Chapter 5

Marquis Linchuan’s residence and Earl Zhongyuan’s residence are separated by only two long streets. While riding in the carriage, Qin Ying lifted the curtain and observed the row of official mansions in the Changle neighborhood.

The Great Zhou dynasty has stood for over a hundred years, once ruling over the seas at the height of its power. But since Emperor Zhenyuan ascended the throne, internal and external troubles have plagued the court. Nowadays, the nation’s strength is far from its former glory. Only in the capital do prosperity and wealth still prevail.

Bai Yuan sighed, “What a lovely Autumn Eve Festival! Who would have thought such a thing would happen? Miss Cui was only ten days away from her wedding—the mansion had already been adorned with celebratory red characters—and now the happy occasion has turned into a funeral.”

“Madam Lin only has Miss Cui as her only daughter. How will she spend the rest of her life?” Speaking of this, Bai Yuan looked pitifully at Qin Ying. “When I learned of the death, I was terrified, thinking that if the County Princess also faced an accident, what would the Marquis do?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Ying’s heart grew heavy. According to the original plot, Qin Ying would be killed by Cui Muzhi in a few days. Cui Muzhi would stage her death as an accident, leading the Marquis of Linchuan, devastated by the loss of his beloved daughter, to turn white overnight.

Marquis Linchuan was named Qin Zhang. Twenty-two years ago, he married Grand Princess Yichuan, and the two shared a deep bond of love. A year later, they had their eldest son, Qin Ke. However, at the beginning of the third year of the Zhenyuan era, Emperor Zhenyuan aggressively reduced feudal powers, leading Li Changyuan, Prince Xinyang’s heir, to rebel. He allied with several military governors from the southwestern regions, amassing an army of 200,000 soldiers.

The rebel forces advanced, capturing cities and territories along the way, eventually reaching the capital’s outskirts. This forced Emperor Zhenyuan to flee north with his civil and military officials. At the time, Grand Princess Yichuan had just given birth to Qin Ying, and Qin Ke was only four years old. After fleeing to Fengzhou with the emperor, they encountered a devastating epidemic. The weakened princess and Qin Ke both contracted the disease, and after struggling for over a month, neither survived.

Qin Zhang was deeply affected and fell into despair. If not for his infant daughter crying for nourishment, he might have shaved his head and become a monk. By the fourth year of Zhenyuan, the rebel army was defeated, and when he returned to the capital, only father and daughter were left to depend on each other.

As a result, Qin Zhang spoiled his daughter excessively, gradually molding Qin Ying into a domineering and unruly character. In recent years, despite noticing Qin Ying’s inappropriate actions toward Cui Muzhi, he never imposed strict discipline. Instead, he only regretted having abandoned his career early on. Marquis Changqing’s household not only held military power but also produced Consort Cui, who bore a royal son. Qin Zhang lamented that if the Marquis of Linchuan’s household had such influence, he could have easily forced Cui Muzhi to marry Qin Ying, and no one would dare object.

As Qin Ying returned to her senses, the Marquis’s residence was already in sight.

Having been founding contributors to the empire, the Qin family held the hereditary title of the Marquis of Linchuan. Their imperial-granted mansion stood grand and imposing, but after the death of Grand Princess Yichuan, Qin Zhang did not remarry. Without a mistress to oversee its upkeep, the estate had taken on a slightly desolate air.

As Qin Ying stepped down from the carriage and entered the gates, she turned past the screen wall and immediately saw a slightly plump figure hurrying over with more than ten servants in tow.

Marquis Linchuan wore an anxious expression, but his face lit up with joy when he saw her. “Ying Ying, I was just about to come fetch you—”

Qin Ying froze in her tracks, astonished. In her previous life, her mother had also passed away early, and her father had worked tirelessly for many years, only to succumb to illness after her career began. The Marquis before her, with his thick eyebrows, square face, high nose, and even his slightly overweight frame, bore a striking resemblance to her father—six or seven parts alike!

Seeing her stand there dazed, Qin Zhang stepped forward and asked, “What’s wrong? The servants just said something happened at the Cui household, and the authorities have been involved. Were you scared? Or did that boy from the Cui family bully you again?”

Feeling a pang of sourness in her nose, Qin Ying, unconsciously following the original body’s habit, called out softly, “Father.”

Bai Yuan, standing beside her, couldn’t help but interject, “My lord, the eldest daughter of the Cui family has been murdered—”

Qin Zhang was shocked. Looking at Qin Ying again, he seemed to understand why she was so stunned. He quickly ordered the servants, “Someone, immediately fetch Taoist Master Zhang from outside the city. Ying Ying must have encountered something ominous and could be tainted by malevolent spirits!”

Since his wife’s death, Qin Zhang had lived as a wealthy idler. Later, when Daoism became popular among the aristocrats of the capital, he followed suit, seeking tranquility and nurturing his character. In recent years, his fascination with it grew stronger, and for both minor and major matters, he would often summon a Daoist master to examine them.

Qin Ying quickly grabbed his arm. “Father, there’s no need to call Daoist Master Zhang. It’s just that Cui Wan’s death was so strange—it frightened me.”

As Qin Ying walked back with Qin Zhang, she recounted the sequence of events. By the time they returned to the front courtyard, Qin Zhang was aghast. “Daughter, are you saying that Cui Wan was indeed murdered? And that the person who killed her is among the children who were here tonight?”

Qin Ying confirmed this. Qin Zhang replied, “These families are closely associated. Which family’s child could have harmed the young lady of the Cui family? No, if that’s truly the case, then wouldn’t you have been dining with a killer? Until this case is resolved, you must avoid contact with these people.”

At present, Qin Ying was most concerned with uncovering the truth of the case and could not comply. After a brief hesitation, she said, “Father, I wish to visit Earl Zhongyuan’s residence again tomorrow. Only by finding the culprit quickly can I set my mind at ease.”

Qin Zhang was a bit surprised but soon spoke with concern. “My dear, I’ve already investigated. The Cui family indeed allyes with the Lu family through marriage. Even if you like Cui Muzhi, your father would never allow you to settle for being his concubine, no matter how casual your affections seem. No matter what you do for him, that ungrateful wretch doesn’t deserve your kindness.”

Qin Ying felt bitter in her heart, but in front of Qin Zhang, she couldn’t act recklessly without explaining. So, she quickly composed herself and said, “Father, I’ve thought it through. The reason Cui Muzhi dislikes me is simply because he thinks I’m incapable of anything. I’ve personally experienced this case and identified some peculiar points. If I can uncover the culprit behind Cui Wan’s murder, wouldn’t that astonish him?”

“And Father is right—no matter how much I like him, he will marry someone else. I can’t continue to be entangled with him. But after all these years of liking him, he’s never treated me kindly. I must make him look at me in a new light, to feel ashamed and inferior. Only then can I vent my frustration!”

Cui Muzhi, though a favored child of the heavens, had a cold disposition and craved power. Neither the original protagonist nor Lu Roujia should have pursued someone like him. Qin Ying’s words carried some genuine emotion, which made them all the more sincere.

Qin Zhang hesitated and replied, “You mean you intend to investigate Miss Cui’s murder yourself? But, investigating a case is the duty of government officials. You’re just a young girl—”

Qin Ying sensed something was amiss but didn’t expect Qin Zhang to suddenly slap his thigh and exclaim, “Good girl! That’s the spirit! Father has been waiting for these words from you. If you want to investigate the case, then go ahead and do so. However, this matter is dangerous, and bringing only one maid is not enough.”

He pointed to a young guard standing at the door and said, “I’ll assign Shen Luo to you. He is highly skilled in martial arts. No matter what happens, ensuring your safety is the top priority.”

Qin Ying didn’t expect Qin Zhang not only to approve but also to make plans for her. She was deeply moved and said, “Thank you, Father!”

Qin Zhang, smiling warmly, asked her about her dinner and whether she was tired. Then, he instructed her to retire early and get some rest. After Qin Ying left, with a stiff expression, Shen Luo approached Qin Zhang and asked, “Marquis, are you really going to let the County Princess investigate a murder case?”

Qin Zhang’s smile faded, and he sighed deeply. “Ah, my foolish daughter. She’s choosing to walk the difficult path again. But if I try to stop her, it will only make her more determined—”

He ordered Shen Luo, “You must protect her well. Let her do what she wants. Investigating a case is so challenging; what could she possibly uncover? Soon, she’ll realize how tough it is and give up.”

Qin Ying returned to her Qingwu Courtyard, a place adorned with luxurious pavilions, vibrant treasures, and the brilliance of precious artifacts. Seven or eight elderly maids and attendants awaited her, ready to serve. However, to Bai Yuan’s surprise, Qin Ying dismissed everyone, leaving only Bai Yuan for a private conversation.

When Qin Ying entered her inner chamber to change, she caught her reflection in the bronze mirror. To her astonishment, the appearance of the Qin Ying in the book bore a seven-to-eight-tenths similarity to her own. Yet, this original figure exuded noble elegance, with bright, expressive eyes, skin fairer than snow, and an air of refinement from head to toe.

Once she removed her luxurious robes and wiped away her makeup, her simple, bare features became even more similar to her past life’s appearance. This realization grounded her, adding a sense of authenticity. Sitting before the dressing table, Qin Ying instructed Bai Yuan to bring ink and paper, and she took out her jade hairpin to begin sketching and writing.

Bai Yuan, puzzled, asked, “County Princess, what are you doing?”

“Recreating the footprints we saw by the lake tonight,” Qin Ying replied.

Bai Yuan was stunned. “Why sketch them? Were you trying to measure the size of the footprints earlier?”

Qin Ying nodded. “I… I read about something like this in an unusual book and want to experiment.”

Bai Yuan, utterly bewildered, remarked, “An unusual book? But you’ve always disliked reading.”

Qin Ying: “……”

Bai Yuan, seeing her expression, grew rather fearful. “This servant feels that the County Princess is somewhat different from usual. Perhaps… perhaps we should ask the Marquis to invite Master Zhang back to take a look?”

Qin Ying could not help but laugh, though she was slightly exasperated. “Just think of it as a sudden whim. When have I ever acted in a way that didn’t surprise you before?”

Bai Yuan was persuaded once again. “That’s true.”

After calculating and sketching for a while, Qin Ying suddenly froze. With a look of uncertainty and suspicion, she continued her work. When she arrived at her second set of results, her expression grew more serious. She murmured to herself, “This is too short…”

By now, the evening had grown late. After some contemplation, Qin Ying instructed Bai Yuan to put away the ink and paper.

When she lay down on her embroidered bed, Qin Ying thought of the many guests at today’s banquet. Among the remaining individuals, aside from the outcomes of the novel’s male and female leads, she could also recall some of the other characters’ fates. She remembered that Zhao Yumian married the Second Prince, who was born of Empress Zheng. Jian Fangfei became the wife of the Marquis of Dingbei. Wu Shuyue and Fu Ling were married far away, one to Qizhou and the other to Yanzhou.

Xue Ming, from the family of the Imperial Academy’s Grand Academician, eventually sided with the wrong faction, leading to the tragic downfall of the entire Xue family. Pei Shuo from Marquis Pingchang’s household seemed to have gone to the frontier. Lin Qian, who followed Cui Muzhi in supporting the Fifth Prince, son of Imperial Concubine Cui De, became the chief civil minister of the new dynasty. Lu Zan from Duke Lu’s household inherited the title and lived his life as a wealthy and honorable duke.

Qin Ying’s recollections were challenging, and before she fell into sleep, she unexpectedly remembered the scene of Xie Xinglan’s death. Xie Xinglan had meticulously planned every step and calculated every move, and just when his grand ambitions were about to be realized, he failed at the last moment. He died miserably at the age of twenty-eight.

Xie Xinglan’s tumultuous life was one of constant vigilance and tireless struggle, devoid of feelings or love. He lived solely for hatred and power. Both within and outside the court, he was called the court’s watchdog, and historians harshly criticized him. Yet, when Qin Ying read the story, she thought Xie Xinglan failed simply because he was not the protagonist.

No matter how flawless a crime may seem, as long as humans commit it, it will inevitably leave traces. Therefore, investigating the crime scene is of utmost importance. The case lingered on Qin Ying’s mind, and as soon as dawn broke, she rose, got dressed, and freshened up.

Today, she departed from her usual elaborate attire and instructed Bai Yuan to style her hair into a falling-horse bun adorned with the jade hairpin she had used yesterday. She wore a moon-white silk dress, exuding an elegant and radiant charm. Without any makeup, she resembled a white magnolia after the rain, stunning everyone who saw her. Not only did Shen Luo almost fail to recognize her, but even Qin Zhang was visibly startled.

She was eager to leave, but Qin Zhang stopped her. “My dear daughter, perhaps you shouldn’t go to the Earl’s manor. With Longyi Guards involved, the truth will be revealed within ten days.”

Qin Ying was puzzled. “Father, do you trust Longyi Guards so much?”

Qin Zhang shook his head. “It’s not that I trust them; it’s that they must solve the case within ten days!”

Qin Ying was utterly confused, and Qin Zhang spoke with amusement, “This morning at court, both Marquis Changqing and Earl Weiyuan presented memorials to His Majesty regarding the case of the Cui family’s young lady. They also mentioned the involvement of Longyi Guards in the investigation. After hearing the memorials, His Majesty immediately issued an edict, ordering that young man from the Xie family to solve the case within ten days. Otherwise, he will lose his position as an Envoy.”

Qin Ying’s heart sank. “Why set such a tight deadline? That’s far too demanding.”

Qin Zhang stroked his nonexistent beard and replied leisurely, “This Xie Xinglan has stirred up quite a few troubles in the past six months. I’ve heard that he used to only handle tasks assigned directly by His Majesty and never meddled in homicide cases. This time, not only did he intervene at the Earl’s manor, but he also caused dissatisfaction among both the Cui and Zhao families. These two families are now working together to trip him up. His Majesty giving him ten days is already a mercy.”

Qin Ying suddenly understood—it was Zhao Wangshu and Cui Muzhi pulling strings behind the scenes. Their fathers were influential ministers, and just a few veiled hints in their memorials were enough to cause Xie Xinglan serious trouble.

Qin Ying couldn’t help but sigh. Xie Xinglan’s reckless actions had indeed brought misfortune upon himself.

Qin Zhang smiled warmly at Qin Ying and said, “With His Majesty’s decree, the Longyi Guards will undoubtedly work diligently. So, my daughter, you don’t need to get involved in this messy affair…”

Qin Ying took a deep breath and replied, “Father, I still want to go and see. Solving a case in ten days is no easy task. Who knows, maybe I can help?”

After bidding farewell to Qin Zhang, Qin Ying left the mansion with Bai Yuan and Shen Luo. Watching her departing figure with surprise, Qin Zhang muttered, “Did I misunderstand? Are you going to help that Xie family boy?”

…

Riding the carriage through the long streets, they arrived outside Earl Zhongyuan’s residence in less than the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn. Stepping off the carriage, Qin Ying noticed two other carriages already parked outside the entrance. Without revealing her thoughts, she instructed Shen Luo to go forward and knock on the door.

Overnight, Earl Zhongyuan’s manor, which had been preparing for a joyous occasion, was shrouded in sorrow. The large red banners and festive paper-cut decorations with the character of “happiness” had been taken down. White mourning banners were hung toward the back garden. The servants moved around silently, their footsteps light and hesitant, as if afraid of disturbing someone.

The Earl’s manor was shrouded in sorrow, and it was naturally unable to entertain guests. Under the pretext of recalling a crucial aspect of the case, Qin Ying visited and was led by the servants to the Zhaomu Pavilion.

The main hall of Zhaomu Pavilion was arranged as the place where Cui Wan’s body was laid in repose. The incense table and mourning hall were solemnly adorned. Cui Wan’s prepared corpse rested on a coffin bed while several young maids in mourning clothes knelt in front of the bier, burning paper offerings for her.

In the side hall next to the mourning hall, Xie Xinglan stood beside Cui Jin, and across from them were Cui Muzhi and Lin Qian. Clearly, with such a tragedy in the Earl’s residence and no other male family members to assist, these two nephews had arrived early to help.

A servant had announced her arrival. Hearing that it was Qin Ying, all four individuals were surprised.

Qin Ying, undeterred, entered the hall first to offer incense for Cui Wan and briefly greeted Cui Jin. She then said, “I was quite preoccupied with this case after returning home last night and realized there was something I hadn’t mentioned, so I came early today to take another look.”

Cui Jin hesitated and asked, “What is it that the County Princess wishes to say?”

Qin Ying replied solemnly, “Last night, after Wan’er left the plum grove, she didn’t leave the rear garden. From that moment, we never saw her again. She was murdered behind the rockery. I suspect she had arranged to meet someone, dismissed her maidservants, and went ahead to the rockery to wait. She waited there for a long time, even hearing someone approach without making a sound, never expecting that the person she awaited would take her life. Therefore, whoever could arrange to meet her alone must be the murderer.”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over Lin Qian, but Lin Qian remained calm and composed, showing no signs of any unusual reaction.

Cui Jin glanced at Qin Ying and then at Xie Xinglan before saying, “County Princess, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble. However, Envoy Xie already mentioned what you just said after you all left last night.”

Qin Ying felt a twinge in her chest. When she turned to look at Xie Xinglan, she found him leisurely watching her, his expression seeming to say: Is that all?

Qin Ying took a shallow breath, raising her voice slightly, “There’s another matter that Envoy Xie surely hasn’t mentioned to you.”

Xie Xinglan remained expressionless, but Cui Muzhi and Lin Qian found her behavior peculiar, each reacting with their own distinct look. Staring at Xie Xinglan, Qin Ying said, “Envoy Xie must not have mentioned this: the murderer who killed Cui Wan is not tall—”

Her voice deepened, “It might even be a woman.”