Li Shimin pointed to where Duan Zhihong had rolled down earlier and said, “When I first came here, I discovered traces of something rolling down. Just now I asked the constable, and he said Feng Chunxiu’s body had many wounds similar to those caused by tree branches. Combined with the positions where the body and stone were found, I had Zhihong conduct an experiment, and the results were exactly as I suspected.” At this point, he looked at Feng Cheng and said, “What you said before was correct – Feng Chunxiu did indeed kill herself.”

Feng Cheng had only spoken carelessly before, but now that Li Shimin said it was true, he couldn’t accept it. “That’s impossible! Chunxiu was perfectly fine – she couldn’t possibly have committed suicide.”

“Not suicide, but an accident.” After a pause, Li Shimin continued, “You all saw the experiment just now. Rolling down from the mountain, one would land exactly where the stone was placed. Based on my deduction, Feng Chunxiu accidentally hit that stone while rolling down the mountain and died. No one killed her!”

Feng Cheng was stunned for a moment, then shouted loudly, “I don’t believe it! Impossible!” He pointed excitedly at Li Shimin. “You’re clearly distorting the truth and twisting facts to save Wu Meixue!”

Feng Chunming chimed in from the side, “That’s right! This trail was clearly made by your subordinate rolling down just now – it wasn’t there before.”

County Magistrate Qin said coldly, “Before Guard Duan’s experiment, Second Young Master had already pointed out to this official that there were indeed traces of something rolling down. Combined with the experimental results and the circumstances when the body was discovered, we can be certain that Feng Chunxiu died accidentally, not from deliberate murder!”

Feng Cheng refused to accept this explanation and shouted, “Even if it’s as you say, someone must have abducted Chunxiu here and then pushed her down the mountain. Otherwise, how could a woman come to such a place alone? Wu Meixue is still the murderer!”

Li Shimin said coldly, “If that were the case, there should be traces of struggle, but I looked above and found none. This proves she came here herself, and besides her footprints, there were no others up there. Moreover, Wu Meixue is even shorter than Feng Chunxiu and lacks the strength to truss a chicken – how could she possibly abduct Feng Chunxiu here?”

Feng Cheng was left speechless and weakly said, “Perhaps they conspired together, father and daughter joining forces to kill Chunxiu!”

“Sophistry!” County Magistrate Qin snorted coldly and said to the constables, “Arrest Feng Cheng and the others, take them back to the yamen for punishment.”

Feng Cheng and the others were naturally unwilling, but faced with numerous constables, they ultimately had no choice but to surrender and be escorted back to the yamen. Along the way, Feng Cheng kept cursing, saying Li Shimin and County Magistrate Qin were colluding in corruption, which angered the latter greatly. Only when someone gagged his mouth did things quiet down.

In the end, Li Feng, Feng Cheng, and Feng Chunming were each sentenced to forty lashes and fined ten strings of cash for fabricating evidence and framing others. Additionally, Li Feng was dismissed from his position as constable. As for Feng Li and the others, since there was no evidence they participated in this matter, they weren’t punished – only given a warning.

However, the identity of the person who had argued with Feng Chunxiu on the street and the reason why Feng Chunxiu went to the mountain forest were never discovered.

After leaving the yamen, Wu Laosan immediately knelt and kowtowed to Li Shimin in gratitude. Li Shimin quickly helped him up, saying, “Uncle Wu, don’t do this – please get up.”

Wu Laosan refused to rise, choking back tears as he said, “If not for Second Young Master today, my daughter would have been wrongly executed by Feng Cheng. From now on, I, Wu Laosan, am willing to serve as Second Young Master’s ox and horse to repay your great kindness!”

“Uncle Wu, you’re being too serious. Since Meixue didn’t kill anyone, I naturally had to clear her name.”

Wu Laosan insisted, “No matter what, Second Young Master is the great benefactor of us father and daughter. This kindness must be repaid!”

“It’s really not necessary, Uncle Wu. Please get up, don’t kneel anymore.” Seeing Wu Laosan still wouldn’t rise, Li Shimin looked helplessly at Yunyi. She understood his meaning and smiled, saying to Wu Laosan, “Father, if you really want to thank Second Young Master, hunt a few more pheasants. Didn’t Second Young Master say they were delicious last time?”

Reminded by her, Wu Laosan immediately said, “Yes, yes! I’ll go into the mountains right now and hunt several to give to the Governor, First Young Master, and Second Young Master.” He was about to go get his bow and arrows when Yunyi pulled him back, laughing, “It’s already dark – how can you go into the mountains? Go tomorrow instead.”

“That’s true.” Wu Laosan agreed, then hurriedly said, “Second Young Master, why don’t you come have dinner at my place? I’ll make a few of my specialty dishes for you to try.”

Li Shimin smiled, “I’ve been out for a long time today and need to return first. Also, I must tell my father about what happened at the yamen. I’ll come taste Uncle Wu’s cooking another day.”

Wu Laosan didn’t insist, saying, “Good, I’ll invite Second Young Master over after I’ve hunted pheasants.” Saying this, he patted Yunyi’s hand. “Girl, you should also go back with Second Young Master. You…” Halfway through his words, he showed an extremely complex expression. Yunyi waited for a while, but when Wu Laosan didn’t continue, she asked puzzledly, “What’s wrong?”

Wu Laosan put away his previous expression and smiled, shaking his head, “Nothing, just telling you to be careful. No matter what, you’re father’s good daughter!”

“I know, thank you, Father.” His words made Yunyi’s nose tingle slightly. How wonderful it would be if Wu Laosan really were her father.

After parting with Wu Laosan, Yunyi and Caiping followed Li Shimin back to the Governor’s mansion. As soon as they entered the gate, they saw Steward Lin waiting there. Seeing Li Shimin return, he immediately approached and said, “Second Young Master…”

Li Shimin interrupted him, “Yuxiu Pavilion, right? I’ll go there now.”

“Second Young Master misunderstands – it’s not Yuxiu Pavilion, but Songtao Residence.” Steward Lin’s words made Li Shimin’s eyes narrow slightly. Wan Shi had acted quickly, already making trouble with father in such a short time.

He said calmly, “I understand. You may withdraw.” Then he said to the two women, “It’s fine now. You two go back to Lefang. Caiping, regarding that matter, I’ll explain to Second Mother – I believe there won’t be any problems.”

Yunyi walked a few steps with Jiang Caiping, but couldn’t help worrying. She turned back and said, “Second Young Master, you…”

Li Shimin knew what she was worried about and smiled, “It’s fine, go back.” Without further delay, he took Duan Zhihong and headed toward Songtao Residence in the twilight.

Only after Li Shimin disappeared from sight did Yunyi head toward Lefang. Along the way, Jiang Caiping was very excited, chattering non-stop about how Li Shimin had cleverly solved Chunxiu’s case. Tilting her head, she said, “Although I dislike Second Young Master visiting brothel women, he’s truly formidable. In just a few moves, he forced the Feng family to expose themselves and discovered that Chunxiu died accidentally. It’s as if nothing can escape his eyes. His bearing and wisdom are so captivating.” She covered her mouth and said, “Just thinking about how Feng Cheng and the others looked when they were being flogged makes me want to laugh. So satisfying!”