往生堂主庄园杀人事件 档案6
𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞, 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝟔
Nine o'clock. An hour until the Mobong County officers and the fire department arrive.
The silent, winter night was occasionally accompanied by the weak gusts of wind from the storm that had just subsided. But now, footsteps wading through the snow towards a certain location broke the silence. It's as if the one approaching the area tried their best to remain under the radar. Soon, after lingering for a few moments in their destination—possibly trying to ensure no one was around, they frantically proceeded to dig around the snow, desperately looking for something.
Unfortunately, all of those efforts were in vain, for they have just walked straight into our hands.
"You really had us fooled; blending into the innocent party, coming off as an unrelated third-party. Sadly, in the end, your plans to escape your sins have backfired," I told the person meters in front of me. "I'll cut right to the chase. Are you, perhaps, looking for something?"
Grunting, they fell to the rear and stood back up. Suddenly, something glinted in the dark; they attempted to grab something from their dark winter coat.
"Hu Tao, Aether! Now!"
"LCPD! Drop your weapon!" Aether announced as Hu Tao and two more people emerged from the sides and apprehended the person clad in black. "Give it here!" Aether forcefully disarmed the culprit's knife. The culprit was now down on their knees, immobilized and stooping their head away from us to see. The winter coat they wore bore a hoodie to hide their face.
"S—so, this is the guy, huh," Hu Tao tearily commented.
"It is true." Dr. Bai calmly added. "The culprit always returns to the scene of the crime, or at least, close to it. Isn't that right, Judge Zhong?"
"In my years of rendering service to the law enforcement, I must say that such stands true for the majority," His Honor replied before turning to me. "Ms. Yu, please do the honors of unmasking the culprit."
Turning to the culprit, I cautiously knelt down in front of them. "Know this, you will pay for your crimes," with one hand, I revealed their face for all to see,
"Hu Fanren!"
All the peoples' faces were utterly shocked at the revelation, but among them, Hu Tao was the one who bore the most mortified expression.
"No… way…" I quickly returned to Hu Tao and helped her maintain balance. "S—Shu-shu…" Hu Tao turned to look at me, now understanding why I was vague with her when she asked about the true culprit, particularly about who owned a certain piece of evidence.
The father of Qiqi chuckled. "I was merely looking for something I dropped around here, everyone. I just drew out my knife since I was shocked. Self-defense, since the murderer's still out there. There's no problem with that, is there?"
"S—shut up! Y—you… you killed grandpa!" Hu Tao shot at him.
"Now, now, Hu Tao. Wasn't it clear that Meng was the one who took my father's life then his own? He was the one who assaulted you as well."
"B—but… I…" Unable to bear the revelation of her very own uncle being the culprit, Hu Tao turned to my right shoulder and wept.
"Please, just calm down, Hu Tao," I whispered before turning to Qiqi's father.
The case is now at its core, and the culprit is before me. Hu Tao, Qiqi. Your dear grandfather's death will be without vain, and your caretaker's murder will be brought into light too, by all our efforts combined.
And, of course, I hope you've been keeping a close eye, Feng!
"Mr. Hu Fanren, Meng's apparent suicide was no suicide at all; it was murder." Presenting the picture of the bloodied burnt coat to Hu Fanren, I continued, "Majority of the guests, Aether, Karong, and I can attest to having seen you putting out the flames with your own winter coat, even as stated in the statement you provided to Inspector Faramund. Furthermore, Karong has testified to seeing you follow Meng into the lumberyard, wherein you were actually driven with the intent to murder. Need I say that an extremely thorough forensic analysis of the blood should lead us to Meng's?"
Hu Fanren grumbled at that revelation, then sighed. "It… is as you say, I admit it."
T—this is unprecedented! That fast? "To what?"
"I murdered Meng. However," his stare trailed down, "that was because Meng murdered my father. You must know, Meng actually harbored hatred against him by the time it was mentioned that the title of director of the Wangsheng namesake be passed unto Hu Tao. When I saw the knife in the kitchen, I knew what had to be done."
"That's not true!" Hu Tao spoke out. "Meng… Ever since I was young, he would never do something like that to grandpa! He even told me before, when no one thought so, that I could've been a great directress someday!"
"Reality isn't that simple, Hu Tao. You'd ought to know this by now, Meng lied to you!" Hu Fanren spat out, leaving Hu Tao in distressed confusion.
"T—that's not true… That's not true…" she muttered repeatedly. Ngh, and this accursed man calls himself an uncle to her?
"But, there you have it, everyone. I admit it. Inspector?" He quickly turned to Aether.
"What?"
"I hope you'll note my confession down. I'll be turning myself to the police. Detain me in the manor if you need to." Hu Fanren then bowed his head. "My deepest, deepest apologies for the crime I've committed, everyone. As what Atty. Yu has earlier mentioned, I will pay for it."
Confound it! He might as well plead second-degree murder, and that'll exonerate him for first-degree serial murders. Lying to get a less heavy sentence, not to mention dishonoring the dead. How low can this man get? I can't let that happen; I must state my rebuttal.
B—but, I feel strangely shaken. At this crucial moment, too!
"Hold it, Inspector! We'll have to scrutinize this confession first." I won't jump headlong into the fire just yet; my trump card will come after all necessary truths have been spewed out. "Mr. Hu Fanren. Just how did you know Meng had murdered your father beforehand? The murder wasn't made known until the four of us had discovered the body and Hu Tao unconscious. A clear contradiction of facts!" C'mon, try to wriggle out of this one.
I swore I saw him smirk under that façade. "Remember when I had gone to check on my daughter and father? That's when I saw him; he was limping as he walked out of the room. Now, my father wouldn't bring considerable harm upon someone unless it was self-defense. Getting the picture?" Argh, I can't prove or disprove that! "On the other hand, I'm sure someone saw me tail Meng."
"Karong saw you… of course." Curses, to think this was used to his advantage.
"Oh, thank you for confirming that fact, Atty. Yu." I could feel Hu Tao beside me seething with rage at the culprit's hubris. "Anyway, what matters is that I confessed right now, isn't that right," he turned to the one who held him down from both sides, "Judge Zhong? Inspector Faramund?"
The two could say nothing but agree to that. This is bad, the look on their faces—except Hu Tao's and Aether's—just screams, "Stop wasting our time!" Argh, I'm not!
Curses, m—must my trump card be revealed that quick? I can't just jump headlong into presenting it since they might dismiss it as inadmissible evidence, for lack of a proper basis. Maybe this man might come up with an excuse. I—I need to reassess my—
"Yanfei, you got everything already!" All of a sudden, Hu Tao whispered to me. "C'mon, my grandpa's killer's literally in front of you. Yanfei from another world or not, I know you can come up with something. I really know you can do it, Yanfei! I know you can 'cause,"
"I believe in you, Yanfei."
Those words… Hu Tao…
Then, it suddenly hit me; I'm still on the right track! What am I thinking, throwing in the towel like that so early? I am Yanfei. No case, and I mean no case, will be left hanging like this without the necessary truths revealed. All that I've uttered to date are still all according to plan. It's just that this man admitted to the first crime early, but with a twist. This must've been a ploy to set me back.
Of course, I must attack this confession via another viewpoint. With that, I mustn't focus on pinning the murder of the 75th on the culprit, but explaining the primary circumstances surrounding it, ergo leading to the former. The tools to crack the case are just within my disposal, so I can press on with confidence!
"Thank you, dearly, Hu Tao," I whispered back. "I really have to repay you for everything you've done thus far."
"Yanfei…!"
Taking a deep breath, I declared, "Mr. Hu Fanren, I still object to your confession. Particularly, you murdered Meng not in retaliation, but in order to silence him."
"Yes, you two were in cahoots!"
"L—lies…!" Hu Fanren scowled.
Think back. The destruction of the main gate, sedation and murder of the 75th, and the the assault on Hu Tao. All these were concocted by one Hu Fanren, and with the willingness or hesitance of Meng. It would not have been possible to accomplish these horrendous deeds without an accomplice.
Eureka! This is where my logic has brought me, courtesy of Hu Tao snapping my worked-up self away. Truly, this will lead me down the right path.
"Ms. Yu, I do hope you realize the gravity of your words." His Honor warned with furrowed brows. "What is the basis of your objection?"
"Please have a look at this piece of evidence." I presented the picture of the used blister pack.
"M—midazolam…!" Dr. Bai exclaimed, adjusting his glasses as it nearly fell from him flinching. "Atty. Yu, you aren't exactly suggesting…?!"
"That's right, Dr. Bai." I turned to Hu Fanren. "This was found in Meng's quarters. You knew that Meng was a substance abuser, right, Mr. Hu Fanren?"
"So what if I did?"
"If such was the case, you could've gotten Meng to cooperate with the threat of blackmail. With that, you coerced him to do your bidding: felling the trees with a conditionally-triggered trap, sedating the 75th earlier lunch, assaulting Hu Tao to pin the crime on her. All these for one reason." With my newfound confidence, I declared,
"To wash the murder of the 75th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor off your hands!"
"B—bullshit! All of it!" Hu Fanren cursed. Slowly, his true colors began showing. "Y—you don't actually have a thing on me, prosecutor. It's Meng who killed that old man. Not me! Or maybe, Junpeng did it? Bah, you have nothing on me!" Does he really know no honor? Hu Tao's face of disappointment tells me she thinks likewise.
"F—Fanren…!" His Honor mumbled. It would seem like this is the first time he'd seen this man act this way.
"You know what to do, right?" Aether said, his eyes seemingly filled with confidence in my words. I nodded back at him. At the same time, Hu Tao gave me a teary-eyed nod and comforting smile.
Recall. Recall that one particular amended testimony: Qiqi's. How ironic, I thought to myself with a grin, that one's own progeny may as well bring forth the downfall of the parents themselves.
"Unfortunately for you, Mr. Hu Fanren, I do have something in my arsenal: your very own daughter's statement."
"L—leave my daughter out of this, prosecutor!" He turned to His Honor. "Judge Zhong! W—why aren't you stopping her?! Madness, madness I tell you!"
His Honor shook his head. "Overruled, Fanren." I could hear an animalistic growl from the man in front of me. "Ms. Yu, please elaborate how little Qiqi's statement bolsters your claims."
I nodded. "With pleasure, Your Honor. Little Qiqi has stated that she saw you exit the 75th's room—"
"Hold it!" Hu Fanren screeched. "Hold it right there, wasn't that established just a few hours ago? Stop wasting our time and—"
"Let her finish her explanation, Fanren," Dr. Bai calmly interrupted, forcibly shaking the culprit's shoulder. "You were saying, Atty. Yu?"
"Thank you, Dr. Bai." Clearing my throat, I continued, "As I was saying, you exited the 75th's room without your blue necklace. I wonder what made you lose it, Mr. Hu Fanren" my left hand found itself on my waist, "considering you were wearing it while you were escorting your very own victim to his room. Not to mention, it being a memento of your late wife."
"I—I lost it… that's it, yes!" A charming excuse, begetting my chuckles.
"Oh, and do tell us where you lost it," I continued
"That's… argh, I forgot! I'm very sorry, but I forgot where I lost it."
I have you cornered now. This is it. I shall now play it—my trump card.
Wagging my finger, I rebutted, "Oh, for how forgetful you are, even to the point of your purpose in coming to this very spot. Allow us to jog your memory. Hu Tao?"
Her cheeky, yet puffy-eyed, smile replaced her earlier distressed countenance. "Is it time for it?"
"By all means. Please fetch the final piece of evidence for us to see."
"Okay, Yanfei!" Heh, a cute mini-rhyme befitting a cute poet.
While Hu Tao proceeded to go to the spot where I had buried it, I turned back to the culprit, who was sweating bullets amidst this injurious cold weather. No more than seconds passed, and we finally presented this piece of evidence to its original owner, his eyes unable to behold it.
"An ingenious trick of yours. His Honor and I were under the impression that the beads strewn on the floor were merely the victim's, but that assumption was flawed; both your necklace's beads and the victim's had been mixed! Ergo, allow me to amend my very first question upon coming across you, 'Is this what you're looking for?'"
"That's… that's not mine," Hu Fanren claimed. "You can't prove that it's mine…" I then recalled all the previous cases I've dealt with in Teyvat, as well as their respective guilty parties. Oh, Lord of Geo, do all dishonorable criminals know not when to quit?
"Ms. Yu, what is your proof that this piece of evidence actually belongs to this man here?" His Honor asked.
"For that, we must call upon the forensics to study the blue beads strewn in the floor and the one that fell off the 75th's collar. Specifically, thoroughly inspect for fingerprints and salvageable DNA traces then compare them to those of this necklace. The forensics team is, I believe, due to arrive soon. Am I correct," I turned to Aether. "Inspector?"
"Right on. It's half an hour to 10:00 PM sharp. Should be here any minute now with the fire brigade," Aether gleefully responded.
Nodding, I continued, "Should a link pointing to you be found, that shall be the decisive proof we need. Of course, we have to until then, but I believe we can ascertain who this necklace belongs to, considering your actions in this spot earlier, Mr. Hu Fanren." One look at the culprit's disorientedness can inform anyone that he's already admitted defeat deep down, which told me that it's time to settle things once and for all.
My partner to my right slightly tilted her head, as if asking the question I could sense from everyone around me, sans the culprit. Indeed, my dearest Hu Tao, the time for the coup de grâce has come. This day has been a disastrous and unnecessary weight on your chest, of which I had added unto it—directly or indirectly. For that, please, allow me to make my amends.
"Hu Fanren!" The culprit feeblely gasped at his name being hollered. "I believe I need no further explanation for my reasoning and logic, for this case has long been cracked since your very entry to this very spot. In that light," I pointed at tonight's suspect, a wintry gust coincidentally blowing past us as I made my declaration,
"I formally indict you for the serial murders of Hu Fugui and Liu Meng!"
A few weeks before today, Hu Fanren had purchased some illegal items from the underground market, of which were essential to the undertaking of today's dastardly events. He also forged Meng's handwriting into crafting the fake suicide note.
Before the sun's light filled the area, Hu Fanren and Meng—the latter under the effects of blackmail—laid the conditionally-triggered trap on the trees. With a rope used to keep the trees temporarily stationed and the trunks of the trees partially whittled down, the trigger was the earlier snowstorm, whose ferocious winds will have caused the ropes to snap and release the trees, thus crushing the main gate. This was originally intended to stir chaos, buying time for Hu Fanren to silence Meng once and for all, as well as to tamper with the crime scene.
Right before the clock struck six, Meng intentionally switched the spare keys to the victim's room and to Qiqi's room, bearing in mind Qiqi's habit of entrusting the key to her only cousin. This was to implicate Hu Tao being the only murderer to her grandfather through the locked room.
In the luncheon's preparation, the Meng had slipped in some traces of midazolam into the 75th's custom-made glass, sedating him and allowing Hu Fanren to murder a weakened Hu Fugui.
At 1:00 PM in the victim's room, Hu Fanren strangled the weakened 75th, but the latter, with the last of his strength, was able to grab and snap off the former's blue necklace. After finishing off the 75th, while also snapping the necklace worn by the previous tangzhu, Hu Fanren came up with the idea to mix his own necklace bits along the rest strewn on the floor, hiding his own in the process.
Alas, time was ticking. He collected the remaining necklace beads from the hands of the now-murdered victim, missing the final bead that found its way into the 75th's collar, and disposed the rest of his now-destroyed necklace out the window, of which he apparently forgot to close, much to his demise. He was supposed to collect it once the opportunity presented itself, but I deduced as much and planned a stakeout to capture him in his attempt.
Before entering the dining area, he made a quick visit to his room to wear another necklace, hoping no one would notice the difference.
At 2:30 PM in the same room, Hu Tao was assaulted by Meng who appeared behind her, not from waiting inside. Hu Tao fought back, but was rendered unconscious, wherein Meng planted the murder weapon in her hands. Meng exited the room, locking it, but not without suffering a few blows to his ribs, causing him to appear as if he was limping. Having this and Hu Fanren staying with the witnesses was the perpetrator's plan to craft an alibi.
Thinking that Hu Fanren was going to brief his accomplice, Meng then moved to the rendezvous point: the lumberyard, where he was actually to be forever silenced by the true culprit. Blood had splattered onto Hu Fanren's winter coat due to murdering Meng using a kitchen knife with some difficulty, planting the fake suicide note, and making the body appear as if he'd taken his own life. The lightning strike and subsequent inferno was an unplanned blessing in disguise for Hu Fanren to dispose his bloodied winter coat after murdering Meng.
Thus is the sequence of events for today's unfortunate set of tragedies, upon superimposing my logic to the revised confession extracted from one Hu Fanren.
The motive? This is where the reason for the contract's commission comes into play; the motive stems from Hu Fanren not being granted the title of 76th Director, due to Hu Fanren's attitude paling in comparison to Hu Song's, Hu Tao's father. This had been revealed by Sec. Hu Junpeng, who finally decided to explain that he'd been in his room contemplating the 75th's intentions while reviewing all documents related to the Hu family birthright.
Hu Fanren had admitted to the murder of Hu Song years ago. It was made known that Meng had been a substance abuser due to the daily stresses in his life working with the Hu family, of which Hu Fanren had also taken advantage of to set a trap in motion for Hu Song, successfully masking it as an accident.
He had also admitted that the murder of the 75th was not out of greed for the title; in fact, it was merely a bonus for him, claiming that should he be granted the title, suspicion would likely fall unto him due to the contract's clauses. It truly was out of jet-black resentment. Pinning the crime on Hu Tao to void her birthright was partially borne out of said resentment, the remaining bits of it taken out on the lone daughter of Hu Song.
To digress, Sec. Hu Junpeng had also wanted the title, but his reverence to the 75th has never been contentious; he, along with the rest of the manor's occupants—including the late Liu Meng but sans Hu Fanren, endorses Hu Tao bearing the title 77th Director.
Meanwhile, the murder of Meng was merely to, as how Hu Tao would put it, 'give stitches to snitches'.
Despicable, this man, but justice will be served under the shining light of the law; I have taken the liberty of prosecuting the culprit a few days after the ceremony of Hu Tao's inheritance of the title 77th Director, which should be two days after Lunar New Year this Sunday. Hm, it's also my first case serving as Legue's Scarlet Prosecutor.
How strangely nostalgic. A lone butterfly, its wings bearing an unusually similar crimson coloration to her, slowly flutters towards the rim of the cup I had prepared for Hu Tao once she returns from questioning. Landing on the rim and lingering for a bit, it flutters to my left hand and rests on where my scales should have been. I smiled, thinking back to the time she used to poke and toy with my scales—a bit annoying at times I have to admit.
Oh, it's now on my nose, its legs tickling it a little. I chose not to shoo it away, but it seemed to have left on its own, circling around me before fluttering into the dark of the Mobong Hill, illuminated by the moonlight.
What a strange feeling, sadness and happiness mixed in me as I saw it leave. If I ever got a chance to converse with the original Yu Yanfei, I might as well learn a thing or two about dealing with emotions from her, perhaps even tips on how I can approach my Hu Tao regarding that issue…
My eyes then moved to stare at the site of the obliterated main gate. At last, the felled trees were being cleared, around a good percentage achieved, allowing for individual travel to and from the manor. Miraculously, despite the flames and the impact of the trees, the board inscribed with 'Hu Family' was spared. It's burnt, yes, but it's as if something near it offered a sort of sacrificial protection.
Now, looking at the police and forensics swarming the area and confirming Aether's statements while seated in the main hall somehow amazes me; the techniques employed by these law enforcers are somehow similar to the ones of the Ministry and the Millelith, though slightly less brutal—perhaps due to the lack of numerous interlopers in the area. I may be wrong regarding brutality, however.
"Aether, what of the culprit, Hu Fanren, and little Qiqi?" I asked the inspector who sipped some red wine.
"Ah, the culprit's been taken away to the local precinct for processing and further questioning." Suddenly, his face grew forlorn. "Unfortunately, Qiqi had to know the truth of today's case, as well. The two were still able to communicate and say their goodbyes. Also, I heard that Dr. Bai's gonna be Qiqi's foster father while Hu Fanren's in jail."
I pity the child. She had to learn that her father murdered not one but two family members in her clan. Confound it, must this be one of the curses that plagues the Hu family of this world?
"Qiqi's with… the secretary, Dr. Bai, and His Honor in her room, right?"
"Yep. They're comforting her as we speak. I hear Doc Bai's gonna be staying a little longer in this manor. Gonna sort things out with the foster father thing, maybe." Sipping his drink once more, and with a chuckle, he added, "Guess we're taking the train back to Legue, eh, Yanfei?"
"Well, it can't be that bad." I've yet to try intra-regional travel beyond Legue City, however.
Wait, of course, there's one issue I'd like to clear up. "Aether, regarding that sudden earlier ETA…"
"Oh right! The police briefed me about it earlier. About that, did you know that your—"
"Inspector Faramund, a word with you, stat!" one of the officers called. Wait, 'my' what?
"Whoops, guess I'd better get going. Sorry for cutting this chat short, Yanfei." I guess I'll have to wait for that answer soon.
"No problem, Aether." With that, he left to the flock of officers, likely to corroborate some things. I've been questioned earlier already for my movements, but I feel they'll be recalling me for further deliberation of the evidence thus gathered.
"Ya-ho, Yanfei~!" Ah, that energy-filled voice never fails to lift my spirits. "I just got off from interrogation. And you?"
"Already done." Remembering what had just occurred today, a frown emerged on me. "That's right, what about Qiqi, Hu Tao?"
"Don't you worry about her. She's slowly coming to terms with what the heck went on! I actually paid her a visit at her room right after I was released, stayed for a bit comforting her and all. Suddenly, she was suddenly all, 'A-jie, go see your girlfriend. She probably misses you.' Really, right in front of the old guys and without mincing her words, too!" We both laughed and blushed at that cute scene, but I'm glad to know Qiqi's doing alright now. "By the way, she forgives you for pressing her a bit too hard. Said it's 'what Feifei-jie's gotta do to catch Ba and save Yeye's and Meng's souls.'" I really pray she'll ultimately find solace in due time.
Pouring her cup some wine, I proceeded to tread on a topic I needed to get off my chest. "Hu Tao, remember when those guests mobbed us and spouted nonsense?"
"Naw, don't you worry about that, Yanfei! I'm used to those naysayers around me, but with you by my side, I have the strength to prevail. Seeing you defend me like that…" she swirled the red liquid in her cup and formed a pensive smile, "I swear, it's like I saw your soul's aura shining a bright and warm scarlet hue, and I really, really felt that I had someone to lean unto."
"I—I see, but…" I bit my lip in shame. "They must've thought such crass ideas since I told Karong to inform the secretary in secret and not to share it with the crowd, fearing the culprit may have overheard—a fear that was unfounded." The grip on my cup slowly tightened in guilt. "That was my mistake, a terrible one, too." I must look her straight in the eye as I say this. "Hu Tao? I'd like to—mmph?" Oh, she hushed me with a finger.
"Not another word, Yanfei. All is forgiven. I mean it. You solved the mystery of grandpa's and Meng's murders, even found out who did my dad in…" A frown crept up on her face, but she immediately reverted it back when sensing my concern. "Don't worry, Yanfei. I've come to terms with it already. That said, you really had to run around searching for clues and all, especially for my sake." Truly, you were in my mind as I progressed through this case, Hu Tao.
Setting her cup down, she then clasped one of my hands. "Don't think too much about that; you already cracked the case! For that, I'm really, really thankful. If the spirit of the happiest person appeared before us, they'd probably admit that I'm way happier than them. In fact, I'd actually like to repay you one of these days… Mmm~, maybe on Lunar New Year? Valentine's Day? Lantern Rite Festival? How about all three?"
C—c'mon, think of something to say. "I… uh… pro bono?" Tsk, how unfortunate of me to stammer at this particular moment, ugh. Still, it's something that I had to do out of fear of losing her and suffering Feng's consequences. Seeing her well and fine is more than enough for me.
"Don't go playing coy on me, Yanfei. Look, I even know this word: quid pro quo. Hm? Hm? You'd like that, ri~ght?"
It won't hurt to accept it. Besides, it would likely dishearten her if I turned it down. Oh well, what else can be done but to accept it? More than grateful, I was, especially to her benevolent heart. Truly heartwarming and nostalgic. I poured some more wine for her to drink as we chatted and waited for basically what's to come next.
Although, I never expected a sudden visitor to appear before the both of us.
"Ah-hah! Once again, I have fulfilled my promise, despite meeting each other under these circumstances, Prosecutor Yu Yanfei!" My heart skipped a beat upon hearing that voice. All too quickly, Hu Tao's earlier giddiness turned into palpable annoyance.
"Agent Eula Lawrence. It's a pleasure meeting you." I have to remember, this woman is this world's Eula Lawrence, not the one who had saved me that one time. Still, it's very interesting, and a pleasant surprise, too. "I thought this agent of the Interpol had her assignments abroad?" Hu Tao did tell me much, as well.
"Listen closely, Yu Yanfei." Argh, she pointed a riding crop at me—its tip literally millimeters away from my nose! "I go where I am needed to go, is that clear?"
I'm suddenly tugged from behind, Hu Tao standing by my side. "H—hey, if you're planning on whipping your ex, then back off, Eula!"
"'Whip my ex'? You're severely mistaken, Soon-to-be 77th Director Hu Tao. This is merely a gesture of our friendship." It… it is? Quite a strange trait. For some reason, certain 'risqué' thoughts involving this prosecutor and the agent in front of me brewed. "Now, step aside, or suffer my ice-cold wrath!" Heartwarming to know she's just as sarcastically forceful as the one from Mondstadt.
Yielding, Hu Tao moved to my side and crossed her arms, pouting. "Ahem, theatrics aside… Eula, is there anything you wish to discuss?"
"Indeed, but first off, you have my felicitations for resolving this case rather quickly." extending her arms to the side, she curtsied in front of us. "If we had tackled this case together as we used to, perhaps the culprit would've been caught two—no, three hours earlier." 'Used to', huh.
"My Yanfei's still a million times better than you, Eula. She doesn't need your help, right, Yanfei?" Incredible, this version of Eula. It's as if she exudes the same brilliance as the one in Teyvat. Not to mention, as confident and dashing as her, too… "Y—Yanfei! D—don't be charmed by her Sonnenstadt magic!"
Ack! I—I have to recall I'm still in the midst of an important discussion. "P—please be at ease, Hu Tao." I turned back to Eula. "Er, thank you for your compliments, Eula. I would love to work with you once more, should the chance present itself." I could hear Hu Tao grumbling faintly. Oh dear…
"But of course, Yu Yanfei. A shame that our paths must cross only every now and then, but mark my words, that day shall come." All too quickly, her face turned serious, and she withdrew her riding crop. "Now, let's discuss why I'm here, shall we?"
Organized crime. That was the theme we'd talked about, and apparently, the culprit of the case had purchased illegal goods from the national underworld called 'Abyss'—the underworld known for running the show behind the scenes. Some view them as evil, some as benign—there were times that the Abyss was integral to Tehiatik history and its flow, for good or for bad. It is said that the Abyss started to appear during the 19th century when certain historical figures from all regions of the nation banded together to 'bring upon change into the country'. Ironic, since it had engaged in heinous crimes, particularly assassinations and smuggling. Despite its seemingly noble history, Interpol data states that the Abyss is 'a threat to the nation's welfare', as well as 'poses an imminent threat to neighboring countries'.
Interestingly, no one, not even Interpol, actually knows the identity of its current leaders. Some say they hold powerful positions within the country, some say they come from overseas, but according to Eula, it's beyond the shadow of a doubt that the leaders of the Abyss are of Tehiatik origin. Surely, the Abyss has some contact internationally—smuggling trade routes abound, but its base of operations is only within national borders.
As for why Eula was here, wherein her presence sped up the response of the local police and fire department into coming here, she suspected certain ties to the abyss through Hu Fanren and Meng from anonymous tips of illegally procured drugs in the manor, and therefore ordered a thorough investigation of Hu Fanren's and Meng's quarters and belongings—of course, sanctioned by the secretary, Hu Tao, and His Honor. Recovering another stash of midazolam in Meng's quarters and after exhausting all efforts to wrap the investigation up, Eula's team and the remaining Mobong County officers withdrew themselves from the mansion.
"Yu Yanfei." Eula called out to me. Her habit of calling people by their full names… Is this something unique about this world's Eula, or is it just because she has to maintain a persona?
"Yes, Eula?"
"I deeply apologize for our brief interaction, but I must take my leave. Mark my words, we shall meet again under better circumstances. Do well to remember that, Prosecutor Yu Yanfei!" With that, the descendant of this world's Lawrence clan left the manor's premises.
"Hmph," Hu Tao grunted, hugging me tightly. It would seem like the effects of the 'misattribution of arousal' is at play; Hu Tao forced me into sleeping by her side, saying that I didn't have 'no' as an option. "I saw the way you looked at her, Yanfei."
"I was simply surprised, and some memories of Teyvat's Eula came back to me." I sighed. "Again, you know that we don't have anything beyond some fleeting infatuation and correspondence. I think I've already told you who I belong to. Need I repeat everything again?"
"Ai-yo, you and your lawyerly smooth-talking. I wonder if both your and my Yanfei's combined smugness would be a turn-off."
"Let me then ask you this, do you really think it's a turn-off?"
Silence. Hah, I got her! "Hmph, you win this round, Yanfei. Someday, I'm gonna dominate you!"
The innuendo in that last phrase, heh. "Is that a threat?"
"Maybe~ Now shut up and sleep. It's been a long day." Yawning, I followed her orders, only for her hug to tighten some more.
Finally, some rest…
…
Ngh…
Drat, I really can't get these thoughts out of my head. Now's really the best time to say them, with just the two of us in here. I know I've already mentioned them earlier, but I just can't let these thoughts plague me before I sleep. A few moments' worth of silence was once more broken when I decided to speak up.
"Hu Tao?"
"Yeah, Yanfei?"
"I'm really, really indebted to you for helping forward the investigation. Words can't express how thankful I am, but sadly, I still can't get over the fact that I added to the burdens on your chest today. For that, I'm truly, truly sorry. I'll make it up to you soon. This, I promise you."
Sighing, Hu Tao responded, "Hai-ya, Yanfei. You really are like my Yanfei. I'll tell you this over and over and over and over again, even if I need to haunt you when I go." I know that was of joking nature, as how she'd even put it, but I can't fathom the thought of either Hu Tao disappearing. "What I did was because you're special to me. I know, you're gonna say, 'I'm not the original Atty. Yu Yanfei,' but your smartass brain must've figured out, again, that I think of you both as the same Yanfei. To be honest, I'm still getting used to this weird parallel universe thingy, even after reading those manga and light novels from Ikazuchi and some of Xingqiu's short stories."
"That said," Hu Tao continued, " I forgive you, Yanfei, and I'm honored to've helped the investigation—you, especially. Everything you did was to make sure the bad guy gets caught. So please, don't worry too much about it. You here by my side, it's enough to keep me safe and these malevolent spirits away from me, hee-hee~"
"Hu… Hu Tao… I…" I replied in between sniffs. Curse this, the tears won't stop.
"Naw, is this really Liyue's top legal expert? Aw~, what a sowee-wittle cwybaby," she added while wiping them away.
"O—oh shush, you." A short moment passed before I calmed down.
"Also, Yanfei?"
"Yes, Hu Tao?"
"Um, did you have a nickname for your Hu Tao back at, uh… what's it called… Teyvat?"
"Indeed. I called her—" Just then, I remembered the first time I called her by that moniker all those years ago. "'Taotao'."
Giggling, she responded, "Just like my Yanfei's nickname for me. Well, call me by that nickname from now on, alright? I know I said this before, but you better treat me like you treat your Hu Tao!"
"Alright then, Taotao." Different worlds. Different Hu Tao's. However, the soul for either's still the same, albeit different memories, I thought to myself as I smiled.
"Hee hee~ You must know by now that I call my Yanfei 'Feifei'. Tell you what, should I call you 'Yanyan' from here on out?"
A lone tear of joy formed from my eye as she said that. Having that said in the same voice as hers only exacerbated these bittersweet feelings. "Yes, Taotao. I would love that."
Hugging her tighter as that nostalgic nickname was uttered, we slowly drifted away into our slumber, gleefully awaiting the fast-approaching day she finally receives her rightful title as the next-in-line for the Wangsheng namesake. And thus, as Liyue's top legal expert and Legue's Scarlet Prosecutor,
It's time to close the books on the cracked 'Manor of the Wangsheng Directors Murder Case'.
"Ah, so Ace Attorney's finally solved her first case." I wondered out loud, looking out into the night sky. "Heh, and within a day, too. Time to send her another letter."
As I wrote it, mimicking the handwriting of a random individual in this world, some thoughts came across me. "It's hard finding a vessel, but not impossible. Mathematically, the chances are never zero. That's why, having to prepare my own spawn as they are born saves time and effort, rather than possessing one out of the blue."
"My, my. I really do hope you'll enjoy your time in this world, Ace Attorney." I thought with a chuckle. "I'm a benevolent god, you see? Giving you time to prepare and providing amenities are only natural, but best be on your toes when another case comes." I sensed someone approaching. The letter and pen before me transfigured into a cell phone.
"Paimon!"
"Aw man, dead again! Would it kill you to knock, Lumine?"
"Wow, and I got you some midnight snacks too. Guess you don't want them anymore, huh," she responded.
"Hey, don't sass on me!" Chuckling, I walked to Paimon's younger sister and received the plastic bag of some takeout. "So, how's your thesis going, Lumine?"
"Uh, going well, I guess. He-he. Oh! I heard from Aether that they've solved that murder case with Yanfei and Hu Tao! As expected from our big brother. Isn't that great?"
I smiled. "Really? I didn't know that! Guessing 'cause Yanfei's there to help."
"Nah, Aether's gotta be the one to've run the show. Hey, let's talk about it in the morning. I gotta get back to my research. G'night, Paimon!"
"G'night, Lumine, and g'luck!" Leaving the area, the phone transfigured back into the letter and pen, and I finished its remaining contents.
"Now then," the letter disintegrated into dust before I blew it out of the window, "I wonder how you'll react when we finally meet, Ace Attorney."
𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝟷
𝙼𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚆𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚗𝚐 𝙳𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝙼𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚎
𝙴𝙽𝙳
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀:
𝗛𝘂, 𝗧𝗮𝗼 (𝟮𝟳, 𝗙)
Upcoming 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Bears the exact same characteristics as my Hu Tao, fortunately. Referred to as "A-jie" (阿姐, Big sister) by Qiqi.
𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗱, 𝗔𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 (𝟯𝟮, 𝗠)
Legue City Police Department homicide police inspector.
𝗕𝗮𝗶, 𝗭𝗵𝘂 (𝟰𝟮, 𝗠)
Pharmacist and businessman in Legue City.
𝗛𝘂, 𝗤𝗶𝗾𝗶 (𝟭𝟬, 𝗙)
Hu Tao's cousin.
𝗠𝗲𝗻, 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 (𝟯𝟮, 𝗙)
One of the caretakers for the Hu Manor.
𝗟𝗶𝘂, 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗴 (𝟰𝟰, 𝗠)
One of the caretakers for the Hu Manor.
𝗛𝘂, 𝗙𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗶 (𝟳𝟱, 𝗠)
Hu Tao's grandfather. The 75th Director, and subsequently the 76th after Hu Tao's father's death. Referred to as "Yeye" (爷爷, Grandfather) by Qiqi.
𝗛𝘂, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗴 (𝟲𝟮, 𝗠)
Hu Tao's and Qiqi's uncle. In charge of the ceremony rites for inducting the new parlor director. Also the secretary to the 75th and 76th.
𝗛𝘂, 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝟱𝟰, 𝗠)
Hu Tao's uncle and Qiqi's father. Referred to as "Shushu" (叔叔, Uncle) by Hu Tao.
𝗭𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗟𝗶 (𝟲𝟬, 𝗠)
Legue City judge. Former superintendent in the Legue City Police Department. Referred to as "Zhong-daren" (钟大人, Sir Zhong) by Hu Tao.
𝗛𝘂, 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 (𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝗠)
Hu Tao's father. The 76th Director, but died in an accident a few days after claiming the title.
𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗘𝘂𝗹𝗮 (𝟯𝟭, 𝗙)
Officer and agent working for the Interpol. Also the original Prosecutor Yu Yanfei's ex-girlfriend.
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 姐 (𝗷𝗶𝗲) 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀/𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀
Usually used by younger people when talking to their older sisters, to females who are close enough, or showing respect to older females.
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 哥 (𝗴𝗲) 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀/𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀
Usually used by younger people when talking to their older brothers, to males who are close enough, or showing respect to older males.
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 叔 (𝘀𝗵𝘂) 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀/𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀
Endearment term usually used by younger people when talking to male family friends who are as old as their parents.
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 大人 (𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻) 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀
Honorific appellation to address people who hold a high enough position.
名侦探 (𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻)
"Famous detective"; in Japanese media (last two kanjis inverted), usually refers to an ace or a very capable individual who can solve numerous cases, e.g., Shin'ichi Kudo from Case Closed (名探偵コナン) and Hajime Kindaichi from Kindaichi Case Files (金田一少年の事件簿).
堂主 (𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘇𝗵𝘂)
"Director, directress"; one who leads or directs a certain establishment, business, clan, etc.
𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹
A phenomenon where one mistakes the cause of their arousal, e.g., a person feels fright when they get accused of murder, but it will be mislabeled as a romantic arousal, or cause thereof. This is particularly effective when more physiological stress is applied to the person and they have someone accompanying them, much more if said someone accompanying them has a pre-existing mutual relationship with the person under stress.
Guest B
Thank you so much for acknowledging my style in doing so! Indeed, I decided to bold the following words to lead the reader to remember important details. I'm also glad my portrayal of said characters have come to your liking!
And thus, the first case has been resolved by Yanfei and co. Thank you, dear readers, for your patronage, and we'll see each other in the next case! Just what lies in store for Yanfei in the future? No matter what it is, she will be sure crack it, as Liyue's top legal expert—now Legue's Scarlet Prosecutor.