Chapter 27: The Death of the Morning Cloud

"Shut your mouth!" Yue Ji snapped, her voice sharp with anger. "This is not your place to speak! Taoyuan has known peace for the past ten years, but ever since those two outsiders arrived, trouble has followed. How could the ancient rules of Taoyuan be broken by the likes of them?"

"I believe you," Li Bai suddenly interjected, nodding at Chen Yage before turning to Yue Ji. "I was separated from Yage for only an hour, and besides, Yage had no feud with Chaoyun, no motive to kill. Most importantly, what proof do you have that she is the murderer?"

Yue Ji replied, "Since I took charge of Taoyuan, all has been calm and orderly. It was only with your arrival that chaos ensued. If you have anything to say, take it to the Young Master!" With a flick of her water sleeves, a silken ribbon shot out, binding Chen Yage. Yue Ji rose lightly on her toes and soared into the air, carrying Chen Yage with her.

Chen Yage had no time to protest before she was swept skyward. Though a modern woman accustomed to skyscrapers and cityscapes, she still suffered from vertigo. Panic-stricken, she screamed, "Help! Help!"

Li Bai watched Chen Yage disappear into the night, his brows furrowed, and hurried toward Ziye’s quarters. Dujuan and Shuiniu followed in his wake, while Wang Chaotian remained behind, weeping bitterly over Chaoyun’s corpse.

Before long, Yue Ji brought Chen Yage before Ziye. Though Ziye had not yet retired for the night, his robes were half undone. He lounged carelessly atop his bed, speaking with little interest, "It’s so late—what brings you here?"

Yue Ji stepped forward, bowed her head, and announced, "Young Master, Chaoyun is dead."

Ziye sat bolt upright at her words, shock in his voice. "What? Chaoyun is dead?"

Yue Ji continued, "An hour ago, Wang Chaotian came to me saying Chaoyun was missing. I took Dujuan and Shuiniu and searched, and we found Chaoyun’s body in Moon Lake. At that time, only Chen Yage was present at the lake."

As Yue Ji spoke, she glanced at Chen Yage, who struggled against her bindings, deeply uncomfortable. Chen Yage knew that if she didn’t speak now, she would never clear her name—even if she leapt into the Yellow River. She hurried to explain, "It wasn’t me! I didn’t kill Chaoyun!" She didn’t know if Ziye would believe her, but she had to fight for her own survival.

Ziye gripped Chen Yage’s chin with such force she thought he might break her bones, but she could only glare at him helplessly.

"Was it truly not you?" Ziye asked coldly.

From his eyes, Chen Yage saw murderous intent. She shook her head desperately. "No, it wasn’t me! I didn’t kill her—when I arrived, Chaoyun was already dead!"

"What proof do you have that you weren’t the killer?" Ziye pressed relentlessly.

"And what proof do you have that she was?" At that moment, Li Bai entered, his white robes billowing like a celestial being. The evening breeze stirred his dark hair, and for a moment, Chen Yage was struck by his ethereal presence.

Ziye released Chen Yage and reclined once more on his bed. His voice was cold. "You have three days to find the real murderer. If you fail, you will be dealt with according to the laws of Taoyuan."

Chen Yage protested indignantly, "Why do you insist Chaoyun was murdered by her? She died in Moon Lake; it’s entirely possible she fell in by accident!"

Yue Ji snorted, "Don’t try to deny it. I’ve examined Chaoyun’s body—there’s a deep mark around her neck. She was strangled and thrown into the lake."

"That’s only your word. I haven’t seen her body—there’s no guarantee you’re telling the truth."

"Yage, my mother is telling the truth. There really is a strangulation mark on Chaoyun’s neck," Dujuan stepped forward, words faltering on her lips.

Still unconvinced, Chen Yage turned her gaze to Shuiniu. Of all those present, she trusted Li Bai most, and next to him, Shuiniu. Even if some accused her of using Shuiniu’s affection, at least he would not frame her.

Under Chen Yage’s and Yue Ji’s piercing stares, Shuiniu seemed to wither. He hesitated, unable to speak, and finally gave a reluctant nod.

Seeing Chen Yage at a disadvantage, Li Bai stepped forward, his words firm and clear. "Three days, then. If we cannot uncover the truth in that time, Yage and I will accept any punishment. But we have one condition: during these three days, you must not interfere with our investigation and must fully cooperate with us."

"You must not grant their request, Young Master!" Yue Ji’s expression changed at once, and she pleaded with Ziye.

At this moment, Ziyu entered from outside. She was still dressed in red, with willow brows, phoenix eyes, skin like porcelain, lips like cherry blossoms. The murderous air that marked their first meeting was gone from her phoenix-like gaze.

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