Black Cat and Vagabond Guest

  "Everyone, please look, the back of this quilt also has bloodstains. Logically speaking, the blood should have flowed from Old Master Wang's body and permeated the quilt, so it's not strange that there are bloodstains on the back. But here, it's very strange." Yan Sanbai drew a circle with his finger around a circular bloodstain on the back of the quilt, "The bloodstains that aren't on the front, how did they penetrate to the back? This doesn't make sense."

  "Maybe the murderer got some of Old Man Wang's blood on him, and then for some reason grabbed a handful of blanket, leaving behind this bloody print?" Li Yan asked.

  Everyone used to think that Wang Jingchuan was killed in a locked room, but Yan Sanbai's inference completely overturned the truth.

  "This is also an interpretation, but later this cat told me that things were not like that."

  Yan Sanbai said as everyone went to see the cat. The cat, although it had regained its freedom, did not leave, but instead walked back and forth beside Yan Sanbai with its tail held high.

  The most anxious one in the field was Wang Min, "Cat? What's going on?"

  "In short, this afternoon I met the second young lady, and she said that the cat was bleeding. She hoped someone could help stop the bleeding. But after I checked, there were no wounds on the cat's body, only bloodstains on its front paws. So the blood wasn't from it, whose would it be?"

  "Meow~" The black cat responded with a timely meow.

  Whenever it comes to blood, everyone thinks of Wang Jingchuan, but the study is a sealed room, how could the cat possibly run in and get stained with blood?

  "Moreover, after the coroner's detailed autopsy, he told me that Old Master Wang's elbow and other joints had post-mortem ecchymoses. And I happened to smell the scent of high-quality pine wood on both the blood on the cat's paw and the blood in the quiet hall."

  Yan Sanbai swept his gaze over everyone present, carefully observing their facial expressions. "So I deduce that Old Master Wang was killed outside the Wang estate, then wrapped in a blanket and placed in a box, which was carried into the quiet hall without anyone noticing. Because of the excessive bleeding, blood seeped out of the box and dripped onto the ground, coincidentally being stepped on by a black cat passing by. During the moving process, Old Master Wang's joints were bruised due to collisions."

  "Wang Min and others couldn't help but open their mouths wide, no one had expected it would be like this."

  Yan Sanbai continued: "The murderer was very cautious, he must have known in advance that there was a blanket in the quiet hall, so he found one that was exactly the same. It's likely that Old Master Wang was killed while kneeling on this blanket, so his bloodstains were preserved intact, making it seem like he died in the quiet hall. The bloodstains on the back of the blanket can be explained as being accidentally stained during transportation. However, no matter how cautious the murderer was, there is one thing that cannot be guaranteed - the newness of the blanket. The blankets used in the mansion all have the same floral pattern, but the one in the quiet hall looks newer than the others."

  Li Yan couldn't help but want to applaud him, as Yan Sanbai was a man who didn't show any impatience while investigating cases, yet all the clues were actually stored in his mind, making it difficult for others to grasp even a bit of it.

  Whether it's a black cat or a blanket, ordinary people probably wouldn't pay much attention to it.

  "Is that so?" Yan Sanbai looked at Wang Min, "Old Master Wang loves cleanliness, doesn't he?"

  "Yes, my father loves cleanliness." Wang Min replied.

  Yan Sanbai nodded, "When I paid respects to the madam during the day, I saw Mr. Wang's clothes hanging in the room, all of which had clean hems and no damage. But yesterday, Mr. Wang only went to Wan'an Temple once, and he didn't even wait for his old friend to arrive before returning to Jing Tang. How could there be dust on the hem of those clothes, let alone tears? It's clear that he must have gone somewhere else."

  All the details linked together form a picture completely different from what everyone sees as established fact.

  Under the cool and clear moonlight, Yan San Bai spoke slowly and logically. Everyone seemed to have fallen into his rhythm, appearing somewhat silent.

  Only Li Yan, from his perspective, could occasionally see a fleeting flash of light in Yan Sanbai's eyes.

  "Yan Gege, then... where did my father go yesterday?" Wang Min had an additional dependence on Yan Sanbai psychologically, and even the way she addressed him changed.

  Yan Sanbai shook his head, "I don't know either. The only thing that's certain is that the person who came back yesterday afternoon wasn't Old Master Wang. Someone impersonated him, so he didn't speak to anyone on the way here in order to avoid raising any suspicions. I called everyone together tonight to see if you can all recall anything else, if there are any clues that have been overlooked, please inform me as soon as possible. With that, everyone can disperse."

  Lao Bao let out a deep sigh, seemingly not expecting such a twist.

  Everyone dispersed, Yan Sanbai called Wang Min to stay, and whispered a few words in his ear. Upon hearing this, Wang Min immediately showed a surprised expression, "How is this possible?!"

  "Shh." Yan Sanbai pressed his index finger to his lips, "Don't make a sound, just do as I say, even if I'm wrong it won't matter, got it?"

  Wang Min nodded slightly hesitantly.

  Li Yan wanted to walk up and listen to what they were whispering about, but as soon as he approached, the black cat arched its back and puffed out its fur.

  Li Yan revealed a wry smile, "Brother Cat, I've already been caught by you several times, shouldn't your anger be gone by now?"

  "Meow!" The cat brother didn't even give it a glance.

  Yan Sanbai looked back, Li Ye spread his hands.

  "Is this cat... the one Little Sister was holding?" Wang Min suddenly recognized it.

  "Yes." Yan Sanbai crouched down, extending his hand towards the cat. Li Yang was about to warn him to be careful, but saw that although the cat was on guard and retreated a bit, it didn't completely hide. Yan Sanbai's slender fingers reached the cat's back, stroking its black, shiny, and soft fur.

  Yan San suddenly laughed and turned his head to ask Wang Min, "This cat has also provided some clues for this case, can we give it a bowl of rice?"

  The cat wasn't from the Wang family, but rather a stray from outside. However, Wang Min thought Yan Sanbai made sense, so he responded with a "hmm" and turned to head to the kitchen to get some food. If this really helped crack the case, then this cat would be their benefactor, just like Father said: know the kindness and repay it.

  Li Yan crouched on the ground, continuing to stare down at the cat.

  The slender phoenix eyes faced the big round eyes, and the high moon cast a clear and cold light, with a different kind of charm.

  Li Yan is someone who can find joy in the smallest of things.

  Suddenly, a white hand holding a small copper box appeared before his eyes.

  A gentle voice spoke up, "Just now I heard you say that you were scratched by a cat? Apply some of this, or it might get infected."

  Li Yan raised his head and saw that even with the light behind him, Yan Sanbai's eyes were still bright and spirited.

  He didn't answer, but stretched out his hand.

  Yan San's eyes widened with inquiry, "Huh?"

  Li Yan also asked with a hint of inquiry, "You're getting me to apply it, aren't I injured because I helped you?"

  Swallows chirp in vain response.

  Thinking about it, it seems to be the case. Moreover, he is a prince, with a body worth a thousand gold, yet today he went to help catch a cat and got hurt. Emotionally and rationally, he should have some expression of gratitude.

  "Then get up, I'll give you a coat of paint."

  Two people stood face to face, Li Yan rolled up his sleeves and exposed his wrists, on which there were three parallel claw marks, not much blood was flowing, but it looked quite painful.

  The medicine in the copper box was ointment-like, and it felt cool when applied to the skin. But Yan Sanbai's fingertips were warm, and as he gently rubbed them against Li Yan's wrist, his rounded fingertips still shone with moonlight.

  Li Yan kept staring at his movements, as if he was possessed by an evil spirit.

  Swallowing hard, she looked at it and thought it was about right, then puckered up her mouth and blew a breath onto the wound. "All better."

  "Hmph..." Li Yan couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

  Yan Sanbai was stunned, "Is there anything improper about my behavior just now?"

  "There isn't any." Li Yan hastily waved his hand, but unexpectedly his nose twitched and he let out a loud sneeze.

  "Has the prince caught a chill?" Yan Sanbai glanced at the large red brocade robe on the ground and thought to himself that this was not good. The medicine had just been applied to his wrist, and if he were to catch another cold, his crime would be even greater.

  Li Yan only then felt a bit cold, fortunately he had been practicing martial arts since childhood, otherwise in this February weather, taking off his outer robe and standing in the night wind, how could he bear it.

  "It doesn't matter." He bent down to pick up his outer robe, shook it casually and swung it over his shoulder. He looked carefree and didn't seem to mind that the robe was dirty from wrapping around the cat earlier, not at all like a refined and dignified prince.

  "Right, I saw you whispering with Wang Min just now. Are you suspecting that there's a traitor in the Wang household?" Li Yan asked.

  "So, I intentionally said the inference just now in front of them. If there is a traitor, his reaction must be abnormal."

  "Who do you suspect?"

  Yan Sanbai was afraid that the inner ghost was still lurking nearby, so he leaned in and whispered a name.

  At this time, Wang Min brought back some food and saw Yan Sanbai and Li Yan standing so close together, and was momentarily stunned.

  Yan Ge and Luoyang Wang... are they so close?

  Wang Min said that he had prepared a guest room for Yan Sanbai. Li Ye, on the other hand, had his own destination and didn't stay any longer. However, this Prince Wang was extremely unconventional and didn't take the usual path. He ignored the front door and jumped over the wall wearing a red robe.

  At the gate of Wan'an Temple, Zhong Bao Ling Ding was still sitting on the stone steps in front of the door, thinking to himself - why hadn't Young Master returned yet.

  He waited until the figures were sparse, until the sky was desolate and the earth was old, finally seeing a figure at the end of the long street, who was carefree and unrestrained in the mortal world, with his hands behind his back, as if an emperor inspecting the streets.

  That must be Wang Wu of Luoyang.

  Ling felt deeply moved in his heart and tears filled his eyes, the king still remembered him, it was really good.

  Not far away, in a tea house with gentle breeze, a wisp of smoke was lightly puffed out from thin lips, veiling the moonlight before one's eyes.

  The moonlight in that thin fog is like a flower in the mirror, beautiful but distant.

  The crisp sound of the three strings resonated in the night sky, playing a soothing melody, accompanied by the soft murmurs of Wu dialect. Long fingers plucked the strings, and the person plucking asked with a smile: "Does the great hero have any troubles?"

  "The way you play the three strings is really annoying."

  "Cut, dead cigarette."

  The sanxian player raised an eyebrow, "The person you're looking for is dead, no matter how much you brag, you can't bring them back. Hey, that handsome young master might be looking for you everywhere right now."

  The smoker turned around, his light blue stubble still unshaven, his slightly curly hair tied up casually, looking handsome but with an air of depth and maturity that was hard to see through.

  His voice was magnetic, "Make another sound and that handsome young man will take you away with him."

  "The other family's number one son is handsome, unlike you, a vagrant with a messy beard, I'd rather be caught."

  The three strings sounded again, and the wandering guest suddenly smiled, the long tobacco pipe in his hand made a turn.

  The next day, a hurried knock on the door disturbed the quiet morning of the Wang family.

  The gatekeeper had just opened the door when the visitor strode in with big steps, bringing in last night's cool breeze and the dust from the road.

  The newcomer is Lu Lingge, the current leader of the Returning Crane Sect and the junior brother of Wang Jingchuan and Lu Shuangxing.

  Behind him were two disciples of the Guihe Sect, the eldest disciple Wang Qi and the second disciple Lu Boyuan.

  Wang Min had been unable to sleep for several days due to his father's murder, so he hadn't gotten up yet. On the other hand, Yan Sanbai woke up at dawn and was taking a stroll in the Wang mansion's courtyard, with the black cat crouching by the well, staring as he walked back and forth.

  However, the black cat was suddenly startled by footsteps and jumped open. Yan Sanbai turned his head and saw Lu Lingge and his two apprentices walking in.

  The two sides had their first face-to-face meeting.

  Lu Ling Ge was just over thirty years old and was considered one of the few young leaders in the Jianghu sects. He was also a straightforward person, with a good reputation in the Jianghu community.

  He had already known about Yan Sanbai's existence from the letter, so he recognized him at a glance.

  "Yan Da Xia."

  "It's too great an honor for me, just call out my name and I'll be there."

  At this time, the gatekeeper Ah Fu rushed in to wake up the young master. Lu Zhongmen was a noble guest and couldn't be delayed. He looked around first, wanting to find Zhong Bo, as he usually did. But today, the sky was already bright, so why wasn't anyone there?

  He walked away, muttering a couple of sentences under his breath, but hadn't gone far when he was suddenly stopped by Yan Sanbai.

  "What did you just say? Zhōngbó hasn't gotten up yet?"

  A Fu nodded vaguely, "Yes, yes..."

  Upon hearing this, Yan Sanbai's eyebrows furrowed and he suddenly thought of a possibility, so he grabbed Ah Fu and left.

  "Which room does Zhōngbó live in?"

  "Right there!"

  Lu Lingge and the other two quickly followed, unsure what was wrong with Yan Sanbai. But he really was in a hurry, even using his lightness skill within the small Wang estate.

  When Lu Lingge and the other two arrived, Yan Sanbai had already burst in through the door. In a flash of lightning, he pulled out a copper coin and threw it at the beam.

  The white silk was cut off, and the old servant with a head full of flowers fell to the ground.

  "Zhōngbó!" Ah Fu exclaimed, hastily going over to help Zhongbo up, his eyes filled with incredulity.

  Yan Sanbai reached out to check his breath, and although it was very weak, there were still signs of life. He then took out a small porcelain bottle and fed him a pill, instructing:

  "A Fu, hurry up and call your young master over."

  A Fu hurriedly went to call for help, and at this time, two of Lu Ling's apprentices came over to help move Zhong Bo onto the bed.

  "How is Zhongbo doing?" Lu Lingge's eyes were filled with worry.

  "It's nothing serious, I gave him a Jiu Sheng pill and he'll be fine after resting for a few days."

  At this time, Zhongbo coughed a few times and woke up. Those dull old eyes slowly swept over Yan Sanbai and Lu Lingge behind him, and finally let out a faint sigh, just like the one he had let out when he left Jing Tang last night.

  Yan Sanbai was right, there is a traitor in the Wang household. This person is none other than the seemingly most unlikely and loyal Zhongbo. That's why when he spoke with Wang Min last night, he didn't dare to believe it.

  Yan Sanbai never thought that he would force Zhongbo to hang himself by trying to expose his true nature.

  Wang Min arrived, he ran very quickly, his collar wasn't even straightened.

  The moment he rushed in, he tightly grasped Zhongbo's hand and anxiously asked if anything was wrong. In the heart of this half-grown boy, he still did not want to believe that this old servant, whom he had always treated like a grandfather, would be an accomplice to his father's murder.

  Zhongbo saw the concern in Wang Min's eyes, and his expression became even more desolate. Last night when Yan Sanbai gathered them all to say those words, he had already anticipated that he couldn't keep it hidden for long, so he thought of ending this miserable life, but didn't expect...

  Wang Min's eyes were red, and when she saw that Zhongbo was really okay, she couldn't help but ask: "Zhongbo, what's going on?"

  Zhongbo then explained the whole story from start to finish.

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