Coroner's Diary

"Crown Prince." Qin Yan stepped forward and bowed to Yan Chi.

Yan Chi waved his hand. "Are you all heading back now?"

Qin Yan nodded, and Yan Chi said, "I’d like to ask Ninth Miss to stay and assist with something."

Qin Yan glanced at Qin Guan and readily agreed. "Of course, that’s fine. Ninth Sister?"

Qin Yan looked at Qin Guan, who nodded and said, "Third Brother, go ahead first. His Highness will have someone escort me back when we’re done."

Qin Shuang’s gaze lingered on Qin Guan for a moment, but since she had spoken, Qin Yan naturally had no objections. He turned his eyes toward the stage and asked, "The Qingli Troupe’s leader—"

Having grown up in the capital and spent years immersed in aristocratic circles, Qin Yan was naturally very familiar with the Double Purity Troupe. Now that Qing Li had met with misfortune, Qin Yan instinctively felt some concern.

"Dead. For now, it appears to be an accident, though that may not be the case."

Yan Chi answered briskly, then looked up to see Pang Fuliang approaching with a middle-aged man in a dark blue robe.

"Prince Rui’s heir—"

Before Pang Fuliang could speak, the man beside him spoke first.

Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly. "I didn’t expect to see Liu Yuntong here."

Standing beside Pang Fuliang was none other than Liu Renli, the Lianghu Salt Transport Envoy whom Pang Fuliang had intended to introduce to Qin Yan. Liu Renli had already met Qin Yan and had now come specifically to pay his respects to Yan Chi.

"It’s been many years since I last saw Your Highness. I truly didn’t expect to meet you here either."

Liu Renli was tall and lean, around forty years old, his complexion slightly darker than Pang Fuliang’s beside him, giving him a somewhat weary and aged appearance. Unlike Pang Fuliang, who exuded the dignified air of privilege, Liu Renli carried the cautious shrewdness of a seasoned official. Before Yan Chi, he was exceedingly deferential.

"I came on imperial orders this time, and it’s also been years since I last saw Uncle Prince Yu, so I made the trip. Did Liu Yuntong come specifically to celebrate Prince Yu’s birthday?" Yan Chi’s tone was composed, carrying a hint of aloofness and nobility, yet without any overbearing sharpness.

Liu Renli immediately smiled. "Years ago, I received Prince Yu’s assistance. Now that His Highness is celebrating his birthday, and I happened to return to the capital to report on my duties, I took the opportunity to offer my congratulations."

Yan Chi gave a slight nod, then glanced at Pang Fuliang. No matter how highly regarded Pang Fuliang might be, he dared not presume in front of Yan Chi. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Pang Fuliang pays his respects to Your Highness."

A faint smile touched Yan Chi’s lips. "Master Pang, I’ve long heard of you. It’s rare to meet in person."

"Your Highness is often defending the nation on the Shuo West Battlefield, so naturally, I’ve had no chance to pay my respects. If not for today, who knows how many more years it would have taken to meet you."

Yan Chi’s smile was faint, yet even this much gave the illusion of warmth.

Qin Guan stood quietly to the side, her eyes lowered. Though she didn’t stare directly at Yan Chi, she had already sized him up thoroughly. With Yan Chi’s notorious reputation as the "Demon King" and his lofty status, no one held excessively high expectations of him. Because of this, even the slightest hint of a smile from him was enough to satisfy others.

Yan Chi’s gaze swept between Pang Fuliang and Liu Renli. "Master Pang and Liu Yuntong..."Pang Fuliang glanced at Liu Renli and smiled, saying, "This humble one has some past acquaintance with Liu Yuntong. Since he has come to Yuzhou this time, it is only natural for me to fulfill my duties as a host."

Yan Chi nodded, then turned to Qin Yan. "You all go ahead first. I will escort Ninth Miss over."

Qin Yan nodded and cupped his hands in salute before leaving with Pang Fuliang and the others.

The guests under the warm pavilion had already begun to disperse one after another. Crown Prince Yan Zhi of Prince Yu's household was seeing them off one by one. Yan Chi looked at Qin Guan and said again, "Follow me."

Qin Guan responded and, bringing Fuling along, followed behind Yan Chi.

Without any hesitation, Yan Chi led Qin Guan toward the courtyard behind the stage.

The Double Purity Troupe had a large number of members. Apart from Qing Li and her disciples, who were the main performers, there were also many Martial Arts Masters, along with musicians and miscellaneous workers. The entire row of three houses was packed with their belongings.

The area around the stage was completely surrounded by Prince Yu's guards. When Yan Chi brought Qin Guan to the small courtyard, they only saw Yan Li speaking with Wang Huaiyu, the prefect of Yuzhou. Yan Li turned his gaze and immediately called out "Seventh Brother" upon seeing Yan Chi. However, he soon noticed Qin Guan and Fuling following behind, and his brows furrowed slightly, his expression turning somewhat playful.

At the same time, Wang Huaiyu also stepped forward. "Crown Prince..."

Yan Chi looked at Wang Huaiyu and asked, "What happened?"

Wang Huaiyu hurriedly replied, "Just now, one of the female masters from the Double Purity Troupe inspected and said the Mechanism behind the stage had been tampered with. That’s why Master Qingli was hit by the arrow."

Yan Chi frowned slightly, and Wang Huaiyu continued, "Crown Prince, please come this way—"

Wang Huaiyu had been serving as the prefect of Yuzhou for two years. Although Yuzhou was Prince Yu's fiefdom, it was still under imperial jurisdiction. Moreover, Yuzhou was a prosperous region with thriving agriculture and commerce, making it a lucrative post. As the local magistrate, he was naturally quite familiar with Prince Yu's household. Thus, he had been the earliest to arrive for the birthday celebration. Yet, he never expected such a disturbance to occur during Prince Yu's banquet. If it had merely been a murder case, it might have been manageable. But this incident happened in front of so many dignitaries at Prince Yu's celebration—one could imagine the consequences. As the prefect of Yuzhou, the case fell squarely on his shoulders, and the pressure was immense.

Yan Chi did not move immediately but instead turned to Qin Guan. "Come with me."

Seeing Qin Guan nod, Yan Chi then proceeded forward.

As soon as Yan Chi approached, the people standing in small groups knelt down again.

Because of the death, both the Double Purity Troupe and the marquis's guards wore solemn expressions. Qin Guan noticed several female members of the troupe with reddened eyes. Suppressing her thoughts, she followed Yan Chi and Wang Huaiyu behind the stage.

The performance of Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother was grand in scale. Apart from the large cast, the sets were also highly realistic, with nearly ten backdrops used throughout the play. The Mechanism Wang Huaiyu wanted Yan Chi to inspect was located behind the backdrop wall.

"Your Highness, this is where the arrow-shooting Mechanism was set up. The Mechanism had been fixed in advance and was personally arranged by Master Qingli. Moreover, due to the coordination with the performance routines, almost every generation of the Double Purity Troupe has used the same Mechanism setup. That’s why it was discovered earlier that the Mechanism had been tampered with."The mechanism Wang Huaiyu mentioned was a long, narrow box fixed onto the backdrop. The arrow exit had been pre-cut into the backdrop. At Wang Huaiyu's signal, two guards from Prince Yu's residence retrieved the box. One of them unlocked it, revealing an intricate set of gears inside.

"Just now, the master mentioned that these gears were preset. Any movement would alter the timing and angle of the arrow's release. Your Highness, look—this smallest gear has a mark from prolonged wear, but now it's shifted an inch to the left. This indicates the gear was recently turned," Wang Huaiyu explained.

Yan Chi studied it briefly before asking, "Who discovered this?"

"It was me."

Before Wang Huaiyu could respond, a clear, melodious voice spoke up.

Qin Guan and Yan Chi turned to see a young woman in white kneeling nearby. Her eyes were reddened, her face streaked with tears—clearly, she had been crying. Noticing Yan Chi's gaze, she rose gracefully and approached to kneel again in greeting.

"This humble servant, Qing Xian, pays respects to the Crown Prince..."

Yan Chi regarded her for a moment. "What is your relation to Qing Li?"

"I am her disciple. Master Qing Li was my teacher."

Qing Xian kept her head bowed. Qin Guan recognized her as one of the performers in Golden Branch Pays Respects and Meeting at the Immortal Bridge . Her white dress was the costume of the Weaver Girl, though her stage makeup had been removed. Half of her ink-black hair was tied up in a topknot, the rest cascading over her shoulders.

"Do you also perform Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother ?" Yan Chi's tone was stern.

Qing Xian lowered her head further but answered promptly, "Yes, this humble servant knows it. Master taught me long ago. Sometimes I perform it elsewhere, but today, given Prince Yu's birthday banquet, Master took the role herself. Who would have thought..."

Yan Chi glanced at the mechanism box. "You were the one who inspected it?"

Qing Xian nodded. "Yes, I discovered it just now."

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. "Who else understands this mechanism?"

"Besides me, my senior apprentice sister, Qinglan, knows it."

As she spoke, Qing Xian instinctively glanced back. Just then, a tall woman dressed in male attire—the "Cowherd" from Meeting at the Immortal Bridge —emerged from the courtyard gate.

"This humble servant, Qinglan, pays respects to the Crown Prince."

Though both were disciples, Qing Xian was tearful and fragile, while Qinglan appeared far more composed, her expression grave but devoid of overt grief.

"You also know how this mechanism operates? You can perform Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother too?"

Qinglan nodded. "Yes, this humble servant knows it."

Yan Chi then turned to Wang Huaiyu. "How was this box stored?"

Without answering, Wang Huaiyu gestured, and a middle-aged man kneeling nearby approached. "This is Yang Ying, deputy leader of the Double Purity Troupe. He oversees all logistical matters for the troupe."

Yang Ying wore a plain gray robe and appeared somewhat aged for his thirty years due to his modest attire.After Pang Huaiyu finished speaking, he lifted his robe and knelt down. "Crown Prince, the mechanism box and all the stage curtains were delivered to the mansion early this morning. The troupe leader inspected them before the first performance. I truly don’t know what happened or how..." Yang Ying said, his eyes also moistening.

Yan Chi frowned. "Inspected before the first performance? Was it checked again before going on stage?"

Yang Ying quickly nodded. "Because all three performances today were quite demanding, after the first one started, there wasn’t much free time left. The box was installed onto the stage curtain halfway through the 'Meeting at the Immortal Bridge.'"

Yan Chi turned his gaze to Qin Guan. Their eyes met, and a faint glimmer flashed in both.

In other words, between the start of the first performance and halfway through the 'Meeting at the Immortal Bridge,' someone had tampered with the box.

"Where was the box kept?" Yan Chi asked again.

Yang Ying turned and pointed to the left wing of the courtyard. "In the left wing. The box was a crucial mechanism, placed at the southernmost end."

Yan Chi nodded. "Was anyone assigned to guard it during that time?"

Yang Ying hesitated. "N-no, there wasn’t..."

Seeing Yang Ying seemed to be holding something back, Yan Chi’s eyes turned cold. "No? If you’re hiding anything, it’s tantamount to being an accomplice!"

Yang Ying trembled and immediately said, "I wouldn’t dare deceive you, Crown Prince. There really wasn’t anyone. The left wing was where Qinglan prepared for her performance. She wasn’t in the first act, so she was waiting there the whole time before."

Qinglan, kneeling nearby, straightened her back. "I was indeed waiting there, but I didn’t touch Master’s things!"

As she spoke, Qinglan turned and glared at Yang Ying with fiery eyes.

Yang Ying looked troubled. "Why are you so defensive? I’m just stating the facts. I didn’t say it was definitely you."

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes at Qinglan. "So, you were in the room when the box was placed there? And you stayed until you left for your second performance?"

Qinglan stiffened her neck but had no choice but to nod. "Y-yes, Crown Prince. That’s correct."

"Did anyone else enter during that time?" Yan Chi pressed.

"Only the maids delivering tea went in..."

Qinglan’s voice trembled slightly, making her sound fearful.

"Did you see them touch the box?"

Qinglan clenched her fists, pressing her lips tightly together without answering.

Yan Chi studied her for a moment before turning back to Yang Ying. "After she left the room, did anyone else go in?"

Yang Ying shook his head quickly. "No, I remember clearly. Since almost everyone was needed for the third performance, the troupe leader had everyone on standby when the second act started. Only a few stagehands remained to move the fire bridge props. The box was installed onto the stage curtain after the fire bridge was prepared."

He then glanced toward the back of the crowd. "It was those three who moved it."

At his gesture, the three men immediately prostrated themselves. Yan Chi asked, "Did the three of you enter and exit together? Did you see anyone else go in?"Among the three, only one was slightly bolder. He shook his head and replied, "Your Highness, we didn’t see anyone coming or going. The courtyard was empty at the time, and the door to the room was locked. When the three of us entered together, the lock on the box was intact. We simply took it out and loaded it directly."

Yan Chi nodded. "Who has the keys to this lock?"

"Only myself and the troupe leader," Yang Ying quickly answered.

Wang Huaiyu added from the side, "Just now, it was Yang Ying who used the key to open the box."

Yan Chi glanced at the key ring held by the prince’s guard, which was laden with numerous keys—clearly, Yang Ying was in charge of all the keys for the Double Purity Troupe. "Did you enter the courtyard earlier?"

At this question, Yang Ying’s face twisted in distress. "I was outside the whole time and didn’t go in. Qinglan can vouch for me. Later, when Qinglan came out, things got extremely busy, and I had to stay on guard the entire time." He looked around at the others. "They can all testify for me."

Yan Chi’s gaze swept over the crowd, and indeed, many began nodding silently.

"Did your keys ever leave your possession?"

Yang Ying waved his hands hastily. "No, never. There are too many keys here to risk losing them. When the Prefect needed to open the box earlier, I took the keys from my pocket."

Wang Huaiyu nodded. "That’s correct."

Yan Chi then shifted his focus. "What about the keys on Qing Li’s person?"

Yang Ying’s eyes flickered before he replied, "The troupe leader usually carries them on her, but if she needed to change costumes or prepare for a performance, she would leave them in her personal bag."

Yan Chi remained silent, only looking at Wang Huaiyu, who promptly said to Yang Ying, "Lead the way. I’ll go take a look."

Yang Ying stood and led Wang Huaiyu into the courtyard. Yan Chi stayed where he was, observing Qinglan, whose back was rigid with tension.

The origin of the Double Purity Troupe dated back over forty years. At that time, two exceptionally talented female performers emerged in the south, both blessed with heavenly voices and stunning beauty, earning widespread admiration. Normally, rivals would compete out of jealousy, but these two inexplicably became sworn sisters and founded a troupe together. Since both their stage names began with the character "Qing," the troupe was named Double Purity. Moreover, all their subsequent disciples also adopted names starting with "Qing." By now, the troupe had seen at least five or six leaders.

Yan Chi studied Qinglan, noticing her clenched fists and tightly pressed lips. Though she appeared resolute, he couldn’t tell if it was an act. For performers, deception came easily, and she showed no grief over Qing Li’s death—something that seemed highly suspicious.

"Seventh Brother, do you suspect someone stole Master Qingli’s keys to tamper with things?" Yan Li, who had been quietly observing the interrogation, suddenly stepped forward. He glanced at Qin Guan before adding, "Could someone have secretly made a duplicate key?"

"No, that’s impossible," Qing Xian interjected abruptly.

Yan Li and Yan Chi turned to her as she explained, her voice trembling, "Those keys can’t be duplicated elsewhere. They’re passed down within the Double Purity Troupe—their shape is unique, and the material is different."

Qing Xian kept her head lowered, her face still streaked with tears.Yan Li raised an eyebrow. "That eliminates one possibility."

Yan Chi nodded but remained silent, his gaze fixed on the courtyard entrance. If Qingli's key had been found...

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Wang Huaiyu emerged from the courtyard with a grim expression. "Your Highness, Master Qingli's belongings don't contain the key..."

Yan Li let out a soft "Ah." "Was it stolen?!"

Wang Huaiyu shook his head. "It's still unclear."

Yan Chi's lips tightened. "Search—everyone's belongings and persons must be searched—"

The key had always been on Qingli's person, only removed when she prepared for her performance. It had gone missing during that time. Whoever took it must have used it to unlock something and tampered with it, but then what?

In such a short span, the key was likely still hidden somewhere.

Wang Huaiyu departed to carry out his orders. Yan Chi swept his gaze over the crowd, noting Qing Xian wiping her tears while Qinglan remained kneeling with her back rigidly straight.

Yan Chi took a few steps back and murmured to Qin Guan, "What do you think?"

Qin Guan's eyes also briefly scanned Qinglan's face. "This Qinglan seems to have some hidden circumstances. Her emotions are so openly displayed—either she's the murderer unafraid of suspicion, or she killed with a death wish."

Yan Chi gave a slight nod, while Qin Guan suddenly frowned.

From the moment she arrived, Prince Gong's Heir, Yan Li, had been staring at her. Qin Guan wondered what Yan Li intended, but recalling Yan Chi's words, could it be that Yan Li knew about her and Yan Chi?

Noticing Qin Guan's glance, Yan Li's smile widened. "Miss Qin, do you remember me?"

Given the earlier solemnity, Qin Guan hadn't had the chance to greet him properly. Now that Yan Li had spoken, she couldn't ignore him. She curtsied. "Crown Prince—"

Yan Li chuckled as he stepped closer, eyeing her up and down. "What brings Miss Qin here? There's been a death—someone of your delicate disposition might be frightened by such sights."

His words carried both concern and genuine belief—what woman wouldn't fear a corpse?

After he spoke, Qin Guan merely smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Puzzled, Yan Li turned to Yan Chi, only to find him stone-faced and silent.

Yan Li's eyes narrowed. Given Yan Chi's nature, he would naturally have considered this. Why hadn't he warned Qin Guan? And if he cared for her, why wouldn't he want to protect her?

As Yan Li mulled this over, a commotion arose from the courtyard. Yan Chi focused his gaze and saw Wang Huaiyu striding out with his men. At once, Yan Chi spotted a key resting in Wang Huaiyu's palm.

"Where was it found?" Yan Chi pressed urgently.

Wang Huaiyu glanced at Qinglan's back. "In the left wing—inside Qinglan's belongings."

"Impossible—!" Qinglan, who had been kneeling rigidly, whirled around, her face deathly pale. "It's not true! I didn't do it—I didn't steal Master's key—"

Qinglan's vehement reaction stunned the rest of the Double Purity Troupe. Most stared at her in shock, seemingly unable to believe she could be the culprit, though a few wore complex expressions, their eyes burning with resentment.

"It wasn't me! Truly, it wasn't—!"Qinglan called out to Wang Huaiyu twice, but seeing his expressionless face, she turned and crawled two steps toward Yan Chi on her knees. "Your Highness, it truly wasn't me, it wasn't me..."

Qinglan's face was deathly pale, her lips drained of color. She gazed stubbornly at Yan Chi, and only when she saw no reaction in his eyes did despair begin to surface. Yan Chi then said, "How do you explain this key?"

Shaking her head, Qinglan replied, "Someone else put it there! Someone is trying to frame me!"

As she spoke, Qinglan glanced around, her gaze briefly passing over Qing Xian, but she didn't immediately point fingers. She turned back to face Yan Chi. "I didn't steal it..."

She kept switching between "this commoner" and "I," but Yan Chi couldn't be bothered to nitpick. However, he didn't believe her feeble excuses either. He merely lifted his gaze to Wang Huaiyu. "Prefect Wang, handle this as you see fit. We already have a direction now."

Yan Chi hadn't forgotten his official title as the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of the Judicial Office. Having worked with Qin Guan in Jinzhou, he'd developed the habit of personally overseeing cases. But now that the key had been found and there were multiple witnesses, the investigation shouldn't be difficult.

Wang Huaiyu immediately responded, "Understood. Your Highness can rest assured—this official guarantees no mistakes will be made."

As they spoke, a group of yamen runners arrived from the outer courtyard. They must have been summoned by Wang Huaiyu after the incident. Now that they'd arrived, Wang Huaiyu stepped forward and exchanged a few words with a man who appeared to be the chief constable. Soon, the runners began escorting away the two "Qing"-named actresses, Yang Ying, and the others.

"Everyone must go to the yamen for questioning. Clean up this place as well."

Among the arrivals was an elderly coroner from the Yuzhou Prefecture. After receiving instructions from Wang Huaiyu, the coroner headed toward the stage where Qing Li's body still lay untouched. Seeing that even the coroner had arrived, Qin Guan knew her involvement was unnecessary.

Back in Jinzhou, she had stepped in because Xu He was young and inexperienced. But outside Jinzhou, Qin Guan didn't presume herself more skilled than seasoned veteran coroners. Noticing the coroner's graying hair, she suppressed her urge to examine the corpse. Yan Chi also noticed the coroner but said nothing for the moment.

There wasn't much to clean up on the stage. Following Wang Huaiyu's orders, the yamen runners gradually led the Double Purity Troupe members away. Yan Li clicked his tongue nearby. "So solving cases is this simple, huh?"

His gaze flickered briefly over Yan Chi and Qin Guan before he asked, "What will you do next, Seventh Brother?"

Yan Chi turned to Qin Guan. "Shall we go take a look at Qing Li up front?"

Qin Guan walked a few steps forward until she could see the body lying on the stage through the entrance. The elderly coroner from the Yuzhou Prefecture yamen was already conducting the corpse examination. She shook her head. "No need."

Each profession has its specialists. With the coroner already at work, it would be inappropriate for her to interfere—especially since she had no official standing to do so. Turning away, she said, "If there's a need, we can revisit it later."

Yan Chi nodded. "Very well." After a pause, he added, "Then come with me."

Qin Guan studied Yan Chi briefly. Since they were in public, she gave only a slight nod.

Noticing this, Yan Li eagerly sidled up. "Seventh Brother, where are you going?"

Yan Chi looked at him for a moment. "You seem quite interested in this case. Stay here and keep an eye on things—consider it helping Eldest Brother."

Yan Li gave a soft tsk, his amber eyes darting playfully. "Sure, sure! Seventh Brother, go ahead without worries."

Wearing an exaggerated grin, his eyes narrowed into slits. Yan Chi observed him for two breaths before turning to leave. Qin Guan curtsied, and Yan Li waved enthusiastically. "Lady Qin, until next time! Don't forget about me—"

Qin Guan couldn't help but smile at his deliberately cutesy tone before following Yan Chi.

By now, most guests had already left the estate. Yan Zhi was seeing off the last few visitors. Yan Chi led the way along the mansion's winding corridors, heading deeper into the compound. Qin Guan glanced around, noticing they were moving farther and farther from the banquet area.Fuling followed behind Qin Guan, feeling somewhat puzzled. Naturally, she no longer suspected Yan Chi meant Qin Guan any harm, but the deeper they ventured into the inner courtyard, the more inexplicably eerie it felt to her.

Noticing they were heading further inside, Qin Guan asked, "What are we doing here?"

"I have something for you," Yan Chi replied in a steady voice. Qin Guan grew slightly suspicious—was this another attempt to coax her?

With a quiet sigh, she thought it likely was, especially with Fuling still by her side.

After turning another corner, a secluded small courtyard came into view. Qin Guan suddenly understood—this must be Yan Chi’s residence in Prince Yu’s mansion.

As if reading her thoughts, Yan Chi said, "This is where I stay. Come in."

Qin Guan followed him inside, first entering the central courtyard before proceeding straight into the main hall. It was a modest guest courtyard with only three side rooms, yet the furnishings were elegant and refined, far from ordinary.

Once inside, Yan Chi turned left into the Warm Chamber. By the window stood a desk with a bundle placed atop it.

Without a word, Yan Chi walked over and unwrapped it. "Take a look at these—"

Qin Guan had no idea what he intended to show her and approached with mild curiosity. But the moment she saw the contents, her pupils trembled slightly, and her gaze became fixed, unable to look away.

Inside the bundle were several booklets—not medical texts, but handwritten notes with yellowed pages.

Her heart raced uncontrollably, and for a moment, she even held her breath.

They were utterly ordinary notes, aged enough for the paper to yellow, their edges slightly frayed. There were only five or six in total, the kind most people wouldn’t spare a second glance at. Yet as Qin Guan looked at them, her chest tightened with overwhelming emotion. The handwriting was elegant and distinctive, every stroke achingly familiar. She traced her fingers over the pages—each character had been written before her very eyes.

These were her father’s notes, records from his time as an official in Yuzhou.

"You probably didn’t know Shen Yi once served in Yuzhou, did you? He worked as an examiner in the Yuzhou Prefecture’s Judicial Inspection Bureau." Seeing Qin Guan’s barely contained emotion, Yan Chi explained gently, "Knowing how much you admire him, I had someone inquire after arriving. Sure enough, we found these old notes still stored in the bureau’s archives. Years ago, these were required reading for everyone there, but after his incident in the capital, they became somewhat taboo. My men retrieved them without much trouble."

Noticing Qin Guan’s unwavering gaze, Yan Chi added, "They document his case examinations in Yuzhou, with many entries on corpse inspections and deductions."

The Judicial Inspection Bureau was responsible for verifying the fairness and rigor of legal cases. Only after their review could a case be concluded and reported to the imperial court. Those involving exile or heavier sentences had to be sent to the capital for retrial by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review.

Qin Guan knew exactly what these notes contained. With her father in the Yuzhou Judicial Inspection Bureau, not a single unjust or wrongful conviction had ever occurred."Although the Record of Wrongfully Accused Cases Corrected by the Court of Revision is already extremely precise and detailed, these personal notes excel in their step-by-step thoroughness. Moreover, the cases recorded within are all exceptional examples not found in the official records. If you study them, you will undoubtedly gain much insight."

Yan Chi spoke slowly, while Qin Guan kept her eyes slightly lowered, taking a long moment to steady her emotions. Having died alongside her parents and later becoming the Ninth Miss, she had never had the chance to see her father’s personal effects. She had assumed she would only have the opportunity to glimpse a few of his works once she reached the capital. Yet, to her surprise, she had encountered her father’s handwritten notes here in Yuzhou...

After leaving the Yuzhou Circuit Judicial Office, her father had served as Deputy Judicial Commissioner of the Dingxi Circuit. Due to his outstanding achievements, he was later promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review . In the western and northern regions, he was revered as the "Paragon of Justice" among all judicial officials. Many of his notes had been left behind in the offices where he served, intended to educate future generations. But Qin Guan knew that after the incident in the capital, her father’s works had become taboo—some were destroyed, others burned. She couldn’t fathom the effort Yan Chi had expended behind those few words, but seeing these yellowed notes softened even the hardest corners of her heart.

She had resolved to keep her greatest secret hidden, yet fate seemed to be drawing Yan Chi ever closer to it. Qin Guan gently brushed her fingers over the stack of notes. "What made you think to look for these?"

Finally speaking, her voice was slightly hoarse, as though deeply moved.

Yan Chi gazed at her for a moment before smiling faintly. "When you spoke to me about Shen Yi before, I had someone investigate him. Even before arriving in Yuzhou, I had planned to see if Shen Yi had left anything behind in Yizhou. Who knew we’d actually find something? These were only delivered this morning. I didn’t bring them earlier as it wasn’t the right time. I’m glad you like them."

Qin Guan suddenly lifted her eyes to meet Yan Chi’s. Her light-colored irises, clear as a mountain stream, reflected his face, while deep within them shone a glimmer of starlight—as if struggling free from the darkest abyss. She held his gaze so intently it seemed to melt his heart.

"What you asked me to consider... I’ve made my decision."

Qin Guan continued staring at him without blinking.

Yan Chi took a step closer, raising a hand to caress her cheek. "I know what you seek. I’ve known from the very beginning. From now on, I will protect you, and you—you need only follow your heart and do whatever you wish."

Qin Guan’s breath hitched slightly. Yan Chi added, "Since I started this, I’ve already thought it through."

After a pause, he leaned in closer. "Besides, you have no idea how peerless and extraordinary you are in my eyes. Of course you’re different from others. Among countless women in this world, none could ever compare to even a fraction of you."

Qin Guan’s lips parted slightly, but for a moment, no words came. Was she truly so remarkable?

Dazed, she stared into Yan Chi’s radiant almond eyes. By the time his lips met hers, she still hadn’t thought of what to say. Instead, a bittersweet warmth unfurled in her chest—filling her heart, leaving a lingering sweetness, compelling her to wrap her arms around his waist without thought. She had fallen in love, succumbed to the same worldly emotions that ensnared most women. She needed certainty—needed to know the shape of the heart pressed against hers. Only then could she surrender herself completely.Qin Guan's composure and self-restraint were second nature to her. With such a temperament, no matter how deeply she loved, she could never recklessly throw herself into a romance like a moth to a flame. Yet if she were to meet the right person, she possessed an unwavering courage and steadfast devotion—ready to offer tender affection, undying loyalty, and a lifetime of companionship...

Yan Chi's kiss, initially tender and lingering, gradually grew more fervent and possessive. Just as Qin Guan felt her heartbeat quicken, a faint crackling sound came from the roof above them—the sound of tiles being stepped on. Qin Guan froze, and Yan Chi frowned slightly. But soon, a startled shriek pierced the air—

"Ahhh— Bai Feng! It's me, it's me..."

"Prince Li? Why are you on the master's roof...?"

"Ah... hahaha... well... this spot is quite high, perfect for enjoying the view, ahem... Anyway, where's Seventh Brother? I was actually looking for him..."

"The master is discussing matters with Ninth Miss..."

"Oh, really? What kind of matters? Can I join in?"

"Fine, fine, I'll come back later, all right...?"

The conversation outside flushed Qin Guan's cheeks. Yan Li had promised not to interfere, yet here he was—his intentions obvious. How long had he been there? How much had he heard?

As Qin Guan pondered, Yan Chi cupped the back of her head and pulled her close.

"Continue—"