The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 29

Without any hesitation, they openly discussed these matters with Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan, even asking for their opinions. Judging by the attitudes of the people in the main hall, it seemed they largely believed in their innocence.

Although they still suspected Bai Luo, the information they had so far didn’t connect her to the incident. Bringing her up now would make them seem petty, so they could only remain vigilant in private.

Moreover, just moments ago, Bai Zhi realized they had overlooked a crucial person—Auntie Chen.

Bai Zhi couldn’t help but recall Auntie Chen’s usual demeanor, always keeping her head down and appearing submissive. Suddenly, an image flashed in her mind of Auntie Chen’s son, who also often kept his head low.

His name was Chen Da, right? He worked as a cart driver on the estate. Last time, it was him who had subtly inquired about the osmanthus incident.

He seemed quite tall, about the same height as Manager Lu.

Bai Zhi was startled. About the same height as Manager Lu! She lowered her gaze, deep in thought. It seemed there were some things they needed to confirm.

Bai Shu nodded after listening: “In that case, continue pursuing that servant and have someone secretly keep an eye on Auntie Chen. Alright, you two can go back now. The authorities will arrive later. When they do, just tell the truth.”

He had initially decided not to help anyone, but at the last moment, his heart softened. After all, she was his only child.

Hearing this, Bai Zhi instinctively looked at Wei Ziwan. Should they go see Manager Lu again? It seemed there was something more urgent to confirm now.

Wei Ziwan gently shook her head. Since they had already gathered so much information, there was no need to overcomplicate things, especially at this moment.

Otherwise, it would make them seem a bit presumptuous. After all, the coroner was the professional here.

On their way back, Bai Zhi hesitated for a moment and said, “Ziwan, do you remember Auntie Chen’s son? Do you think his build is similar to Manager Lu’s?”

Wei Ziwan replied, “I remember you mentioning him once, but I’ve never seen him. Why? Is he suspicious?”

“I’m not sure. It’s just a gut feeling.” Bai Zhi frowned, her doubts wavering again. She had forgotten that this troublemaker hadn’t met Chen Da.

Wei Ziwan’s lips curved slightly: “If it’s a gut feeling, then go confirm whether it’s right or not.” Last time, she had also felt something was off about Bai Luo based on intuition. Sometimes, facts alone don’t reveal the truth, and you have to rely on your instincts.

Because what the mind can’t analyze, the body might already sense. Kindness and malice, truth and falsehood—they’re hard to distinguish. In such moments, your gut feeling can be more reliable.

The authorities arrived at sunset. Officer Ma, the head constable, brought four deputies with him. By the time they finished their round of interrogations, it was already late at night.

Officer Ma ultimately identified two suspects: the missing servant and Bai Zhi, who had discovered the body.

The main reason Bai Zhi was listed as a suspect was because Lu Qu’er, the deceased’s daughter, insisted that this young lady from the capital had a grudge against Manager Lu.

Moreover, she was the only person on the estate who had any conflict with Manager Lu, as he was known for his good temper and never quarreled with anyone, nor did he have any enemies.

Others also corroborated this.

Thus, Bai Zhi’s suspicion grew.

So, aside from pursuing the missing servant, Officer Ma also wanted to take Bai Zhi into custody to prevent her from fleeing if she turned out to be the culprit.

However, Officer Ma didn’t act rashly. Instead, he first sought the old master’s opinion.

Before coming, his superior had instructed him to be courteous to the people of Lingjue Manor, especially the old master, who was a close friend of his superior and should not be slighted.

That’s why he didn’t simply arrest the suspects as he usually would.

Bai Shu didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he looked at Bai Zhi and asked, “Where do you think you should be? Here at the manor, or at the yamen?”

“I should stay at the manor.” Bai Zhi answered without hesitation.

She certainly couldn’t go to the yamen. Being detained would mean she could do nothing to clear her name. Staying at the manor was her only hope of proving her innocence. Otherwise, who knew how long it would take for the authorities to uncover the truth?

Besides, she had already found the answer.

Bai Shu’s gaze darkened: “Then you’ll have to convince Officer Ma yourself why you should stay at the manor.”

This was him stepping back—neither protecting nor blaming her. The direction this matter took would depend on her own abilities.

Officer Ma understood the implication. He immediately turned to Bai Zhi and barked, “Miss Bai, do you have anything to say?”

If she could clear her own name, she wouldn’t have to go. But if she couldn’t provide a convincing explanation, she would have no choice.

Bai Zhi was startled by his loud question, her thoughts momentarily scattered. What else was there to say?

They already knew all the details. Aside from their suspicions about Auntie Chen and Bai Luo, which were just guesses with no evidence, there was nothing solid to stand on. Or perhaps there was.

“My husband, though usually dressed in long robes, is actually a frail woman. She’s not as strong as I am. How could she have suffocated the tall and burly Manager Lu and then strung him up on the beam?” Wei Ziwan stepped forward, taking Bai Zhi’s hand. “My husband is timid by nature. Please, Officer, speak gently. Don’t frighten her.”

Who did he think he was, trying to intimidate her eunuch in front of her? Not a chance.

Wei Ziwan gently rubbed Bai Zhi’s palm with her fingers. Snap out of it, eunuch. Think of something to say.

The late autumn weather was chilly, and Bai Zhi’s hands were cold. Feeling the warmth from Wei Ziwan’s fingers, she took a deep breath and said, “I’m not scared. I just haven’t figured out how to explain.”

Though she had indeed been startled by Officer Ma’s shout, it wasn’t as exaggerated as this troublemaker made it out to be. Timid by nature? Really?

But she understood Wei Ziwan’s intention. Bai Zhi let go of her hand. In public, they had to maintain some decorum. She decided not to argue with the troublemaker this time.

Officer Ma, however, wasn’t surprised by Wei Ziwan’s words. He sneered, “If there’s no guilt in your heart, why would you be scared? So, Miss Bai might not have acted alone. Perhaps she had an accomplice.”

He stared at Wei Ziwan, hinting heavily, as if to say, Look, you’re the accomplice. The two of you together could have suffocated Manager Lu and then strung him up.

Wei Ziwan snorted, “Without evidence, any accusation is baseless.”

Officer Ma laughed again: “Many people on this estate have testified that you two had a grudge against Manager Lu. Isn’t that evidence? Besides, you’re only a suspect for now. Once the truth comes out, the innocent will be cleared, and the guilty won’t escape.”

“Officer Ma, you’re mistaken. I had no grudge against Manager Lu. Firstly, whether he picked the osmanthus or not no longer affected what I needed to do. Secondly, he acted out of duty, which is why I went to argue with my elder brother, because Manager Lu followed his orders.”

Bai Zhi stared into Officer Ma’s eyes and continued, “Moreover, you must know Manager Lu’s time of death by now. The person seen wearing a straw hat at night was only identified by clothing and build. No one saw his face. Based on the time of death, that person was an imposter—a man. Strictly speaking, the last person to have truly seen Manager Lu should be Auntie Chen. She’s also a suspect.”

Officer Ma glanced at Auntie Chen: “She’s just a frail woman.” Was she so desperate that she’d start pointing fingers randomly? It seemed this case didn’t need much further investigation.

“But didn’t you say it yourself? One person couldn’t have done it, but two could. Auntie Chen could have had an accomplice too, like her son, Chen Da.”

Bai Zhi walked up to Chen Da and asked, “Yesterday, you coincidentally got drunk during the day. It’s said you slept at home for most of the day. What kind of wine did you drink? Was it sorghum wine? Did it coincidentally smell like the sorghum wine on Manager Lu’s clothes? And there’s another coincidence: while you were drunk and asleep, Manager Lu went to see your mother, and after that, no one saw him again. Stand up and let everyone see your build. Isn’t it another coincidence that you’re about the same height as Manager Lu?”

A series of “coincidences” drew everyone’s attention to Chen Da, who kept his head down. Could there really be so many coincidences? One or two, maybe, but this many? That wasn’t coincidence—that was deliberate.

Chen Da’s legs began to tremble. He kept his head down, refusing to look up, and remained silent.

The hall fell into complete silence.

Auntie Chen’s lips quivered. Suddenly, she knelt down and cried, “It was me! I killed him! It has nothing to do with my son!”

She lunged toward Chen Da, wrapping her arms around him protectively, her eyes filled with determination.

“Mom—it’s not her fault! She wanted to remain faithful to my father! It was him—he came after us first! My mom wants to be buried with my father! What does he count for? What does he count for… My mom didn’t mean to…” Chen Da sobbed, burying his face in his mother’s arms, his body and voice trembling. He never looked up.

Bai Zhi closed her eyes for a moment, then turned to Officer Ma: “I think I can stay at the manor now. Ziwan, let’s go.”

Officer Ma: “…” What just happened? Was the case solved?

At that moment, a scream erupted in the hall: “Ah! You poisonous woman! Give me back my father! You poisonous woman! I’ll kill you… I’ll kill you…” Lu Qu’er, seemingly deranged, lunged at Auntie Chen and her son, throwing the hall into chaos again.

Bai Shu finally spoke to Officer Ma: “Take whoever needs to be taken away. It’s late, and the night is cold. Why don’t you stay at the manor for the night and return to the yamen tomorrow morning?”

Officer Ma clasped his hands in gratitude, though he felt there was more to the old master’s words. Take whoever needs to be taken away—did that mean some shouldn’t have been taken? Was he dissatisfied? Maybe he was overthinking it.

Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan walked out of the hall together. Despite having cleared their names, the atmosphere between them wasn’t one of relief but rather a heavy silence.

“Was it Auntie Chen? Or was it Chen Da? He said his mother didn’t mean to, implying she was the killer, right?” Wei Ziwan looked up at the crescent moon in the sky, murmuring to herself.