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Xing Ruyi held a fruit in her hand, remaining silent for a while.
"Since it's a matter of life and death, the officials will handle it. Even if it causes headaches, it will be Xie Xuan's headache, so why trouble yourself?" The fox approached Xing Ruyi from behind, leaned down, and tidied her hair. "There's something else I want to discuss with you."
"What is it?" Xing Ruyi looked up, only to be unexpectedly kissed on the forehead by the fox.
Li Mao chuckled nearby, scratching his head as he turned to work harder at cleaning the windows.
"That weasel was at the coffin shop last night; it must have followed Gu Anniang and the others. Alternatively, we could say that Gu Anniang was leading the way for the weasel."
"A cooperative relationship?" Xing Ruyi asked, and the fox shook its head.
"Not really! If we had to categorize it, Gu Anniang would be considered a puppet of that weasel, but she still has her own consciousness and can act independently. Oh, I've sent Yin Yuan to deal with the weasel. Given his gluttonous nature, he shouldn't leave any trouble behind."
"And what about Gu Anniang and her husband?"
"Don't worry; they're still alive. It's just that with the weasel gone, they probably don't have much time left."
"Let's see how their fate unfolds!"
Xing Ruyi didn't have strong feelings about Gu Anniang. She wasn't a kind person; otherwise, she wouldn't harm Wang Fu and Wang Shu for her own selfish reasons. However, she wasn't completely wicked either. From a certain perspective, one could forgive her for making mistakes for the sake of someone she loved.
Seeing that the fox was still standing behind her, Xing Ruyi blinked and asked, "Do you have something else to tell me? You look like you want to say something but are holding back. You're not the fox I used to know."
"You caught me!" The fox smiled indulgently and ruffled her hair. "Did you go to the Embroidery Workshop yesterday?"
"Yes, I ordered some clothes. You know I'm all alone here without parents to help me out, so I have to take care of my own matters." Xing Ruyi added quickly to clarify, "Don't worry! I'm neither sad nor heartbroken because I have the best husband in the world. Besides, I need to handle my own affairs to feel at ease. After all, I'm the unique owner of the Rouge shop in this Golden Tang Dynasty; my wedding has to be extraordinary."
"As long as you're happy, that's all that matters!" For the first time in his life, the fox squatted in front of Xing Ruyi, slightly raising his head and gazing at her with his beautiful fox eyes. "Fox Demon! I want you to know that even though you may not have parents who care for you here, you have me. What others promise their wives is a lifetime; what I promise you is eternity."
Xing Ruyi blushed and wrapped her arms around the fox's neck. "Are all of you from the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan so good at sweet talk? Well, I like it!"
The Fox nodded her head and took her hand, helping her to stand up. "There's not much business in the shop today, so let me take you out for a walk."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll know when we get there."
Baishi Alley was surrounded by several circles of people, and from a distance, one could smell the strong scent of blood.
"Why did you bring me here?" Xing Ruyi tugged at the Fox.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to be here?" The Fox held her hand. "This morning, Chang Tai came looking for you. Li Mao should have discussed this with you already. Given your nature, you might not care about other people's affairs, but you'll definitely care about Chang Tai's."
"Aren't you jealous?" Xing Ruyi tilted her head and asked, her eyes full of laughter.
The Fox shook his head. "What does it matter if I'm jealous? After all, you are mine! By the way, once this matter is settled, how about we set off?"
"Set off! Where to?"
"How about coming with me to Qingqiu? I feel that only the scenery there is worthy of you. Besides, I want to show you my hometown, especially Qingqiu during the Golden Tang Dynasty. If it were in later times, I wouldn't take you back because Qingqiu then is no longer as described in books; it has become a paradise."
"You want to take me back to Qingqiu to get married?"
"Don't you want to? If not, we won't go back."
"That's your hometown; how could I not want to go? Moreover, it's Qingqiu—the beautiful and magical place described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. I can't wait to see it. It's just that at this time, Qingqiu doesn't have you. If we go back so suddenly and they don't recognize you, what if they drive you away?"
"Don't worry; that won't happen!" The Fox tightened his grip on Xing Ruyi's hand. "Not only us, but I've also invited Chang Tai, Shengzi, and Si Niang. In the Golden Tang Dynasty, even though you don't have family, you'll have friends. I believe you'll be happy to let them stand in for your family."
"Fox!" Xing Ruyi's eyes turned red.
"As for the ceremony in Luoyang, we will hold it when we return. Just like yours, you are the one and only shopkeeper of the Rouge in this city, and your ceremony, even if it cannot stir the earth, must be unique and eye-catching. Moreover, your Husband is just as outstanding; you should let them see and be envious."
"How vain! Complimenting yourself halfway through," Xing Ruyi laughed, lightly tapping the fox twice.
"Go handle your case!" The fox nudged her. "I'll wait for you out here. The sooner you finish, the sooner we can set off."
Xing Ruyi softly replied with an "mm," then looked up and gently kissed the fox on the cheek before turning and slipping into the crowd. The fox rarely revealed itself, and at that moment, it was using a concealment technique, so those who witnessed Xing Ruyi's actions only thought her behavior was a bit strange and did not suspect she was making an intimate gesture in public.
With a slightly flushed face, Xing Ruyi pushed through the layers of onlookers and entered the crime scene.
At that moment, Chang Tai was questioning a woman.
The woman appeared to be around forty years old, dressed plainly, but the red hairpin in her hair was anything but ordinary. Looking at her hands, though half-hidden in her sleeves, the exposed fingertips were not rough like those of an ordinary woman; it seemed she took care of herself regularly.
Hearing Chang Tai's inquiries, the woman cried even more sorrowfully. Xing Ruyi glanced over and noticed that although the woman cried loudly, there was no trace of true grief in her voice. Her expression did not resemble that of someone mourning a death; instead, it had a hint of secret delight.
"Brother Chang!"
Xing Ruyi called out as she walked over.
"Fox Demon, you’re here!"
Chang Tai cast a helpless glance at the woman before stepping closer to Xing Ruyi: "I came to find you this morning; Li Mao, you were busy all night last night and just fell asleep. Have you rested well now?"
"Yes, I’ve rested well. What’s going on here? I can smell blood but don’t see any deceased person. Who is this crying?"
"She is The Deceased's Wife!” Chang Tai sighed helplessly. “You arrived just in time; this woman has been crying since we got here. No matter what we ask her, she only responds with varying cries that make my head ache. Unfortunately, she is a woman, and we Constables can only stare at her without any way to deal with her. Lord Xie is still waiting inside."
Chang Tai leaned in closer and whispered, "The man's death is suspicious; it’s highly likely related to this woman. It’s a pity that the Coroner has examined half of it but still hasn’t found anything to incriminate her. Just relying on neighborhood gossip isn’t enough to serve as evidence in court. Can you think of any way to get her to speak?"
"Brother Chang, don't be anxious. Let me ask," Xing Ruyi said as she approached the woman. "Hello, big sister! I am Xing Ruyi, a special advisor appointed by the yamen. I would like to ask you, where were you at the time of the incident?"
The woman, who had been crying with her face covered, paused upon hearing Xing Ruyi's words.
"Special advisor?"
"Oh, that means I am an external personnel authorized by Lord Xie to participate in the yamen's case investigations. You might not understand this, big sister, since you are not part of our Government Office. If you doubt my credentials, you can go inside and ask Lord Xie," Xing Ruyi said, extending her hand. Just then, she bumped into Xie Xuan, who came out with a stern expression. Xing Ruyi immediately smiled and asked, "Is it permissible for the Fox Demon to assist in the investigation, Lord Xie?"
"Ah, so that's why it suddenly got quiet outside; it turns out Ruyi has arrived," Xie Xuan said as he walked up to Xing Ruyi and nodded slightly. "This case is somewhat peculiar; I trouble you to investigate thoroughly and ask questions. I still have urgent matters to attend to in the office. If you need anything here, just let Chang Tai know. Oh, right, although the Coroner isn't very capable, he can assist you when necessary."
"Thank you very much, Lord Xie!"
"You are too polite; it is I who should thank you for your righteous assistance. If this case is resolved, I will treat you to a meal at Chunfeng Tower," Xie Xuan replied, nodding again before turning around and getting into the yamen's carriage.
The conversation between the two was brief but left the woman in a daze. After Xie Xuan left, before Xing Ruyi could ask anything, she took the initiative to speak.
"I was blind and didn't recognize your status as someone from the yamen. The deceased was my husband; he died unexpectedly due to an emergency over twelve days ago. He had already been buried, but this morning when I woke up, I found his corpse lying at the door. I panicked and screamed. I don't know how it caught the attention of the Government Office; they were startled by my husband's strange death. Miss, you are a sensible person; please help me seek justice. This matter is likely due to someone scheming behind the scenes. My poor husband can't even rest in peace after death; someone has forcibly dug him out of his grave. How could a person be so cruel?"
Xing Ruyi listened carefully and examined the woman's face closely. Although she was nearly forty years old, she still retained some grace. According to her own account, her husband had died over ten days ago; while it wasn't recent mourning, she was still in a period of mourning herself. A woman in mourning would still be grieving; how could she have the mood to apply makeup and beautify herself?
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