Coroner's Diary

Emerging from the courtyard, Qin Guan's face still carried a lingering flush of warmth.

Her steps were slightly hurried, but as she reached the entrance of her own courtyard, her gaze drifted toward the western compound where Chang Shi and the others resided.

A night had passed, yet four constables still stood guard at the gate.

After a moment's thought, Qin Guan walked over. At the entrance, the same constable from the previous night greeted her with a bow. Qin Guan glanced inside and asked, "Has the mistress risen yet?"

The constable nodded. "Yes, the wet nurse went out to fetch food."

Qin Guan inclined her head. "Then I'll go in and see them—"

The constable hadn't stopped her the night before and certainly wouldn't now. With a gesture of invitation, he let her pass.

The courtyard was silent, and Qin Guan unconsciously slowed her steps. The winter morning was bitterly cold, and the sky remained a dull, leaden gray, as if another heavy snowfall could descend at any moment.

Reaching the steps beneath the eaves, she called softly, "Mistress, are you awake?"

The door was slightly ajar. Only after her words fell did footsteps sound from within. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing Chang Shi's gentle face. Recognizing Qin Guan, she quickly smiled. "Ninth Miss, you've come!"

Qin Guan nodded. "I came to see how you're doing."

Chang Shi opened the door wider and gestured inside. "Please come in quickly, Ninth Miss. It's freezing out here."

Stepping inside, Qin Guan was immediately enveloped in warmth. Her eyes swept the room, but Pang Jiayan and Pang Jiayun were nowhere in sight. Noticing her glance, Chang Shi explained with a smile, "Yun'er stayed with me in the east wing, while Jiayan slept with Qing Niang in the west wing. Both have just woken up. I was in the middle of tying Yun'er's hair, and Jiayan hasn't gotten up yet. I was just about to call him to dress and wash."

Qin Guan curved her lips. "May I go see Miss Pang?"

Chang Shi nodded eagerly. "Of course, of course. Yun'er hasn't met many people. It would be good for her to talk with you."

Just then, a noise came from the west wing. Chang Shi glanced in that direction, looking slightly anxious. Qin Guan quickly reassured her, "Please go tend to the young master. I'll see what Miss Pang is up to."

Completely at ease with Qin Guan, Chang Shi nodded and hurried into the west wing.

Qin Guan turned and walked toward the east wing. As she reached the door, she saw Pang Jiayun sitting motionless on the bed, seemingly lost in thought. Chang Shi had already tied her hair and dressed her—only her shoes remained. They lay in front of her, untouched, as she sat barefoot in her Cloud socks.

For a moment, Qin Guan hesitated, afraid to startle her.

In Qin Guan's experience, most patients with mental afflictions were hysterical. Someone as docile and obedient as Pang Jiayun was exceedingly rare. If she were truly mad, how could she understand Qing Niang and Chang Shi's instructions and carry out complex tasks? Yet if she weren't ill, her mental faculties clearly fell short of a normal person's. Qin Guan studied her, lost in thought, but no answers came.

After a long pause, noticing Pang Jiayun's bare feet in only Cloud socks, Qin Guan worried she might catch a chill. Frowning, she instinctively moved to help her put them on—but just then, a faint, murmuring chant drifted into the room.The sound of singing drifted in from the north side of the residence, filtering through the window lattice into the room. Qin Guan focused her hearing—the voice sounded somewhat familiar. The Double Purity Troupe was still staying in Qinghui Garden, residing in the northwest corner, so Qin Guan wasn’t particularly puzzled. However, just as she took a step forward, Pang Jiayun, who had been standing motionless like a statue, suddenly stirred.

Her head swayed slightly, her lips murmuring softly. Though her voice was faint, it harmonized with the singing coming from outside. Qin Guan held her breath and listened for a moment—it was a segment from an opera she somewhat recognized. What astonished Qin Guan even more was that Pang Jiayun’s usual soft, sweet tone had transformed, now carrying a touch of melancholy and desolation...

Pang Jiayun was already fourteen or fifteen years old, an age when her voice should have been that of a young maiden. Yet, when she spoke, she sounded like a naive, childlike seven or eight-year-old. Qin Guan had grown accustomed to this, but she never expected Pang Jiayun to suddenly produce such a different voice now. What sent a chill down Qin Guan’s spine was that this sorrowful tone was identical to the one she had heard on her first night in Qinghui Garden.

Could it have been Pang Jiayun that night?!

"Ninth Miss—"

Qin Guan frowned deeply, her heart filled with shock and unease. But before she could make sense of it, Chang Shi’s voice called out. Qin Guan turned to see Chang Shi leading Pang Jiayan by the hand as they emerged. Pang Jiayan looked drowsy, his expression blank even upon seeing Qin Guan standing there.

Recalling Pang Jiayan’s extraordinary memory, Qin Guan couldn’t help but glance back at Pang Jiayun. Did she also possess an exceptional memory? Otherwise, how could she know how to sing this piece?

"Madam, Miss Pang was sitting quietly. I didn’t want to disturb her," Qin Guan explained why she had been standing at the door.

Chang Shi approached. "Ninth Miss, you’re so considerate. It’s all right—the maids here won’t startle her either. It’s just that she becomes unsettled around men."

As Chang Shi spoke, she drew closer. Qin Guan observed Pang Jiayun again and noticed she had fallen silent once more, even as faint voices continued to drift in from outside. Frowning slightly, Qin Guan realized Chang Shi had also heard the singing. The woman paused mid-step. "The girls from the Double Purity Troupe are practicing. That sounds like Qinglan’s voice—"

Qin Guan had already found the voice somewhat familiar, and Chang Shi’s words confirmed it—it was indeed Qinglan.

Chang Shi walked to the bedside to help Pang Jiayun put on her shoes. After a moment’s hesitation, Qin Guan asked, "Madam, the Third Young Master has an excellent memory. What about the Eldest Miss?"

At this, Chang Shi gave Pang Jiayun a pitying glance. "Yun’er’s memory isn’t good."

Thinking back to the previous night, Qin Guan pressed further, "But last night, when Qing Niang told the Eldest Miss to rest, she obeyed immediately."

Chang Shi finished putting on Pang Jiayun’s shoes and straightened up, shaking her head. "We taught her that before. Yun’er is like a child—she’s afraid of strangers and only listens to me and Qing Niang. Sometimes her memory fails her too."

Qin Guan hesitated, on the verge of speaking but holding back. If that were the case, then who had taught Pang Jiayun the opera piece she had just sung?

"Is something wrong, Ninth Miss?" Chang Shi asked, noticing Qin Guan’s troubled expression.

Qin Guan glanced between Pang Jiayun and Chang Shi before finally asking, "Does the Eldest Miss... know how to sing opera?"

Chang Shi looked startled, then gave a bitter smile as she regarded Pang Jiayun. "Of course not..."Qin Guan pursed her lips slightly. "The first time—the first time I encountered the eldest miss, she was murmuring the same nursery rhyme as the third young master. That nursery rhyme was..."

"Are you referring to the hide-and-seek nursery rhyme?" Pang Jiayan responded swiftly.

Qin Guan nodded. "Exactly."

Pang Jiayan then said, "Elder Sister does know that nursery rhyme. It was taught to us by Qing Niang. After Elder Sister fell ill and couldn't play other games, Qing Niang taught us some common pastimes from ordinary households. Later, Qing Niang also said that hiding isn't just for play—it can also be used when facing danger."

Chang Shi nodded calmly. "That's right. With Jiayun's temperament, sometimes she wouldn't even cry out, so we had no choice but to teach her these things. Later, she learned that she should hide whenever she encountered strangers."

Qin Guan had already witnessed this herself, so there was no reason to doubt it. But how did Pang Jiayun learn to sing opera?

Qin Guan's eyes flickered thoughtfully. "By the way, how many days does the Double Purity Troupe usually stay in the residence each time they visit?"

Chang Shi thought for a moment. "Sometimes three or four days, sometimes five or six. At most, seven or eight days. Since they usually come around the end of the year, they never stay for long."

Qin Guan nodded. Just then, the singing from the back suddenly stopped. Qin Guan remarked, "After this incident, the Double Purity Troupe will likely face difficulties."

Chang Shi also nodded in agreement, but due to the troupe's close ties with Pang Fuliang, there was little sympathy in her eyes.

As they spoke, footsteps echoed in the courtyard. Qin Guan took a few steps forward and saw Qing Niang entering with a food box. Noticing Qin Guan, Qing Niang quickly curtsied. "Ninth Miss is here—"

Qin Guan nodded and glanced at Chang Shi and the others. "I just came to visit. I won't disturb your meal, so I'll take my leave now."

Qing Niang hurriedly said, "Ninth Miss, why rush off? Why not join us for the meal?"

Qin Guan smiled. "I've already eaten. Please go ahead with your meal."

With that, she bid farewell to Chang Shi and stepped out. Chang Shi saw her to the door and only turned back inside after Qin Guan had left.

Inside the room, Qing Niang smiled at Pang Jiayun. "Eldest Miss, was Ninth Miss here to see you just now?"

Pang Jiayun remained blank, so Pang Jiayan answered, "She came to see Elder Sister and asked how she knew that nursery rhyme..."

Qing Niang's hands paused as she unpacked the food. "How did the third young master answer?"

Pang Jiayan, hungry, stared at the food box beside Qing Niang and replied bluntly, "Naturally, I said you taught it to us." He paused slightly before adding, "Oh, right. Ninth Miss also asked if Elder Sister could sing opera. How could Elder Sister possibly sing opera?"

Qing Niang froze momentarily before calmly arranging the dishes on the table without changing her expression.

Outside the courtyard gate, Qin Guan walked slowly, her brow slightly furrowed. Fuling and Baiying exchanged glances behind her, not daring to ask. After a moment, Qin Guan suddenly halted and asked, "The Double Purity Troupe's quarters aren't far behind here, are they?"

Fuling quickly replied, "Yes, just across the flower garden behind us."

Qin Guan nodded. "Good. Let's go take a look—"Fuling and Baiying had no idea why Qin Guan was doing this, but they naturally obeyed her decisions. Just like that, the three of them followed the small path northward through the estate. Before long, they arrived at a flower garden. In the winter chill, aside from patches of green grass, all the other flowers and branches had withered, with occasional scattered remnants of snow dotting the landscape.

Qin Guan walked slowly past the flower garden along the path and soon reached an open-roofed building without a courtyard gate.

The absence of a courtyard gate made it clear this wasn’t a guest residence. Although the Double Purity Troupe had some reputation, aside from the troupe leader and a few principal performers, the rest were treated no differently from servants. Moreover, the troupe always brought a large number of people, and Qinghui Garden couldn’t possibly accommodate all of them in the estate’s guest quarters. Before Qin Guan even got close, a quick glance revealed piles of stage-building materials in the courtyard, with no sign of movement outside the building. Even inside, it was eerily quiet, as if no one was there.

"Miss, Qing Xian and the deputy troupe leader haven’t returned yet. The others are only staying because of the recent deaths in the estate—they must all be terribly unsettled."

Qin Guan nodded. "With the troupe leader gone, the old troupe leader also involved in the incident, and the deputy leader and Qing Xian detained, it’s only natural the others are uneasy."

Fuling then asked, "What is Miss here to see?"

Qin Guan’s gaze swept over the row of buildings in the distance, but she didn’t answer immediately. She couldn’t quite articulate what exactly she was looking for, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that these events were deeply connected to the Double Purity Troupe.

Just as Qin Guan hesitated, the door of the northwesternmost room suddenly opened. Out stepped Qinglan, carrying a basin of water, which she splashed outside with a splash . As she turned to go back inside, she noticed Qin Guan standing nearby.

She froze momentarily, then looked over in confusion.

Seeing Qinglan emerge was just what Qin Guan had hoped for. She smiled slightly and walked over.

Qinglan set the basin aside, smoothed her skirt, and curtsied to Qin Guan.

"Ninth Miss."

Qin Guan studied Qinglan for a moment. At this moment, Qinglan was not in her usual attire—she was wearing an opera costume, with long water sleeves draped over her wrists. Her face was still damp, as if she had just washed it. Noticing a faint trace of rouge lingering at the corner of Qinglan’s lips, Qin Guan understood. "Miss Qinglan, do you have a moment?"

Qinglan hesitated briefly before stepping aside. "Ninth Miss, please come in."

Qin Guan nodded and entered. Inside, she immediately spotted an array of bottles and jars containing rouge and powder arranged on the long couch by the window. Qinglan carried the basin in and, seeing Qin Guan looking at the items, explained, "I was practicing my voice this morning and realized it had been a long time since I last performed Elegy of Xiang River , so I dressed up a little."

Most people would simply wear the costume when practicing at home, but Qinglan had even applied makeup. Qin Guan observed her for a moment as Qinglan deftly removed the opera costume and tidied up the bottles and jars on the couch. Then she brewed a pot of tea. "Ninth Miss, please have a seat. It’s just coarse tea—I hope you don’t mind."

"Not at all. Do you always practice like this, Miss Qinglan?"Qin Guan took her seat and asked with genuine curiosity. Qinglan smiled in response, "Of course not. It's just that staying idle in this residence is truly dull. Rather than sitting here worrying, I might as well practice my skills properly."

Hearing this, Qin Guan's eyes brightened slightly. While opera singing does rely on talent, diligent practice is indispensable. This very spirit of dedication further deepened Qin Guan's admiration for Qinglan.

"What are your plans for the future, Miss?"

Qin Guan's question carried sincere concern. Qinglan responded with a bitter smile, "The Double Purity Troupe will surely disband. I'm afraid I'll have to head south..."

Noticing Qin Guan's puzzled expression, Qinglan explained, "I'm originally from Yongzhou. I joined the Double Purity Troupe because I loved Southern Opera. But in recent years, the troupe has increasingly incorporated elements of Northern Opera. Had nothing happened, I might have stayed. But given the current situation, I might as well return south, back to Yongzhou. Even performing in some teahouse would suffice."

Performing minor pieces in a teahouse was naturally different from being a lead performer in a major opera troupe. Qin Guan sighed, "Why not stay in the capital? With your skills, performing in a teahouse would be a waste."

Qinglan shook her head, "After years of rigorous training, I'm confident in my abilities wherever I go. Of course, joining a lively troupe would be ideal. But if that's not possible, performing simply and leisurely in a teahouse isn't so bad either."

Qinglan spoke earnestly, without a hint of jest. Qin Guan studied her for a moment, realizing that Qinglan's resolute and straightforward nature was genuine—this was the same demeanor she had displayed during their first encounter. Qin Guan nodded, "Your free-spirited nature carries a heroic quality, Miss. I'm certain you'll have a bright future ahead."

"Thank you for your kind words, Ninth Miss. For livelihood's sake, I'd naturally welcome better opportunities."

After a brief pause, Qin Guan asked, "How many times have you visited Qinghui Garden in recent years, Miss Qinglan?"

This question made Qinglan aware that Qin Guan had a purpose in coming. She didn't conceal anything, "Prefect asked the same question. I only started coming to Qinghui Garden after my master accepted me as his personal disciple. Before that, whenever my master took on engagements elsewhere, he left the junior apprentices in the capital to tend to the troupe and practice. It was about six years ago when I first came to Qinghui Garden. Counting now, I've been here six times in total. From the first visit, I knew Master Pang was very fond of the Double Purity Troupe."

Qin Guan nodded, "Then... Miss Qinglan, do you know if anyone in the Pang household can sing opera?"

Qinglan raised an eyebrow and shook her head, "Most families consider opera singing a lowly occupation and wouldn't allow their members to learn it."

Qin Guan was aware of this, which made Pang Jiayun's imitation of Qinglan's singing all the more peculiar. After a moment's thought, Qin Guan continued, "The piece you were singing just now was 'Elegy of Xiang River,' wasn't it? Have you performed this opera in the Pang residence before?"

Qinglan shook her head again, "No, I haven't. It's an old Southern Opera piece."

Qin Guan looked puzzled. Although her mother had enjoyed listening to opera in the past, during her father's earlier years of constant travel, opportunities were scarce. Even after returning to the capital when more chances arose, her mother wasn't one to indulge in leisure, attending only two or three performances a year, always selecting her favorites. Consequently, Qin Guan wasn't well-versed in the distinctions between Southern Opera, Northern Opera, new pieces, or old ones.Qinglan noticed and explained, "This opera is one of the representative works of Southern Opera, but because it's too sorrowful, it gradually fell out of favor with the common folk, especially in the north. And... as far as I know, this was the signature performance of that senior uncle back then. So over time, fewer and fewer people in the troupe performed it. I only sing it occasionally in private, and I've performed it twice before when I went south..."

Qingxi's signature performance? Qin Guan frowned slightly.

If even Qinglan only sang it privately, Qing Li would be even less likely to perform it openly. So where did Pang Jiayun hear it?

The melody felt somewhat familiar to her, but she couldn't immediately recall the opera's name. Chang Shi had mentioned that Pang Jiayun wasn't a quick learner. Given that she could already follow along and sing, she must have heard this opera more than once or twice. Who had been singing it for her?

As this thought crossed her mind, a face flashed through Qin Guan's mind. Her delicate fists clenched on her knees, and her heart suddenly tightened.

Seeing Qin Guan lost in thought, Qinglan asked curiously, "What's wrong? Does Ninth Miss have any doubts about this opera?"

Qin Guan snapped out of her reverie and shook her head. When she looked up, her gaze went beyond Qinglan's shoulder to a large folding fan placed in the corner of the long couch. The fan wasn't completely closed, and Qin Guan could clearly see an embroidered image of Consort Xiang Bamboo on it, with teardrop-like markings on the bamboo, reminiscent of the tears shed by Ehuang and Nuying in Elegy of Xiang River ...

"This is used when performing Elegy of Xiang River ," Qinglan said, noticing Qin Guan's interest. She reached over and unfolded the fan, revealing not only the Consort Xiang Bamboo but also a few lines of poetry:

Falling petals and leaves scatter in disarray,

All day I think of you, yet you're far away.

My heart breaks, breaks, and breaks again,

Tear stains upon tear stains remain.

Qin Guan stared at the fan, her brows tightly knitted together.

She had seen this fan before—not on the opera stage where she had accompanied her mother to watch performances, but in Pang Jiayan's box of trinkets, among a set of exquisitely crafted opera and acrobatic figurines.

Most of those figurines were acrobats wielding spears or staffs, but Qin Guan distinctly remembered a few holding fans—some with round fans, others with folding fans. One figurine, dressed in a white opera costume, held a folding fan with this exact Consort Xiang Bamboo design. The figurine was only palm-sized, and the fan was no larger than a fingernail, yet Qing Niang had meticulously embroidered the bamboo pattern onto it.

Because of this, Qin Guan had deeply admired Qing Niang's embroidery skills.

"Where did the design on this fan come from?" Qin Guan asked.

Qinglan hadn't expected Qin Guan to take such an interest in a fan. She glanced down and said, "The fan has looked like this ever since I first learned this opera in the troupe. I don't know who painted the design, but one thing is certain—this fan is unique to the Double Purity Troupe."

Qin Guan frowned slightly. "Have you ever performed Elegy of Xiang River at the Pang residence?"

Qinglan shook her head emphatically. "No. Master Pang's business dealings mostly involve social gatherings, and during festivals, no one wants to listen to such a mournful and sorrowful opera. The more lively, the better."

Qin Guan's heart grew heavier. Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, she asked, "Did that senior uncle of yours have a disciple?"Qinglan nodded upon hearing this, "Yes, if that senior uncle hadn't left, he would have been co-leader of the troupe with our master. But when our grandmaster left after falling out with our great-grandmaster, that senior uncle followed him. Later, when something happened to that grandmaster, this senior uncle completely disappeared."

After a slight pause, Qinglan asked, "Why does Ninth Miss ask about this?"

Qin Guan's heart pounded rapidly. "Apart from 'Elegy of Xiang River' being his signature piece, what other special skills did your grandmaster have? What else was he good at?"

Qinglan thought for a moment. "I never met that grandmaster, but... I've heard the older members of the troupe say his greatest skill was lightness kung fu. Also, that senior uncle had extremely swift movements."

Qin Guan frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

When asked about her area of expertise, Qinglan's tone turned solemn. "Regarding qinggong—you must have seen Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother that day. The final scene, 'Flying Shadows of the Sacred Mountain,' requires someone with exceptional lightness skills. My master could maneuver between hanging iron chains, but he still needed to rely on his footwork. However, I've heard that my grandmaster's sister didn't need the chains beneath her feet at all. When she performed, it truly looked like a sacred mountain falcon in flight."

"As for swift movement..." Qinglan paused. "There's another play called Seven Captures of Meng Jie , which tells the story of a general from over two hundred years ago during the Three Kingdoms period who outwitted an enemy general seven times. In the third capture, the general had to subdue his opponent using only a rope. How? Aside from the intricate and unusual binding technique, his movements had to be as fast as lightning..."

"Binding?" Qin Guan suddenly interrupted. "You mean tying someone up?"

Qinglan nodded. "Exactly. The enemy general was seven feet tall, while our general was merely a frail scholar. The entire scene relied on the speed of his movements and the cleverness of his technique—otherwise, he wouldn't have succeeded..."

Qin Guan's expression darkened, and she fell into a daze.

Noticing her strange reaction, Qinglan stopped speaking. After a moment, Qin Guan asked, "You've been to Qinghui Garden many times—you must be quite familiar with the family members here, right?"

Qinglan thought for a moment. "I recognize Master Pang, Madam Pang, and the three young masters."

In other words, she didn’t have much impression of Pang Jiayun. Qin Guan understood—Pang Jiayun had gone mad five years ago, and even before that, young ladies had fewer opportunities to meet outsiders compared to the men of the household. Whenever the Double Purity Troupe performed, it was usually in the presence of outside guests.

"What about the wet nurse who served the third young master? Do you remember her?"

Qinglan frowned briefly. "A wet nurse? I don’t recall..."

Qin Guan narrowed her eyes slightly, then nodded. "Alright, I understand. Thank you."

She stood up, about to leave, but then turned back. "By the way, your grandmaster's sister—she also knew Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother , right? Did she know about the arrow-shooting mechanism?"

Qinglan stood and nodded. "Naturally. It's part of the Double Purity Troupe's legacy."

Qin Guan nodded again, thanked her once more, and walked out. Qinglan escorted her to the door but couldn’t resist asking, "Ninth Miss, the things you asked about just now..."

Qin Guan paused mid-step. "Don’t worry. The matters in this household will soon be resolved."

Qinglan still looked puzzled, but Qin Guan said no more and headed south.

Fuling and Baiying exchanged glances. Unable to hold back, Fuling asked, "Miss, why did you ask so much about the Double Purity Troupe just now?"

"Of course, it's for the case."

"Have you figured everything out?"

Qin Guan nodded, then shook her head. "There’s still one thing I haven’t pieced together."

Fuling looked troubled. "Then what should we do? Will you go find the Crown Prince?"

Qin Guan nodded, her expression suddenly serious as she quickened her pace.

Uncertain of Yan Chi’s whereabouts, she instinctively headed toward the courtyard where they had met that morning. But when she arrived, the place was already empty. Hesitating briefly, she hurried toward the Moon Viewing Pavilion. Soon, she spotted Wang Huaiyu walking briskly. Qin Guan immediately called out urgently, "Prefect Wang, what’s happened?"Wang Huaiyu seemed to be leaving the residence when he paused upon hearing the call. Seeing it was Qin Guan, he gestured to the constables behind him and quickly approached. "Ninth Miss."

Noticing Wang Huaiyu's anxious expression and the faint sweat on his forehead, Qin Guan asked urgently, "Has something happened in the residence?"

Wang Huaiyu glanced at Fuling and Baiying, who promptly stepped back tactfully.

Lowering his voice, he said, "Pang Fuliang has disappeared."

Qin Guan frowned. "Disappeared? Wasn't he ill?"

Wang Huaiyu nodded. "He was. I went to see him this morning. Later, he asked Pang Yiwu to summon the physician who often visited the residence. It was still early, and we didn’t want to trouble you, so we didn’t ask for your help. The physician arrived quickly and left just as fast. Everything seemed normal, but just now, our men noticed Pang Yiwu acting strangely. When they entered Hui Garden, they found Pang Fuliang gone—only the physician who had come earlier remained in the room."

Qin Guan’s brows knitted tighter. "Did Pang Fuliang disguise himself as the physician and escape?"

Wang Huaiyu nodded. "Yes. We don’t know how he slipped away, but none of the guards reported seeing him. The Crown Prince has already gone ahead to investigate. I just finished questioning Pang Youde and Pang Yiwu and have a preliminary lead. I’m about to pursue Pang Fuliang now."

Not wanting to delay him, Qin Guan nodded. "Understood. Prefect Wang, go quickly."

Wang Huaiyu nodded and left with his men. Watching his retreating figure, Qin Guan’s frown deepened. She had already formed her own conclusions, but with Yan Chi absent, she instinctively refrained from sharing them with Wang Huaiyu.

The fact that Pang Fuliang had chosen to flee suggested Yan Chi’s strategy was working.

Her heart raced slightly. Forcing Pang Fuliang to reveal his flaws was the best outcome. With Yan Chi and Wang Huaiyu on the case, capturing him wouldn’t be difficult. She could tell Yan Chi everything once Pang Fuliang was apprehended.

With this in mind, Qin Guan turned back. After a few steps, she glanced at Baiying. "Baiying, may I entrust you with a task?"

This was the first time Qin Guan had spoken to her like this. Baiying immediately straightened. "At your command, Miss."

Qin Guan looked toward the northwest. "Keep a close watch on Madam Pang’s movements, especially Qing Niang’s. Inform me the moment she steps out..."

Though puzzled, Baiying understood from Qin Guan’s tone that Qing Niang must be involved in something serious. She nodded solemnly and accompanied Qin Guan back to the guest courtyard. Qin Guan and Fuling entered, while Baiying kept watch outside.

By now, it was already late. Qin Guan returned to her room and waited for half a day. Evidently, the rest of the household remained unaware of Pang Fuliang’s disappearance. In the afternoon, Qin Guan and her siblings had lunch together. Afterward, she returned to her room as usual and waited until nightfall. Shortly after the second watch, Baiying suddenly entered.

"Miss, Qing Niang has left."

Qin Guan’s spirits lifted, and she quickly grabbed her cape and headed out. Outside the courtyard, Baiying pointed toward Hui Garden. "Qing Niang went that way..."

Qin Guan’s frown deepened. What could Qing Niang be doing in Hui Garden at this hour?