After thorough examination of the corpse to determine the actual cause of death.

If truly no cause of death could be found, then it was angering the mountain deities, and whether to continue mining might need long-term consideration.

Suzhen remembered what Sang Zhan had said earlier, knowing the people here must deeply believe in deity worship, so she asked if officials had been notified. Lian Xin said no—they wanted to handle it themselves. Lian Jie then explained that authorities generally rarely managed affairs of such ethnic groups, letting them handle things autonomously to avoid unnecessary conflicts. This place was also three days’ journey from the nearest prefecture, requiring at least five or six days round trip. However—

He sighed, saying they had still secretly sent people to report to officials, as this matter was probably not simple and quite intriguing. Officials would come secretly to prepare for contingencies.

“Is it because quite a few people in the tribe actually oppose excavating the mountains? Do you suspect someone might be deliberately obstructing?” Suzhen suddenly asked.

Everyone couldn’t help but be surprised. Lian Jie’s eyes showed slight astonishment as he immediately said: “How do you know?”

Suzhen briefly recounted the matter of Sang Zhan and the lovesick bird.

Zhu Que suddenly said: “The Sang Zhan you mentioned—could he be the candidate for next tribal elder they mentioned? Didn’t we just hear someone say this played right into the Sang family’s hands, making the Sang family head turn green with anger?”

Everyone was highly interested in discussing this, but Suzhen wanted to return to her room. After the caning punishment, her mindset had greatly changed. Previously she hadn’t understood why her father, once passionate and petitioning for the people, later willingly secluded himself in a small county, only watching indifferently when cases arose without intervening.

Now she somewhat understood.

However, since a case had occurred involving her old profession—no injuries yet sudden death, quite strange—and closely related to the Sang Zhan she’d met tonight, she stayed to hear everyone’s discussion through.

One flower, one world—this tribe was actually like a small court, a small martial world.

The person with the greatest authority here wasn’t the old man seen today, the tribal chief.

But rather the elder. The tribal chief only managed daily trivial affairs.

For major matters, the elder decided. This elder wasn’t like other tribes with several old men—here was only one person, not determined by seniority but by capability.

Before the previous elder died, he had recommended two young men from the tribe: one was Ying Yan from the Ying family, the other Sang Zhan from the Sang family.

Between them, Ying Yan was cruel in his methods, while Sang Zhan was upright and open-minded with higher popular support.

After outsiders began mining, this not particularly wealthy ethnic group was moved by thoughts of getting rich. Ying Yan supported this, Sang Zhan opposed it. Ying wanted to invite people back for large-scale surveying to excavate all mineral deposits.

Sang Zhan’s late mother was Han Chinese, and he often went out to study. In this situation, he had invited outside experts back to survey, opened one mining area, and distributed all proceeds to tribal members. After improving economic conditions, the tribe had initially quieted down, but later, at Ying Yan’s instigation, they found new mines again. Many tribal members were swayed—after all, how many people in this world mind having more money?

Nearly three-quarters supported this action. Even the Lan family, another major household betrothed to the Sang family through child engagement, stood with the Ying family after their promises.

Sang Zhan’s fiancée Lan Na also supported this measure, even quarreling with Sang Zhan over it.

This Lan Na wasn’t ordinary—if not for being female, she would also be one of the backup candidates for elder.

Tomorrow’s tribal assembly was waiting for Lan Na’s return. She was not only one of the few in the tribe proficient in medicine, but also the tribal shaman-healer.

Previously, she had been escorting her younger sister to the women’s academy in the capital. According to the journey, she should return to the tribe tomorrow.

When Zhu Que reached this point, not just Suzhen but everyone else was quite dumbfounded. Ming Yanchu said: “How do you know all this so clearly?”

“We scattered to play earlier,” Zhu Que scratched his nose, “I chatted with three girls, and under my handsome charm, I learned everything.”

Xuan Wu said: “You didn’t mention you also gave them several pieces of silver.”

Everyone laughed. Zhu Que glared at him fiercely, then continued: “We came here to vacation, didn’t expect to get involved in a pile of disputes. Though it looks exciting and fun, Master’s safety comes first—maybe we should report to him about changing locations?”

“Yes, I wanted to experience ethnic customs, not look at corpses. That person was dancing in the middle when he suddenly fell straight down—scared me to death.” Lian Xin also frowned.

“Where there are people, there are disputes. Where there are interests, there are struggles. Going anywhere is the same. Let’s stay here. Now that someone died, though they’re not our people, they’re still Great Zhou subjects. I want to see who’s orchestrating this contest and, if necessary, intervene to mediate.” A calm voice came from the corner.

Everyone looked to see Lian Yu had emerged at some point, holding a bowl of medicine.

Lian Jie nodded: “I agree with Sixth Brother.”

He spoke then suddenly frowned and stepped forward, grasping Lian Yu’s hand to check his pulse. Lian Yu stopped him, handing over the medicine: “For Magistrate Li.”

Lian Jie took the medicine and walked to Suzhen.

“Yes, Master. We’ll prepare defenses.” Ming Yanchu and the others all agreed—first because of Lian Yu’s order, second because they could see everyone had developed interest in this place. Only Lian Xin looked distressed, while Lian Qin even began lobbying everyone to place bets on who the murderer was.

Suzhen didn’t take the medicine, looking toward the dark mountains in the distance: “Your Majesty, you should return. Medicine is three parts poison—injuries will heal, but if they can’t heal, they never will. Your battlefield isn’t here. Why waste time lingering? If you miss court for one day, the ministers’ hearts will probably scatter by one part.”

Under the bright moon and sparse stars, with nearby lights everywhere and distant mountains sunk in darkness, hearing her gentle words, everyone’s hearts felt heavy. Lian Qin quickly said: “Li Huaisu, don’t misunderstand—Sixth Brother isn’t really planning to be a negligent emperor here. He hopes to use this opportunity to let Quan Feitong and the others quickly arrange everything so we can act.”

Suzhen’s brow furrowed slightly as she turned back with a smile: “So I’m your chess piece?”

Lian Jie and Ming Yanchu shouted simultaneously: “If you’re uneducated, don’t speak!”

Seeing Suzhen turn to return to her room, Lian Yu reached out to stop her but ultimately let her pass by.

“Lian Xin, go back and keep her company.”

He commanded. Lian Xin nodded obediently for once and quickly trotted after Suzhen.

Outside the courtyard, everyone was silent.

Lian Yu stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the moon. After a long time, he asked calmly: “Is everything arranged for Aluo?”

Ming Yanchu replied with lowered hands: “Already removed from the imperial genealogy. Arranged for Miss Aluo to request quiet recuperation, nominally to a temple but actually sent from the palace, provided with fields and residence to live with Madam Gu.”

“Mm, Scholar Ting Yu was also notified?”

“Yes.” This time Zhu Que replied: “Though Quan Feitong currently has some friction with Gu Xiluo, in the future if… but with Scholar Ting Yu there, Quan Feitong won’t act rashly.”

Lian Yu paused: “Seventh Brother, any news from Huo Chang’an?”

Lian Jie shook his head: “Not yet. Since the second letter, Huo Chang’an has lost contact with us.”

As his words fell, everyone’s faces showed concern, but Lian Yu only said: “Continue investigating. Also, intensify the search for Leng Xue’s whereabouts.”

“Yes!”

“All disperse for now.”

“Yes.”

“Master, why aren’t you going in yet?”

Xuan Wu didn’t move, seeing Lian Yu standing silently in the moonlight, and asked.

“Times are difficult—you must take care of yourself.” After a pause, he added another sentence.

Lian Yu smiled slightly: “In the letter she wrote me, she said she didn’t regret it, but I think if possible, it would be best if we’d never met. Then I wouldn’t have my current obsession, knowing she’s unwilling yet refusing to let go even unto death. Life isn’t easy, every path is hard to walk. Without romantic entanglements, it would be much more carefree.”

Suzhen didn’t know Lian Yu had stood in the courtyard all night, but she also didn’t sleep, remaining silent all night while Lian Xin also dared not speak much. Only at dawn did she close her eyes briefly.

Hazily, Lian Qin knocked outside, apparently calling for Lian Xin, who tiptoed out of bed and left.

When she got up, no one was left in the courtyard. She remembered what everyone had said yesterday, knowing they’d gone to the meeting place.

In the courtyard, a note was placed on the stone table with a simple sentence: medicine, soup, and food are all in the kitchen, signed Murong Six.

Even he had gone out.

Suzhen went back to her room to pack. She was leaving too.

Better not to bid farewell to Lian Xin—it would save the girl from sadness.

She had still lost to Lian Yu. She couldn’t continue dealing with him. She was very clear that she could never be with him again, yet she would still be emotionally affected by him.

This wasn’t good.

Just as she stepped out the courtyard gate, unexpectedly Sang Zhan came to visit again, with a pair of male and female servants carrying gifts.

Suzhen felt even more favorable toward this person—not for these gifts, but for his feelings toward his deceased mother. Thinking of something, she spoke: “Young Master Sang, if you truly wish to show gratitude, could you take me away from here? Just help me leave this mountain valley.”

Sang Zhan was slightly stunned by her words. Being intelligent, he glanced at the slightly open courtyard gate and asked without change of expression: “Isn’t Miss part of a large family that moved here? Why suddenly wish to leave alone?”

“I was forcibly brought by his family. Don’t let that family’s male master’s appearance fool you—he has a chronic illness, cannot perform marital duties or reproduce, and when it flares up, he’s like a madman. Finding this opportunity, I naturally want to leave.” Suzhen shook her head, speaking these words with unchanged expression.