“What?! A male actor!”
Before Qin Wan could speak, Fu Ling exclaimed in shock.
For an innocent and straightforward young girl like Fu Ling, keeping a male actor as a companion was unheard of.
“A… male actor… doesn’t that mean Lu Jingcheng inclined men?”
Fu Ling stammered in surprise, while Bai Ying’s expression also grew complex. Bai Feng nodded, “That’s correct.”
Everyone was astounded, but Qin Wan remained calm beside them.
While the Great Zhou dynasty’s customs certainly didn’t consider male relationships normal, to Qin Wan, such preferences weren’t unheard of. Among the nobility, quite a few had such inclinations – some naturally so, others merely seeking novelty. However, everyone kept it hidden to avoid damaging their family’s reputation.
Qin Wan wasn’t particularly surprised about Lu Jingcheng’s preferences because that day, among the erotic art books, she had seen several illustrations depicting male couples.
This had been quite shocking for Qin Wan.
Most people who viewed erotic art books didn’t see illustrations of male couples.
When she noticed that the last few pages were particularly wrinkled, obviously having been viewed multiple times, Qin Wan knew that even if Lu Jingcheng didn’t have such inclinations, he was at least familiar with the practice, and might have developed an interest. That’s why she had sent Bai Feng on this investigation, and her suspicions proved correct.
“Princess, why aren’t you surprised at all?”
Seeing Qin Wan’s composure, Fu Ling naturally grew curious. Qin Wan sighed, “I had already guessed this when I sent Bai Feng to Jianzhou City. This just confirms my suspicions. If this is true, then Lu Suiyong’s words were accurate – while there couldn’t have been women in the Plum Garden, there could have been men. And Lu Jingcheng’s multiple visits to the Plum Garden, leaving with a satisfied smile, were likely meetings with a man, which aligns with him being killed by a man.”
Fu Ling’s mouth fell open, surprised that Qin Wan had anticipated this.
Bai Feng asked solemnly, “Does the Princess have any suspects?”
By now, the responsibility for solving this case had largely fallen on Qin Wan’s shoulders. Fu Ling and the others also hoped the truth would come to light soon, bringing peace to White Deer Isle and making their stay more comfortable.
Qin Wan narrowed her bright eyes, “Male relationships are frowned upon, but given Lu Jingcheng’s noble status, if he had taken a fancy to a servant, he could have simply summoned them to his quarters. Yet he chose to meet in the Plum Garden. One might be for novelty, but two or three times suggests something else. This indicates the person wasn’t a servant. Among those at White Deer Isle who fit these conditions, there are only a few – but they’re brothers—”
In such cold winter weather, Lu Jingcheng wouldn’t have gone to the Plum Garden multiple times as a mere servant. There was only one possibility – this person was of equal status, either a willing partner or someone being coerced. Either way, their status couldn’t be low.
Lu Jingcheng was known for his appreciation of beauty – the women he liked were all beautiful, so naturally, any man he favored would be attractive too. By this criterion alone, several of the young Lu family members qualified. However, they were all cousin-brothers – surely Lu Jingcheng, no matter how depraved, wouldn’t approach his relatives!
Qin Wan didn’t believe Lu Jingcheng was that indiscriminate.
Bai Feng understood Qin Wan’s meaning and was momentarily at a loss, but then remembered something else, “Oh right, I haven’t mentioned another matter I discovered today.”
Qin Wan immediately turned her attention to him, “Go on.”
Bai Feng composed himself, “While investigating where Lu Jingcheng spent his time and who he associated with, I accidentally discovered something. Of Lu Jingcheng’s numerous visits to Jianzhou City, he usually went alone for his entertainment. However, twice he brought someone else to Huamanlou. I learned from Hong Xiu, his female companion, that the person accompanying him was surnamed Hu, whom Lu Jingcheng called Uncle Hu, a middle-aged man around forty. Hong Xiu didn’t know his identity, but from their drunken conversations, she gathered that this person was once one of the managers of the Lu family’s mining operations in western Jianzhou. He was dismissed over a year ago for embezzling funds from the mines.”
A flash of insight struck Qin Wan, “A mining manager?”
Bai Feng nodded, “Yes. Hong Xiu said that when drunk, this man complained extensively to Lu Jingcheng about how the head of the Lu family’s fifth branch mistreated old retainers like them. He even said the fifth branch’s current troubles couldn’t be blamed on anyone. They discussed other matters too, but Lu Jingcheng prevented Hong Xiu and others from hearing. Though intoxicated, it was clear that Lu Jingcheng and Uncle Hu shared some secret, both seeming quite nervous about letting Hong Xiu and others know.”
Qin Wan’s heart began to race. Lu Youxin had come to Jianzhou because of the western mining disaster, yet here was Lu Jingcheng secretly meeting with a former mining manager. Could Lu Jingcheng have been planning something during the fifth branch’s mining crisis?
With this thought, Qin Wan’s attention turned to the fifth branch.
She hadn’t met anyone from the fifth branch yet, but according to Lu Youxin’s description, the Fifth Master was sickly, the Fifth Mistress was weak-willed, and the Ninth Young Master Lu Jinghe was a late-blooming, modest scholar. This family had been bullied for years and only survived thanks to Lu Youxin’s support. Would they harbor ill intentions?
But Lu Jingcheng couldn’t have been involved with his brothers, so the fifth branch seemed unlikely.
Qin Wan sighed, “Go outside and send word to Aunt that I wish to see her.”
Bai Feng rose and left to deliver the message. Shortly after, Lu Youxin arrived at Hantan Pavilion.
Upon seeing Lu Youxin, Qin Wan didn’t mention Lu Jingcheng’s relationship with the male actor, only discussing the matter of Manager Hu. Upon hearing this, Lu Youxin immediately frowned, “Could it be Hu Guangde?! He’s the only manager surnamed Hu who was dismissed for embezzlement over a year ago.”
With Lu Youxin’s confirmation, Qin Wan could be fairly certain, “What’s this person’s background? Why is he still in Jianzhou?”
Lu Youxin explained, “He’s indeed a long-time servant of the Lu family. When the western mines had some troubles, about twenty years ago, he was still young, just a minor foreman. Many people left the Lu family then, but he remained loyal, leading several brothers to stay. Later, as the mining operations gradually recovered and began turning a profit, he naturally became a manager. However, having been at the mines for so long, he became increasingly unruly, relying on his position. Before the fifth branch took over, he was in charge of overall operations. After the fifth branch took control, he became very uncooperative, agreeing on the surface but privately inciting other managers against the fifth branch. Considering his long service, Fifth Brother tolerated him many times. Later, probably realizing he couldn’t win against the clan masters, he began embezzling. He’d been taking small amounts throughout his years at the mines, but over a year ago, he dared to embezzle twenty thousand taels meant for the Salt and Iron Commission’s taxes. How could we tolerate that? Fifth Brother reported to me, and I had him dismissed.”
“Out of consideration for his years of service, we only demanded he return the twenty thousand taels and didn’t hand him over to the authorities. After that, we lost track of him. I never expected he would become involved with Jingcheng!” Lu Youxin’s face showed traces of anger, clearly indicating that Lu Jingcheng had crossed a line!
Qin Wan quickly said, “Please calm down, Aunt. Since this man is in Jianzhou City and we know his identity and background, finding him should be quite easy. I suspect he and Lu Jingcheng must have been plotting something, which might be related to Lu Jingcheng’s death. It would be best to find him and get clear answers.”
Lu Youxin nodded, “Of course. I want to see what he and Jingcheng were plotting. Don’t worry, I’ll handle the search. The Lu family has businesses in Jianzhou, and he worked here for many years, surely acquiring some properties. He must be living here now. I’ll ask Fifth Brother to have the old staff help search – they should be able to find his residence. Once we find him, we’ll certainly get to the bottom of this—”
Qin Wan felt reassured and asked further, “May I ask, Aunt, have there been any male visitors to the estate these days?”
Lu Youxin raised an eyebrow, “No, few people know about the Lu family’s troubles and my arrival here. I’ve ordered the other branches, including Jingxiu and the others, to meet their friends in Jianzhou City. We haven’t had any visitors, male or female.”
Qin Wan frowned, now certain the killer must be someone within the estate. “Then… has there been any resolution to the mining disaster?”
Lu Youxin sighed, “These days we’ve been busy consoling the families of the victims. With the New Year approaching, the Governor’s office and Salt and Iron Commission have sent messages, but the two escaped managers are still at large, which complicates matters. With over twenty deaths, someone must ultimately take responsibility.”
Qin Wan understood clearly. The most direct supervisors were the managers – some were imprisoned, while others had disappeared without a trace. With the authorities unable to investigate thoroughly, they would continue pressuring the Lu family. As the family head, she naturally didn’t want Lu Boyi of the fifth branch implicated. If the truth couldn’t be uncovered, they wouldn’t mind sacrificing a few managers to take the blame. Someone had to be held responsible for the mining disaster, and Lu Youxin’s thinking was understandable and beyond reproach.
After talking a while longer, Lu Youxin left to arrange the search for Hu Guangde.
In Lanxiang Court, Lu Jingyun hurried in from outside and immediately said, “Fifth Brother, Aunt has sent many people into Jianzhou City, apparently looking for someone. I couldn’t find out why – Aunt’s people are very tight-lipped, and even money didn’t work.”
“What about the people from Hantan Pavilion?” Lu Jingxiu asked.
Lu Jingyun shook his head, “Don’t know. They haven’t come out. That Hantan Pavilion is heavily guarded – not even a mosquito could fly in! Many of the maids and guards are unfamiliar faces, clearly not from our estate. Who knows who they are.”
Lu Jingxiu narrowed his eyes, “I guess they’ll go to Green Pine Court again tonight. Let’s wait for them in the courtyard!”
Lu Jingyun’s eyes showed excitement but also fear, “Fifth Brother, wouldn’t this… incur Aunt’s wrath…”
Lu Jingxiu snorted, “Since Aunt has no intention of choosing either of us as heir, why be so cautious?!”
Lu Jingyun shrank back without further comment, but secretly looked forward to the evening confrontation!
As night fell, lights began to illuminate Hantan Pavilion. Having examined the corpse and searched Lu Jingxiu’s quarters, Qin Wan did not need to visit Green Pine Court tonight. However, with numerous unanswered questions in her mind, she decided to go for a walk in the evening – not to Green Pine Court, but to the Plum Garden.
Since Lu Jingcheng chose to meet someone in the Plum Garden at night, Qin Wan decided to visit at night as well. In the darkness, the Plum Garden was filled with subtle fragrance, frost, and snow – though cold, it had its charm. As she walked toward Taoran Pavilion, the surroundings grew even more serene and quiet. It was indeed an ideal place for secret meetings.
Bai Feng and others accompanied Qin Wan with lanterns. She stopped outside Taoran Pavilion, surrounded by bamboo groves, pavilions, and plum forests – elegant and peaceful. Few would imagine killing someone here, yet this was where Lu Jingcheng died. Standing among the plum trees, Qin Wan stared intently at where she had previously found bloodstains. Layers of fresh snow had long since covered all traces from that day, making the case increasingly difficult. Who had met Lu Jingcheng here that night?
As Qin Wan was lost in thought, suddenly a rustling sound came from behind the bamboo grove. Drawing from previous experience, Bai Feng darted toward the bamboo grove, but in the darkness, he only caught a glimpse of a shadow running into the distance. Bai Feng immediately gave chase. Qin Wan started to follow but felt something amiss after a few steps. Just then, another set of quick footsteps suddenly sounded behind her.
Qin Wan turned to find Lu Jingxiu standing with his sword drawn in the dim night light.
Qin Wan’s eyebrows shot up, while Lu Jingxiu, who had been wearing a stern and angry expression, showed sudden amazement upon seeing her face as she turned, followed by undisguised admiration…