Chapter 4

Upon seeing Qin Ying, Bai Yuan immediately grabbed her hands and looked her up and down anxiously. Her eyes were red as she asked, “County Princess, are you alright? I heard that Miss Cui drowned in the Lotus Pavilion. I was terrified something might have happened to you as well—”

Bai Yuan had been Qin Ying’s personal maid since childhood. She had peach-like cheeks and apricot-shaped eyes, radiating a charming innocence. Her personality was straightforward yet somewhat muddled. She worried for her mistress and thought as she did. Seeing her mistress stirring up scandals and failing to heed advice, Bai Yuan remained unwaveringly loyal.

Qin Ying gently reassured her and then asked, “Is everyone outside aware of this?”

Bai Yuan nodded, “We were all waiting in the side rooms outside the Hanging Flower Gate. At first, we only knew that something had happened in the garden and that the Earl’s residence had reported it to the authorities. But we didn’t know what had actually occurred until just now—”

The nanny who attended to Young Master Cui carried him into the back garden. She had barely entered when Concubine Zhang rushed to the garden gate. The gatekeeping nanny blocked her path, but Concubine Zhang created a commotion right outside the Hanging Flower Gate. She cried and wailed, insisting that the young master was too little to be near the body of the deceased. When the nanny emerged carrying the young master, Concubine Zhang even tried to snatch the child away. As the situation escalated, we finally realized—the truth was that Miss Cui had been murdered.

Qin Ying carefully recalled the details and asked, “Concubine Zhang is the young master’s birth mother?”

Bai Yuan nodded. “That’s right. When Concubine Zhang gave birth to the young master, he was immediately taken to Madam Lin. He was raised under her care, and even the Earl treated him as a legitimate son, grooming him to inherit the title. But it was hard on Concubine Zhang—she was rarely allowed to see him, except on holidays and special occasions.”

Such practices were not uncommon in noble households of the past. Qin Ying then asked, “How did you manage to get inside?”

Bai Yuan straightened her back proudly. “When I saw that the heir of the Zhao family had arrived, I invoked Marquis’s name ( Qin Ying’s father). That finally convinced them to let me in.”

Her demeanor resembled the original owner, but it was mostly a façade. When she glanced toward the west wing, only fear remained in her eyes. “County Princess, we should leave quickly. There’s been a death in the Earl’s residence, and the government officials have arrived. If we get tangled in a murder case, it would be disastrous. It’s already late—if we don’t return soon, the Marquis will start worrying.”

Qin Ying gently grasped her hand. “We can’t leave yet. Cui Wan’s death is suspicious, and I’m one of the suspects. If I leave now, it will be impossible to explain.”

Bai Yuan pouted anxiously. “You’re staying because of Lord Cui, aren’t you…”

Qin Ying sighed with a wry smile. The reputation of the original owner was too deeply ingrained in everyone’s minds—it wouldn’t change overnight. Though she spoke to Bai Yuan, her attention remained fixed on Xie Xinglan. When she saw him heading toward Yingyue Lake, she said, “It’s not because of him. Cui Wan died so tragically—I need to find out who killed her. The thought of a murderer hiding among us is terrifying.”

Bai Yuan clearly didn’t believe her but still nodded. “You have a point. Should we just wait here?”

“No, we’re going to the lakeside to take a look.”

Qin Ying turned and headed toward Yingyue Lake, with Bai Yuan hurrying after her.

Though Earl Zhongyuan’s residence had declined, it had once been basked in great power decades ago. As a result, the back garden was vast, featuring an inner lake with rippling waters. Along the lakeside, elegant pavilions stood every ten steps, with scenic views every five—an exquisite sight to behold. Now, in early autumn, lush greenery still flourished, casting deep shade, while small lanterns prepared for the Autumn Eve Festival hung from high branches like fireflies, lighting the pathways.

Longyi Guards and magistrate officers from the capital patrolled the grounds, torches in hand, searching every corner. Qin Ying had yet to spot Xie Xinglan, so she turned to Bai Yuan and asked, “Do you know who’s leading Longyi Guards in tonight’s investigation—Envoy Xie?”

Bai Yuan’s expression shifted slightly. “You mean the adopted son of General Xie’s household?”

Qin Ying confirmed, and Bai Yuan was stunned. “You used to look down on him—why are you asking about him now?”

Qin Ying exhaled quietly. It all traced back to Xie Xinglan’s adoptive father. Xie Zhengze had a notorious reputation; not only did aristocrats scorn him, but even scholars of modest means refused to associate with him. After his death, Xie Xinglan faced hostility from all directions. And the original Qin Ying, as a member of the imperial family, had to align herself with the nobility—naturally, she had once dismissed the son of a treacherous minister with disdain.

Bai Yuan was surprised but continued, “There have been a lot of rumors about him in the past six months. Before, you were completely focused on Lord Cui, so even when we talked about him among ourselves, we didn’t dare mention it in front of you.”

“They say he fell seriously ill in the first month of the year—almost lost his mind. After that, his personality changed drastically. Not only did he dismiss some of his household staff, but he also angered his adoptive mother to the point of making her bedridden. What’s more, he even declined official duties assigned to him by His Majesty. Oh, and he made quite a few enemies among noble families. Five months ago, under the banner of Longyi Guards, he impeached Marquis Changqing, accusing Cui family retainers in the army of corruption—embezzling military funds for personal gain. Then, just a month ago, he fiercely beat up the young master of Marquis Dingbei’s household, and the incident even reached His Majesty.”

Qin Ying was astonished. “He reported Marquis Changqing? And then what happened?”

Bai Yuan pursed her lips. “Nothing. His Majesty sent an imperial envoy to investigate the army, and while they uncovered some corrupt officers, none of them were directly tied to the Cui family. The Cui family is still highly regarded by His Majesty.”

Qin Ying was stunned. No wonder there was clear tension between Xie Xinglan and Cui Muzhi earlier—Xie Xinglan had been in conflict with the Cui family for six months already. She quickly asked, “What illness did he have in the first month of the year?”

“I wouldn’t know for sure, but two rumors are circulating in town. One says he was poisoned, and the toxin drove him into a violent frenzy. The other claims he was competing with the second son of the Duan family for the position of Right General of the Jinwu Guards. He lost the contest and went mad with rage afterward…”

Xie Xinglan had many enemies, so the possibility of being poisoned was plausible. But to say he lost his sanity over a mere military title? That was simply impossible. Either way, his current behavior was far removed from the original storyline.

“We found it! We found it!”

Just as Qin Ying was lost in thought, a sudden shout pierced the air. She lifted her gaze and saw that the voice came from the eastern side of the artificial mountain by Yingyue Lake. A government officer had called out. Her heart stirred, and she quickly rushed toward the rock formation. Just as she reached the area, she ran into Xie Xinglan and Cui Jin, who had arrived from the west.

As the two sides met, Cui Jin appeared somewhat surprised. Xie Xinglan cast her a deep, assessing glance before heading straight to the back of the artificial mountain.

Qin Ying steeled herself and followed. She knew that soon, everyone would find her behavior highly unusual, but she couldn’t afford to care—not when it came to solving this case.

Behind the artificial mountain, Zhao Lian was reporting to Xie Xinglan. “From the mountain entrance down to the water’s edge, the path is paved with bluestone. We found traces of blood about ten feet from the water. In the mud by the shore, there are clear drag marks. The County Princess mentioned that Miss Cui’s skirt was severely damaged—it must have been scraped against these stone surfaces. The rock used to injure her still hasn’t been found.”

Under the torchlight, the disorderly traces in the muddy area became apparent. Xie Xinglan stood at the cave entrance, gazing out at the lake. “It’s too dark to search now. At dawn, send people to dredge the water—the murder weapon was most likely thrown in.”

Zhao Lian acknowledged the order. Seeing Xie Xinglan scrutinize the stone cave behind him, he added, “I asked the estate’s servants earlier. They said this artificial mountain has three paths. One is the western route, which Envoy Xie used to circle in from outside. The other two wind through the mountain itself—twisting and branching in multiple directions. Even someone familiar with the paths would need half an incense stick’s time to navigate through.”

This artificial mountain is filled with jagged peaks and strange rock formations, scattered in a seemingly chaotic yet structured manner. It rises to varying heights, some reaching four or five stories tall. At the summit, there is a pavilion named “Woyun,” encircled by ancient pine trees. Inside the mountain, treacherous paths crisscross, twisting and turning unpredictably.

With a hoarse voice, Cui Jin asked, “Does this mean Wan’er was murdered here?”

Xie Xinglan nodded, then continued, “Tell me about this artificial mountain.”

Gazing weakly at the lake’s shimmering waters, Cui Jin explained, “This mountain was designed by a palace-employed landscape artisan over thirty years ago. It contains numerous small paths, divided into multiple levels. The fresh water that feeds Yingyue Lake is drawn from underground channels, beginning from here.”

Xie Xinglan examined the lake closely before quickly averting his gaze. “When someone has just died, their body doesn’t float easily. However, the undercurrent here is stronger than elsewhere, which is why Cui Wan’s body was carried to the Lotus Pavilion on the opposite side.”

Everything now has an explanation—this location is undoubtedly the first crime scene. However, Xie Xinglan’s sharp gaze flickered. “Except for Lu Roujia, everyone has been here today.”

His gaze shifted to Qin Ying. “Lin Qian and the others testified that the County Princess was also here. When you arrived, did you notice anything unusual?”

Qin Ying was still immersed in overwhelming shock. Since Cui Wan’s departure tonight, many people have visited this artificial mountain, drawn by its famed cave scenery. But the fact that Cui Wan was actually murdered here—could it be that when one of these groups arrived, the killer was in the midst of committing the crime?

The thought sent a chill down her spine. She hurriedly said, “I came here with Heir Cui—”

She had merely intended to state the truth, but as soon as the words left her lips, she realized they sounded off. Sure enough, while Cui Jin and the others looked at her with an understanding gaze, Xie Xinglan’s expression seemed to say: I knew it.

Qin Ying naturally had no way to explain, so she continued, “They entered through the western cave entrance and stayed inside for about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks. The cave was pitch dark at night, and even with lanterns, it was easy to stumble. I never went inside.”

Xie Xinglan mused, “Tonight, five groups of people have passed through this place. First, Zhao Yumian and Jian Fangfei. Then, Fu Ling and Wu Shuyue. After them came Xue Ming and Pei Shuo. Later, Zhao Yumian noticed her jade pendant was missing, so Jian Fangfei, Lin Qian, Fu Ling, as well as Xue Ming and Pei Shuo accompanied her to search for it. They finally found it near the western cave entrance at the front.”

“Lastly, Cui Muzhi, Lin Qian, and Lu Zan arrived.” Xie Xinglan remained calm. “Of course, the County Princess came along with them—”

Qin Ying suddenly felt as though there was no way to clear her name. Xie Xinglan continued, “Among all the testimonies, no one mentioned taking the outer path that loops around this area.”

Taking the outer path leads directly to the cave exit behind the artificial mountain. However, this exit is merely a slope extending into the lake, devoid of scenic appeal, so naturally, no one chooses to walk there.

Xie Xinglan ordered, “Bring them here.”

The guards went to summon the others while Qin Ying made her way toward the lakeshore. Bai Yuan stood motionless at the entrance, hesitant to move. Seeing Qin Ying taking a risk, she finally stepped forward and cautioned, “County Princess, be careful—you might slip.”

Qin Ying waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. You only slip where there’s mud.” She had come to examine the scattered traces. The muddy ground had retained footprints, but strangely, they appeared to have been repeatedly washed away by the waves, making it impossible to find a single intact imprint. She turned back in suspicion. “Lord Earl, is the flow of fresh water from the underground canal regulated by specific timings?”

Cui Jin quickly responded, “That’s right. This underground canal connects to the Yuguan River outside. There is an inlet where water is released only at night. During the day, it remains closed to prevent outside pollutants from entering. The drainage outlet of the lake is located beneath the stone platform on the western side—once the water level exceeds the limit, it naturally flows out into the Qiu Shui Canal.”

Qin Ying’s expression revealed understanding as she murmured, “The inflow of water created ripples on the lake, washing away most of the footprints in the muddy area. Therefore, the murderer must have struck before the water release ended. If we inquire about the exact time of water release tonight, we can determine the precise moment of Cui Wan’s murder. Then, by comparing it with our arrival time, we can exclude some suspects.”

Xie Xinglan watched Qin Ying’s figure with quiet scrutiny. She wore luxurious garments, exuding nobility and brilliance, yet she crouched unhesitatingly beside the muddy ground, unafraid that this very spot might have been where the murder and disposal of the body took place. Her sharp mind worked swiftly—she had already uncovered a key clue.

He said to Cui Jin, “Lord Earl, send a servant to ask the person in charge of the canal gates.”

Cui Jin went to instruct the steward, while Xie Xinglan suddenly frowned. He had just noticed Qin Ying reaching into the mud, comparing something against the incomplete footprints. Finding her method insufficiently precise, she pulled out the jade hairpin from her bun to assist in her measurements.

Unable to hold back his curiosity, Xie Xinglan asked, “What’s strange?”

Qin Ying clumsily returned the jade hairpin to her bun and stood up, saying, “Nothing, just taking a look.”

Xie Xinglan narrowed his eyes but did not press further. The County Princess Yunyang had quite a reputation. Though he had no idea what she was up to, he certainly wasn’t relying on her to solve the case.

Soon, Cui Muzhi and the other ten people arrived, led by the guards, who had taken them through the western side of the artificial mountain to the cave exit.

Xie Xinglan offered no explanation and simply said, “Tonight, except for Lu Roujia, all of you have been here. You arrived in five separate groups. Now, describe in detail how you entered the cave, whether you explored together or separately, what time you came, and how long you stayed inside. These details are crucial to finding the murderer.”

The group exchanged glances for a few moments before Zhao Yumian spoke first. “My sister Jian and I arrived first, around the second quarter of the Xu hour. We’ve been here a few times before, and upon entering, we chose a central path. However, it was too dark inside, and we got scared, so we quickly came back out. We never separated and stayed inside for less than fifteen minutes.”

Next, Fu Ling spoke up. “I came with Shu Yue, right after Yumian and her sister. We separated upon entering, though I don’t recall which path I took. We could hear each other calling out, so we knew we weren’t too far apart. We were inside for about fifteen minutes. We had planned to leave sooner but took a wrong turn, which delayed us. Our time apart was quite long—more than fifteen minutes.”

Fu Ling was unsure why this was being asked and, after speaking, looked somewhat puzzled at Xie Xinglan. Xie Xinglan then turned to Xue Ming and Pei Shuo. Xue Ming’s voice was dry as he responded, “Pei Shuo and I arrived together and went separate ways. I’ve been here once before and tried to find my way through a specific path, but I lost track of time. My lantern ran out of oil, so I had to give up.”

Pei Shuo continued, “I wandered around and eventually circled back to him. In the end, we exited together—it was about fifteen minutes. On our way out, we encountered Miss Zhao and the others; they were searching for a jade pendant.”

Zhao Yumian gently touched the accessory at her waist. “That’s right. I only realized I had lost my jade pendant after returning to the plum grove. They accompanied me in search of it. Fu Ling, Sister Jian, and I looked outside the cave while the others searched inside. Before long, we found it outside and called for them to come out. Altogether, the search lasted no more than fifteen minutes.”

Xie Xinglan pondered briefly, then turned to Cui Muzhi. Cui Muzhi explained, “We arrived after the sixth quarter of the Xu hour. Since Lu Zan had never been to the artificial mountain, Lin Qian and I brought him here to explore. The three of us entered the cave and walked around for two full quarters before exiting. While inside, Lin Qian took the lowest path, while Lu Zan and I stayed on the upper path. We remained separated for more than fifteen minutes.”

“After exiting the cave, we saw—” Cui Muzhi paused, his voice growing colder. “We saw the County Princess Yunyang outside. Later, the three of us returned to the plum grove, retrieved the sky lanterns, and released them.”

Had he continued speaking naturally, it wouldn’t have been an issue. But the sudden pause only emphasized Qin Ying’s presence, earning her a few scornful glances. Yet, Qin Ying remained utterly unfazed, standing with poise as if unaffected, making others see her as remarkably thick-skinned.

Qin Ying paid no mind to their opinions. Instead, she analyzed their testimonies and noticed that Cui Muzhi’s group had stayed in the cave the longest. Moreover, Lin Qian had separated from them, making his movements—coming and going—more flexible. If one accounted for the act of committing murder and disposing of the body, the timing certainly allowed for it. And he was Cui Wan’s cousin, familiar with her, and had surely been here multiple times before. Could it be him?

Qin Ying instinctively glanced at Xie Xinglan, only to realize that he was also staring at Lin Qian. She sighed inwardly—Xie Xinglan still possessed that sharp and perceptive mind, just as he always had.

However, Xie Xinglan then said, “The testimonies are detailed enough. It’s late—everyone may return home.”

Qin Ying was slightly surprised, but the others visibly relaxed. Zhao Yumian quickly spoke up, “In that case, I’ll take my leave with my brother.”

She bid farewell to Cui Jin and was the first to depart, with the others following suit. Meanwhile, Xie Xinglan instructed the guards, “Keep ten men here—two to guard Miss Cui’s body while the rest secure the area. At dawn, we will enter the cave for further investigation.”

Qin Ying was the last to leave. As she walked away, she noticed that Xie Xinglan was still standing at the cave entrance. He hadn’t moved from his spot for nearly half an hour; his gaze fixed solemnly on the lake’s surface, where scattered stars and the bright moon reflected in the water. His expression suggested he feared something lay hidden in its depths.

Walking along the narrow path leading outward, Qin Ying absentmindedly recalled the contents of the original novel. Suddenly, she halted, a lingering unease settling over her.

If her memory served her correctly, Xie Xinglan’s parents had drowned in a shipwreck many years ago. He was the sole survivor of that tragedy. No wonder…

Unable to resist, she turned back for one last look. Beneath the swaying shadows of the trees, Xie Xinglan’s lone figure stood eerily still, resembling a wandering ghost lost in the night.