Jiang Si instinctively felt that the identity of the female corpse was likely connected to Old Master Li’s family from Dayang Town.
After extracting a bit more information from the young novice, without gaining much useful intel, Jiang Si sent A-Man to fetch Old Qin.
“What are your instructions, Young Miss?” Old Qin had tidied himself up a bit. The deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, born of years of melancholy, marked him as a man with a story to tell. Yet his back was straighter than that of many men in their twenties, giving off an aura of mountain-like stability and safety.
Jiang Si believed that a man with such experiences and character could indeed be very skilled at killing, as he claimed.
With Old Qin and A-Fei around, many things became much more convenient. For instance, it would be far more troublesome for A-Man to run out and contact A-Fei compared to Old Qin.
“Old Qin, tell A-Fei to visit these places and make thorough inquiries…” Jiang Si listed the villages and towns of wealthy families whose women frequently visited the temple, as mentioned by the young novice. She emphasized, “Go to Dayang Town first.”
Old Qin saluted and turned to leave.
“Young Miss, have many other girls gone missing?” A-Man couldn’t help but ask in a low voice as she accompanied Jiang Si back to their room.
It was shocking enough that Miss Xiu’s daughter had been killed by the Marquis Changxing’s heir, but to think there were other victims—the heir was truly depraved!
“We’ll talk when we get back,” Jiang Si said calmly.
By noon, Jiang Zhan came to call them.
“Fourth Sister, the monks have brought vegetarian meals. Come and eat with us.”
Jiang Si followed Jiang Zhan to the adjacent room, only to find Yu Jin there as well.
She looked at Jiang Zhan questioningly.
Jiang Zhan smiled, “We don’t need to be so formal when traveling. Seventh Brother Yu ordered this meal. They say Lingwu Temple’s first-class vegetarian cuisine is quite famous. Let’s give it a try.”
“I’m not very hungry. Second Brother and Young Master Yu can enjoy it slowly.”
As Jiang Si turned to leave, Jiang Zhan caught her sleeve.
“Fourth Sister, not eating properly will hurt your stomach.”
Seeing Jiang Zhan’s pleading expression, Jiang Si’s heart softened and she nodded.
Jiang Zhan was delighted. He pulled Jiang Si to sit beside him, eagerly passing her chopsticks and placing a small bowl of soup in front of her. “Fourth Sister, try this vegetable soup. They say the vegetable used to be a wild herb, but it tastes so good as soup that the temple specifically cleared an area on the back mountain to cultivate it. It’s a must-try for pilgrims staying at Lingwu Temple.”
Yu Jin placed one hand on the table, his brows slightly furrowed.
Jiang Zhan had taken all the initiative in being attentive, what was left for him to do?
The way this brother-in-law doted on his sister was making things much more difficult for him.
“Second Brother, you don’t need to fuss over me. I’m not a child anymore,” Jiang Si wiped her hands and took the chopsticks.
“Come, let’s drink tea instead of wine,” Jiang Zhan was in high spirits, seeing Jiang Si willing to ease relations with Yu Jin. He winked at Yu Jin.
He knew Fourth Sister was just cold by nature; she would surely warm up to the man who had saved his life.
Yu Jin raised his teacup, smiling at Jiang Zhan.
“This tea is brewed with mountain spring water. It’s said to be another famous offering for guests at Lingwu Temple. Miss Jiang, please try it.”
Jiang Si took a small sip of tea and set it down. For Jiang Zhan’s sake, she said lightly, “It tastes good.”
“Looks like coming to Lingwu Temple was the right choice. But this place is a bit small. Why don’t we go explore the surroundings tomorrow?” Jiang Zhan suggested.
Yu Jin nodded with a smile, “Sounds good.”
Jiang Si’s foot, hidden under the table, kicked Jiang Zhan hard.
Was he her brother? Was he selling out his sister and helping count the money?
Jiang Zhan winced but didn’t want Yu Jin to notice he’d been kicked. He forced a laugh, “The tea is quite hot on the tongue.”
Yu Jin chuckled lightly, “Indeed, it’s a bit scalding. Miss Jiang, perhaps you should start with the vegetable soup to warm your stomach. Traveling is never as comfortable as being at home; we must pay extra attention to our diet.”
“Thank you for the advice, Young Master Yu,” Jiang Si responded casually. She stirred the vegetable soup with her spoon, lifted a spoonful to her lips, but then stopped.
Jiang Zhan had already drunk several mouthfuls. Seeing Jiang Si hesitate, he asked puzzled, “Why aren’t you eating, Fourth Sister? This soup is delicious.”
Jiang Si simply put the spoon down.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Zhan grew more confused. He took another spoonful, “It’s very tasty, fragrant, and smooth.”
How could Fourth Sister dislike it before even tasting it?
Jiang Si scooped up another spoonful of soup and held it near her lips, but still didn’t eat.
Now Jiang Zhan couldn’t eat either, “Fourth Sister, if you don’t like it, just eat something else. Don’t force yourself.”
Jiang Si stared at the emerald-green soup, her brows furrowing deeper. She put the spoon back in the bowl and stated firmly, “Something’s not right with this flavor.”
“What’s not right? Fourth Sister, you haven’t even tasted it yet,” Jiang Zhan was completely bewildered.
Jiang Si smiled slightly, “The smell is enough; I don’t need to taste it.”
“What exactly is wrong with it?” Jiang Zhan put down his chopsticks, losing interest in the delicacies before him.
He felt that Fourth Sister didn’t seem to be joking. Could someone have drugged the food?
Was what he ate a knockout drug or poison? Damn, it couldn’t be an aphrodisiac, could it?
Seeing the Second Young Master Jiang’s expression change rapidly, Yu Jin patted his shoulder, “Brother Jiang, let’s hear what Miss Jiang has to say.”
“Fourth Sister, was it drugged?”
Jiang Si couldn’t help but laugh, “Second Brother, where has your mind gone?”
“That’s a relief,” Jiang Zhan sighed deeply.
He had eaten the most, while Seventh Brother Yu and Fourth Sister hadn’t touched the soup at all.
“But this soup has a foul odor—” Jiang Si looked at Jiang Zhan sympathetically, but continued, “It smells like the scent of a decaying animal corpse dissolved in water…”
Jiang Zhan’s face turned pale. Seeing that Jiang Si’s expression didn’t look like she was joking, he rushed out. Soon, the sound of retching came from outside.
For a moment, only Yu Jin and Jiang Si were left in the room.
“Is there a foul smell?” Yu Jin scooped up a spoonful of soup and sniffed it, but couldn’t detect any unusual odor.
“Could it be that Miss Jiang is playing a prank on Second Brother Jiang?” Yu Jin suddenly thought of this possibility.
Had Jiang Zhan become her outlet for frustration just because he inadvertently helped him?
Jiang Si’s gaze fell on the spoon near Yu Jin’s lips. She nodded, “Mm, I was just teasing Second Brother.”
Yu Jin smiled, his lips parting slightly as if about to eat the soup.
Jiang Si watched closely but saw him put the spoon down again.
Meeting the young woman’s slightly surprised gaze, the young man smiled faintly, “I think you’re lying to me.”
Jiang Si couldn’t help but bite her lip.
The enemy was cunning, much sharper than Second Brother.
Jiang Zhan returned, leaning against the doorframe and panting heavily. It took him a while to calm down before walking over.
“Fourth Sister, you weren’t just teasing me, were you? If this is a joke, Second Brother will be angry.”
Looking at her pitiful brother, Jiang Si frowned in distress.
She wished she could say it was just a joke, but that smell was too familiar—she had smelled it not long ago.