As Chen Geng and Ye Nanqiao, followed by Mu Jin, approached the Wang family's residence, they were greeted by a scene of desolate silence outside the grand house. The servants, heads bowed in busy silence, were removing the white silk hangings in the courtyard, a clear sign of recent mourning. The open doors revealed a spacious courtyard covered with fresh straw mats, the remnants of a recently concluded funeral ritual.

Ye Nanqiao whispered to Chen Geng, "The atmosphere here at the Wang family is heavy; our visit may be ill-timed."

However, Chen Geng remained composed, merely nodding in agreement, "The matter is of great importance and no child's play."

Mu Jin followed silently behind Chen Geng, entering the Wang family's compound. The servants, upon noticing their arrival, instinctively bowed, despite their varied expressions.

After Chen Geng signaled a servant and stated their purpose, they were led to the inner hall. Walking through a long corridor, they reached a spacious hall where Wang Shouzheng, looking haggard, sat at the head of the room. Managing a weak smile, he seemed to anticipate new developments regarding his son's case.

Rising to greet them, Wang Shouzheng said, "Greetings, Lord Chen."

Chen Geng returned the greeting with a formal gesture, "Master Wang."

Ye Nanqiao and Mu Jin also performed their respective bows before sitting down in the hall. A servant hastily served tea, but the warmth of the drink seemed lost in the heavy atmosphere.

"Lord Chen, have you found my son's killer?" Wang Shouzheng asked, his gaze drifting through the window to the weak sunlight in the backyard, his tea cup trembling slightly in his hand.

Chen Geng surveyed every shadow in the room before speaking, "Master Wang, when we examined your son's body, as I have reported to you, he was killed by a sharp weapon, not by thorns. Recently, we found a buried short sword in the forest outside Fengxiang Garden..."

Before Chen Geng could finish, Mu Jin placed the short sword from her hand onto the table.

Seeing the sword, Wang Shouzheng attempted to stand up but was persuaded by Ye Nanqiao to stay seated, "Master Wang, do not be hasty. This sword is not the murder weapon. It was a decoy."

"How so?" Wang Shouzheng sank back into his chair, his eyes dimming with despair.

"We revisited the suspect Hua Hai, who provided us with a Weaver Girl figurine left at the crime scene. Following this clue, we found Chen Quan'an, who had recently returned from the Southern Kingdom. He confessed to having a dispute with your son but knew nothing about the murder weapon. However, shortly after our interrogation, he died in prison, leaving only a suicide note that led us to this sword. Yet, we discovered that it was not the murder weapon," Chen Geng explained their findings in a low voice.

Ye Nanqiao stepped forward and handed the sword to Wang Shouzheng, "According to our earlier assessment, your son's wound was caused by a single-edged short sword, but this is just an ordinary decorative sword with no signs of use, likely only to stage the crime scene."

"So the real murderer is still at large?" Wang Shouzheng's figure seemed more forlorn in his spacious chair, his hands whitening as they gripped the carved armrests, the room's atmosphere heavy with his sorrow.

Chen Geng did not directly address Wang Shouzheng's question but glanced around before speaking, "Master Wang, may I inquire about Wei Si's whereabouts? We came to visit but didn't see him."

Wang Shouzheng's eyes flickered slightly, "Wei Si? He's been extremely busy lately. With my failing health, all household matters have fallen on his shoulders. He should be in the backyard right now."

Chen Geng nodded in understanding, then shifted back to the main topic, "Master Wang, there have been new developments in the case. However, before we proceed, we need to speak with Young Master Wei."

A flicker of anxiety crossed Wang Shouzheng's face, a premonition of something ominous, as he recalled the short sword treasured by Wei Si. He nodded, signaling a servant, who promptly left and soon returned with Wei Si.

Wei Si's figure emerged slowly from the shadows of the courtyard. His tall stature was evident among the group, his broad shoulders and upright back should have conveyed reliability. However, his slightly stiff gait and bent knees betrayed a sense of desolation. His waist sword, plain in appearance with no ornate decorations, just simple wood grain, would have been inconspicuous if not looked at closely. Yet, once attention was paid, its lethal sharpness, honed on the battlefield, could not be ignored.

Chen Geng and the others immediately focused their attention on it—precisely the clue they had been seeking.

Wei Si bowed formally, his voice steady yet devoid of warmth, as if each action was meticulously calculated. Chen Geng observed him intently, his voice calm but with an underlying edge, "Young Master Wei, I've heard of your family's illustrious military achievements. This sword you wear, it's a standard issue for border generals, isn't it?"

At Chen Geng's words, Wei Si's expression momentarily contorted with complexity, a fleeting glimpse of panic darting through his eyes. He forced a smile, trying to deflect, "You've traveled far to the Wang residence for important matters, surely. This sword is merely a relic from my father, irrelevant to the current situation."

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Chen Geng's gaze lingered on Wei Si's sword, "Young Master Wei, this sword is more than just a relic, isn't it?"

His voice, firm and unwavering like an autumn breeze, cut through the solemnity of the Wang residence. Despite his imposing stature, Wei Si seemed increasingly isolated and vulnerable, his simple yet elegant waist sword emanating an unapproachable chill, like a frosty star on an autumn night.

Wei Si's pupils constricted, his voice attempting calm but quivering in the air, "What are you trying to do?"

Ye Nanqiao, drawing a sketch of the murder weapon from her sleeve, advanced with an undeniable sharpness in her tone, "Young Master Wei, this sketch represents the murder weapon that killed Wang Li. The shape of this sword closely resembles your own. Please, show us your sword to clear any doubts."

Wei Si's fingers trembled slightly as he hesitated, his eyes darting between the sketch in Ye Nanqiao's hand and his internal turmoil, "You are merely speculating. My family's sword, a relic from my father, has nothing to do with your so-called murder weapon."

Chen Geng and Mu Jin exchanged meaningful glances, Mu Jin's hand stealthily reaching for Wei Si's waist. Her voice was soft yet sharp as a blade, "Young Master Wei, if you speak the truth, why the panic?"

Suddenly, Wei Si's body jolted, fear flashing in his eyes, his whole demeanor resembling a candle in the wind. His fingers clenched around the hilt of his sword, his momentary hesitation now a damning testament to his guilt.

Mu Jin swiftly apprehended him, her actions decisive, leaving no room for resistance, "Young Master Wei, let the sword reveal the truth."

Cornered and desperate, Wei Si tried to break free but was firmly held by Mu Jin. His eyes betrayed a glint of despair as he was forced to kneel, all his defenses and arrogance dissolving in their scrutinizing gaze.

Ye Nanqiao retrieved Wei Si's sword and handed it to the silently observing Wang Shouzheng, "Master Wang, it seems the truth has been unveiled."

As Wei Si's true nature was exposed, Wang Shouzheng's face crumbled like thin ice on a winter lake. He stood in the hall, his usual dignified gaze replaced by incredulous shock and then agony.

Wang Shouzheng trembled, leaning on the desk as if the revelation had drained all his strength. His lips moved, but no sound came. His eyes brimmed with tears, too stubborn to fall.

"How could it be... you, Si?" Wang Shouzheng's voice finally broke, choked with endless sorrow and anger, "I raised you like my own!"

His gaze fell on Wei Si, once like a son, now the destroyer of his family. "I treated you as my own!" Wang Shouzheng cried out, his voice escalating, trembling with disbelief and betrayal.

In that moment, Wang Shouzheng, the tycoon of Jiangnan, collapsed into a grief-stricken old man. His sorrow seemed to tear the calm of the Wang family apart, filling the air with despair.

"I never intended to go to Fengxiang Garden that day," Wei Si, kneeling, his back hunched, spoke in a hoarse, trembling voice, "but he insisted on me joining him, despite my busyness with the accounts. I agreed to come later, but little did I expect..."

His words were choked with regret. Sitting on the ground, he cradled his head as if trying to escape his memories, "I heard a noise in the forest on my way and found Wang Li bleeding to death. I intended to help him..."

Wei Si's hollow gaze seemed lost in the memory, "But his slurs, his insults, all the humiliations flooded back. I lost control. I drew my sword... When the blade touched his chest, I regretted it. But it was too late."

His voice grew fainter, barely audible, "I didn't mean to kill him, just... wanted him to stop."

"Enough!" Wang Shouzheng's face streamed with tears, "How could you do this, betraying your father's legacy and my upbringing?"

Wei Si's shoulders shuddered with immense grief. His teary eyes finally realized the gravity of his irrevocable sin. He looked up, his once sharp gaze now filled with deep remorse and pleading, "Uncle, I beg your forgiveness, how can I ever atone for this?"

Wang Shouzheng, having not uttered another word, simply slumped back into his chair, hands tightly clasped, his face ashen. Overwhelmed by the scene before him, his heart was desolate, yet he found no words to express his despair.

Chen Geng and Ye Nanqiao exchanged a determined glance, understanding that the tragedy of the Wang family needed resolution. Chen Geng, with a steely voice, pressed closer, "Wei Si, now that you've confessed, why not reveal your accomplice?"

Wei Si raised his head, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, quickly replaced by resolve, "Liu Changyu." The name fell from his lips as if speaking of someone both familiar and alien to him.

Wang Shouzheng's body jolted at the mention, his normally steady hands trembling slightly, his voice quivering, "Liu Changyu?"

"Indeed. That man is deeply corrupt, entangled with many wealthy households and criminals in Jiangnan City. He took a large sum from me, promising to smooth over this affair. Little did I expect..."

Chen Geng's brows furrowed, a spark of anger in his eyes, "Liu Changyu dared to do such a thing!"

Wei Si lowered his head, his voice deep and forceful, "I'm left with no way out. I will tell you everything as it happened."

With the matter concluded, Mu Jin, following Chen Geng's signal, escorted Wei Si away. Wang Shouzheng sat silently for a long time, taking a deep breath as if to bury all his sorrow and disappointment. Watching Wei Si being led away, his eyes flickered with complex emotions, yet he remained silent.

Chen Geng stepped forward, bowing to Wang Shouzheng, "Master Wang, today's events are truly lamentable. But justice will not be absent, and the truth will always come to light."

Wang Shouzheng nodded slowly, his voice low and hoarse, "Thank you, Inspector Chen. Without you, the Wang family might never have known the truth."

Ye Nanqiao also gave a slight bow, "Master Wang, if the Wang family needs anything for the aftermath, do not hesitate to inform the Inspector's office. We will not stand idly by."

As Wang Shouzheng stood up, his figure slightly unsteady yet still dignified, he replied, "Then, I entrust it to you."

Once Chen Geng and Ye Nanqiao's figures had disappeared beyond the gates of the Wang residence, Wang Shouzheng finally let go of his last restraint. His shoulders trembled lightly, aging him visibly overnight. He turned to gaze at the once lively courtyard, now silent and covered with fallen leaves.