance mixed with a hint of fruity scent.

“I’m supporting my sister-in-law.” Xu Heran said in a warm tone.

Others: “…”

All three raised their hands in unison, covering the detective’s mouth.

Detective: “???”

I didn’t say anything!

Inside the tent, there were six rooms, including the deceased’s, as well as the crime scene—a beautiful garden.

In the center of the garden, the remnants of last night’s banquet were scattered around, cups and bottles askew.

Xu Heran stood with her hands on her hips and said to the young maidservant who was helping her and Xin Nuo collect evidence, “Look at this, how lazy can you be with your work!”

“I knew you were always lazy, can’t even handle this bit of work properly!”

Jiang Qiong said in a pitiful tone, “Miss, I wanted to come and clean. After all, I saw that the young master was gone.”

“Yes, Zhuzhu, don’t be so harsh.” Xin Nuo had already begun collecting evidence. “Haven’t I told you often to understand the situation before drawing conclusions?”

Xu Heran immediately put her hand down and said to Jiang Qiong, “Alright, I got it.”

“You should be glad Nuonuo got ahead of you.” Jiang Qiong made a gesture of “I’ve got my eye on you” towards Xu Heran, and the maidservants went their separate ways.

The maidservant collecting evidence in the young friend’s room turned to Xu Heran, who was collecting evidence across from her, and said, “Miss, you don’t know how difficult it is for us servants. The young master is stingy, barely gives us a bit of monthly allowance. We eat less than pigs and work more than donkeys, getting up to work before dawn and sleeping in the middle of the night.”

“Less than Zhuzhu?” Xu Heran repeated, pushing down a photo on the table where Xin Nuo and her brother were pouting together. She casually said, “From now on, this household is mine. I’ll give you a monthly allowance, time off, work five days a week, nine to five, and I’ll even get you insurance.”

“Thank you, Miss!” Jiang Qiong exclaimed with a joyful smile. “Is there a bonus, Miss? Can we travel abroad every year? And also, do we have insurance in this era?”

Xu Heran waved her hand, “That’s our next business plan. Since our family runs a fabric shop, we’ll close it down and sell insurance!”

“I think that’s a good idea.” Jiang Qiong encouraged Xu Heran, “You truly are our Miss, you’ve got a head for business.”

She genuinely praised Xu Heran, definitely not because of the raise.

“By the way, Miss, we need to be careful selling insurance. If your brother buys like he does, we’ll end up paying more!”

Xu Heran nodded, “True.”

“You two are getting along so well. Be careful she’s the murderer. Not only won’t you have nine-to-five and insurance, but you won’t even have that basic salary.” Xin Nuo said from the room next to Xu Heran’s.

Jiang Qiong widened her eyes in shock.

Xu Heran leaned against the railing, smiled and reached out, touching her sister-in-law’s cheek.

“What’s wrong? Jealous of me chatting with the maidservant?” Xu Heran laughed playfully, “And even accusing me of being the murderer?”

“Are you? You know deep down.” Xin Nuo slapped away Xu Heran’s hand, laughing, “Get off me, I’m suspecting you.”

“You were suspicious of me from the start.”

Xu Heran snorted, turned around, “Why wouldn’t you suspect me when you searched me?”

Xin Nuo picked up peanuts from the table and threw them at Xu Heran’s head, “You act as if you weren’t searching me.”

Xu Heran plucked the peanuts from her head, peeled one open, tossed the peanut into the air, and caught it in her mouth as she chewed, saying, “Be more cautious. I searched your double room with your husband.”

Xin Nuo glanced at her.

A certain little pearl rolled up her sleeves, sneering.

“Watch me search your double room from top to bottom!”

The three-girl evidence search team went wild searching. Xu Heran not only had to search Xin Nuo’s room, but was also called over by Xin Nuo to help search her own.

“I can’t bend over easily.” Xin Nuo whispered, “Who made you insist on me wearing the qipao? I told you I’d wear a dress.”

Xu Heran obediently lay on the ground, reaching under the bed for a box. She looked up at Xin Nuo and smiled, “I just like you in a qipao.”

She pinched out the locked box, threw it onto the bed, and said, “Here.”

“Don’t ‘here’ me, what’s the password?” Xin Nuo took the opportunity to ask.

“Sweetheart, do you want me to just tell you what’s inside?” Xu Heran stood at the door with her hands on her hips.

Xin Nuo smiled, “Sure.”

“Figure it out yourself!”

Xu Heran wasn’t falling for it. She turned and walked toward the garden. Jiang Qiong, on the opposite side, was recording with her phone and clicked her tongue, “There’s definitely a murderer among these two. Looking at how sweet they are after their husband’s death, is Zhao Zhenzhu crossdressing as a man?”

“You’re the one crossdressing!” Xu Heran stood in the garden and shouted loudly, “Who wants to be a smelly man!”

“Just you, just you, it’s you!”

Jiang Qiong put down her phone, joined Xu Heran to search the garden. Xin Nuo came out of Xu Heran’s room, wearing white high heels. Xu Heran hurried to assist her, saying, “Come on, take a look at the state your husband’s in.”

“Such a sight.” Xin Nuo laughed and patted Xu Heran’s arm, “Step aside.”

“Tsk tsk tsk.” Jiang Qiong squatted on the ground, patting the mannequin, “Look, your wife is playfully acting spoiled toward your sister.”

“Who’s acting spoiled?” Xin Nuo said in confusion, “This little maidservant has been weird from the start, sell her off.”

Xu Heran immediately said, “Sell her off, sell her off.”

“Pah!” Jiang Qiong’s anger surged, and she stood between the two of them, “Let’s just go like this!”

“Alright, alright.” Xin Nuo put her arm around Jiang Qiong’s shoulder.

The dog barked triumphantly at Xu Heran.

Xu Heran’s gaze was indulgent, her tone gentle, “I think we look like a little family of three.”

“You’re the dog offspring.”

Jiang Qiong: “???”

“You’re the dog offspring! You’re dead! Stop right there!”

“Stop!”

Xu Heran and Jiang Qiong playfully ran away from the scene. Xin Nuo walked slowly behind, opened the folding fan in her hand, smiled, turned her head, and glanced at the garden.

In the garden, the mannequin lay pitifully on the ground, lonely.

“Husband, you died so well,” Xin Nuo chuckled softly, her voice very low.

“Nuo—sister-in-law!”

Xu Heran returned to the scene at some point, standing by the exit, extending her hand towards Xin Nuo. Xin Nuo smiled slightly, walked forward, placed her hand in Xu Heran’s palm, and as the camera rotated, they left behind the silhouette of them holding hands and walking away.

Evidence collection concluded, deduction began.

Maidservant Jiang Xiaoqiong took the stage, cleared her throat, and slammed the evidence onto the table.

Except for Xu Heran and Xin Nuo at the table, the other three men shivered in fear.

Xin Nuo calmly took a sip of water.

“Friends, don’t be fooled by the deep bond between Miss and sister-in-law, their affectionate gestures. In reality, they have a pure relationship of sister-in-law and younger sister!”

Xu Heran touched her fingertips together, her gaze shifting, sweeping over Xin Nuo’s profile beside her, and finally settling on Jiang Qiong.

“Otherwise?” Xu Heran smiled faintly, “What do you think our relationship is?”

Jiang Qiong sneered and slammed the table again, “I found intimate correspondence between him and the lady in the room of Young Master’s good friend. These two have been exchanging love letters since two years ago! ‘Every day I miss you, you miss me. I want to be with you!'”

Xu Heran followed with a cold smile, her sharp gaze fixed on the man across from her, “Aren’t you afraid of losing your head?”

“But now, it’s not me who lost my life.” The young man said, “The lady and I still have a chance.”

Xu Heran’s smile turned even colder.

Xin Nuo smiled gently.

“This young man, eloquent and courteous, but well, he’s very poor. He can only rely on the Young Master’s support. However, the Young Master isn’t supporting him out of kindness, but because he wants the young man to pass the exam to become the head of the bank in Fengliu City, and then replace him. That’s their deal,” Jiang Qiong said, “I found his exam results. This young man just received the news of passing the exam this week.”

“Does my brother know?” Xu Heran asked.

The young man nodded, “The banquet last night was to celebrate this.”

The butler pulled out a newspaper, “It’s not a replacement. He took the exam using Young Master’s identity. The newspaper has already published the news that our Young Master is about to be promoted to Bank Supervisor.”

The detective said, “I see.”

“So, you hate him,” Jiang Qiong said to the young man, “You and the lady have known each other since childhood, childhood sweethearts. After being apart for a long time, she’s now a married woman. You know she’s not living well, and this man is also exploiting you, using you.”

“I had no choice,” the young man said. “I was too poor. I wanted to survive. In order to have money for education, I had to rely on him. But I can’t kill him, can I? That would be repaying kindness with enmity.”

Xu Heran raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

“Your love for sister-in-law is just this much,” she sneered.

“I love her calmly,” the young man said. “When I save enough money, I will take her away. After all, I have knowledge and ability. What I’ve learned is my own.”

“Well, do you think you can take her away? Can she leave?” Xu Heran presented evidence, “My brother found out about your connection. So, these past few days, he’s been getting more and more aggressive towards my sister-in-law.”

Xu Heran grabbed Xin Nuo’s hand, showing everyone the bruises hidden in her sleeve, “These were caused by my brother.”

“The family knows that my brother hit my sister-in-law a couple of days ago. He even said he would kill you both. I don’t believe you didn’t know,” Xu Heran asked him, “Don’t you want to do something?”

The young man hastily said, “I really didn’t intend to kill him.”

“I want to take Nuo Yi away.”

Xu Heran turned her head and said to Xin Nuo, “Useless dog of a man, can’t be trusted.”

Xin Nuo sighed softly and touched her own wounds.

“I grew up in poverty in the countryside, living a life of scarcity. Later, during a famine, my family sold me for food, and I became a dancer in Fengliu City,” Xin Nuo said softly. “Thank the heavens for granting me some beauty, caught the eye of Zhao’s young master, and he married me.”

“At that time, I naively thought I’d have a good life. But little did I know, not long after he married me, he looked down on my humble status, said I wasn’t respectable enough.”

“Why didn’t you two get a divorce?” the detective asked.

Xu Heran whispered, “Because my brother can’t conceive. He keeps my sister-in-law around, pretends to be deeply in love with her, and spreads rumors outside that my sister-in-law can’t conceive, covering up his own incapability. Everyone thinks my brother deeply loves my sister-in-law, that he’s a good man.”

The young man immediately said, “This so-called good man, actually messes around outside and even flirts with the maids at home!”

He searched the maid’s room, and Xu Heran and Xin Nuo immediately looked at Jiang Qiong.

“Ah, annoying!” the dog-like voice said, covering its face, “I haven’t agreed to it.”

“I’m a blossoming flower at twenty-eight, and I didn’t expect to marry so early,” Jiang Qiong playfully drew circles on the table with her finger, “or become a mistress.”

“You’re sixteen?” Xu Heran was shocked.

Xin Nuo raised an eyebrow, “Is it that you don’t want to get married or that you don’t want to become a mistress?”

“Annoying! Don’t ask me such profound questions!” Jiang Qiong bashfully threw a flirtatious glance at Xin Nuo.

Xu Heran rolled up her sleeves, “Where’s my whip?”

“Help!”

Xin Nuo sighed and touched her cheek, “Getting old.”

“You married Zhao’s young master at twenty, and ten years have passed, but the lady is still as young and beautiful as before,” the butler patted his goatee.

Xu Heran held Xin Nuo’s hand, “You’re the most beautiful woman in my heart.”

The young man looked left and right.

“Did someone steal my lines?”

The detective chuckled and patted the young man’s shoulder. “Maybe that’s why she doesn’t want to run away with you.”

Now it’s Xin Nuo’s turn. “I searched the person I trust most in this house, my younger sister, Zhao Zhenzhu.”

“When I married into this family, Zhenzhu was only ten years old. I raised her since she was young, and she relied on me a lot,” Xin Nuo looked at Xu Heran, her voice gentle.

“Mhm.”

Xu Heran moved forward and sat down, speaking softly, “Let me continue.”

“I lost my mother at a young age, and my father wandered around aimlessly. He soon fell ill and passed away, and my brother didn’t care about me.”

“It wasn’t until he got married that I gained a beautiful, kind, and gentle sister-in-law,” Xu Heran smiled, her eyes lighting up.

“She treated me very well, sewing beautiful clothes for me, braiding my hair nicely, cooking delicious meals for me. When I was sick, she stayed up all night with me, praying to the gods to keep me safe.” Xu Heran’s fingers twitched as he slowly curled them up. “She was with me for ten years.”

“They say a sister-in-law is like a mother, but in my heart, my sister-in-law is like a mother, a sister, like…”

A wife.

Her eyes curved, and she licked her lips, suddenly looking at Xin Nuo, her gaze fiery.

“Since I was a child, I swore in my heart. She treated me well, and when I grew up, I would protect her for a lifetime.”

Xin Nuo’s body tensed slightly and then relaxed her shoulders slowly.

“So, that’s why you worked so hard.”

“Yes, my brother always mocked me, saying that women in this world are suppressed by men everywhere. But I wouldn’t accept that. I was determined to study well, learn the ways of business, practice horseback riding and archery. Whatever men can do, I want to do. I had only one goal in my heart—to replace my brother and kick him out.”

The detective asked, “When did you start feeling dissatisfied with your brother?”

Xu Heran said, “Since I discovered he treated my sister-in-law badly, often abusing her.”

“Of course, that was in the past. These years he hasn’t dared to, because I grew up. His body was drained by alcohol and women, he’s not a match for me at all.” Xu Heran leaned back in her seat, her eyes filled with disdain. “Just a useless waste. Good riddance.”

“Of course, solving cases with a detective is a waste of my money!”

The detective immediately said, “But you can’t skimp on my fee.”

“Rest assured, from now on, this house is mine. With me in charge, the Zhao family will only get better,” Xu Heran suddenly slammed the table and looked at the young man across from him. “With me around, you won’t be able to take Nuo Yi away!”

Jiang Qiong intentionally remarked, “Oh no, we’ve got another person to kill.”

“It really wasn’t me!” the young man yelled.

The first round of reasoning and voting ended, and the group started a second round of evidence gathering.

In the garden, the detective found a microphone and exclaimed, “You were singing last night?”

“Yes, singing and dancing,” the young man said. “The young master even wanted Nuo Yi to perform for everyone, but I talked him out of it.”

The butler said, “Yes, at that time, I was serving drinks. Because of this matter, the young master got angry and scolded the young man, saying he’s like a toad wanting to eat swan meat. He doesn’t even realize his own worth. The things he doesn’t want, he wouldn’t let him touch even if he’s dead.”

“Oh?” the detective squinted.

“By the way, Nuo Yi, you used to be a famous dancer in Fengliu City, right?” the butler said. “Would you like to dance a piece for everyone?”

Xin Nuo smiled, “Then I’ll need to bring out my musician.”

Xu Heran immediately raised her hand and walked to the microphone.

“I’ll sing.”

Holding the microphone, she started singing to Xin Nuo, “You’re breaking my heart tonight”

“Don’t leave me on the side.”

Xin Nuo: “?”

“You sing properly for me, it’s for promotion!”

Xu Heran and Xin Nuo were participating in the show “Crazy Interpretation” this time to promote their TV drama “Winds Rising in Changyang.”

“Sigh.” Xu Heran sighed and grabbed the microphone.

“Amidst the beauty of the moon and the elegance of the thousand miles, the poet finds his delight in wine. After a leisurely chat, where does one go when drunk?”

The enchanting female voice instantly drew everyone into a world of indulgence. Xin Nuo, now in a dress, danced gracefully like a butterfly, her eyes sparkling as she exchanged glances with the singer, her gaze shifting gracefully.

“Truly the top dancer of the famous Fengliu City, whose smile was worth a fortune!” the butler exclaimed with applause.

“Please also pay attention to our new drama, ‘Winds Rising in Changyang,’ which includes scenes from before I became a dancer,” Xin Nuo said with a smile.

“So, ‘Winds Rising in Changyang’ is a documentary?” Jiang Qiong intentionally said.

Xu Heran held the microphone lazily, “Indeed, ‘Winds Rising in Changyang’ is a documentary. Then, is ‘As You Wish’ a martial arts variety show?”

Dog Woof Woof: “…”

“Help!”

Jiang Qiong grabbed the detective, “Quick, throw her in!”

The trembling detective said, “I can’t take her down!”

The news of Xu Heran knocking down an attacker had shocked not only fans but also others who had repeatedly watched the GIF of the incident and even learned Xu Heran’s moves.

With a triumphant grin, Xu Heran bit her tongue and pulled Xin Nuo away for evidence gathering.

In the second round of evidence gathering, more evidence was found, and everyone’s suspicion towards the young master grew. The letter the young man wrote to Xin Nuo proposing an elopement was discovered by the young master. Outraged, he threatened to punish disloyal women by drowning them in a pig cage during the banquet. As for Xu Heran, her excellence posed a threat to the young master’s position. He intended to marry her off to the countryside to get rid of her. The only daughter of the butler, who had been taken away by human traffickers when young, had returned and was now subjected to the young master’s bullying.

Dog Woof Woof played the role of the bullied girl. The young master told the maid that if she didn’t follow him, he would sell her to a brothel, giving her three days to consider.

Meanwhile, the drunken young master slept in the garden after the party. Anyone could have been the one to kill him; it depended on the timeline and motives.

Xu Heran sneered, “Of course I wanted to kill him. He wanted to marry me off to the countryside, so I’d dare turn him into fertilizer for the fields!”

“You’re fierce.” The detective said shakily, “You’ve been fierce from the beginning.”

“Hmph.” Xu Heran crossed her arms.

“I really didn’t want to kill him. I wanted to take Nuo Yi and leave quickly,” the young man said. “If I killed him and got caught, what would happen to Nuo Yi?”

“She has me,” Xu Heran immediately stated, “Whether he lives or dies, Nuo Yi is still my sister-in-law. And if he dies, Nuo Yi’s life will be better than before.”

Xin Nuo said, “I know he wanted to kill me. I also wanted to kill him. I’ve already prepared poison. You’ve found it, but I haven’t acted yet.” Jiang Qiong and the butler had also prepared weapons.

The detective sighed, “Let’s vote.”

After ten minutes, the voting ended, and the group stood outside the cage.

In the first round of voting, the detective voted for Xu Heran.

Xu Heran remained calm.

“It’s just that you were fierce from the start,” the detective explained.

“I admit it,” Xu Heran said with a smile.

In the second round, the detective voted for the young man.

“Only you have no preparation, no motive, no weapon. Something feels off,” the detective said. “Your beloved woman is going to be killed! Even you are in danger.”

The young man sighed.

Jiang Qiong voted for Xu Heran.

Xu Heran rolled up her sleeves.

“Ah!” Jiang Qiong hid behind Xin Nuo and hugged her.

“Let go,” Xu Heran said immediately.

“Whimper, you’re so fierce.” Jiang Qiong didn’t let go, even holding onto Xin Nuo a bit tighter.

The young man voted for Xu Heran, and Xu Heran voted for the young man.

As the “rivals” met, their eyes turned exceptionally jealous.

The butler voted for the young man.

“It’s a tie!” Jiang Qiong immediately asked Xin Nuo, “Whom did you vote for?”

“No need to ask,” Xu Heran flashed a victorious smile.

Xin Nuo frowned, looking at Xu Heran with a pitying expression.

Xu Heran: “…Really?”

The excited crowd had expressions of watching a spectacle.

“Nuo Yi votes for—young man,” the staff member’s voice sounded in a timely manner.

Amid the young man’s miserable screams, Xu Heran stepped forward, hugged Xin Nuo, and happily said, “I knew it wasn’t you!”

Behind Xin Nuo, Jiang Qiong struggled to say, “Let go, you’re choking me!”

“Not letting you go,” Xu Heran coldly smirked.

“I… was wrong…”

The released barking dog panted heavily.

“So, is the young man really the one who killed the Zhao family’s young master?” the staff member’s voice rose.

Xu Heran suddenly lowered her head, looking at Xin Nuo.

Xin Nuo looked up, wearing an expression of puzzlement and innocence.

“Acting,” Xu Heran reached out and pinched Xin Nuo’s chin.

“I declare, everyone accuse—”

“Failed!”

“Ah!!”

“What?”

“Xu Pearl!” Jiang Qiong tiptoed, grabbing Xu Heran’s ear, “Was it you?”

“The real culprit is…” the staff member paused, “Zhao family’s wife, Nuo Yi.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

“How is that possible?”

The four individuals looked at Xin Nuo in shock, but she remained calm, revealing a gentle smile to the onlooking crowd.

“How could it be you?”

Xin Nuo softly said, “The garden was too noisy last night, and I was burdened with worries. I didn’t sleep all night. Remember how I said I was going to the corridor to clear my mind in the morning? Actually, I went to the garden. I happened to see the drunk young master. He saw me and threatened to kill me, drawing a dagger from his waist.”

“But he was too drunk, fell to the ground, and I grabbed the dagger and killed him. Then I returned to my room to rest.”

“Rest?” the detective said in astonishment, “And you even took a little nap?”

“Yes, I returned to my room in a daze and fell asleep immediately. I had planned to wake up and turn myself in,” Xin Nuo said, “But then Zhenzhu came to find me, woke me up, and happily told me her brother was dead, and I could live a good life with her. I… was moved.”

The crowd’s gaze shifted to Xu Heran, only to see her taking out a handkerchief from her pocket, holding it between her fingers and swinging it in the air, resting it on Xin Nuo’s forehead.

“Take it, be more careful from now on.”

Xin Nuo took off the handkerchief in surprise, “You knew it was me?”

“Hmm?”

The staff member said, “The key evidence is Xin Nuo’s handkerchief, which has the scent of alcohol. Among the evidence you found, during last night’s banquet, the young master brought out a rare vintage wine. The fragrance of the wine is rich and lingers for a long time. When he died, there were shattered wine barrels and remnants of wine nearby. In the early morning, when Nuo Yi committed the murder, the handkerchief dropped into the spilled wine. She picked up the handkerchief and left. By the time the handkerchief dried, it retained the scent of wine. So, when she claimed she hadn’t seen the young master from last night until today, she was lying.”

“You knew it was her?” Jiang Qiong said to Xu Heran, “You’ve been defending her, that’s why you acted so harshly!”

Xu Heran confidently stated, “But I haven’t lied.”

The others were helpless. Indeed, you were just acting fiercely, taking suspicion onto yourself and hiding the handkerchief!

“But I didn’t expect I wouldn’t enter the cage,” Xu Heran clicked her tongue and looked at the young man crying bitterly inside the cage, “It was just one vote short. Thank you, my friend.”

“You’re welcome, wuwuwu.”

“Rest assured, I will definitely treat Nuo Yi well,” Xu Heran hugged Xin Nuo, “I won’t call you ‘sister-in-law’ anymore.”

Xin Nuo lifted her hand and pinched Xu Heran’s face, “Why did you protect me?”

Did she really need to ask?

Xu Heran tilted her head and curled her lips.

“I’ve said it before, you’ve been kind to me. I want to protect you for a lifetime.”

“Zhao Zhenzhu, promise made, promise kept.”

On the second day of “Crazy Interpretation,” as everyone online was engaging in heated discussions about “Peng Ran Xin Dong,” the official release of “Wind Rising in Changyang” premiered on Universal TV and the Universal Video app. On the first day of its release, it broke this year’s viewership record.

Xu Heran looked at her phone, seeing continuous calls from Cui Qi. After pondering for a moment, she pretended not to be there.

“Don’t pretend you’re not there, Xu Heran! I know you’re reading the messages! Answer the phone for me!”

“Xu Heran, you’re done! Just you wait!”

“No worries, Sister Cui. My dear Nuo Nuo has already followed Master Mu for secluded cultivation, leaving me all alone, my little pearl. I’m doing this for the promotion of our TV drama,” Xu Heran smoothly spoke, “You see, the viewership is amazing. You should thank me!”

“No need for a red envelope, just treat the colleagues from the Film and Television Department to a good meal.”

Cui Qi: “Hehe.”

Xu Heran put down her phone guiltily, opened her tablet, and started playing the TV show.

In the deep palace, Princess Changyang of the Zhao Kingdom inherited her father, the Godly Martial Marquis’s extraordinary talents. She possessed unparalleled martial skills and was as beautiful as a flower. The Emperor took her to the capital city and kept her by his side, cultivating a relationship with the Crown Prince.

The fifteen-year-old county princess was mischievous and lively, causing a commotion in the palace. Yet, her presence added a touch of vitality to the otherwise lifeless atmosphere. Only the Empress remained composed on the surface, harboring grievances. The Crown Prince, who was brought under her care at the age of ten but wasn’t her biological child, failed to win the Emperor’s favor. As the other imperial princes matured, the Empress grew anxious.

With the Tiger Seal of the Godly Martial Marquis in hand, guarding the borderlands, whoever gained the favor of his daughter would secure half of the kingdom. Not just the Empress’s faction, various powers were plotting. However, the young county princess was innocent and naive, not adept at political maneuvering. When others flirted with her, she prescribed them eye drops and advised, “Rest well if your eyes hurt.”

One day, the young princess was in high spirits, disguised as a man and sneaked out of the palace to have fun. Along the way, she beat up a few ruffians, took their money pouches, and mingled with the crowd, arriving at the Lefeng District.

The Zhao Kingdom prospered, its people lived in peace and contentment. The capital’s ten-mile-long street was renowned, with pleasure quarters and dance halls where beautiful women gracefully moved.

Changyang kicked away a certain dandy who was trying to steal a seat, snatched his fan, and reclined on a long bench facing the stage, playfully fanning herself.

“I revel in elegance.” With her right hand propping up her head and her legs stretched out, Changyang looked at the four characters elegantly written on the fan.

The dandy, whose face was swollen and bruised from the kick she had delivered, was massaging her legs as she sat on the ground. In a low voice, he said, “I heard that Wen Chun Pavilion has a new stunning beauty. She possesses unparalleled charm and elegance. Young Master of the county seems interested. Perhaps you should go to Wen Chun Pavilion and take a look.”

“Oh?”

The county princess of Changyang raised an eyebrow, yet before she could speak, laughter sounded from afar and approached. The proprietor of the pleasure quarters, holding a fan, walked over with an air of sophistication. Adorned with jewels, her grace remained intact. She playfully touched the tip of the young princess’s nose with her rosy fingertip, laughing in a flirtatious manner as her eyes trembled like fluttering petals.

“Unparalleled charm and elegance?” The proprietress leaned against the county princess as she sat down, fanning her and creating waves of fragrance.

“They’re nothing more than ordinary cosmetics and vulgar powder. Those people understand nothing about unparalleled charm and elegance,” the proprietress batted her eyes charmingly and lightly clapped her hands. “My dear, come out and let everyone see.”

“What defines unparalleled charm? What defines unmatched elegance?”

“Yes.”

Her cold voice was like jade dropping into a spring, creating ripples of white water.

The sound of drums and music played on the stage, and the powder curtain slowly opened, revealing a slender silhouette.

Behind the county princess’s couch, everyone bent over, wide-eyed, craning their necks to look behind the curtain. Only the county princess leisurely shifted her gaze, her eyes moving from her fan to the stage.

Then, her gaze locked onto a pair of pitch-black eyes.

“Thump.”

Her fingertip, the fan that had been raised, now lowered to hang by her side. Through the gaps between the fan’s slats, the woman in red danced gracefully, her water sleeves billowing like clouds, evoking waves of admiration.

Her black eyes resembled the night, her skin like snow, her eyebrows and eyes hiding allure beyond reach.

Beside the county princess, the proprietress of the pleasure quarters asked with a smile, “What do you think?”

The young county princess released her grip, and the fan that bore the words “I revel in elegance” fell to the ground. She stood up, stepping on the fan. The dandy beside her clutched his chest in pain. That fan bore the words personally inscribed by a literary giant of the era!

“Not bad.”

The county princess lifted the tip of her toe, her hands behind her back. For some inexplicable reason, she took a few steps left and right, calmly stating, “Indeed, unparalleled charm and unmatched elegance.”

With that said, she turned around, her hands behind her back, and left the pleasure quarters at a leisurely pace.

The proprietress of the pleasure quarters and the beauty on the stage exchanged a glance, their expressions unclear. At this moment, just as the county princess reached the door, she turned around, touched her chin, and asked, “What’s your name?”

On the stage, the beauty lowered her gaze with a faint smile, “I am called Hongyi.”

“A good name.”

The young county princess raised her thumb, then with her hands behind her back, she skipped out of the door. However, on the stage, Hongyi gazed at her departing figure, her smile fading.

End of Episode 2. Once again, the young county princess, who had snuck out of the palace, squatted on a tree, exchanging a gaze with the woman on the tree who was looking up at her.

“What are you doing?” the young county princess scratched her chin and asked.

“That.” Hongyi lifted her finger, pointing at the cat on the branch.

“It’s your cat.” The young county princess let out a breath, jumped down from the tree, and held the small cat by the nape of its neck, placing it in her arms. “You’re welcome.”

Hongyi’s eyes curved, “I’ll treat you to some candy.”

The young county princess opened her hand, and the slightly cool fingers of the woman pinched a piece of candy and placed it in her palm.

“Thank you.” The young county princess held the candy in her mouth, hopping and skipping away. As she left, she was still thinking.

It’s quite sweet, huh.

The woman in the red attire held the cat and gently stroked the feline in her arms, letting out a soft sigh.

“I desire to ride the wind back, hidden by clouds in the vast sky. The bowstring tight, the sword pardons a thousand miles of the realm. I wish to share a drink with you, stars falling, cicada song, moon setting, the cry of a raven, fine rain. Let’s talk about love in the long wind, and when drunk, we can return…”

As one episode concluded, a clear and melodious singing voice emerged.

On the internet.

“?”

“Wow…”

“A thousand words, but I dare not speak.”

“Um, then let me boldly ask… Director Liu, did you just make a yuri drama?”

Author’s Note:

Cui Qi: Hehe, look at my expression and ask again!

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu

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