Bai Jin said, “After Yin Minghui’s death, Captain Liu Yin immediately placed the inner courtyard of the Shi Mansion under control, forbidding any unrelated persons from entering or leaving. Once we arrived, the very first person we wanted to find was this Xue Tao. According to the Shi Mansion staff, when Yin Minghui came to the mansion, she had brought two maids with her. But one of them was from the Qian Family, and so she left after only a few days. The only maid who truly remained to serve her was this Xue Tao.”

Yan Qin nodded. “At the beginning, Yin Minghui did indeed have two maids beside her. That one returned to the Qian Family not long after.”

“We searched Yin Minghui’s quarters several times but could not find the maid called Xue Tao. I checked her room and found that all her belongings were gone.” Bai Jin said. “Not only were her own things gone — the banknotes and valuables that Yin Minghui had brought when she came to the Shi Family were also missing. This Xue Tao didn’t just flee — she cleaned out all the money and valuables as well. If she had nothing to do with Yin Minghui’s death, why would she need to run?”

Shi Ting gave a nod of agreement. “This Xue Tao is a prime suspect. Even if she’s not the killer, she must know the truth behind Yin Minghui’s death. Bai Jin, take Zheng Yun and have men seal off all the major stations and transit points in Shun Cheng. Post a reward. Search the entire city.”

He thought for a moment. “Look into Xue Tao’s background. Find out whether she’s from Shun Cheng or whether, like Yin Minghui, she came from Hai Cheng. No matter where she’s from, she must have family. Once her family is found, keep them under close watch. I believe she will find a way to go home.”

“Understood.” Bai Jin gave a salute and turned to leave with broad strides.

After Bai Jin departed, Shi Ting looked at Yan Qin, who had already changed her clothes. “Let me take you home. You’ve been on your feet for several hours — you must be exhausted.”

“It’s all right. I’m used to it.” Yan Qin said. “You’re going to the scene, aren’t you? I’ll go with you.”

Shi Ting had originally planned to let her rest, but seeing that her bright eyes were still full of energy, he gave a slight nod. “All right.”

The two returned to the artificial lake where Yin Minghui’s body had been discovered. By now the lakeside had been cordoned off with police tape, and the crowd of onlookers had long since dispersed.

In a wealthy household like this, deaths among servants happened often enough, and sometimes even a young mistress would throw herself into the lake. The standard procedure was to report it to the Military Police Division and then arrange the funeral rites.

Shi Ting lifted the police tape and stepped inside. Underfoot was dry, slightly damp withered grass. On such a surface it was very difficult to find any traces of value.

The scene had already been carefully searched several times by Bai Jin and the others. Whatever traces could be found had already been found.

Shi Ting stood on the bank and looked for a moment, then suddenly removed his shoes and outer coat, and walked slowly into the lake.

“Be careful.” Yan Qin knew what he intended. She quickly stepped to the side and called out with concern.

“It’s fine.” Shi Ting moved his arms and shoulders as he walked.

The lake water was very cold. When Shi Ting stepped in, the icy water swiftly enveloped his skin — a relentless chill that cut through without mercy.

By the time he reached the spot where Yin Minghui’s body had been found, the water had risen past his thighs.

Seeing this, Yan Qin hurried back to Shaolan Courtyard and fetched a thick cloak.

By the time she took the cloak and returned to the lakeside, Shi Ting had already been bent over, searching in the water for a long while. Except for his back, his clothing and trousers were entirely soaked through. The cold lake water had saturated his clothes, the chill like a blade cutting across his skin.

Yet his eyes were unyielding, as though he felt nothing at all — focused solely on his search.

“Why don’t you come up and warm yourself a little?” Yan Qin’s heart ached for him. She couldn’t help but urge him on.

“It’s fine. When I was abroad, I often went winter swimming.” Shi Ting reassured her. “I’m used to it.”

Yan Qin had always admired those who went winter swimming. Whenever she stood on the beach bundled in a heavy padded coat, those winter-swimming enthusiasts would plunge into the water wearing nothing but swim trunks. Even just watching them left her shivering with cold.

Just when Shi Ting had thought there would be nothing to find, his fingertips suddenly touched something hard. He pinched it lightly and drew it up from the water.

It was a small, delicate ring with a diamond set in the center.

Yan Qin’s eyes lit up with delight. “I know this ring. It’s Xue Tao’s.”

“Xue Tao could wear such a fine ring?” Shi Ting’s first instinct was that it belonged to Yin Minghui.

“I’ve seen this ring on Xue Tao’s hand,” Yan Qin said. “It’s a small pale pink diamond of unremarkable quality.”

Xue Tao must have deceived Yin Minghui into thinking it was fake. Someone like Yin Minghui was the easiest kind to fool.

Shi Ting examined the small ring in his hand — the band was visibly bent, clearly having been wrenched off by force.

“This must have been torn from Xue Tao’s hand by Yin Minghui in the struggle.” Shi Ting frowned. “She may have tried to hold onto this ring as evidence to identify Xue Tao — but after losing consciousness, the ring slipped from her hand and fell into the lake.”

“Come up first.” Yan Qin urged. Every additional second he spent in that water felt like her heart being squeezed tight.

Shi Ting waded through the water to the bank. Yan Qin quickly stepped forward and wrapped the cloak around his shoulders. “I already had Jing Zhi brew some ginger water. Go back and take a bath and change your clothes quickly. The matter of the ring — we can discuss it once you’re done.”

Shi Ting looked at her. His gaze suddenly became impossibly tender, filled with a smile he couldn’t conceal.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Yan Qin was suddenly unsettled by his gaze. “Do I have flowers growing on my face?”

Shi Ting shook his head and reached out to pinch her cheek. “Before, no matter what I did, I did it alone. Whether baking under the summer sun or soaking in cold water in winter, no one worried about me. Now, whatever I do, there is someone to be concerned. No matter how late I come home, there is always a lamp waiting for me. Qingqing — thank you for giving me a shore I can look back to, a home I can call out for and return to.”

Hearing his words, Yan Qin’s eyes grew moist — but she didn’t want him to see that she had been moved. So she said with a feigned reproach, “Your hands are freezing cold, and you’re still pinching my face.”

Shi Ting smiled. “Then let’s go back.”

When Shi Ting returned to the courtyard to bathe, Yan Qin sat studying the ring carefully.

Xue Tao’s sudden disappearance, combined with the discovery of Xue Tao’s ring at the spot where Yin Minghui had entered the water — all the clues seemed to point toward Xue Tao.

But why would Xue Tao want to harm Yin Minghui? Following Yin Minghui was like a fly clinging to a piece of meat — as long as Yin Minghui did not fall, she had an inexhaustible source of benefit. There was absolutely no reason for her to cut off her own lifeline.

As Yan Qin was thinking this through, she heard Jing Zhi’s voice coming from outside. “Young Madam, the Madam is here.”

Before Jing Zhi had finished speaking, Qian Lan had already entered the courtyard.

Qian Lan had red circles around both eyes, clearly having just been weeping. To any outsider, this aunt had been heartbroken over Yin Minghui’s death.

“Yan Qin, I hope I’m not interrupting.” Qian Lan said apologetically. “I’ve been troubled about Minghui’s affairs and can’t settle my mind. I wanted to come and ask — how are things going with Minghui? Has Xingzhi found any clues?”

Yan Qin looked at Qian Lan’s grief-stricken face, trying to find some telltale sign that might connect Yin Minghui’s death to her.

But although Qian Lan’s grief was an act, when speaking of Yin Minghui, she showed no sign whatsoever of a guilty conscience.

Qian Lan’s reaction could only indicate two things: either Yin Minghui’s death had nothing to do with her; or her acting ability had reached a consummate level of mastery.

But like Xue Tao, Yan Qin could not see any motive for Qian Lan to harm Yin Minghui. This woman was always cautious in everything she did. She would not do things that were to her own detriment. Killing Yin Minghui was of no benefit to her whatsoever.

“Please sit, Madam.” Yan Qin walked to the table and personally poured tea. “Could Madam describe in detail the situation when Miss Yin had dinner with you last evening?”

Qian Lan sat down and said, “For these past few days, Minghui has been having dinner at my place every evening. Yesterday she didn’t want to come — I had someone call her over. The Commander was also there. Because of that previous incident, the Commander and I had both been feeling guilty. The Commander promised Minghui he would find her a good match. Minghui seemed quite pleased when she heard that. Even when she left, I noticed nothing unusual about her. So I simply cannot understand why she would take her own life.”

Hearing Qian Lan’s account, Yan Qin became increasingly convinced that Qian Lan had nothing to do with Yin Minghui’s death.

If Yin Minghui truly had been killed by Qian Lan, Qian Lan could easily have fabricated a reason to claim Yin Minghui had been in low spirits — that would have made the conditions for suicide seem plausible.

But Qian Lan kept insisting Yin Minghui’s mood had been perfectly fine. An ordinary criminal would not expose themselves this way.

“When Miss Yin departed, was her maid Xue Tao present?”

Qian Lan thought for a moment. “That maid was with Minghui throughout dinner. After dinner, she was the one who carried the lantern and escorted Minghui away. Oh yes — I heard that maid has disappeared. Is it true?”

Yan Qin nodded. “Do you know Xue Tao’s hometown, Madam?”

“Her hometown is in Hai Cheng. She came to Shun Cheng together with Minghui.” Qian Lan asked with suspicion, “Could Minghui’s death have something to do with this Xue Tao?”

“Since Xue Tao has now disappeared, it cannot yet be confirmed that she is involved.” Yan Qin had no desire to reveal too much about the case to Qian Lan.

At this moment, from the bathroom inside came a low, resonant, masculine voice. “Qingqing, bring my clothes over — I forgot to take them.”

Yan Qin immediately stood up. “My apologies. He’s always so absentminded. Let me go and come back.”

Qian Lan smiled graciously. “Then I won’t disturb you further. If there’s any news, please have someone let me know — it would help me give Minghui’s family an account.”

“Certainly.” Yan Qin had Jing Zhi see Qian Lan out.

As Qian Lan left Shaolan Courtyard, her expression immediately grew somewhat dark. Xique, walking beside her, dared not even breathe loudly.

In other people’s eyes, Qian Lan was gentle and virtuous. But only she knew how unpredictable Qian Lan’s temper truly was.