After Wu Yu finished speaking, Zhan Yang frowned slightly with some helplessness. "Even if it's a rivalry over a beauty, it shouldn't lead to murder. From what I see on this list, these are all respectable families."
Wu Yu smiled bitterly. "The main issue is that my elder brother's disappearance is extremely bizarre. I naturally want to inform Zhan Butou of everything I can think of."
Zhan Yang put away the list. "Alright, Third Young Master, rest assured. We will investigate all these families."
Wu Yu nodded and glanced toward the back of the Mortuary Temple. "I heard another person died in the southern part of the city last night?"
Zhan Yang nodded. "Yes, the case of the Fourth Young Master isn't resolved yet, and now a fifth person has died."
Wu Yu sighed. "This murderer is truly insane. Who knows why they're killing like this? Zhan Butou, although my elder brother's case has been reported to the authorities, please prioritize this case first to prevent further deaths from delays."
Zhan Yang curved his lips. "Thank you for your understanding, Third Young Master—"
Since this was the Mortuary Temple, Wu Yu didn't stay long and left after a few more words. Once Wu Yu was gone, Qin Guan remarked, "This Third Young Master has been visiting quite frequently these past few days—"
Zhan Yang nodded. "Yes, his elder brother's case is indeed difficult to investigate."
The incident happened four years ago. Wasn't Wu Yu creating difficulties for the authorities by reporting it now?!
Thinking this, Qin Guan slightly frowned. "Is Wu Yu's mother seriously ill?"
Zhan Yang nodded. "Yes, she's gravely ill and can no longer leave her bed."
"Did she fall ill before the Fourth Young Master's incident?"
"Yes, she's been ill for a year. After the Fourth Young Master's incident, she's likely on her last breath."
Qin Guan wondered if she was being overly suspicious. In that moment, she recalled what Zhang Daoshi had said earlier—that setting up this altar could allow someone who should have died to survive. Could it be...?
However, this case and the one from six years ago share the same perpetrator. What was Wu Yu doing six years ago?
Qin Guan quickly asked, "Zhan Butou, do you know what Third Young Master Wu was doing six years ago?"
Zhan Yang jolted at the question. "Your Highness, are you suggesting..."
Qin Guan smiled wryly. "It's nothing. I just thought of it suddenly. Without evidence, we can only speculate for now."
Zhan Yang's eyes shifted thoughtfully. "If I remember correctly, Third Young Master was indeed not in the capital six years ago."
Qin Guan, who had only been casually questioning, was surprised by this and hurriedly asked, "Where was he then?"
"I heard he was traveling for studies, but I don't know the specifics. Since we're on the topic, I'll go to the Weiyuan Earl's residence now, using the investigation of the elder brother's case as a pretext to inquire thoroughly..."
Qin Guan nodded, and Zhan Yang immediately left with his men. Once Zhan Yang was out of sight, Qin Guan remembered she had planned to visit the mill earlier. She smiled wryly to herself, realizing she'd have to wait until tomorrow to go to the southern part of the city.
As Qin Guan left the Mortuary Temple, Zhan Yang's words echoed in her mind. Why was it such a coincidence? If Wu Yu truly wasn't in the capital six years ago, he would indeed be a suspect. But what connections did he have with Zhao Jiaxu, Hu Dequan, and Wang Shouchang? And how did he learn about these men's crimes?Qin Guan returned to the Marquis Manor. Over the past two days, the manor had been adorned with red decorations and thoroughly renovated. In just five days, it would be Qin Shuang’s wedding day. When Qin Guan arrived at the main courtyard, Hu Shi was holding Qin Shuang’s hand, showing her the dowry prepared for her. One after another, dowry chests were arranged in the side rooms of the main courtyard, each tied with large red silk flowers. Qin Shuang’s face was slightly flushed. Hu Shi added, “I’ve selected two more maids to serve as your chief attendants, along with two matrons, two stewards, and four footmen—all prepared for you. Outside, there are also two shops and two manors. With these, your dowry is truly substantial.”
Qin Shuang’s personal belongings were limited, but now the room was filled to the brim, all prepared by the Marquis Manor. And that wasn’t all—there were two manors and two shops as well. Instantly, Qin Shuang had become a woman of considerable wealth.
Seeing Qin Guan return, Qin Shuang pulled her over and lavished praise on the preparations Hu Shi had made. Hu Shi listened with great delight. After viewing the dowry, they went to see the maids and matrons assigned to Qin Shuang, deepening Qin Shuang’s heartfelt gratitude toward Hu Shi.
Though these arrangements were not even a tenth of what Hu Shi had prepared for Qin Chaoyu, Qin Shuang was more than satisfied. After seeing everything, she took Qin Guan back to her own courtyard to chat. Lately, Qin Guan had been spending more time outside the manor, and the two had fewer opportunities to be together. Qin Shuang held Qin Guan’s hand and talked for a long time until it grew late and they finally parted.
Early the next morning, Zhan Yang sent a constable with a message.
Baiying came in from outside, holding a letter. “Miss, the constable said the victim’s identity hasn’t been confirmed yet, but this letter contains another matter you wanted to know about…”
Qin Guan took the letter and read it. After just a few lines, her brow furrowed.
In his letter, Zhan Yang mentioned that Wu Yu had traveled abroad six years ago, reaching as far as the southwestern border city. At the time of the incident six years ago, Wu Yu claimed he was in Luozhou, where he had stayed for half a month exploring the landscapes. However, after so much time had passed, Wu Yu had been traveling alone, and no one could verify his whereabouts. He did mention two inns, but after all these years, would the innkeepers still remember?
Qin Guan grew increasingly suspicious of Wu Yu.
Noticing Qin Guan’s deep contemplation, Baiying asked, “Miss, shall we go to the magistrate’s office?”
Qin Guan shook her head. Her gaze shifted to the Record Collection by Shen Yi that Yue Qing had found nearby. She picked up the two volumes and held them in her palm. After a moment, she said, “Not the magistrate’s office. We’re going to the Wang Family Bookshop in the southern part of the city.”
Baiying was slightly surprised, unsure what the Wang Family Bookshop was. Following Qin Guan out of the manor, they rode in a carriage straight to the southern city. Upon arrival, Baiying realized the Wang Family Bookshop was a small shop tucked away in an alley, selling illustrated storybooks. Besides these, there were also old books, including many classics, historical texts, annotated collections, and some calligraphy and painting supplies. Likely, only local residents and impoverished scholars frequented the place to buy books or ink.
The shopkeeper was a middle-aged man dressed in plain cloth, very thin and small in stature, yet carrying the air of a scholar. Seeing new customers—elegantly dressed and accompanied by a maid—he stood up and smiled. “What would you like to buy, miss?”
Qin Guan browsed the old books on the shelves, then took out Shen Yi’s Record Collection. “May I ask, sir, who sold you this volume? Or where did you acquire it?”The bookstore owner's eyes lit up slightly at the sight of the booklet and he smiled, "This booklet was sold to me by someone else. A few days ago, a young gentleman purchased it. Right after he left, the seller came back wanting to retrieve it. Unfortunately, the gentleman had already left with the book, and I don't know his identity. That's the whole story. May I ask why you're looking for the seller, miss?"
The gentleman the owner referred to was naturally Yue Qing. Knowing her fondness for medical texts, Yue Qing went out of his way to collect them for her. The second young master of the Marquis Anyang Manor actually came to this small alley to buy books. Qin Guan sighed, "The young gentleman you mentioned is my friend. The truth is, I really like this booklet and wanted to ask the seller if he has any more like it. If so, I'd like to purchase all the others..."
Seeing Qin Guan's elegant demeanor and extraordinary bearing, the owner knew she was no ordinary person. However, he smiled regretfully, "Many ordinary folks from the neighborhood come here to sell old books. I don't recognize the person who sold this booklet—I only got the impression he lives nearby. I'm sorry, I can't help you."
Qin Guan was somewhat disappointed, "Since he sold the booklet, why did he come back looking for it?"
The owner quickly explained, "When he returned, he said he'd made a mistake in selling it—this booklet had been mixed in with the others. He said it shouldn't have been sold and only realized after returning home." The owner smiled wryly, "That day he brought many old books and didn't look through them carefully before selling..."
Hearing this, Qin Guan sighed—it seemed her timing was truly unfortunate.
Just as Qin Guan was feeling disappointed, the bookstore owner suddenly looked behind her and called out, "Hey, brother! This young lady bought your booklet and has come back looking for you..."
Qin Guan turned abruptly to see a tall middle-aged man standing at the entrance of a nearby alley. He seemed about to approach but hesitated upon seeing Qin Guan's carriage and attendants.
Though the bookstore owner's call should have prompted him to come claim the booklet, the moment Qin Guan turned around, the man immediately turned and fled. Qin Guan frowned, "Baiying, chase him—"
Baiying immediately sprang into action. After bidding farewell to the owner, Qin Guan boarded her carriage. The driver, a guard from the Marquis Manor who had accompanied her for many days, immediately urged the horses in pursuit of the fleeing man.
Inside the carriage, Qin Guan's frown deepened—
The booklet in her hand wasn't a copied version but the original manuscript. Her father had always kept this manuscript with him, sometimes writing at home, sometimes taking it to his office. On the night of the incident, their family had left in great haste, and naturally no one had brought the manuscript. Yet now, it had appeared outside. And that man—at first glance he seemed completely unfamiliar, but upon careful consideration of his features, she felt she had seen him somewhere before!
Who was he?! Was he one of the imperial guards who pursued them that night, or someone from the Court of Judicial Review?
Qin Guan's heart tightened as the carriage raced forward at high speed. The fleeing man clearly knew the area well, taking only small alleyways. The southern city's residential districts were already quite chaotic, and this route gradually slowed Qin Guan's carriage. But what the man never expected was that a maidservant could possess such formidable martial skills.After winding through the narrow alleys for a short while, Qin Guan's carriage came to a halt. Outside was a dead-end lane where Baiying stood confronting a man, whose chest bore a visible footprint—clearly kicked by Baiying.
"What do you want?! I've long left the Court of Judicial Review! That matter has nothing to do with me!"
Seeing Qin Guan's carriage arrive, the man dared not act recklessly but clenched his fists, watching them warily.
Qin Guan lifted the curtain and stepped out, her gaze settling deeply on the man. With the closer distance, she could see his features more clearly, and the more she looked, the more familiar he seemed.
He had already left the Court of Judicial Review, and that matter had nothing to do with him...
Who exactly was this man?!
Qin Guan stared intently at him. All officials of the Court of Judicial Review wore official uniforms and, if not spirited, were at least neatly and properly dressed. Yet now, though the man's features were still regular, his face was unshaven and worn with defeat. Qin Guan scrutinized him carefully, and suddenly, her eyes lit up with recognition!
She remembered! This man was a subordinate official who had once served under her father at the Court of Judicial Review. She had accompanied her father there a few times and had seen this man at least twice. Back then, he was tall, upright, and imposing, but now he looked disheveled and exuded an air of despondency, which was why she hadn't recognized him immediately.
Qin Guan surveyed him from head to toe, noticing his somewhat shabby clothing and shoes worn thin at the toes.
If he was an official of the Court of Judicial Review, why had he fallen to such a state?
"Why are you so nervous? Why did you run earlier?" Qin Guan stepped down from the carriage, deliberately adopting a solemn expression.
The man raised his chin and caught sight of the booklet in Qin Guan's hand. "You bought the booklet, so keep it. Why come back for me? Isn't it to expose me? Who are you?!"
Qin Guan smiled faintly. "You don't need to know who I am. I came back only to ask if there are any follow-ups to this booklet..."
The man's expression shifted abruptly. He continued to study Qin Guan up and down. The booklet documented dozens of cases, large and small, covering extensive content, and further on, it touched upon Prince Jin's case. This young lady clearly came from a notable background—what was her purpose in seeking the follow-up content?!
Wary, the man stared at Qin Guan and remained silent.
Qin Guan sighed. "I know this booklet was written by the late Lord Shen and is now forbidden. These people here are merely my servants. If I wanted to pursue you over this matter, I would have brought officials with me."
Seeing the man still silent and deep in thought, Qin Guan added, "I am Yongci County Princess."
At these words, the man's expression changed noticeably—clearly, he had heard of Yongci County Princess.
Seizing the opportunity, Qin Guan continued, "You must have heard of me. Lately, I've been assisting the magistrate with solving cases, but this one is too mysterious, and I haven't been of much help. So, I thought to read some crime-solving stories and accidentally ended up with Lord Shen's writings. Lord Shen's affairs are in the past now; there's no need for such alarm. My intention is simple, and I mean you no harm."
Hearing Qin Guan's explanation, the man's tense posture finally relaxed slightly.After the royal hunt, the title of Yongci County Princess became even more sensational than "Little Medicine Immortal." Initially, no one in the entire capital believed a young girl could assist the authorities in solving the Northern Wei case. Gradually, however, tales of Qin Guan aiding in corpse examinations spread far and wide, growing more detailed and credible. Most commoners came to acknowledge Qin Guan’s contributions, and he was among them.
As a former official of the Court of Judicial Review, he was naturally more attuned to homicide investigations. He had long been curious about how a young girl could examine corpses and solve cases, never expecting that this very girl would now seek him out.
Shen Yi’s case was, in fact, Prince Jin’s case, which had implicated many at the time—he himself was one of them. From a revered official of the Court of Judicial Review to his current fallen state, Prince Jin’s case was the root cause. Thus, after accidentally selling the notebook, he had been deeply unsettled. Yet Qin Guan’s reasoning persuaded him; he was all too aware of the recent frequent deaths in the capital. Pressing his lips together, the man said, "There’s nothing more after this."
His tone carried less wariness, but as he spoke, he instinctively lowered his gaze, unable to look Qin Guan in the eye.
Qin Guan immediately concluded he was lying!
"What is your name? Did you serve in the Court of Judicial Review before? If so, why are you now an ordinary commoner?"
Qin Guan asked kindly. The man glanced at her once more. "I left the Court of Judicial Review many days ago. Since the County Princess means no harm, please allow this humble one to leave…"
He made to leave after speaking, but Baiying still blocked his way, so he turned his gaze back to Qin Guan.
Qin Guan smiled faintly. "Even if you don’t tell me, I can find out. It would be better if you just said it."
Gritting his teeth, the man looked at the slight smile on Qin Guan’s face and finally lowered his eyes. "This humble one is named Zhao Xun. After the incident at the beginning of the year, I, as Lord Shen’s attendant, was dismissed and expelled from the Court of Judicial Review."
Prince Jin’s case had virtually bloodied the capital. For Zhao Xun, a mere attendant, being only dismissed was already a stroke of luck.
Qin Guan studied Zhao Xun for a long moment, then retrieved a pouch filled with silver from her sleeve.
Seeing this, Zhao Xun immediately stiffened his neck. "What does the County Princess mean by this?!"
Qin Guan chuckled and shook the notebook in her hand. "These notebooks are extremely valuable, and Lord Shen’s original handwriting is a treasure—not something that can be bought for a few coins. This is the price I’m offering, and I won’t be returning the notebook to you."
With that, she tossed the pouch over. Zhao Xun caught it reflexively, then hesitated, feeling it improper. Just as he was about to return it, Qin Guan had already turned and boarded the carriage. "Lord Shen is a senior I deeply admire. Since you were his attendant, he must have trusted you greatly during his lifetime. Live well from now on."
After Qin Guan finished speaking, Baiying also got into the carriage. The Hou Residence attendants turned the horses around, and the carriage soon vanished down the alley.
Inside the carriage, Qin Guan whispered, "Get off at the next intersection and follow Zhao Xun. Find out where he lives."
OpenNovel