Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The Constable suddenly realized, "I see. Then may I ask if you have any leads on the case, young master?"
Xiao Zhongyan hesitated for a moment and shook his head. "Not yet. There is no concrete evidence, so I dare not make any rash statements."
The Constable sighed in disappointment and turned to Nangong Shuang. "Miss, your medical skills are exceptional. Have you discovered anything?"
Nangong Shuang replied cautiously, "This poison is extremely rare, and I only know a little about it. However, the poison spots on Lu Zhanggui's body are slightly different from those of the previous victims, which might be one of the clues."
The Constable nodded, noting this down. "Thank you for your guidance. This case has already attracted the attention of the court, and the Chancellor is personally inquiring about it. We are under great pressure."
Hearing the mention of the Chancellor made Nangong Shuang's heart tighten. The Chancellor was one of the main figures pursuing her, and his personal involvement in this case was certainly not a good sign.
Noticing Nangong Shuang's tension, Xiao Zhongyan timely shifted the topic. "Constable, have Lu Zhanggui's family provided any clues?"
The Constable shook his head. "We have already questioned everyone in the Lu Family, but no one knows why he fell victim to such a heinous act. All we know is that a stranger came to the shop to buy medicine and spoke with Lu Zhanggui for quite some time the day before the incident."
Nangong Shuang's eyes brightened. "Buying medicine? What kind of medicine?"
The Constable recalled, "According to the shopkeeper, that person inquired about several rare herbs, particularly showing great interest in the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus and Purple Gold Sand."
These two herbs were key ingredients for the Nine-Turn Resurrection Pill! Nangong Shuang was shocked; it seemed that the murderer was also searching for materials for an antidote.
Xiao Zhongyan appeared to have realized this as well; a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes before he quickly regained his composure. "Did that person have any distinguishing features?"
The Constable shook his head again. "The shopkeeper only remembered that he looked like a middle-aged scholar, with a gentle demeanor and refined speech—nothing particularly remarkable."
The information was too vague to identify anyone definitively. Nangong Shuang felt disappointed but also relieved—at least the identity of the murderer had not yet been exposed.
The Constable asked a few more questions and, seeing that they truly had no further leads, prepared to leave. Before departing, he warned them, "Things are not peaceful in the city lately; it would be best for you both to return home early. Especially you, miss—it's unsafe to go out alone at night."
Nangong Shuang nodded in understanding. Once the Constable left, silence fell over the room once more.
"Xiao Gongzi," Nangong Shuang spoke softly, "you mentioned earlier that this poison is different from before—does that mean... there might be another murderer?"
Xiao Zhongyan looked deeply at her and said quietly, "It’s very possible. Or rather, there may have never been just one murderer from the beginning."
Nangong Shuang's eyes flashed with alertness. "What makes you say that?"
Xiao Zhongyan pointed at the poison spots on the corpse. "The Poison Flower pattern is taboo within the Xiao Family; there must be hidden truths behind this case." He paused as if hesitating whether to continue but ultimately pressed on. "Mei Ying San is an ancestral secret recipe of the Xiao Family, but family records state that there are two formulas: one with five petals and another with six petals. The five-petal formula targets the heart veins while the six-petal formula erodes the lungs."
Nangong Shuang's heart jolted: two formulas! This was information she had not known before.
Xiao Zhongyan continued, "Moreover, these two formulas are controlled by two different branches of the family and do not communicate with each other. This means that it is nearly impossible for someone to possess both formulas within the Xiao Family."
Nangong Shuang pondered over what this information implied: "So either someone obtained formulas from both branches of the Xiao Family or there are two different murderers?"
Xiao Zhongyan nodded. "Indeed. As far as I know, there are very few people, even within the Xiao Family, who can access the core secrets of two branches simultaneously."
"Does that include your father?" Nangong Shuang couldn't help but ask.
Comment 0 Comment Count