When Granny Huang brought the clothes retrieved from the Deer Pool to Hantan Pavilion, Lu Youxin had already arrived!
Seeing that Granny Huang had indeed found the clothes, she was surprised and felt that Qin Wan was truly prophetic.
Granny Huang said, “We searched the two wells too but found nothing. Then we had everyone search the Deer Pool, and surprisingly, we found them. These days the Deer Pool is frozen over, with only the center still unfrozen. The clothes were thrown there. If the Princess hadn’t suggested it, we servants would never have thought of it, no matter how hard we tried.”
The weather was too cold, and the clothes, though just retrieved, had already frozen solid by the time they reached Hantan Pavilion.
Qin Wan ordered someone to bring a felt blanket and placed the clothes inside the room to thaw. Lu Youxin, seeing how methodically Qin Wan handled things, looked at the clothes and said, “These clothes have been soaking in water for so many days, I doubt much evidence remains…”
Qin Wan nodded, “Indeed, but this is one piece of physical evidence, so we needed to find it.”
Looking at Qin Wan’s confident and composed demeanor, Lu Youxin felt somewhat ashamed. Relying on her seniority and extensive life experience, she had initially underestimated Qin Wan, considering the rumors about her case-solving abilities to be merely exaggerated. She thought that any achievements could be attributed to Qin Wan to justify giving her a noble title. However, she hadn’t expected those rumors to be true.
With these thoughts, Lu Youxin watched as Qin Wan rolled up her sleeves and, undeterred by the dirt, spread out the wet garments.
The clothes were made of the finest Huzhou silk – a sapphire blue outer robe embroidered with bamboo patterns, accompanied by a navy blue belt decorated with elephant motifs. Having been submerged for so long in the lake’s muddy water, the garments were now covered in spots of silt. However, beyond these stains, the tears in the fabric were visible.
These tears appeared in strips, obviously caused by something sharp scraping against the fabric, which matched the bloodstains Qin Wan had found in the Plum Garden.
After thoroughly examining the clothes, Qin Wan said, “These match the bloodstains I saw in the Plum Garden. I suspect Lu Jingcheng was killed in the Plum Garden and then moved to the Green Pine Court. While there are many stains and bloodstains on the clothing, there’s no other more definitive evidence.”
After being in the lake for so long, and considering the killer likely checked them thoroughly…
Lu Youxin frowned, “Wan’er, I still don’t understand exactly how Jingcheng died.”
Qin Wan had only said Lu Jingcheng died from asphyxiation but hadn’t explained exactly how. Hearing Lu Youxin’s question, Qin Wan replied, “I wasn’t entirely certain at first, but after visiting the Plum Garden, I developed a theory. I believe Lu Jingcheng was smothered to death in a snowbank.”
Lu Youxin’s eyes widened, “What? How could that…”
Qin Wan shook her head with a slight smile, “Lu Jingcheng had no other major injuries on his body, but there was a severe bruise on the back of his neck, likely caused by forceful pressure or impact. There were small amounts of snow particles in his ear canals and nose and mouth, which supports my theory.”
“Outside the Taoran Pavilion in the Plum Garden, there are areas with deep snow drifts and places near the bamboo grove where the snow is thin. I suspect he met the killer at night and was unexpectedly pushed down and then held face-down in the snow until he suffocated. Anyone will die from suffocation if their nose and mouth are blocked, regardless of the method. In these cold days, a snowbank could become an accomplice to murder. When Lu Jingcheng was pinned down, his hands naturally came in contact with the snow, which explains the snow particles under his fingernails. Though he was found lying on his back indoors, the livor mortis was more prominent on his thighs and chest, indicating he was face-down when he died. This is also evident from the friction marks on his knees and thighs.”
Qin Wan explained everything clearly and methodically, leaving Lu Youxin no choice but to believe her. “Jingcheng was still a grown man; it wouldn’t have been easy for the killer to murder him this way.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Indeed. Even though Lu Jingcheng had lost the use of one arm, he was still an adult male. Just pinning him face-down would have been difficult. Therefore, I suspect Lu Jingcheng wasn’t wary of the killer at all, and the killer took advantage of his trust.”
After a moment’s thought, Qin Wan continued, “Moreover, the killer likely acted in a fit of rage rather than with premeditation. Although the killer later moved the body, arranged the room, and took away Lu Jingcheng’s clothes, it wasn’t a perfect crime. If it had been premeditated, given these measures, Lu Jingcheng’s death might have truly remained a mystery.”
Lu Youxin hadn’t thought of it that way at first, but hearing Qin Wan’s explanation, she found it quite logical. She realized that the art of dealing with people and the skill of solving cases were indeed quite different. She stopped asking questions and just listened to Qin Wan continue.
“If Lu Jingcheng had gone to the Plum Garden before to meet this person, then there are several possibilities regarding their relationship. First, this person could be a servant in the household, forced to submit to him. Second, Lu Jingcheng might have had leverage over this person, or the person needed something from him, thus being under his control. Their first two meetings went well enough that Lu Jingcheng had no suspicions by the third meeting, but something must have been said that drove the killer to murder.”
Lu Youxin looked at Granny Huang, who quickly stepped forward and said, “This servant has inquired among the household staff. During his time here, given the Fourth Young Master’s temperament, he had scolded many servants, but these people are usually honest and well-behaved. We haven’t found anyone particularly suspicious yet. As for whether Fourth Young Master had leverage over anyone, this servant doesn’t know.”
Qin Wan instructed Bai Ying to dry and preserve Lu Jingcheng’s clothes as evidence, then said, “Those who appear honest and well-behaved aren’t necessarily so. The livor mortis on Lu Jingcheng’s body shows he remained face-down for some time after death. During this period, the killer might have just committed the murder and hadn’t yet calmed down. However, they quickly regained their composure, cleaned the body, quietly moved it back, arranged for Lu Jingcheng to appear as if he had frozen to death, and disabled the floor heating. These details suggest this person isn’t timid or fearful, but rather calculating and scheming.”
“Such a person could easily deceive everyone by appearing honest and harmless in daily life.”
After speaking, Qin Wan’s mind drifted to Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingcheng. Somehow, although Lu Jingxiu had been her primary suspect, after considering Lu Jingcheng’s behavior, her suspicions about him had almost completely disappeared. After a pause, Qin Wan asked, “How are things with Second Master?”
Hearing this, Lu Youxin sighed, “Last night, both of them were suicidal, forcing me to go over. But after these past few days, their spirits are completely worn down, and they probably don’t have the energy to make a fuss anymore. Now grief has taken over. They look quite pitiful. Early this morning, I had them visit Green Pine Court, and my second sister-in-law fainted on the spot. Now they can only listen to me since I won’t back down. I told them we’d find the killer before the New Year.”
Qin Wan thought for a moment, then suddenly said, “Somehow, I feel Lu Jingcheng’s case isn’t that simple. Merely scolding and beating servants shouldn’t be enough reason for murder.” Thinking of this, Qin Wan suddenly asked, “Has Lu Jingcheng recently tried to interfere with the Lu family business?”
Lu Youxin and Granny Huang exchanged glances, and Lu Youxin shook her head, “No, he hasn’t. My second uncle and aunt knew he was incompetent and kept the business in their own hands. Even wanting him to inherit was just so they could interfere with the main branch’s affairs. If they wanted Jingcheng to become the family head, they would have needed to discipline him properly first.”
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly. The conflicts between the Lu family branches were her main point of suspicion. Even if it was a crime of passion, what ordinary servant would dare to act this way?
Moreover, to remain so calm after killing someone and moving the body – with such composure, even as a servant, they would have to be someone of high position and authority like Granny Huang.
Finding her line of thinking blocked again, Qin Wan sighed and said, “I sent Bai Feng to Jianzhou City for a visit. He should return today. If he brings back useful information, I might find a new direction. Currently, all those staying in the garden are Lu family members, and I can’t show myself, which makes things quite difficult.”
Lu Youxin took Qin Wan’s hand, “Wan’er, thank you for your hard work. I originally thought this would be simple, but I didn’t expect so many twists and turns. I’m afraid we can only rely on you now. I can handle business and clan affairs, but these subtle details are beyond my comprehension.”
Qin Wan quickly replied, “Since I’m here, it’s my pleasure to help Aunt with her troubles. It’s just that since I can’t show myself, things might not progress as quickly.”
Lu Youxin hurried to comfort Qin Wan again. Finally, Qin Wan said, “I keep feeling that this incident might be related to clan disputes. Please, Aunt, investigate whether the second branch has had any special business dealings lately, especially those involving other branches.”
These people had all come for the family fortune, and the Lu family’s wealth was indeed the most likely cause of conflict.
Lu Youxin agreed and stayed with Qin Wan for a while longer before leaving.
Qin Wan remained in Hantan Pavilion, examining Lu Jingcheng’s outer robe again in detail. Once dried, the stains became even more apparent. Qin Wan laid the clothes flat on the felt blanket, carefully studying the tears to deduce the circumstances of Lu Jingcheng’s death…
Winter clothing is thick, and many external injuries only leave marks on the clothes. After looking for a while, Qin Wan also noticed numerous small creases on the right cuff of Lu Jingcheng’s robe, marks caused by friction, likely from someone gripping Lu Jingcheng’s hand and pinning it to the ground…
Qin Wan stood beside the clothes, making gestures with her hands to mimic the action. After a moment, her eyes lit up slightly.
With some ideas forming in her mind, Qin Wan waited for Bai Feng’s return. However, even by nightfall, there was no sign of him.
Qin Wan couldn’t help but worry. Although she had complete faith in Bai Feng’s abilities on this solo trip to Jianzhou City, accidents were still possible.
As the night grew deeper and Bai Feng still hadn’t returned, everyone became concerned, especially Bai Ying.
With Bai Feng absent, Qin Wan naturally couldn’t sleep and sat in the warm chamber waiting. Soon it was the second watch of the night. Qin Wan was just considering sending the remaining guards to search for Bai Feng in Jianzhou City when he finally returned—
Qin Wan was overjoyed and personally rose to welcome him!
Bai Feng entered the room covered in frost, “I apologize for keeping the Princess waiting!”
Bai Ying sighed in relief without speaking, but Fu Ling said, “Why were you gone so long? We’ve been waiting and were so worried!”
Though Fu Ling’s voice was loud, it was filled with concern. Even the usually stern Bai Feng felt warmth in his heart and apologized again. Qin Wan quickly waved off his apologies and asked him to sit, “It’s fine, I was just worried something had happened to you. Quick, have some tea to warm up.”
Bai Feng drank half a cup of tea as instructed, and after catching his breath, said, “I was supposed to return in the afternoon, but while investigating the Fourth Young Master’s matters, I discovered other information, which caused the delay—”
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, “There’s other information related to the case?”
Bai Feng quickly replied, “I’m not certain, but I thought it would be good to learn more.”
Qin Wan showed some anticipation, “That’s right, what did you find out?”
Bai Feng sat up straight, his expression becoming solemn, “The Princess asked me to investigate Fourth Young Master’s movements in Jianzhou City, and I found everything out. As you suspected, Fourth Young Master indeed spent most of his time in brothels when he went to Jianzhou City. He went to the city eleven times in total, ten times to the Huamanlou brothel, where he hired a courtesan to accompany him twice, and he also became involved with a woman called Hong Xiu, visiting her four or five times after that. Besides this…”
Bai Feng had been speaking quickly, but at this point, he hesitated, as if there was something difficult to say.
Qin Wan asked curiously, “Besides what?”
Bai Feng pressed his lips together, then gritted his teeth and said, “Besides this, Fourth Young Master also kept a male actor, an opera performer.”