When Feng Fuce escorted Bai Zhi’er back to the palace, the little one had already fallen asleep from exhaustion.
She trusted him completely, sleeping sweetly in his embrace.
Feng Fuce sat in the carriage, looking down at the little person in his arms.
Even if she was a person of the Heavenly Dao, he had every opportunity now to kill her without anyone knowing.
Yet, Feng Fuce had not the slightest intention of doing so.
Bai Zhi’er made him feel that life before had been sowhat lonely.
With her by his side, it would surely be better.
Feng Fuce returned Bai Zhi’er to Ruizhu Palace before heading back to the Xiuluo Guard.
Lei Hu and the others had already returned.
"Marquis, the female corpse has been placed in the mortuary."
"Hmm." Feng Fuce wiped his hands with a white cloth. "Did you find out about An Suzhu’s mother?"
Lei Hu spoke heavily, "When we went to Duke Ping’s Mansion, a serious incident had just occurred there."
Feng Fuce tossed the white cloth aside and walked coldly to take a seat behind the desk, "What incident?"
"An Suzhu’s biological mother was a concubine taken by Duke Ping, surnad Liu. By rights, she should be far away in Huainan, reflecting on her actions at the An manor."
"But just thirty minutes before we arrived at Duke Ping’s Mansion, soone threw Aunt Liu’s corpse into the courtyard, also skinned."
The movent of Feng Fuce’s hand with the brush paused, his brows furrowed.
"She’s dead too?"
"Yes, we asked Duke Ping and his wife; they were unaware of Aunt Liu’s arrival in the capital, and even upon seeing the corpse, they didn’t recognize it was her. But because her hair remained, Duke Ping identified her through the remnants of the hairpin."
Feng Fuce set down the brush, folded his arms, and fell into contemplation.
Lei Hu said, "I inspected it; the skinning was executed swiftly and decisively, not like an ordinary vendetta."
After a while, Feng Fuce said, "Summon Duke Ping to the Xiuluo Guard to claim the body and confirm if the other female corpse is indeed An Suzhu’s. If it is, give him the letter written on black paper too."
"Yes."
Once the ssage was sent, Duke Ping arrived at the Xiuluo Guard promptly.
Upon seeing the mangled An Suzhu, he imdiately collapsed to the ground, crying ceaselessly.
"Suzhu, how could you also leave your father?"
Feng Fuce stood not far away, saying coldly, "Duke Ping, my condolences. Tomorrow I must report this to Your Majesty, and I need your cooperation. I have so questions."
Duke Ping, stifling his grief, trembled as he stood, "Marquis, please ask."
"My subordinate ntioned your Aunt Liu should have been in Huainan, not the capital. What is her background? Do you know?"
Duke Ping, taking a mont to compose himself, slowly began to recount Aunt Liu’s background.
It turned out Liu Qianfang was soone he had rescued from human traffickers.
At the ti, Liu Qianfang offered herself up and beca one of his concubines.
In Duke Ping’s account, Liu Qianfang was timid, not even daring to speak loudly.
But previously, she was heard by Duke Ping inciting An Suzhu to defy the Madam, which led to her being sent away to the manor to reflect.
To his surprise, she reappeared in the capital, and in such a tragic manner.
After Feng Fuce understood, he let Duke Ping leave.
Before leaving, Duke Ping, looking worn, asked Feng Fuce, "Marquis, can you uncover the cause of death for them and find the real culprit this ti?"
Feng Fuce toyed with his jade ring with slender fingers.
After a mont of silence, Feng Fuce replied softly, "I’m afraid not."
No matter how Liu Qianfang and An Suzhu died, they had ultimately offended Bai Zhi’er; Feng Fuce couldn’t be bothered to intervene.
Duke Ping left, his face ashen, walking into the heavy snow.
At the sa ti.
In Ruizhu Palace, Bai Xilie had finished telling Bai Zhi’er a story. Watching his daughter enter dreamland, he quietly left.
But shortly after Bai Xilie left, there was a gentle sound at the window.
Bai Zhi’er’s eyes snapped open in an instant.
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