Lin Chengyou quickly scanned his surroundings, suddenly seeming to notice something. He turned to Kuan Nu and beckoned him over. When Kuan Nu approached, Lin Chengyou gave him some quiet instructions. Kuan Nu nodded and led about ten guards to blend into the crowd.

Yan Zhishi quietly discussed something with Lin Chengyou, then turned and pointed to two yamen runners in civilian clothes, ordering them to immediately find a sedan chair. He then rose to maintain order at the scene.

Lin Chengyou bent down again to examine Wu Gan, suddenly pointing to a large stain on her right elbow. “When did this get dirty?”

Wu Yuanluo’s face had already turned ashen. Hearing this, he looked at his sister’s arm and was also startled, harshly demanding of the maids beside him: “Speak!”

The maids trembled violently, hurriedly shaking their heads in fear: “This servant doesn’t know. Just earlier, Young Miss’s clothes were perfectly clean…”

Teng Yuyi anxiously examined that spot – the color was noticeably darker than elsewhere, looking as if some oily soup had been spilled. Neither Wu Gan herself nor her maids would ever allow their Young Miss’s clothes to be so soiled.

Therefore, between the staining of the clothes and Wu Gan’s incident, very little time must have passed.

Suddenly remembering that scene outside Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion – Lu Zhao’an appearing just before Madam Wu’s incident, along with Young Master Hu, Shao Tang’s classmate who was suddenly soul-snatched – it was impossible not to suspect Lu Zhao’an. With the massive crowd here, even if Lin Chengyou had heaven-reaching abilities he couldn’t watch everything. Teng Yuyi feared Lu Zhao’an would escape in the chaos and hurriedly signaled Chang Geng to go remind Lin Chengyou.

“The officials of the Court of Judicial Review are handling a case here. No unauthorized persons allowed near,” Yan Zhishi politely blocked Chang Geng.

However, Lin Chengyou recognized Chang Geng at a glance. Though this guard was in disguise, he had been by Teng Yuyi’s side all evening. Assuming Teng Yuyi had something to tell him, he quickly said: “Brother Yan, let him through.”

Chang Geng came forward and relayed Teng Yuyi’s recent discovery.

Lin Chengyou glanced around – most of those crowding in the front row to watch were burly men. Unable to find Teng Yuyi in the crowd for the moment, he could only say quietly: “It’s dangerous here. First, take your master back to Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion.”

Chang Geng acknowledged this.

Teng Yuyi was already anxious to find her sister and Shao Tang. Hearing this, she quickly emerged from the crowd. Right now she wasn’t worried about anything else, just concerned for her sister and Shao Tang’s safety.

Before going far, she saw her sister and Shao Tang walking toward them. Beside her sister was a graceful young man with thick brows and large eyes, his features nearly identical to the Emperor’s.

Teng Yuyi was stunned – how had her sister come to be with the Crown Prince?

The Crown Prince’s group had also heard about the incident here, their faces showing some unease. Du Tinglan’s face was pale as she walked, her gaze searching the crowd for something.

As they drew gradually closer, the Crown Prince seemed to notice the surrounding gazes and imperceptibly widened his distance from Du Tinglan. He then quickly led his companions through the crowd. Unexpectedly seeing Wu Gan on the ground, he was greatly shocked. Walking to Lin Chengyou’s side, he crouched down and quietly asked what had happened.

Du Shao Tang spotted Teng Yuyi in the crowd and was both surprised and delighted: “Cousin Yu! We’ve been looking for you!”

Du Tinglan hurried over and grabbed Teng Yuyi’s arm: “What exactly happened over there?”

“Don’t go over yet, the culprit might be mixed in with the crowd.” Teng Yuyi was still completely bewildered as she pulled the Du siblings to a less crowded area. “Sister, how did you end up with the Crown Prince?”

Du Tinglan’s face reddened slightly. Du Shao Tang glanced at his sister, his expression suddenly turning strange.

***

When Du Tinglan and Teng Yuyi had come out in the evening, they had already discussed tonight’s plan to lure out the criminal. Thus when Teng Yuyi had earlier made an excuse to buy sugar figurines, Du Tinglan hadn’t followed. After waiting a while without seeing her sister return, she became somewhat worried and also found an excuse to leave with her brother.

Just as the siblings reached the entrance, a servant boy quietly approached them from the crowd. Huo Qiu was about to deal with him when he recognized the man as Lin Chengyou’s attendant and was stunned. Kuan Nu politely led the siblings to an inconspicuous corner and respectfully explained his purpose.

He said his young master had something important he wished to ask Miss Teng about, and requested Miss Du’s help in covering for her. If anyone inquired about Miss Teng’s whereabouts, they should say she had gone to Linshui Pavilion to collect some pre-ordered accessories. He added that the shopkeeper at Linshui Pavilion had already been informed, so Miss Du need not worry.

Though full of doubts, the Du siblings had interacted with Lin Chengyou several times before and knew this man was his confidant, so they could only agree.

To make their return appear more natural, the siblings bought some jade-tipped noodles and distributed them to their classmates back at Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion. Before long, their classmates also grew restless and began leaving in groups.

Du Shao Tang endured for another half hour. Seeing few people left in the pavilion, he said: “Sister, it’s so lively tonight, what’s the point of just sitting here? Let’s go look around too.”

He insisted on pulling his sister out of the pavilion.

Once outside, Du Shao Tang became animated. They released wishing lanterns by the river, then he dragged his sister around sightseeing. Du Tinglan walked while searching for Teng Yuyi, but had no news even after reaching Linshui Pavilion.

The siblings could only retrace their steps. Halfway back they encountered some Hu people performing pole acrobatics. The performer wore brocade clothes and vermillion pants, leaping and tumbling on a long rope suspended in mid-air, his agile movements rivaling those of a monkey. Du Shao Tang, being young and playful, was immediately interested and pulled his sister closer to watch. By chance, an old woman carrying her grandson emerged from the crowd and collided with Du Shao Tang. The old woman couldn’t pull her foot back in time and Du Shao Tang stepped heavily on it.

Du Shao Tang stumbled back several steps in fright.

Du Tinglan was startled and quickly reached out to steady the old woman.

Du Shao Tang quickly regained his balance: “Elderly madam, are you alright?”

The old woman wore a blue-grey jacket and plain skirt, without even a wooden hairpin in her hair. Her grandson held a worn rattle drum and also wore coarse cloth clothing.

The old woman, not expecting to have her foot stepped on, was naturally furious. About to spit out some harsh words, she realized the one who had stepped on her was a richly dressed young gentleman, and the young lady steadying her also had an air of nobility about her. Knowing the other party must be either wealthy or noble, she forcibly swallowed back the words “Don’t you have eyes?”

Though she dared not curse anymore, her expression remained displeased. The old woman pushed away Du Tinglan’s hand and limped to one side with her grandson, loudly crying out in pain: “Aiyoyo, this old body is in such pain!”

Her cry attracted the attention of everyone around.

Du Shao Tang panicked – the woman was elderly, could his step have broken her toe bones?

Du Tinglan’s face also burned with embarrassment, though fortunately, her veiled hat prevented too many from seeing. She quickly signaled her brother to apologize while steadying the old woman herself, repeatedly comforting her in a gentle voice: “My brother was careless. Please don’t be angry, elderly madam. There’s a medical clinic nearby, let us accompany you there to have it examined.”

Du Shao Tang bowed deeply, saying shamefacedly: “I’m so sorry, it was all this junior’s recklessness.”

Though the old woman was shrewd, she wasn’t truly mean-hearted. Thinking it over, she realized they could have simply ignored her, but their good upbringing made them stay to apologize sincerely. After hearing the siblings’ gentle words, most of her anger had already dissipated. Besides, her foot wasn’t seriously injured – if they went to the clinic, the doctor probably wouldn’t even bother giving her medicine. So she said gruffly: “No need. Young master, you look thin and weak but you certainly have strength when stepping on people. This old woman’s foot will probably be swollen for several days.”

Du Tinglan still felt guilty. Seeing the old woman refuse to go to the clinic, she could only take out a small money pouch and give the few taels inside to the old woman’s grandson.

Now it was the old woman’s turn to feel uncomfortable. Du Tinglan knew the old woman had reservations and said with a smile that her grandson was adorable and the money was for buying the young master some treats.

Only then did the old woman accept with a beaming smile.

As the siblings turned around, they saw a youth in purple robes watching them from nearby, his gaze gentle and kind, his bearing elegant and distinguished. He had witnessed that entire scene.

The Du siblings had seen the Crown Prince at Le Dao Manor and exchanged surprised looks: His Highness the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince seemed to be out alone enjoying himself incognito, with only a few attendants. In this situation, it wouldn’t be appropriate to go forward and bow, so the siblings could only pretend not to recognize him.

After walking a short distance, Du Shao Tang saw a vendor selling steamed pears by the road and excitedly said: “Sister loves eating these! Sister, wait a moment, I’ll go buy two bowls.”

Du Tinglan could only stop and wait.

After that earlier incident, Du Shao Tang was afraid of stepping on someone else’s foot again. Though he had reached the edge of the crowd, he still hesitated to push through.

Du Tinglan was anxious to find Teng Yuyi and was about to call her brother back, but just then, several people walked up to the stall and bought several bowls of steamed pears at once. The Crown Prince turned and handed two bowls to Du Shao Tang, smiling as he said: “Young Master Du, please take these.”

Du Shao Tang was stunned – he had thought the Crown Prince’s group had gone elsewhere and didn’t expect them to be here. Unable to refuse the Crown Prince’s gesture, he respectfully accepted the pear bowls, gave his thanks, and then emerged directly from the crowd to give one bowl to his sister.

Though puzzled, Du Tinglan could only bewilderedly accept this gesture of goodwill.

With the shared connection of these bowls of steamed pears, it was natural for the Crown Prince to walk together with the siblings.

“Young Master Du studies at the Imperial Academy? How many years have you studied there?” The Crown Prince’s voice was like a gentle breeze.

Du Shao Tang had always been timid and was now completely terrified. When he raised his sleeve to wipe sweat, he unconsciously glanced toward his sister but failed to meet her eyes. Instead, he caught sight of Huo Qiu nearby. Ever since Cousin Yu had assigned Huo Qiu to his side, Huo Qiu had been vigilant day and night without a single mistake. Thinking about how these were all people trained by Cousin Yu, who was only four years older than himself…

In the past, he had always listened to his parents and sister in everything, but lately, he had assigned quite a few tasks to Huo Qiu and had gradually grown accustomed to making his own decisions.

He composed himself and tried to answer according to his thoughts: “I began my studies at age five and have been at the Imperial Academy for six years now.”

The Crown Prince said in a gentle voice: “Every member of the Du family is like fragrant orchids and precious jade trees. Your honorable father especially has talent encompassing both literature and strategy. I heard that when your father took the imperial examinations, he achieved first rank, yet was exiled from Chang’an by a muddle-headed official in the Ministry of Personnel because he wrote a long poem called ‘The People’s Suffering.’ I had the fortune to read this poem – while other officials habitually sang praises of achievements and virtues, your father wrote every word crying out for the common people’s hardships. Unfortunately, this poem never reached my father’s hands, as it was suppressed by the incompetent Minister Gu of that time. This matter… has Young Master Du heard of it?”

Du Shao Tang secretly wiped his sweat. That had been a major turning point in his father’s career – originally boundlessly promising, from then on it had plummeted to the depths. This topic concerned the Du family’s future and absolutely could not be answered carelessly. Unable to decide for a moment, he could only look to his sister for help.

The Crown Prince saw this and couldn’t help feeling some regret. He had merely intended to make casual conversation but hadn’t expected to put the siblings so much on guard.

Du Tinglan noticed her brother’s pleading gaze. Though her face remained silent, her spine straightened even more.

Du Shao Tang’s heart brightened, and he carefully chose his words: “Father often says that as an official of the court, the primary duty is to share the worries of the Emperor and the common people. The more enlightened the ruler, the more readily he accepts counsel, as they say, ‘When the law has failings, you ministers can correct them.’ It was precisely because His Majesty is an enlightened ruler who regards the people as his children that Father dared to write with such directness.”

The Crown Prince smiled slightly. These words were neither servile nor arrogant, praising the ruler while also once again laying bare the Du family’s loyal and upright heart.

He had heard that Du Yuzhi’s personality was too straightforward, often correcting others to their face. Looking at it this way, Du Shao Tang seemed somewhat gentler than his father – outwardly flexible but inwardly principled, which was especially valuable.

Ah yes, Lady Du came from the Wang clan of Taiyuan – the siblings’ temperaments must take after their mother. No wonder Du Tinglan was so gentle and honest.

Du Tinglan’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. Yu’er always said her brother needed to stand on his own, but she and her mother were always worried. Now it seemed she and mother had been far too wrong – what bird in this world couldn’t leave the nest? As if in an instant, her brother had grown up.

She just didn’t know what else the Crown Prince would ask, but from the looks of it, she didn’t need to keep her heart constantly suspended anymore.

The Crown Prince couldn’t help feeling somewhat helpless.

It was his fault – this was also his first time trying to converse with a young lady.

His mother was lenient in other matters but paid particular attention to the matter of her future daughters-in-law. Before moving to the Eastern Palace, he had no serving maids around him, and after moving to the Eastern Palace, there were only some elderly matrons in the palace.

Not only that, his mother had instructed her sons to take their father as a model and never take concubines in their lives.

The Crown Prince understood clearly that it was precisely because the previous emperor had many consorts that his father had nearly been poisoned while still in swaddling clothes. His father deeply despised the imperial consorts’ competition for favor and had never taken any consorts in all these years. They had grown up watching their father’s devotion to their mother and also felt this was something natural and right.

This year, at his mother’s request, he had begun paying attention to the noble ladies of Chang’an. Originally he had been extremely curious about Teng Yuyi because of Teng Shao, but unfortunately on that night at Le Dao Manor, Teng Yuyi had broken out in hives and he hadn’t been able to see her appearance. Instead, Du Tinglan had captured his full attention.

Before he had only observed from afar, but just now he had caught a close glimpse of Du Tinglan’s features. When the wind blew, that thin gauze veil couldn’t block anything at all – Du Tinglan had a delicate nose and cherry lips and was born with eyes like crescent moons.

He had never seen such gentle and clear eyes before. One look and his heart couldn’t help but beat faster.

Seeing that Du Shao Tang was somewhat uncomfortable, he decided to change the subject, smiling as he said: “There’s someone telling stories over there, shall we go listen?”

The siblings both breathed sighs of relief.

Just then, a huge crowd surged toward the arched bridge in front of Qinglong Temple. Du Tinglan hadn’t expected this and nearly fell from the force of the crowd.

Du Shao Tang was too slight to protect his sister, and Huo Qiu was separated by three feet, unable to get close for the moment. As Du Tinglan was continuously pushed by the crowd behind her, just as she was about to fall, someone’s hand steadily supported her.

Du Tinglan raised her head in dishevelment, meeting the Crown Prince’s eyes directly. The Crown Prince released his hand and said: “It seems something has happened over there, let’s go take a look.”

Du Tinglan was naturally extremely grateful.

But the further they walked, the deeper her confusion grew. No matter how crowded it got, whenever they couldn’t move forward, the Crown Prince would always quietly help block for her.

She naturally knew what this meant – only when paying particular attention to someone would one notice their every movement. And tonight the Crown Prince had appeared too coincidentally – the entertainment area at Qinglong Temple was so large, yet the Crown Prince had stayed on the same path as them the whole time.

The more she pondered, the more alarmed she became.

Fortunately, as soon as they reached the scene of the incident, the Crown Prince separated from them of his own accord.

***

“Sister?” Teng Yuyi curiously looked at Du Tinglan.

Du Tinglan didn’t know how to respond. This matter was truly too strange, but thinking it over carefully, she felt everything was just a coincidence. Du Shao Tang, however, felt the Crown Prince’s attitude had been too enthusiastic. After organizing his thoughts, he quietly related everything that had just happened.

Teng Yuyi was stunned.

There were so many places to enjoy around Qinglong Temple – why did the Crown Prince have to accompany all the people? What’s more, he had inquired about so many matters concerning the Du family along the way.

Of course, in Teng Yuyi’s eyes, her sister was the most beautiful beauty in the world. Last time at Le Dao Manor she had won first place among all the talented ladies. If the Crown Prince hadn’t been present it would have been one thing, but having seen her, it wasn’t strange for him to be moved.

However, tonight the streets were packed with visitors, and that scene just now had probably been witnessed by quite a few people. Fortunately, her sister was wearing a veiled hat, and there weren’t many people nearby who recognized the Crown Prince.

Teng Yuyi set her mind at ease and took Du Tinglan’s arm: “This isn’t a good place to talk, let’s return to Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion first.”

Du Tinglan stood on tiptoe to look toward the scene of the incident: “What exactly happened?”

Teng Yuyi then explained what had happened earlier.

The siblings turned pale with shock.

When the three returned to Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion, two yamen runners from the Court of Judicial Review were standing at the entrance.

Almost all their classmates had returned. Teng Yuyi silently counted in her heart – everyone was there except for Wu Gan and Wu Qi, one having met with the incident and the other accompanying her brother to help.

Liu Fourth Miss and others were wiping tears: “We all came out to have fun together, who knew such a thing would happen? The culprit is truly brazen beyond belief.”

The Peng sisters also sighed dejectedly: “Didn’t you see how distraught Young Master Wu and Wu Qi were? After such an incident, the Wu family certainly won’t let this go.”

“What does it mean to lose a hun and po soul? I wonder if they can be retrieved?”

Deng Weili also had traces of tears in her eyes. After a long silence, she said hatefully: “Tonight’s events were too strange. Wu Gan said she wanted to take me to meet someone and told me to wait at the seventh bridge pier, but instead of Wu Gan coming, everyone mistakenly thought I was accompanying the Prince of Cheng’s heir. “

Li Huaigu was startled: “You didn’t know the Prince of Cheng’s heir was beside you at the time?”

“My two maids told me afterward, but actually, at that time I was focused on waiting for Wu Gan and didn’t pay attention to who was around me.”

Teng Yuyi couldn’t help asking: “Did Wu Gan tell you this herself? Or did someone else pass along the message?”

“Wu Gan told me herself.” Deng Weili sniffled. “What’s strange is that after saying this, I couldn’t find her all evening. When I finally saw her passing in front of the pavilion, before I could ask her face to face-what she was up to, the incident happened.”

The classmates looked at each other: “Isn’t this too coincidental – wanting us to mistakenly think you were meeting secretly with the Prince of Cheng’s heir? But what benefit would this bring to her?”

A somewhat foolish distant relative of the Liu family interjected: “I heard that Young Miss Wu is one of the candidates for Crown Princess. If everyone mistakenly thought Miss Deng had a secret relationship with the Prince of Cheng’s heir, wouldn’t she-“

Liu Fourth Miss’s expression changed immediately: “Fifth Brother, shut your mouth.”

That person was too frightened to make another sound.

Deng Weili said decisively: “Impossible. Don’t I know what kind of person Young Miss Wu is? She would never harm someone over something like this.”

Others also agreed: “That’s right, Young Miss Wu is famous for her soft heart and never contends with others. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had Duan Qingying from the Marquis Zhenguo’s mansion secretly steal her sweetheart.”

“But the culprit must have had some reason for taking Young Miss Wu’s souls.”

Peng Jinxiu seemed to recall something and suddenly shuddered: “Last time I heard someone say the Crown Prince had found someone he fancied, saying that person was gentle and the Crown Prince fell in love at first sight. There are many talented and beautiful young ladies in the academy, but few with gentle personalities – they must have been talking about Young Miss Wu. Could the culprit have – because of this -“

The girls were stunned.

The selection of the Crown Princess affects everything – before the dust settles, the palace absolutely wouldn’t leak even half a hint.

How did the Peng family get this information?

Peng Huayue loudly interrupted her sister, forcing a smile as she said: “Everyone please don’t mind, my second sister is very straightforward. It must have been some classmate joking with Young Miss Wu, but my sister believed it was true.”

Peng Jinxiu also realized she had misspoken and anxiously clutched her headdress, not daring to say another word.

Just then they heard someone speaking outside, and shortly after a yamen runner came in saying: “May I ask which is Miss Deng? The officials from the Court of Judicial Review have some questions to ask in person. Please go up to the second-floor reception room – Inspector Yan and Evaluator Lin will arrive shortly. To avoid suspicion, you may bring your maids and matrons with you.”

Deng Weili put on her veiled hat and went upstairs with her servants.

The yamen runner added: “Would Young Miss Wu’s classmates please wait here? We may need to question each of you later.”

Deng Weili waited for a while in the second-floor reception room before hearing footsteps on the stairs. Soon, Lin Chengyou and Yan Zhishi pushed open the door and entered.

Deng Weili rose and gave a curtsy.

After sitting down, Yan Zhishi asked: “Tonight it was Wu Gan who asked Miss Deng to go to the bridge?”

Deng Weili related everything that had happened earlier in complete detail.

Lin Chengyou asked: “Did someone give you a piece of jewelry tonight? Where was it given? Do you know who that person was?”

Deng Weili had her maid present the brocade box from Star-Plucking Tower to the two men: “When I came down from the bridge, I had intended to return directly to Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion, but seeing puppet sellers by the road, I couldn’t help stopping. The vendor said he had a complete set of eighteen theatrical puppets in his cargo box, but it was currently at the entrance of that alley. If I was interested, I could go look at it there. I had many servants with me, and the area was full of pedestrians, so I figured the vendor wouldn’t dare harbor ill intentions. I followed him to the alley entrance, where he took out a brocade box from his cargo box, thrust it at my maid, and ran off without saying a word. I told my maid to throw the box away, but she opened it to look and found inside an extraordinarily precious pair of Moon-Reflecting pearl earrings. The box was also engraved with the three characters for ‘Star-Plucking Tower,’ and there was a letter attached to the inside of the lid.”

Lin Chengyou asked: “You like buying puppets?”

Deng Weili said frankly: “I’ve liked buying puppets since childhood. Every time I go out, I buy several to take home.”

Lin Chengyou and Yan Zhishi exchanged glances – no wonder every step could be precisely calculated; they had researched Miss Deng’s habits beforehand.

“What about that letter?” Lin Chengyou continued.

Deng Weili had someone present the letter.

Lin Chengyou unfolded the letter and was stunned on the spot. The content was unfamiliar, but the handwriting was very familiar.

Yan Zhishi was even more shocked: “Isn’t this…”

Isn’t this Lin Chengyou’s handwriting?

The letter was written very intimately, with almost every sentence expressing admiration for Deng Weili. Combined with their “companionship” on the bridge and the jewelry from Star-Plucking Tower, wouldn’t anyone mistakenly think Evaluator Lin had taken a fancy to Deng Weili?

Lin Chengyou looked at the signature area – not a single character.

“Does Miss Deng know who wrote this letter?”

Deng Weili was silent for a moment: “I have no idea either.”

Lin Chengyou smiled slightly: “If you truly had no idea, you would have thrown the box away in the alley. Why did you have your maid carefully preserve it?”

“Alright.” Deng Weili sighed, resting her chin on her hand. “I thought it was sent by His Highness the Crown Prince, so I didn’t dare discard it carelessly.”

Yan Zhishi was taken aback – Miss Deng’s mannerisms somewhat resembled that of General Teng’s daughter.

Lin Chengyou casually closed the box: “This matter might be related to the culprit. The Court of Judicial Review needs to immediately clarify the origin of the jewelry. If it truly was sent by one of Miss Deng’s admirers, we will return it to Miss Deng once we understand the situation.”

Deng Weili breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s fine.”

Lin Chengyou continued: “So which classmates were in Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion when Wu Gan met with the incident?”

Deng Weili was startled – did this mean they suspected a classmate had done this to Young Miss Wu?

“Besides myself, there were Miss Teng, Fourth Miss Liu, Wu Qi, and at the other table were…” Deng Weili recalled carefully, then added for caution, “Oh right, Miss Teng was the last to enter. Less than a quarter-hour after she sat down, the incident occurred outside.”

After Deng Weili left, Yan Zhishi wrote in his notebook: “It seems we can eliminate these few people from Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion as suspects… The timing of soul-snatching effects varies for each person. Though Miss Teng was inside the pavilion when it happened, the incident occurred less than a quarter hour after she sat down. Looking at it this way, she is suspicious.”

But Lin Chengyou said: “It wasn’t her.”

Yan Zhishi paused.

Lin Chengyou looked at the notebook before him and said casually: “Earlier she was with me. I had someone ask her about matters at the academy, spoke with her briefly, and then had Kuan Nu escort her back to Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion. They met Wu Gan on the way – according to Kuan Nu, Wu Gan was clear-minded at the time and stopped to exchange pleasantries with Miss Teng before they parted. Kuan Nu and several attendants can testify to this. Soul-snatching requires burning talismans – Miss Teng had no opportunity to act under Kuan Nu and the others’ watch.”

If this hadn’t been clarified beforehand, Yan Zhishi would certainly have interrogated Teng Yuyi thoroughly for the investigation, and thus his private meeting with Teng Yuyi would have ended up being recorded in the case documents.

Yan Zhishi stared at Lin Chengyou in surprise – speaking of the matter was one thing, but why was his face red? Sudden understanding dawned in his heart – so Miss Teng was Evaluator Lin’s beloved.

It must be so – otherwise he wouldn’t rush to clear Miss Teng’s name. Thinking back to when he had gone to find Evaluator Lin and happened to encounter a graceful figure hurriedly leaving, with Evaluator Lin waiting in the alley, clearly they had just parted. Given Evaluator Lin’s character, if he didn’t want to meet privately with some young lady, he absolutely wouldn’t act this way.

Yan Zhishi didn’t expose Lin Chengyou, only nodding understandingly: “Very well, then – who should we question next?”

“Miss Teng.”

Teng Yuyi came up quickly. As soon as she pushed open the door, she saw Lin Chengyou. Lin Chengyou sat behind the desk and gestured for her to sit opposite him.

“Please sit.”

Teng Yuyi nodded. Though she wore a veiled hat, the delicate tinkling of her hairpins could be heard when they moved.

Lin Chengyou raised his head to glance at her head ornaments, then lowered his gaze again, asking in a normal tone: “Where did Miss Teng last see Young Miss Wu tonight?”

Teng Yuyi said: “Near the arched bridge.”

“Who was with Young Miss Wu at the time?”

“I think just three maids.”

“No classmates?”

Teng Yuyi shook her head.

“Was Wu Yuanluo not there either?”

Teng Yuyi thought for a moment: “At least not by Young Miss Wu’s side at the time.”

“Did Young Miss Wu show any abnormalities? Was her speech clear when she spoke with you?”

Teng Yuyi nodded: “Very clear. She was holding several small trinkets – palm-sized small kites, small hammers, about four or five items in total. When she saw me, she stopped and exchanged a few pleasant words, then walked off in another direction with her maids.”

“Did she say where she was going?”

“She said she was going to the riverside to release wishing lanterns.”

Lin Chengyou paused: “Was she carrying a lantern?”

“No.”

“What about her maids?”

“They weren’t carrying lanterns either.”

Yan Zhishi frowned: “Going to the riverside to release wishing lanterns but without lanterns – so they must have been planning to buy lanterns first.”

Lin Chengyou suddenly asked: “Were there any suspicious people around you at the time? For instance, someone quietly following Young Miss Wu while carrying a piece of meat?”

Teng Yuyi blinked – who would wander around carrying meat on such a fine evening? Could the culprit be a butcher?

She thought carefully: “I didn’t see anyone. There were too many people on the street, and I wasn’t paying much attention.”

“Did you encounter anything strange on your way back?”

“Yes.” Teng Yuyi hurriedly said, “Not long after returning to Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion, I saw Lu Zhao’an pass in front of the building, and immediately afterward heard that Wu Gan had met with the incident.”

Teng Yuyi had already sent Chang Geng to tell Lin Chengyou about this, but Yan Zhishi didn’t know. Hearing this, he was greatly alarmed: “Lu Zhao’an?”

There couldn’t be such coincidences in the world – Lu Zhao’an happened to be nearby for every soul-snatching case. The first victim, Young Master Hu Jizhen, had quarreled with Lu Zhao’an before the incident. The second victim, Li Ying’er, had accidentally fallen into a well at Chu Guo Temple. Both incident locations were not far from Lu Zhao’an’s residence.

Tonight’s incident with Young Miss Wu seemed to have no connection to Lu Zhao’an, yet he appeared nearby just before it happened.

Yan Zhishi wrote down this testimony: “Evaluator Lin, it seems we can formally interrogate Lu Zhao’an now.”

Lin Chengyou then said to Teng Yuyi: “Show me your hands – I need to check if there are traces of talisman use.”

Teng Yuyi knew this was for Yan Zhishi’s benefit, so she stretched out both arms and spread her palms before them.

Lin Chengyou rose and came closer, testing with a talisman in front of Yan Zhishi.

“Alright, no talisman use. You may go.”

Next, Lin Chengyou and Yan Zhishi called in Li Huaigu and others for questioning.

Lin Chengyou got straight to the point: “Where were you before Young Miss Wu’s incident?”

Li Huaigu said composedly: “I went with my maid to buy kites. My servant mentioned that I used to fly kites near Chu Guo Temple when I was young, but I had a serious illness in childhood and forgot all about it. When my servant mentioned this earlier, I became curious and went to look at that kite shop.”

As she spoke, she had her maid take out the newly bought kite.

Lin Chengyou was startled – this kite looked very familiar, though he couldn’t recall where he had seen it before.

“Where did you see Young Miss Wu tonight?”

Li Huaigu shook her head: “After arriving, I stayed in Chrysanthemum Frost Pavilion drinking tea, then went to buy kites, and afterward heard about the incident. I didn’t see Young Miss Wu all evening.”

The kite shop was nearby – how long Third Miss Li stayed in the shop could be verified by asking there. She dared to say this, presumably because she had nothing to hide.

Lin Chengyou rose from behind the table: “Please open your hands, Miss Li. I need to check if you’ve used any talismans tonight.”

“Alright.” Li Huaigu raised her arms and spread her palms.

Lin Chengyou came closer, hands behind his back as he bent to examine them.

Yan Zhishi’s gaze fell on Li Huaigu’s hands – this young lady’s fingers were exceptionally white and slender.

Strangely, though they had been steadily held in the air, when Lin Chengyou drew near, Third Miss Li’s chest suddenly heaved once, as if somewhat nervous, or perhaps shy. She quickly regained her composure, steadying her arms without showing any reaction.