After the needles were withdrawn and Xiao Yi'er had been fed her medicine, the sky was already bright. Yet, the snow outside had not ceased; it continued to fall, piling up thick in the courtyard before the study.
"Master, breakfast is ready," Uncle Zhang said, appearing at the gallery entrance and speaking toward the room.
At the Zhang Estate in Yuancheng, Zhang Zhirou and Zhang Zhili were pacing anxiously before the main hall, craning their necks to look outside from time to time. When they spotted a figure appearing in the front courtyard, Zhang Zhirou hurriedly asked, "Xiao Duo, how is it out there? Is it possible to travel?"
"Second Miss, it’s no use. The snow is too deep; the carriages can't move at all, and one can barely walk. The whole of Yuancheng is deathly quiet—not a single merchant is out."
The snow in Yuancheng this year was far too heavy. In just one night, the world had been blanketed, making it impossible to move. In some places, the snow was deep enough to reach one's knees! She had hoped to go see Xiao Yi'er early, but in this state, she feared it would be impossible.
"What do we do then? Sister He and the others don't have much food! Who knows when this snow will stop? If they stay trapped for a few more days, won't they starve to death?"
Zhang Zhili was frantic, pacing back and forth in a state of high agitation; a flush had risen to his face, whether from anxiety or physical strain, it was hard to tell.
Seeing this, Xiao Duo quickly held him steady. "Oh, my young master, please, don't get so worked up. Take care of your health! It won't be good if you have another episode!"
"What about Brother? Does he have a way? Didn't he say yesterday that he would go with us to visit Sister He?" Zhang Zhirou asked again.
"The eldest young master has been gone since early this morning. He must have gone to the military camp."
Zhang Zhirou felt a bit discouraged. She had hoped to rely on him, but now, he was nowhere to be found.
"Second Miss, how about I take some supplies to the East Suburbs? Since I can't take a carriage, I'll go on foot," Xiao Duo suggested.
Zhang Zhirou was uneasy. With snow this heavy, if Xiao Duo got lost or ran into an accident, there would be no one to hear his cries for help.
As if sensing her worry, Xiao Duo smiled and patted his chest. "Don't worry, Miss. Have you forgotten? My sense of direction is top-notch!"
Zhang Zhili had wanted to go too, but was sternly refused by both Zhang Zhirou and Xiao Duo. With his frail constitution, if he actually went out there, he might never make it back.
Outside the General's Estate, the entire main street was empty, with only a few eateries and teahouses open. Business was pitiful. On a snowy day like this, everyone was curled up under their warm blankets at home—who would go out just to freeze?
The owner of the Kelai Teahouse sat hunched behind the counter, arms folded, glaring with displeasure at the two men who had barged in early that morning. They had ordered a single pot of tea and had been sitting there for over an hour without leaving! If it weren't for them, he would have been back in the rear courtyard, tucked into his warm bed already.
Suddenly, the two men stood up. The proprietor immediately brightened and emerged from behind the counter. "Oh, are you two gentlemen leaving? The roads are deep with snow, do take care!"
One of the men glanced at the proprietor, tossed a few copper coins on the counter, and left with his companion.
The proprietor grinned, snatched up the coins, and swiftly shut the shop door. His movements were so fluid and efficient that it left the two men outside feeling rather complex.
Were they… being shunned?
Along the long street, there were only three scattered figures—one a hundred meters ahead, two a hundred meters behind. Each step they took in the deep snow left a crater, the drifts nearly swallowing their knees.
"Boss, you're a genius!" Shen San walked beside Qin Yi'an, watching the person who had just emerged from the General's Estate, and couldn't help but offer praise. "How did you know someone from the Zhang Family would definitely come out today?"
A flicker passed through Qin Yi'an's eyes. "I was gambling on it. Miss Zhang's attitude yesterday made me feel that she knows where that woman is. Her intentional concealment only made me more suspicious."
"Do you think the woman who appeared at Shourentang yesterday is really the killer from the massacre in the West Suburbs?"
"Her build and attire match the testimonies provided by the locals near the crime scene. Plus, her deliberate avoidance of government officials—it's highly likely," Qin Yi'an said.
Shen San nodded. She had seen the woman yesterday, but hadn't paid attention to her clothing. No wonder Qin Yi'an was the head constable and she was just a regular officer! There was indeed a difference.
"If it really is her, we've hit the jackpot!" Shen San’s face glowed with excitement. "I heard the Chief Clerk say yesterday that the estate in the West Suburbs belongs to a high-ranking official in the Capital. The reports have likely reached the Capital by now, and they might send someone down to investigate at any time. If that's the case, if we crack this case, could we have a chance to be transferred to the Capital?"
The Capital was a wonderful place; even the smallest position there would surely pay better than in Yuancheng.
Qin Yi'an shot him a sideways glance. "We haven't even confirmed who she is, and you're already dreaming of promotions and wealth!"
Shen San chuckled foolishly, rubbing his nearly frozen face. "Heh, just thinking about it."
Walking ahead, Xiao Duo carried the food box, completely unaware that he was being followed. The snow was too heavy and the wind howled; luckily he wore a hat with earflaps, or his ears might have frozen off.
***
In the East Suburbs, one had to admit, the cook at Baili Moqing’s place was truly skilled. In such a short time, she had managed to make such beautiful, exquisite little jackets and skirts, along with a pair of thick trousers stuffed with cotton.
"Still staring?! Why don't you hurry up and put them on Xiao Yi'er?" Seeing Shu He holding the little jacket and drifting off for a moment, Nan Qi felt his temper flare again.
He didn't know why, but he felt an inexplicable dislike toward Shu He. Perhaps it was her courage to decapitate someone without a change in expression, or perhaps it was her incompetence for letting Xiao Yi'er suffer such agony despite having such good martial arts skills. It certainly couldn't be because he had been chilled to the bone by her earlier—that must have been an illusion!
Shu He glared at him irritably and muttered to herself, "Nan Qi, you'd better pray you don't fall into my hands later. Otherwise, you'll see how I deal with you!!"
Seeing that Shu He had finished dressing Xiao Yi'er, he tilted his head and asked, "Hey, what is your name?"
If it weren't for his master's orders, he wouldn't initiate conversation with her! This cold-blooded "Snow Rakshasa"!!
"Snow Rakshasa" was a nickname Nan Qi had secretly given her. The sight of her beheading someone on that snowy night had been so deeply burned into his memory that, no matter how many years passed, he felt a lingering fear of her.
Shu He’s movements paused slightly, her eyelids drooping. "You may call me Lady He."
Nan Qi asked again, "Where is your husband? Why are you a lone mother and child wandering out here?"
After finishing dressing Xiao Yi'er and gently wiping her face, Shu He stood up. Her gaze swept over Baili Moqing, who was sitting quietly by the window. "Dead."
"Oh." Nan Qi wasn't surprised by the answer; if her husband weren't dead, they wouldn't have ended up in such a state.
"You clearly have such great martial arts, why did you let Xiao Yi'er be tortured like this?" This was what angered Nan Qi the most.
"I hemorrhaged when I gave birth to Yi'er. I was delirious after I woke up and only regained my senses two days ago." Shu He wasn't lying; at least, that sentence was true.
"Then who abused you? And where did you come from?"
These two were strangers, after all; inquiring about their background was essential. Especially since their identities were so unique—it wouldn't do if they were spies.
Shu He showed signs of impatience, her eyes turning toward Baili Moqing. "This gentleman, everyone has secrets. Is there a need to get to the bottom of everything?"
Baili Moqing put down his book and looked at her in surprise. She really was arrogant enough to disregard everyone just because she had a bit of skill.
"Who gave you permission to speak to my Master like that?" Nan Qi asked indignantly, scolding her.
"Stop shouting at me!" Shu He turned to look at Nan Qi, her face cold, the volume and force of her voice suddenly rising. "I've been tolerating you for a long time!"
Stunned by the shout, Nan Qi was bewildered. He had grown up and never been yelled at like this before! Even his master had only ever disciplined him with a look. He stammered "You…" for a long time, unable to come up with anything else to say.
"Where did this cook come from? How can she be so ignorant of propriety? Is the Master's study a place you can just walk into?" A woman's sharp rebuke suddenly sounded from the door, unintentionally saving Nan Qi's life.
Shu He turned to look. She saw a woman with skin like cream, brows like paintings, and an elegant demeanor, walking toward them with graceful, lotus-like steps. However, there was a touch of malice on her beautiful, striking face that ruined her refined air.