Coroner's Diary

"What?! A male opera performer!"

Before Qin Guan could speak, Fuling beside her gasped in astonishment.

For a straightforward girl like Fuling, keeping a male opera performer as a lover was simply unheard of.

"A m-male opera performer... Does that mean Lu Jingcheng has a penchant for male companions?"

Fuling stammered in shock, while Baiying's expression turned complicated. Bai Feng nodded, "That's right."

Everyone was utterly astonished, yet Qin Guan remained exceptionally calm.

While the Great Zhou dynasty's customs didn't normalize male companionship, such preferences weren't fantastical tales to Qin Guan. Among the nobility, many indulged in this Path—some by nature, others for novelty—though none dared show it openly to avoid tarnishing their family's reputation.

Qin Guan found Lu Jingcheng's inclination particularly unsurprising. That day, among the erotic albums, she had unexpectedly seen several illustrations of male intimacy.

This had been quite a shock to her.

Even those who viewed erotic albums typically avoided same-sex depictions.

Noticing the heavily creased final pages—clearly thumbed through repeatedly—Qin Guan deduced Lu Jingcheng either already favored male companions or had developed an interest. This suspicion prompted her to send Bai Feng on this investigation, which now confirmed her expectations.

"Princess Consort, why aren't you the least bit surprised?"

Fuling, curious about Qin Guan's composure, received a sigh in response. "I suspected as much when I sent Bai Feng to Jianzhou City. Now it's merely confirmed. If so, Lu Suiyong's words hold truth: Plum Garden might harbor no women, but men instead. Lu Jingcheng's repeated visits to Plum Garden, each time leaving with a flushed, smiling face, likely meant secret trysts with a man. This aligns with him being murdered by a man."

Fuling's jaw dropped, realizing Qin Guan had foreseen this all along.

Bai Feng asked solemnly, "Does the Princess Consort suspect anyone?"

By now, solving this case rested largely on Qin Guan's shoulders. Fuling and the others hoped for a swift resolution to restore peace to White Deer Isle and ensure their safety there.

Qin Guan narrowed her bright eyes. "Male affairs are scorned, but given Lu Jingcheng's noble status, he could have summoned any servant to his own quarters. Choosing Plum Garden for meetings—once might be for passion, but twice or thrice defies explanation. Thus, the other party wasn't a servant. On White Deer Isle, only a few fit this criteria, yet they are his cousins—"

In such harsh winter, Lu Jingcheng wouldn't repeatedly visit Plum Garden for a mere servant. The only logical conclusion was someone of equal status—either a mutual affection or coercion. Regardless, the person must be high-born.

Lu Jingcheng, being lustful, favored beauties among women, so his male choice wouldn't be lacking. The Lu family's younger generation somewhat met this standard, but they were his own clansmen. Even if depraved, would Lu Jingcheng truly target his own kin?

Qin Guan refused to believe he was that desperate.Bai Feng understood Qin Guan's meaning and was momentarily at a loss, but then recalled another matter. "By the way, I haven't yet mentioned another matter I accidentally discovered today."

Qin Guan snapped back to attention. "Go on."

Bai Feng composed himself. "I was originally investigating where Lu Jingcheng frequents and who his companions are, but I accidentally uncovered something. Although Lu Jingcheng has visited Jianzhou City several times, mostly indulging in his own pleasures, on two occasions he brought someone else to Full Bloom Pavilion. From his favorite courtesan Hongxiu, I learned that the person accompanying him was surnamed Hu. Lu Jingcheng addressed him as Uncle Hu—a middle-aged man around forty years old. Hongxiu didn't know this man's identity, but from their drunken conversations, she gathered that he was formerly one of the supervisors at the Lu family's western mining operations. Over a year ago, he was dismissed for embezzling silver from the mines."

A sudden realization flashed through Qin Guan's mind. "A mining supervisor?"

Bai Feng nodded. "Exactly. Hongxiu said that when they were drunk, this man complained extensively to Lu Jingcheng about how harshly the head of the Fifth Branch treated veteran Lu family retainers, and even remarked that the Fifth Branch's current troubles couldn't be blamed on anyone. They discussed other matters too, but Lu Jingcheng prevented Hongxiu and others from listening. Though intoxicated, it was clear that Lu Jingcheng and this Uncle Hu shared some secret, both appearing quite tense and unwilling to let Hongxiu and the others know."

Qin Guan's heart began to pound. Lu You Xin had come to Jianzhou precisely because of the western mine disaster, and now Lu Jingcheng was secretly meeting with a former mining supervisor. Could it be that Lu Jingcheng intended to exploit the Fifth Branch's misfortune?

This thought drew Qin Guan's attention to the Fifth Branch.

She hadn't met the Fifth Branch members yet, but from Lu You Xin's descriptions, the Fifth Master was often ill, the Fifth Madame was gentle to a fault, and the Ninth Young Master Lu Jinghe was a mild-mannered scholar who started his education late and remained average—a family that had been bullied for years, surviving only through Lu You Xin's support. Would such people harbor malicious intentions?

Yet it seemed unlikely that Lu Jingcheng would conspire with his own cousins, ruling out the Fifth Branch.

Qin Guan sighed. "Go outside and send a message to my aunt, saying I wish to see her."

Bai Feng rose and left to deliver the message. Before long, Lu You Xin arrived at the Lotus Pavilion.

When Qin Guan saw Lu You Xin, she didn't mention Lu Jingcheng keeping male actors, only the matter of the Hu surnamed supervisor. Upon hearing this, Lu You Xin immediately frowned. "Could it be Hu Guangde?! He's the only supervisor surnamed Hu who was dismissed over a year ago for embezzling silver."

With Lu You Xin's confirmation, Qin Guan was almost certain. "What is this person's background? Why is he still in Jianzhou?"With this question, Lu Youxin replied, "This person is indeed an old-timer of the Lu family. About twenty years ago, when there was some trouble in the western mining industry, he was still young and just a minor foreman. Many people left the Lu family at that time, but he remained loyal and stayed with a few brothers. Later, as the mining industry gradually recovered and turned a profit, he naturally became a manager. However, having been in the mines for so long, he began to abuse his position and act improperly. Before the fifth branch took over, he was in overall charge. After the fifth branch took over, he became very disobedient to their orders. On the surface, he agreed readily, but privately he incited other managers to turn against the fifth branch. Out of respect for his seniority, Fifth Brother tolerated him many times. Later, he probably realized he couldn’t contend with the family’s masters and started embezzling money. He had been doing this for years, but it was only minor pilfering at first. However, over a year ago, he embezzled twenty thousand taels of silver meant for the Salt and Iron Commission’s taxes. How could we tolerate that? Fifth Brother reported it to me, and I ordered him to be expelled."

"Out of consideration for his years of service, we only demanded he return the twenty thousand taels and did not hand him over to the authorities. We didn’t know where he went afterward. I never expected he would end up entangled with Jingcheng!" Lu Youxin’s face showed a hint of anger, clearly indicating that Lu Jingcheng’s actions had crossed her bottom line.

Qin Guan quickly said, "Aunt, please calm down. Since this person is in Jianzhou City and we now know his background and identity, finding him should be easy. I suspect he and Lu Jingcheng were plotting something, and it might even be related to Lu Jingcheng’s death. It would be best to locate him and get to the bottom of it."

Lu Youxin nodded. "Of course, we must do that. I want to see what they were scheming. Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to find him. The Lu family has properties in Jianzhou, and since he spent many years here, he must have acquired some assets. He’s likely living here now. I’ll ask Fifth Brother to seek help from the old-timers to locate his residence. Once we find him, we’ll interrogate him thoroughly—"

Qin Guan felt reassured and asked further, "May I ask, Aunt, have there been any male visitors to the residence these days?"

Lu Youxin raised an eyebrow. "None. Not many people know I’m here because of the Lu family’s troubles. I’ve also given orders to the other branches. Jingxiu and the others meet their friends in Jianzhou City, so no guests, male or female, have ever visited here."

Qin Guan frowned, realizing that the murderer must undoubtedly be someone within the estate. "Then... has there been any resolution regarding the recent mine disaster?"

Lu Youxin sighed. "We’ve been busy these days comforting the families of the victims. Because the New Year is approaching, the prefectural office and the Salt and Iron Commission have sent word. However, the two managers who fled are still missing, making the matter quite tricky. With over twenty deaths, someone must ultimately be held accountable."

Qin Guan understood clearly: the most directly responsible parties for the mining industry were the managers. Now, some are imprisoned, while others have disappeared without a trace. If the authorities cannot clarify the situation, they will persist in targeting the Lu family. As the head of the family, Lu Youxin naturally does not want Lu Boyi of the fifth branch to be implicated. If the investigation remains unresolved, she would not hesitate to sacrifice a few managers to take the blame. After all, someone must be held responsible for the mine disaster, and Lu Youxin’s mindset is understandable and not unreasonable.

After speaking a while longer, Lu Youxin left to arrange for someone to find Hu Guangde.In the Orchid Fragrance Courtyard, Lu Jingyun hurried in from outside and spoke as soon as she entered, "Fifth Brother, Aunt has sent many people into Jianzhou City. I heard they're looking for someone, but I couldn't find out the reason. Those around Aunt are tight-lipped; even bribes didn't work."

"What about the people at the Lotus Pavilion?" Lu Jingxiu asked again.

Lu Jingyun shook her head, "I don't know. They haven't come out. The Lotus Pavilion is heavily guarded—not even a mosquito could get in! Many of the maids, guards, and servants are unfamiliar faces, clearly not from our estate. I have no idea who they are."

Lu Jingxiu narrowed his eyes, "I suspect they'll go to the Green Pine Courtyard again tonight. Let's intercept them in the yard!"

Lu Jingyun's eyes showed a mix of excitement and fear, "Fifth Brother, wouldn't that... risk provoking Aunt's wrath..."

Lu Jingxiu snorted, "Since Aunt has no intention of choosing either of us as heirs, why be so timid?!"

Lu Jingyun shrank her neck and said no more, but a faint anticipation for the evening confrontation stirred within her.

As night slowly fell, bright lamps were lit throughout the Lotus Pavilion. Qin Guan had examined the corpse and searched Lu Jingxiu's residence, so there was no need to return to the Green Pine Courtyard tonight. Yet, countless unanswered questions plagued her mind. By evening, she decided to take a walk—not to the Green Pine Courtyard, but to the Plum Garden.

Since Lu Jingcheng had chosen to meet someone in the Plum Garden at night, Qin Guan seized the opportunity to visit under cover of darkness. The garden was filled with a subtle fragrance in the night air, the frost and snow crisp and pure. Aside from the chill, it held a unique charm. As she approached the Carefree Pavilion, the surroundings grew even more secluded and silent—a perfect spot for a clandestine meeting, indeed concealing one's tracks.

Bai Feng and others accompanied Qin Guan with lamps. She halted just outside the Carefree Pavilion, amidst clusters of bamboo, the pavilion, and the plum grove—a scene of utmost elegance and tranquility. It seemed unlikely anyone would consider murder here, yet Lu Jingcheng had died in this very place. Qin Guan stood amid the plum trees, staring intently at the spot where bloodstains had been found. Layers of fresh snow had long obscured all traces from that day, making the case increasingly difficult to solve. Who had met Lu Jingcheng here that night?

As Qin Guan lost herself in thought, a faint rustling sound emerged once more from behind the bamboo grove. Drawing on previous experience, Bai Feng swiftly darted toward the source. However, in the darkness, by the time Bai Feng reached the bamboo grove, she only caught sight of a shadow fleeing into the distance and immediately gave chase. Qin Guan initially meant to follow but, after a few steps, sensed something amiss. Just then, light, brisk footsteps suddenly sounded behind her.

Qin Guan turned around and saw Lu Jingxiu standing with his sword drawn in the dim twilight.

Her eyebrows rose sharply. Lu Jingxiu, who had worn a stern expression of thinly veiled anger, stared in astonishment upon seeing her face turn toward him, followed by an unconcealed look of awe and admiration in his eyes...