The renowned scholar Master Qiao Zhuo had lived in seclusion in Xingzi Forest for many years, making Jia Feng’s Xingzi Forest a place of pilgrimage for literati throughout the realm. From time to time, people would come to visit out of admiration, and the people of Baiyun Village all felt honored by this association. Moreover, Master Qiao Zhuo was refined yet approachable, and his servants would even teach the village children to read and write. Over time, he became increasingly beloved by the villagers.

Master Qiao Zhuo was good, so naturally, his family members were also good. Such a wonderful family had been murdered, not burned to death in a fire!

The more the villagers thought about it, the more sympathetic they became.

Shao Mingyuan walked forward several steps and suddenly bowed deeply to the villagers: “Fellow elders and neighbors, my father-in-law’s family had always been kind to others, maintained a pure family reputation, and lived in harmony with the world, yet unexpectedly suffered such vicious treatment. The murderer might very well be hiding among you all. If he could harm my father-in-law’s family today, who knows—he might harm your lives tomorrow.”

Shao Mingyuan’s words were forceful and resonant, like throwing a thunderbolt into the crowd of onlookers, exploding with a sudden crash.

The villagers’ previous sympathy immediately transformed into terror as they stepped back and warily examined those around them.

Magistrate Wang raised his sleeve to wipe away sweat, saying with a bitter smile: “My lord, how can you say such things…”

Shao Mingyuan glanced coolly at Magistrate Wang and continued: “This marquis’s words are by no means alarmist. Only by finding the murderer as quickly as possible can we eliminate this threat. This marquis knows that not long ago, an official from the capital came to investigate this case, but unfortunately failed to uncover the truth. This also shows that the murderer is extremely cunning. Therefore, this marquis earnestly requests all fellow elders and neighbors to lend me your assistance in finding the murderer, clearing the Qiao family’s name, and ensuring that the evildoer receives appropriate punishment so they can harm no one else.”

As soon as these words were spoken, bold villagers immediately voiced their support: “Rest assured, my lord! Whatever we can help with, we definitely will!”

“Yes, yes, we can’t let the murderer harm anyone else.”

“Speaking of which, the Champion Marquis is truly capable—he discovered that the Qiao family was murdered as soon as he arrived. That official who came from the capital earlier investigated for ages but found nothing before leaving.” Someone in the crowd said.

Immediately, someone scolded: “You can’t criticize officials—you’ll be thrown in prison.”

Magistrate Wang’s face turned ashen as he continuously wiped sweat: “My lord, when the imperial envoy came previously to investigate the Qiao family fire, he already questioned these villagers but didn’t uncover any useful clues. Look, shouldn’t this matter first be reported to the prefect? Then we can reinvestigate.”

When the imperial envoy came to investigate the case previously, it was the prefect and he who had assisted with the investigation together. Now that the Champion Marquis had discovered the Qiao family had been murdered, he would at least be charged with incompetence. This was truly a case of sitting peacefully at home, only to have disaster fall from the sky—his performance evaluation next year would be in jeopardy.

Shao Mingyuan’s expression grew grave: “Investigation is naturally the government’s responsibility, but as the aggrieved party, this marquis hopes to observe. Does Magistrate Wang have any objections?”

“This subordinate wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare.”

Shao Mingyuan’s expression softened slightly: “Rather than choosing another day, let’s begin the investigation now. This marquis suggests we start by questioning the Baiyun Village residents one by one to see if we can find any clues.”

“Now?” Magistrate Wang looked surprised.

“What of it?”

“My lord, look—the sun is already setting. Even if we’re reopening the investigation into the Qiao family fire, we should wait until tomorrow. Furthermore, this subordinate only brought a few men on this trip, so even if we were to investigate, we don’t have enough manpower—”

Shao Mingyuan raised his hand to rub his brow and sighed: “In that case, this marquis will first speak with the Baiyun Village residents to understand the situation.”

Magistrate Wang couldn’t very well obstruct this, so he could only remind: “My lord, the imperial envoy had already questioned these villagers previously and truly found no clues.”

Shao Mingyuan’s face darkened as he said coolly: “Oh, it seems that the imperial envoy also failed to discover that the Qiao family members had been burned post-mortem. What do you say, Magistrate Wang?”

Magistrate Wang was so frightened by the question that his heart raced, and he nodded with a dry laugh.

Jiang Wu under the tree twitched the corners of his mouth and murmured: “Who would have thought that the Champion Marquis, rumored to be like a cold-faced King of Hell, would have such eloquence.”

With a few words, he had stirred up the Baiyun villagers’ enthusiasm for assisting with the case, forced the Jia Feng magistrate to agree to his involvement, and could even begin investigating first.

Indeed, anyone who could reach such a position was far from simple.

Jiang Wu strode toward Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan seemed to sense something and turned to look.

Jiang Wu stopped at a distance and clasped his hands: “My lord.”

Shao Mingyuan quickly assessed the newcomer, and from observing his bearing and demeanor, had a good idea of the man’s identity, though his face remained expressionless as he asked: “And you are—”

Before Jiang Wu could speak, Magistrate Wang was already greeting him: “Lord Wu, how did you come to be here?”

Yang Houcheng quietly nudged Chi Can’s arm: “Look, another Jinlin Guard.”

Chi Can stared intently at Jiang Wu, frowning: “This Jiang Wu is no good person—even more detestable than that Jiang Shisan.”

Yang Houcheng smiled: “Which of the Jinlin Guards are likeable? If he wants to meddle anyway, we’re not pushovers either.”

“Exactly. Some things that are inconvenient for Tingquan to do based on his status, we have no qualms about.” Chi Can murmured.

He looked coldly at the distant figures. The not-yet-fully-grown young woman was much shorter than the man beside her, and he couldn’t help thinking: From a height perspective, he and Third Miss Li were much more compatible. With such poor judgment, this stupid girl wasn’t worth having anyway.

“Let’s go over.” Dropping this remark, Chi Can walked toward Shao Mingyuan.

Jiang Wu’s gaze shifted to look at the approaching Chi Can and his companion, saying with a smile: “Young Master Chi, Young Master Yang.”

Though he was smiling, it wasn’t like Jiang Yuanchao’s spring breeze-like warmth, but rather made one feel chilled to the bone.

Shao Mingyuan looked deeply at Jiang Wu.

So this was Jiang Wu.

After returning to the capital from the Northern Territories, because of Zhaozhao being captured by the Tartars, he had sent Shao Liang to investigate in Beiding City early on. Though the investigation’s progress was somewhat slow, they had discovered something interesting.

This Lord Jiang Wu, like his traitorous subordinate general Su Luofeng, was a patron of the same courtesan named Yingying from a brothel in Beiding City.

This discovery made Shao Mingyuan think deeply.

As one of the notable figures among the Jinlin Guards, yet maintaining intimate relations with a courtesan—rather than believing this was mere coincidence, he was more inclined to believe that Jiang Wu used that courtesan to secretly communicate with Su Luofeng, or even… that courtesan might very well be a Jinlin Guard informant.

If this were true, then Su Luofeng’s betrayal was orchestrated by the Jinlin Guards. And the only one who could command the Jinlin Guards was—

Shao Mingyuan didn’t want to think further, yet he understood that the truth had to be uncovered.

He decided to test this man’s depths.

“Since Lord Jiang has come, please accompany me back to my lodgings for tea. This place is hardly suitable for conversation.”

Jiang Wu bowed slightly: “Then I must thank the marquis.”