After a good night's sleep, Qin Guan rose early the next morning. Stepping out of her courtyard, she noticed Qinghui Garden was unusually quiet and solemn, with noticeably more yamen officers patrolling than the previous day.
Qin Guan paused briefly at the courtyard gate before turning left along the path leading to Qin Yan's residence. For several days now, the siblings had been gathering there for breakfast. Upon entering, she found neither Qin Shuang nor Qin Xiang had arrived yet, and Qin Yan himself was absent from the courtyard.
After waiting a while, Qin Guan finally saw Qin Yan returning from the east. "Third Brother—"
Qin Yan seemed surprised to find her there. "You're up so early?"
Qin Guan smiled without explanation, following him into the main hall. The warmth from the charcoal fire dispelled some of the winter chill. "You came from the east? How are things there?"
Qin Yan shook his head. "The Crown Prince and Prefect Wang are still conducting interrogations. Master Pang has fallen ill."
Qin Guan's eyebrows lifted. "Master Pang is ill?"
Qin Yan nodded. "Witnessing Pang Yiwen's fatal fall right before his eyes last night was naturally devastating. They say he showed signs of distress upon returning and now the household is in chaos, leaving only the second young master to manage affairs."
Qin Guan understood perfectly. The successive murders had left everyone unsettled, and with Pang Fuliang suddenly taken ill, disorder was inevitable. Noticing her pensive expression, Qin Yan asked, "Has the Pang family become entangled in Liu Yuntong's case as well?"
Qin Guan looked up, momentarily surprised. "Why do you ask that?"
Qin Yan stood and gazed at the overcast sky outside. "The sudden influx of yamen officers overnight suggests this is no ordinary murder case. While Liu Yuntong's death was serious enough, this feels different. Moreover, His Highness has taken an unusual interest in the Pang family's affairs—that in itself is telling..."
Having grown up in the capital, Qin Yan was acutely sensitive to any undercurrents.
Qin Guan replied vaguely, "It's indeed more than just the murders, but I'm not entirely clear on the specifics. It might be related to Magistrate Liu's case."
Few would likely connect it to the old case, and with nothing confirmed yet, Qin Guan naturally couldn't reveal anything.
Qin Yan studied her intently for a moment before Zhou Huai suddenly exclaimed in surprise. Following his gaze to the courtyard gate, Qin Guan spotted Bai Feng's figure.
Instinctively moving toward the entrance, she heard Qin Yan say, "He must be here for you. Go ahead."
With a nod, Qin Guan left with Fuling and Baiying. Watching her exchange a few words with Bai Feng before departing, Qin Yan's expression turned thoughtful.
Zhou Huai stepped closer. "Your Highness, given the Crown Prince and Prefect Wang's actions, this seems to involve significant matters."
Qin Yan nodded. "I haven't yet deduced the exact connection, but it's certainly tied to Liu Renli." After a pause, he added through gritted teeth, "We never should have agreed to Pang Fuliang's request back then."
Zhou Huai sighed. "At the time, we only knew Magistrate Liu had been 'implicated' and took Pang Fuliang at his word."Qin Yan had intended to recruit Liu Renli under the banner of the Marquis Manor, thereby strengthening the Crown Prince's faction. Naturally, he held Liu Renli in high regard. Pang Fuliang, however, seemed to have anticipated this from the start. When he first arranged the meeting between Qin Yan and Liu Renli, he harbored intentions to exploit both Qin Yan and the Loyal Marquis Manor. During their initial encounter, Pang Fuliang was surprisingly candid, bluntly stating that Liu Renli's office was embroiled in a corruption scandal and might very well be implicated. At the time, Qin Yan was dissatisfied—he wanted someone with a clean background who could serve the Crown Prince without bringing trouble. Clearly, Liu Renli fell short of his expectations.
Back then, Qin Yan had believed Liu Renli was merely an unfortunate victim of circumstance. Unwilling to pass up the opportunity to win him over, he agreed to help, thinking that by extending a favor, Liu Renli would pledge his loyalty to the Marquis Manor. Had it not been for Qing Yun's sudden death, Qin Yan might very well have returned to the capital to shield Liu Renli when the impeachment came...
Fortunately, Qing Yun's death came abruptly, and fortunately, Qin Guan had given him a timely warning.
"At first, I thought only Liu Renli was in trouble, with Pang Fuliang merely acting as an intermediary. But now it seems the Pang family is also involved. His Highness Yan Chi initially only made a routine inquiry, yet last night he worked through the night without rest. The situation is far graver than we imagined."
A note of concern had crept into Qin Yan's voice. He had come to Yuzhou for a birthday celebration, yet by sheer chance, he had ended up staying at Qinghui Garden. Once he set foot here, regardless of whether the Pang family had prior dealings with the Marquis Manor's enterprises—or even if they hadn't—simply being at the scene of the incident was enough fodder for those with ulterior motives. And now, it wasn’t just a matter of deaths; it might also involve a major corruption scandal within the court. The more Qin Yan thought about it, the heavier his heart grew. The Marquis Manor could ill afford even the slightest ripple of scandal now.
Zhou Huai’s expression was equally grave. "The Young Master’s letter has already been dispatched. The Marquis in the capital will surely be on guard. As long as we keep our hands clean here, even if someone back in the capital wants to stir trouble, they won’t have any grounds."
Qin Yan sighed. "The Emperor’s will is inscrutable. And not just the Emperor—even the Crown Prince is hard to read. Though the Marquis Manor has aligned itself with the Eastern Palace, who truly knows the Crown Prince’s intentions? If the Marquis Manor falls under scrutiny, what choice will the Eastern Palace make?"
Zhou Huai pressed his lips together for a long moment. "What about His Highness Yan Chi? The Young Master seemed to get along well with him during their last conversation. If, with the Young Master’s influence, His Highness also sides with the Eastern Palace, wouldn’t that be a great merit for the Marquis Manor?"
Qin Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Has even Steward Zhou failed to notice?"
Zhou Huai was taken aback. "What does the Young Master mean?"
After a pause, Qin Yan replied, "His Highness Yan Chi’s attitude that day was indeed far more amicable than expected. But would you believe it? Even then, I still couldn’t decipher his true intentions."
Zhou Huai was stunned. That day, he had waited outside the door, hearing only their conversation and the sound of chess pieces, unable to see Yan Chi’s expression. Afterward, as they traveled together to Yuzhou, the so-called Demon King had not seemed as difficult to approach as the rumors suggested. "But... but during the journey here, this servant saw no indication that he wished to distance himself from us."
The Marquis Manor’s alliance with the Eastern Palace was no secret in the capital. If Yan Chi didn’t distance himself, upon returning to the capital, he too would be seen as favoring the Eastern Palace. He could have refused to travel with them—yet he hadn’t.Qin Yan shook his head. "At first, I thought so too... but later I realized he simply acts without restraint. Even if the entire capital believes he favors the Eastern Palace, it means nothing to him."
Lifting his chin slightly, Qin Yan continued, "His reputation as the Demon King isn't unfounded. When it comes to unpredictability, this young man might surpass even the Eastern Palace. Most crucially, he grew up outside the capital's power circles—no one truly knows what he's thinking. While many in the capital wish to establish ties with the Prince Rui's household, who would dare act rashly?"
"Young Master speaks wisely," Zhou Huai nodded.
Qin Yan sighed, his tone uncharacteristically dejected. "This move was slightly ill-considered. I only hope it doesn't bring too much trouble to our family. For now, we can only wait and observe. If there's any way to assist, we should lend a hand to avoid future missteps."
Zhou Huai nodded solemnly, his expression remaining tense.
Meanwhile, outside the courtyard, Bai Feng was leading Qin Guan toward a secluded compound in the southwest.
"The master stayed up all night. Upon learning you were awake, he requested your presence," Bai Feng said respectfully. Qin Guan noted how quickly Yan Chi had learned of her rising—she had only been up for moments.
Soon they reached the courtyard gate. The morning stillness enveloped the area, with no guards in sight. As they entered, the main door stood slightly ajar. Bai Feng gestured politely, "Ninth Miss, please enter."
Qin Guan nodded and pushed the door open, while Fuling and Baiying remained outside.
The interior was equally quiet, clearly a hastily prepared temporary space. Qin Guan closed the door softly, her gaze shifting between the left and right chambers. As she hesitated, a figure emerged from the right chamber—Yan Chi. Seeing her lingering at the threshold, he strode forward and grasped her hand. "Come in."
Pulled inside, Qin Guan found herself in a Warm Chamber. By the window sat a heated daybed with a small table bearing simple congee and two side dishes. A brazier in the corner held dying embers.
"Prefect Wang arranged this. I initially declined, but then I thought of having breakfast with you," Yan Chi explained as he seated Qin Guan on the daybed before taking his place opposite her. He had known immediately when she awoke and that she hadn't eaten. Qin Guan studied him briefly—aside from the stubble darkening his jawline, he appeared well-rested, easing her concern.
"Is pulling all-nighters routine for you?" she asked, serving him a bowl of congee from the two place settings.
Though they had shared meals at the Marquis's residence before, those had been crowded affairs. This marked their first private breakfast together. Yan Chi's eyes brightened noticeably at her gesture.
"On military campaigns, day and night blur together," he replied, accepting the bowl with a smile. After a few bites, Qin Guan inquired, "How went last night?"
Yan Chi's smile faded slightly. "Pang Youde began serving Pang Fuliang fourteen years ago. He only knew his master suddenly came into money then, not its source. Events from fifteen years ago remain unknown to him. However..."Yan Chi's tone turned serious. "However, he was very clear about the financial transactions between Qing Yun and Liu Renli over the years—more detailed than what Chang Shi mentioned. Pang Fuliang gave large sums of money to Qing Yun and Liu Renli every year, with particularly generous amounts to the Double Purity Troupe. Most of these payments were made via banknotes. In one or two years when Qing Yun didn’t come, the money was handed to Qing Li instead."
"Moreover, over the years, Qing Yun and Liu Renli’s demands grew increasingly excessive, which had already stirred dissatisfaction in Pang Fuliang. Qing Li’s death enraged Qing Yun, who indeed made a demand for the inn upon arriving at the estate."
Qin Guan frowned. "Pang Youde is Pang Fuliang’s most trusted confidant. Did he not mention anything about the past? Does he not know why money was given to Qing Yun and Liu Renli?"
Yan Chi nodded. "He said Pang Fuliang explained it once—back when Pang Fuliang was starting his business, Qing Yun and Liu Renli also contributed funds. The annual payments were their share of the profits."
This explanation seemed reasonable on the surface, but could it really be that simple?
"If they invested money, how much was it? How were the annual profits calculated? Are there detailed accounts?" Qin Guan sighed. "Pang Fuliang didn’t even tell Pang Youde. It’s hard to imagine how he kept this secret hidden for so many years."
"He said he had suspicions, but Pang Fuliang is an extremely distrustful man. The slightest hint of disloyalty would raise his suspicions, so he never probed further. Besides, life had been very comfortable all these years under Pang Fuliang’s patronage."
Qin Guan nodded. "So, for now, we can’t find any evidence linking Pang Fuliang to the past incident?"
Yan Chi sighed softly. "Indeed. The dead cannot testify, and there’s no way to recover any stolen goods now."
"Not necessarily." Qin Guan’s eyes gleamed as she looked at Yan Chi. "What do you think of Pang Fuliang as a person?"
Yan Chi narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly. "Whether Pang Fuliang started from nothing or not, one thing is certain—he had no influential background. Rising from obscurity to become the wealthiest man in the northwest, his ambition and methods are anything but ordinary. Yesterday, when Pang Yiwen died before his eyes, though he seemed dazed for a moment, he didn’t appear particularly distraught. This shows extraordinary mental fortitude."
After a brief pause, Yan Chi continued, "Last night, he was restrained and composed. His interactions are always polished and considerate, revealing his shrewdness. The last trait, I’d say, is ruthlessness. Regardless of whether he’s connected to the old case, a business empire as vast as the Pang family’s couldn’t have been built without dirty hands."
Qin Guan nodded. "What you don’t know yet is that he also has a cruel streak."
Yan Chi looked at her questioningly, and Qin Guan proceeded to recount Chang Shi’s suffering. Yan Chi’s brow furrowed deeply. "A man who hits women? That suggests that beneath his restraint, he harbors resentment and insecurity. Otherwise, he wouldn’t resort to violence against women."
"Exactly." Qin Guan set down her chopsticks, her tone growing solemn. "Generally speaking, a decent man who understands propriety and reason would never raise a hand against a woman. Beyond chivalry, most men would disdain such behavior. If a man habitually beats his wife, it indicates a psychological contempt for women and an extreme need for control, rooted in deep-seated insecurity. This insecurity breeds agitation, making him prone to impulsive rage when faced with those weaker than him—a means to vent his emotions."Qin Guan continued, "He is a wealthy magnate of the northwest, holding immense riches. On the surface, he enjoys boundless glory—even high-ranking officials and nobles address him respectfully as 'Lord Pang.' Yet, privately, he treats his own wife this way. He is deeply unsettled, perhaps due to the events of the past, but most importantly, it stems from an ingrained inferiority complex—whether because of his origins or something else."
"In short, the more someone like this tries to conceal their flaws, the more they leave traces of their past misdeeds untouched. To him, those remnants are his 'great achievements.' When he sees relics related to that incident, he might even feel a twisted satisfaction. Moreover, all these years, he hasn’t eliminated Qing Yun and Liu Renli, the two lingering threats. This, too, is likely because of his nature—a man both deeply insecure and excessively arrogant. And given how he treats Madam Pang, it’s clear he isn’t entirely composed and self-controlled. If we keep searching, we’ll surely uncover clues to the past..."
Yan Chi looked at Qin Guan, his eyes gleaming for a moment. After a night of fruitless interrogation, even Wang Huaiyu had been utterly disappointed, and even Yan Chi had begun to doubt whether evidence could still be found after so many years. Yet Qin Guan, by analyzing Pang Fuliang’s temperament, had confidently asserted that he wasn’t a flawless criminal. Her reasoning was sound, and he found himself wholly convinced. "If what you say is true, what would he do first upon realizing we’re investigating the wrong direction?"
Qin Guan’s gaze shifted slightly before she replied firmly, "He would destroy the remaining evidence."
Yan Chi’s heart stirred. "I understand now."
Qin Guan looked at him curiously, but Yan Chi only smiled. "Alright, let’s stop here. The congee is getting cold."
Glancing down at her bowl, Qin Guan also curved her lips and picked up her chopsticks again.
When discussing serious matters, the two of them could talk endlessly, yet in daily life, neither was particularly talkative. As they ate, the room fell into quietude. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a bright glow on Qin Guan’s profile, making her skin appear as delicate as porcelain. Watching her, Yan Chi felt his heart swell with warmth and tenderness, as if filled with soft clouds.
Noticing Yan Chi’s gaze, Qin Guan paused her chopsticks and met his eyes. "What is it?"
Seeing her set down her utensils, Yan Chi chuckled. "Finished?"
"Yes, I’m full." Qin Guan straightened, truly unable to eat another bite.
Meanwhile, Yan Chi’s eyes lingered on the corner of her lips. Startled, Qin Guan instinctively raised her hand to wipe it. "Is there—"
"Don’t move." Yan Chi suddenly spoke, leaning across the low table between them in an instant. Thinking she must have a grain of congee at the corner of her mouth, Qin Guan barely lifted her hand before Yan Chi caught it. The next moment, his lips brushed against hers—she felt the lightest flick of his tongue against the edge of her mouth, and instantly, her cheeks burned as if set aflame.
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