Yuan Cheng and Qin Feng inspected the rooftop but found nothing unusual. Although it had rained the previous day, washing away any footprints, Qin Feng, the most skilled detective from the Provincial Surveillance Department, was currently crouched down, prying open roof tiles to examine them.
Two quarters of an hour later.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, all roof tiles are intact, and the dust on the internal beams and rafters shows no signs of disturbance," Qin Feng concluded after descending from the roof and re-examining the interior.
The room at Hesheng Xuan had been vacant for over two months without cleaning. Being adjacent to the street with frequent carriage traffic, it was heavily dusted. If anyone had entered through the roof, in the dark, they would have inevitably disturbed the dust.
Upon hearing Qin Feng's words, Lord Qiu and Lord Ge remained silent, their expressions solemn and their gazes heavy.
"You two, go and inspect the rooftop," Commander She ordered coldly, still not trusting the findings of the Provincial Administration and Provincial Surveillance Departments.
"Sir, I will go and take a look," Yin Ling smiled, and without waiting for Commander She's consent, he leaped onto the rooftop with a graceful movement.
In less than half a quarter of an hour, Assistant Commander Yin stood before them again. "As Detective Qin stated, there are no signs of intrusion on the rooftop."
Even the most skilled burglars or highly skilled assassins, under the circumstances of last night, with government officials stationed in front of the house and along the walls, soldiers on guard on the rooftop, and patrols passing by frequently, would have left some trace unless they possessed divine abilities. Even if they managed to enter the house to steal, they would have undoubtedly left some clue.
Hearing this result, not only Xu Qianhu and the others, but also everyone who had waited in the carriages all night, were incredulous. They had personally witnessed over a hundred items being brought into the house for storage.
Lord Ge glanced at the shocked crowd who dared not speak, then took the ledger from Qin Feng and said to Lord Qiu, "Although these one hundred and two items were not recorded as being delivered into the house by anyone specific last night, they were all meticulously cataloged. Furthermore, they were all searched when they exited, making it impossible to carry them out."
As he spoke, Lord Ge's gaze fell upon the ledger in his hand. This single page alone listed three decorative pieces, particularly a Zitan wood screen.
In early autumn, clothing was still light. How could someone conceal a wooden screen, a foot and a half tall and a foot wide, on their person without being discovered? With so many eyes present, it was impossible for everyone to be blind.
Moreover, even if someone could smuggle it out under everyone's noses, entry and exit were strictly prohibited last night. Whether hidden on their person or stashed in some obscure corner, the item would have been discovered.
Two hours later, Hesheng Xuan and the surrounding area, centered on Hesheng Xuan, were searched inch by inch by the three departments. Cellars and wells were all inspected, but the whereabouts of the one hundred and two items remained undiscovered. The items seemed to have vanished into thin air.
...
Due to the gravity and strangeness of the matter, Zhan Feiyu and his group could not leave. They followed the constables of Qianzhong Prefecture to the yamen. They were not allowed to leave the yamen today and were to remain available for official inquiries.
The back of the yamen had a row of empty rooms and three courtyards. The courtyards were usually used to receive officials working at the Qianzhong Prefecture yamen, while the empty rooms housed accompanying clerks, guards, constables, and grooms.
The courtyard was very clean. He Nuan inspected it first, and after confirming there were no issues, she had the maids bring water to clean it slightly before allowing Zhan Feiyu to move in.
Qiu Huaixin watched He Nuan leave after serving tea, then looked at the freshly baked pastries from Zhenweixuan on the table, along with washed peaches, pears, and dates. In front of Zhan Feiyu was a steaming bowl of wonton noodles.
"If you could enjoy such comfort on future outings, I guarantee I would be reluctant to leave," Qiu Huaixin remarked with a sigh. He considered himself a scion of a prominent family, but the Qiu family had strict rules. All male members began their education at the age of four, focusing on the six gentlemanly arts.
After reaching adulthood, if their talent was insufficient, they were not expected to be capable of governing the country or defending it militarily, but at the very least, they were to cultivate themselves and manage their households. Governing the nation and bringing peace to the world would be left to the capable members of the family.
Qiu Huaixin was from the direct lineage and the youngest son, thus doted upon by Madam Qiu and Lord Qiu. Although his personality was somewhat unruly and unrestrained, he would never adopt the ways of a dissolute young master.
Qiu Huaixin had two personal attendants in his courtyard and two senior maids who usually managed his food and clothing. However, the maids were not allowed to serve him intimately; any matters were reported to the managing嬷嬷.
As for seducing him, it was absolutely impossible in a family that valued scholarly tradition. Both the inner chambers and the study were guarded by young servants outside.
Shi Song was Qiu Huaixin's personal bodyguard, essentially inseparable from him. Furthermore, if a maid were caught attempting to seduce him, Qiu Huaixin was not a lecher. If he couldn't resist such temptation, he would have likely been disciplined repeatedly by the family law.
"Are there still people in Qianzhong Prefecture yamen who dare to neglect the Third Young Master?" Zhan Feiyu smiled, lowered his head to blow on the small wonton in his spoon, and then took a bite. The delicious broth, accompanied by the aroma of meat, spread through his mouth.
Enticed by the aroma, Qiu Huaixin, who was also hungry, picked up a piece of pastry and put it in his mouth. He leaned back lazily in his chair and said, "All the soldiers involved last night are currently gathered on the training grounds and are not allowed to move freely. Everything will be addressed after the investigation is concluded."
Lord Qiu and others had temporarily mobilized more troops. Last night, all these individuals were restricted in their movements and would be interrogated one by one.
Although everyone knew that all this would be in vain, the memorial to the Emperor could not state that the one hundred and two items had vanished into thin air. They had to investigate thoroughly, even two or three times.
Lord Qiu, a high-ranking official, was so busy that he couldn't spare a moment. Even if someone wanted to curry favor with Qiu Huaixin, they couldn't do so at this time. Unlike Zhan Feiyu, who had He Nuan, He Sheng, and others attending to him. They did not need to worry about the yamen's affairs; they cleaned the rooms, went out to buy food, and even retrieved clothes that needed to be washed.
After eating three pieces of pastry and drinking a cup of tea, Qiu Huaixin suddenly looked at Zhan Feiyu and asked, "Miss Zhan, your carriage was the closest last night, and the people around you are all top-tier experts. Did you truly not notice anything unusual?"
As he finished speaking, Qiu Huaixin solemnly bowed to Zhan Feiyu. This bow represented the Qiu family's acknowledgment of the favor, and in the future, if Zhan Feiyu ever needed anything, Qiu Huaixin would spare no effort.
Zhan Feiyu put down his spoon, picked up a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, and looked at the solemn Qiu Huaixin. "Although I slept for a while last night, if there was anything amiss, A Nuan would have informed me."
Qiu Huaixin's handsome face immediately showed disappointment, and he slumped back onto the chair listlessly. On second thought, it made sense. His carriage was less than half a zhang away from Zhan Feiyu's carriage. If there had been any anomaly, Shi Song would have noticed. Besides, there were so many watchful eyes present at the time.
"If that's the case, then there must be a mechanism or a secret passage in the room." Qiu Huaixin refused to believe in vanishing into thin air. How could one hundred and two items disappear? It must have been man-made, but the truth had yet to be uncovered.
Zhan Feiyu nodded and was about to speak when a muffled sound, like a thunderclap, suddenly resounded, shaking the room. Almost simultaneously, He Sheng and Shi Song, who were guarding the door, rushed in.
"Miss, it might be an earthquake," He Sheng said quickly. He scooped up Zhan Feiyu in one arm and leaped out, standing in the courtyard outside the door. If it were truly an earthquake, staying inside would be the most dangerous.
Shi Song was slightly slower but also brought Qiu Huaixin to the middle of the courtyard to avoid being crushed by a collapsing building.
After a loud crash, there was no further movement. Zhan Feiyu blinked. "This shouldn't be an earthquake."
Qiu Huaixin glanced at the room. "If it were an earthquake, furniture would be overturned, cups and bowls would spill, and there would be creaking sounds from the beams and pillars."
This was considered mild. If it were severe, the eaves would collapse, rivers would flood, and the incessant barking of dogs and crowing of roosters would be heard. Mountains would crumble, and it would be no exaggeration to call it the sky falling and the earth cracking.