Chapter 2

In the past, Qin Ying had a noble status but was merely an arrogant showpiece. Now, she is not only intimidating but also sharp, composed, and quick to react. Everyone can’t help but wonder—did Cui Wan’s death change her temperament?

They observe Qin Ying, and Qin Ying also scrutinizes them.

In addition to her and Lu Roujia, four noblewomen and four young men, excluding Cui Muzhi, were present. On the surface, these people seemed close to Cui Wan, but the deeper the personal ties, the greater the possibility of hidden grudges and conflicts.

In just a moment, the constable returned and reported, “Captain, I asked around. The maids, Zijuan and Biyun, said Miss Cui had taken them to retrieve the sky lanterns tonight. However, before they exited the Hanging Flower Gate, Miss Cui said she was tired and asked them to go ahead while waiting in the pavilion on the south side of Yingyue Lake.”

“After retrieving the lanterns, Zijuan and Biyun returned but did not see Miss Cui. When they returned to the plum grove, all the other young gentlemen and ladies had already gone to release river lanterns. They assumed Miss Cui had joined them and waited in the plum grove without concern—until they discovered her lifeless body. Only then did they realize their mistress had met with misfortune.”

The constable took a breath before continuing, “All the guests’ attendants and maids remained outside the Hanging Flower Gate tonight. They said that around the Hour of the Dog (7-9 PM), Zijuan and Biyun were seen exiting, but Miss Cui never appeared. That means, from the moment Miss Cui separated from her maids until the time her body was found, she never left the rear garden. However, what happened to her in between remains unknown.”

Zhao Lian dared not be careless at this moment. After thinking for a while, he said, “There is only one exit from the rear garden, but all the guests inside claim they never saw Miss Cui. Where else could she have gone?”

Qin Ying frowned tightly. “Someone must be lying.”

Since witnesses are outside the Hanging Flower Gate, this vast rear garden is essentially a naturally sealed room—meaning the culprit must be among the guests touring the garden.

She studied the crowd opposite her again. At that moment, the constable who had reported earlier spoke softly, “There is one more thing to report. The Madam has just woken up and is escorted to Miss Cui’s body. Upon hearing that the coroner intends to examine the corpse, she absolutely refuses to allow it. Right now, Coroner Yue doesn’t know what to do.”

Zhao Lian looked troubled. “Lord—”

Having wrongly accused Lu Roujia earlier, Cui Jin was now filled with grief and confusion, unable to fathom who could have harmed Cui Wan. He sighed and stood up. “Let’s go take a look.”

The Chaomu Pavilion was adjacent to Yingyue Lake. In addition to the spacious water pavilion, which was used for entertaining guests, there were two side rooms, and Cui Wan’s body was placed in the west wing.

Zhao Lian followed Cui Jin, exiting the door and glancing toward the western window. At some point, the envoy Xie Qin had turned around, but the neatly arranged Longyi guards obscured most of his figure. His posture made it clear—he still had no intention of intervening.

Naturally, Qin Ying followed along. As she did, Cui Muzhi and the others were also quick to join, one after another, streaming out the door. The moment she stepped across the threshold, Qin Ying felt a chill creeping up the back of her head.

“…How dare you lay a finger on my Wan’er? What are you people? Even if it were the emperor himself, he wouldn’t be allowed to touch my Wan’er!”

Stepping out and descending the stairs, turning right along the pebble path in the central courtyard, the shrill cries of Madam Lin rang out clearly before they even arrived. Cui Jin strode swiftly forward, and soon, the doors of the west chamber stood wide open. Madam Lin had collapsed to the ground, wailing in sorrow before Cui Wan’s lifeless body.

The night was deep, the sky dark as ink, stars scattered across the heavens. Above the Ninth Heaven, the Cowherd and Weaver Girl were meeting on their celestial bridge, yet in the mortal realm, the tragedy of a parent sending off their child struck an unbearably sorrowful note.

As Cui Wan’s wedding approached, many halls in Earl Zhongyuan’s Mansion had already been decorated for the grand occasion. The Zhaomu Pavilion, used for hosting guests, was likewise adorned early with red drapes. Under the eaves, the character for “joy” burned crimson upon fresh lanterns like spilled blood. Cui Wan herself was dressed in an elaborate and elegant silver-red floral robe, resembling a bride about to step into her new life—but fate had played a cruel trick. Bathed in the glow of festive lanterns was not a joyous bride but her cold, lifeless body.

Cui Jin’s eyes grew moist. As he reached the steps, he halted. “What are you doing? Wan’er died under mysterious circumstances—the priority now is to find out who killed her.”

Madam Lin’s hair was in disarray, her bloodshot eyes filled with grief so overwhelming that it had stripped her of reason. She glared at Cui Jin in anger. “Is the Lord also mourning Wan’er? Now that Wan’er is dead, she can no longer marry into the Prince of Huainan’s household—are you disappointed?”

Before the gathered crowd, Cui Jin frowned. “What nonsense are you spouting? She was my daughter, whom I cherished like a precious jewel. Of course, I am heartbroken!”

With that, Cui Jin directed the maids behind Madam Lin. “All you do is cry? Take Madam back to rest—her sorrow is too great. If this continues, she will lose her sanity!”

The maids hesitated, reluctant to act. At that moment, a child’s cries suddenly rang out from behind the crowd.

They turned to see a nanny holding a little boy, no more than three or four years old, standing at a short distance. The boy wore a moon-white robe embroidered with qilin patterns, his features exquisitely delicate, as if sculpted from jade. Shocked by the scene before him, he burst into loud sobs. Between tears, he asked, “Father, what happened to Sister? Why is she lying on the ground?”

Knowing the tragic truth, the nanny choked back her emotions and said, “Young Master was supposed to be asleep, but he overheard something he shouldn’t have. That’s why he insisted on coming to find Madam and Miss. My Lord…”

“You fool! How could you bring Han’er here?” Cui Jin shouted. “Take Han’er back! He’s just a child—what does he understand? Be careful not to unsettle him!”

The nanny looked fearful, and without heeding Cui Han’s cries, she quickly carried him back to the front courtyard.

Inside the west chamber, Madam Lin wept in utter despair. “Wan’er, my poor Wan’er. Even your little brother misses you so dearly. Do you know how much pain your mother feels? Seeing you lying here, my heart is breaking—I can’t bear it! You were my only child. Now that you’re gone, how is your mother supposed to go on…”

Cui Jin, suppressing his displeasure, said, “Do you truly want what’s best for Wan’er? She was murdered in her own home today—how can you swallow this anger? If we don’t find the culprit who harmed her, how can her spirit rest in peace?”

Madam Lin gently caressed Cui Wan’s cheek, tears streaming down her face as she turned her head. “She was my only daughter, and now she’s gone. Of course, we must find out who killed her, but I will never allow a man to touch her body!”

Outside the door, on the steps, stood a young man in a blue robe with his head hanging low. He was thin and carrying a bundle. He was none other than Yue Lingxiu, the coroner from the capital’s yamen. Hearing these words, he hunched his shoulders, trembling like a cicada in winter.

Zhao Lian, troubled, said, “What can we do? There are no female coroners in this world. If Madam refuses an autopsy, I’m afraid… I’m afraid finding the culprit who harmed Miss Cui will be difficult. Otherwise, perhaps we could ask a midwife who assists in childbirth to take a look?”

Madam Lin became even more furious upon hearing this. “Those people are not worthy of touching my daughter! If you can’t find the truth, it’s because you are incompetent!”

Cui Jin, overwhelmed with headache and frustration, thought for a moment before turning to Zhao Lian. “Then perhaps we should abandon the autopsy. I don’t want Wan’er to suffer such indignity even after death. Is this truly the only way?”

Noble families’ fears and concerns always ran deep. Zhao Lian had seen it countless times and knew the decision was final—he was about to give up when Qin Ying stepped forward. She spoke solemnly, “Lord, if men are not allowed near her, and midwives lack the proper expertise, then may I examine Wan’er’s body?”

Everyone was stunned into silence!

Although Qin Ying was also a woman and held the title of county princess, Cui Wan was now merely a corpse. To her grieving family, any disturbance would be seen as sacrilegious, and to outsiders, no one wanted to be associated with such misfortune. So what was Qin Ying planning to do?

Cui Muzhi, who had been observing with cold detachment, realized that Qin Ying was behaving unusually today. He called her by name, his voice sharp, “Qin Ying, do not be reckless! There are proper procedures in the yamen for handling Wan’er’s death. No matter how clever you think you are, do not meddle in serious matters!”

For the first time, Qin Ying looked directly at Cui Muzhi. She knew exactly what kind of man he was, and her expression turned icy. “If we follow the yamen’s procedures, Lu Roujia will be imprisoned while the true culprit remains at large. And you—if you’re as brilliant as you claim to be—tell me, who killed your sister today?”

Zhao Lian’s face darkened at the first statement, while the latter left Cui Muzhi in stunned silence. He had already noticed that Qin Ying’s demeanor was different from before. He was even more shocked that she was helping to clear Lu Roujia’s name. But what unsettled him most was that, at this moment, Qin Ying looked at him with not a trace of the admiration she once held.

Qin Ying had once regarded him as a deity. No matter how willful she was, his displeasure would make her obedient, like a meek little kitten. Later, she even deliberately acted out only to provoke his reprimand. As long as he spoke to her—even in rebuke—it brought her happiness. But today, she humiliated him in front of everyone.

Cui Muzhi couldn’t understand it, but Qin Ying had no interest in dwelling on him. She knew that examining the corpse would reveal significant clues. Still, she vaguely remembered that, in the original events, her own death had occurred only days after Lu Roujia was falsely imprisoned. If the case was not solved quickly, her own fate might be sealed soon. She appealed to Cui Jin, saying, “Lord, examining the body is also the fastest way to find out who murdered Wan’er.”

Cui Jin hesitated and glanced at Madam Lin, who was equally surprised that Qin Ying was willing to take on the role of a coroner—a position considered lowly and dealing with the inauspicious dead. Was she truly determined to help find Wan’er’s murderer?

Seeing Madam Lin’s silence, Qin Ying decisively lifted her skirt and stepped onto the platform. Inside the door lay Cui Wan’s corpse, her death grim and horrifying. Without fear, Qin Ying said, “Madam, Wan’er died unjustly. Everyone present here is a suspect. If we can find the culprit quickly, the guilty can be punished sooner. Rest assured, Madam, I will only conduct a brief examination and not damage her appearance.”

Madam Lin looked at Qin Ying, her thoughts unclear, before nodding in resignation. “I never expected the County Princess to show such concern. Wan’er was not particularly close to you in life, yet now you’re the one helping.”

Having just arrived in this unfamiliar world, Qin Ying still felt a sense of detachment from everything around her. However, the pain of a mother losing her daughter was a universal agony, piercing through time and space. She had witnessed too many such tragedies and understood them deeply. The deceased had passed, and only by finding the murderer could the grieving family find solace. She walked over to Cui Wan’s side, crouched down, and began her examination. Gently, she reached out to touch Cui Wan’s hair.

Cui Wan had been dead for no more than two hours. Though still somewhat fresh, her complexion was pale with purple lips, giving her a chilling appearance. Her silver-red dress clung to her damp and soaked body while her silky black hair lay tangled behind her neck. Having been retrieved from the water and brought here, a puddle of water mixed with a faint lake odor and the scent of her powder surrounded her body, creating an illusion that she was merely asleep.

Qin Ying’s fingertips traced from the crown of Cui Wan’s head down to her cheeks. She first examined her mouth and nose, then checked the sides of her neck. Though her collar had been carefully arranged, the long, fair expanse of her neck was exposed, showing no suspicious marks—only a faint reddish livor mortis forming at the back due to the way her body had been positioned after death.

Qin Ying worked with intense focus. Yet, the contrast between her vibrant gown, the celebratory wedding decorations surrounding her, and the grim sight of the corpse made the scene feel both eerie and terrifying. Outside, gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.

Zhao Lian and coroner Yue Lingxiu immediately understood what she was doing. They stared in disbelief—who would have thought that a pampered county princess would not only show no fear of death’s ominous presence but also possess knowledge of forensic examination?

Her movements were swift and methodical, utterly absorbed in her task. She remained unaware of the dozen or so onlookers in the courtyard, who stood frozen in stunned silence. The empty space carried nothing but the whistling of the night wind—until, a few moments later, hurried and heavy footsteps shattered the quiet.

“Lord! Officials from Minister Jian’s household and the Weiyuan Lord’s residence have arrived to escort the two young ladies back home!” The voice belonged to Liu Zhongquan, the steward. Just as he finished speaking, a line of figures emerged on the stone pathway outside the Zhaomu Pavilion. As soon as Cui Jin saw the one leading the group, he immediately stepped forward to greet them.

The guests attending today’s banquet had noble or wealthy backgrounds, except Lu Roujia. Minister Jian’s household sent a steward to escort their eldest daughter, Jian Fangfei, home. However, the Weiyuan Lord’s residence sent its heir, Zhao Wangshu, instead. Cui Jin, unwilling to be negligent, personally received him in the courtyard outside the Chaomu Pavilion. “Dear nephew, why have you come in person?”

Zhao Wangshu clasped his hands in greeting. “Greetings, Uncle. We’ve heard about the misfortune that befell your household today. My father has been waiting for my sister to return, and since she has yet to return, he sent me to escort her home. Please accept our condolences.”

At once, Cui Jin understood Zhao Wangshu’s intent. Cui Wan had met an unnatural death, and the household had already reported the matter to the authorities. Now, the entire capital was likely aware of the incident. Zhao Wangshu had come in person to ensure his sister was not entangled in the murder case.

“I understand your concern, dear nephew. However, the officials have only just arrived, and there are still matters that require questioning your sister about…”

Zhao Wangshu immediately asked, “Uncle, do you suspect that Yumin had a hand in Wan’er’s death?”

Cui Jin was immediately at a loss for words. Though both households held noble titles, his Zhongyuan Marquis Manor was far inferior to Weiyuan Marquis Manor. The Weiyuan Marquis now served as Vice Minister of War, and Zhao Wangshu had already begun training with the elite Divine Strategy Army. As for his own family? In his youth, he had only one daughter, and his three-year-old son—born late in his life—was far from capable of securing the family’s standing.

“Of course, that was not my intention; it’s just…”

“In that case, I will take my sister home first. If any assistance is needed in the future, Uncle, do not hesitate to ask,” Zhao Wangshu said before motioning for Zhao Yumin to come to him. She hesitated briefly, then walked toward her brother.

Seeing this, the steward from Minister Jian’s household also stepped forward. “Greetings, Marquis. Our master has sent me to escort Miss Jian back home. He worries for her health, saying she is too delicate to endure such distress. Given the unfortunate incident in your household, please accept our deepest sympathies. Our master will personally visit another day to offer his condolences.”

Zhao Lian observed the unfolding scene and knew that, aside from Lu Roujia, none of the guests would remain tonight. The suspects were all returning to their own residences. How was the case supposed to be investigated? Though he knew it was illogical, he dared not say a word—he simply shrank back, retreating half a step.

Cui Jin’s throat felt dry with unease. Although the Jian family held no noble title, they were still an established aristocratic lineage, and their head was now in a high-ranking position—offending them would be unwise. Struggling internally, he finally nodded and said, “Then let my niece return home for now. If there are any further inquiries, we will reach out—”

Qin Ying’s expression grew heavier as she continued examining the corpse. The conversation in the courtyard, carried to her ears by the night wind, made her heart sink. The murderer was among the guests, yet the suspects were slipping away before their testimonies could be properly gathered. How could they let them leave?

Seeing that Cui Jin had agreed to let the Jian family depart, Qin Ying quickly rose. With her status as a county princess, she could at least delay things for a while. But before she could take a step, a cold and authoritative voice rang out.

“In the face of a murder case, which suspect dares to leave?”

Everyone instinctively turned toward the Zhaomu Pavilion, looking for the source of the voice. Qin Ying was momentarily stunned, then hurried to the doorway. The scene before her was startling—armed guards dressed in black robes adorned with silver Xiezhi emblems stepped out in succession.

The Longyi Guards, silent observers for half an hour, had finally moved into action.

The Xiezhi was an ancient mythical beast, said to distinguish truth from falsehood and devour the wicked. When the Great Zhou Dynasty was founded, the Longyi Guards were originally created to oversee government officials. But over generations, their responsibilities expanded—they now handled arrests and criminal investigations related to the nobility. Among the twelve elite guards of the empire, none were as feared or unrestrained as them.

Qin Ying listened to the voice, feeling an unfamiliar chill. Outside the Zhaomu Pavilion, Zhao Wangshu, who had been about to leave, suddenly halted. He turned around and sneered lightly, “I was wondering who it was—turns out it’s Envoy Xie.”

As the Longyi Guards fully emerged and lined up on both sides, a tall, imposing figure finally emerged from the pavilion. This man wore a black official robe with golden-threaded Xiezhi patterns on the sleeves. He stood at the threshold, looking down at Zhao Wangshu and his group with an authoritative gaze. His face was as flawless as jade, his phoenix-shaped eyes slightly upturned at the ends—at first glance, he appeared charming and refined, unmatched in presence. But upon closer observation, his eyes carried a deep darkness, dense as storm clouds, with an ominous aura coiling around him like unseen claws.

The others instinctively felt fear, while Zhao Wangshu’s gaze revealed a trace of disdain. “Xie Xinglan, investigate your case as you please. My sister is innocent—she is free to leave.”

From a distance, Qin Ying heard the name, and her eyes widened abruptly. Xie Xinglan! The ruthless and cunning minister?!

She clearly remembered that the one who led the Longyi Guards to the Earl’s residence tonight was an insignificant character. Moreover, the Longyi Guards did not take over this case simply because Xie Xinglan would never intervene in matters unrelated to power struggles. Did she misremember the plot?

Watching this intense confrontation unfold, Qin Ying felt puzzled as she carefully recalled details about Xie Xinglan. A sense of unease began to creep in. At this point in the original storyline, Xie Xinglan was merely a gloomy and deeply scheming inspector of Longyi Guards, cautiously lying low for greater power. He would never risk making enemies lightly. Tonight, he would only go through the motions.

Zhao Yumian could not be kept here. With this thought settled, Zhao Wangshu indeed turned to leave with Zhao Yumian. But just as Qin Ying raised an eyebrow, she saw Longyi Guards moving in unison, surrounding the Zhao siblings completely!

Zhao Wangshu had not anticipated that Xie Xinglan would take things to such an extreme. He turned around and threatened, “Xie Xinglan, do you know your place? Even General Duan and General Zheng would not dare to treat me like this!”

He was certain Longyi Guards would not go all out, yet Xie Xinglan lightly raised his chin. The guards drew their blades with a loud “swish,” the shining cold steel filling the air. With mockery in his eyes, Xie Xinglan responded, “How coincidental—the things they dare not do, I often do.”