From early this morning until now, Lin Teng didn’t know how many times he had walked along this road.

Over and over again, originally paying no attention to this old tree that had existed here for who knows how many years.

But just moments ago, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of a line of black. Stopping to look carefully, it was a tree hollow concealed among the branches.

This tree hollow wasn’t large, and its position was also cleverly situated—unless by coincidence, it would be very difficult to discover.

Even if discovered, it was just a tree hollow.

Yet staring at this tree hollow, Lin Teng suddenly developed a theory.

Not really a theory.

Having investigated many cases, one would always develop some sort of indescribable intuition.

Or experience.

The criminal had lurked in a tree to shoot and kill Prince Pingnan. When escaping, if holding a bow and arrow and encountered by someone, they would immediately be exposed. Even without exposure, bringing the bow and arrow back to their residence would also be a hidden danger.

What if while escaping, they passed this old tree and casually tossed the bow into the tree hollow?

Though the tree hollow was concealed, the possibility of accidentally glimpsing it couldn’t be ruled out, or perhaps they had known of this tree hollow’s existence all along.

He had carefully examined the tree the criminal had lurked in—some traces could prove the criminal had premeditated it, having scouted the location multiple times in advance.

The criminal should be very familiar with this area.

“Sir?” Seeing Lin Teng remain motionless for a long time, a subordinate called out in puzzlement.

Lin Teng didn’t respond to his subordinate, but instead walked step by step closer to the old tree, reaching his hand into the tree hollow to feel around.

Ice cold, slippery.

The sensation was strange, inexplicably making one’s hair stand on end.

Lin Teng grasped what he had felt in the tree hollow and withdrew his hand.

A blue-green snake raised its head, viciously flicking its tongue at the person who had disturbed it.

Even though the two subordinates were men who regularly dealt with murder cases, at this moment they couldn’t help but cry out in alarm.

Lin Teng flung his hand and threw the snake out.

The green snake struck a tree branch, causing leaves to fall in a flurry.

Its tail nimbly coiled around the branch, and the green snake swiftly crawled away.

Lin Teng shook his hand, his expression extremely unpleasant.

These hands had touched all kinds of corpses—no matter how gruesome the descriptions, he had never been disgusted.

In his heart, he only felt sympathy for these people who, having died violent deaths, could not preserve their own dignity.

What he needed to do was find the murderers for them and clear their injustices.

But pulling a snake from a tree hollow—that sensation was truly too disgusting.

He would probably have a shadow regarding tree hollows from now on.

After recovering for quite a while, Lin Teng strode forward.

“Sir, where are you going?” The two subordinates caught up.

“To the You Jian Tavern.” Lin Teng replied, quickening his pace.

He needed to wash his hands before he could continue investigating the case.

“Why has Young Master Lin come again? Our tavern hasn’t even opened yet.”

Hong Dou was directing Luosai Huzi to repeatedly wash the bluestone slabs in front of the tavern entrance. Seeing Lin Teng approach, she asked impatiently.

Didn’t they say there shouldn’t be any customers coming tonight? Why had this fellow surnamed Lin come so early?

Did he have any sense or not!

“You all are—”

“Dispelling bad luck! Such a frightening thing happened last night.” Hong Dou’s response was matter-of-fact.

Lin Teng’s mouth twitched.

He couldn’t see even a trace of fear on this Big Sister Hong Dou’s face.

“Young Master Lin still hasn’t said what he’s come for.”

“Uh, I came to borrow a ladle of water—” Lin Teng was saying when he saw Luo Sheng walk out from the main hall, and the rest of his words got stuck.

Luo Sheng came out, her tone indifferent: “Is Young Master Lin thirsty again?”

Lin Teng’s ears immediately burned hot.

Hearing Miss Luo say it like that, it sounded as though he had ulterior motives, deliberately coming over under the pretext of drinking water.

No, he needed to explain clearly.

“I just encountered a snake and wanted to borrow a ladle of water to wash my hands.”

“Isn’t Young Master Lin investigating a case? How did you end up catching snakes for fun?”

Lin Teng faltered.

Explaining the reason somehow felt rather embarrassing.

A subordinate very thoughtfully explained for his superior: “Sir saw there was a tree hollow and reached in to feel around—”

Luo Sheng’s heart jumped, her face expressionless as she looked toward Lin Teng.

She wasn’t afraid of the bow she’d tossed in the tree hollow being discovered, but was shocked by this person’s keenness and attentiveness.

No wonder Minister Zhao, despite being so distressed, still brought Lin Teng along to drink at the tavern—it seemed this subordinate was too capable, too worry-free.

Having such capability used to investigate the criminal who assassinated Prince Pingnan was something she didn’t appreciate.

Hong Dou, however, laughed heartily: “Why is Young Master Lin acting like a child, still reaching into tree hollows…”

Lin Teng’s expression darkened. He really wanted to correct her: Children don’t reach into tree hollows, children reach into bird nests.

“Young Master Lin pulled a snake from the tree hollow?” Luo Sheng raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a trace of surprise.

In truth, her inner surprise was far more than this.

That bow prepared for Prince Pingnan—she hadn’t gone to retrieve it.

But it was clearly a bow for killing, so why had it turned into a snake?

Could it be that bow wasn’t actually a bow, but rather transformed by a snake spirit?

In this moment, even rational Luo Sheng couldn’t help but let her thoughts run wild.

Lin Teng coughed lightly with a straight face: “Is it convenient for me to wash my hands?”

“Come in.” Luo Sheng looked at him deeply, then turned to walk inside.

Lin Teng silently followed.

Luo Sheng led Lin Teng to the courtyard, pointing to the well at the base of the wall: “Young Master Lin, please help yourself.”

Lin Teng walked over and drew half a bucket of water, washing his hands thoroughly and heartily.

Luo Sheng silently counted—at least seven times. It seemed he was thoroughly disgusted.

She felt somewhat secretly pleased, asking leisurely: “What did the snake you pulled out look like?”

Lin Teng was cupping a handful of water to splash on his face when he heard this and looked at the young woman who had asked this question in bewilderment.

Why were the things Miss Luo cared about always so strange?

Though puzzled, he still needed to answer the question—after all, he had used her well water.

Lin Teng straightened up, saying awkwardly: “Blue-green colored.”

“Mm.” Luo Sheng nodded, kindly reminding him: “Young Master Lin should be more careful in the future. What if it had been a venomous snake and bitten you—what would you have done?”

Lin Teng’s expression couldn’t help but pale.

He had only thought about how disgusting it was to pull out a snake, but had forgotten that if it were venomous, his life would be at risk.

Looking at the smiling young woman, his mouth twitched.

He really appreciated Miss Luo’s reminder.

“Is Young Master Lin going to continue investigating the case?” the young woman asked seemingly casually.

Behind her happened to be a grape vine, with clusters of grapes hanging down at this time, crystalline like agate beads interspersed with green and red.

The meaty fragrance from that large pot outside the kitchen seemed even richer now.

Lin Teng suddenly lost all will to continue working.

What case investigation—having a good meal was the proper thing to do.

“It’s getting late. I’ll investigate again tomorrow.”

Luo Sheng plucked a grape bead that was red to the point of purple and tossed it into her mouth, lifting her foot to walk toward the main hall: “Young Master Lin has truly worked hard. I’ll see you out.”

Lin Teng returned to the main hall and stopped: “Isn’t it about time for the tavern to open?”

He wasn’t leaving. He wanted to stay and eat.

Luo Sheng smiled: “Is Young Master Lin planning to bring his subordinates to dine at the tavern?”

The two subordinates’ eyes instantly lit up.

Treating them to a meal?

Wonderful! They had long heard this tavern’s food was incredibly delicious, incredibly expensive.

In any case, not something small bailiffs like them could afford.

Lin Teng suddenly remembered he still had two subordinates. He stiffly turned his head to look at the two burly men, saying awkwardly: “No, I was just asking casually. Today is the first day of the month—my family is still waiting for me to go home for dinner.”