“Your Highness, what are you looking at?” Fuling noticed Qin Wan staring intently at a book and instinctively walked over to ask.
Qin Wan suddenly snapped back to awareness, quickly closing the book and shaking her head. “Nothing.”
Though Fuling seemed suspicious, she dared not ask further. Qin Wan handed the book to Bai Ying to hold.
Unlike Fuling, Bai Ying wasn’t as curious – when asked to hold something, she simply held it without looking.
Qin Wan continued her inspection elsewhere. The room was decorated simply and elegantly, yet contained several gold, silver, and jade ornaments that seemed out of place. Madam Huang stepped forward to explain, “These were all added by the Fourth Young Master after he arrived. Every time he returned from Jian City, he would bring back several pieces he liked.”
Even without Madam Huang’s explanation, Qin Wan had guessed as much. Not only were the new items all luxurious, but his clothes and accessories were also extremely extravagant.
After looking around, Qin Wan had a good sense of what kind of person Lu Jingcheng was.
He was not only lecherous but also loved luxury. The illustrations in the spring palace albums made Qin Wan think of other possibilities, though she couldn’t be certain yet.
She asked, “Madam, how many times did Fourth Young Master visit Jian City during his month-plus stay?”
Madam Huang thought for a moment. “If not ten times, then at least nine. When he first arrived, Fourth Young Master found the garden boring and went almost daily, sometimes staying overnight and returning the next day. This went on for a month until he settled down these past few days. Second Master and Second Madam didn’t mind.”
Qin Wan nodded and walked around the room once more. The room had been well preserved, and since Lu Jingcheng had no external injuries, there was no blood. Considering the missing set of clothes, it was clear the killer was meticulous, though they had overlooked the traces on the shoes.
Qin Wan paused, then walked to the window to examine Lu Jingcheng’s body.
Lu Jingcheng had been dead for two days and two nights. Despite the extremely low temperature, lividity had gradually spread across his body, making it look particularly horrifying. However, Qin Wan remained very calm. The body showed no obvious external injuries, indicating there had been no struggle. The killer must have struck when he was off guard. And whoever could get Lu Jingcheng to meet them in the middle of the night must have been someone he knew. What would attract an injured man to go out late at night in such cold weather?
Lu Jingcheng was certainly lecherous – his midnight excursion was very likely motivated by lust.
Though they hadn’t performed a thorough autopsy, Qin Wan had already formed some ideas.
After looking around again, she put on her cloak and left the room.
Standing at the entrance, Qin Wan fell into deep thought as she gazed at the courtyard gate.
The killer had designed what appeared to be a locked-room mechanism, then took Lu Jingcheng’s clothes. Late at night, how would they dispose of those clothes?
The best method would be burning them, but Lu Jingcheng’s clothes were all fine silk – burning them would produce a very pungent smell. Since it was almost dawn when servants would be rising, that would have revealed the deception. If it were her, throwing the clothes somewhere deserted would be the better option.
In this vast Bailu Prefecture, where could clothes be hidden without being discovered?
Having just committed murder, the killer must have been nervous and certainly wouldn’t have run all around the garden…
Qin Wan turned to Madam Huang. “Madam, are there any normally unattended storage rooms, dried-up wells, ponds, or other places nearby where things could be hidden?”
Hearing this, Madam Huang immediately replied, “There are several uninhabited courtyards nearby, but they’re all regularly maintained. There is one pond – an inner lake called Deer Pool fed by an underground channel from Wangyue Lake, just outside the East Garden. There are no dried-up wells, but there are several working wells inside the East Garden.”
Qin Wan thought for a moment. “Could Madam draw a map? Just showing the courtyards and the locations of the wells and pond would be sufficient.”
Madam Huang naturally nodded repeatedly. Qin Wan responded with a “hmm” before heading back with her group.
Just after they left, two figures emerged from behind a rockery near Qingsong Court – Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun.
Lu Jingyun’s eyes widened in shock. “Fifth Brother! Who was that person? Aunt is keeping secrets from us! Why can’t we enter Qingsong Court while that person can? She looked like just a young girl…”
Being far away, Lu Jingxiu and his brother hadn’t seen Qin Wan’s face – from a distance, she just appeared to be a graceful young woman.
Lu Jingxiu narrowed his eyes. “Our aunt is proud and aloof – she won’t even flatter important officials. Yet this woman can freely move about our garden with Madam Huang accompanying her so respectfully. She must be someone extraordinary.”
“Who could she be? A relative from First Branch Grandmother’s side?”
Lu Jingyun could only think of relatives from Lu Youxin’s mother’s side, otherwise they would know her. But Lu Jingxiu shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Aunt doesn’t even rely on us, let alone a girl younger than us. There must be a reason for her to enter Qingsong Court late at night.”
Lu Jingyun frowned deeply. “But why? Fourth Brother’s body is still in there, yet she’s not afraid!”
Lu Jingxiu snorted. “That’s the most suspicious part. If it was for mourning, she would come during the day. But she specifically comes at night – either she feels guilty or has other secret motives. Do you remember what Fourth Brother said that day?”
Lu Jingyun thought for a moment. “Fourth Brother mentioned he had offended an honored guest?”
Lu Jingxiu made an affirming sound. “It seems Fourth Brother was telling the truth. If she were just an ordinary visiting guest, she would stay far away after someone died in the garden, and her aunt wouldn’t keep her here. Yet this honored guest not only remains but visits Fourth Brother late at night. What do you make of that?”
Lu Jingyun looked shocked. “Could she… have killed Fourth Brother?”
Hearing this, Lu Jingxiu neither nodded nor shook his head. A weak woman directly killing Lu Jingcheng seemed unlikely, but she must be connected to his death. Lu Jingxiu made up his mind. “Aunt’s actions are increasingly puzzling. Since that’s the case, I’m determined to get to the bottom of this.”
Lu Jingyun shrank his neck. “Fifth Brother, Aunt will be furious if she finds out.”
Lu Jingxiu’s lips tightened, his eyes showing a trace of trepidation. However, after a moment, his suspicions won out.
Lu Jingxiu snorted noncommittally. “If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it in the first place. Aunt always says to be upright – I want to see what game she’s playing. If I discover she’s protecting an outsider who harmed one of our Lu family, I won’t stand for it.”
Lu Jingyun was somewhat afraid, but seeing Lu Jingxiu’s determination, he dared not object. He could only say weakly, “Al-alright… I’ll go with Fifth Brother!”
…
Back at Hanlan Pavilion, Qin Wan immediately summoned Bai Feng.
Not knowing what Qin Wan wanted, Bai Feng asked, “Does Your Highness have instructions for this humble one?”
Qin Wan nodded. “I want you to go to Jian City.”
Everyone was surprised by this. Bai Feng instinctively said, “But Master ordered me to protect Your Highness without leaving your side.”
Qin Wan laughed. “What could happen to me here? With this incident in the garden unsolved, Grandmother faces difficulties each day. If the uncles make trouble, it will be awkward for us too. The sooner we clarify this matter, the better.”
Even Bai Feng felt uneasy about living in a garden with a murderer, but though Yan Chi had given orders, he couldn’t refuse Qin Wan’s instructions.
Bai Feng sighed. “Then… this humble one can go alone, the others should stay to protect Your Highness.”
Qin Wan smiled and nodded. “Of course. One person is sufficient for this task.”
Bai Feng waited quietly for Qin Wan’s instructions. She spoke carefully: “I want you to go to Jian City for just one thing – find out where Lu Jingcheng went during his visits there. He was probably indulging in pleasure houses, but I want to know who he visited in those establishments. The more detailed the information, the better.”
Hearing this task, Bai Feng found it not difficult, just complex. He immediately said, “Very well, I’ll leave now and will certainly return tomorrow.”
Qin Wan had wanted Bai Feng to leave in the morning, but he wanted to return quickly to guard her, so he insisted.
Unable to persuade him otherwise, Bai Feng left Bailu Prefecture half an hour later. Shortly after his departure, Madam Huang arrived carrying a map, saying somewhat embarrassedly, “This servant is not skilled at drawing – the map is quite crude. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Looking at the map, Qin Wan saw not only neat diagrams but also text labels – everything was very clear. She was immediately satisfied. “Madam needn’t be modest. We’re not comparing artistic skills – this is exactly what we need!”
She studied it, noting the clear markings of the inner lake, wells, and even the flower gardens and pavilions.
After looking for a moment, Qin Wan pointed to Deer Pool. “Tomorrow morning, please have some people dredge here. Are these two wells used often?”
Madam Huang looked at the two wells Qin Wan was pointing to in the southern part of the East Garden and shook her head. “Not much. It’s somewhat remote – only occasionally used for laundry.”
Qin Wan nodded in understanding. “In that case, have people search these two wells as well.”
Madam Huang agreed but seemed confused. “May I ask why, Your Highness?”
Qin Wan smiled. “Fourth Young Master’s set of clothes is missing. I suspect the killer took them to prevent the discovery of anything unusual. They probably wouldn’t have taken the clothes with them, and since it was nighttime, the best option would be to dispose of them somewhere people wouldn’t find them. These spots seem the most likely. Whether I’m right or wrong, we’ll know after tomorrow’s search. If any clothes are found, Madam, please have them brought to Hanlan Pavilion.”
Madam Huang suddenly understood, looking at Qin Wan with admiration before respectfully acknowledging and leaving.
After Madam Huang left, Qin Wan took out the two Spring Palace albums again. She first looked at the last few pages again for a moment, then fell into deep thought. After a while, she came back to herself and briefly looked at the front pages. Though she was usually calm and composed, even she found the vulgar illustrations disturbing. Having lost her focus on the case, she put the books away in a cabinet and went to rest.
Since Yan Chi’s departure, Qin Wan hadn’t been sleeping well at night. The next day she rose early, and Madam Huang, having received Qin Wan’s instructions, naturally informed Lu Youxin of everything. Though surprised, Lu Youxin told Madam Huang to follow the orders. Early the next morning, Madam Huang took people to dredge Deer Pool.
This dredging operation created quite a stir, and Lu Jingxiu learned of it immediately. When he arrived at Deer Pool, he saw Madam Huang busy at work. Pretending to be passing by, Lu Jingxiu approached and asked, “Madam, what are you dredging for?”
Madam Huang remained composed and smiled. “Fifth Young Master, we’re fishing – there are several white fish in Deer Pool.”
Lu Jingxiu grinned. “Oh? Would you like my help? I’m quite skilled at fishing.”
Madam Huang waved her hands repeatedly. “No need, no need. This is servants’ work. Once we catch them, they’ll be sent to Lanxiang Court. Fifth Young Master can just enjoy the lake fish then.”
Lu Jingxiu responded with a smile and left without further comment.
Though he left, he didn’t go far. Soon after, Lu Jingyun came to report, “Fifth Brother, Madam Huang isn’t just dredging Deer Pool – they’re also searching two wells in the south. Who knows what they’re looking for…”
Lu Jingxiu gave a cold laugh. “There are no white fish in wells. Madam Huang is treating me like a child.”
The two brothers stood hidden in a bamboo grove not far from Deer Pool, undeterred by the severe cold. After a while, a young male servant suddenly exclaimed, “Found something!”
Lu Jingxiu’s heart stirred as he watched Madam Huang rush to the servant’s side. The man’s pole had snagged some clothing from the lake. Madam Huang’s face lit up with joy. “Quick! Pull it out!”
Seeing this, several male servants used their poles together. Soon, the bundle of clothes was dragged to the shore. Madam Huang, undaunted by the icy water, personally picked up the dripping clothes. She first dismissed everyone, then left with two trusted servant girls heading west.
Lu Jingyun muttered, “Fifth Brother, they’re going to Hanlan Pavilion again?”
Lu Jingxiu frowned as he watched Madam Huang leave, then looked back toward Deer Pool, his face showing confusion.
“Going to Qingsong Court at night was one thing, but what’s this about? Whose clothes did they fish out?”
Lu Jingyun couldn’t answer – he was even more puzzled than Lu Jingxiu. As they watched Madam Huang’s figure disappear, Lu Jingxiu suddenly said, “It seems things are more complicated than we thought. Could it be that Fourth Brother not only offended this honored guest but also took something of hers?”
After a pause, Lu Jingxiu said, “I need to find a way to meet this honored guest!”