The flickering candlelight cast uneasy shadows across the private room, illuminating faces that appeared and disappeared in the dancing flames. Everyone present wore barely concealed tension.
Madam Liu sat restlessly, her brows furrowed, clearly worried about Peach Blossom House's reputation. Du Qingdai clutched her handkerchief tightly, face pale, eyes shifting as if desperately hiding something.
Beside her, Manager Zhang maintained a facade of composure, hands placed steadily on his knees. Yet his overly calm demeanor only aroused suspicion. In the corner, young maid Ah Qing wrung her hands constantly, face ashen, as if terror had already seized her soul.
"My lord, seems we're in for a long night," Hu Qi whispered in Jiang Yichuan's ear, a hint of resignation in his voice.
Jiang Yichuan's gaze cut like a blade across each face in the room. Everyone shrank slightly under that piercing stare, as if their inner secrets were being laid bare.
"You all had close ties to the deceased," his voice carried steady authority. "I expect complete honesty about today's events."
His gaze settled on Du Qingdai: "We'll start with you."
Though Du Qingdai struggled to maintain composure, her trembling voice betrayed her unease: "Yesterday at noon, my sister brought tea from our hometown. We chatted briefly, she had a cup and left."
She paused, seemingly collecting her thoughts: "In the afternoon, I felt dizzy. Li Yuan came with wine, speaking of reconciliation. I... I dismissed him without much discussion."
Her eyes filled with unmistakable anxiety, voice increasingly shaky: "Feeling unwell last night, I feared I couldn't compete in the flower selection. So I switched rooms and clothes with my sister, having her take my place. I rested in her room until evening when I was startled awake."
Jiang Yichuan's gaze sharpened. "Why didn't Du Qingshuang compete herself?"
"My sister claimed her talents were insufficient, she didn't want to embarrass herself."
The room's atmosphere instantly tensed. All eyes turned to her.
Who in Lin'an didn't know of Du Qingshuang's legendary artistic talents?
Du Qingdai kept her head down, unable to escape those skeptical stares.
"Did Du Qingshuang have enemies?" Jiang Yichuan probed carefully.
"My sister was gentle-natured. She never made enemies."
Du Qingdai's voice grew weaker.
Jiang Yichuan turned his attention to the middle-aged man. In the yellow candlelight, Manager Zhang's features shifted between light and shadow. Of medium build and dignified bearing, his well-dressed figure and downcast eyes conveyed a practiced ease - likely a skill honed from years in the pleasure quarters.
"Manager Zhang, did you see Du Qingshuang yesterday?"
Jiang Yichuan's voice remained steady and forceful.
"Yes, Your Highness," Manager Zhang replied, neither servile nor proud.
"I went to add incense to her room and found her somewhat uneasy."
"I assumed it was from recent overwork."
A flash of barely perceptible grief crossed his eyes.
Suddenly, as if remembering something important:
"Ah yes! One more thing."
"Yesterday when I went to Du Qingdai's room, I happened to see Li Yuan leaving."
"His face was livid, spewing vulgarities."
"He cursed Miss Qingdai for not knowing her place."
"Said 'You'd better die here in Peach Blossom House, even the King of Hell won't take someone like you!'"
The room's atmosphere froze at these words.
Even the candle flames seemed to shudder.
"Who is this Li Yuan?" Jiang Yichuan's eyes darkened, his voice carrying a chill.
Madam Liu quickly stepped forward, her face etched with worry:
"Li Yuan is the only son of Li Fugui, a wealthy merchant."
"He had a brief romance with Miss Qingdai."
"But lately he's been causing trouble."
She paused: "He's narrow-minded and hot-tempered."
"After their split, he kept threatening she would regret it."
Lowering her voice: "He's here tonight, in the house."
Jiang Yichuan tilted his head slightly, looking at Qi Feng.
The latter understood immediately, vanishing silently.
The room fell silent, broken only by occasional crackles from the candles.
Just then, the coroner hurried in, breaking the suffocating silence:
"Prince Jing, the victim definitely died from poison."
"Estimated time of poisoning: between 7 and 9 this morning."
"Source unknown, possibly pre-placed in the room."
Jiang Yichuan's eyes flashed.
Seven to nine in the morning—long before the courtesan selection.
His gaze swept over the tense faces in the room before turning to Hu Qi:
"In that case, guests who arrived only tonight are irrelevant."
"They may leave."
After a pause, he added: "But anyone who had contact with the deceased stays."
He sat in the main seat, fingers lightly tapping the table.
Suspicious points connected in his mind:
Who had visited the victim's room then?
Who had the opportunity to plant poison beforehand?
Moments later, Qi Feng dragged in a richly dressed young man.
"This is outrageous!" Li Yuan shouted, face flushed.
"I never even knew Du Qingshuang!"
"Never spoke a word to her!"
"How dare you suspect me!"
But under Qi Feng's cold stare, his voice quickly weakened,
Like a duck with its throat caught.
"If Du Qingdai and Du Qingshuang switched rooms..."
Jiang Yichuan's tone was calm, yet carried a chilling sharpness:
"Someone meaning to harm Du Qingdai..."
"Might have accidentally killed Du Qingshuang instead."
"This possibility cannot be ignored."
"Then Li Yuan is the prime suspect!"
Manager Zhang's expression changed as he urgently pointed out:
"He had a relationship with Du Qingdai."
"Perhaps love turned to hate."
These words ignited like gunpowder.
Du Qingdai suddenly stood up,
Her skirts swirling,
Face contorted:
"Li Yuan, you'd kill me just because I rejected you?!"
"Yesterday you smiled at me."
"Today you curse me dead!"
"Now my sister dies innocently."
"It must be your doing!"
"How dare you slander me?!"
Li Yuan's face turned iron-gray.
He stepped forward angrily:
"I spoke harsh words in anger, nothing more!"
"You sisters - one abandons old love to climb the social ladder;"
"The other secretly carries on with her friend's husband, Lord Zhao!"
"Did you think you'd get away with it all?"
The room's atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Jiang Yichuan's brow furrowed slightly,
His gaze sharp as blades:
"This friend's husband - you mean Lady Zhao, née Su?"
"Exactly," Li Yuan sneered.
"They say she's barren."
"Lord Zhao divorced her."
"Now she survives here."
In the flickering candlelight,
Jiang Yichuan signaled Hu Qi with his eyes.
The latter understood,
Turning to summon Su Xingyao.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
Everyone waited for the owner of that name to appear.
"Madam Liu, what do you know of this matter?"
Jiang Yichuan turned his gaze to her.
Madam Liu startled.
Then respectfully replied:
"This... your servant dares not speak rashly."
"The private affairs of these young ladies..."
"Your servant cannot judge."
But Manager Zhang chose this moment to speak.
His voice carried a subtle probe:
"My lord, yesterday I happened to see Lady Su speaking with Du Qingshuang in the hall."
"They seemed close, laughing together."
"However, after their chat..."
"Du Qingshuang's mood darkened considerably."
"She hurried back to her room."
"Ah yes!"
Li Yuan suddenly shouted,
As if grabbing a lifeline:
"I personally saw Su Xingyao enter Du Qingshuang's room!"
A cold light flashed in Jiang Yichuan's eyes.
Moments later,
Su Xingyao entered the room, led by Hu Qi.
Her red robes
Like a haunting spider lily in the dim candlelight.
Breathtakingly beautiful,
Yet carrying an inexplicable tragic charm.
He had meant to directly question her about Du Qingshuang and Lord Zhao,
But meeting her cold gaze,
His tone shifted,
Taking on a hint of frivolity:
"Lady Su, I hear you were once Lin'an's most celebrated courtesan."
"After marriage, you vanished."
"Seeing you today proves your reputation was well-deserved."
"My visit hasn't been wasted."
"Your Highness flatters me."
Su Xingyao smiled faintly,
Her gaze frost-like,
Voice clearly mocking:
"Yet... just yesterday at the Ministry of Justice..."
"We had barely parted..."
"Has Your Highness already forgotten?"
"With such poor memory..."
"I fear solving this case..."
"May prove difficult for you."
Her words struck like a hammer,
Making Jiang Yichuan's face darken.
For once, he found himself speechless.
The room's atmosphere instantly tensed.
Everyone held their breath.
Suddenly changing her tone, Su Xingyao lightly brushed her eye corner.
A crystal tear rolled down:
"Qingshuang and I were like sisters."
"Yesterday she was so happy when we met."
"Who knew today would bring eternal separation.""
Her tear-stained appearance aroused sympathy.
Voice choking:
"After our chat yesterday,"
"I returned to practice my pipa,"
"Preparing for tonight's competition."
"Who could have foreseen such tragedy?""
Then her tone shifted sharply,
Her voice carrying bone-chilling frost:
"Your Highness shows such dedication to this case today."
"It quite surprises me."
"I thought..."
"You'd treat all cases..."
"Like that day..."
"When you shut your doors to justice."
Those words cut like a blade,
Striking Jiang Yichuan's most vulnerable spot.
He avoided her gaze,
His eyes wandering,
Showing rare discomfort.
But quickly,
He regained composure.
Changing topics:
"Lady Su, what exactly did you discuss with Lady Du yesterday?"
"Did you enter her chamber?"
"Indeed I did."
Su Xingyao admitted frankly.
Yet her expression held mystery:
"Last night, Qingshuang mentioned seeing someone peeping through her window the night before."
"It frightened her."
"So we discussed setting up some defensive measures in her room."
"Measures?"
Jiang Yichuan's eyebrow raised,
Interest piqued.
"I brought rope and a crossbow from my room."
"Set up a simple mechanism for Qingshuang."
"Connected to her pearl ring."
Su Xingyao explained:
"When the ring moves,"
"The crossbow fires."
"Just for protection."
"Interesting."
"Show me."
Jiang Yichuan's lips curved in a faint smile.
As he turned,
His peripheral vision caught Madam Liu and maid Ah Qing whispering.
Their expressions panicked.
Though he didn't pause,
This subtle anomaly didn't escape his notice.