“The servant responsible for sweeping discovered it early this morning. The lotus pond was frozen and covered in snow – remember when we last went to look? We saw the pond completely white, but this morning, there was a hole smashed in it. The ice was broken, and Liu Yuntong was floating in the icy water.” Qin Shuang spoke rapidly. Qin Wan listened with increasingly furrowed brows as they walked toward the lotus pond. Before they even reached it, they could hear voices coming from that direction.
“Pull harder, quickly—”
“Be careful not to fall in—”
Qin Wan frowned slightly and quickened her pace toward the pond’s edge.
It was the same lotus pond that Qin Wan and Qin Shuang had visited before. Now, beside the artificial mountain, the edge of the pond was crowded with both masters and servants of Qing Hui Garden. Pang Fuliang stood to one side with a dark expression, while Pang Youde directed servants to retrieve Liu Renli’s body. Qin Yan was also there with Zhou Huai, their expressions as grim as Pang Fuliang’s.
“Third Brother—” Qin Wan called out to Qin Yan as she approached his side.
Qin Wan frowned, “Now we really can’t leave.”
The previous death was Qing Qin, and while it was also a homicide case, it wasn’t as serious. But this time, the deceased was an imperial official.
This case would need to be reported to both the Ministry of Justice and the Grand Court of Justice. Moreover, it would likely reach the Emperor’s attention. Qin Yan knew his family had nothing to do with the case, but once his name appeared in the memorial to the throne, the Marquis’s mansion would inevitably become connected to this case, and no one could predict how the Emperor would react.
Although Qin Wan wasn’t well-versed in the power struggles of the imperial court, she understood the delicate nature of official positions and servant duties. Among the many cases her father had handled before, whenever an imperial official’s death was involved, it was always treated with the utmost importance.
In this world, the lives of imperial officials were indeed considered far more precious than those of common people.
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes and looked toward Pang Youde and several male servants in the distance. They had used long hooks and ropes to pull Liu Renli’s body from the pond. Liu Renli was completely soaked, with ice crystals formed on his clothes and hair. Qin Wan recognized the lake-blue robe he wore – it was the same one he had worn a few days ago. Seeing his neat attire, Qin Wan couldn’t imagine how a forty-year-old man could have fallen into the lotus pond and drowned himself.
Although the body hadn’t been examined yet, due to Qing Qin’s death, everyone harbored great suspicions about Liu Renli’s sudden death.
Even from a logical perspective, Qin Wan felt this couldn’t have been an accident or suicide.
Lowering her gaze, Qin Wan looked at the lotus pond below. This pond was different from the one in the Qin mansion. The Qin mansion’s pond had wooden corridors above it, the water wasn’t deep, and you could even see the withered lotus leaves. But the pond in Qing Hui Garden was not only deep, but it also had a two-foot height difference from the shore, with rock walls all around and railings on the shore. It seemed impossible for Liu Renli to have climbed over the railing and fallen in to drown by himself.
Of course, drowning might not have been the cause of death.
In the northern winter, snow remained unmelted, and perhaps because the withered lotus leaves and roots had been dug out in autumn when Qin Wan had come before, she had seen only a layer of clean, even snow on the pond’s surface, like a piece of pure white velvet spread over it. Now, that perfect velvet had been broken open, with cold muddy water seeping up through the dark hole, staining its surroundings.
Qin Wan noticed that the breach was on the northern side of the pond.
Pang Fuliang, standing in the northwest direction, hurried to Liu Renli’s side as soon as the body was retrieved. Pang Youde shook his head, “Master, he’s gone…”
Pang Fuliang frowned as if remembering something, “When will the Prefect arrive?”
Pang Youde quickly replied, “Should be soon, our messenger left two-quarters of an hour ago.”
This time, Pang Fuliang had reported to the authorities quickly – the deceased was Liu Renli, an imperial official, and he clearly didn’t dare delay even a moment.
“Good, don’t do anything else, just wait… wait for Prefect Wang to arrive…”
Pang Fuliang’s expression was particularly heavy as he spoke, glancing toward Qin Yan’s direction. Qin Yan stepped forward at the appropriate moment, looking at Liu Renli’s pale blue face with darkened eyes, “There seems to be something sinister about Lord Pang’s mansion.”
Pang Fuliang’s face showed bitterness, “Everything was fine before, but now…”
He continued, “Just last night I was talking with Brother Liu, then he returned to his quarters first. I went to rest after Prefect Wang left, but I never expected…”
Qin Yan sighed, “Let Prefect Wang investigate thoroughly. If the truth isn’t uncovered, Lord Pang himself won’t feel safe living here…”
“Exactly so. How could Brother Liu, perfectly fine…”
Pang Fuliang’s voice grew rough, clearly at a loss for words. First Qing Qin had died inexplicably, bringing Qing Hui Garden under the prefecture’s scrutiny and affecting its reputation. Now an imperial official had died in his mansion, making matters even worse.
Pang Fuliang looked at Liu Renli’s tightly closed eyes, his gaze filled with complex darkness.
Qin Wan followed Qin Yan a few steps, observing from afar that Liu Renli’s face was extremely pale blue, clearly having been soaked in cold water for quite some time. Without examining the body, she couldn’t determine exactly when Liu Renli had died, but just looking at the wrinkles on his skin suggested it was likely during the deep of night.
Late at night, would Liu Renli have come out by himself? Then plunged headfirst into the pond?
Qin Wan shook her head, growing more certain that something was amiss. As her gaze shifted, she suddenly noticed several somewhat awkward figures appearing on the outskirts of the crowd. They were young women of similar age, each appearing to be around twenty years old. One of them looked particularly familiar to Qin Wan. After a moment’s thought, she suddenly realized why.
Making up her mind, Qin Wan walked toward that person—
“Miss Qing Lan?”
Qin Wan called out softly, and Qing Lan, who had been looking toward Liu Renli, immediately turned her head.
Seeing Qin Wan, Qing Lan was first startled, then seemed to remember something and curtsied, “Miss Qin.”
Qin Wan showed slight surprise – that day behind the theater stage, Yan Chi hadn’t introduced her identity, so how did she know she was surnamed Qin?
Seeming to read Qin Wan’s thoughts, Qing Lan smiled slightly and said, “Everyone knows that the loyal and brave Marquis’s siblings from the capital are staying at the mansion.”
Qin Wan nodded, looking her up and down for a moment, “You seem to be doing well. That day when I saw your determined expression, I thought you might not be involved in Master Qing Li’s matter, but unfortunately, the evidence was conclusive at the time.”
Qing Lan gave a bitter smile, “With my stubborn personality, I would never admit to something I didn’t do. Fortunately, the Prefect later showed great discernment.”
Qing Lan naturally didn’t know that the Prefect’s discernment came from Qin Wan, and Qin Wan had no intention of telling her. She just looked at Qing Lan and asked, “Do you know that another of your old troupe leaders has met with misfortune in the mansion?”
Qing Lan nodded, “Of course I know. Our troupe members live in the back and usually don’t dare come to the front. It’s only because we heard there was another incident in the front today that we couldn’t resist our curiosity.”
After a pause, Qing Lan continued, “The troupe leader you mentioned would be my grandmother in terms of hierarchy. When I was first taken in by my master, my grandmother was about to retire, so I didn’t have many chances to meet her. Later, I only saw her twice in Yuzhou.”
Perhaps because Qin Wan seemed kind, Qing Lan couldn’t help but say more.
Qin Wan raised her eyebrows slightly, “Yuzhou? Did you often meet there?”
Wanting to learn more from Qing Lan, Qin Wan took a few steps to the side. Seeing this, Qing Lan followed and said, “Not really, just once a year, here at Qing Hui Garden. Lord Pang greatly supported the Shuang Qing Troupe, I heard it was a friendship from our grandmaster’s time. Every year-end, Lord Pang would book our entire performance, and when we came, the grand master would sometimes come too. She would bring my master to have a small gathering with Lord Pang and Liu Yuntong.”
“Did Liu Yuntong come every year?”
Qing Lan shook her head, “Not every year, but three or four times in total.”
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed, “In the past three years?”
Qing Lan thought for a moment, “No, the last time was three years ago.”
It made sense that Liu Renli hadn’t returned to the capital for three years while serving as Salt Transportation Commissioner in the Two Lakes region. However, before that, Liu Renli had always held posts in the east. Why would he travel to Yuzhou at the end of each year?
These people’s relationships seemed far from ordinary.
“Have you heard anything about your grandmother’s affairs?”
As soon as she asked this, Qing Lan’s expression became troubled, as if there were something she found difficult to discuss.
Qin Wan smiled gently, “It’s alright if you’d rather not say.”
Qing Lan quickly shook her head, “No, it’s not that I can’t say, it’s just that my master seemed to dislike that grandmaster…”
Qin Wan raised her eyebrows, and Qing Lan continued in a lower voice, “Please don’t laugh, but only the first generation’s two troupe leaders in Shuang Qing Troupe were truly like sisters. After that, factions and conflicts inevitably arose. We younger ones weren’t familiar with that grandmother, but she was the first troupe leader to abandon her position to marry. This naturally led to gossip. My master disliked her, saying she was a traitor to the troupe, and forbade us from speaking of her.”
What Qing Lan said made sense. If Qing Li truly believed in the Shuang Qing Troupe’s principles, she would naturally dislike Qing Xi, who had left the troupe to marry. Qin Wan nodded, “Did you know about what happened to your grandmother?”
Qing Lan hesitated for a moment before nodding, “Yes…”
Seeing Qing Lan’s hesitation, Qin Wan asked, “What is it?”
Qing Lan thought for a moment, “Long ago, I overheard my master and teacher discussing it. I didn’t hear clearly, but I remember the teacher forbade my master from mentioning what happened to the grandmaster. It seemed both master and teacher disliked her.”
Qin Wan took note of Qing Lan’s words, and then asked, “Do you know if your teacher had any other old acquaintances?”
Qing Lan looked slightly surprised, “The Prefect asked this same question last night.”
Qin Wan smiled, and Qing Lan continued, “I don’t know. I’m a generation removed from the teacher, and besides, most people who join theater troupes come from humble backgrounds. Even I have no family left. From the teacher’s generation, apart from that grandmother, only her disciple might have known my teacher. However, when the grand-master left the troupe, she took her disciple with her. There was no news of them until we heard about what happened to the grandmaster’s family.”
Qin Wan felt puzzled. Yesterday, Yan Chi only mentioned what happened to Qing Xi’s family but didn’t mention her disciple. Qin Wan made a mental note to ask Yan Chi about this later.
Just as she was thinking this, a commotion arose. Qin Wan turned to see Wang Huaiyu approaching from the south with his yamen officers, followed by Yan Chi and Yan Li. Yan Li was saying something while Yan Chi slowed his pace to listen—
“Prefect, you’ve finally arrived.”
Pang Fuliang hurried forward to meet him, “What should we do about this?”
Wang Huaiyu had already heard about Liu Renli’s death, but seeing it in person still shook him. Liu Renli was dead, dead within the Pang mansion and his jurisdiction of Yuzhou city.
“How was he discovered?” Wang Huaiyu clenched his fists.
Pang Fuliang glanced at Pang Youde, who quickly stepped forward and said, “The servants responsible for cleaning discovered him while passing by this morning.”
Wang Huaiyu stepped forward to examine Liu Renli’s body, then turned to look at the lotus pond.
“In what position was Official Liu when discovered?”
“He was face down, almost completely frozen. After people were called, and the master came, we used hooks and ropes to pull Official Liu out, but he was already dead.”
Wang Huaiyu frowned, “Were there any suspicious people nearby?”
“No, it was barely dawn at that time.”
Wang Huaiyu took a deep breath, feeling both anxious and frustrated. Qing Qin’s case was still unsolved, and now Liu Renli was dead. While Qing Qin’s case didn’t require immediate resolution, Liu Renli’s death would draw attention from the imperial court. A delay of ten days or half a month might be acceptable, but if the case remained unsolved, it would significantly impact his annual performance evaluation.
As they spoke, Yan Chi and Yan Li approached together. Everyone around bowed in greeting. Yan Chi waved his hand and walked to Liu Renli’s side. His expression was particularly grave, and after looking at Liu Renli for a moment, he said, “We need to examine the body. He might not have drowned. We’ll only know after an examination.”
Wang Huaiyu quickly said, “But the yamen’s coroner hasn’t returned yet.”
Yan Chi turned, his gaze accurately finding Qin Wan among the crowd.
Wang Huaiyu followed Yan Chi’s gaze and smiled wryly, “We can only ask Ninth Miss for help.”
Qin Wan walked toward Yan Chi, who said gently, “The yamen’s coroner hasn’t returned yet, I’m afraid we’ll need your help again.”
Qin Wan nodded, “I’m duty-bound to help. Where shall we conduct the examination?”
The onlookers were startled by her words. Wang Huaiyu impatiently glanced at them, “Everyone here, go downstairs. I’ll question you one by one later.”
His tone softened as he added, “Can we find an empty room for Ninth Miss?”
Qin Wan nodded, and Wang Huaiyu quickly turned to Pang Youde, “Find an empty room and move the body there.”
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan and asked, “Will you need to perform an autopsy?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “Not if we’re only determining the cause of death.”
After they exchanged a few brief words, an empty room was prepared and Liu Renli’s body was moved there. The yamen officers went to question the servants, while Yan Chi and Wang Huaiyu followed into the room. Yan Li hesitated eagerly at the door, but Yan Chi gave him a look and closed the door without another word.
Yan Li made some whining sounds outside but didn’t dare push the door open.
Last time, he had nearly vomited from the stench of decay, let alone watching Qin Wan perform an examination. If he encountered any sights or smells beyond his comprehension again, he might lose his composure…
Inside the room, Qin Wan rolled up her sleeves and began removing Liu Renli’s clothes.
The previous examination had been of a woman, but this time it was a man, and not just any male corpse, but a fresh one. Due to the cold water immersion, Liu Renli’s body was only slightly pale blue, with barely any lividity showing. Therefore, once his clothes were removed, it was almost like looking at a normal male body…
Wang Huaiyu had never seen a female coroner examine a body and worried that Qin Wan might hesitate with a male corpse. However, seeing her efficiently strip Liu Renli bare, he unconsciously widened his eyes. While he felt no embarrassment looking at Liu Renli’s body himself, Qin Wan’s presence made him somehow uncomfortable. Yet Qin Wan maintained a composed and solemn expression, leaving Wang Huaiyu amazed once again.
The previous examination of Qing Qin had involved not only opening the body but also removing stomach contents—a bloody scene indeed. This time, examining a male corpse presented its awkwardness, yet Qin Wan’s gaze remained as careful and detailed as if examining an object. To his knowledge, Qin Wan would only turn seventeen after the New Year. How could someone so young maintain such composure?
Liu Renli was placed on a long table. After removing his clothes, Qin Wan began checking for external injuries. As she conducted her detailed examination, Yan Chi stood nearby and spoke, “Has Prefect Wang found any information about Senior Sister Qing Qin?”
Wang Huaiyu suddenly came to his senses, “Her senior sister? Oh, yes, yes, I was planning to tell Your Highness today. I received some bad news—Qing Qin’s senior sister died fifteen years ago, and… it was in a major case. Your Highness might have heard of the gold robbery case in Meng County to the west fifteen years ago. At that time, the West was preparing for war, and that gold was meant for military pay. At that time… the Shuo Xi Army and the Northern Prefecture Army were in the west, with the Rui Prince serving as the commander of the Shuo Xi Army!”
Yan Chi nodded, “What else?”
Wang Huaiyu was surprised, “That’s all. Qing Qin’s senior sister is dead, so this lead is a dead end.”
“Did Prefect Wang find out how Qing Qin’s senior sister died?”
This question immediately stumped Wang Huaiyu, who looked troubled, “I haven’t had time to investigate that yet, but I vaguely remember there was a great fire…”
“It wasn’t a fire.” Yan Chi’s voice deepened slightly, and then he looked toward Qin Wan, “Let’s wait for Ninth Miss to finish her examination.”
Qin Wan was still examining the body, and Yan Chi wanted to wait until she finished before sharing his news.
Meanwhile, Qin Wan quickly gathered the most crucial information, “Liu Yuntong’s abdomen is distended, there are sand particles around his lips, teeth, and throat, and no other fatal wounds elsewhere. We can conclude he drowned.”
At these words, Yan Chi’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Qin Wan continued, “There’s a purple bruise on his abdomen, likely from falling onto the pond’s ice. Additionally, Liu Yuntong has very thin ligature marks on his neck and both wrists. While not fatal, they’re strange—they don’t seem like restraint marks… I’m not sure how these injuries were inflicted. The time of death was between the hours of Yin and Mao last night. Besides these, I haven’t found anything else notable, except for two old scars that are too old to conclude from.”
With the cause and time of death determined, Wang Huaiyu nodded and looked at Yan Chi. Having heard Yan Chi’s earlier words, Qin Wan also looked at him, “Has Your Highness found some clues?”
Yan Chi spoke solemnly, “News arrived this morning about the gold robbery case from back then. Besides the disappearance of fifty thousand taels of gold, General Zhang’s entire family was tortured to death…”
Qin Wan was startled, and Wang Huaiyu also looked at Yan Chi in shock.
Beyond the shocking news itself, Wang Huaiyu was surprised that Yan Chi had already investigated the old case. Yan Chi had obtained information faster than him and had already thought about Qing Qin’s senior sister, making him feel somewhat ashamed.
“Tortured to death?!” Qin Wan had thought Qing Xi’s family had all died in a fire.
Yan Chi nodded, “The case files are kept in Yunzhou, north of Yuzhou. The message came by carrier pigeon, so it’s not very detailed, but the main points are clear. When Qing Xi left, she took her disciples with her. After marrying General Zhang, she had a son and a daughter. Though their bodies were found in the fire scene, they weren’t completely burned. The family… Qing Xi was strangled to death, the children were drowned, General Zhang died from an arrow wound, and there’s no mention of what happened to Qing Xi’s disciple—presumably burned to death in the fire.”
Qin Wan had been about to ask Yan Chi about the fate of Qing Xi’s disciple but hadn’t expected such an outcome.
If it was just a robbery, why torture them to death?
As she pondered this, a sudden realization struck Qin Wan, “Wait, you said one was strangled, two were drowned, and one was shot with an arrow?!”
Standing beside Liu Renli’s corpse, it wasn’t the body that frightened her, but Yan Chi’s news that sent chills down her spine. “Qing Qin died by hanging, which is essentially strangulation, and Liu Yuntong was drowned. And Qing Li… wasn’t Qing Li killed by an arrow?”
Yan Chi’s expression was dark but unsurprised, clearly having made the connection when he received the news. In contrast, Wang Huaiyu beside him was far more startled, “Ninth Miss means… means these two cases are connected?”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes and turned to Yan Chi, “I remember Your Highness mentioned that before the gold robbery case, the commander in charge of escorting the military pay used a diversionary tactic. I asked then if someone had leaked the information, but now I have a different theory. Could someone have learned about the diversion through family or old relationships with the escort team? Then used these relationships to rob and murder them when they were completely off guard. There were soldiers disguised as servants in the escort, and they all died at the post station. If it had been a bandit raid, they couldn’t have left no traces.”
A dark light flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes, showing he had reached the same conclusion.
Wang Huaiyu looked between Qin Wan and Yan Chi, his eyes as wide as copper bells…
First Qing Qin died, then Liu Renli, an imperial official, and now it was connected to an unsolved case from fifteen years ago. Wang Huaiyu felt as if an invisible mountain had suddenly pressed down on his shoulders. If what Ninth Miss said was true, this case was extraordinary. If he could solve the gold robbery case, then…
Wang Huaiyu’s eyes showed both hesitation and excitement as he took a deep breath and said, “Ninth Miss makes sense. We previously thought Qing Li’s death might have been accidental, but with three deaths matching the methods from fifteen years ago, it can’t be a coincidence. It seems more like someone has returned for revenge.”
Having said this, Wang Huaiyu convinced himself of this theory, “It must be! It must be so! Otherwise, why would Qing Qin die as soon as she arrived? And I found the relationship between Lord Pang, Qing Qin, and Liu Yuntong strange. Could one of them be connected to the events from back then?”
Yan Chi looked at Wang Huaiyu, “Qing Qin, Pang Fuliang, and Liu Renli were all from Dingzhou.”
Wang Huaiyu was surprised again, “Your Highness has investigated so thoroughly, I’m truly humbled… Since they’re all from Dingzhou, that’s even closer to Mengzhou. Although the military pay escort was supposed to be secret, by the time they reached Dingzhou territory, everyone knew about it. This makes it even more likely.”
Yan Chi spoke steadily, “This is one direction. Prefect Wang should continue investigating as before, without revealing that we’ve connected it to the old case. If it truly is related, then someone who knows the inside story from back has returned for revenge. Secretly, we must guard against what the killer might do next.”
Wang Huaiyu quickly agreed, and this time his reaction was swift, “The case from fifteen years ago had four different methods of death. We’ve seen three so far, so the last one would be fire. Could the killer’s next move be arson?”
Wang Huaiyu looked between Yan Chi and Qin Wan, who exchanged glances. Yan Chi nodded, “That’s certainly possible, and if this matter is truly connected, it’s likely linked to Pang Fuliang. He might be the killer’s next target.”
Wang Huaiyu had thought the case was becoming impossibly complex, but seeing Qin Wan and Yan Chi present, he felt strangely energized. His eyes lit up as he said, “Right if Pang Fuliang is truly connected to the previous case, might he have noticed something amiss by now? Would he be taking precautions?”
Yan Chi’s expression lightened slightly, “Prefect Wang can test this.”
Wang Huaiyu thought for a moment, “Good, I know what to do…”
……
……
The door opened, and Wang Huaiyu strode out. As soon as he emerged, Yan Li rushed forward, “Prefect Wang, how is it?”
Pang Fuliang and Pang Youde were waiting outside, along with Qin Yan. At Yan Li’s question, all three looked at Wang Huaiyu, who wore a pained expression, “Liu Yuntong was indeed drowned. We need to investigate whether he fell in, was pushed, or if something else happened. However, Liu Yuntong wouldn’t have just fallen in for no reason.”
Not only Wang Huaiyu, but everyone else thought the same—this was most likely murder.
“This is too strange. Qing Qin’s death could be explained by someone having a grudge against her, but why did Liu Yuntong die too? Who would have a grudge against him? There are only so many people in the Pang mansion…”
Yan Li spoke puzzledly, then turned to look at Pang Fuliang. As the mansion’s owner, Pang Fuliang would have the most opportunity to do something unseen, but on the other hand, why would he kill people in his own home?
Seeing Yan Li’s suspicious look, Pang Fuliang could only smile bitterly, “Your Highness, I don’t know what’s happening either. This mansion was peaceful before, but suddenly…”
Wang Huaiyu stepped forward, “Once the case is solved, Lord Pang should invite a master to cleanse the mansion of evil spirits. Now three people have died in different ways, it’s truly…”
Pang Fuliang was startled, “Three people died?”
“Qing Li.” Wang Huaiyu frowned, “We originally thought Qing Li’s death might have been accidental, but last night we found new clues suggesting she was murdered.” He gave Pang Fuliang a strange look, “Although Qing Li didn’t die in Qing Hui Garden, she did live here. Lord Pang should think carefully about this.”
Pang Fuliang seemed momentarily at a loss for words.
Wang Huaiyu looked at him for a moment, “Let’s go check Liu Yuntong’s quarters.”
Inside, Yan Chi had heard everything Wang Huaiyu said outside, and he found himself developing a bit of admiration for this rough-mannered prefect. Qin Wan, who was washing her hands in a corner, also commented, “Prefect Wang is quite clever.”
Yan Chi gave a short laugh, “At his position, one must be.”
The door was wide open, and Yan Li could burst in at any moment, so Yan Chi could only look at Qin Wan. As she finished washing her hands and turned around, she met Yan Chi’s deep yet bright eyes. She froze, her heart skipping a beat. As they gazed at each other, a shadow suddenly appeared at the door—it was Qin Yan entering.
“Ninth Sister, what’s wrong?”
Qin Wan casually dried her hands, “Just finished washing up.”
Yan Chi smoothly turned toward the door, and Qin Wan followed. As they exited, Yan Li immediately approached, looking Qin Wan up and down. Puzzled by his behavior, Qin Wan asked, “What is it, Your Highness?”
Yan Li let out a long sigh, “Ninth Miss is truly remarkable.”
Qin Wan laughed, “Your Highness flatters me.”
“No flattery at all.” Yan Li looked as if he wanted to circle Qin Wan, “I’m just curious how Ninth Miss learned such miraculous medical skills, even being able to examine corpses?”
Qin Wan smiled, “Is Your Highness interested in studying medicine?”
Yan Li’s eyes lit up, “Actually, I am considering it. Would Ninth Miss take on a disciple?”
Qin Wan had only meant to divert Yan Li’s curiosity, as the closer they got to the capital, the more taboo the name “Shen Yi” became. However, hearing Yan Li mention taking disciples, she could only smile wryly, “How would I dare…”
Yan Li was just getting interested and wanted to tease Qin Wan more when he suddenly felt a rather pressuring gaze fall on him. He coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject, “Prefect Wang has gone to investigate Liu Yuntong’s quarters, would you like to go take a look?”
By “you,” Yan Li meant Qin Wan, Qin Yan, and Qin Shuang.
Qin Yan nodded, “Very well, we don’t know if Prefect Wang might have questions for us.”
Thus, after Yan Chi instructed the yamen officers to guard Liu Renli’s body, he led Qin Wan and the others to Liu Renli’s quarters. Wang Huaiyu had gone ahead, and when Yan Chi and Qin Wan arrived, they heard him questioning Pang Fuliang.
“You didn’t know Liu Yuntong was preparing to leave, Lord Pang?”
Pang Fuliang smiled bitterly, “Brother Liu did mention leaving, but didn’t specify when…”
Wang Huaiyu frowned, “He was preparing to leave but died in the lotus pond? And how do you explain this bundle found outside your courtyard?”
Hearing footsteps, Wang Huaiyu turned to see Yan Chi enter, and pointed to a bundle in the room, “Your Highness, look, Official Liu had packed his belongings, seemingly planning to leave in a day or two. However, this bundle was just found outside Lord Pang’s courtyard… We’ve checked it, his official seal is inside, it’s Official Liu’s bundle.”
Pang Fuliang smiled helplessly, “Prefect, I spent the entire night in my quarters and only came out this morning. I truly haven’t seen Brother Liu, and I know nothing about this bundle.”
Wang Huaiyu gave a half-smile, “Could he have been trying to sneak away? Then dropped his bundle without noticing?”
As Wang Huaiyu was speaking, Yan Li suddenly said, “What’s this?”
Having just entered and seen the bundle, Yan Li was the first to step forward to examine its contents. As he looked through it, he found a round scroll or rather something like a bamboo tube. He picked it up to show everyone and somehow pressed something that caused the tube’s lid to open, and a stack of papers fell out with a rustle.
Everyone looked on in shock.
What fell out of the bamboo tube was a large stack of bank notes…