How Deep the Crimson Leaves Fall Chapter Seventeen: The East Wing Courtyard

"Captain Gu," Si Xi greeted respectfully, "Miss said she fears that the lecherous thief might return if she continues staying in the West Wing courtyard, so she’s decided to move temporarily to the East Wing courtyard. Once the authorities capture the culprit, she will move back."

From the second floor, Xiao Hong spotted Gu Yu and called out, "Captain Gu, are you really moving to live in the East Wing courtyard too? After all, our Miss’s safety depends on you." Even the servants could catch the teasing tone.

Gu Yu pondered for a moment. "Yes, I will go."

Xiao Hong muttered, "Such nerve," clearly aimed at Wang Shihan standing nearby. Wang Shihan stuck out her tongue at her, prompting Xiao Hong to turn downstairs and say, "You’ll have to find your own room, since there isn’t one prepared for you in the East Wing."

Gu Yu’s face flushed slightly; he pressed his lips together and said nothing. The steward hurried out to smooth things over. "There will definitely be a place for you to sleep. I will have the servants prepare a room for you shortly."

The East Wing courtyard was a traditional quadrangle, with a main house and two side rooms on both the south and north sides. Since Wang Shihan’s eldest and second sisters had already married out, the beds and furnishings were somewhat worn, but the servants kept the place tidy enough to avoid any dirt or mess. Wang Shihan stood in the courtyard, covering her mouth and nose as she watched the servants busy themselves. The steward said, "Miss, you should return to rest first. Once everything is ready, I will send someone to call you."

The bandage on Wang Shihan’s head had been removed early in the morning by the physician and fresh medicine applied. As a young lady, she found the head wrapping unsightly, so the doctor only treated the wound on her forehead. She wore a pink, round-collared, narrow-sleeved long blouse paired with a horse-face skirt, making her appear even more elegant and poised. The steward was about ten years older than Wang Chengjian, whom he had watched grow up. When Wang Chengjian was young, he was so absorbed in official duties that he worked day and night, neglecting his wife and daughters. The steward managed everything single-handedly, so Wang Shihan had been very fond of him since childhood. Hearing this, she laughed softly, "Uncle Si Xi, I’m just a wildflower. After taking medicine this morning, I feel radiant. Once the sun came out, I bloomed."

The steward looked at Wang Shihan helplessly. She had a dignified demeanor in public but sometimes showed a mischievous side. After all, she was only a sixteen-year-old girl.

"Ahem!" Gu Yu awkwardly approached the steward. From behind him, one could sense Wang Shihan’s body stiffen noticeably, her face flushing a deep red, even her fair neck quickly blushing.

The steward turned around. "Captain Gu, this way. The servants have prepared your room." Behind him was the south side room. Making a polite gesture, the steward led the way. Gu Yu didn’t dare be presumptuous. The two exchanged courtesies and went inside.

Wang Shihan’s voice came from her throat, "Xiao Hong, did he hear what I just said?"

Xiao Hong sized up the distance between them and firmly replied, "He definitely heard it."

The steward showed Gu Yu around the side room. "Are you satisfied? If you need anything else, feel free to tell me."

Gu Yu thanked him. "No need to be so polite. I’m not staying long; as long as there’s a place to rest, that’s enough. Actually, I do have one favor to ask."

"Oh?" The steward replied, "Please, go ahead."

Gu Yu said, "The Wang estate is vast, with several courtyards front and back. I won’t be able to familiarize myself quickly. Meanwhile, the thief could return at any time. Could you help me chart the layout of the estate and mark the names and identities of the residents inside? Also, please provide the estate’s roster so I can cross-reference."

The steward nodded and instructed a servant to fetch paper and ink. Sitting at the desk, he quickly sketched the full layout of the estate, which he knew intimately. Soon, the servants brought the roster. Gu Yu noticed the loose binding with hemp rope and gave the steward a questioning look. The steward explained, "Miss checked it early this morning."

Gu Yu simply said, "Oh," without further comment. Seeing no one else around, the steward cupped his hands and excused himself. The main house had been tidied up, and the steward dismissed the servants, leaving two guards at the door. Wang Shihan sat quietly at the desk. Outside, the breeze was gentle and the sun bright; everything that happened last night felt like a nightmare.

At the Shuntian Prefecture Office, before Dong Xinwu lay a thick stack of yellow registers, recording the names, origins, and enrollment records of the Wang estate’s servants. The constables quickly flipped through, comparing the personnel against the families victimized five years ago. Unfortunately, no connections were found.

Zhou Wei hurried in. "Master."

Dong Xinwu flipped through the register without looking up. "Any results?"

Zhou Wei shook his head. "No. Neither Fang Wei nor Hai Chao has found any trace of Tang Haiqiu. Those shadowers were probably arranged privately by the Wang father and daughter, indicating they already have a suspect."

Dong Xinwu placed the register on the table. "If they have a suspect, why haven’t they informed the authorities? Could it be they don’t trust us?"

Zhou Wei’s expression grew awkward. "Captain Gu sent word that Miss Wang staged an attack to test the authorities’ response. Captain Gu was caught off guard." Gu Yu had fully reported the morning’s events to Wu Haichao, who was investigating the estate.

Dong Xinwu gave a nonchalant "Oh." "You can’t blame Gu Yu. Who would have expected the Wang family to have such a trick? When you plan with intention but appear unintentional, it’s easy to be ensnared." He glanced at the sweating Zhou Wei. "What about the Wucheng military division?"

Zhou Wei said, "Commander Liu has the surveillance diagrams and is strengthening checkpoints as planned. Patrols in each district have also increased."

Dong Xinwu nodded. "This matter must be handled openly. Only by making Tang Haiqiu feel the pressure from the authorities will he act quickly."

Zhou Wei hesitated, "Could he just lie low and avoid attention?"

Dong Xinwu replied, "No. He’s arrogant and loves the spotlight. Five years ago, the situation was tighter than now, yet he still committed his crimes brazenly." Then, with concern, he added, "Tang Haiqiu is a nightmare for many in the capital. Commander Liu must be instructed to keep the information strictly confidential, so as not to cause a new wave of panic."

Zhou Wei said, "Understood. I’ll inform Commander Liu immediately."

Dong Xinwu looked at him. "Have you eaten lunch?"

Zhou Wei smiled sheepishly. "Master, I’m not hungry."

Dong Xinwu held the register again. "You need to eat well to have strength to catch thieves. I told cook Zhao to keep meals ready at the canteen. Go fill your stomach first. Afterward, I’ll accompany you to the military division."

The day passed quickly. Before they knew it, the sun was setting. At Fang Wei’s home, Mrs. Fang looked up from the kitchen at the door’s sound. Fang Wei hurried in carrying two packages of medicine. Mrs. Fang rushed out, smiling. "Weren’t you supposed to be on duty tonight? Why are you back so soon?"

Fang Wei untied the hemp cord on the medicine package. "I already had the doctor prepare it. Dissolve it in hot water; remember to take it tonight."