After Lu Jingxiu and his companion left, Lu Youxin sat with furrowed brows. Shortly after, four servants and a coachman were brought in. There was no need for Lu Youxin to question the servants herself – Madam Huang stood nearby and got clear answers with just a few questions.

Lu Jingcheng’s death had deeply shocked everyone. The attendants entered the room trembling with fear. They answered smoothly under Madam Huang’s questioning, corroborating what Lu Jingxiu and his companion had said. After dismissing them, Madam Huang reported, “Young Miss, we’ve questioned all the male and female servants from Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Master’s courtyards. They all say neither young master got up in the middle of that night. They rose just after Fifth Watch and left shortly after getting ready.”

Lu Youxin sighed and returned to the inner chamber where Qin Wan rose to greet her. After they were seated, Lu Youxin said, “Wan’er, what do you think? I didn’t ask many questions earlier, but I noticed that both Jinxiu and Jingyun appeared very composed and calm, unlike people who had committed wrongdoing.”

Qin Wan had not only heard their conversation from the inner chamber but had also observed their demeanor through the screen. She naturally understood the situation. “I watched them carefully just now, and there were indeed no signs of lying. This significantly reduces their suspicion.”

Lu Youxin seemed troubled. “I didn’t suspect them much to begin with. Though Jingxiu can be somewhat rash, he considers himself righteous and principled. Unless acting on impulse, he wouldn’t murder his brother. The same goes even more so for Jingyun.”

Qin Wan, without preconceptions, maintained equal suspicion of everyone. After some thought, she said, “Aunt, I’d like to examine Qingsong Court. Yesterday we only examined the body but didn’t look at Lu Jingcheng’s living quarters. It’s peculiar that he visited Mei Garden every few days. I want to understand more about him and discover what he did there.”

Lu Youxin quickly nodded. “Of course you can. However, there are too many people about during the day. Should I arrange for you to go tonight?”

Qin Wan agreed. “Thank you, Aunt. Please continue restricting people’s movements in the garden these days – it will give the murderer fewer opportunities.”

Lu Youxin smiled. “Don’t worry, I maintain strict control over my subordinates. They wouldn’t dare act rashly. As for my Second Brother and his wife, they’re still causing a commotion in their rooms. I haven’t softened my stance – let them make their noise.”

Qin Wan knew about this situation. Bai Feng had mentioned that Master Lu Hongfu and his wife were confined in Qingzhu Court. Every day upon waking, they would burst into vulgar curses. Their son’s death seemed to have ignited their resentment and stripped away their last support, leaving them without restraint. They spewed all manner of foul language – with their son gone, they no longer needed to curry favor with Lu Youxin to have their son chosen as heir, so they dared say anything. In all their cursing, how their son died seemed to become unimportant.

When Qin Wan left Wutong Court, she felt somewhat disappointed. She had observed clearly that Lu Jingxiu appeared upright and handsome, speaking with confidence. Though he showed some political acumen, he certainly didn’t seem treacherous or sinister. Meanwhile, Lu Jingyun relied on Lu Jingxiu, even looking at him before speaking.

Though these observations alone weren’t enough to determine guilt, Qin Wan truly couldn’t find any suspicious points about the two.

Returning to Hanlan Pavilion, Qin Wan practiced calligraphy briefly before retiring to her warm chamber. Yan Chi still didn’t know about the murder case in Bailu Prefecture, and Qin Wan knew nothing of his situation in Qian Prefecture.

Perhaps knowing Qin Wan would worry about him, Yan Chi finally sent his first letter that evening!

The room was dimly lit, so Fuling quickly lit three lamps. Qin Wan opened the envelope on the lamplight and immediately recognized Yan Chi’s forceful handwriting showing through the paper.

The letter wasn’t long, but reading it made Qin Wan’s heart warm, stirring up the feelings of longing that had been subdued by the case these past days.

After finishing the letter, Qin Wan exhaled deeply. Seeing everyone looking at her expectantly, she smiled and said, “Things are going smoothly for now. Troops are coming south from the Northwest, led by Yu Qi. The situation in Qian Prefecture should be resolved within ten days at the latest.”

It was already mid-December, so Yan Chi’s words meant he would certainly return before the New Year.

Relieved, Qin Wan carefully folded the letter, returned it to its envelope, and stored it away preciously.

Shortly after, Madam Huang came to escort Qin Wan to Qingsong Court, where all the servants had been dismissed.

Qin Wan changed clothes and put on a cloak before departing. The snow had stopped, covering Bailu Prefecture in silver. As Qin Wan walked, the only sound was snow crunching underfoot. Upon reaching Qingsong Court, she entered directly.

Madam Huang explained, “The Second Master was causing trouble, so the Madam went there temporarily. This servant will accompany Your Highness.”

Qin Wan did not comment. Lu Jingcheng’s body was still in the room, but the cold weather helped preserve it. Madam Huang instinctively stood at the doorway, not daring to approach, but Qin Wan walked to the tall cabinet by the window as if nothing was amiss.

Madam Huang added, “Nothing in the room has been moved. Since they’d been here over a month, there are quite a few items – all Fourth Young Master’s belongings.”

Qin Wan acknowledged this and continued searching until she reached the bedside cabinet, where she discovered two books. Furrowing her brow, she opened them, only to widen her eyes and blush – they were Spring Palace picture albums!

Qin Wan had never seen such things before but immediately understood what they were. She quickly closed the books, but just as she was about to, her brow furrowed again. She reopened the spring palace albums and turned to the last few pages.

Looking at the illustrations, Qin Wan fell into deep thought.