As soon as Lu Zhan left, Ouyang Zhenzhu exclaid in amazent, "Wanwan, your mory is amazing! Even in a situation like that, you managed to rember the killer’s appearance perfectly. You even recall his clothes in such clear detail.
And your drawing skills are just as impressive. You drew the killer exactly as he was—it’s a perfect likeness! With this sketch, it’ll be much easier for the Governnt to catch him."
Zhi Wan looked at her in surprise. "Just now, next door, didn’t you say you didn’t get a clear look at his face? How do you suddenly know now?"
"I was terrified at the ti. I did glance at him, but I couldn’t rember. Now that I’ve seen your drawing, it all ca back to ," Ouyang Zhenzhu said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Zhi Wan was at a loss for words.
Before long, Dongxiang returned with new shoes and socks.
Zhi Wan put on the new shoes and socks, and Dongxiang wrapped up the old ones to dispose of them.
With the new shoes and socks on, so color finally returned to Zhi Wan’s face.
She was just about to ask Dongxiang to see if Lu Zhan was finished with his business when he himself pushed the door open and walked in.
"Cousin," Zhi Wan called out demurely.
Lu Zhan’s gaze rested on her face for a mont. Seeing that she was no longer as pale as before, he asked, "Can you walk?"
"Yes, I can," Zhi Wan replied hastily.
"Good. Let’s go, then," Lu Zhan said, then turned and led the way out.
Seeing Zhi Wan about to leave, Ouyang Zhenzhu imdiately grabbed her hand. "I’ll go with you two."
Zhi Wan considered that Ouyang Lei still hadn’t appeared. ’He must be held up and won’t be able to take Zhenzhu ho.’ So she nodded. "Alright."
"Wanwan, I feel like I’m going to have nightmares tonight," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, clutching Zhi Wan’s arm tightly. "How about I sleep over at your place? We can keep each other’s spirits up."
Zhi Wan’s brow twitched, and she reflexively opened her mouth to refuse.
’She often had *those* kinds of dreams; she’d even had one just last night.’
’If Zhenzhu stayed the night and she had one of those dreams again, would Zhenzhu find out?’
Seeing her hesitation, Ouyang Zhenzhu promised, "I’m a very still sleeper. I don’t snore or talk in my sleep."
The refusal on the tip of her tongue changed. "I... yes, that’s fine," Zhi Wan said.
"I knew you were the best!" Ouyang Zhenzhu bead.
Upon leaving the private room, the two discovered that the Hundred Flavors Building was completely empty of patrons. Governnt officers were patrolling everywhere.
An official from the Ministry of Justice saw Lu Zhan and hurried over, sketch in hand. "Mr. Lu, where did you get this sketch?"
"One of the ladies in my household drew it," Lu Zhan explained succinctly. "They were dining in a private room when the incident occurred and ca face-to-face with the killer."
Hearing this, the official glanced at the young ladies standing behind him.
He saw that the two ladies at the front wore veiled hats that concealed their faces entirely. Realizing they were unmarried, he respectfully averted his gaze, not daring to stare. "Thank you for your help today, Mr. Lu."
Lu Zhan noted that the governnt officers had searched the Hundred Flavors Building inside and out to no avail, yet were still wasting manpower lingering there. He offered a word of advice. "I was told by the ladies in my party that the killer was in no hurry after the murder. He even swaggered about, showing a clear disregard for the Governnt. Soone so brazen is likely still in the Capital City. Now that you have a sketch, you might just be able to apprehend him if you move quickly enough."
The official’s heart jolted. He quickly bowed. "Thank you for the guidance, Mr. Lu. I will personally lead my n to apprehend him at once!"
Lu Zhan gave a slight nod and said no more. As he was leading Zhi Wan and the others out of the Hundred Flavors Building, several governnt officers carrying a wooden plank happened to be exiting at the sa ti.
The plank was heavy and covered with a white cloth. The cloth didn’t quite cover the end, revealing a pair of a man’s shoes.
At the sight, a frightened Zhi Wan scrambled to get out of the way.
Under the white cloth, clearly, was the dead man.
The governnt officers were taking the body to the Governnt office.
Rembering the grueso state of the corpse, the color drained from Zhi Wan’s face. She was utterly terrified.
She was so focused on getting away that she didn’t notice Lu Zhan standing right beside her.
In her panic, she stumbled right into his chest.
Her mind went blank. She looked up, staring dazedly at him.
Lu Zhan hadn’t expected her to crash into him. Her head bumped against his chest, and he vaguely felt sothing soft brush against his arm.
When he realized what it was, Lu Zhan’s already stern expression grew several shades colder.
He quickly steadied her, then took two swift steps back to put distance between them.
The entire exchange happened in an instant, so quickly that no one else noticed.
"That was terrifying!"
Ouyang Zhenzhu’s voice snapped Zhi Wan back to her senses.
Only then did she realize the body had been carried out.
But when she thought about the little incident just now, Zhi Wan’s face, hidden beneath her veiled hat, burned crimson, and her heart filled with anxiety.
’She truly hadn’t noticed Lu Zhan. Besides, Ouyang Zhenzhu was holding onto one of her arms, which made it difficult to move nimbly.’
’Who would have thought she’d stumble right into her cousin’s arms?’
’Would her cousin think she was trying to seduce him?’
At that thought, the blush instantly drained from Zhi Wan’s face, leaving it as white as frost.
"Let’s go," Lu Zhan’s cold, deep voice cut in.
When Zhi Wan looked up again, he was already walking out ahead of them.
She bit her lip, her heart sinking with even greater unease.
「Back at the Duke Dingguo Mansion」
Zhi Wan curtsied to Lu Zhan. "Thank you for your care today, Cousin."
"As I should," the man’s voice was as detached as ever. With that, he walked away without another word.
Zhi Wan’s face grew a shade paler.
’It seed the incident from earlier had indeed caused her cousin to resent her.’
"Your cousin is so cold!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said, rubbing her arms as if chilled.
"He’s always like that." Zhi Wan reined in her thoughts and forced a smile.
"Really?" Ouyang Zhenzhu asked, puzzled. "Back at the restaurant, I actually thought he was showing a bit of warmth. Was that just my imagination?"
Not knowing how to reply, Zhi Wan turned to Dongxiang instead. "Go and let my aunt know that Zhenzhu wishes to stay the night at Yaoguang Pavilion."
"Yes." Dongxiang went imdiately.
Ouyang Zhenzhu then belatedly realized that her request might be improper. After all, Zhi Wan was herself a guest living in the Duke Mansion. For her to bring another guest ho to stay, Lady Wei would surely have so reservations.
Thinking of this, she asked worriedly, "Will Madam Lu be upset? I’m not causing you trouble, am I? Maybe I should just go ho after all."
Zhi Wan held her back. "No, of course not. My aunt won’t mind at all. In fact, she’ll be happy that I’ve made a friend like you."
"Really?"
"Of course, it’s true."
Only then was Ouyang Zhenzhu’s mind put at ease, and she followed Zhi Wan back to Yaoguang Pavilion.
「Qingyun Residence.」
Lu Zhan had just walked into his study when Lu Jun arrived right on his heels.
"Big Brother." Lu Jun gave him a formal bow.
"Is sothing the matter, Second Brother?" Lu Zhan asked, looking at him.
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