Yan Qing’s train departed at seven o’clock in the morning. At that hour, the sky was just beginning to lighten, the air heavy with morning mist that had yet to lift, and the whole city still wore the drowsy look of someone half-awake.

But the train station in the mist was a scene of dense, jostling crowds.

Within Shun Cheng, the main forms of transportation were automobiles, trams, rickshaws, and bicycles. For travel beyond the city, the cheapest and most convenient option by far was the train.

After the period of conflict, Shun Cheng had undertaken extensive railway construction, and the network of routes stretched out in every direction. Passengers came in an unending stream.

Amid the din of vendors calling out their wares at the station, Yan Qing finally boarded the green-painted train.

To accommodate her condition, Master Yan had arranged for their three hard-seat tickets to be exchanged for a private compartment. It held a sleeping bunk, a long leather sofa, and a rectangular table — more than enough space for the three of them.

Once Jing Zhi and Murong had stowed the luggage, they began watching the bustle outside.

Through the window, travelers rushed past with large and small bundles; there were families seeing people off, couples embracing, and children wailing and making a fuss.

Yan Qing sat quietly taking in all the noise and life, and felt a wave of wistfulness rise in her heart unlike anything she had felt before.

She missed her uncle, her aunt, the friends and colleagues from that other world who had treated her so well. But she was Sixth Miss of the Yan household now — she had to live out the rest of this life under that identity.

Just like this station — what had passed waved goodbye, and what lay ahead… was entirely unknown.

The train slowly pulled into motion, and those who had come to see others off gradually fell farther and farther back. Hands stretched out of train windows waved their reluctance to part, and there was excitement and anticipation too, for whatever journey lay ahead.

From Shun Cheng to Taishan County, the train journey took six hours.

For most of the trip, Yan Qing read. Jing Zhi and Murong munched on sunflower seeds and chatted quietly, glancing out at the scenery from time to time.

“The next stop is Miaodong.” Jing Zhi spat out a seed shell. “I am absolutely going out to get some fresh air — I’m about to suffocate in here.”

At the mention of Miaodong, Yan Qing suddenly realized the train had been running for nearly four hours. Time had passed quickly.

“Miss, shall I go to the dining car and get some lunch?” Murong stood up. “It’s already noon.”

Yan Qing gave a small nod. “Go ahead.”

These kinds of trains usually had a dining car attached. Higher-end ones offered coffee and Western meals; ordinary ones served noodles, wontons, boxed rice, and the like.

Yan Qing didn’t feel hungry, nor was she tired in the slightest. Probably from years of irregular hours and poor sleep while working, her body’s internal clock had learned to regulate itself.

It wasn’t long before Murong returned empty-handed.

“Sold out already?” Jing Zhi asked. “Really?”

“The dining car’s been sealed off. It seems someone died in there.” Murong said. “The train officers have put up a barrier, and there are a lot of people gathered around watching.”

Yan Qing thought wryly — perhaps she had some fatal magnetism, like that detective always stumbling onto murder cases wherever he went. But then she reassured herself: this era was turbulent to begin with, and the rate of violent deaths was far higher than in the modern age. Besides, someone dying didn’t necessarily mean it was a criminal matter.

“Miss, do you want to go have a look?” Jing Zhi had noticed that Yan Qing seemed to take a particular interest in both the Chen family massacre and Cuinong’s death in the well. Now someone had died again — perhaps their miss would want to take a look around.

“Let’s go take a look.” Yan Qing didn’t deny it — it was an occupational habit, and even knowing her situation, she couldn’t suppress the instinct.

The dining car itself had the barrier around it, but the incident had actually occurred in the adjacent Car Nine.

Just as Yan Qing was leaning forward to peer inside, she caught sight of someone she recognized.

*PS: The male and female leads are joining forces to solve a case for the first time — something to look forward to!*