When Ning Buyi opened his eyes, he saw someone wearing an official Yamen uniform sitting by his bed. Tong Yu was dozing off when he suddenly heard a light cough and instantly jerked awake. Turning to look, he saw that Ning Buyi had awakened! Tong Yu’s face brightened as he hurriedly said, “Master Ning! You’re awake?!”

Ning Buyi coughed twice more. Looking around carefully, he noticed the place was quite sparse, with communal beds. With Tong Yu’s presence, Ning Buyi immediately realized this must be a cell in the yamen.

Ning Buyi nodded slightly but felt his throat burning with pain. When he tried to move, his chest suddenly hurt sharply. He touched his bandaged chest, his expression becoming dazed.

“Don’t worry, Master Ning. I’ll go call someone right away!” Tong Yu said hurriedly. He ran from the cell to the rear hall of the yamen, where Magistrate Zheng Baishi was talking with Yan Chi, Qin Wan, and others. Tong Yu announced, “Your Honor! Your Highness! Princess! Master Ning is awake!”

Everyone’s expressions changed slightly. Yan Chi stood up and headed toward the cell first. Upon arriving, he saw Ning Buyi trying to prop himself up. Qin Wan quickly said, “Master Ning, please don’t move.”

Ning Buyi lay back down at her words. Seeing so many people present, he couldn’t help but be surprised. “Your Highness, Princess, Magistrate Zheng… you all… what happened to me…”

Yan Chi walked to the bedside. “Master Ning, did you go to deliver paintings to Third Young Master Wu yesterday?”

Ning Buyi appeared slightly flustered for a moment before nodding. “Yes,” he replied in a hoarse voice.

Then, with a bewildered expression, Ning Buyi continued, “How did I… these injuries…”

Yan Chi said, “First, tell us what happened after you delivered the painting yesterday.”

Ning Buyi frowned in thought, his expression changing slightly. “Yesterday… as agreed, I went to meet Third Young Master Wu. I first handed over the painting, then… then sat down to drink tea and talk. I… barely said a few words before I started feeling dizzy, and then I lost consciousness… What happened to me…”

Zhan Yang stepped forward and said, “Master Ning, you were harmed by Third Young Master Wu. He is the serial killer in the capital, and he lured you there intending to kill you.”

Ning Buyi’s pupils constricted. “How is that possible?!”

Zhan Yang continued, “Master Ning may not want to believe it, but we caught Third Young Master Wu in the act yesterday. He’s now in our prison. Your wounds were inflicted by him – he intended to cut out your heart.”

Ning Buyi’s face showed both shock and confusion, seemingly unable to process this information. Zheng Baishi stepped forward and said, “It’s hard to understand right now – even we couldn’t have imagined this. Just focus on recovering for now. Fortunately, your injuries aren’t too severe. The Princess personally treated your wounds yesterday.” After a pause, Zheng Baishi added, “However, I have one more question for Master Ning.”

Ning Buyi quickly replied, “Please ask, Your Honor—”

Zheng Baishi asked, “Master Ning, did you have anyone you were romantically involved with before?”

This “Heart-Digging Hell” punished those who were unfaithful in love or those who broke others’ hearts. If someone hadn’t committed either of these offenses, it wouldn’t align with the killer’s motives.

Hearing this, Ning Buyi’s face remained confused. “No, I haven’t…”

Princess Qin Wan frowned at his response. “What about your Uncle’s daughter, Master Ning?”

This reminded Ning Buyi of something. “Oh, but she doesn’t count as someone I was romantically involved with. I only failed to reciprocate her feelings…”

Zheng Baishi looked at Qin Wan, who explained, “Once when I went to buy paintings at the gallery, I encountered Master Ning and that young lady. She seemed very hesitant around Master Ning, but he wasn’t very warm towards her. Later, I asked about it, and Master Ning said her family disapproved of their relationship, so he had to force himself to reject her.”

Zheng Baishi’s eyes lit up slightly. “If that’s the case, it fits the pattern! Third Young Master Wu must have known about this and misunderstood, thinking Master Ning was being unfaithful.”

Qin Wan didn’t doubt this explanation, as she and Yue Ning had also initially thought Ning Buyi had wronged that young lady. Zhan Yang added, “That explains it then. Fortunately, we arrived on time last night. If we had been any later, Master Ning might not have survived.”

Ning Buyi still seemed unable to accept this. “But… the painting delivery was arranged long ago, and I had no grievances with Third Young Master Wu…”

Zhan Yang laughed coldly. “Master Ning, you should know that Third Young Master Wu’s killings had nothing to do with grievances. He only killed those he believed had committed evil deeds. Ordinary people unknowingly became his targets.”

Yan Chi asked further, “Was that residence his home? Why did he ask you to deliver the painting there?”

Ning Buyi replied, “I don’t know whose residence it was. He sent someone with a message asking me to go there. He said he bought the painting to decorate the residence. I didn’t ask anything else—”

Ning Buyi pressed his lips together, seeming to want to say more but finding himself at a loss for words.

Zheng Baishi said, “It seems you don’t know anything else. Never mind, it’s not yet dawn. You should rest first. We’ll send someone to inform your shop, and Master Ning should focus on recovery for the next few days.”

Ning Buyi nodded. Zheng Baishi turned to look at Yan Chi beside him. “Your Highness, shall we go see Wu Yu?”

Yan Chi nodded. Zheng Baishi left Tong Yu behind, and the others walked out.

Yan Chi had rushed to see Ning Buyi hoping to learn more about yesterday’s events, but he hadn’t expected Ning Buyi to lose consciousness shortly after arriving and know nothing about the rest. Since that was the case, they needed to see Wu Yu.

The sky had not yet brightened, and everyone had been awake all night. While the men seemed fine, Yan Chi was somewhat worried about Qin Wan. As Zheng Baishi and the others walked ahead, Yan Chi fell back a step to ask Qin Wan, “Can you still manage? Would you like to go back and rest first?”

Qin Wan shook her head. “I still have many doubts about this case. Let’s see what Wu Yu has to say first.”

Yan Chi said no more and accompanied Qin Wan to the Yamen prison.

In the prison, Wu Yu sat numbly on the ground, as if in a daze. The cell was pitch black, with only a dim lamp lit at the end of the corridor. Wu Yu had never imagined a prison cell would be like this. After shouting himself hoarse and exhausting himself to the point of collapse, he had finally slumped to the ground. After an unknown amount of time, footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.

Wu Yu suddenly raised his head and soon saw Yan Chi and Zheng Baishi approaching with others.

Wu Yu’s eyes brightened slightly. He quickly stood up and walked to the cell door, gripping the wooden bars. Wu Yu called out, “Magistrate Zheng! Your Highness! This truly wasn’t my doing!”

Yan Chi didn’t rush to answer. After approaching, he examined Wu Yu for a moment.

“You keep saying you didn’t do it. Then tell me, how did Ning Buyi get injured?”

Wu Yu was nearly in tears. “I don’t know. I passed out too, and when I woke up, things were already like this…”

Zheng Baishi then asked, “Third Young Master, are you skilled at seal carving?”

Wu Yu pressed his lips together, not knowing why Zheng Baishi was asking this. He neither nodded nor shook his head, as if weighing something in his mind. Seeing him like this, everyone naturally became more suspicious. After a while, Wu Yu finally said, “Yes, I learned seal carving before.”

Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang exchanged glances, and Zhan Yang asked directly, “Then where did you kill Wu Qian initially?”

Wu Yu gritted his teeth. “Fourth Brother and I were siblings! How could I possibly kill him?!”

Zhan Yang frowned. “It seems Third Young Master still doesn’t intend to confess?”

Wu Yu gripped the wooden post tightly. “What do you want me to say?! I truly intended to rent that residence! I asked Master Ning to deliver paintings there simply to decorate the place. I had no grudge against him, so why would I want to kill him? As for this training ground you speak of, I know nothing about it…”

With a bitter smile, Wu Yu continued, “Magistrate Zheng, Captain Zhan, we know each other. Have you arrested the wrong person, or are you just trying to close an unsolved case by using me as a scapegoat?”

At these words, both Zhan Yang and Zheng Baishi’s expressions changed. Zhan Yang stepped forward and said, “Since the Third Young Master won’t speak properly, it seems we’ll have to take you to the interrogation chamber.”

Going to the interrogation chamber meant torture would be used. Wu Yu frowned deeply. “Captain Zhan, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but… I’m not the one who harmed people… I can’t answer any of your questions…”

Zhan Yang replied, “I’ve seen many criminals, and every one of them speaks like this when trying to deceive us. Third Young Master can pretend to know nothing, but we caught you in the act! We knew beforehand that the killer would strike in that area that night. After a whole night, only Third Young Master and Master Ning had an incident. Master Ning was the killer’s target. Are you going to say the killer was hiding in your residence beforehand?”

“Third Young Master went to the yamen in the morning yesterday but disappeared in the afternoon. When did you arrive at that residence? Had you already made arrangements there, just waiting to take Master Ning’s life?”

Wu Yu smiled bitterly. “Yesterday I indeed left work early. I didn’t bring any servants with me, as I just wanted to look at the residence myself. I… how could I think of killing anyone…”

Wu Yu’s words were hesitant, clearly concealing something. Zheng Baishi made a quick decision, ordering people to take Wu Yu from the cell to the interrogation chamber. Wu Yu struggled, “Captain Zhan! Magistrate Zheng! You’ve arrested the wrong person! The real killer is still at large – this will lead to disaster! Captain Zhan, Magistrate Zheng!”

As two yamen runners held Wu Yu and took him to the interrogation chamber, Princess Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly.

Zheng Baishi said, “Your Highness, Princess, it seems Wu Yu won’t confess anytime soon. It’s very late now – perhaps you two should go rest? For a habitual criminal like Wu Yu, even torture might not easily make him reveal the truth. We may need to spend some time working on him—”

Dawn was approaching, and Yan Chi needed to go to the Ministry of Justice after daybreak. Seeing that Wu Yu wouldn’t talk, he agreed with Zheng Baishi’s suggestion and nodded. “In that case, I’ll escort the Princess back first.”

Qin Wan nodded beside him. “Very well. I’ll leave Wu Yu to you then. I’ll take my leave.”

After bidding farewell to Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang, Yan Chi, and Qin Wan walked out together. Only after leaving the dark corridors of the prison did Yan Chi speak. “Wu Yu’s evasive words are indeed suspicious, but his capture this time seemed too easy. The last time when Feng Zhang was attacked, the killer escaped, and Wu Yu was the last person seen. If Wu Yu were the killer this time, would he simply call Ning Buyi directly to this residence? Last time the killer knew about the yamen’s surrounding defenses and disguised himself, but this time he was too reckless. Although there wasn’t a large military presence this time, the killer must have known the yamen hadn’t relaxed its guard.”

Qin Wan nodded. “True, but being caught in the act makes Wu Yu highly suspicious. Though he was evasive earlier, he was quite firm in denying his crimes. However, being involved twice makes it hard to determine if his firmness is genuine or false.”

She continued, “I never expected Ning Buyi would be the victim this time.”

Yan Chi agreed. “Indeed surprising. Were his injuries unusual?”

Qin Wan shook her head. “He was drugged unconscious, and his wounds were real. When we entered, his wounds were fresh, meaning the killer struck just as we were heading to the residence.”

“In that case, the killer must be Wu Yu. When we went to the residence, Bai Feng was already there with many of our people around. If someone had escaped, they would have been spotted.”

Qin Wan nodded. “When we opened the courtyard gate, Wu Yu heard the commotion and rushed out, only to run into us. That makes sense, though it seems foolish.”

Why would the killer be so desperate as to use the main gate?

Although the killer couldn’t be perfect every time, this incident still had suspicious aspects.

Leaving the prison, they looked up at the sky. The pre-dawn darkness had passed, and the sky was now a deep blue. Though it was early summer, the air was still cool at this hour. Yan Chi walked closer, his shoulder touching Qin Wan’s, blocking the cool breeze from his direction.

Yan Chi continued, “Let’s wait for news of the interrogation. Although Wu Yu firmly denies it, most deranged killers don’t easily confess. It’s too late now – let me take you back.”

Qin Wan nodded. “That’s all we can do.”

She had initially suspected Ning Buyi, but who would suspect a victim who was nearly killed? Wu Yu was caught in the act with many witnesses – the best evidence possible. Unless Wu Yu could say something useful or prove these killings weren’t related to him, he was essentially condemned! Even if hurting Ning Buyi wasn’t related to this case, he couldn’t easily escape punishment for assault—

Leaving the yamen, Yan Chi accompanied Qin Wan into the carriage.

With one arm, Yan Chi pulled Qin Wan into his embrace. She felt cold, so he said, “We’ll wait for news from the yamen. I probably won’t have time to come over today.”

Qin Wan nodded. “Don’t worry, I understand.”

As the carriage slowly moved, fatigue washed over Qin Wan. Leaning against Yan Chi’s warm embrace, she unconsciously fell asleep. When the carriage reached the Marquis’s mansion, Qin Wan was still sleeping peacefully. Seeing her sleeping face, how could Yan Chi bear to wake her? He simply leaned against the carriage wall, not moving.

Qin Wan only woke when her neck became sore, and looking outside, she saw it was already bright!

Qin Wan couldn’t help but say helplessly, “Why didn’t you wake me—”

Yan Chi hugged her tightly, laughing, “It’s still early. If you’re willing to sleep in my arms, how could I not welcome it? Why would I wake you…”

Qin Wan gave a light snort and sighed, “You still need to go to the Ministry of Justice. I’ve delayed you.”

Yan Chi indeed couldn’t stay longer. After giving Qin Wan a few more instructions, he left. Qin Wan straightened her robes before heading into the mansion.

After a sleepless night, Qin Wan returned to the mansion, washed up, and slept briefly. When she woke, it was nearly noon. Shortly after noon, Meng Yao came to the mansion. Having not seen each other for many days, Qin Wan quickly invited Meng Yao into Pine Wind Court. Seeing Qin Wan’s poor complexion, Meng Yao hurriedly asked what had happened. Yue Ning briefly explained last night’s events, leaving Meng Yao amazed!

“Master Ning truly had a close call – just a bit more and…!”

Qin Wan nodded. “Indeed, just a little more. Fortunately, we saved him. You can rest assured, I know you two are somewhat acquainted.”

Meng Yao smiled. “He just painted for our family.”

Then, as if remembering something, Meng Yao said, “Speaking of Master Ning, I just recalled something.”