The moment Madam Zhou heard the news, her mind went blank, her ears buzzing, shutting out all surrounding sounds. She could only see their mouths move, but couldn't hear what they were saying.
Her eyes darkened, and she fainted. The maids immediately supported her, and an experienced old woman quickly pinched her philtrum.
After a while, she slowly regained consciousness. Remembering the yamen runners' words before she passed out, she was on the verge of tears and quickly denied, "You're lying. My son is out playing and will be home soon."
Seeing her in this state, the yamen runners were a bit at a loss. They were only acting on orders, and the county magistrate had told them to bring Madam Zhou to identify the body. Without completing the task, they could only stand awkwardly to the side.
"Xiangyun, help me to rest for a while. I'll wake up and my son will be back." Xiangyun immediately stepped forward. Although Madam was usually very strict with them, seeing her distraught state, they couldn't help but feel heartache.
Master Zhou, having heard the news, rushed over. As soon as the yamen runners saw him, they breathed a sigh of relief and said somewhat awkwardly, "We understand Madam's feelings, but we are also acting on orders. Please bear with us."
Master Zhou's eyes were red, and he choked out, "I'll go with you."
When Master Zhou heard the news, he couldn't believe it. He had breakfast with his son that morning, laughing and talking. He had only gone out to check on his business, and how could he return to find them separated by death?
He had initially thought the yamen had made a mistake, but as soon as he returned to his mansion, he heard that Madam had been searching for their eldest son all afternoon with no news. He knew then that the matter was more likely than not true.
Although he had ignored his existence for so many years, he couldn't deny that his son was outstanding and could very well change the Zhou family's fortune. After learning of his background, he had grown even closer to him, clearly seeing him as his biological father. The thought of this made his heart ache even more.
Upon arriving at the county yamen, he still felt it was unreal. Under the magistrate's sympathetic gaze, he lifted the white cloth covering the body with trembling hands. The moment he saw the corpse's face, his own turned instantly pale. All his hopes vanished at that instant, and he instinctively took two steps back.
The magistrate quickly supported him and sighed, "Please accept my condolences, Master Zhou. Next, we must find the killer and avenge Young Master Zhou."
Master Zhou nodded erratically, then removed the white cloth from the body entirely. He saw the knife stuck in his son's chest. Master Zhou felt as if the knife was plunged into his own chest, the pain so intense he could barely breathe. He unconsciously clenched his fists, veins bulging. He wanted to see who had been so heartless as to deal such a heavy blow to such a kind child.
"Are there any clues?" Master Zhou suppressed the grief in his heart and asked calmly.
The magistrate shook his head guiltily. The place was too remote, near the city wall and by a haunted house. Few people went there usually. Only a small beggar slept there at night. In addition, there were workers maintaining the city wall nearby at the time, which was how Young Master Zhou's body was discovered in time. Otherwise, where would they have found anyone?
Master Zhou frowned upon hearing this and instructed them to inform the Zhou mansion of any news. Then, with a heavy heart, he ordered his son's body to be carried back.
At the same time, Wu Caiwei, astonished, listened to a guard's report: "He left the city? That's unlike him. Didn't he refuse to return to the countryside even if it meant death?"
The guard hesitated before saying, "There's something I don't know if I should say."
"Tell me," Wu Caiwei raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She had a feeling something had happened today.
"I had an urgent need, and today I followed Xu Jie to the vicinity of the city wall. I quickly found a privy. When I came out, I saw his hurried back as he left. I quickly followed him, not knowing where he was going or what he was doing," the guard said awkwardly.
Wu Caiwei thought for a moment and ordered, "Tomorrow, you will continue to follow him to that village."
The guard quickly nodded, feeling ashamed of his negligence today.
Wu Caiwei had a premonition that something had happened to Young Master Zhou. After all, he had been sharpening his knives from time to time recently, and yesterday he had deliberately encountered Young Master Zhou. Wu Caiwei didn't believe he wouldn't do anything.
It was just that Young Master Zhou's luck was too poor. If her guard had followed him, he would have definitely saved his life. Now, he was likely beyond saving.
The next morning, as soon as she stepped out of her courtyard, she heard the bustling discussions on the street. Everyone was talking about how Young Master Zhou had been murdered yesterday and how the Zhou family was offering a heavy reward for the capture of the killer.
Wu Caiwei couldn't help but sigh. She wondered how Madam Zhou, such a person, could have raised such a kind son, only for him to die young. Truly, good people don't live long, while villains have a thousand-year legacy.
After some thought, she changed direction and headed towards the Zhou mansion. When Master Zhou heard that a Doctor Leng had requested an audience, he was taken aback. He didn't know why this woman was here at this time. In fact, Master Zhou suspected her to some extent, as there weren't many people in the city who had a life-and-death feud with them.
Although he didn't welcome her, he still invited her in, wanting to see what she intended to do.
This was Wu Caiwei's first time at the Zhou mansion. She looked around, thinking that Master Zhou was indeed worthy of being the richest man for so many years; everything exuded understated luxury.
Hearing footsteps, she reflexively turned her head. When she saw Master Zhou and Madam Zhou appearing at the doorway, she was somewhat surprised and raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected her charm to be so great that they would both come to see her. However, seeing the resentment in Madam Zhou's eyes, she knew her trip was not in vain, or else they would have certainly turned their suspicions towards her.
Wu Caiwei picked up the tea served by the maid and took a sip. Then, she looked meaningfully at the two sitting opposite her, "I heard Young Master Zhou had an accident. It's truly a pity, such a kind child."
Madam Zhou couldn't bear to hear anyone mention her son now. As soon as he was mentioned, tears streamed uncontrollably, her heart feeling as if it were being twisted by knives. She said pointedly, "If you've come to mock us, you'll be disappointed. My husband and I will bravely find the killer and bring them to justice to avenge him."
"It seems Madam suspects me. I can tell you clearly, it really wasn't me. Don't you want to know who the killer is?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou abruptly stood up, her voice involuntarily rising, "If not you, then who else could it be?"
Wu Caiwei said with a half-smile, "The hunter who hunts all day can be pecked by a goose. Have you forgotten someone? Don't you think it's been much quieter around here these past few days? With Xu Yijie's personality, why do you think he's stopped bothering you?"