Chapter 20

Qin Ying looked at the sky outside and said, “It’s nearly midday now. There are less than ten hours until tomorrow morning, and we still lack key witnesses and evidence. If the case cannot be concluded during tomorrow’s public trial, your lord may be in a difficult position.”

Xie Jian couldn’t hold back and exclaimed, “Earl Zhongyuan is creating trouble!”

Qin Ying stood up, her face calm yet serious, and began pacing. Before long, she said, “Worrying gets us nowhere. Ten hours—neither a lot nor a little. Take advantage of your lord’s absence and start moving. First, review all the current witness testimonies to ensure no mistakes. Meanwhile, the remaining evidence must be found within these ten hours.”

Having worked with Xie Xinglan for many years, Xie Yong and Xie Jian knew the procedures well. They immediately called the Longyi Guards to organize the testimonies. Watching them work, Qin Ying’s mind raced with possibilities. After waiting for almost half an hour, Xie Xinglan finally returned from the palace.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard of the study, Xie Xinglan saw the bustling activity of the Longyi Guards. Qin Ying stood by the window, lost in thought and furrowing her brows. Though she had remained composed these past days, an air of tension now surrounded her, as if she were bracing for an impending storm.

Xie Xinglan’s gaze darkened. The Emperor’s decree should have unsettled ‘him,’ and ‘he’ should have felt the weight of the crisis. For Cui Muzhi, whether the case was solved a day earlier or later made no difference—so why was Qin Ying so anxious?

“Lord has returned—”

Xie Jian’s announcement broke Qin Ying’s train of thought. She raised her head and saw Xie Xinglan standing at the courtyard entrance. Without hesitation, she walked toward him. “What arrangements have been made at the palace?”

Qin Ying’s tone carried more urgency than his as Xie Xinglan replied calmly, “The Emperor has already issued a decree to each household. Tomorrow morning at the Earl Zhongyuan’s residence, the trial must identify the culprit by midday. From now on, all individuals involved in the case are prohibited from leaving their residences.”

Qin Ying nodded. “Time is tight. We have just one day and one night to use.”

Xie Xinglan narrowed his eyes. “We?”

Confused, Qin Ying asked, “Who else?” Impatient with his questioning, she continued, “We still lack the most direct evidence. You’re right—starting with Fu Ling’s maids is key.”

Her focused determination swept away Xie Xinglan’s doubts, and he said decisively, “Should we go to the Fu household?”

Qin Ying agreed. “There’s no time to waste, so we’ll have to.”

Xie Xinglan had already made the same plan. He called for his men and left the General’s residence with Qin Ying.

Xie Xinglan rode ahead on horseback, leading the Longyi Guards, while Qin Ying’s carriage followed behind. Along the way, Xie Xinglan glanced back twice. Noticing his gaze, Xie Jian remarked, “When news came earlier, the County Princess reacted even faster than we did. Given the Emperor’s decree, our situation seems unfavorable, yet she shows no intention of staying uninvolved.”

Xie Jian looked moved, but Xie Xinglan’s dark, contemplative gaze revealed no thoughts.

Upon arriving at the Fu household, the gatekeepers grew visibly uneasy at the sight of the Longyi Guards. Before long, Fu Zhongming and his wife, along with Fu Ling, came out to greet the visitors. Inside the main hall, they saw Madam Fu’s two children, dressed finely and looking like delicate porcelain dolls, curiously watching the group with wide eyes.

Fu Zhongming waved dismissively. “Take the young lady and young master away.”

After the children were led out, he ordered tea to be served and said, “An imperial decree arrived moments ago. We planned to attend the trial at the Earl’s residence tomorrow morning, but I wasn’t expecting the Longyi Guards to arrive today. Is there something you’d like to ask, Envoy Xie?”

Xie Xinglan replied calmly, “Tomorrow’s public trial is approaching, so we’ve come today to confirm all the witness testimonies to avoid any misunderstandings.”

Madam Fu looked displeased while Fu Ling appeared composed. Qin Ying sat silently, observing. When the Longyi Guards stepped forward to question Fu Ling, she summoned two maids, saying, “I was frightened that night. After returning to the manor, I felt a headache. It was Mo’er and Huan’er who left to fetch a doctor for me.”

The two maids stood calmly in front of the group, and Xie Xinglan scrutinized them for a moment before saying, “Please excuse us. I will personally conduct the questioning.”

Fu Zhongming and Madam Fu rose and left the room. Fu Ling also prepared to leave, but Qin Ying stood and said, “Ling’er, I didn’t stay long during my last visit. Why don’t you show me around your manor?”

Fu Ling smiled faintly. “I knew you’d say that. Let’s take a walk in the garden.”

Qin Ying agreed, leading Bai Yuan and Shen Luo ahead. Leaving the front courtyard, Qin Ying and Fu Ling walked side by side along a path leading to the rear garden. Fu Ling casually asked, “How did you end up working with Xie Xinglan? I was already surprised when you came together last time, but now you’ve arrived together again.”

Qin Ying sighed. “It’s all for Wan’er’s case. I want to uncover the killer’s identity as soon as possible.”

Fu Ling chuckled, “Is it because of Heir Cui?”

Not knowing how to explain, Qin Ying replied, “Not entirely. Wan’er’s murder happened right in front of us. Anyone would feel unsettled. Solving the case quickly will bring peace of mind.”

Fu Ling’s gaze carried a hint of meaning, clearly skeptical. “Ying Ying, given your background, there are countless noble men in the capital. Why must it be Heir Cui? You’re needlessly ruining your reputation for him.”

Qin Ying’s heart stirred slightly. “Why do you say that?”

Fu Ling’s expression suddenly turned somber. “My family has arranged a marriage for me in Qizhou. At first, I thought it was too far away, but eventually, I had no choice but to agree. There’s nothing worth holding onto in the capital. Marrying anyone is just marrying. If I’m lucky, I’ll have a good husband; if I’m not, life will just pass as it is. There’s no need to insist on staying in the capital.”

Qin Ying quickly asked, “It’s already decided?”

Fu Ling gave a bitter smile. “Yes, the two families have exchanged betrothal letters. The wedding is likely to take place before the end of the year. My mother wants me to marry early. She says that as daughters grow older, it becomes harder to arrange good matches.”

Qin Ying remarked, “Is she deliberately arranging for you sisters to marry far away?”

Fu Ling replied with a hint of bitterness, “Perhaps. But marrying far away isn’t necessarily a bad thing for us. Once we’re married off, my mother won’t favor me, and my father will be busy caring for his two young children and planning their future.”

Seeing the direction of their conversation, Qin Ying couldn’t help but ask, “Is your older sister doing well in the ancestral land?”

“She’s doing very well.” Fu Ling turned to look at her and smiled brightly. “Leaving the capital means leaving all the troubles behind. For her, it’s the best possible outcome…”

Fu Ling’s smile was radiant, her brows arching delicately. Yet, for some reason, the warmth of that smile sent a chill through Qin Ying’s heart. At that moment, a sharp, childish voice rang out. “Second Sister, why are you in the garden again?”

Turning around, Qin Ying saw Fu Ling’s younger sister, the third Miss of the Fu family, who had been led away earlier by her nursemaid. The six-year-old was charmingly adorable, but her expression toward Fu Ling was filled with annoyance. With the air of a little adult, she declared, “Father said Second Sister isn’t allowed in the garden. I’m going to tell him—”

Fu Ling apologetically glanced at Qin Ying and stepped forward, saying, “Fu Yuan, the County Princess is here. Don’t behave so rudely!”

“I’ll say it! I’m going to tell Father that you’re disobedient! You’ve come to burn the garden again! You’re bad luck!” Fu Yuan stood with her hands on her hips, showing no fear of Fu Ling.

Infuriated, Fu Ling turned to Qin Ying and muttered, “Excuse me.” She then took two steps forward, grabbed Fu Yuan by the arm, and dragged her toward the inner courtyard amidst the girl’s loud protests.

Fu Yuan yelled that it hurt and continued to berate Fu Ling, repeatedly accusing her of wanting to burn the garden. Eventually, Fu Ling covered her mouth to silence her. Qin Ying found the whole situation odd, especially since there were no signs of fire anywhere in the garden. As Fu Ling disappeared down the corridor, Qin Ying couldn’t help but walk a few steps deeper into the garden.

This rear garden was far smaller than the one at Earl Zhongyuan’s residence, but it was still charming and well-kept, especially the small patch of crabapple trees on the west side. Though the blooming season had passed, the lush branches and leaves hinted at how magnificent the blossoms must have looked.

While lost in thought, Qin Ying noticed an elderly servant in gray carrying a pair of water buckets. His face was drenched in sweat as he headed toward the crabapple grove. Seeing Qin Ying, he hurried to avoid disturbing her but moved so quickly that he tripped. Fortunately, Shen Luo stepped forward and steadied the shoulder pole.

“Please forgive me, noble lady—”

The elderly servant set down the buckets and repeatedly apologized. Qin Ying quickly said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Where did you fetch this water from? It seems like you came a long way.”

The old servant pointed to the far east side. “From the kitchen area. The nearby wells had been sealed off, so I had to go across the entire estate to fetch water. It’s my fault for disturbing you.”

Qin Ying frowned. “The wells are sealed? Also, has there been a fire in this garden recently?”

Qin Ying pondered that Fu Yuan’s harsh rebukes toward Fu Ling were likely a way of blaming Fu Ling for others’ mistakes. It was early autumn, and the garden was filled with dry leaves and grass, which could easily catch fire. The old servant had mentioned that there was no accessible well nearby, possibly explaining why any fire might have been difficult to extinguish.

However, the old servant said, “I’ve heard the wells were sealed off two years ago. I don’t know why; maybe they dried up. This garden hasn’t caught fire recently—how could it? If it did, the lord and madam would surely punish us harshly. Perhaps someone burned something here in the garden, though. I’ve noticed a few ashes on the ground.”

Qin Ying, puzzled, asked, “Do you know what was burned?”

The old servant shook his head. “I don’t know. There wasn’t much left to identify.”

Not wishing to delay further, the old servant apologized again and carried his buckets toward the crabapple grove. Qin Ying watched him disappear in the distance. Just as she was about to follow, Fu Ling suddenly appeared behind her and asked, “Why did you come here?”

Turning around with a usual, calm smile, Qin Ying replied, “Just wandering. Is everything settled?”

Fu Ling sighed. “Father and Mother have spoiled her. She dares to say anything. This child has always been clever. If Father were here, she wouldn’t dare shout at me. On the contrary, she’d cling to me. But the moment Father isn’t around, she becomes completely different.”

Qin Ying tactfully said, “Children’s behavior often reflects their parents’ guidance.”

Fu Ling smiled faintly, her expression hard to read. “That’s why I said earlier—marrying far away might not be bad for me.”

She seemed uninterested in exploring the garden further, glancing back toward the main hall. “I wonder if Xie Xinglan is done questioning people. Should we head back and check?”

Without hesitation, Qin Ying agreed, “Alright.”

The two of them returned to the main hall, where they saw Mo’er and Huan’er, who had previously appeared calm, now pale-faced. Xie Xinglan’s expression didn’t look good either. Fu Ling noticed and asked, “What happened? Is there a problem?”

Mo’er and Huan’er shook their heads in unison. Xie Xinglan then stood and said, “No issues. Since the questioning is complete, I’ll take my leave.”

Fu Ling quickly said, “I’ll see you off.”

After sending Xie Xinglan and Qin Ying out of the manor gates, Fu Ling stood in place, watching their carriage pull away before closing the courtyard doors. As soon as the door shut, her previously calm and gentle demeanor vanished entirely. “What is it?” she asked.

Mo’er replied, “Envoy Xie’s questioning was far too detailed. He kept asking the same questions in reverse. Miss, Huan’er and I were nervous answering, but rest assured, we didn’t let anything slip.”

Only then did Fu Ling’s expression slightly relax.

…

Leaving the street where the Fu household was located, Qin Ying immediately lifted the curtain and asked, “Well?”

Xie Xinglan’s face was dark and serious. “There are two things we need to verify.”

Qin Ying frowned. “Alright. Time is of the essence. You go investigate. I’ve also found something strange about the Fu household, though I’m unsure if it’s related to the case. If I find anything, I’ll send word to you.”

Xie Xinglan’s gaze deepened. “This matter has nothing to do with you. There’s no need for you to overburden yourself.”

Her mind full of the case, Qin Ying raised her eyebrows at his comment and retorted, “How can it have nothing to do with me? The crime happened right in front of me. How could I just stand idly by?”

After saying this, she instructed Shen Luo, “Go to the nearest agent’s office.”

Although Shen Luo didn’t know her intentions, he immediately drove the carriage as instructed. Xie Xinglan, riding behind them on horseback, first ordered Xie Jian and two other Longyi Guards to continue following Qin Ying before spurring his horse toward the southern Miao Xin Hall.

Seeing Xie Jian remaining with them, Qin Ying opened the curtain again and said, “Once we reach the agent’s office, Xie Jian, inquire if the Fu family has sold any maids or servants in the past two years. If they have, use your status as a Longyi Guard to find out where they were sold.”

Her tone was urgent, and Xie Jian immediately agreed. Upon arriving at the nearest agent’s office, Xie Jian quickly inquired and returned shortly after, reporting, “County Princess, the owner of the office said that two years ago, the Fu household indeed sold a batch of people. At the time, the Fu family was in a hurry, and they had the agency handle it. Half of those people were sold outside the capital, and the other half remained in the capital. However, it’s been two years, so it’s unclear if any of them have since changed owners.”

Qin Ying promptly asked, “How many are still in the capital?”

Xie Jian replied, “Four people.”

Qin Ying made a swift decision. “You three divide and search for them. I’ll return to the Marquis’ residence and wait. Once you have any updates, immediately bring the people you find to the residence—I have questions for them.”

Though Xie Jian wasn’t sure what Qin Ying intended, he could see that she was equally determined to solve the case before tomorrow morning. Without delay, he assigned the other two addresses and quickly set out in different directions with his colleagues.

Qin Ying waited anxiously at the Marquis’ residence, watching as the sun sank lower in the sky and her unease deepened. After over an hour, two of the Longyi Guards returned first but came back empty-handed. The two maids sold to new households had been resold over the past two years, making it nearly impossible to trace their whereabouts.

Qin Ying couldn’t help but lament the hardships and instability in the lives of servants. Just as she began to think this lead was a dead end, Xie Jian returned with a young woman.

As they entered the main hall, Xie Jian introduced her, “County Princess, this is Lv He. She was a third-class maid who served in the eldest young lady’s courtyard at the Fu household. After the eldest young lady was sent away, she was sold off. Over the past two years, she has been working for new employers. The other servant, a young man, has already been sold again.”

The maid named Lv He greeted them nervously. Qin Ying spoke gently, “Don’t be afraid. I brought you here to ask about your former mistress. Do you remember what happened after the eldest young lady’s reputation was tarnished and she returned to the manor?”

Lv He recalled, “I remember. It was at the Hairpin Banquet two years ago. It seems the young lady lost a keepsake belonging to her late mother, which was picked up by that scoundrel from Marquis Dingbei’s residence. He falsely claimed she had given it to him as a gift. It caused a huge commotion, and rumors spread that the young lady was trying to attach herself to the Marquisate and was not virtuous. The household was in an uproar; both the master and madam were furious. They couldn’t confront Marquis Dingbei’s residence for an explanation or wait for a marriage proposal from them. Within days, the young lady had become noticeably thinner…”

“During this time, the master was so angry that he took two days off from court, and the madam often scolded the young lady harshly. The young lady even had thoughts of ending her life. Seeing that the situation couldn’t go on, the master and madam decided it would be better to send her back to the ancestral land as soon as possible. Leaving the capital, they thought, would make these rumors fade. I remember clearly that she was sent away on the Qixi Festival, exactly two years ago.”

Qin Ying frowned deeply. “During the day?”

Lv He shook her head. “No, it was nighttime—more precisely, around midnight. That night, the young lady caused quite a scene. However, as a lowly maid, I wasn’t allowed to attend her closely. I only heard loud noises in the inner courtyard. At around the second watch, the young lady was suddenly sent away. She was accompanied by two of her maids and one nanny. Both the master and the second young lady personally escorted her out of the city and didn’t return until dawn. The master was both angry and heartbroken, while the second young lady was the most upset and even fell ill afterward.”

Qin Ying asked seriously, “Did you see Fu Zhen leave the manor with your own eyes?”

Lv He shook her head. “No. The eldest young lady didn’t want to leave, and the nannies had to tie her up to take her away. That night, the madam wouldn’t let us servants go outside, so I couldn’t see her off. From a distance, I heard from one of the nannies that she seemed to have been bound and carried out.”

Qin Ying’s expression paled slightly as if a thought had struck her. “Were you sold shortly after?”

Lvhe confirmed, “Once the eldest young lady left for the ancestral land, there was no need for so many servants, so some of us were sold off.”

Qin Ying suddenly asked, “Before the Hairpin Banquet two years ago, did your eldest young lady behave strangely?”

Lv He thought for a moment and then shook her head. “No, I only did odd jobs in her courtyard and observed her from a distance. She behaved no differently from usual and was quite close to the second young lady.”

Lv He suddenly seemed to recall something. “Oh, two months after I was sold, the second young lady sought me out and asked if I’d heard the eldest young lady say anything unusual during that time.”

Qin Ying sat upright. “She asked you this two months after you were sold?”

Lv He nodded firmly. “Yes, I remember it clearly. At the time, I even wondered—if she wanted to know about the eldest young lady, why didn’t she write to her directly?”

Leaning back in her chair, Qin Ying’s gaze flickered, as if she’d arrived at an astonishing realization. After a moment, she said, “Thank you for your help today. I’ll have someone escort you back.”

Lv He quickly expressed her gratitude and left. Qin Ying instructed Shen Luo to arrange for Lv He’s safe return, then sank into deep thought. Bai Yuan and Xie Jian exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what was on her mind but not daring to disturb her.

When Shen Luo returned, Qin Ying finally lifted her gaze. “It’s nearly dark, but there’s something I need you to do. If we’re lucky, we might uncover something before dawn…”

At the start of Hai hour (9-11 pm), Xie Xinglan returned to the General’s residence with two witnesses. He instructed his attendants to settle them in the residence’s side courtyard before heading toward the study. As he walked, he asked, “Any news from Xie Jian?”

Xie Yong, who accompanied him, replied, “None. Just now, I asked the gatekeeper as soon as I returned, and he said neither Xie Jian nor the County Princess has come by.” After hesitating briefly, he added, “Should we send someone to the Marquis Linchuan’s residence?”

Xie Xinglan shot him a cold glare. “What do you think?”

Realizing his mistake, Xie Yong quickly apologized, “That was foolish of me. We shouldn’t go to the Marquis Linchuan’s residence.”

After entering the study and taking a seat, Xie Xinglan surveyed the organized documents and testimonies. He said calmly, “Let’s wait for news from Quzhou. If nothing comes by dawn, Earl Zhongyuan will stubbornly deny everything. Tomorrow morning… we’ll have to accept whatever His Majesty decides.”

Unable to hold back, Xie Yong said, “But His Majesty has already stated that if the case isn’t handled well, he’ll revoke your position as the Envoy. You risked your life to earn this title, and there are many waiting for your downfall…”

Xie Xinglan’s expression revealed a hint of sarcasm. “This position—if anything, I might find it harder to lose than to keep.”

Xie Yong didn’t understand. Xie Xinglan glanced at the darkening sky outside and added, “Let’s wait for news. See what others uncover tonight. The Longyi Guards have done their utmost in this case. If His Majesty chooses to punish me, I don’t think that would necessarily be a bad thing.”

Xie Yong was even more puzzled, but over the past six months, Xie Xinglan had said many things he couldn’t comprehend. If Xie Jian were present, he might have braved asking more questions, but Xie Yong didn’t want to disturb Xie Xinglan’s mood further. “Understood. I’ll keep watch outside. Any news will be reported immediately.”

Xie Xinglan gave a slight nod, his gaze fixed on the night sky. He meticulously considered what clues might still be pursued. However, the most readily accessible evidence had already been investigated, and the murderer had left no direct proof. This was the biggest challenge of tomorrow’s public trial.

Turning his thoughts to Qin Ying, Xie Xinglan realized it was already late. Since Xie Jian hadn’t returned to the residence, it seemed Qin Ying’s suspicions weren’t directly related to the case. She was undoubtedly sharp and resourceful and had contributed greatly to the investigation—something Xie Xinglan acknowledged. Yet, regrettably, Cui Muzhi wouldn’t appreciate her efforts.

This realization made Xie Xinglan’s temples throb suddenly. The truth behind this case might alter the fates of many, and it all started with Qin Ying’s strange intervention to save Lu Roujia.

“Qin Ying, Qin Ying…” Xie Xinglan murmured her name, unable to understand why she had effortlessly changed the outcome of something he had struggled to alter. Even more baffling was her unwavering affection for Cui Muzhi.

The thought of Cui Muzhi made Xie Xinglan’s eyes darken with fury. Associating Qin Ying with Cui Muzhi unsettled him even further. This agitation drove him to rise and stand by the window, letting the cool autumn breeze calm his nerves slightly.

Waiting was the most tormenting. By the second quarter of the hour of the ox (around 1-3 am), the dispatched Longyi Guards returned, but their findings were insignificant. Xie Xinglan ordered the others to rest while he leaned back in his chair for a brief nap. As the night quietly passed, he experienced fleeting moments of hazy consciousness. In the stillness before dawn, urgent footsteps shattered the peace.

Awakened, Xie Xinglan immediately saw Xie Yong enter excitedly. “Lord, news from Quzhou has arrived!”

Xie Xinglan quickly stood and took the letter, scanning it swiftly. With each line he read, his expression grew increasingly astonished. Finally, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a decorous Earl Zhongyuan’s household is!”