novelraw Chapter 156 : Suspect Identified, I'll Protect You
Chapter 156 : Suspect Identified, I'll Protect You
156: Suspect Identified, I'll Protect You
"Young Master." Qin Yan walked over and bowed to Yan Chi.
Yan Chi waved a hand. "Are you about to leave?"
Qin Yan nodded. Yan Chi said, "I'd like Ninth Young Lady to stay and help with something."
Qin Yan glanced at Qin Wan and naturally readily agreed. "Of course, that can be arranged. Ninth Cousin?"
Qin Yan looked at Qin Wan. Qin Wan nodded. "Third Brother, go ahead first. His Highness will send someone to take me back later."
Qin Shuang looked at Qin Wan with a deep gaze for a moment. Hearing Qin Wan say this, Qin Yan naturally had no objections. He turned to look toward the stage. "Troupe Master Qingli."
Qin Yan had grown up in the capital and moved in aristocratic circles for years, so he was very familiar with the Shuangqing Troupe. Now that something had happened to Qingli, Qin Yan instinctively felt some concern.
"She's dead. For now, it seems like an accident, but not necessarily."
Yan Chi answered very directly. Looking up, he saw Pang Fuliang approaching with a middle-aged man in a dark blue robe.
"Your Highness, Heir Apparent of Prince Rui."
Before Pang Fuliang could speak, the man beside him spoke first.
The corner of Yan Chi's mouth curved slightly. "I didn't expect to see Transport Commissioner Liu here."
The man standing beside Pang Fuliang was none other than Liu Renli, the Salt Transport Commissioner for the Two Lakes that Pang Fuliang intended to introduce to Qin Yan. Liu Renli had already met Qin Yan and now came over specifically to pay his respects to Yan Chi.
"It's been years since I last saw Your Highness. This humble official also didn't expect to see Your Highness here."
Liu Renli was tall and thin, around forty years old, his complexion somewhat darker than Pang Fuliang's beside him. Because of this, he appeared somewhat haggard and aged, lacking the commanding presence that came from living in comfort like Pang Fuliang. However, compared to Pang Fuliang, he carried an extra measure of caution and shrewdness from navigating officialdom. Before Yan Chi, he was very respectful.
"I came under imperial orders. Besides, I haven't seen Uncle Prince Yu for years, so I made this trip. Transport Commissioner Liu, are you here specifically to offer birthday congratulations to Prince Yu?" Yan Chi's tone was calm, carrying a touch of aloofness and nobility, yet not overly aggressive.
Liu Renli immediately smiled. "Several years ago, I received Prince Yu's assistance. This time, for His Highness's birthday, it coincided with my return to the capital to report on my duties. So I came to offer my congratulations."
Yan Chi nodded slightly, then glanced at Pang Fuliang. No matter how Pang Fuliang was addressed as "Lord Pang," he didn't dare put on airs before Yan Chi. He stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Pang Fuliang pays his respects to Your Highness."
A faint smile touched Yan Chi's face. "Lord Pang, I've long heard of your great name. A rare meeting."
"Your Highness is often on the battlefields of Shuoxi, defending the nation. This humble person naturally had no opportunity to pay my respects. If not for today, I truly wouldn't know when I might have had the chance to see Your Highness."
Yan Chi's smile was faint, but even that gave people the illusion of great approachability.
Qin Wan stood to the side with lowered eyes. Though she wasn't staring directly at Yan Chi, she had him figured out. With Yan Chi's "demonic" reputation preceding him and his high status, no one would have extremely high expectations of him. Because of this, even a slight hint of a smile from him satisfied others.
Yan Chi's gaze swept over Pang Fuliang and Liu Renli. "Lord Pang and Transport Commissioner Liu..."
Pang Fuliang glanced at Liu Renli and smiled. "This humble person has some past acquaintance with Transport Commissioner Liu. Since he has come to Yuzhou, I naturally must fulfill my duties as host."
Yan Chi nodded, then looked at Qin Yan. "You go ahead first. I will see Ninth Young Lady back."
Qin Yan nodded, cupped his hands in salute once more, then left with Pang Fuliang's group.
The guests under the warming tents were gradually departing. Prince Yu's Heir Apparent, Yan Zhi, was seeing them off one by one. Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan and said, "Come with me."
Qin Wan assented and followed Yan Chi with Fuling.
Without hesitation, Yan Chi led Qin Wan toward the courtyard behind the stage.
The Shuangqing Troupe had many members. Besides Qingli and her disciples as the main performers, there were many martial arts masters, plus musicians and various laborers. The entire three-row courtyard was filled with their belongings.
The area around the stage was surrounded by Prince Yu's residence guards. When Yan Chi brought Qin Wan to the front of the small courtyard, he only saw Yan Li talking with Yuzhou Prefect Wang Huaiyu. Yan Li turned his head, saw Yan Chi arriving, and immediately called out "Seventh Brother." But soon, Yan Li saw Qin Wan and Fuling following behind. He frowned, his expression turning playful.
At the same time, Wang Huaiyu also stepped forward. "Your Highness..."
Yan Chi looked at Wang Huaiyu. "What happened?"
Wang Huaiyu hurriedly said, "Just now, a female master from the Shuangqing Troupe checked and said the mechanism behind had been tampered with. That's why Troupe Master Qingli was hit by the arrow."
Yan Chi frowned slightly. Wang Huaiyu said, "Your Highness, please come this way."
Wang Huaiyu had served as Prefect of Yuzhou for over two years. Though Yuzhou was Prince Yu's fiefdom, it was still under court administration. Moreover, Yuzhou was highly developed in both agriculture and commerce, a lucrative post. As the local magistrate, he was naturally quite familiar with Prince Yu's residence. Thus, he was the earliest guest to arrive for the birthday celebrations. But he never expected such a disturbance at Prince Yu's birthday banquet. If it were just a murder case, that would be one thing. But this murder case occurred at Prince Yu's birthday banquet, witnessed by so many dignitaries. One could imagine the consequences. And as Prefect of Yuzhou, this case fell squarely on his shoulders. The pressure was immense.
Yan Chi didn't move immediately, only turning to address Qin Wan. "Come with me."
Seeing Qin Wan nod, Yan Chi then proceeded forward.
As soon as Yan Chi approached, the small groups of people kneeling scattered about knelt again.
Because of the death, everyone, whether from the Shuangqing Troupe or the residence guards, wore solemn expressions. Qin Wan saw several girls from the Shuangqing Troupe with red eyes. She suppressed her thoughts and followed Yan Chi, accompanying Wang Huaiyu behind the stage.
The performance of "Mulian Rescues His Mother" was grand. Besides many performers, the stage settings were very realistic, with nearly ten backdrops used throughout. The mechanism Wang Huaiyu wanted Yan Chi to see was behind the backdrop wall.
"Your Highness, this is where the arrow-shooting mechanism is located. The mechanism was set long ago, personally set by Troupe Master Qingli. Moreover, because the connected movements differ, almost every generation of Shuangqing Troupe masters used the same mechanism settings. Therefore, someone just checked and found the mechanism had been tampered with."
The mechanism Wang Huaiyu mentioned was a long, narrow box fixed to the backdrop wall. The arrow exit was pre-cut into the wall. Wang Huaiyu called out, and two Prince's residence guards took the box down. One of them took out a key and opened the box, revealing a complex set of gears inside.
"Just now, that master said the gears inside were fixed. If the gears are moved, it changes the timing and angle of the arrow shot. Your Highness, look, this smallest gear has a mark from long-term wear. But now, this mark has shifted an inch to the left. This indicates the gear was recently turned."
Yan Chi looked for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Who discovered this?"
"It was this commoner woman."
Before Wang Huaiyu could answer, a clear, melodious voice rang out.
Qin Wan and Yan Chi turned together. They saw a girl in white kneeling not far away. The girl's eyes were red, tears staining her face, clearly having just cried. Seeing Yan Chi look over, the girl walked gracefully forward and knelt in salute.
"This commoner woman Qingxian pays her respects to Your Highness..."
Yan Chi looked at her for a moment. "What is your relation to Qingli?"
"Her disciple. Troupe Master Qingli is this commoner's master."
Qingxian kept her head lowered. Qin Wan could tell she was one of the two who sang "The Golden Branch Wishes Longevity" and "Meeting at the Immortal Bridge." The white dress she wore was the Weaver Girl's costume. But now, her stage makeup had been removed. Apart from the bun atop her head, half of her dark hair hung loose over her shoulders.
"Do you also perform 'Mulian Rescues His Mother'?"
Yan Chi's voice was cold and solemn. Qingxian lowered her head further.
Hearing this, she immediately replied, "This commoner does. Master taught it long ago. Sometimes in other places, she lets me go on stage. Only today, because it was Prince Yu's birthday banquet, Master performed personally. Who would have thought..."
Yan Chi glanced at the mechanism box. "You discovered it?"
Qingxian nodded. "Yes, this commoner discovered it just now."
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes slightly. "Who else understands this mechanism?"
"Besides this commoner, my senior sister, Qinglan, also understands it."
As she spoke, Qingxian instinctively glanced back. As soon as the words left her mouth, they saw a tall woman dressed in male attire walk out from the courtyard gate not far away. It was the "Cowherd" from "Meeting at the Immortal Bridge."
"This commoner woman Qinglan pays her respects to Your Highness."
Both were disciples. Qingxian's eyes were red, tears like pear blossoms on her face. But this Qinglan who came out was much calmer. She only looked somewhat serious, with little sorrow on her face.
"You also know how this mechanism operates? You also perform 'Mulian Rescues His Mother'?"
Qinglan nodded upon hearing this. "Yes, this commoner knows."
Yan Chi then looked at Wang Huaiyu beside him. "How was this box stored?"
Wang Huaiyu didn't speak but waved his hand. A middle-aged man kneeling not far away stepped forward. Wang Huaiyu said, "This is Yang Ying, the deputy troupe leader of the Shuangqing Troupe. He oversees all the miscellaneous affairs of the troupe."
Yang Ying wore a plain gray robe, around thirty years old. His simple attire made him look somewhat older.
After Wang Huaiyu finished speaking, Yang Ying lifted his robe and knelt. "Your Highness, this mechanism box and all the backdrops and curtains were delivered to the residence early this morning. Before the first performance, the troupe master checked it herself. This humble one truly doesn't know what happened, how it could..."
As Yang Ying spoke, the corners of his eyes also grew moist.
Yan Chi frowned. "Checked before the first performance? Was it not checked again before going on stage later?"
Yang Ying hurriedly nodded. "Because today's three performances were all demanding, after the first performance began, there wasn't much free time. This box was installed on the backdrop wall when 'Meeting at the Immortal Bridge' was about halfway through."
Yan Chi turned to look at Qin Wan. Their eyes met; both had a flicker of understanding.
That is to say, between before the first performance started and halfway through "Meeting at the Immortal Bridge," someone tampered with the box.
"Where was the box kept?" Yan Chi asked again.
Yang Ying turned and pointed to the left wing of the courtyard. "In the left wing. This box is a crucial mechanism, placed at the southernmost end of the left wing."
Yan Chi nodded. "Was anyone assigned to guard it during that time?"
Yang Ying immediately became somewhat hesitant. "No... there wasn't..."
Seeing Yang Ying seemed to be holding something back, Yan Chi's eyes turned cold. "No? If you conceal anything, you are an accomplice!"
Yang Ying trembled. "This humble one dare not deceive Your Highness. Truly, there wasn't. Because the left wing was where Qinglan prepared. She wasn't in the first performance, so she was waiting there before that."
Qinglan, kneeling nearby, immediately straightened her back. "I was indeed waiting there, but I didn't touch Master's things!"
As she spoke, Qinglan turned, her gaze sharp as she looked at Yang Ying.
Yang Ying wore a troubled expression. "Why are you so anxious? I'm just telling the truth. I didn't say it was definitely you."
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, looking at Qinglan. "So, you were in the room when the box was placed there? Until you left for the second performance?"
Qinglan's neck stiffened, but hearing this, she had to nod. "Replying to Your Highness, that is correct."
"Did anyone enter during that time?" Yan Chi asked again.
"Only the maids delivering tea entered..."
As Qinglan spoke, her voice already held a tremor, making her sound fearful.
"Did you see them touch the box?"
Qinglan clenched her fists, her lips pressed tightly together, remaining silent.
Yan Chi looked at her for a moment, then turned to Yang Ying. "After she left the room, did anyone else enter?"
Yang Ying hurriedly shook his head. "No, this humble one remembers clearly. Because the third performance required almost everyone, when the second performance began, the troupe master had everyone waiting in the wings. Only a few laborers remained to move things like the fire bridge. This box was taken out and installed on the backdrop wall after the fire bridge was prepared."
As he spoke, Yang Ying looked back, glancing toward the farthest part of the crowd. "It was those three who moved it."
Pointing them out, the three immediately prostrated themselves. Yan Chi said, "Did you three enter and exit together? Did you see anyone enter?"
Only one of the three was somewhat bold. Hearing this, he shook his head. "Replying to Your Highness, we didn't see anyone entering or exiting. At that time, the courtyard was empty, and the door was locked. When we three entered together, the lock on the box was intact. Then we took it out and installed it directly."
Yan Chi nodded. "Who has the key to this lock?"
"Only this humble one and the troupe master." Yang Ying hurriedly answered.
At this point, Wang Huaiyu also said from the side, "Just now, it was Yang Ying who took out the key to open the box."
Yan Chi glanced at the key ring held by a residence guard beside him. It held many keys, clearly indicating Yang Ying was in charge of all the Shuangqing Troupe's keys, large and small. "Did you enter the courtyard just now?"
Hearing this question, Yang Ying's face immediately showed bitterness. "This humble one was outside the entire time and didn't enter. Qinglan can testify to that. Later, after Qinglan came out, things got extremely busy. This humble one had to keep watch the whole time." As he spoke, Yang Ying looked around at the others. "They can all testify for this humble one."
Yan Chi's gaze swept over them. Sure enough, many began nodding silently.
"Was your key ever out of your possession?"
Yang Ying hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no. There are many keys here. I absolutely dare not lose them. Just now, when Lord Prefect needed to open the box, this humble one took the keys from my breast pocket."
Wang Huaiyu nodded. "Indeed."
Yan Chi then shifted his gaze. "What about Qingli's key?"
Hearing this, Yang Ying's eyes flickered. He said, "Usually, the troupe master carries it on her person. But if she needs to change costumes and prepare for a performance, she puts the key in her personal bag."
Yan Chi didn't speak, only looked at Wang Huaiyu. Wang Huaiyu hurriedly said to Yang Ying, "Lead the way. I'll go take a look."
Yang Ying stood up and led Wang Huaiyu into the courtyard. Yan Chi stood where he was, looking at Qinglan's stiff back.
The origin of the Shuangqing Troupe dated back over forty years. At that time, the south produced two talented female performers, both exceptionally skilled, not only possessing heavenly voices but also stunning beauty, widely beloved by the common people in the south. If it were others, being rivals would inevitably lead to jealousy and competition. But somehow, these two later became sworn sisters and jointly founded an opera troupe. Because both their stage names started with "Qing," the troupe was named Shuangqing (Double Qing). Moreover, the disciples they later took also had names starting with "Qing." Counting back, the Shuangqing Troupe had at least five or six troupe masters.
Yan Chi looked at this Qinglan. Her fists were clenched, her lips pressed tight. Though she wore an air of righteous indignation, Yan Chi didn't know if it was an act. For performers, deception was easy. Moreover, she seemed to feel no grief over Qingli's death, which seemed somewhat unreasonable no matter how one looked at it.
"Seventh Brother, do you suspect someone stole Troupe Master Qingli's key and tampered with it?" Yan Li, who had been watching Yan Chi question from the side, suddenly stepped forward. He glanced at Qin Wan, then added, "Could someone have secretly made a copy of the key?"
"No, that's not possible." Suddenly, Qingxian's voice rang out again.
Yan Li and Yan Chi looked over and saw Qingxian say, "That key can't be copied elsewhere. It's a key passed down in the Shuangqing Troupe. The shape is very unusual, and the material is different."
Qingxian didn't dare look up, tears still staining her face.
Yan Li raised an eyebrow. "In that case, that's one less possibility."
Yan Chi nodded but didn't respond. He only looked toward the courtyard gate. If Qingli's key was found...
Just as he was thinking this, he saw Wang Huaiyu walking out of the courtyard with a somber expression. "Your Highness, Troupe Master Qingli's bag doesn't contain the key..."
Yan Li let out a soft "Ah." "Stolen?!"
Wang Huaiyu shook his head. "We don't know yet."
The corner of Yan Chi's mouth turned down. "Search everyone's bags and their persons."
The key was something Qingli always carried on her person. She only took it off and put it away when preparing for her performance. The key was lost during that period. The person took the key, opened the lock, tampered with it, and then?
In such a short time, the key was likely still hidden somewhere.
Wang Huaiyu went to carry out the order. Yan Chi swept his gaze over the crowd. He saw Qingxian wiping tears, while Qinglan still knelt with a straight back.
Yan Chi took two steps to the side, saying softly to Qin Wan, "What do you think?"
Qin Wan's gaze also swept over Qinglan's face. "This Qinglan seems to have some hidden circumstances. Moreover, her emotions are so outwardly displayed. Either the murderer fears no suspicion, or she killed with a death wish."
Yan Chi gave a slight nod. Qin Wan suddenly frowned.
Since her appearance, Prince Gong's Heir Apparent, Yan Li, had been staring at her. Qin Wan didn't know what Yan Li intended to do. But thinking of what Yan Chi had said, did Yan Li know about her and Yan Chi?
Seeing Qin Wan look over, Yan Li's smile widened. "Young Lady Qin, do you remember me?"
The situation had been serious earlier, and Qin Wan hadn't had time to pay respects. Now that Yan Li had spoken, Qin Wan naturally wouldn't pretend not to see. She curtsied. "Your Highness."
Yan Li walked forward with a smile, looking her up and down. "Why has Young Lady Qin come here? Someone just died here. With Young Lady Qin's delicate appearance, you shouldn't be frightened by seeing a corpse."
Yan Li was partly expressing concern, partly genuinely thinking this. What woman wouldn't be afraid upon seeing a dead person?
After he said this, Qin Wan only smiled slightly and said nothing more.
Yan Li was somewhat puzzled. He looked at Yan Chi, only to see Yan Chi wearing a solemn expression, not even bothering to speak.
Yan Li's eyes shifted. Given Yan Chi's character, he would naturally have thought of this. So why hadn't he mentioned it to Qin Wan? Moreover, if he cared for Qin Wan, why wouldn't he want to protect her?
Just as Yan Li was pondering this, a commotion arose from the courtyard. Yan Chi focused his gaze and saw Wang Huaiyu striding out with his men. Yan Chi immediately noticed a key in Wang Huaiyu's palm.
"Where was it found?" Yan Chi asked urgently.
Wang Huaiyu glanced at Qinglan's back. "In the left wing. Found in Young Lady Qinglan's bag."
"Impossible!" Qinglan, who had been kneeling with a straight back, suddenly turned around, her face deathly pale. "Impossible! I didn't do it! I didn't steal Master's key..."
Qinglan reacted fiercely. The other Shuangqing Troupe members were stunned. Most looked at Qinglan in shock, seemingly never expecting the culprit to be her. But a few others had complex expressions, their eyes filled with resentment.
"It wasn't me! Really, it wasn't!"
Qinglan shouted at Wang Huaiyu twice. Seeing Wang Huaiyu's expressionless face, Qinglan turned and knelt-walked two steps toward Yan Chi. "Your Highness, it really wasn't this commoner. It wasn't me..."
Qinglan's face was ashen, her lips bloodless. She stared stubbornly at Yan Chi. Seeing that Yan Chi also showed no reaction, despair flickered in her eyes. Yan Chi said, "How do you explain this key?"
Qinglan shook her head. "Someone else put it there. Someone is trying to frame me!"
As she spoke, Qinglan's gaze swept around, passing over Qingxian briefly but not immediately accusing her. She turned back to look at Yan Chi. "It wasn't this commoner who stole it..."
She switched between "this commoner" and "I." Yan Chi couldn't be bothered to correct her. Hearing her pale denial, he didn't believe it. He looked up at Wang Huaiyu. "Prefect Wang, handle it as you see fit. We have a direction now."
Yan Chi hadn't forgotten his title of Investigating Commissioner for the Ministry of Justice. And having gotten into the habit of investigating cases with Qin Wan in Jinzhou, he had wanted to question them. But now the key was found, and there were many witnesses. The case shouldn't be difficult to solve.
Wang Huaiyu immediately assented. "Good. Your Highness, rest assured. This humble official guarantees no mistakes."
Just as he spoke, a group of yamen runners came from the direction of the outer courtyard. They must have been summoned by Wang Huaiyu after the incident. Now they had just arrived. Wang Huaiyu stepped forward, spoke a few words to what looked like a chief constable, and then they saw the yamen runners take away the two "Qing"-named young ladies, Yang Ying, and the others.
"Everyone must go to the yamen for questioning. Clean up this area."
An old coroner from the Yuzhou Prefectural Yamen had also come. Wang Huaiyu gave a few orders, and the coroner walked toward Qingli's untouched body on the stage. Seeing even a coroner had arrived, Qin Wan knew her services weren't needed.
In Jinzhou, it was because Xu He was young and inexperienced. Once out of Jinzhou, Qin Wan naturally didn't think she was more skilled than those experienced old coroners. So seeing this Yuzhou Prefectural coroner with graying hair, Qin Wan suppressed her desire to examine the corpse. Yan Chi also saw the coroner and said nothing more for the moment.
There wasn't much to clean up on the stage either. After Wang Huaiyu gave the order, the yamen runners began leading the Shuangqing Troupe members away one by one. Yan Li, standing nearby, clicked his tongue. "So solving a case is this simple?"
Then his gaze swept over Yan Chi and Qin Wan. "Seventh Brother, what will you do later?"
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. "Go to the front and take a look at Qingli?"
Qin Wan walked a few steps forward, just able to see the person lying on the stage through the entrance. The old coroner from the Yuzhou Prefectural Yamen was examining the body. Qin Wan shook her head. "I won't go."
Professionals had their expertise. That old coroner had already begun the examination. For her to go and interfere would be improper. Besides, she had no official capacity to interfere. Qin Wan turned. "If there's a need, we can talk later."
Yan Chi nodded. "Alright." After a pause, Yan Chi added, "Then come with me."
Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi for a moment. Seeing they were in a public place, she only gave a slight nod.
Seeing this, Yan Li eagerly stepped closer. "Seventh Brother, what are you going to do?"
Yan Chi looked at Yan Li for a moment. "You seem quite interested in this case. Keep an eye on things here. Consider it helping Eldest Brother."
Yan Li gave a soft tsk, his amber eyes shifting. "Alright, alright. Seventh Brother, go ahead."
Yan Li wore a silly smile on his face, his eyes narrowed to slits. Yan Chi looked at him for a moment, then turned to leave. Qin Wan curtsied. Yan Li raised a hand and waved. "Young Lady Qin, see you next time. Don't forget me."
Hearing his deliberately cute tone, Qin Wan couldn't help but smile slightly, then hurried after Yan Chi.
By now, most guests had left the residence. Yan Zhi was seeing off the last few guests. Yan Chi followed the residence gallery deeper into the prince's residence. Qin Wan looked around; the further they went, the farther they were from the banquet area.
Fuling, following behind Qin Wan, was somewhat surprised. Now she naturally wouldn't suspect Yan Chi meant Qin Wan any harm. But the deeper they went, it seemed they were heading toward the inner quarters. For some reason, Fuling still felt a bit uneasy.
Qin Wan also saw they were going further in and asked, "What are we doing?"
"I have something for you." Yan Chi's voice was steady. Qin Wan felt a bit puzzled. Was he just trying to coax her?
Thinking this, Qin Wan sighed internally. Probably. After all, she still had Fuling with her.
Turning another corner, a secluded small courtyard appeared before Qin Wan. Qin Wan suddenly understood. This was probably where Yan Chi was staying in Prince Yu's residence...
Just as she thought this, Yan Chi said, "This is where I'm staying. Come in."
Qin Wan followed Yan Chi inside, entering the central courtyard first, then going straight into the main room. It was a single-courtyard guest house, but with only three side rooms. However, the interior decoration was noble and elegant, quite different from ordinary guest quarters.
Entering the room, Yan Chi turned left into the warm antechamber. By the window was a writing desk with a bundle on it.
Without a word, Yan Chi walked over and opened the bundle. "Look at these."
Qin Wan didn't know what Yan Chi wanted to give her. She only looked out of curiosity. But upon seeing it, her pupils trembled slightly, then she couldn't look away as if glued.
Inside the bundle were several booklets, not medical texts, but handwritten notes with pages that had long since yellowed.
Qin Wan's heart raced uncontrollably. For a moment, she even held her breath.
They were extremely ordinary notes. Due to their age, the paper had yellowed, and the corners of the pages were even somewhat damaged. There were only five or six booklets in total. If left outside, ordinary people probably wouldn't give them a second glance. But looking at them, Qin Wan felt her heart fill with intense, bittersweet emotion. The handwriting on them was exceptionally elegant and vigorous, each stroke achingly familiar. Qin Wan slowly traced her fingers over them. Indeed, each stroke was something she had watched being written...
These were her father's personal notes, records from his time as an official in Yuzhou.
"You probably didn't know Shen Yi once served as an official in Yuzhou, right? He worked as an inspector in the Yuzhou Prefectural Judicial Review Office." Yan Chi saw Qin Wan's barely suppressed excitement and explained gently. "I know you admire him. When I arrived, I had someone inquire. Sure enough, I found his notes from back then. They were still stored in the Judicial Review Office's archives. A few years ago, these notes were required reading for everyone in the Judicial Review Office here. But since his incident in the capital, these things have become somewhat taboo. My people retrieved them without much effort."
Seeing Qin Wan staring intently at the notes without blinking, Yan Chi said, "They record some factual accounts of case reviews from his time in Yuzhou. There's a lot about autopsy and deduction."
The Judicial Review Office was responsible for verifying the fairness and strictness of cases. After the Judicial Review Office officials verified a case, it could be closed and reported to the court. For punishments of exile or imprisonment and above, the case had to be sent to the capital for review by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review.
Qin Wan certainly knew what was written inside. With her father in the Yuzhou Prefectural Judicial Review Office, not a single unjust or wrongful case had ever occurred.
"Although *The Court of Judicial Review's Corrections to the Records of Redressing Wrongs* is extremely precise and detailed, these notes excel in detailing every step. Moreover, the cases inside are excellent examples not found in that book. If you read them, you'll surely benefit greatly."
Yan Chi spoke leisurely. Qin Wan half-lowered her eyes, taking a long time to calm her emotions. At that time, she had died with her parents. Later, she became the Ninth Young Lady and had no chance to see her father's belongings. She thought she might have an opportunity to obtain one or two of her father's works only after reaching the capital. But she never expected to see her father's notes here in Yuzhou...
After her father left the Yuzhou Judicial Review Office, he served as Deputy Investigating Commissioner of the Dingxi Circuit. Later, due to outstanding achievements, he rose to become Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. In the west and north, her father was practically the "upright official" in the hearts of all Investigating Commissioners. Many of her father's notes from back then were left in the yamens where he served to educate later generations. But Qin Wan knew that after the incident in the capital, her father's works became forbidden. Some were destroyed or burned. Qin Wan didn't know how much effort Yan Chi had expended behind those few simple words. But seeing these yellowed notes, the hardest part of Qin Wan's heart softened a little.
She intended to keep her biggest secret hidden. Yet, unknowingly, Yan Chi was getting closer and closer to that secret. Qin Wan brushed her fingers over the notes again. "Why did you think to look for these?"
Qin Wan finally spoke, her voice slightly hoarse, seemingly moved.
Yan Chi looked at her for a moment, then smiled faintly. "When you spoke to me about Shen Yi before, I had someone investigate him. Even before reaching Yuzhou, I planned to see if Shen Yi had left anything here in Yizhou. Who would have thought I'd actually find something? They were delivered just this morning. It wasn't convenient to bring them earlier, so I didn't carry them with me. I'm glad you like them."
Qin Wan suddenly looked up at Yan Chi. Her light eyes were like streams, reflecting Yan Chi's face in their clear, spring-like depths. Yet within those eyes, there was also a starlight, as if struggling from the deepest abyss. She looked at Yan Chi, her gaze melting his heart.
"What you wanted me to think about, I've also thought it through."
Qin Wan still stared unblinkingly at Yan Chi.
Yan Chi took a step closer, reaching out to stroke her cheek. "I know what you want. I've known from the beginning. From now on, I'll protect you. And you, just follow your own heart and do whatever you wish."
Qin Wan's breath caught. Yan Chi continued, "Since I started this, I've thought it through."
After a pause, Yan Chi leaned closer. "Besides, you have no idea how peerless and extraordinary I find you in my heart. Of course you're different from others. Because among millions of women in this world, none can compare to you in the slightest."
Qin Wan's lips moved, but for a moment, she couldn't speak. Was she really that good?
She stared blankly at Yan Chi's brilliant, apricot-like eyes. Before she could think of what to say, Yan Chi's lips descended on hers. She only felt a bittersweet fullness spreading in her chest, filling her heart, leaving a lingering sweetness, making her unconsciously reach out and wrap her arms around Yan Chi's waist. She had developed feelings, had fallen in love, and had indeed fallen into the same common path of love as most women in this world. She needed certainty. She needed to know the nature of the heart pressed against hers. Only then could she entrust herself, body and soul.
Qin Wan's calm self-possession was a habit. With her temperament, no matter how much she loved, she couldn't recklessly lose herself in a romance like a moth to flame. But if she met a good man, she would have the unwavering courage and bravery to give him tender affection, give him loyalty through thick and thin, give him companionship until their hair turned white...
Yan Chi's kiss gradually changed from tender and gentle to domineering and fiery. Just as Qin Wan felt her heart beating faster and faster, a faint sound of tiles being stepped on came from the roof above their heads. Qin Wan was startled. Yan Chi also frowned slightly. But soon, a scream rang out.
"Ahh... Bai Feng, it's me, it's me..."
"Your Highness Li? What are you doing on the master's roof..."
"Ah... haha... this... this spot is very high, suitable for viewing afar... ahem, that is, where's Seventh Brother... I was actually looking for him..."
"The master is discussing matters with Ninth Young Lady..."
"Haha, is that so? Can I join the discussion?"
"Alright, alright, I'll come back later, okay..."
The conversation outside made Qin Wan blush. Yan Li had agreed readily earlier, but now he had followed them. His purpose was obvious. When had he arrived? How much had he heard?
Just as Qin Wan was thinking this, the back of her head was pressed gently by Yan Chi.
"Continue."