Chapter 5 - White Flowers of Infatuation

Editor: mako

Proofreader: kllua

Huo ZhenYe threw Song JingNan a glance. The second case had really happened too soon.

For such a case to occur in succession, it was possible the culprit was not the same person. It was also very likely to be a copycat crime or a murder committed by an accomplice. However, despite having such thoughts, he only raised his eyebrows and said nothing.

When Huo ZhenYe came out of the police station, all the reporters were already gone, scurrying to dig out the details of Su ManLi’s case.

Some were even running off while making mental notes for an article. Although the details of the case were unclear, they could still draft out a report for printing first.

“The Beauties of the World of Flowers Repeatedly and Mercilessly Destroyed”. There was nothing more eye-catching than an unresolved case full of doubts.

After coming out, Huo ZhenYe called for a rickshaw and gave the driver a silver dollar. “I want to take a ride.”

The rickshaw puller was overjoyed, as this silver dollar could buy him 30 to 40 jin of rice and was enough for half a month of one’s family’s spendings. He immediately wiped the seat with his towel and said, “Young Master, please give your order.”

“Wait a while and go only after I say so.”

Big Liu only exited after a while. Pushed out of the door, he did not seem to know where to go.

Huo ZhenYe saw a young man who resembled Big Liu rushing forward and hugging him. “Brother! It is all right now. Let us go home!”

Huo ZhenYe’s heart jolted. How could he have arrived so fast?

With Big Liu injured, Second Liu pushed over a cart with a quilt on it. As Big Liu laid on it, Second Liu then pushed him home.

Huo Zhenye’s rickshaw slowly followed the two brothers, and they soon arrived at the mouth of an alley in the Old City.

Huo ZhenYe motioned for the rickshaw puller to wait for him here before following behind the two brothers. After making seven to eight turns, they then entered a small courtyard.

Although the yard was small, it was tidy. At the corner of the yard was a rack full of white flowers which hung down like small trumpets that swayed around when the wind blew.

Additionally, there were five or six bamboo strips under the rack where vegetables and bamboo shoots were drying, giving off a distinct smell.

Second Liu helped Big Liu cross the gate of the courtyard and cried out loudly, “Senior sister! Senior sister! We have returned! My brother is fine now! “

The joy in his tone could not be hidden.

From the door came a woman in white clothing adorned with white flowers. She was a little surprised. “They have found the real murderer?”

Second Liu shook his head. “The murderer committed a crime again, so senior brother is innocent.” Saying that, he entered the house with Big Liu on his back and placed him on the bed.

Han Zhu stood in a daze for a while. When she regained her composure, she searched for some medicinal ointment to treat Big Liu’s wounds.

Huo ZhenYe guessed that this was Big Liu’s fiancée Han Zhu, Third Master Han’s only daughter.

From their charms and figure, Han Zhu was different from Jin DanGui. Slightly thin, she had curved eyebrows and soft eyes. Even her voice was also low and soft. “The heavens have protected you. I will go buy a fish to make a stew to supplement your body.”

“I should go instead and ask a doctor to come back with me. There is no need to bother Senior Sister. You should accompany Senior Brother.” Second Liu turned his face and said to his brother in a solemn voice, “Senior Brother, since you were detained at the precinct, Senior Sister has been crying for you every day. It is not easy for you to be released, so you shouldn’t let her down anymore.”

At this time, Big Liu grabbed his brother’s hand. It appeared as if he wanted to say something but ended up swallowing his words.

Second Liu continued, “It must be Master’s spirit that ensured Senior Brother could get out of prison safely.”

When Big Liu heard “Master’s spirit”, his heart tightened as he recalled the poisonous oath he had made by his master’s bedside.

At that time, Third Master Han was very ill and was so thin that he looked like a piece of dried wood. Lying on the bed, he had stared at Big Liu with a pair of turbid eyes, waiting for him to make the final oath.

This oath was something that Big Liu was used to saying. After all, he and his brother were orphans picked up by Third Master Han, who provided them with food.

So, at the start, he had said it sincerely. However, the more he repeated it, the less seriously he took the oath. Since Master loved to hear it, he decided to say it more often, raising three fingers and even swearing on his life.

“I, Big Liu, will devote all my life to my senior sister, Han Zhu, and carry on the third door with her and my junior brother. If I ever go back on this oath, I will suffer from having my eyes gouged out and my tongue cut!”

In their profession, their whole bodies were their abilities. So, those who have their hands and feet broken or could not speak nor see could not make a living from this.

At that time, Third Master Han had held his daughter’s hand tightly. It was only after hearing this oath that he closed his eyes.

Hearing that Jin DanGui’s eyes were dug out and that the earrings had disappeared, he remembered his oath and thought that his master’s spirit had manifested.

However, now that another beauty of the world of flowers was dead, he realized that the so-called manifestation of his master had only been his fevered imagination, which caused him to regain his spirit.

Big Liu was a little absent-minded and gave a muffled response. However, when he thought of marrying Han Zhu, he felt that it was an unmentionable bother. Recalling Jin DanGui’s charming face, he felt that his Senior Sister was really plain and tasteless in comparison.

Meanwhile, while this conversation was going on, Han Zhu was standing by the door. As she was staring at Big Liu’s face, she could see the changes in his expression.

Han Zhu lowered her head, a little sorrowful. “I pray for you in front of my father’s spirit day and night, hoping that my father can protect us.”

Big Liu forced out a smile. “Thank you, Senior Sister, for I have made you worry. Let us three live well together in the future.”

Second Liu first glanced at Big Liu before looking at Han Zhu. With eyes full of joy, he grinned. “Okay, I will go buy more food so that the three of us can have a good meal today.”

Han Zhu placed the medicine on the head of the bed and said, “You know what is good for the wound, so you should be the one wrapping it up. I think it is better for me to buy some vegetables and get the doctor.”

When she turned around, she saw Huo ZhenYe standing outside the door. Since Big Liu was in prison these days, they were unable to obtain peace and quiet, as reporters would come to the courtyard every day.

Han Zhu did not say anything, but the reporters still wrote many articles about Big Liu’s ungratefulness and how she was an infatuated lady that had been brutally abandoned. Towards such people, Han Zhu did not maintain any semblance of politeness.

However, seeing Huo ZhenYe’s well-dressed appearance, she knew that he was not a reporter and asked, “Who is this mister looking for?”

Huo ZhenYe lowered his head and entered the low ceiling house. “I am looking for Mr. Liu.”

Han Zhu did not recognize him, but Second Liu knew him. After all, Huo ZhenYe’s photo had been published in the newspapers several times. So, as soon as he saw him, he wanted to drive him out. “What are you doing here?!”

Huo ZhenYe swept a glance at him. “If it were not for me, your senior brother would have been the second one dead.”

When Big Liu saw him, he recalled their conversations in the interrogation room. Afraid that Huo ZhenYe would say something about the earrings, he immediately sat up and was very polite to him. “Young Master Huo, please take a seat.”

Seeing this, Second Liu suppressed his anger and left. Han Zhu followed after him and asked, “Xiao Liu, where are you going?”

“I am going to buy some vegetables! I cannot stand that young master’s appearance.” As Second Liu’s voice was loud, Han Zhu pulled him aside to talk under the flower rack.

With the white flowers blooming in clusters, it appeared like a rack of silver bells when the wind blew. Han Zhu pulled Second Liu’s sleeve and said, “There must be a reason for his attitude.”

Saying so, she looked at Huo ZhenYe through the window. She expected him to be a good-for-nothing wealthy man, but he actually possessed intuitive knowledge.

Second Liu seemed like he wanted to say something but did not in the end. His whole face turned red as he said, “Senior Sister, do not believe in such flowery words from him.”

Han Zhu smiled pacifyingly at him. “Of course I know that. However, when people come, they are guests. I will go make a pot of tea while you get some braised pork, snakehead fish, and a piece of tofu. I will make a stew for him.”

After hearing that, Second Liu nodded and went out the door, running into Bai Zhun.

“Seventh Master! Why are you here?!” Hastily, he led Bai Zhun into the house.

Bai Zhun covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief. The Han family’s courtyard was in the slums of the Old City, and it was a place of three religions and the nine schools of thought 1 “三教九流” (literally “three religions and nine schools of thought”) can refer to having a variety of people. Closer to its literal meaning, it could also mean the three religions (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism) and the nine schools of thoughts (the Confucians, the Taoists, the Yin-Yang, the Legalists, the Logicians, the Mohists, the Political Strategists, the Ecletics, and the Agriculturists). . The more mixed the people were, the heavier the smell was. By making this trip, he was really going to die from the stinkiness.

So, despite being here, he was unhappy and asked wearily, “Where is your Senior Brother?”

Meanwhile, Huo ZhenYe, who had good hearing, clearly heard what Second Liu had said to Han Zhu in the yard. Nonetheless, he only pulled out a chair and sat beside Big Liu’s bed without a change in his expression.

However, before he could open my mouth, he heard Bai Zhun’s voice before smelling the scent of sandalwood.

Bai Zhun entered in a wheelchair. When he saw Huo ZhenYe in the house smiling with raised eyebrows upon seeing him, his expression turned for the worst. “What are you doing here?”

His affairs were over, and he should have scrambled back into his nest of wealth. Why was he dabbling himself into this mess blindly?

Although Huo ZhenYe did not remember when he met Bai Zhun, he felt very familiar with him. He shamelessly replied, “I am curious who the killer is, so I decided to come and join in on the fun.”

“If you join in on the fun, you should be worried about becoming blind.” Bai Zhun’s words were spoken with meaning.

The rest had not expected Bai Zhun to be familiar with Huo ZhenYe. Big Liu sat up from the bed and clasped his fist respectfully. “Seventh Master.”

Huo ZhenYe raised his eyebrows. It turned out that he was also a Seventh Master.

Following Bai Zhun in, Second Liu explained to Big Liu, “Senior Brother, it was Seventh Master who gave us the money to mediate this matter. Otherwise, you would have suffered even more.”

The half bag of silver dollars had been of great use. In the end, Big Liu had only suffered some superficial flesh wounds and did not suffer any bone injuries. As for the rest of what happened, Second Liu would not mention it anymore.

After listening to this, Big Liu sincerely thanked Bai Zhun, wanting to get out of bed to kowtow to him. As soon as he moved, though, he pulled his wound, and it was so painful that his face twisted. “Thanking Seventh Master. Big Liu would never dare to forget Seventh Master’s kindness.”

However, Bai Zhun was not here to listen to flattery, and he did not believe such words from him either.

Nonetheless, Big Liu actually continued, “Even if Seventh Master had not come, I would still go find you and request for you to tell me who the murderer is! I…I want to know who the killer is.”

“ Kuang ” — a crisp crashing sound rang out and everyone’s gaze turned towards the sound. With tea spilled and broken porcelain on the ground, Han Zhu was standing there with a pale face. Just now, when she was about to enter while holding the teapot and teacups, she had coincidentally heard this sentence, and her hands had shaken, dropping everything.

With Big Liu still shocked, Second Liu was the first to jump up. “Senior Sister, are you okay?”

Hurriedly, he went to see if Han Zhu was hurt, and she shook her head in response.

As Huo ZhenYe’s eyes gazed around at the scene, there were traces of smiling intent in his eyes. It was not a big deal for him to participate in the “fun” but he actually even gave Bai Zhun a meaningful glance.

Second Liu was angered. “Senior Brother! Hasn’t this woman harmed you enough when she was still alive? Why are you still thinking about her?!”

With a pale face, Han Zhu then turned and left with Second Liu rushing out to comfort her.

Both of them ended up under the flower rack. While Han Zhu was sitting down, Second Liu was squatting. He said softly, “Senior Sister, do not be upset, as today is a good day. The three of us can be together again.”

Meanwhile, on the other side, Big Liu’s shining eyes were fixed onto Bai Zhun, eager to hear what he wanted to hear from Bai Zhun.

Bai Zhun found this interesting. If Big Liu had seen Jin DanGui’s dead appearance, would he still think about her this constantly?

“What is the hurry? During these few nights, Jin DanGui will come and find you.” After saying that, he took out an envelope. “Put this under your pillow. When she comes, this will be useful.”

However, Big Liu did not accept it. As someone who had gained the favor of Third Master Han, he had a greater understanding of the seventh door than Second Liu. Bai Zhun’s ability to mediate between Yin and Yang was also something Third Master Han had mentioned before.

“This thing is for catching her?”

Bai Zhun recognized his unwillingness in his speech and chuckled. “What? You do not want to?”

“No, that’s not it.” Big Liu’s eyes flickered. He was afraid of offending Bai Zhun who might really take away Jin DanGui’s soul.

Since he had intended to court death, Bai Zhun did not stop him. He just shot a glance at Huo ZhenYe, who immediately left after him. When they passed by Han Zhu and Second Liu, Huo ZhenYe even smiled at Han Zhu.

Second Liu’s defense against Huo ZhenYe was similar to how one defended against wolves. Huo ZhenYe only took a glance at Han Zhu, but Second Liu had already stood in front of his senior sister.

Huo ZhenYe said with a smile, “I was just admiring how well the flowers were blooming.”

As he looked up at the whole rack of “silver bells”, Han Zhu politely smiled. “These are devil’s snare flowers 2 Here, the name used for the flowers are “醉心花” (literally “flowers of infatuation”). Usually known as thorn apple, jimsonweed, or devil’s snare in English, it produces fragrant flowers that are trumpet-shaped and are white to creamy/violet color. One interesting thing I noted is that it can be used as a hallucinogen to cause intense visions (contained tropane alkaloids which are responsible for the deliriant effects). Perhaps the flowers have some linkage to the drugged wine in the hotel? .”

At this time, Bai Zhun’s wheelchair had rolled to the courtyard door. Huo ZhenYe chased up to him and called out, “Hey! Slow down and wait for me.”

Catching up in two to three steps, he stuck himself to Bai Zhun’s wheelchair. “I know who killed Su ManLi. Do you want to know?”

Bai Zhun’s wheelchair rolled away. “What does it have to do with me?”

1

“三教九流” (literally “three religions and nine schools of thought”) can refer to having a variety of people. Closer to its literal meaning, it could also mean the three religions (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism) and the nine schools of thoughts (the Confucians, the Taoists, the Yin-Yang, the Legalists, the Logicians, the Mohists, the Political Strategists, the Ecletics, and the Agriculturists). 2

Here, the name used for the flowers are “醉心花” (literally “flowers of infatuation”). Usually known as thorn apple, jimsonweed, or devil’s snare in English, it produces fragrant flowers that are trumpet-shaped and are white to creamy/violet color. One interesting thing I noted is that it can be used as a hallucinogen to cause intense visions (contained tropane alkaloids which are responsible for the deliriant effects). Perhaps the flowers have some linkage to the drugged wine in the hotel?