At precisely nine o'clock in the morning, Zhuo Qing appeared at the gates of the Prime Minister's residence, only to find Gu Yun leaning lazily against the outer wall, eyes closed in a seemingly restful meditation. As Zhuo Qing approached, before she could utter a word, Gu Yun opened her eyes, cast her a sidelong glance, and lifted the corner of her lips in a crooked smile. Clicking her tongue, she quipped,
"What's this? Off thieving last night? Or perhaps… something far more intense?"
Dark circles shadowed Zhuo Qing's eyes, her lids swollen, her expression languid—like someone who hadn't slept a wink. It was nearly impossible not to let the imagination run wild. One glance at Gu Yun's teasing, lecherous expression, and Zhuo Qing instantly knew what ridiculous thoughts were racing through her mind.
Recalling the light kiss from the night before, Zhuo Qing averted her gaze, her eyes flickering with discomfort as she snapped,
"Wipe that gossipy grin off your face. I just didn't get enough sleep, alright? Not everyone's bursting with energy like you!"
Gu Yun was still dressed in the same blue gown from yesterday. She hadn't even gone back to the general's manor. Zhuo Qing sometimes wondered if Gu Yun's body was built differently—capable of rapid recovery with just a moment of repose, as though she had no need for actual rest. This extraordinary constitution was as baffling as it was envy-inducing.
Unable to stand Gu Yun's probing gaze, Zhuo Qing hastily changed the subject:
"Did you find anything after reading the transcripts?"
Gu Yun retracted her gaze, no longer pressing the matter. Zhuo Qing was an adult—if something happened between her and Lou Xiyan, so be it. In her opinion, Zhuo Qing ought to move faster: devour the man whole and make him hers. Men like Lou Xiyan were rare.
Shrugging, Gu Yun replied,
"Flawless. The statements from the four individuals were disturbingly consistent. They supported one another without contradiction—absolutely nothing to dig into."
That was the result of an entire night's effort? What a waste.
Zhuo Qing raised a brow. "And?"
Gu Yun did not disappoint. With a helpless smile, she said,
"So now we'll have to go one by one, question them individually… and find out who's lying."
Zhuo Qing nodded and cast a glance at the restless young man nearby. With a teasing smirk, she asked,
"When did you acquire a little tail?"
One was utterly clueless about matters of romance—Gu Yun. The other was a hot-headed young man brimming with youthful vigor. And yet the two were now inseparable. Was this really a good idea?
And what about Su Ling? Zhuo Qing mused silently.
Gu Yun, however, remained composed and said with a grin,
"Nothing to be done. The young man's a general—his words carry more weight than ours. With Lou Xiyan busy, we needed a substitute."
If not for him, she wouldn't have gotten to see the interrogation records last night.
"Qingmo! Who are you calling a substitute?"
Already irritable from a sleepless night of chasing after this madwoman, Su Yu exploded at her brazen comment.
"Start with Li Zhi?" Zhuo Qing asked.
Gu Yun shook her head. "No. I think we should pay Madam Yang a visit first."
Yang was the only woman among the four—a likely weak point. She would be easier to crack.
"Alright, let's go."
The two women murmured to each other as they walked, completely ignoring the furious man behind them.
"Damn it!"
Never before had Su Yu been so thoroughly dismissed. He punched the stone wall in frustration, then stormed off after them, cursing under his breath.
When they returned to the small Yang residence, they found Madam Yang in the courtyard, head bowed as she swept the ground. She didn't lift her gaze until the two women stood at the gate. Upon recognizing them, she asked with some surprise,
"The constables just left—what brings you ladies back so soon?"
She recognized them from the previous night—they had come with Lord Dan.
What were officials doing here this early?
Gu Yun offered a polite smile and said,
"Yes. Lord Dan needs to gather additional evidence for the case. There are some questions that might be better answered in a more private setting, so he asked us to speak with you."
Though confused, Madam Yang nodded and opened the gate.
"Please, come inside."
As Zhuo Qing and Gu Yun stepped into the house, Su Yu followed close behind. Recognizing the young master from the general's manor, Madam Yang hastily welcomed him in as well and rushed to serve tea.
"Please have some tea. It's nothing special—just a simple brew, I hope you don't mind."
Zhuo Qing and Gu Yun sat at the round table in the dining room. Su Yu, still sulking, sat on a bench near the door, sipping tea in silence.
Gu Yun smiled at Madam Yang and said,
"Please, no need to fuss. We'll just ask a few questions and be on our way. Have a seat."
Madam Yang nodded and sat across from them.
For the first time, Gu Yun could observe the woman properly. She was young—barely past twenty, with delicate features. Yet she kept her head bowed, as if it were second nature. A habit, perhaps, of ancient women—but one that made Gu Yun's job more difficult.
With a light tone, Gu Yun asked,
"Madam Yang, how long have you and Yang Lu been married?"
"Two years."
Her reply was calm and measured.
"And your relationship as husband and wife—is it a good one?"
A faint pause. Then,
"Yes. We get along very well."
Gu Yun's eyes flickered. Glancing casually at her wrist, she asked with a faint smile,
"Then… the injury on your wrist—did you fall by accident?"
Madam Yang looked up in surprise. Earlier, while sweeping, she had rolled up her sleeves. But she had quickly pulled them down when she saw the visitors. The bruises were old—and yet Gu Yun had still noticed!
Meeting Gu Yun's probing gaze, Madam Yang sighed softly and lowered her head once more. In a quiet voice, she said,
"My husband has a temper. He can be rough when he's drunk. But when he's sober, he's quite caring. My health is fragile… if he hadn't spent years seeking treatment for me, I might not have survived this long."
Gu Yun didn't press further. Instead, she shifted topics:
"Is Li Zhi a good friend of your husband's? Does he visit often?"
Madam Yang's voice turned cold with distaste.
"Yes. He comes by every few days, always borrowing money."
"And Yang Lu lent him a lot? How much, exactly?"
She thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"I wouldn't know. It must've been a considerable amount."
Gu Yun exaggerated her surprise.
"Oh? So he supports your treatments and lends money to Li Zhi? Judging by your household, the general's salary must be quite generous."
As she said this, she shot Su Yu a glance.
His hand paused mid-air, teacup in hand. He knew the general's pay well—and it certainly wouldn't stretch this far.
Madam Yang said nothing. Gu Yun asked once more,
"Do you know where Yang Lu gets all that money?"
She shook her head.
"I have no idea."
Gu Yun stood up suddenly with a smile.
"Well then, we've disturbed you long enough. We'll take our leave."
Just like that? She hadn't even touched on the case!
Madam Yang was puzzled but remained polite.
"Very well. Safe travels."
After they had walked some distance, Zhuo Qing—who had been silent the entire time—finally stopped and asked anxiously,
"Well? What did you think?"
Gu Yun smiled and answered confidently,
"She's lying."
She'd only asked a few superficial questions—how could she be so sure?
Already annoyed with them, Su Yu couldn't help but sneer,
"And what makes you think that? She seemed very sincere to me."
Gu Yun turned to him and suddenly asked,
"Are you a virgin?"
V-virgin?!
Su Yu flushed crimson and exploded,
"What did you just say?!"
Zhuo Qing stifled her laughter, ready to watch the show.
Gu Yun raised her brows, her eyes intense and unwavering. Pointing a finger at Su Yu, she declared in a firm voice,
"This is the face of shock."
Su Yu blinked, momentarily confused. Gu Yun pressed on,
"Answer me. Are you a virgin?"
"You've got to be joking… a virgin? Me?! Of course not!"
Su Yu nearly shouted in protest—his voice trembling in both anger and embarrassment.