Because of the murder case at Longsheng Merchant House, the Emperor ordered the Jingzhao Prefecture to quickly identify the true culprit, leaving Ling Xuan in a frantic state. To make matters worse, the Cen family was repeatedly targeted by petty thieves, leading Ling Xuan to suspect that the matter was far from simple and likely involved royal secrets of the Blue Moon. However, he could not reveal this, so he could only investigate in secret, hoping to uncover the Blue Moon spies hidden within Yusheng.
Ling Xuan was drinking tea at a teahouse, frustrated by the lack of progress in the search. If the murderer wasn't found soon, Jingzhao Prefecture would be in trouble. This teahouse, a gathering place for all sorts of people, was the best place to gather gossip. Since he couldn't find a breakthrough, Ling Xuan decided to try his luck here for any relevant clues.
"I heard about the Longsheng Merchant House incident. They still haven't caught the killer."
"This killer is truly vicious, slaughtering everyone at Longsheng Merchant House. How terrifying."
"Let me tell you, a young lady bought a trinket from my stall and gave me two taels of silver. She asked where I got it. I told her, and not long after she went to Longsheng Merchant House, everyone there was murdered. Do you think that girl might have done it?"
"You believe a single girl killed seven people?" The surrounding people burst into laughter.
The man scratched his head awkwardly, "I don't think so either. That girl was exceptionally beautiful, and her attire didn't look like that of an ordinary family's daughter. How could she be capable of murder?"
Ling Xuan quickly moved closer, "You said the girl was very beautiful. How beautiful?"
"Oh, Constable Ling, what brings you to the teahouse today?"
"Tea is on me today. Waiter, two more plates of beans."
"Right away."
"Tell me, what did the girl look like? There's a reward for useful information." Ling Xuan took out his brush and notebook, dipped them in some tea, and prepared to jot down her description.
"That girl was about my height, with slender, attractive eyes. Her nose was high, and her mouth was like flower petals, incredibly beautiful."
"You scoundrel, are you spouting nonsense?"
"Get lost, I'm telling the truth!" the man quickly said. "Her clothes didn't look like those of a lady from a prominent family, more like a maid's, but she was very generous, handing me two taels of silver upfront."
"Was there anything particularly distinctive about her?"
"Distinctive?" the man thought carefully. "Nothing particularly distinctive, but she was very beautiful, so I remember her clearly. I can draw her."
"You can draw?" Ling Xuan quickly handed him the brush and notebook, urging him to draw.
The man took the brush and glanced at the others, "I'll show you all in a moment. She's truly beautiful, just like those young ladies."
"You keep bragging. Who knows which servant girl you're mistaking for a lady!"
The stall owner first showed the completed sketch to the others, "Look, isn't she beautiful?"
The crowd gathered to look. Indeed, she was beautiful, like a fairy.
"Such a beautiful young lady couldn't possibly commit murder. She's definitely not the killer."
"I've seen her!" another person exclaimed in surprise. "On the day of the Longsheng Merchant House incident, she rushed out of East Street and bumped into me."
Ling Xuan took the notebook, his gaze falling on the sketch. His expression instantly changed. He recognized this person, or rather, he knew her. This was Xiao Xiang, the second daughter of the Protector General's mansion!
"Did she ask you about Longsheng Merchant House?"
"Yes, she asked me where I sourced my goods, saying she needed to acquire a batch of goods."
"You saw her coming out of East Street?"
"Yes, it was her. I didn't see her clearly at the time, and later I thought it was a maid from another shop. Now that I think about it, she was coming from the street where Longsheng Merchant House is located." Su Dan Novel Network
"Very good." Ling Xuan took out a few pieces of silver. "This is for your trouble."
"Thank you, Constable Ling."
Ling Xuan rushed directly to the General's mansion. He couldn't fathom that the second daughter of the General's mansion could be such a ruthless person, let alone that she, without any physical strength, could have killed seven burly men.
Ling Xuan came to the General's mansion to visit, specifically requesting to see the second daughter. Steward Lu did not agree immediately but instead reported to He Qingyi.
"Someone from Jingzhao Prefecture wants to see the second daughter?"
"Yes, Madam."
"Go and fetch the second daughter."
"Yes, Madam."
When Xiao Xiang was brought in, she frowned upon seeing Ling Xuan but said nothing. "Greetings to Mother. May I know what instructions Mother has for me?"
He Qingyi glanced at Ling Xuan before saying, "It's not me looking for you, but Constable Ling from Jingzhao Prefecture. He says he has something to ask you."
Xiao Xiang looked at He Qingyi, "What does Constable Ling wish to ask?"
"May I ask where you were on the fourteenth day of the tenth month?"
Xiao Xiang replied without hesitation, "I was naturally in the mansion."
"You didn't leave the mansion?"
"Constable Ling, although the young ladies of the General's mansion can leave whenever they please, I seldom leave the mansion. If there's anything needed, I usually send my maids to purchase it, so I did not leave the mansion."
"May I make a rather impolite request?" Ling Xuan continued before Xiao Xiang could refuse, "Could you please give me one of Miss's shoes?"
He Qingyi frowned upon hearing this. "Constable Ling, your request is rather impolite. How can a young lady's embroidered shoes be given away so casually?"
"Please forgive me, Madam." Constable Ling stood up and bowed in apology. "If that is not possible, could you at least inform me of the shoe size the second daughter wears?"
"No." He Qingyi refused without hesitation.
Upon hearing this, Ling Xuan immediately stood up straight. "If that is the case, then I can only escort the second daughter back to Jingzhao Prefecture."
"How dare you!" He Qingyi slammed the table in anger. "How can you insult my General's mansion's daughter so casually?"
"Madam, please bear with me." Ling Xuan said unhurriedly, "A few days ago, a murder occurred. The shopkeeper of Longsheng Merchant House and his staff, a total of seven people, were murdered. On the day of the incident, a stall owner identified the second daughter as having inquired about Longsheng Merchant House, and someone also personally saw the second daughter coming out of Longsheng Merchant House."
"That's impossible!"
"I also find it impossible, which is why I came here privately to inquire. The killer left footprints at the scene, so I wanted to compare them with the second daughter's shoes to rule out her involvement. If the second daughter refuses, then I can only take the liberty of treating her as a suspect and take her in for questioning."
He Qingyi's expression changed. "You must have mistaken someone. My young lady, who rarely leaves her chambers, how could she possibly go out and commit murder?"
"I also believe it's possible, but it's merely a procedural matter, and I must proceed with the routine inquiry." Ling Xuan looked at Xiao Xiang. "Second daughter, please take off your shoe."
Xiao Xiang hesitated for a moment, then looked at He Qingyi. He Qingyi nodded. "Mother believes you have been wronged. Give him your shoe."
"Yes, Mother."