Cousin and future heir of the Liang family dead, Liang Wuji had no mind for social niceties and walked straight ahead to guide Ling and Cheng, surrounded by guards and servants. Yuan Shen accompanied them while Shaoshang walked and observed—

As a century-old aristocratic clan, whether in area, layout, or grandeur, the Liang residence was similar to the Wan estate, though the atmosphere presented to the world was completely different. The Liang residence was like a wise beauty whose belly was full of poetry and books with an aura of elegance—every mountain stone, every grass and tree displayed reserved charm and lingering aftertaste. Very much like Governor Liang himself, though no longer in the prime of youthful vigor and radiance, decades of tempering made him appear even more profound and majestic, commanding respect without anger.

Though Old Uncle Wan treated Shaoshang very well, she had to admit that Comrade Old Wan’s aesthetic was truly too nouveau riche and boorish. The mansion clearly still had foundation when it came into his hands, but after Wan Songbai moved in for several months—pavilions, towers, and buildings were all painted over with brand new tung oil regardless of propriety, carved beams and painted rafters were all touched up with bright glittering gold powder wherever color had faded.

Actually, sometimes age was also a kind of beauty—the luster of patiently polished lacquerware was far more charming than simply and crudely applying new paint, with a kind of mellow aftertaste precipitated by time. Speaking of which, what exactly happened in Old Uncle Wan’s childhood? Clearly he was also from an aristocratic family, yet his birth mother Old Madam Wan from humble origins actually had more refined taste than him.

Shaoshang looked around and praised: “What a fine place—not the slightest trace of extravagance, yet feels like being amidst brocaded luxury and richness.”

Ling Buyi smiled: “In the future, our residence can be arranged entirely to your liking…”

Yuan Shen on the left front suddenly gave a light snort.

Shaoshang glanced at him and asked in a small voice: “Why is Young Master Yuan unhappy?”

Ling Buyi smiled: “His maternal uncle just passed away—do you still want him to be all smiles?”

Shaoshang felt this made perfect sense, so she raised her voice: “Lord Shangjian, this concubine has not yet offered you condolences and urged you to accept your loss with resignation.”

Yuan Shen took a deep breath and walked to Shaoshang’s side, saying: “My mother was born to my maternal grandfather’s first wife. When Mother married out, Uncle was not yet born. Even later, Mother and her two maternal uncles only met once every few years.”

Shaoshang looked at Yuan Shen and said again in a small voice: “Young Master Yuan, it’s fine if you just say you had no uncle-nephew feelings with Lord Liang Shang—I won’t tell Governor Liang.”

Yuan Shen’s feet slipped and he nearly did the splits: “You…!” He wanted to shout angrily, but thinking carefully, the girl seemed to be right. He felt stifled and uncomfortable, so with a flick of his long sleeves, he walked angrily ahead to Liang Wuji’s side.

Shaoshang was somewhat dazed and asked the Ling Buyi beside her in a low voice: “Did I say something wrong? Young Master Yuan seems even angrier.”

Ling Buyi’s face was full of spring radiance, a shallow smile in his eyes: “Who said that? You’re the most eloquent woman in the world.”

Shaoshang shot her fiancé a look full of both reproach and laughter—always speaking such plain truth, how annoying!

Since it was already noon, Liang Wuji invited Ling and Cheng to dine first. The group entered the hall and Shaoshang saw an elderly man currently burying his head in eating—white-haired, thin and dried-up in build. Looking at the other two food tables with half-eaten meals, Shaoshang finally realized that she and Ling Buyi had arrived while the three of them were eating lunch.

Ling Buyi immediately apologized to Liang Wuji, speaking courteously and politely with graceful composure. The old man inside impatiently raised his head: “Zicheng, you should come eat quickly too—after eating there’s still work to do.”

Liang Wuji frowned: “Everything that needed to be said has been said—why must Lord Ji still inquire one by one?”

The old man ignored him and continued eating with his head down. Ling Buyi smiled: “Governor Liang, don’t take it to heart. Marquis Yang just has this kind of stubborn and upright temperament—he’s being impartial, not personal.”

Marquis Yang Ji Zun raised his head with a cold laugh: “‘Being impartial, not personal’?—That’s just nonsense to fool others and fool yourself. From ancient times, in investigating and interrogating cases, what’s examined is people and what’s handled is people. Under combined kindness and authority, how can one only be impartial and not personal?! Ling Zicheng, you said these words when you were sixteen. Now that you’re older, you’ve become more smooth and slick.”

“You said those words too—very insightful!” Shaoshang beamed with delight.

Yuan Shen looked like his face was covered in pot-bottom ash and wanted to flick his sleeves again.

Ling Buyi smiled and glanced at the girl: “When I was sixteen, I thought Marquis Yang was nearing sixty and probably not far from retirement. Who knew Lord Ji would remain vigorous in old age and still be so hale and hearty today? This shows that what one says in youth is mostly unreliable.”

Translated into plain language this meant: How is this damned old geezer still not dead?!—Shaoshang thought of the youthfully spirited sixteen-year-old Ling Buyi, then compared it to his current deeply calculating appearance, and couldn’t help sighing at the transformative power of the years.

“Why don’t you come investigate the case with this old man later?” Old Man Ji wasn’t angry.

Ling Buyi smiled: “No need. I’m only following His Majesty’s command to come look at the situation—let Lord Ji handle the case as he sees fit.”

Liang Wuji glanced at him and frowned.

“Stop pretending—His Majesty wouldn’t let you get involved in this kind of thankless broken mess!” Though Old Man Ji was elderly, his gaze remained sharp. “For you to volunteer to come, isn’t it because some noble person made a request…?”

Liang Wuji and Yuan Shen both stared at Ling Buyi with grave expressions.

Shaoshang quickly said: “Lord Ji is perceptive—it wasn’t that I insisted Great Master Ling accompany me. He said himself that His Majesty told him to inquire about this case. You shouldn’t overthink either—I’m not any kind of noble person…”

Yuan Shen gave a “pfft” sound, turned his head to suppress laughter. Liang Wuji smiled wryly and shook his head helplessly. Old Man Ji smacked his lips, seeing the young girl was pretty as flowers and jade but silly and foolish, so he continued eating with his head down. Ling Buyi pulled Shaoshang to sit behind the food table, his gaze full of tender smiling intent.

Liang Wuji was weighed down with concerns, Ji Zun full of official business—the two hastily finished their meals and both took their leave. Before leaving, Liang Wuji still entrusted Yuan Shen with a line: “I’ll trouble Shangjian to attend to Zicheng and Miss Cheng.” Yuan Shen respectfully agreed.

Even without anyone pointing it out, Shaoshang knew that the Liang residence should be quite lively right now. From afar came faint sounds of crying, shouting, arguing, and smashing. Presumably all those relatives and friends invited by Old Madam Liang were gathered on the other side of the residence.

Seeing that only the three of them remained in the hall apart from servants, Yuan Shen put down his chopsticks and sighed deeply: “Lady Shaoshang, after that day I learned that you fell into the water the day before the Empress’s birthday banquet. Is there any discomfort with your person?”

Why did everyone think she’d been wronged? Actually she really didn’t suffer any loss. Shaoshang helplessly put down her soup bowl and said politely: “I originally had no problems. Actually I can swim—those who pushed me into the water were the ones who had it worse.”

Yuan Shen said in a low voice: “Mm, that’s good then…”

“Young Master Yuan.” Ling Buyi said, “How is your betrothal proceeding?”

Yuan Shen said coldly: “That seems unrelated to Great Master Ling.”

“Then let’s talk about the Liang residence murder case—that should be related.” Ling Buyi said.

Shaoshang nodded repeatedly: “Right, right, right, Young Master Yuan, actually I have many unclear points and hope you can resolve my doubts.”

Yuan Shen let out a difficult breath: “Ask then, as long as I know.”

“Why did Madam Qu initially marry your maternal uncle? Er… Young Master Yuan, we’ve known each other this long—it’s not that I want to speak ill of the deceased, but looking from every angle, I feel those two… well, weren’t very well-matched…” From appearance to ability to temperament, it was all such a waste!

Yuan Shen sighed: “Many years ago, the Liang and Qu families became bitter enemies and fought endlessly, with both sides losing lives. Later when Emperor Li was tyrannical and brought disaster to the realm, both Liang and Qu families suffered cruelty, so they had to abandon old grudges, weather the difficulties together, and agreed to form a marriage alliance.”

Shaoshang asked doubtfully: “Emperor Li’s chaos was decades ago—how did it fall to Madam Qu?”

“First, after the great chaos, both Liang and Qu families had few direct descendants, and even fewer suitable for marriage. Second…” Yuan Shen smiled, “My cousin uncle—oh, that’s Governor Liang—if he hadn’t married a Qu family daughter first, Mother would have had to marry into the Qu family. Unfortunately, my cousin aunt’s life was cut short by heaven—not only did she pass away early, she also left Governor Liang without a son or daughter.”

“…So, dragging on until later, Madam Qu had to marry Lord Liang?” Qu Lingjun was really too unlucky.

Yuan Shen glanced at Ling Buyi and said tactfully: “Aunt has been outstanding in talent and beauty since youth, renowned throughout the realm with countless admirers. But my uncle was… Actually, the Qu family initially didn’t want to marry Aunt over. Later it was Aunt herself who nodded her head that this marriage came about.”

Shaoshang’s face was full of disapproval: “So you see, what good comes of being understanding and considerate of the big picture?” Though she’d just praised herself for considering the big picture, she’d completely forgotten it in the blink of an eye.

Yuan Shen looked at her with a smile: “You must be thinking it would be better to be fierce and unreasonable like you—life would be easier.”

Shaoshang herself found it funny too: “Better dead fellow daoists than this poor daoist. First live your own life well, then extend help when you have spare capacity—don’t throw yourself into a bottomless pit.”

Yuan Shen seemed to think of other matters and sighed: “Honestly speaking, I’ve always greatly admired Lady Shaoshang’s views on this. People must first take care of themselves before they can gradually plan for the future.”

With a “bang,” bowls and cups were placed heavily on the food table. Ling Buyi said coldly: “Are you two finished talking? Can we go look at the scene of the incident now?”

…

The three—Ling, Yuan, and Cheng—walked toward the crime scene. Along the way they passed the east side of the Liang residence and saw from afar a spacious hall crowded with people. Those sitting in a circle against the four walls were presumably relatives and friends of the Liang family. Those shouting and yelling loudly in the center of the hall must be the Liang clan members.

In the very center were Governor Liang and an old woman crying bitterly. The old woman wailed ceaselessly while clutching Governor Liang’s sleeve, her cries faintly audible, shrill and hoarse.

“…Everyone is blaming Mother for making such a fuss and causing an unmanageable situation when it could have been discussed privately. Now the Liang family’s face has been completely lost. Governor Liang says to proceed gradually, but Mother insists on blood for blood.” A young man walked to their side with a proud expression.

Shaoshang looked over—this young man’s features rather resembled Liang Shang, but his build was taller and more robust, with quite a bit more excess flesh.

“Second Maternal Uncle.” Yuan Shen bowed in greeting, then introduced to Ling and Cheng—this was Liang Shang’s younger brother, Liang Xia.

Learning that the person before him was the Emperor’s adopted son and confidant Ling Buyi, Liang Xia was at first arrogant then deferential, his mouth full of polite flattery, his face full of intention to make connections. He said to Yuan Shen: “I’m sick of listening to their quarreling—I’ll accompany you in attending to Great Master Ling. Great Master Ling, please follow me, this way please, come come come, let me lead the way…”

Ling Buyi bent the corners of his mouth in a perfunctory manner: “As guest I follow the host.”

The place where Liang Shang met his end was his own study pavilion—a small brick and wood house built by the lake. The base was rectangular, with the long sides running north-south. One side faced the lake, one side had doors and windows. Several tall bamboo plants were planted in front of the door—of unknown age, they actually didn’t wither in winter and remained deep green and lush, upright and straight. Across from these bamboo plants was the Liang family school—a spacious and open two-story wooden building.

Passing through the main classroom of the family school, everyone saw Old Man Ji sitting high in the teacher’s position with a King of Hell expression, carefully questioning the students who’d been present that day. Yuan Shen beckoned over a boy of about ten years old, Liang Tong, and had him describe the situation that day.

Liang Tong had a lively temperament and articulate speech. Upon seeing Ling Buyi he became extremely excited and nearly pursued him to ask about the northwestern campaign and southern bandit suppression, but mindful of Yuan Shen he dared not prattle on. Seeing Shaoshang’s delicate beauty with somewhat rosy cheeks.

“Why are you so afraid of Young Master Yuan?” Shaoshang stared at the boy’s pink ears and teased.

Liang Tong mumbled: “Young Master Yuan often comes to the family school to explain the Six Classics to us.”

Shaoshang nodded—so he was a specially hired guest teacher, no wonder.

“Enough!” Yuan Shen’s expression was unkind. “Describe yesterday’s situation in detail.”

Liang Tong immediately complied and slowly recounted—

Governor Liang greatly emphasized cultivating the clan’s children, so he specially established this family school for Liang children and children of relatives to study. He invited learned Confucian scholars to teach, with ink, brushes, and meals all free.

“Did Lord Liang Shang not come to study?” Actually Shaoshang had no intention of involving Liang Xia, but Liang Xia still gave a light snort from the side.

Liang Tong said awkwardly: “Uncle Shang loved the arts of engraving metal and stone, while Cousin Uncle Xia… is skilled in archery and horsemanship.”

Right—one artist, one martial man, and a martial man whose fame hadn’t been much heard of. No wonder Governor Liang was anxious and worried. Earlier at the meal, the way he looked at Ling Buyi and Yuan Shen with both love and envy—how come other people’s cabbages all grow so large and plump? These two clearly lacked fathers and mothers without much fertilizing or weeding, yet I’ve worked myself to death and still hardly any of my family’s children amount to anything. Why is that?! I really want to dig one up and plant it in my own backyard!

Liang Tong continued: “We arrived at the family school one after another at the third quarter of the chen hour. At that time the study pavilion had doors and windows tightly shut—we didn’t know if anyone was inside. Uncle Shang usually didn’t like socializing, and especially didn’t permit people to approach when carving. We didn’t dare disturb him. It wasn’t until near the end of the si hour at noon when Aunt came to the study pavilion to deliver lunch that we learned Uncle Shang had entered the study pavilion early in the morning. Later we went to the back room for lunch. Who knew that not long after, a huge crashing sound came from the study pavilion, as if something had fallen to the ground. So we all ran out and saw Aunt with her head lowered rushing out from the study pavilion, running away along the path in front of the door.”

“After lunch, we continued studying. At about the second or third quarter of the shen hour, Aunt came again with two house servants using bamboo poles to carry a large lacquered wooden chest. Passing the family school, Aunt chatted a few words with our teacher, saying the ancient seal carving books she’d collected for Uncle had arrived and she was now delivering them to him… Not long after, we heard Aunt let out a shrill shriek from the study pavilion. We all rushed over and saw Uncle already leaning against the wall, blood flowing all over his body, with a dagger stuck in his belly and abdomen! The plum vase on the high table beside him had been knocked over, water spilling all over Uncle’s head and face.”

As they spoke, everyone arrived at the study pavilion. Since the incident, Old Man Ji had assigned people to guard the place, not allowing casual entry or exit. Stepping into the inner room, a gloomy and unpleasant smell assaulted them with quite a bit of an underworld atmosphere.

The study pavilion was quite spacious. One corner was partitioned into a washroom, the other end partitioned into a bedroom for rest, with bedding and quilts still inside. The rest had some simple furnishings, and on the floor was an empty large wooden chest. More conspicuous were two bookcases reaching to the ceiling—calling them bookcases, actually they held mostly metal, wood, and raw stones, finished carved works, or works in progress. One bookcase had already fallen to the ground, everything on it smashed into chaos.

A huge desk was placed beside the giant south window, as large as two strip tables put together. On top were piled large and small carving knives in disorder, plus several carving awls, files, grinding stones, ink pots, fine brushes, and many items of metal, stone, bamboo, and wood—presumably this was Liang Shang’s worktable.

“Right there!” Liang Tong pointed at the west wall. The floorboards and padded wall covering still retained large patches of dark reddish-brown bloodstains. “When we rushed in, Uncle Shang was slumped against the wall with his head hanging, knees bent, with a short blade stuck straight through his body… er, it might have been a dagger. Aunt was collapsed on the ground, trembling and unable to speak.”

“…Is it that simple?” After listening, Shaoshang couldn’t get her bearings for a moment. “Was there an argument when Madam Qu delivered the ancient books that led to accidentally killing him?”

Liang Tong smiled bitterly: “It’s not so. When the incident just broke out yesterday, Old Madam nearly wanted to devour Aunt alive…”

Liang Xia snorted coldly: “Mother and son are connected in heart. Witnessing her elder son die tragically, Mother’s spirit was destroyed and wanting revenge is human nature.”

Liang Tong quickly apologized for his improper words and continued: “But our teacher felt Uncle Shang’s corpse was already ice cold, so he persuaded Old Madam—if Aunt had really just killed Uncle, how could the body already be this cold?”

“I see!” Shaoshang exclaimed. “Fortunately your teacher was knowledgeable and quick-witted.”

“But the deadly part is right here!” Liang Tong had a mournful expression. “From when we entered the family school to study, Uncle’s study pavilion only opened twice, and both times it was Aunt who went in!”

Shaoshang’s mouth fell open. After a long while she said: “Did you all see wrong? Maybe you were focused on studying and didn’t notice the study pavilion?” When she studied intently she didn’t even like to raise her head.

Liang Tong looked dejected: “Today the original teacher was sick and didn’t come—we weren’t supposed to have class. But Governor Liang sent one of his staff to sit in. The substitute teacher didn’t like to talk and just had us read and write by ourselves from beginning to end.”

—So it was a self-study class! Governor Liang was truly an iron fan of education.

“Besides, even if I alone missed it, could over twenty fellow students all have missed it? Especially since the substitute teacher sat in a position directly facing the study pavilion door and windows—he also said that apart from Aunt, he saw no one else enter the study pavilion.”

Shaoshang was speechless—did it need to be so ironclad?!

Liang Xia snorted coldly: “Things have reached this point—even an idiot could guess. It must be that sister-in-law killed elder brother when delivering lunch at noon, then she pretended nothing happened. Later in the afternoon she came again, pretending to discover the corpse—but people’s calculations can’t match heaven’s. Who knew that all day yesterday no one entered the study pavilion, so she had no one to frame! This is truly irrefutable evidence!”

“…Then what I said earlier wasn’t wrong either.” Shaoshang very strongly continued to display her wisdom. “It’s just not ‘Madam Qu had an argument with Lord Liang when delivering ancient books then accidentally killed her husband’—it’s ‘Madam Qu had an argument with Lord Liang when delivering lunch then accidentally killed her husband’!” It seemed a murder case was inescapable. She wondered if it could be considered passionate manslaughter to gain some sympathy points.

Liang Xia’s face turned iron blue. Yuan Shen remained silent. Ling Buyi stared fixedly at a small food table beside Liang Shang’s worktable—on it was a half-eaten meal.

“If it were just accidental killing, I’m afraid Marquis Ji wouldn’t still be investigating until now.” He slowly bent his slender body down and poked at the cups on the food table. “There are cups but no pot, dishes but no wine… May I ask young friend Liang Tong, where is the wine pot?”

Liang Tong looked completely admiring: “Great Master Ling is truly observant! That’s right, there was originally a wine pot on this table. No one noticed before, but Lord Ji actually discovered there was soporific drug in the wine! Then he sealed this place and took the wine pot away…”

Liang Xia’s face contorted ferociously as he said angrily: “Did you all hear? That vile woman even used soporific drugs—this was clearly premeditated! Madam Qu murdered her husband—her crime is unforgivable and she should be cut into a thousand pieces!”

Liang Tong was frightened into stepping back two paces and couldn’t help sobbing softly: “Aunt was a good person, never looking down on us distant branch children, always giving clothes and medicine, asking after our welfare. Since she married over, the lives of poor branch families of the Liang clan have all improved greatly. That year my mother fell gravely ill—it was Aunt who hired a good physician that saved her life! Her learning is also excellent. Our old teacher often said if Aunt were male, she could certainly become renowned throughout the realm. But, but… how could…”

Shaoshang couldn’t smile anymore.

She looked at Ling Buyi. Ling Buyi nodded at her almost imperceptibly—she finally understood why Governor Liang was so troubled. If it were just an argument resulting in accidental death, some reason could still be forced. But adding this soporific drug made it premeditated murder!

Shaoshang refused to give up and asked Liang Tong again: “When Madam Qu left after delivering lunch, what was her facial expression? Was she grief-stricken and despairing?”

Liang Tong hesitated: “Er, I didn’t see Aunt’s face.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“At that time Aunt wore a fur cloak with the hood pulled down, concealing her face.”

Shaoshang’s forehead jumped: “Then what about the servants beside her? Did they see what was inside?”

“Uncle Shang hated being disturbed most when immersed in metal and stone work. At noon Aunt went in alone carrying the food basket. In the afternoon Aunt wasn’t wearing a cloak, and the house servants carrying the book chest did enter the study pavilion, but there’s such a large screen blocking the doorway…”

He pointed at the four-panel lacquered wooden screen by the door painted with Mohist disciples receiving teachings. “So the house servants said they didn’t see anything either. After going in, they carried the book chest just inside the door then withdrew and closed the door.”

Shaoshang was greatly alarmed.

She looked all around. This room was completely open. The south-facing door and windows directly faced the family school—witnessed by all eyes. The north side facing the lake only had three small round windows arranged in a triangular pattern, each window’s diameter not even reaching one chi—even children over five or six years old couldn’t squeeze through.

“Could it be that someone with superb skills swam across the lake and threw a knife through the small round window to kill Uncle?” Liang Tong’s imagination ran wild.

“But you yourself said your uncle died leaning against the west wall with the knife stuck straight in—so unless that expert’s flying knife could turn corners, how else could it be done?!”

Ling Buyi had originally been standing with hands behind his back, looking through the three triangular small round windows at the lake scenery. Glimpsing the girl’s pale face, he walked over and took her hand, saying gently: “Don’t stay here anymore. Let’s go see Madam Qu.”

Shaoshang nodded dully.

Thanks to Governor Liang’s insistence on family honor, Qu Lingjun could still remain in her own room. Though haggard, her spirits were still good. When Shaoshang entered, Qu Lingjun was tightly embracing her pair of children.

Ling Buyi sat sideways in the outer room and asked through the partition screen: “Madam Qu, I’m inquiring about this case on His Majesty’s orders. I’ll only ask you two questions. First, did you kill Liang Shang?”

After a long while, as if the very air had solidified, Qu Lingjun finally said firmly: “I did not kill him!” After a pause, she softened her tone: “My late husband was not killed by me.”

“Good.” Ling Buyi’s gaze remained straight ahead, hands resting on his knees. “Then I’ll ask the second question. Was it you who delivered lunch to Liang Shang yesterday?”

Qu Lingjun fell silent again. After a long while she said: “…It was me. But I came out after delivering the meal. At that time my late husband was still alive.”

The corners of Ling Buyi’s elegant lips curved into a mocking arc. He said nothing more, stood up, and beckoned Shaoshang to leave.

At this moment a maidservant who’d been attending Qu Lingjun suddenly rushed out and grabbed Shaoshang, crying out: “…Miss Cheng, please save our young mistress! Liang Shang wasn’t human—he was a beast, an animal! Tell the Empress—he beat our young mistress for so many years…”

Sitting to one side of Ling Buyi, Liang Xia flew into a rage and stormed in like a violent storm, kicking over the maidservant with one foot, then stepping on her head and grinding repeatedly: “You vile woman, how dare you slander my deceased brother… Ow…”

How could Shaoshang stand this bastard bullying a woman? She kicked hard at Liang Xia’s knee bend. Liang Xia cried out in pain and fell to one knee. Shaoshang blocked the maidservant’s front and shouted sternly: “Get out! You dare barge into a widow’s inner room—is this the Liang family’s teaching? I should ask Governor Liang about this!”

Liang Xia clenched his fists, but mindful of Ling Buyi’s cold gaze from outside, could only say angrily: “This lowly maid is spouting nonsense—I must kill her!”

“Whether it’s nonsense, doesn’t Second Maternal Uncle know in his heart?” Yuan Shen, sitting opposite Ling Buyi, suddenly called out loudly.

Liang Xia glared angrily at the outer room through gritted teeth: “Yuan Shangjian, are you going to be a traitor?”

Yuan Shen gave a disdainful laugh: “When has my Jiaodong Yuan clan ever eaten your Liang family’s food? Though First Maternal Uncle also has no great talent, he has one good point—he never opens his mouth when he shouldn’t speak, lest he invite ridicule!”

Liang Xia was left speechless, his face extremely indignant, almost murderous.

“Lady Shaoshang.” Yuan Shen continued, “Yesterday Lord Ji sent women to examine Aunt—naturally, Lord Ji’s original intent was to see if Aunt’s body bore marks left by Uncle during a struggle. Who knew they discovered quite a few new and old injuries on Aunt, some old wounds even seven or eight years old. Lady Shaoshang, see for yourself.”

Shaoshang was startled, turned and walked toward Qu Lingjun, reaching out to part her collar and sleeves. Qu Lingjun didn’t expect the girl to move so quickly. Her body shrank back, but she was still clearly seen.

On the back of her neck and chest were several crisscrossing whip marks. On her arms were bruises from beatings—based on Shaoshang’s rich experience in fighting, these were defensive bruises left when Qu Lingjun used both arms to block.

How to put it? Compared to someone like Father Cheng who’d campaigned in battles, these injuries naturally weren’t much. But for a pampered and protected noble lady of the inner chambers, it could be called shocking.

Seeing these scars, the two children threw themselves into their mother’s embrace, whimpering and crying like young beasts.

Liang Xia cursed under his breath about bad luck and swaggered out with much swaying.

That maidservant struggled up from the ground and knelt before Shaoshang pleading: “Miss Cheng, please please, speak good words for our young mistress. Liang Shang truly wasn’t killed by her—actually she…”

“Youtong!” Qu Lingjun shouted sternly, saying word by word: “If you dare say one more sentence, I absolutely won’t live. You’ve served me so many years—you know I do what I say.”

Youtong tightly closed her lips, not daring to speak again, sobbing silently as she collapsed on the ground.

“That’s that then.” Ling Buyi slowly stood up. “Shaoshang, we should return to the palace to report. Madam Qu, Lord Liang Xia, we two will fully report the case details to Their Majesties—please rest assured. Young Master Yuan, please convey my farewell to the Governor. We take our leave today.” Having said this, ignoring Liang Xia’s attempts to make them stay and Yuan Shen’s hesitation to speak, he pulled Shaoshang and walked straight out.

Not until they’d left the Liang residence and boarded the carriage did Ling Buyi wrap the girl’s ice-cold small hand in his palm to warm it.

“Something’s wrong, this is wrong.” Shaoshang murmured. “Everything about this matter is wrong, but I can’t say what…”

Ling Buyi looked at her confused pale little face, his heart filled with great pity. He stroked her head, then gathered her into his embrace: “It’s alright. What you can’t say, I’ll say for you. Just from what we saw and heard today, this case has six wrong points.”

“Six points? So many!” Shaoshang emerged from his embrace, eyes lively like that little snow ferret from years ago.

Ling Buyi pushed the girl back down: “Listen obediently, less interrupting.”

“First, yesterday wasn’t cold—I saw you running around everywhere without even wearing a padded jacket. Fine, even if Qu Lingjun is weak and fears cold, why wear a heavy cloak at noon under bright sunshine, but not wear one when the sun declined westward? Nine times out of ten, the person who delivered lunch to Liang Shang at noon wasn’t Qu Lingjun. But since the assailant was someone else, why does Qu Lingjun insist on not speaking? Who is she protecting?”

“Right, that’s what I was thinking too.” Shaoshang leaned against his chest, nodding like pecking rice.

“Second, though the person who delivered lunch at noon wasn’t Qu Lingjun, it must have been someone Liang Shang knew. Otherwise why didn’t he cry out? Then, who might this person be?”

“Third, since there was soporific drug in the wine, Liang Shang must have fallen into drowsy sleep after drinking, then was stabbed to death by a sharp blade. Then, who knocked over the bookcase? Was it the murderer themselves? Why act thus?”

“…To confuse everyone and make it seem Liang Shang was still alive?” Shaoshang speculated thus.

“Good, that counts as one reasoning. Then comes the fourth.” Ling Buyi smiled and rubbed the girl’s hair.

“That family school is open on all four sides—everyone can see. Apart from the time eating lunch in the back room, the students remained in the classroom directly facing the study pavilion throughout. If someone planned to commit murder, why not slip into the study pavilion while the students were in the back room, commit the crime then quietly slip out? The rule of the family school is that students can’t leave until the teacher finishes eating. But this person instead entered the study pavilion before lunch under everyone’s watchful eyes, then afterward knocked over the bookcase, causing the students to run out and personally witness her departure?”

“Fifth, speaking honestly, Qu Lingjun is no ignorant weak woman. If she wanted to kill Liang Shang, there are plenty of methods—poison, drowning, drunkenness… Why make things reach this point, almost impossible to escape guilt!”

“Sixth, and the most interesting part…” Ling Buyi looked into the girl’s eyes and said slowly, “You and I both know someone is framing Qu Lingjun. Qu Lingjun herself also knows someone is harming her. Yet she’s unwilling to defend herself. Why is this?”

“Right right right! This is what I find most puzzling! Does this Qu Lingjun not want to live?!” Shaoshang lay on Ling Buyi’s chest, her brain seeming to turn to mush, stammering: “Then… what should we do now?”

Ling Buyi held the girl and relaxed against the carriage wall, closing his eyes to rest: “Do nothing. We return to the palace and report the details. Investigating the case is Marquis Yang Ji Zun’s job, deciding matters is His Majesty’s job, worrying is the Liang and Qu families’ job… mm, add half a Yuan family too. When all’s said and done, this case has nothing to do with you and me.”

Shaoshang froze. A moment later she tugged at Ling Buyi’s lapel, shaking: “Is this alright? Madam Qu is innocent!”

Ling Buyi opened his eyes. His deep brown eyes shone with brilliant luster like colored glaze. His expression was very gentle, but the words leaving his mouth were like the bleak north wind blowing across frozen plains.

“Qu Lingjun is seeking her own death—why should we stop her? She feels some matters are more important than her children possibly becoming fatherless and motherless—then let it be as she wishes… Foolish child, you’ll know in the future that some inside information, some underlying details, it’s better not to know.”

“The more you know, the deeper the grief and suffering. Remember my words.”