Coroner's Diary

This was Qin Guan's first time visiting the Celestial Prison of the Ministry of Justice.

After entering the main gate, the guards inside had all been withdrawn to the outermost perimeter. Qin Guan followed Yan Chi, Zheng Baishi, and the others along the dimly lit passageway as they proceeded inward. The prison warden walking ahead spoke in a low voice, "This man has been imprisoned for six years, yet he still spouts mystical nonsense every day—things like 'the Path of Heaven has changed,' 'the Great Zhou's Luck is about to run out,' and 'the skies are going to change.' All sorts of treasonous words. We’ve reported it to the Minister several times, but we can’t execute him for this alone, so we’ve moved him down level by level. Now he’s in the innermost cell."

As he spoke, the dampness and musty smell in the passage grew increasingly unbearable. Qin Guan had been inside the prison of the Jinzhou Prefectural Office, and this place was no better. Yan Chi motioned for her to stay behind him, but she didn’t mind much.

The warden continued, "What’s strange is that this man has remained perfectly healthy all these years. To be honest with you, esteemed officials, he’s neither human nor ghost now. Sometimes the guards below can’t even be bothered to bring him food, yet every time we see him, he’s still full of vigor. Once, a guard nearly got swayed into believing his so-called 'doctrine.' Since then, we’ve only been delivering his meals once a day or once every two days. This man… he’s truly bizarre…"

The warden sighed as he spoke, seemingly regarding the Daoist as a peculiar figure.

Before long, they reached the deepest part of the Celestial Prison. Compared to the outer areas, this place was almost devoid of light. The warden carried a bright lamp as he walked. When they stopped before a cell door, he stood still and shouted inside, "Hey! The esteemed officials have questions for you! Hey—Zhang Daoshi!"

The faint glow of the lamp barely illuminated the cell before fading back into dimness. Qin Guan focused her gaze and saw a gaunt, hunched figure curled up on a tattered mattress in the corner. The warden shouted twice, but the figure remained motionless, silent as if lifeless. Qin Guan frowned—was he ill or dying?

Failing to rouse him, the warden felt somewhat awkward and chuckled dryly before continuing, "Zhang Daoshi! Did you hear me? These esteemed officials want to question you! Didn’t you say you were wrongly accused?"

At this, the figure stirred. He turned around, and Qin Guan raised an eyebrow.

It was impossible to tell what Zhang Daoshi had originally looked like. Now, his hair was wildly long and tangled, his face obscured by a matted mess of beard and hair. Despite this, his eyes shone brightly.

Qin Guan had wondered if he was ill, but now she saw otherwise. He stretched lazily, his expression showing displeasure, and yawned twice before saying languidly, "You disturbed my sweet dream…"

As he spoke, his eyes swept over Zheng Baishi, Yan Chi, and the others. When his gaze fell on Qin Guan, Zhang Daoshi raised an eyebrow. "You lied to me. There’s a woman here—how could she be a court official?"

The warden wanted to curse. In front of the esteemed officials, such disrespectful remarks made it seem as though he managed the prison poorly. Apologetically, he grinned at Qin Guan before turning to bark, "What do you know? This is the Yongci County Princess, newly appointed by The Emperor! You must not disrespect the County Princess!"

Zhang Daoshi remained curled on the mattress, as if too lazy to get up after his nap."Princess? The princess is also getting involved? Could it be that the outside world has truly changed!"

"You!" The overseer's face paled slightly. "I really ought to cut out your tongue! How can you spout such nonsense?! Don't worry about all that. These officials are here to ask questions—just answer them honestly!"

Zhang Daoshi didn't rise, merely glancing at the group from a distance. His gaze lingered on Yan Chi for a moment before shifting to Qin Guan. He stared at Qin Guan for a long while, making the overseer sweat profusely. "What are you looking at?! If you don't answer honestly, don't even think about leaving! We'll have your head chopped off tomorrow!"

Unfazed, Zhang Daoshi instead chuckled, turned over, and went back to sleep, smacking his lips as he presented his back to Qin Guan and the others.

"Ah, you old fool—"

The overseer couldn't help but curse. Zheng Baishi raised a hand to stop him. He had never met Zhang Daoshi before, but now found him somewhat intriguing. No wonder this Taoist had endured severe torture without confessing back in the day—he wasn't afraid at all. Even threats of execution didn't frighten him. Zheng Baishi glanced at Yan Chi and, sure enough, saw a deepening intensity in his eyes.

Seeing this, the overseer said helplessly, "Sir, this old fool has no fear of death. Nothing we say scares him. Not only that, but he claims this ordeal is his destiny and he won't die from it. All these years in prison, he's treated it as cultivating his Path, sleeping all day and sometimes muttering things we can't understand. He hasn't even fallen seriously ill all these years."

Zheng Baishi then said, "Zhang Daoshi, we have questions for you regarding your old case."

Zhang Daoshi didn't move a muscle. Zheng Baishi's brow furrowed—no prisoner had ever ignored him before, and he felt a stir of anger. Meanwhile, Yan Chi spoke up, "The old case has resurfaced."

At these words, Zhang Daoshi turned over. He studied Yan Chi for a few moments and asked, "Another skinned victim?"

Yan Chi replied, "The victim died the same way as in your case. Do you want to clear your name?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Daoshi pursed his lips, lost in thought for a moment before standing up. Once upright, his short stature became apparent, yet his movements weren't crude. He simply asked, "How many have died?"

"One." Yan Chi remained composed, unbothered by the Taoist's rudeness.

Zhang Daoshi frowned slightly. "Only one dead and you're already here..."

His tone was unpleasant, but he glanced at Yan Chi and added, "Still, it shows you have some wits about you."

After saying this, Zhang Daoshi pinched his fingers as if calculating, then shook his head. "This case is more severe than the previous one. You need to hurry..." He continued, "But I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."

Zheng Baishi frowned. "We're not here to ask about that. The old case followed the tenets of your Moon Worship Sect. Who else knew about those teachings? We're not saying you're innocent—someone might be imitating your methods. If you cooperate and we get to the truth, you could be exonerated. But if you refuse, the old case will remain on your head..."

Zhang Daoshi smiled. "Your words are sweet, sir. Then let the old case stay on my head."With those words, Zhang Daoshi turned around, lay back down haphazardly, and continued sleeping.

Zheng Baishi frowned. "You really are impervious to both soft and hard tactics!"

Zhang Daoshi lay on the ground with one leg crossed over the other, but remained silent. He appeared completely at ease, not at all like a murderer who had been imprisoned for six years. Yet if he were truly wronged, there was little anger or resentment on his face. Zheng Baishi felt somewhat helpless.

Yan Chi said, "Since you claim you didn't commit the crime back then, and now similar cases have emerged—likely perpetrated by the same culprit—he has reappeared. Don't you want to find the person who framed you?"

Zhang Daoshi opened his eyes and, still lying on the ground, glanced lazily at Yan Chi before replying, "That's more like it. But since I didn't commit the crime back then, there's a lot I don't know. I was inexplicably arrested and imprisoned all these years... Ah, forget it. If you want to investigate, you might as well go find the people who handled the case back then. Back then, my teachings were known to everyone in Guanyin Town. Some listened and forgot, while others listened, remembered, and acted on them. Most of them are still in Guanyin Town. If you want to investigate, go there. Also, our Moon Worship Sect's teachings say that all living beings are sinful. To atone, one must either do good deeds or punish evil. I don't know if the murderer is doing it to punish evil—"

"Atone? Is murder a way to atone?" Zheng Baishi retorted irritably.

Zhang Daoshi replied lazily, "The people who died back then weren't exactly good folks..."

Li Muyun looked at Zhang Daoshi. "Are you suggesting the murderer is acting on behalf of Heaven?"

Zhang Daoshi closed his eyes again. "That's roughly the idea. You ordinary people wouldn't understand even if I explained. Instead of trying to extract important clues from me, you'd be better off going to Guanyin Town and asking around. The culprit framed me back then, has been free all these years, and now the case is being reopened. Who's to blame?"

Zheng Baishi was quite annoyed by this and turned to look at Yan Chi. Yan Chi, however, asked him, "Where are the case files from back then?"

Zheng Baishi thought for a moment. "They should be in the Court of Judicial Review. Because he never confessed, the files were transferred there for review. After checking, they found some missing links, making it impossible to convict, which is why the case has been dragging on."

Li Muyun said, "I hadn't yet joined the Court of Judicial Review six years ago. I'll have someone retrieve those files immediately."

Zheng Baishi then looked at Zhang Daoshi on the ground. "Crown Prince, does this mean we won't interrogate him for now?"

Yan Chi nodded. "It seems he truly doesn't know anything."

Yan Chi glanced at Qin Guan, who nodded in agreement.

Zheng Baishi still felt somewhat unwilling, but seeing that Zhang Daoshi was indeed impervious to persuasion, he let it go. Even if they took him out of the cell and tortured him, if he refused to talk, it would only waste their time.

As they left, Yan Chi asked, "What is this Zhang Daoshi's background?"Among these individuals, only Zheng Baishi had some knowledge of the case from back then, so he said, "This Zhang Daoshi had no parents, and no one knew how exactly he ended up in Guanyin Town. All that's known is that he stayed in the small Taoist temple there. After the incident occurred, he was directly linked to the Moon Worship Sect, and since all the deceased had visited the temple to listen to him preach about the Moon Worship Sect, he became the primary suspect. Oh, and he was skilled in woodworking, carving Buddha statues exceptionally well."

As he spoke, Zheng Baishi pondered for another moment, "I don't remember much else. The case records from that year probably have the full details."

"Skilled in carving Buddha statues?" Yan Chi keenly picked up on these words.

Qin Guan had mentioned that the meticulous method of flaying human skin to kill must have been done by someone skilled with a blade.

Zheng Baishi also thought of this, "So his suspicion was the greatest back then. But just now when I saw him... I only felt he was very strange. If you say he's the murderer, he shows no fear. If you say he isn't, after being imprisoned for so many years, he shows no despondency. Instead, he treats the Celestial Prison as if it were his own small Taoist temple."

Qin Guan said, "The records from that year must have detailed the Corpse Examination reports and many specifics. To determine if it's the same killer, comparing the two cases might yield new discoveries.Li Muyun said, "The princess is absolutely right." I will return to the Court of Judicial Review immediately."

After leaving the Celestial Prison, Li Muyun naturally went to the Court of Judicial Review. Not knowing what Yan Chi and Qin Guan planned to do, Yan Chi said, "Let's go take a look at the Earl of Weiyuan's residence. "Princess, please come along—" Zheng Baishi hurriedly said, "Good, then this official will accompany the heir apparent and the princess.""

The group split up and boarded carriages, with Yan Chi, as usual, sharing a carriage with Qin Guan. Once inside, Yan Chi immediately said, "The Earl of Weiyuan has four sons. The one who died this time is the youngest, Wu Qian. This youngest son often frequented pleasure quarters. On the day of the incident, he had been drinking at the Phoenix Perch Tower. He originally had servants with him, but coincidentally, he didn't bring any that day. When he left, the courtesans at the Phoenix Perch Tower said Wu Qian mentioned he was going home, so he was likely attacked on his way back."

Qin Guan reacted swiftly, "Could there be clues along the route from the Phoenix Perch Tower to the Earl of Weiyuan's residence?"

"Zhan Yang has already gone to investigate. If there are any, we'll have news today." After saying this, Yan Chi added, "Don't you think that Zhang Daoshi seemed somewhat strange?"

Qin Guan nodded, "The way he looked at you was strange—"

Yan Chi also nodded, "I originally expected to see someone who, after six years of imprisonment, would be completely broken in spirit. Yet he was composed and neither servile nor overbearing. That alone indicates this person is not simple. I also felt the way he looked at you was somewhat strange."

Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat. Even without Yan Chi mentioning it, she had sensed it herself, which was why she had subconsciously not wanted to stay long in the Celestial Prison. Her return from death was too unbelievable and mystical. Although she didn't believe in ghosts or gods, her soul transmigration had truly happened. Could it be that this Zhang Daoshi genuinely possessed some supernatural ability and had seen through her origins?

But even if that were the case, what did the way he looked at Yan Chi signify?Yan Chi then said, "If this case can truly clarify the old case from back then, that would be excellent. I'm actually considering keeping this Zhang Daoshi for my own use. This man gives me an uneasy feeling. If he's truly content with being just a minor Daoist, then so be it. Otherwise, it would be better to keep him close by—"

Qin Guan did not doubt Yan Chi's sharpness. She could use what she had learned from her father to discern whether someone was lying, but the complexity and subtlety of human nature in the vast world were something she couldn't fully grasp. In this regard, Yan Chi surpassed her by a hundredfold. She might manage well enough with ordinary people, but if it were someone truly formidable, she would be somewhat out of her depth.

"He seemed to have performed divination earlier and even said this case is more horrifying than the one from years ago. I don't know if he's exaggerating to scare us. He also mentioned the Moon Worship Sect's doctrine, where punishing evil and doing good can both atone for sins. The perpetrator is likely driven by some purpose in doing all this."

Yan Chi nodded. "Once followers of a cult go astray, their actions often become obsessive and ruthless."

As they spoke, they soon arrived at the Weiyuan Earl Manor. Upon hearing that the Crown Prince and Prefect Zheng had arrived, the gatekeeper immediately went to announce them. Shortly after, a handsome young man in his twenties emerged.

Seeing the newcomer, Zheng Baishi said, "This is the third young master, Wu Yu, who manages the Weiyuan Earl Manor."

Wu Yu strode forward and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Crown Prince. Greetings, Prefect. And this is—"

Wu Yu knew Zheng Baishi had come regarding the case but hadn't expected a woman to accompany them. Noticing her ethereal beauty and flawless complexion, he couldn't help but scrutinize her. Zheng Baishi explained, "This is Yongci County Princess."

Wu Yu quickly averted his gaze. "So it's the County Princess. My respects, County Princess."

Yan Chi waved a hand, half-shielding Qin Guan. "No need for formalities, Third Young Master. We've come to inquire about the fourth young master—"

Wu Yu gave a bitter smile and invited the three of them into the main courtyard. As they proceeded inward, they saw that the Weiyuan Earl Manor was exquisitely elegant. Though not as large as the Loyal Marquis Manor, it was typical of a noble family in the capital.

Upon reaching the front hall, they found it tastefully decorated with fine porcelain ornaments and several renowned calligraphy and paintings adorning the walls. Wu Yu first invited the three to sit and ordered tea before saying, "At first, I didn't think anything had happened to my fourth brother, but after sending people to search for him extensively with no results, I fear that..."

He sighed deeply, his voice tinged with sorrow. "My fourth brother is the youngest in the family, doted on since childhood. Unfortunately, he was spoiled excessively, developing an unambitious and idle nature. Later, he became engrossed in debauchery, ruining his health at a young age. This time, it's even worse..."

Wu Yu's eyes reddened. Yan Chi said, "My condolences, Third Young Master. Today, we mainly wish to ask if the fourth young master had any enemies in his daily life, or if he had any recent disputes with anyone. Alternatively, do you have any suspicions about someone?"

Wu Yu was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "My fourth brother rarely stayed at home and didn't get along with me. We had several arguments earlier this year. He had his own circle of friends, and those friends were... I don't even know them. I truly have no idea if he made enemies or quarreled with anyone outside."

Zheng Baishi sighed. "Then, Third Young Master, do you plan to retrieve the remains?"Wu Yu pondered for a moment before saying, "I still need to discuss this matter with my father. Tomorrow morning, I'll go to the Mortuary Temple to retrieve Fourth Brother's remains." He sighed again, "Speaking of which, our Wu family truly lacks blessings for sons and grandsons. First, Eldest Brother met with misfortune, and now Fourth Brother... With Father gravely ill, I don't know if he can bear such news."

Qin Guan recalled Zheng Baishi mentioning that the eldest son of the Earl of Weiyuan's household had left home years ago and never returned.

Qin Guan then asked, "What exactly happened to the Eldest Young Master back then?"

Wu Yu sighed, "Eldest Brother disappeared four years ago. Nothing particularly unusual happened at the time. If I had to point to something, it was an argument with Father. Actually, it was because of me..."

Wu Yu smiled bitterly, "There was a position as a secretary in the Ministry of Personnel that became available in our family. Normally, Eldest Brother should have taken it, or if not him, Second Brother. But Father gave the opportunity to me. Eldest Brother resented this deeply. I remember it was around the Mid-Autumn Festival when he had a huge fight with Father and left home. He never returned after that."

"Since the Eldest Young Master didn't return for so long, did you report it to the authorities?"

When Qin Guan asked this, Wu Yu smiled wryly, "When Eldest Brother left, he declared he would never return. When he indeed didn't come back, we thought he had left in anger and didn't report it immediately. After about two months with no sign of him, we finally went to the authorities. They said no unidentified accident victims had been found recently and promised to keep an eye out. With no other options, we returned home."

Qin Guan nodded, "And there's been no news all these years?"

Wu Yu affirmed, "Yes, no news at all."

Hearing this, Qin Guan didn't press further. Zheng Baishi then continued questioning about Wu Qian, but no matter how he asked, Wu Yu knew nothing about Wu Qian's affairs. Finally, Wu Yu summoned Wu Qian's personal servant. The servant said Wu Qian had only been visiting the Phoenix Perch Tower for the past two months. When asked about Wu Qian's friends, the servant named a few people, all of whom Zheng Baishi noted down before he and Yan Chi took their leave.

After leaving the Earl of Weiyuan's residence, Zheng Baishi returned to the magistrate's office to meet with Zhan Yang, while Yan Chi escorted Qin Guan back to the Marquis's residence.

In the carriage, Yan Chi asked, "Do you think the Eldest Young Master of the Earl of Weiyuan's household might be connected to this case?"

Qin Guan shook her head, "Not particularly. It's just somewhat coincidental that two sons in one family have met with misfortune. However, the Eldest Young Master disappeared four years ago, so it's probably unrelated to this matter."

Yan Chi frowned, "If the killer is truly committing these murders for atonement, what sin are they atoning for? The killer targets those who have committed wrongdoings, but how did they learn about Wu Qian's misdeeds?"

Qin Guan added, "Matters within their household—being part of the same noble circles—might be uncovered with some inquiry."

Thus, the scope of the case expanded even further.

After Yan Chi saw Qin Guan back to the residence, Qin Shuang remained in her room embroidering her dowry. Upon hearing of Qin Guan's return, she immediately went to Pine Breeze Courtyard to check on the goldfinch together. The goldfinch, which Fuling had carefully tended for a full day and night, still appeared listless. Worried she might end up killing the little bird, Qin Guan said, "We should probably consult the craftsmen in the residence. None of us have experience raising birds. This belongs to the Ninth Prince. He would surely be heartbroken to hear it died."

With Yan Sui's temperament, finding something he cherished wasn't easy, and Qin Guan didn't want to break her promise.Fuling listened to the complaints about how difficult the little one was to care for, but still headed to the servants' quarters to inquire with the estate’s craftsmen. Qin Shuang then accompanied Qin Guan and said, "Would you accompany me tomorrow to buy some silk thread? I’ve run out of the thread for my embroidery and would like to purchase some of the fashionable ones in the capital."

Qin Guan naturally agreed upon hearing this. Seeing that Qin Shuang’s wedding day was drawing nearer with each passing day, Qin Guan couldn’t help but feel nervous on her behalf.

The night passed in this manner, and early the next morning, Qin Guan and Qin Shuang set out. Upon hearing that they were going shopping, Hu Shi assigned numerous guards to accompany them. The group left the estate and headed straight for the West Market.

These well-known silk and embroidery supply shops were ones Hu Shi had previously brought them to. When the two arrived, the place was still relatively quiet. But before they could enter, Qin Shuang’s sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar figure!

"Xiu Zhi—"

The person Qin Shuang had spotted was none other than Xiu Zhi!

She called out, and Xiu Zhi, who had been speaking with the shopkeeper, turned around. Seeing Qin Guan and Qin Shuang standing at the entrance, Xiu Zhi froze for a moment, her expression turning somewhat complicated.

She quickly turned back to say a few more words to the shopkeeper before striding over to Qin Guan and Qin Shuang.

"Greetings, County Princess, greetings, Sixth Miss."

Qin Shuang never expected to encounter Xiu Zhi here and hurriedly asked, "How are you all? Is Qin Xiang doing well at Prince Cheng's residence? Why are you here?"

Qin Shuang's questions came out in a rush. Thinking of the opulence of Prince Cheng's royal residence, Xiu Zhi unconsciously lifted her chin.

"Sixth Miss need not worry. Our young lady is doing very well, and this servant is also fine. I've come out today to order a few garments for our young lady. I've already instructed the shopkeeper to deliver them to Prince Cheng's residence once they're ready."

Xiu Zhi had originally been by Lin Shi's side and had never held Qin Shuang in high regard. Had it been Qin Guan asking the questions, she might have weighed her words more carefully, but since it was Qin Shuang, her tone unconsciously carried a hint of arrogance.

Qin Shuang remained unaware, "Does Prince Cheng treat her well? Why didn't she come out herself?"

Qin Shuang simply thought that if Qin Xiang had come out herself, they could have met this time. But Xiu Zhi interpreted it as Qin Shuang doubting that Qin Xiang was living well. She smiled, "Prince Cheng treats our young lady exceptionally well. Today when I came out for shopping, I didn't bring a single coin with me—this is all thanks to Prince Cheng's favor. As for why our young lady didn't come out herself, such errands don't require her personal attention. These past few days, Prince Cheng has been staying with our young lady, so she needs to keep him company."

Qin Shuang finally sensed a strange discomfort. She moved her lips but couldn't find the right words, finally saying, "That's good, that's good." Gathering her courage, she added, "There's something you might not know yet... The Xue family isn't willing to give up the marriage alliance with the Marquis's household. They've requested to marry me."

Qin Shuang always felt she had taken something that belonged to Qin Xiang and felt uneasy about it. Seeing Xiu Zhi, she wanted to personally convey this news. Watching Qin Shuang's nervousness, Xiu Zhi laughed inwardly—this Sixth Miss was still as unsophisticated as ever.

Straightening her posture, Xiu Zhi said, "Our young lady is already aware of this matter."

Qin Shuang looked surprised, "Ah, she already knows?"

Xiu Zhi smiled, "Although the Marquis spoke rather harshly that day, our young lady hasn't completely severed ties with the household yet. She still cares about matters concerning the Marquis's residence. She learned about this a few days ago and was very happy for Sixth Miss. While the Xue family's young master isn't worthy of our young lady, he's still a decent match. For Sixth Miss to marry him in our young lady's stead not only preserves both families' dignity but also secures Sixth Miss a good future. Our young lady couldn't be more pleased."

Qin Shuang felt happy hearing the first part, but as Xiu Zhi continued, her words carried a subtly mocking tone.Qin Shuang pursed her lips, unsure how to respond. Beside her, Qin Guan's expression turned slightly cold as she said, "The Sixth Young Lady did not marry in your young lady's stead. When the Xue family was discussing marriage with your young lady, neither betrothal gifts had been sent nor a wedding date set. Your young lady's ambitions soared too high, so naturally, the Xue family's young master wouldn't cling to her. Now, he has openly sought to marry the Sixth Young Lady, personally visited the Marquis residence to meet her, and delivered the betrothal gifts himself. This matter has nothing to do with your young lady anymore. From now on, do not speak of her marrying in your young lady's place."

Qin Shuang felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this. Xiu Zhi's smile became strained. In the past, it might have been tolerable, but now Qin Guan was an imperial-appointed princess, and Xiu Zhi dared not be disrespectful. She quickly lowered her head, "Yes, the princess is right." This servant misspoke."

Qin Guan considered saying something harsher but held back, simply stating, "Since you've chosen to follow your young lady, serve her well. The Path was chosen by her—whether she walks it well depends entirely on herself.Xiu Zhi disliked Qin Guan's lecturing tone and felt displeased, yet she maintained a smiling facade and replied, "Then this servant won't disturb the princess and the Sixth Young Lady any longer." I must return to Prince Cheng's royal residence now."

Although Xiu Zhi was a servant, she had taken a carriage for this errand. Qin Guan watched her leave and board the carriage, sighing inwardly. She said, "Don't worry. It seems she is indeed doing well."

Qin Shuang sighed, "I just feel there was something odd about Xiu Zhi's words."

Qin Guan shook her head, "Don't dwell on it. We won't see her often anyway, so just pretend you never heard it."

Qin Shuang forced a smile and nodded.

Meanwhile, upon returning to Prince Cheng's royal residence, Xiu Zhi immediately reported her encounter with Qin Shuang and Qin Guan to Qin Xiang. After hearing the account, Qin Xiang sneered, "Wasn't she married in my place? I was the one the Xue family originally favored!Her face flushed with anger as she continued, "What does it matter if Qin Guan is now a princess? I belong to Prince Cheng's household now. What right does she have to criticize me or think she can lecture me?"

Xiu Zhi pressed her lips together, "Young Lady, but our situation here is somewhat awkward..."

Qin Xiang knew what Xiu Zhi was concerned about and said, "What's awkward about our situation? As long as I secure Prince Cheng's favor, I'll surely become a princely concubine someday. Or perhaps, I might even become a noble consort..."Xiu Zhi's eyes widened in surprise, 'Young Lady, the Noble Consort.'.."

Qin Xiang played with her hair, a faint smile on her lips, "Why do you think my elder uncle was so angry about me following Prince Cheng? It's because Prince Cheng poses a threat to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is just that—a crown prince, not yet the emperor."

Xiu Zhi understood, her eyes lighting up at the thought that Prince Cheng might one day replace the Crown Prince.

"Young Lady, you must firmly secure Prince Cheng's favor!"

Qin Xiang smiled, "That goes without saying. Rest assured, if that day comes, I will not treat you poorly!"Qin Xiang had been raised by Lin Shi, so she naturally understood the inner household affairs better than Qin Shuang. Now that she had arrived at Prince Cheng's residence, there were even more things to consider. With Feng Chenbi's entry into the residence just days away, she not only needed to capture Prince Cheng's heart but also establish her own influence. The newly purchased servants assigned to care for her were the ones she intended to cultivate, and for now, Xiu Zhi was her right hand.

Upon hearing this, Xiu Zhi hurriedly replied, "Miss, rest assured. This servant was originally sent by the madam to serve you. Your honor and disgrace are this servant's honor and disgrace. For you, this servant would willingly sacrifice everything!"

Qin Xiang was exceedingly pleased with these words, but when she recalled that Prince Cheng had been absent for two days, the smile on her face faded slightly.

After a moment's thought, Qin Xiang said, "Find a way to bribe a few guards from the main courtyard. We must know His Highness's whereabouts. His Highness is a man destined for great deeds—we cannot simply wait around indefinitely."

Xiu Zhi looked somewhat troubled. "Miss, those guards are all cold-faced and aloof. When this servant tried to speak with them, they barely acknowledged me."

Qin Xiang gave Xiu Zhi a thorough once-over. "Make yourself more presentable. Those guards are rough men—how could they ignore a lovely young girl approaching them? I’ll give you some silver as well. I refuse to believe every single one of them is heartless."

Though Xiu Zhi felt somewhat uneasy inside, she obediently agreed.

Meanwhile, Yan Qi had been preoccupied with a new case in the capital. Another incident had occurred—this was the third since before the New Year, and it was said the perpetrator of this latest case was exceptionally cruel. Yan Qi was contemplating how to use this case to make the Crown Prince suffer a major setback. After discussing with several advisors, he had just stepped out when an attendant approached to deliver a report.

Upon hearing it, Yan Qi glanced in the direction of Water Moon Residence.

"What did Yongci County Princess and the other Qin girl discuss?"

The attendant replied, "This humble servant does not know and could not hear clearly."

After a brief pause, the attendant added, "These past few days, the Qin young lady has been quite well-behaved. However, she just sent someone again to inquire about Your Highness's whereabouts. It seems she has been waiting for you."

Yan Qi frowned tightly, remaining silent for a moment.

His taking of a concubine was known both inside and outside the court. He had always acted without restraint, and this time, even his father, the Emperor, had said nothing. The Emperor had long been aware that the Crown Prince and the Loyal Marquis Manor were in collusion. With a Qin daughter now entering his royal residence, the Emperor likely viewed it favorably. Meanwhile, the Loyal Marquis Manor, to save face, dared not make a scene.

But how could he take a concubine so casually?

Thinking of Qin Xiang's delicate features, Yan Qi felt no particular stir in his heart. Such was his nature—beauty was merely for amusement. Those he truly valued were those who could assist him in achieving great deeds.

He had originally intended to simply settle Qin Xiang in Water Moon Residence, never expecting her maid to encounter Qin Guan and the other Qin girl. A faint smile crossed his lips as an idea formed in his mind.

Though Qin Xiang had been cast out by the Marquis Manor, she was still a daughter of the Qin family. He needed to ensure she remained properly in Prince Cheng's residence—only then could an opportunity arise. Perhaps Qin Xiang could be of great use to him.

"Let’s go—pay a visit to Water Moon Residence."

...

...The case involving the Marquis of Weiyuan's estate stirred considerable waves in the capital within just a few days. Although the authorities had initially suppressed the details, someone leaked the news in the capital, leading to a fresh wave of panic spreading through the city during mid-spring. Within two days, rumors even emerged that the frequent murders in the capital were due to changes in the heavenly Path.

When these words reached Yan Huai’s ears, they infuriated him greatly. He immediately summoned Yan Che to inquire in detail about the case and ordered him to solve it as quickly as possible. Consequently, that very afternoon, Yan Che arrived at the Lin'an Prefectural Office.

Upon hearing that the Emperor was furious, Zheng Baishi became apprehensive himself and said, "We are already investigating. The victim’s identity has been confirmed. The method of the crime is indeed extremely brutal. Moreover, it closely resembles an old case from six years ago. These past few days, we have been investigating the victim’s former friends, but most of them had alibis for that night. Even those without witnesses or evidence do not align with the inferences drawn after Yongci County Princess assisted with the corpse examination."

At the mention of "County Princess," Yan Che quickly asked, "What did Yongci County Princess say?"

Zheng Baishi promptly replied, "Yongci County Princess stated that the murderer must be skilled with a blade and may even be involved in activities similar to skinning people. Only someone with such expertise could remove the skin without leaving messy wounds."

Yan Che felt a chill run down his spine. "Was the body horrifying when discovered?"

Zheng Baishi nodded. "To be frank with Your Highness the Crown Prince, it was barely recognizable as human. Even I and the other experienced constables could hardly bear the sight..."

Yan Che then asked, "What about Yongci County Princess?"

It took Zheng Baishi a moment to understand, then he smiled and said, "Your Highness need not worry. When Yongci County Princess saw the body, she merely frowned and did not react as we did. To be honest, I truly admire Yongci County Princess."

Yan Che’s expression turned somber. After a long pause, he said, "Does your office not have any other coroners?"

Zheng Baishi was slightly surprised. "We do, but none as meticulous and professional as the County Princess. That’s why we sought her help when we encountered difficulties. Besides, I noticed she was quite willing herself—doesn’t she hold a nominal position in the Ministry of Justice?"

Hearing this, Yan Che frowned again but said nothing more. Although he felt pity for a young woman handling such a gruesome corpse that even men could hardly endure, as the Crown Prince, he could not voice further opinions.

The Crown Prince sighed. "Minister Zheng, you are aware that this case is similar to the one from last year. There are people watching us, hoping we fail to solve it and incur the Emperor’s wrath. So, you must devote extra effort to this case."

Zheng Baishi repeatedly cupped his hands in respect. "Your Highness, rest assured, rest assured. I understand the gravity of the situation."

The Crown Prince pressed his lips together. "This time, we must also prevent spies from infiltrating the office."

Zheng Baishi, still haunted by the previous incident, immediately agreed repeatedly. After further instructions, he saw the Crown Prince off. Yan Che’s visit was merely to urge progress; it was naturally impossible for him to personally participate in the investigation.

Not long after Yan Che left, Yan Chi arrived at the prefectural office. Upon hearing that Yan Che had just departed, he guessed the reason for the visit.

"Has the Emperor reprimanded the Crown Prince?"Zheng Baishi gave a bitter smile, "Indeed. Just like the case during the New Year, this has become another excuse for others to attack the Crown Prince. The rumors circulating in the city these past few days have gotten completely out of hand. It's pitiful how frightened the common people have become!"

Yan Chi immediately knew it was Prince Cheng's doing. "Since they can't find any other leverage, they resort to these underhanded tactics."

Zheng Baishi chuckled, "True, but it still puts considerable pressure on the Crown Prince. Earlier, His Highness inquired about the case and understood how difficult it would be to investigate thoroughly, which is why he didn't reprimand me."

Then, with some amusement, Zheng Baishi added, "His Highness does seem to care for the Lady Qin Guan."

Yan Chi's gaze sharpened as he looked at Zheng Baishi. "How so?"

Zheng Baishi explained, "After hearing about the criminal's methods, His Highness asked if the corpse was particularly gruesome. Naturally, I confirmed it. Then he inquired how the Lady Qin Guan had handled the Corpse Examination, likely thinking she couldn't bear it. But when I told him she had been extremely professional and calm, His Highness fell silent for a moment. From his expression, I gathered he meant that if such scenes occur again, the Lady Qin Guan shouldn't be involved in the Corpse Examination. To be honest, I too felt heartache for her that day."

Zheng Baishi was old enough to be Qin Guan's father, so his heartache was genuine. But what about Yan Che?

Yan Chi's eyes darkened, and he remained silent for a long while.