Chapter 16: Castle Past 16 Escape

The head’s cut was jagged, the corpse’s skin an unnatural purple, starkly different from the timid girl’s death. Clearly not the same method.

Sloppy, obviously staged to mimic.

Xu Nian brushed past Fu Ruxue to inspect closer, stumbling and bumping her.

“Sorry.”

Fu Ruxue staggered, a note slipping into her palm.

Not an accident.

She steadied herself, smoothing her hair. “Watch it.”

A piercing gaze followed Xu Nian, unrelenting.

Fu Ruxue glimpsed the intense red eyes, guilt tightening her grip on the note, her palm sweating.

“He didn’t die from breaking a rule,” Xu Nian said, drawing all eyes.

“But he died like the last one,” Cheng Li countered.

Xu Nian knew the killer but sidestepped, “No. The timid girl’s death left no plate. The butler prepared one for Zhang Zhuanghao, meaning he didn’t know he was dead. Zhang didn’t break a rule.”

She stopped there.

Xu Nian wouldn’t expose the killer or mislead others, only clarifying Zhang’s death wasn’t rule-related.

“Dead’s dead. No one’s stopping us—let’s find clues,” Li Hua said, stepping over the head into the room.

Xu Nian followed.

Fu Ruxue and Cheng Li stayed at the door, glaring, neither yielding.

Cheng Li nudged, “Go in.”

Fu Ruxue pocketed her hands, rolling her eyes. “Why don’t you?”

“I’m scared, okay?”

“So am I.”

Sparks flew at the doorway.

“Found something.”

Li Hua held a paper, scanning it. “A notice about an 8-year-old girl, Vera, missing. Find her or provide clues for a big reward.”

The butler likely kept it for the reward money.

Fu Ruxue sighed. “Sounds useless.”

It only showed the butler’s greed—no other leads.

Where would they find an 8-year-old named Vera?

The group fell silent, exchanging wordless glances.

“Let’s go.”

The blonde woman appeared, watching Xu Nian from a distance, her eyes reflecting only her.

Xu Nian glanced at Fu Ruxue, then reached for the Young Lady. “Help me.”

She’d seize any chance to boss the Young Lady around—payback for last night.

Their pale hands intertwined, Xu Nian leaning on her as they headed to the basement.

Their close figures faded into the distance. Li Hua watched, thoughtful. “What’s their deal?”

“…No idea.”

Fu Ruxue didn’t dare say she might know.

“No clues here. Let’s go,” Cheng Li urged impatiently.

“What’s the rush? Go if you want,” Li Hua said, still searching. He didn’t believe Zhang’s secretive room held so little.

Cheng Li lingered, hesitant.

“I’m out,” Fu Ruxue said, hurrying off, clutching the note.

In a secluded corner, she read it:

Don’t forget Rule Three. Save me tonight. Signal: three knocks.

Rule Three?

Fu Ruxue shredded the note, head spinning.

She barely recalled Rule Three—something about the Duchess.

They hadn’t seen the Duchess, but Xu Nian’s room was hers.

Was Xu Nian asking her to go there?

A pale, lifeless hand touched her shoulder. Fu Ruxue froze, clutching the note fragments, holding her breath.

“Looking… for… you…”

Her heart nearly leapt out, forgetting the familiar voice.

“It’s me.”

The maid patted her, signaling herself.

The maid?!

Fu Ruxue relaxed, recalling last night’s promise, and turned.

The maid’s head was crudely stitched, blood still seeping, but it stayed on.

Her blood supply was endless, flowing for days.

After yesterday’s bloodbath, Fu Ruxue wore the Duke’s clothes: noble attire, gold-trimmed collar, red gem inlay, adding elegance to her delicate face, the black coat lending a dashing air.

The maid recoiled, terrified, braids swinging. “You… you…”

“What? Why’d you find me?”

Fu Ruxue reached to steady her, but the maid dodged.

Avoiding her gaze, fingers twisting, the maid said, “I didn’t finish yesterday.”

“Go on.”

“The Duke killed me.”

Fu Ruxue nodded. “I figured.”

In the Duke’s castle, a silent death pointed to him as culprit or accomplice.

“I was bringing bread to the Young Lady. She’s forbidden dinner, so I snuck her some,” the maid said, voice breaking. “The Duke caught me… and I was beheaded. The Young Lady’s 18th birthday was ruined.”

Fu Ruxue wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how, settling for a hug.

The maid’s body was cold, lifeless.

Yet Fu Ruxue felt no fear, only sadness. The maid was likely a warm, sunny girl once, meant for a bright life, not trapped in this bleak castle.

Damn the Duke.

“Thanks,” the maid said, suddenly tense, pulling Fu Ruxue. “Hide me! The Duke’s near!”

Fu Ruxue blinked. “The Duke’s back?”

“Hurry, or I’ll lose my head again!” the maid urged, eyes frantic.

“Okay, follow me.”

Fu Ruxue dragged her to the Duchess’s room, running, and locked the door.

“This is the Duchess’s room. I can’t enter…” the maid protested.

“Who cares? Want to hide or not?”

Fu Ruxue yanked her in, locking the door.

“Entering the Duchess’s room will upset the Young Lady.”

“It’s fine,” Fu Ruxue sighed.

Knock, knock, knock.

Fu Ruxue frowned. Just locked the door, and someone’s knocking?

No peephole—she had to open it to see.

“Don’t!” The maid grabbed her, terrified.

“Hide in the closet.”

The maid pointed at herself, then the closet.

Me?

Fu Ruxue nodded.

Reluctantly, the maid shuffled in.

Fu Ruxue opened the door.

The handsome man smiled perfectly. “Have you seen the maid?”

“…No.”

The butler wasn’t trustworthy—his diary’s venom toward the maid was telling. She shut the door.

His foot blocked it.

Her expression darkened, eyes sharp. “Something up?”

“Nothing. Can I check the room? It hasn’t been cleaned.”

“No.”

“Why? This isn’t your room, Miss Fu.”

“Can’t I stay in my friend’s room?”

“…You can.”

“Can you leave?”

The butler glanced past her, seeing nothing.

Fu Ruxue blocked his view. “What’re you looking at?”

His gaze lingered on the closet, her heart tightening.

Then it shifted, his smile fading. “Lie to me, and you’ll pay.”

“…Sure, sure.”

Cold sweat beaded as she locked him out.

His menace felt real—he could act on it.

Fu Ruxue longed for Xu Nian’s boldness.

Xu Nian watched the Young Lady pick up the handcuffs from the guillotine’s table, sizing them up.

Perfect fit.

“You won’t leave, right?”

The Young Lady toyed with the silver cuffs, her gaze casually meeting Xu Nian’s.

If Xu Nian left while she was gone, she’d have to chain her.

“How about a clue so I don’t have to search?” Xu Nian said frankly.

“Fine,” the Young Lady smiled faintly, “but you might not like it.”

Xu Nian’s eyes lit up. “How do I know if I don’t hear it? Tell me.”

“Promise you won’t leave.”

“I won’t,” Xu Nian agreed readily, like an irresponsible heartbreaker.