In the city of Jiangnan during the late winter season, mornings still carried a hint of chill, a damp coldness lingering in the air that made people unconsciously tuck into their sleeves.

Occasional sounds of cooking utensils and vendors' calls interwove, creating a melody of the morning. The winter sun had just started to spread its light, its warmth not fully unfurled yet, casting only a faint glow on the streets.

Wei Zhaoyang strolled leisurely down a path paved with cobblestones, occasionally exchanging casual remarks with Mu Jin at his side.

"You're from the capital?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied succinctly.

"Why did you come to Jiangnan from the capital?"

"My master sent me here to seek shelter."

"I see. So, you know the young master Bingchen as well?" Wei Zhaoyang inquired, referring to her connection with their mutual acquaintance.

"She stays at the Drunken Life Tavern, like my uncle Xu."

"Ah, I remember now! Bingchen also lives there. What a coincidence!" Wei Zhaoyang paused, turning to Mu Jin, "Being a wanderer of the martial world, you must have visited many places."

Mu Jin nodded in agreement.

"Have you been to the great desert?" His eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"I traveled with my master in my younger years, even venturing west to the Xi Xiang tribes. I was fortunate to witness the autumnal serenity of the desert—quiet and cold under the moonlit golden sands."

"How wonderful!" Wei Zhaoyang gazed at the rising sun, his eyes filled with longing.

Mu Jin, observing the sun-like radiance in the young man before her, couldn't help but ask, "Wei, with your talents and charm, you could roam the world. Why confine yourself to the constraints of officialdom?"

He sighed lightly and shrugged, "The martial world is too distant for me. My adoptive father has been kind to me. I choose to fulfill his wishes and keep to this path."

Mu Jin, used to Wei Zhaoyang's usual carefree demeanor, found herself at a loss with his serious response and chose not to reply.

They walked in silence for a while longer. Unfamiliar with Jiangnan City, Mu Jin followed Wei Zhaoyang, assuming they were headed to the Luo Mansion. After circling around and passing the mansion again, she finally asked with suppressed impatience, "Where exactly are we going?"

Wei Zhaoyang glanced at her, then resumed his earlier jovial tone, "Relax, enjoy the sunshine, the breeze!"

"If you continue to be nonchalant, I'm leaving," she warned.

"Hey! Don't go!" Wei Zhaoyang quickly regained his composure upon seeing her turn to leave. "The Luo Mansion is heavily guarded; we can't just barge in. The best chance is at midnight. I have a plan," he explained and then turned into a tailor shop by the street.

At the Luo Mansion, flanked by a path of white jade stones and welcoming pines, Chen Geng and his companion stepped in. Before they could speak, they were met with the stern gaze of Luo Tianjie. "What brings you two to my uncle's place? Are you here to dig for gold, attracted by our mansion's splendor?" Luo Tianjie's voice dripped with sarcasm, clearly unwelcoming these sudden visitors.

Chen Geng merely smiled, not directly responding to Luo Tianjie's taunt but instead surveying the grand estate as if searching for something.

"It's rather disrespectful," Ye Nanqiao murmured to Chen Geng, her expression slightly displeased.

Seeing them unresponsive, Luo Tianjie scoffed, about to speak more, but a servant hurried over and whispered a message. His frown eased somewhat, and he stepped aside.

Guided by the servant, they moved deeper into the compound. Luo Yuansheng, the family head, sat by the railing, his once sharp eyes now somewhat vacant.

Servants playing with Luo Tianjie’s younger brother, Luo Tianqiao, quickly ushered the boy back to his room when they saw the visitors. However, Luo Tianqiao threw a tantrum, refusing to leave and lying on the ground, kicking and screaming.

“Leave him be,” Luo Yuansheng waved the servants away, signaling for everyone to leave.

"Please, have a seat," he said, gently dusting off the table with a low, somber voice.

Chen Geng and Ye Nanqiao bowed and then took their seats beside the table.

Looking at Luo Yuansheng’s evasive eyes, Chen Geng began, “The head of the Luo family must be aware of why we are here today.”

Luo Yuansheng glanced at Chen Geng and spoke after a pause, “Newly appointed, you had the audacity to stop my family’s funeral procession on the street, quite an imposing move, Mr. Chen.”

Ye Nanqiao quickly interjected, “Mr. Luo, we deeply regret your son’s passing. But there are indeed some doubts, and surely you wouldn’t want him to suffer an unjust death.”

Chen Geng sighed lightly, “Today’s examination confirmed that your son did not die accidentally. I suppose you are not surprised by this?”

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

Luo Yuansheng’s posture slumped upon hearing this. A heavy weariness filled his eyes as he looked at his younger son playing in the yard, a mix of affection and helplessness in his gaze.

“The Luo family is under strict guard, and Tianqi was a gentle man with no enemies. But given the strict family discipline, I can’t believe someone within our family could commit such an atrocity,” he said with a tired voice.

Chen Geng took a deep breath, “Do you have any suspicions, Mr. Luo?”

Luo Yuansheng laughed bitterly, tapping his fingers on the table, “I know my time is limited and I’ve long stopped caring about wealth. But it seems fate has its own plans with the way you intercepted my son’s funeral procession.”

Chen Geng looked into Luo Yuansheng’s eyes firmly, “As a government official, I must uphold justice.”

Luo Yuansheng, seeing Chen Geng’s resolve, was reminded of another upright official from years past. He sighed, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“Well, that’s good,” he finally said, relieved.

As Chen Geng and Ye Nanqiao prepared to leave, Luo Tianqiao suddenly threw a tantrum, tearing off his clothes and refusing to be pacified. Luo Yuansheng apologized to the guests and tried to console his son but nearly collapsed.

Ye Nanqiao approached Luo Tianqiao and whispered something that instantly changed his mood. He happily handed her a gold bracelet, insisting she keep it. Chen Geng watched in admiration as Ye Nanqiao skillfully handled the situation.

Ye Nanqiao offered the bracelet back to Luo Yuansheng, who refused it, suggesting she keep it as a gift from his son. She respectfully declined and bid farewell.

Once outside, Chen Geng couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked Ye Nanqiao how she managed to calm the boy so quickly.

“A secret,” Ye Nanqiao playfully winked, leaving him wondering.

Sharing a knowing smile, they followed the servant’s directions towards another part of the Luo Mansion, where another important person awaited their visit.

Meanwhile, at the Luo Mansion's annex, snow on the branches of the wutong trees melted and dripped down. Luo Tianjie's brows were tightly furrowed, a clear sign of his heavy mood. He hurriedly searched the courtyard, eventually finding his father, Luo Yueping, sitting by the pond, engrossed in a book.

Despite facing away from his approaching, furious son, Luo Yueping sensed his son's mood.

"Father! How arrogant this new magistrate is, openly provoking us at our door! Does he think the Luo family has no one to defend its honor?" Luo Tianjie's voice echoed before he even appeared.

"Enough!" Luo Yueping stood up slowly, looking at Luo Tianjie with cold indifference rather than anger. "Such noise and commotion, what a disgrace! Look at yourself. If only you had half the wit of Tianqi, I wouldn't have to worry about you every day."

Luo Tianjie paused, taken aback. He came to express his grievances but didn't expect his father's disdain. "Why doesn’t father stand up for me against such insolence from Chen Geng?"

Luo Yueping calmly responded, "One who achieves great things must not show his feelings so easily. Look at yourself, trembling with fear. If outsiders didn't know better, they'd think you're the murderer."

Luo Tianjie stepped back in shock, hurrying to explain, "I had nothing to do with Tianqi's death!"

"That's something you should discuss with the magistrate, not me," Luo Yueping replied dismissively, turning away from his disappointing son.

Meanwhile, Chen Geng and Ye Nanqiao had arrived at the annex. Seeing the tense atmosphere between father and son, Chen Geng greeted them respectfully.

Luo Tianjie, just scolded by his father, had lost his earlier bravado and invited Chen Geng and Ye Nanqiao to sit.

Ye Nanqiao, already disliking Luo Tianjie, sat down and went straight to the point. "You know why we are here. The examination today confirmed that Luo Tianqi did not die accidentally. Where were you on the night of the incident?"

Luo Tianjie, believing in his innocence, promptly replied, "I was drinking with friends at Chunfeng Lou that night. Several well-known courtesans can testify for me."

Ye Nanqiao smiled slightly but didn't press further, turning instead to Luo Yueping. "And where were you that night, Mr. Luo?"

Luo Yueping pondered for a moment, then calmly replied, "Deep in the night, I was naturally in my room, asleep."

"Any witnesses?"

"None," Luo Yueping replied, looking straight into Ye Nanqiao's eyes without a hint of panic. "It's rather far-fetched to suggest that someone of my stature would harm a younger family member without any grudges."

Chen Geng smiled with an edge in his voice, "After Tianqi's death, no one else contests your authority. Such a coincidence is enough to raise suspicion."

Luo Yueping frowned slightly, his gaze toward Chen Geng no longer friendly. "Luo family matters are not for outsiders to interfere. Let this be the end of it for today."

Without waiting for a response, Luo Yueping picked up his book and slowly walked deeper into the study.

Realizing it would be difficult to get more from Luo Yueping, Ye Nanqiao and Chen Geng took their leave. As they walked out, they heard the laughter of a woman and child ahead. Following the sound, they found Kong Yue, Luo Yueping's young wife, playing with their daughter, Luo Caihuan, chasing a small copper ball.

Unable to catch up, the ball eventually stopped at Ye Nanqiao's feet. She picked it up and smiled at the girl, who ran over with outstretched hands, saying childishly, "Give me."

Ye Nanqiao gently patted her head and handed over the ball. As Luo Caihuan reached for it, a noticeable scar on her arm caught Ye Nanqiao's attention. It was short but deep and stark against her skin. Just as Ye Nanqiao was about to inspect it further, Kong Yue scooped up her daughter protectively.

"Thank you, young master, for looking after my daughter," Kong Yue said, though her eyes revealed wariness. She quickly left with her daughter, not wanting outsiders to touch her child.

Finding the interaction odd but not dwelling on it, Ye Nanqiao and Chen Geng discussed their findings and left the mansion, where they found Xiang Nan waiting outside.

"Why are you waiting here, little guy?" Chen Geng asked as he approached.

Ye Nanqiao's eyes lit up, "Did Wuyue find any clues ?"

Xiang Nan nodded gently, pointing towards Ganquan Temple in the distance, "Brother says you should return quickly."

The three of them hastened their steps towards Ganquan Temple. The ancient trees lining the streets swayed, their shadows spreading like ink drops in water.

Entering Ganquan Temple, dusk had deepened, and a gentle breeze wafted through, stirring the copper bells hanging between the columns. The melodious sound of the bells echoed throughout the temple. The monks had ceased their chanting, with only a few still lighting incense, preparing for the next day's rituals. Ye Nanqiao and Chen Geng followed Xiang Nan directly to the rear hall.

At the entrance, Cheng Wuyue was in conversation with Master Yuan Qing. Seeing the group arrive, Master Yuan Qing chanted a Buddhist greeting and nodded to everyone, then slowly walked away.

Ye Nanqiao looked anxiously at Cheng Wuyue, "Do you have any clues?"

Cheng Wuyue sighed softly, his tone grave, "The cause of Luo Tianqi's death is different from what we had previously speculated..."