Coroner's Diary

A flash of insight struck Qin Guan. "Your elder brother is also skilled at the qin?"

Wei Yanzhi nodded. "Yes, my brother has been exceptionally talented since childhood. Mother hired the finest qin master from the capital to teach him. As he grew older, Father said a real man shouldn't spend all his time with musical instruments, so my brother gradually set it aside. The 'Seagulls Forgetting Calculation Melody' was his favorite piece. I've heard it countless times—I recognized it from the first notes."

Qin Guan pressed her lips together. "Young Master Wei, did you know Miss Song was also skilled at the qin?"

A flicker of pain crossed Wei Yanzhi's eyes as he nodded. "Of course. Xiao Rou became interested after watching my brother practice. The same qin master taught them both—their techniques share the same lineage."

Qin Guan nodded, suddenly recalling the bite mark she'd seen on Song Rou's shoulder. The mark had been made within the last seven months. If it wasn't a coincidence, then the implications were... intimate. Song Rou had lived a sheltered life—the only men she regularly encountered were her cousins. Could it have been the Wei family's eldest son, who practiced qin with her?

"I see. I heard your brother was originally supposed to escort the bridal procession, but he broke his leg a few days prior?"

Wei Yanzhi nodded again. "Besides the qin, my brother enjoys taming spirited horses. He fell while breaking one in and injured his leg. So I came instead."

Qin Guan gave a slight nod. "Is your brother recuperating in the capital now?"

"Indeed." Wei Yanzhi sighed. "He's destined for official service. A permanent injury would ruin his prospects."

The Wei family had no hereditary privileges—their children's only path to prominence was through government service. And the Great Zhou dynasty had laws barring those with disabilities from holding office.

As Qin Guan absorbed this, Yue Ning interjected, "Today's meant for leisure. Set aside Miss Song's affairs for now—let's all relax a little."

Wei Yanzhi offered a pained smile. "I've dampened the mood."

Qin Guan's lips curved slightly. "Not at all. We understand your profound grief, Young Master Wei. We simply don't wish you to dwell too deeply—even Miss Song wouldn't want that for you from beyond the grave."

Wei Yanzhi nodded. "I appreciate everyone's kindness. Thank you."

Yue Ning blinked. "Enough of this—let's keep walking. Shall we buy lanterns up ahead?"

Qin Guan readily agreed. "As the Commandery Princess wishes."

The group continued forward. Across the lake, the melodious qin music persisted, soon joined by a woman's ethereal singing. Yue Ning remarked, "There are ordinary pleasure boats here—the women aboard usually have artistic talents but fallen circumstances. The young nobles of Jinzhou often come here for amusement."

Qin Guan blinked. "How does the Commandery Princess know such things?"

Yue Ning sniffed. "Do I look like those pampered misses who never leave their inner chambers?"

"Certainly not."

Shaking her head with a smile, Qin Guan glanced around. The taverns and teahouses lining the Lantern Market were adorned like jade palaces. As darkness fell, the multicolored lights grew more vibrant, transforming Lishui Lake into a dreamscape. With every step, Qin Guan felt increasingly suspended between reality and illusion.

"Come, let's take a closer look..."Yue Ning grabbed Qin Guan's wrist and turned to Yue Jia and the others, "Big brother surely won't enjoy these things. Why don't you take Prince Yan and Young Master Wei to the bookshop instead..."

The places Yue Ning wanted to visit were all stalls selling trinkets, along with cosmetics, jewelry, and fine silks—things that naturally wouldn't interest Yue Jia and the other men. Hearing her suggestion, Yue Jia nodded and then invited Yan Chi and Wei Yanzhi to take a different path.

Night had completely enveloped Jinzhou City, and the crowds in the Lantern Market grew thicker. Yue Ning held tightly to Qin Guan, who in turn held onto Fuling, ensuring they weren't separated by the throng. "Look, these lanterns here are delicate and unique. Would you like to buy one?"

The three of them stopped in front of a small lantern stall, its racks filled with lanterns of various designs—elegant ones depicting plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, as well as effigy lanterns shaped like birds, fish, insects, and beasts. Qin Guan's eyes swept over them before she pointed at an Orchid Petal Lantern. "This one is lovely. Which one do you like, Princess?" She then turned to Fuling. "Fuling, what about you?"

Fuling's eyes had already lit up with excitement. After looking around, she pointed at a Magpie Lantern. "Miss, I like this one."

Yue Qing rubbed his chin. "I don't want any. I don't care for these things. I'm only here to accompany you."

Qin Guan tilted her head. "Then one Orchid Lamp, one Magpie Lantern, and... one Bluebird Lantern!"

Yue Ning frowned, about to decline, but Qin Guan quickly added, "Since we're here together for the Mid-Autumn Festival garden party, Princess, you should join in the fun like the rest of us. Otherwise, it would seem we're being too presumptuous."

Yue Ning pressed her lips together but ultimately said nothing. Qin Guan took out her purse from her sleeve and paid for the lanterns, each of them holding one as they stepped away from the stall. No sooner had they left than more people crowded around it, a testament to the sheer number of visitors that day.

Yue Ning felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at the Bluebird Lantern in her hand. Among the three lanterns, this one was the most expensive. The bluebird was a divine creature from mythology, second only to the phoenix. By choosing this lantern, Qin Guan had subtly acknowledged Yue Ning's noble status and extended wishes of good fortune. Yue Ning tightened her grip on the lantern—it had been years since she'd last bought a lantern for herself.

"Hey, what's that over there..."

After taking just a few steps, they noticed another stall ahead, also surrounded by a crowd. Yue Ning focused and realized, "It's a mask stall. Look, those people in front are wearing them..."

The Mid-Autumn Festival carried sacrificial significance, making masks a staple of the celebration.

Qin Guan smiled. "Come on, let's go take a look."

It wasn't that Qin Guan was feeling particularly playful—she simply recalled a time when her father and mother had planned to take her to the Mid-Autumn Festival garden party in the capital. Compared to Jinzhou, the capital's festivities were grander and livelier. But that day, just as they were about to leave, an urgent case from the Court of Judicial Review had summoned her father, forcing him to rush to the office.

Without her father, neither she nor her mother had felt like going, and so that year's garden party never happened. Later, her father was filled with regret and promised they'd go the following year. To make up for it, he had someone buy small lanterns like these for Qin Guan, bringing a bit of the festive spirit home.However, that was the only time. For the next two years, every Mid-Autumn Festival, either her father was away on a case or the yamen was too busy with affairs. Seeing this, she naturally stopped mentioning the lantern festival again. If not for that night on the twenty-first of July, perhaps now she and her parents would be happily buying lanterns together at the festival in the capital.

Thinking this, Qin Guan had already arrived at the mask stall. The racks were hung with masks of various colors, most painted with patterns of ancient mythical beasts. Qin Guan looked at Yue Ning. "Which one does the princess prefer?"

Yue Ning pursed her lips. "I didn’t originally want one, but if you’re buying, then you can decide."

Qin Guan’s eyes flickered thoughtfully. "The princess has a free and unrestrained temperament. How about choosing the Wind Master?"

The Wind Master was one of the ancient mythical beasts, the god of wind who controlled the winds and rains of the mortal world. Qin Guan’s choice naturally suited Yue Ning’s heart. Yue Ning glanced at her sideways. "I didn’t expect you to know so much. That one, then."

Qin Guan then turned to Fuling. "What would you like?"

Fuling had no idea about these ancient mythical beasts. She shook her head blankly. "Whatever the young lady chooses, this servant will wear."

Qin Guan looked back at the masks, pausing briefly in thought. "You can wear the Three-Legged Raven!"

Fuling’s eyes lit up with delight, though she didn’t understand the meaning of the Three-Legged Raven. The mask vendor, originally too busy attending to other customers, noticed Qin Guan’s knowledgeable selection and began paying attention to their conversation. Hearing this, the vendor smiled. "Young lady, you’re quite impressive! You recognize all these mythical beasts?"

Qin Guan curved her lips slightly. "I know a little."

"You’re too modest!" the vendor said, then turned to Fuling. "The Three-Legged Raven is an auspicious bird, a symbol of the sun’s spirit, bringing joy and good fortune. I see this young lady has a round face and clear eyes—she must be simple, lively, and loyal. The Three-Legged Raven suits her perfectly!"

Fuling took the mask handed to her by the vendor, overjoyed.

The vendor then looked at Qin Guan. "And what will the young lady choose?"

At this question, both Yue Ning and Fuling turned to Qin Guan, who seemed to have already made up her mind, pointing at one of them. "I’ll take this one!"

Fuling followed Qin Guan’s finger and immediately frowned.

Yue Ning’s Wind Master had a human face and bird’s body, exquisitely painted and quite pleasing to the eye. Fuling’s Three-Legged Raven was even more splendid and ornate. But the one Qin Guan had pointed to was as large as an ox, with only a single horn and a body covered in dark, bristling fur—it looked fierce and savage.

The vendor was also slightly surprised. "The Xiezhi! The young lady actually chose the Xiezhi. Other young ladies usually pick beautiful ones like the Bluebird or the Phoenix, but you’re different. The Xiezhi can understand human speech, its eyes glaring in anger, able to distinguish right from wrong and recognize loyalty and treachery. The young lady has a delicate and lovely face, but there’s an unusual courage in your heart!"

Yue Ning and Fuling both blinked. Distinguishing right from wrong, recognizing loyalty and treachery—it truly matched Qin Guan perfectly. Qin Guan took the Xiezhi mask and handed silver to the vendor. "You flatter me. I just wanted to be different from other young ladies."

With that, Qin Guan walked away, putting on the mask as she went.With the masks on, Qin Guan instantly took on a fierce and menacing appearance. Fuling and Yue Ning followed suit, and the three of them looked at each other, bursting into laughter simultaneously. If they were to appear before the Grand Princess and Jiang Shi like this, the two would likely struggle to tell them apart without checking their clothes...

"It's starting! Quick, quick—"

Suddenly, a shout rang out in front of Qin Guan. In an instant, the already overcrowded crowd surged like a tidal wave. The three of them, holding lanterns, could no longer hold onto each other and were quickly separated by the pushing crowd. Left with no choice, Qin Guan pointed in the direction of the flow, thinking that as long as they followed the crowd, they would eventually reunite.

Qin Guan’s plan seemed simple enough, and Yue Ning and Fuling understood the signal. But soon, Qin Guan frowned—the crowd had split into two streams, and she was pushed into the other one, watching helplessly as the distance between her and Yue Ning and Fuling grew wider...