Lin Chengyou and Yan Shizhi emerged one after another from the Great Prison.

Yan Shizhi’s brows were tightly knitted. “I never expected that even after saying so much, that man still refuses to speak.”

Lin Chengyou, however, remained composed. He knew that no matter how well someone could disguise their expression, their eyes would always betray their true thoughts. Zhuang Mu’s eyes had told him that even if he hadn’t completely made up his mind, he was at least wavering. All that was needed now was to add a bit more pressure.

“In a while, I’ll have someone bring Zhuang Mu some wine and food. Let him smell the aroma, then take it away. Keep sending different dishes, don’t let him have a moment’s peace.”

Yan Shizhi was skeptical. “This man is as stubborn as stone. Will this method work?”

“It’s worth trying.” Lin Chengyou smiled. “When someone is resolved to die, food and wine naturally won’t move them. However, once they start wanting to live, facing these delicacies and fine wines becomes unbearable. I bet he won’t last past nightfall before sending someone to find me.”

Yan Shizhi was taken aback. Lin Chengyou continued, “By the way, Elder Brother Yan, I need to go out for a while.”

“Are you going to the Rong’an Earl’s mansion? Wait, let me change my clothes in the duty room.” Yan Shizhi rubbed his face, trying to rouse himself.

Lin Chengyou paused. “Elder Brother Yan, you’ve been up all night. You should go home and rest.”

Yan Shizhi waved his hand. “It’s no matter. This case has many thorny aspects. Having one more person examine the scene means one more chance to discover clues.”

Lin Chengyou didn’t engage further. Yan Shizhi was diligent and honest; it was common for him to spend several consecutive days at the ministry investigating cases. Trying to stop him directly might not work, so he smiled and said, “This case involves demons and evil arts. Ordinary people might not be able to spot the crucial details. I’ve invited a Daoist master from Dongming Temple to accompany me to Spring Peace Lane. Elder Brother Yan need not make the trip. After Spring Peace Lane, I still need to see Chief Minister Zheng.”

“Chief Minister Zheng?”

“Shu Liniang was Chief Minister Zheng’s kept woman. Her birth date and time, her past in her hometown—others might not know much, but Chief Minister Zheng would know something,” Lin Chengyou explained. “After the murderer was killed in Tongzhou, they rushed to Chang’an to strike again, and their first target happened to be Shu Liniang. I need to understand why the killer specifically chose her.”

Both matters required Lin Chengyou’s attention; outsiders couldn’t help even if they wanted to. As Yan Shizhi was about to speak with a bitter smile, a yamen runner came looking for them: “Evaluator Lin, the two young Daoist masters have arrived.”

Lin Chengyou left the Court of Judicial Review and indeed saw Qingyun Temple’s ox cart at the entrance. Juesheng and Qizhi were standing beside the cart, along with an unfamiliar young gentleman.

“Senior Brother.” Juesheng and Qizhi ran up to him, standing on tiptoes to whisper a few words in his ear.

Du Shaotang? Lin Chengyou looked at the young gentleman across from him with slight surprise.

Du Shaotang couldn’t help feeling nervous, but remembering Miss Yu’s instructions, he secretly straightened his back, cleared his throat, and cupped his hands in greeting Lin Chengyou: “I-I have urgent matters to discuss with the Young Master. Please, might we speak privately?”

Lin Chengyou sensed something unusual: “Let’s talk in the cart then.”

However, when he lifted the curtain, he unexpectedly saw food boxes filling half the cart, stacked one atop another, occupying an entire bench.

“What’s all this?” Lin Chengyou turned to look at Juesheng and Qizhi.

Feeling somewhat guilty for accepting Miss Teng’s gifts without permission, Juesheng and Qizhi gave an awkward smile: “Snacks that Miss Teng sent us.”

Qizhi hurriedly added, “Miss Teng enjoyed the Three Purities Cake we made and insisted on returning the favor. We couldn’t refuse…”

Lin Chengyou gazed at the pile of snacks without speaking. He guessed they were from Teng Yuyi. Such an abundance of return gifts couldn’t have been prepared that morning on short notice. She must have planned to send them food knowing Juesheng and Qizhi loved snacks. Sending so much at once—wasn’t she worried they’d choke?

As Juesheng and Qizhi were about to make excuses, fearing their senior brother’s scolding, Lin Chengyou lowered the curtain and smiled at Du Shaotang: “Young Master Tang, let’s talk over here.”

In a quiet corner, Du Shaotang related the entire matter in detail.

Lin Chengyou was startled. He had been certain Hu Jizhen was secretly murdered because only evil arts could cause someone to suddenly lose a hun and po soul. However, when questioning Hu Jizhen’s relatives and friends, they all said Hu Jizhen was very much like his father Hu Dingbao—gentle and upright by nature, never making enemies. It was only when asking about any recent unusual behavior that Hu Jizhen’s friends unanimously mentioned Lu Zhao’an.

Several friends said that some days ago, Hu Jizhen had highly praised Lu Zhao’an, but later something unknown happened, and when he next saw Lu Zhao’an, he was coldly hostile—as if overnight, he had become Lu Zhao’an’s enemy.

Coincidentally, he had been investigating Lu Zhao’an regarding the tree demon matter, so he followed this lead. As luck would have it, during the two hours when Hu Jizhen met his fate, Lu Zhao’an had been attending a banquet at the Duke of Ying’s mansion nearby. Moreover, when Kuan Nu later had people secretly inquire, neither the Duke’s servants nor the banquet guests could confirm that Lu Zhao’an had remained at the table the entire time.

Assuming Lu Zhao’an was the one who harmed Young Master Hu that day, who was the other person? Lu Zhao’an hadn’t been in Chang’an long and likely didn’t have many close friends. What kind of person would someone like him conspire with about “important matters”… and something that couldn’t see the light of day, requiring deadly force if discovered?

As Lin Chengyou pondered this back and forth, a thought suddenly struck him—perhaps he should review the guest list from that day’s banquet at the Duke of Ying’s mansion once more.

Having made up his mind quickly, he looked at Du Shaotang and said, “Thank you, Young Master Tang, for coming specially to inform me of this matter. I must warn you though—Lu Zhao’an is unfathomable. In the future, don’t inquire about him in public. If you remember or hear anything, just have someone privately send me word.”

Du Shaotang felt a great weight lifted from his mind and was secretly sighing in relief, but hearing these words made him break out in a cold sweat. He nodded in agreement.

Lin Chengyou turned to Juesheng and Qizhi: “Don’t you two have anything better to do?”

Juesheng tensed up: “Actually, we are a bit busy. We were supposed to go eat at Mountain Sea Tower with Miss Teng, but she received an invitation card at the last moment and changed plans to go view flowers at Yuzhen Daoist Nunnery with Miss Du. We left the Teng residence planning to deliver the snacks back to the temple before finding Senior Brother.”

Lin Chengyou said, “Alright, stop thinking about your snacks. First, take Young Master Tang home, then go find Kuan Nu. I’ll give him instructions; he’ll lead you today. Leave the snacks at the Prince of Cheng’s mansion for now and take them back to the temple in the evening.”

After saying this, Lin Chengyou returned to the front and ordered someone to fetch his horse.

Juesheng followed behind asking, “Senior Brother, are you going to investigate the case?”

Qizhi had already returned to the cart to retrieve a box of snacks and ran over to hand it to Lin Chengyou: “Senior Brother, have you not had breakfast? Take this box—you can have something to fill your stomach later if you get hungry.”

“I’ve already had breakfast,” Lin Chengyou mounted his horse. “Besides, I don’t like these.”

With that, he galloped away, but after not too far, the horse returned to the ox cart. Lin Chengyou reined in his mount and said to Juesheng and Qizhi who were about to board: “Hand them over.”

Juesheng and Qizhi looked at each other in confusion: “What?”

“The snacks. I’ve been interrogating suspects all morning and seem to be getting hungry again.”

Juesheng and Qizhi made a sound of understanding and scampered up to the cart to bring down several boxes.

Lin Chengyou looked down from his horse: “Open them for me to see.”

“This is Jade Dew Ball, this is Transparent Flower Rice Ball, this is Golden Bell Roast, this is Single Basket Golden Milk Crisp… they’re all delicious, Senior Brother. Which box would you like?”

“Just these four kinds?” Lin Chengyou glanced at the ox cart. “Nothing else?”

Juesheng and Qizhi were stunned for a moment: “No, these four are what I and Qizhi love most, so Miss Teng only had these made.”

So there wasn’t any Flower Cake. Lin Chengyou thought for a moment—well, if there wasn’t any, so be it. He was just curious whether Teng Yuyi was boasting or telling the truth when she said her Flower Cake was the best in all of Jiangnan.

Probably boasting.

“Never mind.” Lin Chengyou said, “These snacks are all too rich. Keep them for yourselves. Daoist Masters Jiantian and Jianxi are still waiting for Senior Brother at Apricot Blossom Tower—having breakfast there wouldn’t be bad either. I’m leaving now; remember to find Kuan Nu early.”

With a shake of the reins, the horse and rider quickly disappeared at the end of the lane. Juesheng and Qizhi stood dumbly in place holding the lacquered boxes. After waiting a while and seeing their senior brother didn’t return, they finally realized he had truly left this time.

***

The Yuzhen Daoist Nunnery was located in Fuxing Ward, not far from both the Prince of Chun’an’s mansion and Qingyun Temple’s new location.

It was said that Qingyun Temple was in the neighboring ward, and the Prince’s mansion was just behind the western wall.

Arriving at the nunnery’s entrance, the sisters pulled back the carriage curtains to look out. They saw fine carriages and strong horses before the gate, with colorful canopies like clouds—clearly many noble ladies had come.

Teng Yuyi knocked on the carriage wall: “Duan Fu.”

Duan Fu responded in a low voice from outside: “Don’t worry, Miss.”

Teng Yuyi made a sound of acknowledgment. The nunnery might not allow servants to enter, so if Duan Fu couldn’t openly stay by her side, they would need to think of another way. She knew no defense, however strict, could stump Duan Fu. Warning him was merely to let him and the guards prepare early.

Several Daoist priestesses were waiting at the entrance. Seeing the guards with Teng Yuyi, they indeed showed troubled expressions. Though their words were gentle, their refusal was clear.

Teng Yuyi smiled and said, “It’s no matter, I’ll have them wait outside.”

She gave Duan Fu a meaningful look, having him lead the guards to retreat to a distance.

Only then did the priestesses lead the sisters into the nunnery.

Teng Yuyi looked around as they walked. She saw jade pillars and golden brackets, towering pines and cypresses, secluded flowers and trees, pure energy filling the courtyard—truly a Daoist realm of serenity.

This place was exactly as she remembered. She recalled that in her previous life, her first visit to Yuzhen Daoist Nunnery was at the invitation to attend a poetry gathering hosted by the Empress. Only upon arriving did she learn that while the gathering was nominally for poetry and flower appreciation, it was actually for selecting brides for the imperial clan’s sons.

It was also then that she met the Empress and the Princess Consort of Cheng, and while passing through the garden, she saw Lin Chengyou, the Crown Prince, and other imperial clan members.

She weighed her options internally and felt Lin Chengyou wasn’t too bad. Having recently broken her engagement with Duan Ningyuan, she decided to use this opportunity to choose a marriage that suited her. So she made an effort to shine, performing exceptionally well at the poetry gathering.

These efforts weren’t wasted—afterward, the Empress and Princess Consort of Cheng indeed brought her portrait to inquire with Lin Chengyou.

She thought it was practically certain, but unexpectedly received Lin Chengyou’s merciless “won’t marry.”

Thinking of this, Teng Yuyi shook her head and clicked her tongue. A miscalculation, truly a miscalculation. Fortunately, no one knew about this in this life; otherwise, it would have been utterly humiliating.

If she had known earlier that Lin Chengyou was afflicted by that strange gu poison, she definitely wouldn’t have gone to join in the excitement that day. No—even if he hadn’t been poisoned by gu, with his arrogant nature, even a heavenly fairy might not have met his standards. That dream had confirmed this guess—Lin Chengyou still hadn’t married even after three years, showing he never found a “fairy” that satisfied him.

Du Tinglan had long noticed something was off with Teng Yuyi. Seeing her shaking her head and sighing, she asked in surprise: “What’s wrong with you?”

“Don’t mention it.” Teng Yuyi sighed. “Just remembered something foolish I did before.”

Du Tinglan laughed: “I didn’t know you’d ever done anything foolish. Tell Elder Sister, what was it?”

“No need to mention it, no need.” Teng Yuyi waved her hands repeatedly. “It wasn’t anything good anyway. Elder Sister, please don’t ask.”

As they spoke, they reached the Cloud Meeting Hall in the western garden. As the sisters stepped through the moon gate, they could hear laughter from the hall even from far away. The Daoist priestess leading them smiled and said, “The flowers in the nunnery are blooming beautifully these days. Ladies and young misses come to appreciate them daily. Today, with Second Princess Wu hosting the flower viewing, there are especially many young ladies present.”