Zhen Heng stood beneath a cassia tree. Though not in bloom this season, its leaves rustled in the wind, seemingly mocking his current mood.

While Zhen Heng’s face still wore a smile, his heart had rolled its eyes countless times. Why did his father want him to marry the young lady he fancied? Being a son was so miserable – he couldn’t even retort, “If you like her so much, why don’t you marry her yourself?” He’d be in even more trouble if that got back to his mother.

“Father, your son is still young. I’m focused on my studies and don’t want to consider marriage yet,” Zhen Heng said.

Zhen Shicheng tapped his fan against his palm, his brows deeply furrowed. “You’re overthinking this. I want to arrange your wedding for now. The actual marriage can wait until you’ve earned your degree.”

This rascal had grand ideas – still living off his parents, yet already thinking about taking a wife?

Zhen Heng rubbed his nose. His father was too cunning and hard to deal with.

“Son fears he won’t pass the exams and will end up wasting the young lady’s time,” Zhen Heng tried.

Zhen Shicheng glared at him. “Are you saying those without degrees don’t marry? Your mother and I weren’t even provincial graduates when we wed, and now I’m a third-rank official!”

“Father, you were already in your twenties when you married. I’m only eighteen!” Zhen Heng protested.

Zhen Shicheng rapped Zhen Heng on the head with his fan, scolding sternly, “How dare you talk back!”

Zhen Heng thought to himself, “When you can’t win with words, you resort to force. Truly my birth father.”

“Sir—” A yamen runner came panting up to them.

Zhen Shicheng turned, clasping his hands behind his back. “What is it?”

There must be a new case, he thought.

The runner hurriedly reported, “Sir, the heir of Marquis Yongchang has come to report that the Marchioness of Yongchang has been murdered with a candlestick…”

Despite his usual composure, Zhen Shicheng’s expression changed slightly at this news. The murder of a marchioness was no small matter.

Given the gravity of the case, Zhen Shicheng had no time to argue with his son. With a quick “Don’t go out carousing,” he hurried off with the runner.

Zhen Heng heaved a huge sigh of relief. He had escaped disaster for now.

Young and romantic, Zhen Heng wasn’t planning to become a monk. Of course, he had hopes for his future wife. But precisely because of this, he didn’t want his father making hasty decisions about his marriage.

His father dealt with corpses and cases all day. The type of girl he’d admire — Zhen Heng couldn’t help but grimace at the thought.

He still preferred women like his mother – gentle, beautiful, and talented. She and his father had also been childhood sweethearts.

Shaking his head, Zhen Heng walked away.

Zhen Shicheng soon met with Xie Yinlou, the heir of Marquis Yongchang. After hearing the details of the case, he immediately led his men to the Yongchang manor.

The Yongchang manor was still in chaos. With the lady of the house murdered, whether by the marquis himself or someone else, the servants were too panicked to work.

Seeing that Marquis Yongchang had calmed down, Jiang Ancheng said, “Old Xie, since the Shuntian Prefecture officials are coming, I’ll take my daughter home now.”

It was neighborly to come help when trouble struck, but with officials getting involved, staying longer would be inconvenient and seem like gawking. Though not a refined man, Jiang Ancheng understood this principle.

“Thank you for your help today, old friend,” Marquis Yongchang nodded woodenly.

Seeing Jiang Si about to leave, Xie Qingao called out, “Si’er—”

Jiang Si stopped and looked at Xie Qingao.

“Si’er, can you stay and keep me company?” the young girl asked, her tear-stained apple cheeks looking pitiful and fragile.

Jiang Si’s heart softened. She looked at Jiang Ancheng. “Father—”

Though worried his daughter might be frightened if she stayed, Jiang Ancheng was kindhearted. Seeing the Xie girl looking so pitiful, he agreed without hesitation. “Alright, you can stay. If anything happens, have Aman come home with a message.”

He figured he could always buy his daughter a couple of braised pork knuckles to comfort her later.

Jiang Si went to Xie Qingao’s side and took her hand. “Qingao, don’t worry. Magistrate Zhen is brilliant at solving cases. He’ll surely uncover the truth.”

“Si’er, you know the Shuntian Prefect?” Xie Qingao asked.

Jiang Si smiled wryly. “Qingao, don’t you remember? Magistrate Zhen just handled the case of the Marquis Changxing’s heir. I was at the scene, so of course I witnessed Magistrate Zhen’s brilliance.”

Xie Qingao bit her lip and nodded, squeezing Jiang Si’s hand tightly.

“My lord, the officials have arrived,” a servant soon reported.

Marquis Yongchang exhaled slowly and strode out to greet them.

When Zhen Shicheng saw Marquis Yongchang, he sighed inwardly. He had seen many grieving relatives of victims, but each encounter still touched his heart. However, as an investigator, he couldn’t let preconceptions influence him. Many victims were killed by their so-called “grieving” relatives. Even though the Yongchang manor had reported the crime, he couldn’t assume the marquis was completely innocent without a thorough investigation.

“My condolences, Marquis,” Zhen Shicheng said, cupping his hands.

Marquis Yongchang returned the gesture with a bitter smile. “Thank you for coming, Magistrate Zhen.”

“It’s my duty. I’ll do my utmost to solve this case,” Zhen Shicheng said perfunctorily before getting to the point. “I’ve heard the general situation from your heir. You determined the killer hid in the wardrobe because of fingerprints left there?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Jiang Si.

Sharp as ever, Zhen Shicheng immediately followed their gazes. Two young women stood side by side, one tall and one short. He ignored the shorter girl, his attention drawn entirely to the taller one.

It was that young lady again!

For a moment, the usually impassive Magistrate Zhen couldn’t help but show a surprised expression.

Why did he keep encountering this girl at crime scenes? First at Lingwu Temple, then at the Changxing Manor, and now at the Yongchang Manor.

Xie Qingao curtsied to Zhen Shicheng. “Sir, my friend discovered the fingerprints. I saw them too.”

Zhen Shicheng’s gaze on Jiang Si grew even more intriguing.

He had heard from the Yongchang heir that the marquis woke up holding a candlestick, believed he had killed his wife, and was about to commit suicide when evidence of another culprit was found, allowing him to regain his composure.

Now it seemed this was once again thanks to this young lady.

Zhen Shicheng habitually stroked his long beard. Since his wife had come to the capital, his clothes were folded properly, the food suited his taste, and even his beard was combed, feeling quite pleasant to touch.

Zhen Shicheng thought to himself, if only this girl were a man, he would make an exception and promote her, at least to the position of constable.

“In that case, let’s go to the crime scene first. Also, instruct the gatekeepers not to let anyone leave the manor,” he said.

Xie Yinlou interjected, “I’ve already ordered the gatekeepers, sir.”

Zhen Shicheng nodded in satisfaction and followed Marquis Yongchang towards the main courtyard, with the Xie siblings and others close behind.

Aman was standing guard at the door, bored. Seeing the group approach, she straightened up and blocked the entrance.

Recognizing this little maid, Zhen Shicheng couldn’t help but look at Jiang Si.

Jiang Si explained, “I was worried someone might take advantage of the chaos to tamper with evidence, so I had my maid stand guard here.”

Zhen Shicheng heaved a long internal sigh.

No wonder he thought his son was so unworthy!