Yan Qing met his gaze and smiled gently. “Director Shi is wondering how I knew the deceased suffered from a mental illness?”

Shi Ting knew that the moment he opened his mouth, this woman would see right through his thoughts, yet her sharp perception still made him regard her with fresh eyes once again.

“Actually, it’s quite simple. The deceased had several old injuries on her body — some long-healed, others more recent. Based on the direction of the force applied, a few of the wounds could not have been inflicted by another person, so I concluded that the deceased had a habit of self-harm. Occasional self-harm might be understood as emotional distress, but years of tormenting oneself in such a manner suggests the deceased must have had some form of psychological disorder.” Yan Qing’s voice was soft, yet every word was convincing. “If I’m not mistaken, the killer’s motive was also connected to the deceased’s mental illness.”

Shi Ting couldn’t help but show an expression of approval. “If it weren’t for the fact that Sixth Miss comes from such a privileged background, I would certainly invite you to serve in the Military Police Division.”

“Director Shi is devoted to the peace and stability of Shun Cheng and the safety of its people. Should there ever be a need, Yan Qing will do her utmost to contribute, however modest her abilities.”

Yan Qing thought to herself — everyone exchanges flattery anyway, so laying it on a little thicker hardly matters.

“Director, the Wen residence has arrived.” The driver had only made a few turns when a grand courtyard appeared before them. The Wen Family held some renown in Taishan County, and the manor they had built was adorned with carved dragons and painted phoenixes — imposing and magnificent.

After helping Yan Qing out of the car, Shi Ting stood to one side and said, “Thank you for your assistance today, Sixth Miss. I will call on you another day to express my gratitude properly.”

Yan Qing recognized this as a polite pleasantry and smiled. “You’re too kind, Director Shi.”

Watching Shi Ting’s car drive away, Jing Zhi couldn’t help but tease, “Miss, have you noticed — Director Shi seems to have a favorable impression of you.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Murong put on a stern face. “Miss has a betrothal arrangement with Director Shi’s second elder brother. If such words got out, the Director might be fine, but Miss would have no face to show anyone.”

Jing Zhi stuck out her tongue. “We’ve never even met that Second Young Master of the Shi Family — who knows what he looks like. Besides, knowing full well he has a betrothal with Miss, he’s never once come to see her. He clearly doesn’t take Miss seriously at all.”

“You little wretch, if you dare say that in front of anyone else, see if I don’t give you a good beating.” Murong feigned fierceness. “We don’t know what kind of man this Second Young Master Shi is, but he is the son the Marshal values most, and he holds military authority in his hands. In the future, he may well take command of Bei Di. If Miss truly marries him, she’ll have someone to rely on for the rest of her life.”

“Alright, alright.” Yan Qing helplessly cut off the argument between the two maids. “Go knock on the door.”

Whatever this Second Young Master Shi was like, she would never marry a man she had never met and had no feelings for whatsoever. She would find a way to dissolve this engagement with the Shi Family — but since the Shi Family was no ordinary household, getting the Shi patriarch to willingly break off the betrothal would likely require considerable effort.

Murong stepped forward and knocked on the door. Before long, a young man who appeared to be a manservant came to open it, and the moment he saw her, his face lit up as he called out, “Master, Sixth Miss is here! Sixth Miss has come!”

Yan Qing remembered this young man — his name was Tongshun, and he was her uncle Wen Xu’s personal attendant.

At Tongshun’s shout, Wen Xu had already come striding through the moon-arch gate. He wore a dark navy mandarin-collar diagonal-placket long robe, over which he had draped a plain, unadorned button-front cotton vest. His posture was upright and his bearing distinguished.

In terms of appearance, both the Wen siblings were exceptionally good-looking, and at first glance, Yan Qing bore a distinct resemblance to her uncle.

“Qing Qing.” Wen Xu was overjoyed, his smile spreading all the way to the corners of his eyes. “Why didn’t you send a telegram in advance so Uncle could send someone to meet you at the station?”

“I wanted to give Uncle a surprise.” Yan Qing laughed. “Did the surprise land, Uncle?”

Seeing Yan Qing’s eyes curved with laughter and her smile warm and bright — still the same obedient niece as before, yet somehow different — Wen Xu couldn’t quite put his finger on what had changed.

—