Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 13 The Mysterious Guest
A look of confusion flashed in Linglan's eyes for a moment. She turned to look at Zhang Xun and shook her head.

"Third Young Master, everything I have said is true, and I have not lied. I do not understand what Miss Zhou means."

Her words were sincere, and her expression was quite frank. Zhang Xun couldn't help but believe her a little. He was about to say something when he met Zhou Zhao's gaze, and he quickly backed down.

Zhang Xun awkwardly touched his nose and stood obediently to the side, forgetting even to wipe away the tears on his face.

He wasn't familiar with Zhou Zhao, but he was familiar with Su Changying, the former Marquis of Lu!

That kid has been unbeatable among his peers since childhood. Now, among the sons of meritorious families who have risen up with His Majesty, which one hasn't been slapped by Su Changying? Even such brave heroes are like little chicks when they see Zhou Zhao.

Who does he think he is, daring to argue with Zhou Zhao?
“Last night, when I first saw the deceased, I did not recognize her as Zhang Ruoqing. Firstly, because her face was covered in blood, and secondly, because I had never seen you near her before.”

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he walked up to Linglan.

"Didn't you say that I met your young lady Zhang Ruoqing just yesterday? It was at a banquet at the Marquis of Lin'an's residence. When your young lady was walking around in public, she was accompanied by a maid with a round face and a very endearing smile."

"Her usual carriage wasn't this ordinary; it had a copper bell hanging on it that would make a soft tinkling sound. You could smell the fragrance of orchids from afar. The driver was an elderly man with a slight limp, not the Brother Tan you mentioned."

"Zhang Ruoqing's good deeds are known throughout the court and the public. The old man and his family encountered a snake in the mountains and were saved by Zhang Ruoqing, who was looking out from a high place."

"The old man was grateful and stayed by her side as her driver."

Both were prominent figures in Chang'an, both were rumored to be candidates for the Crown Princess, and both were young women from noble families.

Zhou Zhao asked herself, although she and Zhang Ruoqing were not on the same path, this city was both very big and very small, and they had far too many opportunities to meet at banquets.

Even if she didn't know the names of the people around Zhang Ruoqing, she was still familiar with them.

Moreover, Zhang Ruoqing is a person of great renown.

Chen Yuzhao became increasingly confused as he listened, and he asked Zhou Zhao curiously, "How did you know all this?"

Zhou Zhao didn't answer, but Min Cangzhi sneered. He pointed to his ears and said, "Does it even need to be known? Even a deaf dog could bark and tell you all about Miss Zhang's affairs!"

"This good news is like a northwest wind, blowing into people's brains, it's hard not to remember it."

Min Zangzhi spoke very rudely, and Zhang Xun and Chen Yuzhao's expressions both turned somewhat unpleasant.

As Zhou Zhao listened, he gave Min Cangzhi a look that suggested he was looking at a warrior, and then looked intently at Linglan.

"Yesterday was the anniversary of my elder brother's death, so I went to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence and left in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. I didn't even have time to say a word to Zhang Ruoqing; we just nodded to each other."

“You didn’t go with her, yet you know she met me at the banquet. This shows that your daughter isn’t completely secretive about everything she does.”

Linglan's expression changed slightly. Sensing Zhou Zhao's imposing aura as he leaned closer, she couldn't help but lean back slightly.

"That's why I say that part of your testimony is a lie."

"To prevent her secret from being discovered, Zhang Ruoqing had two carriages, two drivers, and two maids. And you, Linglan, were specifically brought along to these shady places, weren't you?" "If you truly knew nothing, how dare you take the drivers to the tavern to listen to storytelling, leaving a girl known as the most beautiful woman, powerless and helpless, alone in a deserted alley? Who gave you the audacity? And who gave Zhang Tan this courage?"

When Zhang Tan, the coachman at the door, heard his name called, his legs went weak and he knelt down.

He lowered his head, his eyes somewhat unfocused. When he saw Zhang Xun looking at him angrily, he quickly avoided his gaze and fell face down on the ground with a thud.

“You dared to do this because you know who Zhang Ruoqing wanted to meet in Ghost Alley last night, and this isn’t the first time she’s met with someone in private, and she’s sent you away.”

Linglan and Zhang Tan went to listen to a storyteller without worrying at all that Zhang Ruoqing would call them in to serve her or leave early.

This kind of behavior clearly indicates that the person is already skilled.

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he leaned close to Linglan's ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Didn't you deliberately put that wooden plaque in Zhang Ruoqing's hand, just waiting for this moment?"

Upon hearing this, Linglan stiffened, her pupils contracted sharply, and she looked up to meet Zhou Zhao's gaze.

Before she could speak, Zhang Xun rushed over like a madman. He drew his long sword from his waist and held it to Linglan's neck, his eyes red as he asked, "Why did you lie? Why did Ruoqing come to Wujin Lane last night?"

"If you don't talk, I'll cut your head off."

His hand trembled, and he slashed a bloody gash across Linglan's neck.

Seeing that Linglan wouldn't open her mouth, Zhang Xun was furious and wanted to continue to exert force, but he found that a sword had appeared on his neck at some point.

He felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, instantly calming him down. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Zhu Li's expressionless face.

"Zhu Li, let him go! There's a fool who wants to kill someone in front of the Court of Justice and the Northern Army, as if he's afraid he won't die fast enough. You have to grant his wish. Our Great Qi doesn't have the spare grain to support useless people!"

As Min Cangzhi spoke, she used her feather fan to push away Zhu Li's longsword and made a few sarcastic clicks at Zhang Xun.

Zhang Xun blushed and immediately sheathed his longsword.

He glared angrily at Linglan, "If you don't give me some explanation, I'll..."

Linglan's lips moved. She looked deeply at Zhou Zhao, then at Zhang Xun, and hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with a troubled expression, "My young lady last night... last night was to see Han Ze, the fifth young master of the Han family."

The Imperial Household Department was responsible for the royal family's daily life, including food, clothing, shelter, hunting, and entertainment. It also had a large number of artisans under its command.

Zhou Zhao listened with some surprise, "Why did Zhang Ruoqing choose to meet Han Ze in a deserted alley late at night?"

No noblewoman doesn't love beauty, especially a girl like Zhang Ruoqing who is famous for her beauty. It's not unusual for someone from the Xun Shaofu family to want to find craftsmen to make jewelry and clothing in secret, so there's no need for them to be so secretive.

Linglan glanced at Zhang Xun again before saying, "I don't know the specifics."

“The young lady has many friends and usually has three places for entertainment and entertaining guests. She holds grand banquets at Fuxiao Garden in Yong'an Ward, elegant banquets at Haitang Tower in Kunyu Ward, and private gatherings at Wujin Lane… Gentlemen, why don’t you ask Young Master Han?”

(End of this chapter)