Chapter 15

As night began to fall, Qin Zhang was inside, playing with a newly acquired jade artifact. When he turned his head, Qin Ying returned in a whirlwind.

“Father, your daughter has a question to ask.”

These words took Qin Zhang by surprise, “What has happened?”

Qin Ying solemnly asked, “Father, do you know why Huang Ting built a rockery at Earl Zhongyuan’s residence back then?”

Qin Zhang put down the jade artifact and replied, “Why are you thinking about this now? If I recall correctly, the former Earl Zhongyuan was greatly favored by the Emperor and had some personal connections with Huang Ting. The rockery was originally planned to be constructed in a certain palace, but the palace lacked the space for him to fully demonstrate his craft. The designs were thus abandoned, but when the mansion began excavating Yingyue Lake, Huang Ting decided to give the rockery as a congratulatory gift.”

Qin Ying said gravely, “This morning, Father mentioned that the garden scenery at Weiyang Pond was constructed using his old drafts. This indicates that although he resigned from office and left the capital, he still left behind many manuscripts. So, Father, do you know where Huang Ting’s drafts for the rockery might be?”

Qin Zhang hesitated, “This matter might require asking Earl Zhongyuan.”

Qin Ying shook her head, “I don’t intend to ask Earl Zhongyuan. Firstly, I suspect the drafts are not in Earl Zhongyuan’s residence. Secondly, asking recklessly might alert someone unnecessarily.”

Qin Zhang was puzzled, “Why do you think the drafts aren’t in the mansion?”

Qin Ying replied solemnly, “Cui Wan was killed after the rockery was built. That evening, apart from Miss Lu and me, everyone else entered the rockery. I believe the murderer used the rockery as a diversion to commit the crime.”

“Before entering the rockery, I wasn’t aware of the cave’s intricate and confusing layout. That night, among the twelve people present, only Cui Muzhi and Lin Qian were familiar with the rockery since they often visited the mansion. However, I believe even they merely viewed the rockery as an interesting place to explore. But if someone had seen the construction blueprints of the rockery, it would be entirely different.”

Qin Zhang was startled, and Xie Jian, who had followed along and was standing outside the hall, also showed a look of surprise. It turned out that Qin Ying’s change in expression upon hearing the words “route map” was because she had associated them with the rockery blueprints.

Qin Ying continued, “While searching for a path inside the cave, I kept thinking how great it would be if there were a marker. And if there were a map of the inside of the rockery, wouldn’t it show the shortest route even better? If the murderer isn’t Lin Qian or Cui Muzhi, then the murderer must have another method. Even if they’ve only visited the rockery a few times, they clearly know the cave’s layout.”

“And Huang Ting was a renowned craftsman. Even though he resigned from office many years ago, the construction of Weiyang Pond still uses his old drafts, showing that his sketches are exceptionally valuable and carefully preserved. If Huang Ting had entrusted the drafts to Earl Zhongyuan’s residence for safekeeping back then, it would have been preserved for over thirty years—how would it be casually shown to others? Therefore, if my guess is correct, the drafts are certainly not in the mansion. Back then, Huang Ting was employed in the Ministry of Works and often helped other offices construct pavilions and buildings. I believe most of his drafts are still in the Ministry of Works.”

Qin Zhang took a moment to process and finally understood Qin Ying’s reasoning. Surprised, he exclaimed, “So many thoughts looping around—how did you figure it all out?”

Qin Ying curved her lips into a smile, “Actually, all of this is thanks to you, Father. During breakfast this morning, you spoke highly of Huang Ting and described the places he built in great detail. However, when you previously discussed how the artificial mountain was constructed at the Earl Residence, you only mentioned it being crafted by a renowned palace artisan without mentioning Huang Ting’s name. So when I thought of this crucial clue earlier, the first idea that came to mind was that instead of asking the Earl, it would be better to ask you—you must know far more than he does.”

Qin Zhang initially found Qin Ying’s sharp mind to be somewhat peculiar, but he didn’t expect to receive such praise. He beamed with joy, letting go of any doubts, and immediately said, “As a young man, I was fond of the arts of garden design and construction, and I always greatly admired Huang Ting’s reputation. It’s a pity he had already retired from his official position at the time; otherwise, I might have apprenticed myself to him!”

He chuckled, adding, “I understand your reasoning now. Huang Ting was known to rarely gift his drafts to private individuals. When he resigned from his position, he did not take any of the drafts he had created for the royal court or government departments. The artificial mountain blueprint you are referring to should also still be stored in some government office. However, given how many years have passed, I’ll send someone to the Ministry of Works and visit Assistant Minister Xiao’s residence.”

Qin Ying was naturally delighted and watched as Qin Zhang sent the steward, Qin Guang, out of the mansion.

It was getting late, and such back-and-forth would take some time. After Qin Ying accompanied Qin Zhang for dinner, Qin Guang finally returned from Xiao’s residence. He reported, “I met with Assistant Minister Xiao and conveyed the Marquis and County Princess’ intentions to him. He said that once he arrives at the office tomorrow morning, he will send someone to investigate. After he finishes work, a little past the hour of Shen (3–5 PM), he asked me to return to his residence for an update.”

Feeling anxious, Qin Ying decisively said, “Then I will go to Xiao’s residence early tomorrow to wait.”

Seeing her so invested in the case, Qin Zhang finally believed what Shen Luo had said the previous night. Although he still felt that Qin Ying’s eagerness was mostly due to Cui Muzhi, at this moment, her sharp intellect, decisiveness, and radiant composure made her seem like a completely different person. Most importantly, she had not been obsessively mentioning Cui Muzhi for several days now.

Qin Zhang was deeply comforted. Although investigating a murder case was considered inauspicious, as long as it made Qin Ying happy and kept her from being infatuated with Cui Muzhi, what did a little inauspiciousness matter?

The night grew deep, and the gentle moonlight blanketed Qingwu Courtyard in a layer of white frost. As Qin Ying was about to retire, she heard Bai Yuan say, “County Princess, Shen Luo just mentioned that Guard Xie and his men are still stationed at the gatehouse. What exactly are they doing?”

Qin Ying felt annoyed upon hearing this. “I don’t know either. Perhaps my past reckless behavior has led him to think I’ll mess things up at any moment,” she sighed and added, “Have someone bring them some bedding. There’s no need to treat them too harshly.”

Qin Ying arranged for Xie Jian and the others to have a proper place to stay. Thus, just after Qin Ying and Qin Zhang finished their breakfast the next morning, they saw Xie Jian waiting outside the front courtyard.

Now aware of the situation, Qin Zhang asked her, “Daughter, what is the meaning of these Longyi Guards’ actions?”

Qin Ying forced a smile and replied, “It is Envoy Xie worrying about my safety.”

Qin Zhang lightly clicked his tongue and said, “It turns out the child from the Xie family isn’t as vile as the rumors outside suggest.”

Qin Ying snorted coldly in her heart.

After Qin Zhang went for his daily meditation, Qin Ying called Xie Jian to her side and asked, “When will your master return to the city?”

Having received hospitality yesterday and even enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the Marquis’ residence, Xie Jian replied with a bit of sincerity, “County Princess, this humble servant truly does not know. But I can tell you that the Master left the city to find a coachman the Earl Zhongyuan’s residence expelled.”

“Years ago, when servants accompanied him to Sanqing Mountain, all were born and raised within the Earl’s residence except for one coachman, who was bought from a broker. However, not long after the Lin family discovered this, they ordered him back to the residence, and not long after the trip to Sanqing Mountain, he was dismissed on some pretense.”

“Perhaps because he didn’t travel with them, the Lin family didn’t sell him far away but handed him back to the broker, who sold him to a rural gentry family outside the city. Over the past three years, he has kept in touch with an old servant of the Lin family, which is how his whereabouts were discovered. The old servant mentioned the location of the gentry’s home, and so the Master personally led a group to search for him.”

Qin Ying learned the details and seemed satisfied, saying, “If his journey goes smoothly, he might finally discover what illness Cui Wan suffered back then.”

With Xie Xinglan absent from the city and the Prefecture Yamen under the command of a captain named Zhao Lian (in whom Qin Ying held no hope), she waited until around the hour of Shen (3-5 PM) and went directly to the residence of the Ministry of Works Assistant Minister, Xiao Qian.

Shen Luo drove the carriage in the front while Xie Jian followed on horseback behind. The group made their way through the streets and alleys, eventually arriving at Mingxing Alley. As they reached Jianming Street, where Xiao’s residence was located, they saw a group of people grandly departing from Xiao’s residence. The group moved in the opposite direction of Qin Ying’s carriage. At the forefront of the procession was a double-horse carriage positioned arrogantly in the middle of the road, rudely blocking Qin Ying’s path.

Although Jianming Street was wide enough for two carriages to pass with a bit of maneuvering, the opposing group clearly had no regard for others and ostentatiously took up the central position, expecting others to give way.

Shen Luo furrowed his brows and stopped the carriage. Xie Jian stepped forward and said, “This is the carriage of County Princess Yunyang. Kindly move aside so we can all proceed smoothly.”

Just as he finished speaking, a short, cold laugh emerged from the lacquered carriage across from them.

The next moment, a young man wearing an elegant purple-gold robe stepped out from behind the curtain. He first glanced at Xie Jian and then scanned behind him. Upon seeing only one carriage, his arrogance intensified as he sneered, “I wondered which dog was blocking the way—it turns out to be a dog surnamed Xie!”

Upon seeing the other party, Xie Jian’s gaze changed, but he did not get angry. Instead, he smiled mischievously and said, “Oh, it’s been a few days! Young Master, you’re looking much more spirited! Our Lord was just thinking about you the other day, saying how utterly fragile you were the last time. Even a coachman used as a stepping stone by our Master managed to beat you to the point of looking for your teeth on the ground. Next time we meet, he’ll definitely teach you a few martial arts moves to save you from tarnishing your father’s reputation, Marquis Dingbei.”

The young man standing outside the carriage door instantly became furious, his eyes widening as he cursed, “You scum! Today, with Xie Xinglan absent, I will make every one of you kneel and call me Grandpa. Guards—”

As soon as he issued the order to start a fight, Qin Ying abruptly pulled aside the curtain and said sharply, “Who are you trying to make call you grandpa?”

The bright autumn sun lit Qin Ying’s face, but her sharp brows carried an imposing air as she continued, “I wasn’t aware when you became the Emperor’s uncle? Has the Marquis Dingbei’s residence decided to overturn the heavens?”

The man’s curses were obviously directed at Xie Jian and his group, yet Qin Ying included herself in her statement, stepping in to settle the conflict on their behalf. As a County Princess, she had the status to address Emperor Zhenyuan as “Uncle.” However, this young man claiming to be her “grandpa” was an outrageous display of arrogance.

“You—”

“Ziqin, don’t be insolent!”

Du Ziqin was just about to lash out when a woman’s voice suddenly interrupted him. The curtain opposite was lifted, revealing the stern face of a mature woman inside the carriage. She smiled at Qin Ying and said seemingly gently, “County Princess, pardon us. Ziqin is unruly, but those harsh words were directed at the servants and not meant to offend the County Princess.”

After saying this with a smile, her tone turned cold as she ordered, “Hurry up and make way for County Princess Yunyang!”

The speaker was Madam Yuan, the wife of Marquis Dingbei. As she issued her command, the coachman quickly steered the carriage aside. Du Ziqin stood outside the carriage door, visibly resentful, but Madam Yuan said something sharply to him from inside the carriage. Reluctantly, he left behind a bitter parting remark, “You’ll regret this,” before returning to his carriage.

The wheels rolled forward, and the confrontation that had been on the brink of eruption was thus peacefully resolved. Xie Jian couldn’t help but glance at Qin Ying. He understood that Madam Yuan, the wife of Marquis Dingbei, was highly indulgent toward Du Ziqin. If Qin Ying hadn’t invoked the name of Emperor Zhenyuan, Madam Yuan might not have intervened so quickly, and Du Ziqin would certainly not have backed down so easily.

Qin Ying said nothing else. After the two groups passed each other, Qin Ying turned to Xie Jian and asked, “The person your master fought last time, was it him?”

Xie Jian quickly replied, “It was him indeed. This Du Ziqin, relying on his status as the Young Master of Marquis Dingbei’s residence, has always been fond of bullying others. He used to have conflicts with our Master, and three months ago, he caused trouble again. This time, our Master did not tolerate him and gave him a severe beating.”

Qin Ying felt a mix of emotions in her heart. Before letting the curtain fall, she asked, “Really knocked his teeth out?”

Xie Jian chuckled, “He’s just not good at taking a beating.”

Qin Ying felt a heavy weight in her heart. While Du Ziqin indeed appeared far from virtuous, Xie Xinglan beating him so severely was very uncharacteristic. This unusual behavior had begun six months ago. She wanted to ask Xie Jian more about Xie Xinglan’s illness, but the carriage had already stopped in front of Xiao’s residence.

The commotion earlier was close enough for Xiao’s gatekeepers to hear and see everything. As the carriage stopped outside the Xiao family residence, Madame Xiao and her children—Young Master and Miss Xiao—came out to greet them.

Madame Xiao did not mention the recent dispute. Instead, she warmly said, “Last night, the Marquis’ residence sent someone over. Today, my lord has yet to finish work, but we didn’t expect the County Princess to come personally. Please, do come to the front hall to sit.”

Madame Xiao was kind and approachable, and her daughter, Xiao Fulian, was stunningly bright and beautiful. Although they hadn’t been particularly close before, they now extended a polite welcome. Both mother and daughter maintained pleasant smiles, but Xiao’s eldest son, Xiao Houbai, did not look as friendly. His expression was cold as he looked at Qin Ying, as though harboring a past grievance against her.

Qin Ying recognized him, but relying on the memories of her original self, she couldn’t recall any past conflicts with him. Once seated in the front hall, Qin Ying sought a topic and asked, “Earlier outside, I ran into the wife and son of Marquis Dingbei. What brings them here?”

Madame Xiao looked uneasy, but Xiao Fulian spoke frankly, “The Marquis Dingbei’s residence thinks highly of our family and seeks to form a marriage alliance. However, our family has fallen on hard times and dares not aspire to such a lofty connection.”

Madame Xiao frowned, “Fulian—”

Xiao Fulian snorted, “Mother, what’s wrong with saying it plainly? Let everyone know that our family understands our place, so they won’t trouble us in the future. I’ve never seen someone bring their son along to inspect a prospective bride on their very first visit.”

Qin Ying was slightly surprised, “Is it Du Ziqin who wants the marriage alliance?”

Xiao Fulian nodded, “Relying on their status as the Marquis’s residence, they act arrogantly. Without settling anything formally, they come directly for a look. I certainly don’t have the fortune for such an alliance. He’s already harmed Fu Zhen, and now he comes to harm me. Mother, just wait. By tomorrow, who knows how the rumors outside will spread.”

Madame Xiao forced a bitter smile, “Please forgive us, County Princess. Fulian is blunt and cannot tolerate even the smallest annoyance.”

Qin Ying quickly reassured, “Madame, please don’t mind. This young Master of the Du family indeed isn’t a suitable match. I’ve heard a bit about what Miss Xiao mentioned. His heartlessness towards Fu Zhen reveals much about his character.”

Xiao Fulian raised an eyebrow and said, “What do you mean by that, County Princess? His actions can hardly be called heartless.”

Qin Ying looked puzzled and asked, “Wasn’t it said… that the keepsake was discovered?”

Xiao Fulian immediately let out a cold scoff. “See, that’s the power of rumors. Even the County Princess believes that Fu Zhen and Du Ziqin had an improper relationship, with her giving him a keepsake that was then discovered by others, causing such a scandal that it humiliated her, right?”

Qin Ying nodded. “Is that not the case?”

“Not at all!” Xiao Fulian angrily retorted. “How could Fu Zhen ever take a liking to someone like him? Two and a half years ago, at a gathering, Du Ziqin himself took something personal from Fu Zhen and then went around spreading rumors, claiming that Fu Zhen was interested in him and wanted to marry into the Marquis’s residence. This rumor spread from one person to another until it looked as though Fu Zhen was improper, which ultimately led to her being sent back to her family’s ancestral home.”

Qin Ying was shocked. “How shameless of him!”

Xiao Fulian, still seething with anger, said, “Destroying a woman’s reputation is as deadly as killing without spilling blood. Du Ziqin ruined Fu Zhen’s life completely.”

Hearing this, Qin Ying clenched her teeth, feeling that Xie Xinglan’s punishment of Du Ziqin had been far too lenient. Seeing that Xiao Fulian was getting more and more agitated, Madame Xiao lightly reprimanded her, saying, “I will never allow our family to have any involvement with theirs. Calm yourself down; speaking so recklessly will only make people laugh at us.”

Xiao Fulian, though still angry, eventually stopped speaking, allowing Madame Xiao to breathe a sigh of relief. Madame Xiao then exchanged pleasantries with Qin Ying regarding Qin Zhang’s recent situation. After waiting for the time it takes for two sticks of incense to burn, the gatekeeper arrived to report, “Madame, the master has returned home!”

The Xiao family members went to greet him, and Qin Ying quickly got up as well. As she reached the entrance, Xiao Qian entered the courtyard. Already aware of Qin Ying’s visit, he greeted her and said, “I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, County Princess. I didn’t find the drawings mentioned by the Marquis at the Ministry of Works. It’s from over thirty years ago, and the longest-serving member currently in the Ministry has only been there for about ten years. No one knows where the artificial mountain was originally intended to be constructed. Furthermore, the Ministry only retains about ten copies of the Huangting drawings, none of which match.”

Qin Ying was slightly surprised, “Could the drawings have been lost?”

Xiao Qian hesitated, uncertain, and replied, “Given the passage of time, it’s certainly possible. However, it’s also highly likely that the drawings were meant for another department and were later stored there together.”

Qin Ying frowned deeply, her brows furrowed tightly.