I have a long-lived pawn shop.

There was no reason for Wei Xi to let go of this chess piece.

Her first mission was to reach Yalai within seven days. The Pope would not let the Monti family return to the imperial capital so smoothly, and if she disobeyed the order of Emperor Odin without authorization, she would be expelled by the guards the moment she stepped into Yalai.

Wei Xi could only take a gamble, betting that Philip Salohill was important enough in the Pope's heart, important enough that he would give up past grudges for the safety of his son, and betting that the emperor did not care much about the expulsion order now.

But there is no need to gamble. Even though the existence of Philip and Rosalina has already ruined their father's reputation, the Pope still took them back and gave them everything a father could give, hoping that the two of them could live a respectable life.

Todrode Salohill would give in for the sake of his only remaining son.

Wei Xi was not afraid of being late. Yalai still looked the same. Undercurrents and turbulence were the norm in that city, and could easily overturn people. Even the emperor could not always get everything he wanted, let alone a tainted pope.

Now the only thing she had to think about was Mrs Black's ghostly murderer.

Wei Xi leaned against the window and saw two policemen guarding the intersection where the parade was passing not far away. They were holding steam rifles, and behind them was a man over two meters tall and fully covered in brass armor.

The armor was made quite delicately, and the gears at the joints were as smooth as those of humans, but it should have a built-in heat and moisture removal system. Now, small steam was emanating from it, making it like a walking humidifier.

This is the most common civilian steam single soldier. It is updated quickly and its power is not as strong as the military single soldier. The advantage is that it is flexible enough and does not require high standards from the user. As a prop specifically for hunting psychics, it has a good price-performance ratio.

I wonder if I can take one back for research...

Shaking his head to get rid of the unrealistic thoughts in his mind, the steam car had smoothly stopped in front of the police station.

Wei Xi got out of the car with her cloak gathered up. Allen Foster opened a black umbrella for her. The police chief and his assistants greeted her at the door - there were not many people, and all those who could be sent had been sent out.

"Please forgive our simple welcome ceremony, Miss Monty. You know, we are now overwhelmed by the murder case." Byron Ross is not a person who sits in a position and does nothing. He has been working non-stop for three days, sleeping no more than five hours a day. In order to stay awake, he drinks large gulps of freshly ground coffee, which makes him smell like he is drowning in caffeine.

"Thank you for your hard work, Chief Ross. I will send you some comfort supplies once this matter is over. You don't look well."

Under Byron's guidance, Wei Xi walked into the police station. The floor indicator above the brass elevator already displayed the floor of the reception room. When everyone entered the elevator, the lifelike decorative monster metal relief blinked, and the fence creaked closed.

"No one can destroy the peaceful life of Lendim, Miss. From the moment we received the case, responsibility has been gnawing at the hearts of us police officers. In order to catch the bastard who deserves to be hanged, for the order and safety of Lendim, a little effort is nothing."

Byron said seriously, with a beer belly.

"Ding" the elevator reached the third floor, and two groups of people filed out. Wei Xi looked around the scene, passing by the tired faces, and sighed: "Lendim is so lucky to have a responsible director like you."

She spoke at an even pace, not seeming anxious or sharp, and one could clearly feel her good upbringing.

The reception room was simply decorated, with a simple red-cushioned round table and high-backed chairs. On the wall was the imperial flag with two crossed iron swords and a shield, and the lion emblem of the Monti family.

Wei Xi sat on the main seat as a matter of course, and no one was puzzled by this. The guards she brought with her stood at the door of the reception room, and the housekeeper stood behind the chair.

The elegant gas lamps surrounded by brass grids illuminated the detailed case information in front of him. Byron cleared his throat and personally repeated the details of the incident to Wei Xi.

……

……

"We speculate that the murderer is a rare psychic, but we are not sure if he has an accomplice."

"I noticed that the information said that both deceased had been to the Rose Theater. Why was this not considered a clue?" There was a hint of polite doubt in Wei Xi's voice.

"Miss, the Rose Theater has invited the Queen Band. In fact, almost three-quarters of the girls in this town have been there in the past few days. If you want to check, you have to add the best coffee shop and the best clothing store in town..."

〔Besides, isn't the Rose Theater your property?〕

However, Wei Xi just looked at him calmly. The light fell on those black irises, as cold as glaciers and the sea in the middle of winter night.

Chief Byron Ross, the ace of the police department, the head of the affairs team, who has been handling cases in Lendim for many years, suddenly felt a severe headache.

To sort out the context of events from confusing clues requires experience and talent. Wei Xi is not good at this, but fortunately, she can make up for it with more information.

"The two dead girls were both dressed up. I don't mean that they were both wearing evening gowns, but that they both managed to go out in the best possible way, with harmoniously matched clothes and delicate makeup." Wei Xi took out a black-and-white photo from the file. The girl was smiling quietly, with a kind of eerie beauty.

“Ms. Milim, if you finish all this before you go out, what are you going to do?”

Milim frowned, "It's a date, Miss."

"Yes, a date. Before they left the house, their eyes were bright and they looked expectant. This is the detail shown in the file. The family members of the deceased confirmed that the deceased was not controlled or forced before leaving home. So let's assume that they really went on a date..."

Chief Byron looked at her.

Wei Xi kept his eyes fixed on the information, then raised the corners of his mouth and smiled without any smile, "Who can make them forget their lovers and fiancés in a short period of time and wait for them like pilgrims?"

The slight hook at the end of this sentence made her originally calm tone, which had no specific purpose, instantly seem to hit the nail on the head, like a hook, grabbing the attention of all the listeners.

The young countess finally looked up and met the gaze of Director Byron. Byron could see that there were many things in the other's eyes that gradually calmed down. She then turned to talk about a rumor: "People say that the actors of the Queen's Orchestra have incredible talents. Every opera makes people feel like they are in the scene, especially the leading actor, Zos Holman. His charming qualities are magnified in the love repertoire, and the women who are willing to die with him can fill the entire Rhine River."

Director Byron took a sip of coffee. There was something hesitant lurking beneath the surface, but if he really looked for it, there was no trace of it.

The police officers were undoubtedly convinced, but Byron Ross always felt that things were not that simple.

He hesitated for a moment and said, "The police can't convict based on rumors alone. What's more, the victim might have been hinted before leaving the house..."

"But you have no other direction for investigation." Wei Xi said slowly and clearly, as if she was the one who should be conducting the interrogation in the police station.

"Okay, okay, you are always right." Byron rubbed his temple and surrendered, "I will send someone to invite Mr. Holman to come over for a talk and find out something as soon as possible..."

"Don't rush, just keep an eye on him and don't let him leave. Tonight is the main event of the Rose Theater's premiere, and the leading actor cannot be absent."

Byron looked at her deeply. "If it is true as you said, then the theater will become a dangerous place. Do you really want to be in the same space with the suspect?"

"Why not?" The sound of rain trickled down, and the copper decorations in the reception room blocked a sharp shadow, which fell right on Wei Xi's lips, cold and solemn. "I asked someone to invite him to Lundim, and he should complete his mission first."

The police chief held it in for a long time, but in the end he said nothing. Unlike the previous time when the case was still unclear, this girl who insisted on being in danger didn't seem to care much about finding out the truth, as if there were more important things to be done.

...without the slightest fear that he might die from her overbearing arrogance.

Byron Ross really couldn't think of anything that could be considered "more important", and he didn't seek to keep up with the Countess's train of thought. A few minutes after the visitor left, Rom, who had also returned from patrol, wandered into his office and frowned at the direction the visitor had left.

"That was the one just now," he rubbed his cervical vertebrae damaged by the documents and lowered his voice carefully, "Monty's..."

Byron shook his finger to stop his squadron leader who was responsible for maintaining order from continuing: "Less talk, more action."

He saw a few policemen running outside in a hurry. Milim had been studying documents all night last night. When she was making coffee, she bumped into the door frame of the tea room and splashed the coffee on another policeman's face.

After a pause, Byron added: "There will probably be more to do."

Byron Ross never tried to understand Abigail de Monty.

Most of the time, this girl had a stable and gentle appearance, but this did not prevent Byron from realizing that Abigail was a dangerous person. When he faced Abigail, he would often use all his police instincts just for a detail, but the danger was always like hiding under the sarong, and he had to lift it up with his own hands to see what was going on, and the price was blood.

He doesn't like blood - so obedience is the best option.

In the evening, the theater was packed with people.

The war had not yet fully broken out, and there was still peace and prosperity everywhere. People were willing to spend money on art, and the air was filled with the smell of prosperity and romance.

The streets were filled with posters and promotional paintings. Countless audiences came to see the show. Bouquets of flowers were sent to the backstage like water. Many people waited under the street lights at night, wanting to catch a glimpse of the rumored young and handsome leading actor.

The opera to be performed is called La Bohème.

Wei Xi sat down in front of the box's stands, stood at the highest point and looked down, taking in the entire theater.

There was a huge chandelier hanging above the theater, like a small sun, hanging high under the dome, illuminating the gorgeous decorations in the theater. The huge theater was crowded with people and every seat was occupied.

As the clock struck eight, the stage curtain slowly opened, and the actors dressed in gorgeous costumes slowly rose from the center of the stage with the help of a lift, singing in gorgeous and high-pitched voices.

Addiodolcesvegliare

Goodbye, love of my dreams

allamattina

Goodbye, the beauty of waking up in the morning

addiosognantevita

Goodbye, life full of dreams

addiorabbuffiegelosie

Goodbye, blame and jealousy

Cheuntuosorrisoacqueta

Your smile is everywhere

addiosospetti

Goodbye, your kiss

Pungentiamarezze

Heart-wrenching pain

ch'iodaveropoeta

I am a poet

……

The voices of the tenor and soprano intertwined in the theater. The melody of the aria glowed with the color of silver moon. The position in the box was quite good. Wei Xi heard every word of the lyrics clearly and quickly understood the plot.

The whole play tells the story of a group of down-and-out artists, poets and painters living in the lower class district of Yalai who fall in love with different lovers, but one of them cannot live without money and the other is seriously ill. In the end, the poet Rodolfo's girlfriend Mimi dies in his arms. *

The violin played a magnificent prelude, the orchestra sounded, the melody entered the cadenza, and the magnificent melody filled the entire theater.

It has to be said that Wellman is indeed an extremely outstanding opera actor. He has played a young man in love, a wandering traveler, a crazy lunatic, and he can also play a down-and-out poet who has lost his beloved with ease.

By the end of the first act, everyone was immersed in the performance. The heroine in the purple electric silk dress had cheeks as beautiful as newly opened peach blossoms. The eyes of the man and woman conveyed passionate emotions and sadness. From the moment they met, separation was foreseeable.

Low murmurs of praise echoed in the audience like a tide.

"It's a great performance, isn't it, Abby? Our theater has had a great start." Betty pushed open the door of the box wearing a silver-gray shawl, holding a pot of black tea and cookies in her hand.

"Are you awake?" Wei Xi stood up and took the tray.

"I slept past my lunch, what a pity." Betty glanced around naturally, not seeing Alan Fosterton, and asked softly, "Where is the butler?"

"He went back first. You know, the affairs of the Monty family are always complicated and endless."

Wei Xi picked up the cup and poured a cup of tea for Betty and one for himself. The flax-haired woman changed into a white long dress and tied her hair up, revealing her frosty neck. Wei Xi only needed to slightly turn his head to see her face.

Tea smoke rose from the table. Wei Xi took off the jeweled butterfly from her temples and threw it on the table. Her ink-like satin hair fell down along her shoulders.

Betty looked at her steadily, with a hint of smile and a hint of cunning, and she hummed softly: "

All my wealth

To a pair of bright eyes steal

Now I'm with your heart

Intoxicated in such a beautiful dream

In this room there is so much sweet hope..."

Wei Xi picked up the teacup steadily, took a sip and put it back on the table gracefully. Her eyes moved from the stage to Betty. It was the aria from the first act. The female voice sounded a little softer than the male voice. When Betty stopped, she clapped her hands out of respect.

"How about it?"

“The parts of art works that depict emotions are very interesting.” Wei Xi savored the lyrics and realized that romance might not continue, but there are always some things that can bear witness to the past years.

"I didn't ask you about your work, I..." The pale woman didn't finish her words under Wei Xi's calm gaze. She showed a very vague expression that should not appear on a mature woman's face. The emotions contained in it were too complicated and not suitable for her.

"The opera isn't over yet, Betty."

So if you don’t want to say something, you shouldn’t say it.

Betty suddenly suspected that she already knew it, but just didn't say it.

It is difficult for people to understand while the other person is still alive that what they have fallen in love with is a perishable temple that may collapse at any time, and what is enshrined inside is just a shadow passing through the world, like a flower that blooms for one night and a bird that never returns.

She wondered, in another ten years, will you still be able to hear the bells of Randim? Who will be by your side? Will you still say good morning to me? Will I still be able to lie on your lap?

Betty stared at the person in front of her. The harmony of the aria spread in the box. She was silent throughout the entire melody until the last high note fell, shattering the silence on the ground. Then she raised her hand to refill Wei Xi's cup of tea.

“The sweetness is a bit strong.”

"Really? I didn't care."

There was no time for them to weave a vulgar and ugly ending, and the curtain of the drama was hastily drawn, ending with a clear sound.

That was the sound of a red teacup falling to the ground.

Before he finished his cup of tea, Wei Xi fell into a deep sleep involuntarily.

Betty propped up her chin, hugged the sleeping girl, and hummed the song she had just sung softly: "

But the theft didn't offend me.

Because the place where the jewels are placed is filled with hope

You know everything about me now

Please tell me who you are. I ask you to tell me...

The melodious singing voice could be heard faintly, and the tail note withered away in the silence, like a sigh like falling flowers.