In a small courtyard in the southern part of the city, Han Li was looking at Qin Guan with immense gratitude. "That residence was one the master particularly favored in the past. However, after he married, it became somewhat small, so he moved to another estate. Now, for the young lady to allow this old servant to live in that residence is truly an extraordinary honor."
This was a single-courtyard house located in an unremarkable area of the southern city. Though elegantly arranged inside, it still felt somewhat cramped. Han Dong's wife, Ming-shi, stood timidly to the side, a five- or six-year-old boy beside her. Seeing this, Ming-shi said apologetically, "We have nothing fine to offer at home. Please do not mind, young lady."
On the desk beside Qin Guan were tea and pastries. Though not as refined as those served to guests at the marquis' estate, they were still quite decent. Qin Guan smiled at her words. "How could I mind? Shopkeeper Han is usually busy at the shop all day, leaving you alone to manage the household. Yet this courtyard is tidy and elegant, reflecting your refined taste and wisdom in every detail. Shopkeeper Han is truly fortunate to have you as his wife."
Praising her like this made Ming-shi blush slightly. Qin Guan continued, "Over the years, Uncle Han and Han Dong have been helping take care of the family business. The shop's trade improves year by year, yet your living quarters remain modest. You have endured much hardship."
She then turned to Han Li. "Having Uncle Han move there serves two purposes. First, as Uncle Han grows older, he deserves more spacious living quarters and a place to move about freely without going out. Second, it is also to prevent that residence from falling into disuse. Uncle Han, you will still manage the rent from the estate, but there is no need for you to live outside the city. In the next couple of days, you and your son can arrange for someone to tidy up the residence at Copper Coin Lane. Once it is ready, Uncle Han can move in."
Han Li and Han Dong exchanged a glance, both nodding in agreement.
Qin Guan nodded as well and then asked Han Dong, "Han Dong, are you familiar with the Meng family's business?"
Han Dong's expression shifted slightly. "Does the young lady mean the Meng family recently involved in a murder case?"
"Exactly," Qin Guan affirmed. "The eldest branch holds the position of Left Vice Minister of Revenue, while the business is managed by the second branch."
Han Dong's lips curved slightly. "This humble one knows a little about that. The Meng family's business is quite substantial, naturally aided by having officials in the family. Earlier this year, the Meng family sold off several of their shops. At the time, I considered taking over their silk fabric shop, but hesitated for just a moment and someone else snatched it up. The shops they sold off were all doing decent business, so the prices were naturally high. This caused quite a stir at the time. Not long after, rumors spread that the Meng family's second master had been swindled. Many treated it as a joke, but there were also other whispers."
Qin Guan raised an eyebrow. "What whispers?"
Han Dong paused thoughtfully before replying, "The Meng family has been in business for many years. This time, it's said they wanted to buy into the Mining Industry and were cheated by a middleman. But with Second Master Meng's extensive connections over the years and the official influence of First Master Meng, it's unlikely they would lose all their silver. Moreover, the Path of the Mining Industry requires numerous official documents. No matter how skilled the forger, First Master Meng is an official himself—he could simply ask a few contacts at the Ministry of Works to verify the reliability of the deal. So, everyone speculates that either the Second Master and First Master are superficially brothers but have secretly fallen out, or the story of being swindled is just a cover-up."Qin Guan listened to these words, and as she recalled the male servant from the Meng residence she had just seen, her eyes narrowed.
"There's another strange point," Han Dong continued, noticing Qin Guan's pensive expression. "Despite being swindled out of so much money, the Meng family never reported it to the authorities. Over a hundred thousand taels of silver—enough to open multiple shops—is no small sum for the Meng family. Why wouldn't they want to recover it?"
Qin Guan frowned. The Meng family's swindling incident had occurred before the New Year, so she hadn't asked whether it had been reported. Now that Han Dong mentioned it, there were indeed many peculiarities. Having lost such a large amount, they should have harbored deep hatred for the fraudsters, so why hadn't they reported it?
After a moment's contemplation, Qin Guan lost interest in lingering at Han Dong's place and immediately stood up to take her leave.
"It's getting late. I came only to discuss the house matter with Han Bo. I should be going now. Once Han Bo has tidied up the house, just send a servant to the Marquis residence to inform me."
As Qin Guan prepared to leave, Han Li and Han Dong escorted her out. At the doorway, Qin Ye stood leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. Seeing Qin Guan heading out, he turned and walked toward the courtyard gate. Han Li and Han Dong saw them off at the entrance before parting ways.
Qin Guan boarded the carriage, while Qin Ye rode alongside on horseback, remarking, "Ninth Sister treats servants very well."
A faint smile touched Qin Guan's lips. "Han Bo is the old steward of the residence. It's only right to treat him well."
Qin Ye nodded and added, "Ninth Sister is truly kind-hearted."
Qin Guan lifted the carriage curtain to look at Qin Ye. "Isn't Fourth Brother also kind-hearted? You've only been back for a few days, yet you're already escorting me so diligently. I'm truly grateful."
Qin Ye laughed heartily. "I don't deserve your gratitude. We are family, after all. Escorting my own sister is only natural."
Qin Guan studied him for a moment longer. "Although I am a member of the Qin family, I am not your biological sister. Moreover, we've only known each other a short while. I've often heard that everyone in the capital is driven by power, fame, and fortune. Yet, you seem quite different."
Qin Ye's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable, as he replied with a smile, "Ninth Sister, you need not doubt me. I, too, am fond of power, fame, and fortune. With your rising reputation in the capital, if I assist you now, perhaps in the future you'll remember my protection. Wouldn't that benefit me then?"
Qin Guan found Qin Ye's behavior toward her rather strange, so her words carried a hint of deeper meaning. She hadn't expected him to respond so directly. Gazing at his broad, open features, she couldn't tell whether he was joking or being serious.
Qin Ye merely smiled. "Ninth Sister, don't you believe me?"
Unable to discern anything from his expression, Qin Guan averted her gaze. "Of course not. I was just a bit curious. Please don't take offense, Fourth Brother."
Qin Ye shook his head. "I don't know who told you such things, but I can only say they were right. When navigating the capital, it's best to maintain some caution."
Qin Guan glanced at him again and noticed that as he spoke these words, his eyes held nothing but sincerity.
She nodded and let the carriage curtain fall.Upon returning to Marquis Manor, Qin Ye went back to his own courtyard while Qin Guan returned to Pine Breeze Courtyard. As soon as she entered the courtyard gate, she saw Qin Shuang waiting for her. Spotting Qin Guan's return, Qin Shuang eagerly presented several silk flowers like treasures. "Look! Aren't these lovely?"
Qin Guan walked with her toward the room, asking, "They're beautiful. Where did you get them?"
Qin Shuang smiled. "You wouldn't know—these silk flowers have become fashionable in the city after the New Year. I bought them, of course." She added, "After you went out this morning, I went shopping with Fifth Sister and Eighth Sister. These are for you."
Noticing the silk flowers were mostly elegant blossoms like magnolias and gardenias, Qin Guan knew Qin Shuang had chosen them according to her preferences and gladly accepted them. However, she found it strange that Qin Chaoyu had gone out with Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang.
Qin Shuang giggled. "You don't know—Old Madam Song sent an invitation this morning, asking all four of us to visit her residence on the eighth. She mentioned that only young ladies from ducal and marquis households would be attending."
Qin Guan blinked. "Is it because Old Madam Song—"
Qin Shuang's cheeks flushed slightly before she nodded with feigned composure.
Qin Guan's smile instantly brightened. "Do you know which family's young master it might be?"
Qin Shuang shook her head. "How would we know? Besides, this gathering is likely primarily for Fifth Sister's consideration—we're just accompanying guests. We have no idea whom Old Madam Song has invited."
Though Qin Shuang spoke casually, Qin Guan detected a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes and felt a surge of hope herself. Marriage was a significant matter for women; not only Qin Shuang but even Qin Xiang deserved to wed into a good family and live well.
Though the banquet was three days away, Qin Shuang was visibly nervous, insisting on chatting with Qin Guan for quite some time before returning to her own courtyard. In the evening, Yan Chi sent a message.
"Miss, a message from the Crown Prince."
Baiying hurried out from the back hall, holding a small message tube.
Qin Guan quickly rose to take it. Upon reading it, her eyes lit up. Fuling approached and asked, "Miss, what is it? What did the Crown Prince say?"
Qin Guan smiled. "It seems Baiying will need to accompany me out tomorrow."
Fuling glanced at Baiying, then back at Qin Guan. Baiying also looked at her. Qin Guan explained, "Tomorrow at the hour of the monkey, we must go to Lin'an Prefectural Office."
...
...
The next day, the fifth of the month, Qin Guan left the palace just past noon. She first detoured to Brocade Embroidery Workshop.
Arriving at the workshop's entrance, she only had Fuling enter briefly. When Fuling emerged, she carried a large bundle. Qin Ye, who was nearby, assumed Qin Guan had asked Fuling to purchase some women's garments and didn't inquire further.
Back at the manor, Qin Guan returned to Pine Breeze Courtyard. When Fuling opened the bundle, it revealed several sets of men's clothing.
Qin Guan dressed in a sky-blue set herself and had Baiying change into an indigo-blue one. Seeing that it was getting late, Qin Guan took Baiying to the side gate of Marquis Manor. Outside the gate, a carriage awaited in the alley, driven by Bai Feng.
Bai Feng was slightly surprised to see Qin Guan accompanied by Baiying. After bowing, Qin Guan boarded the carriage while Baiying sat outside, where the siblings began conversing. Inside the carriage, Yan Chi, draped in a black cloak, smiled upon seeing Qin Guan in men's attire. "Why the change into men's clothing?"
Qin Guan took her seat. "I feared there might be inconveniences during today's visit to the prefectural office."Yan Chi looked Qin Guan up and down, paying particular attention to her slender waist that seemed too delicate to grasp, then nodded. "Very well. Although everyone present today is familiar, it's still wise to take precautions."
As he spoke, the carriage began to move.
Qin Guan then asked, "Why are we going to Lin'an Prefecture's yamen today?"
Yan Chi frowned. "After yesterday's investigation, there's still little progress. However, Meng Wei remains adamant in his original claim that Meng Hui killed Meng Jin. So today at Lin'an Prefecture's yamen, Lord Zheng intends to interrogate everyone from the Meng residence."
Qin Guan nodded and asked further, "What method will be used for the interrogation?"
"Previously, the several masters of the Meng residence and other servants have been questioned separately. Today's aim is to have everyone confront each other in court to check for any discrepancies in their testimonies. It's an internal hearing, with only Lord Zheng and Lord Li present."
Upon hearing Yan Chi's words, Qin Guan felt a flicker of anticipation. Given the current situation, a courtroom confrontation seemed a reasonable approach. However, upon learning that Li Muyun was also present, her brows furrowed slightly.
Noticing this, Yan Chi asked, "What's wrong?"
Qin Guan shook her head. "It's nothing. I just suddenly recalled an encounter from yesterday."
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, and Qin Guan recounted the incident of seeing the Meng residence attendant the day before, adding, "That person was there to withdraw money, but he lacked the token. Moreover, he specifically mentioned that even a son couldn't withdraw his father's money. Even if that servant was a steward in the residence, it's unlikely he'd have access to a large sum of money. The only explanation is that he was withdrawing on behalf of his master—who would naturally be Meng Wei."
Yan Chi's eyes darkened instantly. "Are you implying it's Meng Wei?"
Qin Guan shook her head. "No, Meng Wei is the one who reported the case and has consistently claimed his father was murdered. I don't believe he harmed his father, but it made me think about their family being deceived and his fourth uncle's insistence on dividing the family assets. If Meng Jin's death is related to the struggle over family property, clarifying the internal financial situation of the Meng residence is crucial."
A thoughtful glint flashed in Yan Chi's eyes. "I sent people to investigate but found no evidence of Meng Jin storing silver at Xiangfu Bank."
After a moment's consideration, Qin Guan said, "Then he must not have used his own name."
Yan Chi nodded. "I understand what you mean."
As he spoke, Yan Chi tapped on the carriage wall. The carriage slowed, and he instructed Bai Feng to investigate Xiangfu Bank. Bai Feng thus disembarked midway, leaving Baiying to drive the carriage toward Lin'an Prefecture's yamen.
The carriage headed straight for the yamen. Baiying clearly knew the capital's roads well, and in the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the carriage stopped at the back gate of Lin'an Prefecture's yamen. Black-clad guards were already waiting there and stepped forward to bow upon seeing Yan Chi's carriage. Qin Guan followed Yan Chi out of the carriage, and as soon as they entered, she saw Zhan Yang.
Zhan Yang approached and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness, Ninth Miss, the Meng family members have all arrived."
Yan Chi nodded, and Zhan Yang led him and Qin Guan toward the front hall.
Lin'an Prefecture's yamen covered a considerable area. They followed a winding Path forward and walked for another half an incense stick's time before reaching the front hall. Zhan Yang guided Yan Chi and Qin Guan to a side door, which opened into an adjacent room.
Li Muyun was already seated inside. Zhan Yang invited Qin Guan and the others to sit, served a pot of hot tea, and then exited through the room's inner door. Li Muyun bowed to Yan Chi and nodded to Qin Guan.
The three took their seats, none speaking loudly. Soon, the sound of a gavel echoed from outside."Meng Wei, recount the events of that night once more."
Zheng Baishi's voice was grave and solemn, separated from the adjacent room by only a single wall.
Qin Guan, hearing this, moved to the doorway where Zhan Yang had exited earlier. She lifted the door curtain and glanced outside.
Beyond lay the main hall of the prefectural office. Zheng Baishi sat in the presiding seat, flanked by Zhan Yang and a middle-aged man who appeared to be an assistant magistrate. At side tables below the dais, two clerks were seated, recording everything transpiring in the hall.
At a position further down from the clerks sat a man around forty years old, dressed in a deep blue robe. Though not kneeling in the center of the hall, his face was etched with worry and exhaustion. Qin Guan knew this must be Meng Zhou, the Vice Minister of Revenue.
Below the dais, kneeling at the forefront was a young man in his early twenties. Responding to Zheng Baishi's inquiry, he was undoubtedly Meng Wei. To Meng Wei's left knelt a couple around forty years old. While the wife remained composed, the man glared at Meng Wei with unmistakable fury in his eyes—clearly Meng Hui, whom Meng Wei had identified as the murderer.
To Meng Wei's right knelt another woman around forty, dressed in plain attire with a string of prayer beads wrapped around her wrist. Despite Meng Wei's earnest account, her eyes were lightly closed, showing little reaction. Qin Guan raised an eyebrow—who was this?
"The woman beside Meng Wei is his mother, Madam You, the wife of the deceased."
Yan Chi had appeared beside Qin Guan at some point. Seeing her prolonged gaze fixed on the woman, he offered an explanation.
Qin Guan nodded and looked behind Meng Wei. Several others knelt there, including a woman over forty who appeared particularly haggard and aged compared to Madam You. Beside her knelt a young couple—the woman slightly bowed her head, delicate and refined, while the man was somewhat slender and pale, with a sickly complexion. Unaccustomed to the courtroom, he bore a trace of nervousness in his brow. Yet Qin Guan noticed that despite his tension, he held the woman's hand firmly. The woman leaned subtly toward him, clearly placing great trust in him.
On the other side of this woman knelt a young girl, pale-faced and seemingly no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. Clad in a thick cape, she exuded a frail, sickly aura as she knelt.
"The master of the Meng family's third branch passed away early. This is his widow, Jiang Shi. Beside her are her son Meng Ziyi and his wife Xu Shi. Over there is the young lady of the main branch, Meng Yao. The main branch also has a seven-year-old son who has been ill since winter began and did not come today." Yan Chi then gestured toward those kneeling further back. "The ones behind them—the first are Meng Jin's two concubines, next to them are Meng Wei's two consorts. The rest are stewards and senior maids, here to testify for their respective masters."Behind the third branch's wife knelt over ten people. The two at the front, both in their twenties, were exceptionally beautiful—one dressed in light red satin robes, the other in pale green silk skirts, their hair adorned with lavish ornaments. They were undoubtedly Meng Jin's concubines. It was clear that their grief over Meng Jin's death was superficial, overshadowed by palpable anxiety. Kneeling in the hall, they appeared tense, their eyes darting nervously and hands fidgeting helplessly. As for Meng Wei's two concubines, one had an alluring figure and seductive red lips, while the other wore no makeup, evoking pity with her delicate charm—both were stunning in their own distinct ways. Qin Guan observed each of them carefully, scrutinizing their expressions before taking a step back. At a glance, Meng Hui, whom Meng Wei had accused as the murderer, seemed less suspicious. Compared to him, the two concubines and Meng Ziyi from the third branch appeared far more tense and uneasy.
Meanwhile, Meng Wei continued recounting the events of that night: "...We were all eating together peacefully when Fourth Uncle brought up dividing the family assets again. Not only did he insist on splitting the family, but he also claimed that since the business was run by the second branch, any losses from being swindled were our responsibility. He said the second branch shouldn't get a single tael of silver from the division! My father was furious—without the second branch's efforts, at least half of the Meng family's wealth wouldn't exist. The fourth branch contributed nothing, yet they schemed to seize all the assets when we faced hardship?!"
As he spoke, Meng Wei shot a fierce glare at Meng Hui, who puffed out his chest defiantly. "How dare you say that! If it weren't for your father's greed, how could so much of the Meng family's silver have been swindled? All these years, your father has brought us nothing but suffering..."
Meng Wei couldn't tolerate this and retorted angrily, "Greed? You have the nerve to call my father greedy?! Without him, how could you afford so many concubines?! How could you carouse and squander money outside?! You never complained when spending his silver, but now you suddenly find faults with him?!"
Meng Hui gritted his teeth, ready to argue further, but Meng Zhou slammed his hand on the armrest beside him. "Enough! This is a court of law! Both of you will answer Lord Zheng's questions properly—not brawl like fishwives! You're disgracing me!"
As a third-rank official, even Zheng Baishi had to show Meng Zhou some respect. His intervention silenced Meng Hui and Meng Wei. Meng Wei continued, "We argued that night too. Fourth Uncle even shoved my father twice before Eldest Uncle pulled them apart. The meal ended unhappily. Later, my father, still fuming, had some food and wine brought to our courtyard. We drank and talked for a while..."
Meng Wei's account matched what Yan Chi had told Qin Guan. As she listened intently, Qin Guan noticed Meng Wei's eyes flickering uncertainly when he mentioned drinking and talking with Meng Jin.
Frowning, Qin Guan quickly turned to look into the side room. Spotting paper and brushes, she stepped forward, wrote two sentences, and had Baiying—dressed in male attire—deliver them to Zheng Baishi.
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