Outside the Drooping Flowers Gate, Teng Yu’yi immediately spotted Dharma Master Jingchen. The diminutive master stood in the courtyard conversing with several senior monks, her small stature making her the shortest among them.

“Patron Teng.” Dharma Master Jingchen came forward to greet her. Born with short legs and possessing a naturally hurried temperament, her steps always appeared more rushed and urgent than others.

Teng Yu’yi quickly stepped forward: “Greetings, Master.”

Dharma Master Jingchen’s face was filled with remorse: “After our conversation that day, this humble one took two disciples down to the underground palace to search. Unfortunately, the mechanisms had already gone through several cycles, and the item was no longer in its original location. Despite searching for a long time, we were unable to find the hairpin for Patron Teng.”

Teng Yu’yi felt a sharp pain in her chest, but even through her anguish, she knew she couldn’t blame others. She quickly bowed and said earnestly: “I carelessly lost the item myself, yet troubled Master to help search for it. Master’s kindness and benevolence truly touch one’s heart. During this time when I cannot move about freely, I shall certainly visit your temple another day to make a generous offering of incense and candles.”

Dharma Master Jingchen waved her hand: “You’re too kind. Your anxiety over losing the hairpin shows how much you treasure your late mother’s possession. Seeing your filial devotion, how could this humble one not treat the matter with utmost seriousness?”

At this moment, Madam Du arrived with Du Shaotang. Hearing the conversation, she sighed: “The Yuzhen Daoist Temple’s divinations have always been efficacious. My niece has encountered continuous misfortunes lately. As her aunt, I’ve been wanting to burn some incense at the temple. Why don’t I go on behalf of the child?”

Just then, the monks Mingxin and Jianxing came to invite Dharma Master Jingchen for a vegetarian meal at the temple.

Being a straightforward person, Dharma Master Jingchen immediately flicked her whisk and said cheerfully: “Then I’ll trouble the two Dharma masters to lead the way.”

Madam Du led the children to the Cloud Assembly Hall. As they sat down, she had Wet Nurse Ling Gui open the food boxes they’d brought: “These are all made by your aunt, with vegetarian fillings. Eat without worry, good child. Just endure for a few more days. Once this trouble passes, your aunt will make you more of the meat dishes you love.”

After speaking, she pressed her palms together, closed her eyes, and murmured: “Great Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva, please protect my Yu’er and help her safely overcome this tribulation.”

Du Shaotang laughed: “Mother, how can you be like this? One moment you want to observe Buddhist practices and recite sutras, the next you want to go to a Daoist temple to burn incense for Cousin Yu.”

Madam Du lifted her eyelids and gave her son a stern look.

Du Tinglan held back her laughter and chided her brother: “Stop talking nonsense. Mother is just confused with worry. You’re too young to understand a mother’s loving heart.”

Du Shaotang sat down next to Teng Yu’yi and said with concern: “This morning when we passed by the Court of Judicial Review, we saw the Crown Prince of Cheng talking to an elderly woman at the entrance. It was still dark, and I thought I was seeing things. When I rode closer to look, it was him. Is this case particularly difficult to solve, that even the Crown Prince of Cheng is working from dawn?”

Teng Yu’yi started. Lin Chengyou had said he was going to interrogate Zhuang Mu in the prison last night, and now he was up so early – could he have been working all night?

She rubbed her chin and said softly: “It does seem quite tricky. The killer hasn’t left many clues so far. But speaking of this, Lin Chengyou has always been quite dedicated to solving cases. Not to mention, he solved those cases at the Caifeng House in just three days.”

Madam Du’s heart stirred, and she turned to carefully observe Teng Yu’yi. The child’s eyes were clear as she spoke, with no trace of affectation in her expression.

After studying her for a while, she felt she might have been overthinking.

She sighed with feeling: “I’ve long heard that the Crown Prince of Cheng is skilled at solving cases. Surely it can’t all be flattery from his subordinate officials. Look, Shaotang – even someone of such noble birth works so diligently. You should be more industrious than before. When your father asks you to memorize a few more passages, don’t complain to me.”

Du Shaotang pouted. No matter what he said, his mother always found a way to turn it back on him.

He fled in panic: “I’ve heard that Dayin Temple has serene scenery. Your son will go for a walk outside.”

Madam Du grew increasingly uneasy and clasped Teng Yu’yi’s hand tightly: “You saw the killer that day, didn’t you? I heard that the villain has killed quite a few people already. They won’t come to Dayin Temple, will they?”

Teng Yu’yi said: “Don’t worry. Right now, Dayin Temple is the safest place under heaven. With all these eminent monks and Dun Fu around me, that criminal wouldn’t dare to act recklessly.”

Worried her aunt might overthink things, she buried her head in her aunt’s embrace: “Later when I leave the temple, I’d like to borrow Wet Nurse Gui from you.”

Madam Du was startled for a moment, then her gaze softened: “You want to personally make some clothes for your father, don’t you? Your sister mentioned this to me last time. This is a good thing. If your father knew, he would be overjoyed. Just wait – once you return home, I’ll send Wet Nurse Gui to you.”

Meanwhile, the Peng Huayue sisters and Li Huaigu were also meeting with their families. Though they had only been confined in the temple for one night, it felt like a whole year. After asking about one thing, they would inquire about another, as if they had endless things to discuss.

Only Duan Qingying spoke in hushed tones with the servants, clearly afraid of being overheard.

Madam Du suddenly slapped her forehead: “I almost forgot the important matter. The eldest son of Minister Zheng is to be betrothed to the eldest daughter of Vice Minister Wu. Both families intend to keep it simple and haven’t sent cards to the various households. Both families have long been friends with the Teng family, and your father might be too busy to attend to this. Don’t forget to have Butler Cheng send gifts to both the Zheng and Wu families.”

In both her past and present lives, Teng Yu’yi had never directly interacted with Wu Dai’s daughter. She had only heard that Wu Xiang, Wu Dai’s eldest daughter, was quiet by nature and rarely socialized. However, she was quite familiar with Wu Er’s daughter, Wu Qi. That day at the Yuzhen Daoist Temple, Wu Qi and Zheng Shuangyin’s courage had left a deep impression on her. For Wu Qi’s character alone, she should prepare a generous gift.

She quickly said: “I’ll have someone send word to Butler Cheng right away.”

The Peng family seemed to be discussing this matter as well. Peng Huayue asked curiously: “Were they betrothed since childhood? Why are they only exchanging formal gifts now?”

“It’s said that Minister Zheng had someone divine his eldest son’s fate. The young master wasn’t suited for betrothal before the age of twenty. But both Minister Zheng and Vice Minister Wu were very satisfied with this marriage arrangement, so they specially waited until Young Master Zheng turned twenty to exchange gifts.”

Peng Jinxiu said: “No wonder Wu Qi said her sister wouldn’t have time to attend our flower-viewing party recently. So it was because she was preparing for the betrothal. Wu Qi’s sister must be a beauty too.”

Her voice was rather loud, drawing everyone’s attention. Teng Yu’yi happened to glance over and saw Duan Qingying tightly wringing her handkerchief, her face as ashen as if covered in a layer of gray.

The Peng family servant said with a smile: “Miss Wu is both beautiful and good-natured, and Young Master Zheng is also quite handsome. Everyone in Chang’an says this marriage is made in heaven.”

Duan Qingying suddenly stood up. Peng Jinxiu and the others were somewhat surprised: “Qingying, what’s wrong?”

Duan Qingying pressed her hand to her forehead and smiled faintly: “I’m not used to staying in the temple, and might have caught a cold. I won’t join you for breakfast. I’ll go rest in the east wing first.”

The Du family had brought many snacks. Du Tinglan, estimating there was enough for Teng Yu’yi to eat, was personally giving some to Peng Huayue and the others. Seeing the situation, she handed two boxes to Duan Qingying: “If you’re not having breakfast, you might get hungry later. These are vegetarian snacks made by my mother. Take two boxes back to eat.”

Duan Qingying unexpectedly caught the aroma of the snacks and immediately showed signs of wanting to vomit.

Du Tinglan and the others were taken aback.

Duan Qingying hurriedly turned her head and covered her throat, forcefully suppressing it. Then she managed a smile and said: “Thank you.”

She accepted the snacks and came over to thank Madam Du.

Madam Du watched Duan Qingying’s hastily retreating figure with a puzzled expression.

Teng Yu’yi gently nudged Madam Du’s arm: “Aunt, what are you thinking about?”

Madam Du came back to herself and smiled: “Your aunt was remembering when I was pregnant, I also couldn’t eat anything, just like having caught a cold. You must be extremely careful these days. No matter how nice the temple quarters are, it’s not as comfortable as being at home. Have Chunrong prepare extra blankets for you at night. Don’t catch a cold like Miss Duan.”

This was the first time Teng Yu’yi had heard this explanation. She had thought pregnancy was just about the belly growing larger day by day – who knew it could also make one feel as uncomfortable as having a cold?

As they were speaking, Mingxin came to urge everyone to leave. Madam Du asked if she could stay in the temple with Teng Yu’yi for a few days but was gently refused by Mingxin. Madam Du had no choice but to leave the temple with Du Tinglan and Du Shaotang.

Teng Yu’yi accompanied them to the temple gate. As Madam Du and her daughter were getting into the carriage, it suddenly swayed.

Du Shaotang ran to the front of the carriage to look, then quickly turned back: “Mother, you and sister stay here and talk more with Cousin Yu. I’ll go to the nearby harness shop to rent a carriage.”

Madam Du and Du Tinglan asked in surprise: “What’s wrong?”

“The calf has a cramped leg and can’t travel for now.” He then instructed Huo Qiu, “Brother Huo, please stay here and take care of this.”

Teng Yu’yi had originally thought to have Dun Fu handle it, but seeing that Du Shaotang had quickly made up his mind, she smiled inwardly and decided not to help arrange things.

Just as Du Shaotang was about to leave, Abbot Yuanjue and Prince Tun’an happened to come out. Seeing the situation, they asked what had happened, and Mingxin explained that the Du family’s carriage was broken.

Madam Du led the children forward to bow in greeting, then heard Prince Tun’an say: “Let Madam Du use my carriage. I can ride Guichang’s horse to the palace later.”

Madam Du hurriedly said: “We wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness. My son has already agreed to go to the harness shop to hire a carriage.”

Prince Tun’an pondered briefly: “The nearest harness shop is several main streets away from here. It would take at least an hour round trip. Madam need not be concerned. In earlier years, I received great kindness from General Teng, and I have always admired Lord Du’s character. Having happened upon this situation today, I couldn’t simply stand by and watch. Moreover, such a small matter is truly just a lift of the hand.”

Though his tone wasn’t particularly warm, it was quite sincere. If they continued to refuse, it would seem deliberately standoffish. Madam Du could only say gratefully: “Then many thanks to Your Highness.”

With their mother having spoken, Du Shaotang also abandoned his plan to rent a carriage. After a while, the prince’s servants brought the carriage to the gate. Madam Du led the children in repeatedly thanking Prince Tun’an, then they set off for home.

Lin Chengyou looked at Chen Sangu before him. Last night’s words had indeed worked – this woman had been waiting at the Court of Judicial Review’s entrance before dawn, though she had wrapped her head and face tightly, as if terrified of being recognized.

“Your lady has been sleeping poorly since becoming pregnant?”

Fear flickered in Chen Sangu’s eyes: “Indeed. The lady was fine when she first married into the household, but after becoming pregnant, she developed several strange ailments. Even during daytime naps, she insists on having two maids keep her company by the bed. Who knows what she fears.”

“Does your Young Master know about this?”

“Yes, the Young Master has always doted on the lady. He specially invited Dharma Master Jingchen from the Yuzhen Daoist Temple to perform a ritual and posted many talismans on the doors and windows. Only then did the lady improve somewhat.”

Lin Chengyou suddenly said: “You know what your lady fears.”

Chen Sangu trembled in fright: “How would this servant know?”

Lin Chengyou nodded with a smile: “If you truly didn’t know, why would you come to the Court of Judicial Review so early? Yesterday when you heard the killer might know Young Madam Jiang, you were so frightened you couldn’t sleep all night, weren’t you? You’re Young Madam Jiang’s head servant – if the killer wanted to silence someone, you’d be the first target. If you keep hiding things, forget the Court of Judicial Review – even the gods won’t be able to save you.”

Chen Sangu’s legs went weak. She said tearfully: “This servant wants to speak, but revealing these matters will cause great trouble.”

She bit her lip and steeled herself: “Everyone in the household says the previous lady was killed by the current lady.”

“The previous lady? Elder Madam Jiang?” Lin Chengyou deliberately asked, “Isn’t your current lady Elder Madam Jiang’s birth sister?”

Chen Sangu nodded uneasily: “That’s exactly what’s strange. The lady married into the household last year. At first, everything was normal, but before long, she found excuses to drive away all the previous lady’s old maids. The previous lady’s clothes and jewelry were either locked in chests or moved to the storeroom. In the end, not a single old person or thing remained.

“The servants said these were all left by her elder sister. The previous lady had treated her sister so well in life – couldn’t the current lady keep something in remembrance? But the lady was so ruthless, as if afraid to see these things.

“By chance one night, the eldest young master woke up looking for his mother. The lady held him in her arms to comfort him. The eldest young master was confused from sleep and pushed the lady away angrily: ‘You drove my mother away, give my mother back to me.’

“The lady’s expression changed immediately. After that, though she still cared meticulously for the eldest young master and young miss in public, she became much colder in private. This servant found it puzzling – how could she take a child’s words so seriously and hold such a grudge?

“Besides these matters, several elderly servants in the household said the lady had an unclear relationship with the Young Master even before marrying in. Last year when the lady came to visit her nephew, one night the Young Master was drunk and somehow entered the lady’s guest room. He stayed there until midnight before leaving. The next day when they went in to clean, although the lady had cleaned up beforehand, there were traces on the bed. When the lady saw her brother-in-law the next day, her manner was completely coquettish. They all said the lady had certainly lost her virtue before marriage. However, speaking of this, the previous lady had been deceased for several years, and the Young Master had no one caring for him. The lady had grown even more beautiful than before over these years, so it’s not surprising the Young Master would be moved.”

Lin Chengyou asked: “Do your Young Master and the Count know about these rumors?”

Chen Sangu shuddered: “How would we dare let it reach the Count and Young Master’s ears? The Count is stern and his orders absolute – if he knew we dared discuss the masters, he would surely beat us to death. The Young Master is now passionately in love with the lady and would only say we’re slandering the mistress if he heard such talk. Speaking of which, when the lady took it upon herself to dispose of the previous lady’s things, the Young Master did lose his temper several times. But the lady said seeing these things made her think of her sister, and she had carefully stored away her sister’s belongings because she was too grieved. Every time this matter came up, the lady would cry so sorrowfully that the Young Master would soften.”

Lin Chengyou tugged at the corner of his mouth: “Her words make some sense. It seems too far-fetched for you to suspect she killed her sister based just on this. Weren’t there other matters?”

Chen Sangu licked her dry lips: “Speaking of this, we must start from when the previous lady was about to give birth.”

When Elder Madam Jiang was pregnant for the last time, Young Madam Jiang was staying in the household. Young Madam Jiang took extremely devoted care of her sister, and Elder Madam Jiang deeply cherished her sister. When the time approached, the household called for a midwife. The midwife examined her and said the baby wasn’t large and the head had properly engaged – since the lady had given birth once before, they didn’t expect any problems. Who knew that when Elder Madam Jiang went into labor that day, she simply couldn’t deliver no matter what. She labored for two days and two nights before finally dying from blood loss.

“Afterward, the Young Master and Count had people investigate. The imperial physician said the previous lady seemed to have eaten something disagreeable, but the previous lady’s meals had always been personally prepared by the kitchen staff. Everything had been checked by the previous lady and those around her. After investigating for several days, they found neither poison nor abortifacients. The imperial physician could only say the previous lady was a sensitive person, and such people are most prone to anxiety. The lady had worried daily, so perhaps this was why the delivery was difficult. Hearing this, the Young Master was naturally overwhelmed with guilt.

“During that time, the old madam was also bedridden and passed away a month later. The Young Master lost both wife and mother and was grief-stricken daily. The household was busy arranging the funerals, so this matter was left unresolved.”

Having said all this, Chen Sangu anxiously wrung her hands: “Your Highness, this is all this servant knows. I don’t know if it will help solve the case, but I hope you can catch the killer soon.”

Lin Chengyou said: “Let me ask you again – why did your lady suddenly want to visit that spice shop that day? Did someone invite her?”

Chen Sangu thought for a while, then shook her head: “I remember the household didn’t receive any invitation cards in the previous days. The lady probably just had a sudden urge to go, but this isn’t strange. She often did such things before, like suddenly wanting to eat fruit from a certain shop and leaving immediately.”

“How long have you been serving Young Madam Jiang?”

“This old servant was assigned to serve the lady when she married into the Count’s household, so it’s been over a year.”

Lin Chengyou asked further: “Your lady is from Huazhou – does she know someone called Shu Liniang?”

Chen Sangu shook her head in confusion: “No, the lady has never mentioned her.”

She added: “Your Highness, this servant came out secretly. If there’s nothing else, this servant will take leave now.”

But Lin Chengyou said: “Wait. Does your household have a male servant of short stature?”

He gestured with his hand: “About this tall.”

Chen Sangu showed slight surprise: “A male servant that short? I’ve never seen one.”

“Think carefully. He might not work in your household regularly – anyone who has come and gone from your household counts.”

“This servant has served in the Count’s household for over forty years. If there were such a person in the household, they couldn’t escape this servant’s notice. This servant truly hasn’t seen anyone like that.”

After Chen Sangu left, Lin Chengyou decided to find Shu Liniang’s relative. Coincidentally, Magistrate Yan, who had gone early in the morning to question Shu Liniang’s several maids, had just returned. He dismounted at the entrance, panting as he said: “Shu Liniang doesn’t know Young Madam Jiang. Those servants said Shu Liniang had never mentioned Young Madam Jiang, much less met her.”

Lin Chengyou paused. Both Young Madam Jiang and Shu Liniang were from Huazhou – he had thought they knew each other in the past, which would explain how the killer had investigated both their backgrounds in one day.

But today’s inquiries revealed that Chen Sangu didn’t know Shu Liniang and Shu Liniang’s servants didn’t know Young Madam Jiang. If these two had any association, servants on both sides couldn’t be completely unaware.

This at least indicated that Shu Liniang and Young Madam Jiang hadn’t been in contact over the past year or more. So how had the killer targeted them both simultaneously?

Lin Chengyou frowned in thought. Setting aside past acquaintance, could the two women have some other connection he didn’t yet know about?

He quickly took the notebook Magistrate Yan offered: “Where has Shu Liniang been these past two months?”

Magistrate Yan had recorded everything meticulously. He pointed at the notebook: “Just as Minister Zheng said last night, this month Shu Liniang only went out on the night of the Shangsi Festival, and once to get clothes made at a silk shop in the West Market, a shop called Huansha Studio next to Fendie House. Last month, Shu Liniang went out many times: to the West Market to buy writing materials, to Yuzhen Daoist Temple for the spring outing, to that ‘Jinyun Waterfall’ shop in the East Market to have clothes made, and to several foreign restaurants for exotic food – all places popular among Chang’an’s ladies—”

“Jinyun Waterfall?” Lin Chengyou’s gaze fixed on that line in the record.

Young Madam Jiang had also had clothes made at this shop.

He handed the notebook back to Magistrate Yan and mounted his horse: “Let’s go to the East Market first.”

Halfway there, a calf cart passed by in the opposite direction. Lin Chengyou, preoccupied, rode past the cart, but suddenly felt something was amiss and instinctively pulled his reins.

Magistrate Yan quickly reined in his horse as well: “What’s wrong?”

Lin Chengyou looked back toward the end of the lane. If he hadn’t been mistaken, the rider was Du Shaotang.

Du Shaotang was riding alongside the cart, which probably carried the Du family’s womenfolk. This would normally be unremarkable, but the cart beside Du Shaotang belonged to the Imperial Uncle.

Why would the Du family’s women be riding in the Imperial Uncle’s cart?

Magistrate Yan looked in the same direction and nodded in realization: “That looks like Prince Tun’an’s cart.”

Lin Chengyou shook his reins and continued riding toward the East Market, but he couldn’t help pondering. The Du family was of noble status, and Du Yuji wasn’t particularly close to the Imperial Uncle – how could the Du family’s women be riding in the Imperial Uncle’s cart?

Right, yesterday Teng Yu’yi had mentioned that Du Tinglan would stay one night at Dayin Temple, and this cart had just come from the direction of Dayin Temple. If Du Shaotang and his mother had gone to visit Teng Yu’yi today, then picking up Du Tinglan on the way back made sense.

But where was the Du family’s cart? Had it broken down?

The Imperial Uncle had always been humble toward others – if he happened to see this, offering his cart wasn’t unreasonable.

The question was why the Du family would accept this kindness.

Even stranger, when her aunt’s cart broke down, why didn’t Teng Yu’yi have Dun Fu arrange a cart for her aunt? Did she also think it acceptable to receive the Imperial Uncle’s kindness?

Then he suddenly remembered that night at Ledao Manor when Teng Yu’yi was desperate to get bath water for Xiaoya. When it came to him, Teng Yu’yi had stolen it, but when it came to the Imperial Uncle, she had her uncle ask directly.

Did Teng Yu’yi already know of the Imperial Uncle’s humble nature, and thus dared to make unreasonable requests like “asking for bath water” to his face?

Lost in thought, they reached the East Market entrance. Lin Chengyou dismounted to inquire about the location of “Jinyun Waterfall,” and then walked in with Magistrate Yan.

After walking several steps side by side, Magistrate Yan said: “Speaking of Prince Tun’an, last year a relative of mine from Minshan got drunk and accidentally crashed into the Prince’s cart while wandering around. When my relative heard the person in the cart was His Highness, he was scared out of his wits. Who knew the Prince would only have someone help my relative to the roadside, and drive away without a word of reproach? The alley was extremely secluded at the time, yet the Prince was still so considerate of others, showing his consistently good character in private.”

He smiled and continued: “That day I also heard several ladies saying countless young ladies in Chang’an are infatuated with the Prince. Who knows which lady will be fortunate enough to marry His Highness in the future.”

Lin Chengyou pondered for a moment, then raised his head to ask: “For what reasons do young ladies usually favor certain young men?”

Magistrate Yan said: “Oh, there are many reasons – some like a young man’s talent, or his character, some look at family status, or appearances. If family status and character are equal, then they look at appearance.”

Appearance.

Lin Chengyou gave Magistrate Yan a sidelong glance, then quickly looked straight ahead and said: “Then – in Magistrate Yan’s view, who is better looking between the Imperial Uncle and me?”