Li Yongqi’s daughter was eighteen years old this year — the age for marriage.

Li Yongqi had originally set his sights on the eldest son of the Shi family, Shi Qian. Though Shi Qian had been widowed some years earlier, that did nothing to diminish his distinguished standing — and if his daughter married into the family, she would still be a first wife.

But Shi Qian seemed unable to let go of his old feelings and had apparently given up entirely on matters of the heart.

The second son of the Shi family was already married, leaving only the seventh son, Shi Ting. Yet Shi Ting was a son born of a concubine, not in line for prominence, with little possibility of inheriting the Commander’s position. Li Yongqi had therefore not considered him much.

In hindsight, it seemed he had underestimated this concubine-born young master. His talent was not the least bit inferior to the other two.

But by the time he realized this, Shi Ting was already engaged. Li Yongqi could not possibly let his daughter become anyone’s lesser wife, so he had dismissed the thought entirely.

“If Seventh Young Master doesn’t mind, please stay and play a few games of chess with me,” said Li Yongqi. “If my son Haotian had even half of Seventh Young Master’s bearing, I’d have nothing to worry about.”

“Commander Li is too modest — there are no weaklings in a family of generals.”

Li Yongqi set up the chessboard. “Ah, Seventh Young Master doesn’t know — well, best not to air one’s dirty laundry. Let’s just play chess.”

As for other people’s family affairs, Shi Ting naturally had no interest in prying. He focused his attention on the game with Li Yongqi.

Li Yongqi’s chess was only average — clearly no match for Shi Ting. But Shi Ting concealed his edge, deliberately winning one game and losing the next, so that in the end the two were evenly matched.

Li Yongqi found these few games thoroughly enjoyable, yet he was well aware that Shi Ting had been generous with him.

He had not previously paid much attention to this seventh young master, since the latter held no military post. But over the past few years, word of him had reached Li Yongqi’s ears more and more often, and his impression had gradually changed.

Today, meeting him in person, Li Yongqi found him not only strikingly handsome and possessed of exceptional bearing, but also with a depth of mind that was unfathomable.

Seeing the hour was late, Shi Ting rose to take his leave, and Li Yongqi personally saw him to the door.

Li Yongqi said, “It’s getting late — another day I’ll invite Seventh Young Master to come see the troops.”

Shi Ting was more than willing and agreed at once.

By the time he returned to the Wen household, it was already eleven at night. Thinking that Yan Qing had likely already gone to sleep, Shi Ting decided not to disturb her.

The next morning, as soon as it was light, Shi Ting heard people moving about outside. He got up, dressed, and opened the door.

Jin Shan was standing outside, and when he saw him he bowed slightly. “Young master.”

“What’s happened?”

Jin Shan said, “It’s about the master’s brother-in-law again.”

“They found him?” Shi Ting frowned.

Jin Shan shook his head. “Master Wen had people searching all night, and even now he hasn’t been found. The gambling dens and pleasure houses he usually frequents — no sign of him anywhere. I suspect that knowing he’d caused trouble, he went and hid somewhere.”

The matter of Mo Xiangrong did not particularly concern Shi Ting. His part was to help Wen Xu identify the thief — everything else was beyond his purview.

Shi Ting washed up and dressed, and then a servant came to invite him to breakfast.

At the dining table, Wen Xu sat there with a darkened expression. Beside him, Mo Yunhua kept her head down, not daring to breathe too loudly.

It was only when Yan Qing and Wen Yan arrived that Wen Xu’s face showed any sign of lifting. When Shi Ting appeared, Wen Xu had fully returned to his usual composure.

After the group finished breakfast, Shi Ting said he wanted to take Yan Qing out for a walk. Wen Xu agreed readily. “Ayan, you go along with them. They’re not familiar with the roads in Tai Shan.”

Wen Yan smiled. “Alright — I’ll serve as their guide.”

The three of them got ready and were about to head out when they stepped through the front gate and saw a police car come racing to a stop.

A young officer in uniform jumped out of the vehicle and ran up to Shi Ting, snapping a salute. “Director.”

Yan Qing recognized this young officer as the branch bureau inspector who had picked them up at the train station — nicknamed “Monkey.”

Getting out alongside Monkey was another familiar face — Bai Jin, of all people.

Bai Jin was wrapped in a military overcoat, bundled up tightly from head to foot. When he spotted Yan Qing, he gave her a wave.

Shi Ting explained quietly, “Bai Jin arrived two days before me — he’s here in Tai Shan on business.”

“Director,” said Monkey, his expression grave. “A male corpse has been found at Huanghai Bay. Director Li asks that you come and take a look.”

Hearing it was a case, Shi Ting’s expression became serious. “Let’s go.”

Yan Qing turned to Wen Yan: “Ayan, you head back first. I’ll go with Shi Ting to see the scene.”

Wen Yan knew they were off on official business and quickly nodded. “Then be safe, both of you.”

She unwound the scarf from her own neck and tied it around Yan Qing’s. “It’s cold by the sea — don’t let yourself get chilled.”

Once the group had boarded Monkey’s vehicle, they drove westward toward the shore.

In the frozen north, the sea stretched out as a vast expanse of white as far as the eye could see, the ice extending deep out toward the open ocean.

The incident had taken place in the Huanghai River basin area.

Early that morning, a local fisherman had been heading out onto the ice to chip a hole and fish. Looking into the distance, he spotted a figure lying face-down on the ice surface. He walked over to investigate and found someone dead on the ice — so he immediately reported it to the police.

After the vehicle reached the shore, it stopped at the edge. Everyone crossed onto the ice and walked toward the scene.

Several people were already standing there. Seeing Shi Ting approaching, they hurried over.

The lead figure was Director Li of the branch bureau, along with two investigators and a forensic officer.

“What a coincidence that Director Shi happens to be in Tai Shan,” Director Li said with a smile as he shook Shi Ting’s hand. “We’re in luck.”

As he spoke, Director Li glanced at Yan Qing. Although he did not know her, a young woman who could follow Shi Ting around was clearly no ordinary person.

“This is Yan Qing, forensic consultant to the General Bureau,” Shi Ting said, introducing her to the group.

“So this is Miss Yan — your name is well known,” Director Li immediately stepped forward to greet Yan Qing. “Miss Yan’s reputation is known to every person in our branch bureau.”

Yan Qing smiled slightly. “Director Li, you’re too kind.”

After the pleasantries, Shi Ting said, “Let me see the scene first.”

“The scene is on the ice — there are no footprints worth extracting. We’ve only cordoned off the area around it. Please follow me, Director Shi and Miss Yan.”

Not far away, a stretch of yellow police tape formed a cordon around a pale, white object at the center.

Director Li lifted the tape and, as they walked, gave an introduction: “The deceased’s identity has not yet been confirmed. We were planning to cross-reference with missing persons reports; if that yields nothing, we’ll consider posting a public notice.”

“No need for that.” Shi Ting walked up to the corpse, his brow furrowing slightly. “I know this person.”

Director Li and the others were startled.

Shi Ting was not from Tai Shan, and had only arrived in Tai Shan recently — how could he know the deceased?