After bidding farewell to Su Muhe, Qin Jiuye had intended to leave immediately. However, she ran into Duan Xiaozhou halfway out of the residence. Though the boy looked to be about the same age as Jinbao, he had already begun to mimic the rigid, businesslike demeanor of his Inspector General. He repeatedly requested that Qin Jiuye confirm the details of the room where the medical consultations had taken place.
Left with no choice, Qin Jiuye followed him to the strange room in the side courtyard. Behind a wall with a carved opening lay a windowless secret chamber. Though the occupants were gone, traces of blood and iron chains remained, having not yet been cleared away. This room was separated from the courtyard where Kang Renshou had stayed by only a single wall, clearly designed for the convenience of moving between them during consultations.
Even though what she saw confirmed her previous suspicions, witnessing the bloodstains in that dark room left Qin Jiuye feeling no sense of relief. She did not dare investigate whether the blood seeping into the walls was truly just chicken blood, nor did she wish to hear any more details from Lu Zican’s interrogation of the inner court servants.
Perhaps there was only one murderer within the Su residence, but there was certainly more than one accomplice.
Within these high walls, was anyone truly innocent?
By the time she emerged from the Su residence, the sky had turned dark. The street lamps had not yet been lit, and the entire city of Jiugao was shrouded in a gloomy haze.
Qin Jiuye tried to shake off her heavy mood. Looking up, she saw the youth dressed in black walking toward her, leading a horse.
She didn't know how long he had been waiting by the roadside. He carried the cool scent of the wind, and the moment he drew near, the inexplicable shadow lingering over her seemed to dissipate slightly.
She blinked, then instinctively asked, "You’ve been waiting out here? I told you if it took too long, you should go back first..."
"I’ve noted down everything for the apothecary; a few moments won't make a difference." As Li Qiao spoke, he patted the mane of the black horse beside him. The horse was clearly familiar with him now, letting out an affectionate snort. "Is Sister so eager for me to leave because she fears I might go to see Su Muhe again?"
Despite her earlier suspicions, hearing him say it so naturally made Qin Jiuye’s eyebrows knit together like twisted dough.
She finally understood. Whether it was Su Muhe just now or Li Qiao before her, neither of them took the incident on the boat to heart. It seemed they were both just amusing themselves at her expense. Why was she the only one caught in the middle, acting so cautiously?
She feared him seeing Su Muhe? If he were willing to let her go and pester Su Muhe instead, she would gladly hang lanterns and beat drums at Guoran Pavilion to celebrate for three days straight!
Qin Jiuye was bursting with frustration, but before she could vent, Lu Zican came rushing out clutching his small notebook. Seeing her at the gate, he hurried over and whispered.
"A message came from the Inspector General. Lord Fan’s men have captured Su Lin. He’s likely being interrogated right now. I’m heading over; would Miss Qin like to come along?"
Fan Tong was truly a blade of grass atop a wall—supple and quick to lean whichever way the wind blew.
Qin Jiuye glanced at the black horse Li Qiao was leading, then discreetly rubbed her own backside, asking with some difficulty, "How long does it take to get to the Magistrate’s Office from here?"
Lu Zican’s wits had never been sharper. He glanced at Li Qiao and instantly understood. He hesitated deliberately before speaking.
"It’s not too far. If Miss Qin wishes to walk, it’s certainly possible. But this horse..."
As expected, Qin Jiuye waved her hand and made a decision on the spot.
"I’ll have him take it back to the manor." After a pause, she issued a crisp 'eviction notice' to the youth. "Don't waste your time following me. Don't delay the matter I told you to handle at Guoran Pavilion. While the city gates are still open, hurry back and make the trip."
Li Qiao did not move, but the emotions in his eyes began to churn.
Was she always like this? One day she was telling him that "human hearts are precious," and the next she couldn't wait to discuss a case with an outsider whose background she barely knew. Since when had he, Li Qiao, become so easy to talk to? To be ordered around like this, dismissed with a few words?
He lowered his head, a shadow falling across his brow. "That isn't what Sister promised me when we came out today."
Qin Jiuye saw the displeasure on the youth's face and instantly recalled their conversation that morning at Listening Wind Hall. Yet, for some reason, the more she sensed the threat in his words, the less she wanted to give in to him.
Thinking of this, Qin Jiuye’s expression grew even more stern.
"If you don't want to go back to the village, then go back to Listening Wind Hall and wait for me. I won't force you. But you mustn't neglect a single thing you're supposed to do. I’ll be checking your work when I return..."
Who was the one neglecting things? His job was to follow her orders. She used to put Guoran Pavilion above all else, but now that she was involved in this investigation, she hadn't asked about the apothecary for days.
What was so good about Qiu Ling? Being forced to investigate before was one thing, but why was it worth her risking herself repeatedly for his sake now?
Li Qiao remained silent, his head still lowered.
Lu Zican, who had been observing their expressions, felt a strange surge of secret joy. He looked at the youth with a hint of triumph.
"Oh, right. My Inspector General often interrogates suspects through the night. If Miss Qin’s assistance is needed, she might not be able to return tonight."
Li Qiao snapped his head up, his light brown eyes flashing with the same ferocity he had shown when storming the manor. The black horse beside him startled, neighing and retreating half a step.
However, in the next moment, the woman grabbed the horse's bridle and led it back to the youth's hand.
"Stop dawdling. It’s getting late, and the road to the village is hard to travel in the dark."
The youth’s frame stiffened, but he ultimately made no move, only staring at her fixedly.
Qin Jiuye felt unsettled by his gaze. Her earlier anger dissipated slightly, replaced by a strange sense of guilt, as if she were "abandoning her family." But the moment she recognized that feeling, she wanted to flee even more.
Steeling her heart, she turned to leave, only to have her sleeve caught.
Qin Jiuye looked back and saw the top of the youth's messy hair. He was still looking down, his voice coming in fragments, sounding strained.
"Could you... please..."
"What?"
"Could you..."
But he could not bring himself to finish the sentence.
Li Qiao pursed his lips and released his grip, turning away to lead the black horse back.
Qin Jiuye stood there, somewhat bewildered. Just as she opened her mouth to ask further, the youth flipped himself onto the horse's back.
The black horse let out a shrill neigh, its front hooves rearing high before slamming down right in front of Lu Zican. In the next moment, Li Qiao’s voice drifted down from the saddle.
"I shall offer Adjutant Lu a reminder. The last time my Sister returned from the Inspector General’s manor, she was covered in mud. If it happens again, it won't be as simple as a personal visit."
Lu Zican couldn't help but shudder.
Su Lin had followed Qin Jiuye that day, and he must have used some underhanded means on the road back. At the time, Lu Zican had warned the Inspector General that Su Lin harbored ill intentions. Now, he could easily hear the mockery and warning in Li Qiao’s words.
But that was then, and this was now. One couldn't keep dwelling on the past forever, could they?
However, before he could think of a response, the youth had already spurred the horse and galloped away, showing no intention of saving him any face.
Regardless, he had accomplished what the Inspector General ordered—he had kept the person here. He had finally won this round, so he hadn't endured that stifling tension for nothing. Lu Zican comforted himself with these thoughts, but when he looked up, he saw Qin Jiuye staring at him expectantly with a sheepish smile.
"By the way, Adjutant Lu, about that overnight interrogation you mentioned... is there an extra fee for that?"
With that one sentence, Lu Zican was suddenly jolted out of his self-satisfied mood.
What was he even doing? This stingy shopkeeper only cared about silver; she hadn't given a single thought to anything else. Besides, the Inspector General himself hadn't said anything yet, so why was he competing over her? Forget it, he would just treat it as her having insights into the case, and everything he did was for the sake of closing it sooner.
As the woman beside him continued to pester him with questions, Lu Zican nodded perfunctorily while leading his horse, walking briskly toward the Magistrate’s Office.
***
By the time they reached the Magistrate’s Office on foot, the sky was completely dark. The back gate was quiet. Fan Tong had left only a sharp-eyed bailiff to wait at the entrance. Upon seeing Qin Jiuye and Lu Zican, the man immediately led them inside, closing the door behind them with an air of great secrecy.
Seeing this, Qin Jiuye understood.
She guessed that Su Lin’s arrest was being kept quiet, partly to prevent anyone in the city from using the opportunity to stir up trouble, and partly to avoid alerting the person backing Su Lin.
But if that were the case, the matter should have been kept secret to the end. Keeping him at the Inspector General’s manor would have been the most secure choice. Choosing to lock him in the Magistrate’s Office now was likely another test by Qiu Ling. If word leaked out soon, it would prove that Fan Tong was also in league with Su Lin’s backer.
As Qin Jiuye turned these thoughts over in her mind, the bailiff leading them stopped.
"The dungeon is just ahead. Lord Fan ordered that no one except the Inspector General’s people may go down. I’ll leave you here."
Lu Zican nodded, and the bailiff hurried away.
A cold wind blew from the dungeon entrance, carrying a musty smell mixed with the scent of rust, making Qin Jiuye shiver involuntarily.
"Is... is Su Lin really down there?"
Lu Zican gave her an amused look, picking up a torch and lighting it.
"Of course. From the way Miss Qin was acting just now, I thought you wouldn't even fear the eighteen levels of hell as long as there was silver involved."
She wasn't afraid of the dungeon itself; she was afraid of the state of being a prisoner—a fate she had narrowly escaped.
Qin Jiuye ignored his teasing, still immersed in her own thoughts.
Based on her previous experience dealing with Su Lin, the man shouldn't be so foolish. He hadn't returned immediately when trouble broke out at home, which meant he had decided to lay low. How could he turn around and walk right into a trap set by the authorities?
As she walked, she asked, "May I ask how Su Lin was caught? Did the Inspector General set an ambush on the official roads near Jiugao? Are the General of the South’s men truly everywhere in Jiao Province now?"
Lu Zican couldn't help but laugh.
"If the General of the South had to intervene in such trivial matters, he wouldn't get any sleep and would need to grow three heads."
This time, Qin Jiuye could no longer ignore the tone in his voice. She deliberately pulled a long face and said unhappily, "If you don't want to answer, then don't. Why bring up three heads?"
Lu Zican finally turned serious. "It’s actually nothing special. The Inspector General simply stationed men at all the silver exchanges near Jiugao. Sure enough, in less than half a day, Su Lin sneaked in to withdraw travel funds for his escape."
Qin Jiuye was stunned for a moment before murmuring, "Does Su Lin usually go out without any silver on him?"
"Indeed. If one has decided to flee, a few pieces of silver should suffice. But these wealthy families have so many pretensions. They are used to stability; they won't even settle for a lesser carriage, so naturally, they refuse to travel light."
The scene of Su Lin bringing his son to the office to take Su Muhe away flashed before her eyes again. Qin Jiuye suddenly understood, summarizing it pointedly.
"I think it’s less about wanting to travel comfortably and more about not wanting his private stash of money to be taken by his wife and daughter. To risk so much just to move it... he truly has the cold, profit-driven nature of a businessman."
Or perhaps Su Lin’s actions weren't just about his nature, but because there was something more important than money that he needed to handle personally.
Qin Jiuye said no more, following Lu Zican into the narrow entrance of the dungeon.
The light dimmed, leaving only the glow of the torch in Lu Zican’s hand. She had no desire to look around, focusing her gaze on the rough, steep stone steps beneath her feet.
After descending about two or three levels, her feet finally hit level ground.
She had to admit, she was somewhat grateful that Fan Tong had only interrogated her by that pond that day instead of bringing her to this dungeon.
At the end of the long, dark corridor was a windowless stone room. Behind the rusted iron bars, two figures were faintly visible. One man stood with his hands behind his back; hearing footsteps, he turned around. It was Qiu Ling.
When he saw it was Qin Jiuye, he visibly paused.
Lu Zican, observing his expression, quickly explained in a low voice, "The Inspector General said it was permitted earlier, so I brought her."
The young Inspector General didn't ask further, only nodding before turning back.
Qin Jiuye followed Lu Zican into the stone room. As the torchlight drew closer, she finally saw Su Lin. He was still wearing his sophisticated cloud-brocade robe, though the dust on the hem betrayed his current situation. Other than that, he showed little of the distress one would expect of a prisoner.
How wretched and defeated the innocent were when captured, yet this culprit stood in prison with such an air.
Qin Jiuye took only one glance before looking down. She feared that if she looked any longer, she would lose her composure in a fit of rage.
Su Lin’s gaze fell on Qin Jiuye, his eyes instantly flashing with unmistakable loathing.
"What is the meaning of this, worthy son-in-law? Not only have you locked me here, but now you bring an outsider in. Won't people laugh if word gets out?"
The "outsider," Qin Jiuye, rubbed her nose and very naturally took a step forward.
"Greetings, Master Su."
If she had felt a bit guilty about her impulsive decision this morning before seeing Su Lin, seeing his face now made her feel that her role as an aide was well-earned and this trip to the dungeon was entirely justified.
Thinking of how she had endured the humiliation of escaping through a foul ditch while this man sat in his carriage watching the joke, and then returning to the present scene, Qin Jiuye felt the stifling air in her chest dissipate. Even the air in the dungeon felt fresher.
So what if she was a mere shrimp? It was quite nice to be able to disgust the opponent.
Seeing her like this, Su Lin flicked his sleeves impatiently. But he forgot he was in a narrow, dark dungeon; the movement nearly made him lose his balance, and his hem brushed against the filthy floor, leaving another stain. His mood grew even more irritable. Before he could speak, the young Inspector General at the cell door spoke up.
"The marriage between the Qiu and Su families was never officially settled. By rights, Master Su is also an outsider. Between outsiders, let us dispense with such titles."
With those words, the connection between the Qiu and Su families was severed.
"That wasn't your rhetoric back at your manor, Inspector General." Even though he was prepared, Su Lin’s expression was uglier than ever. "Even if we lack that connection, you have searched my residence and seized my luggage. Have you found any evidence of a crime? If not, how do you intend to end this?"
"Rest assured, Master Su, the gold and silver in your luggage have been returned to your residence untouched. As for the evidence... it is currently being held at my manor. Does Master Su wish to confirm it personally?"
Su Lin’s face stiffened, and he fell into a sullen silence. Qiu Ling continued.
"The office has drafted the charges and case details for the two murders overnight. I specifically had a copy transcribed for Master Su to look over."
He spoke with perfect politeness, but when he handed over the few light sheets of paper, the gesture was like a magistrate throwing down an execution token. Su Lin took them and saw they were densely packed with accusations. Lord Fan had clearly poured all his literary prowess into this, not missing a single grain of a crime.
This was no longer the Lord Fan who had been respectful on the surface while currying favor in private. The winds in the city had changed; the Su family was finished. At this time, not only could he not be associated with them, he had to stomp on them to be done with it.
Su Lin’s hand trembled with rage as he held the paper. After a long while, his face turned ashen as he looked up, still clinging to a final shred of resistance.
"Even so, all of this was caused by my mentally unstable mother. It shouldn't involve the whole clan, should it? Why must you make things difficult for me? And the Su family business cannot be delayed. I told you before, the goods on those ships are for noble guests in the capital. They are worth a thousand gold pieces per ship. By what right do you detain my vessels..."
Human lives were at stake, yet in Su Lin’s mouth, it was merely an obstacle delaying the Su family’s "business." Even if the laws of Xiangliang did not punish a whole family for one person's crime, Su Lin’s excuses were truly disgusting—so disgusting that Lu Zican couldn't help but sneer.
"By the right that Master Su has evaded taxes for three consecutive years under the guise of distributing medicine outside the city. You relied on your business with the Prince's Manor to ignore the rules of the riverways. Furthermore..."
Before he could finish, the woman who had been standing in the corner suddenly jumped up like a lit firecracker.
"Furthermore, in my view, I suspect there are more than just those two lives!"
Qin Jiuye had been holding it in for a long time. Now, her temper flared. Regardless of whether her actions were inappropriate in front of Qiu Ling, she shoved Lu Zican aside and aggressively questioned Su Lin.
"A month ago, my grandfather took over the job of delivering vegetables to the Su residence, saying the previous worker had quit. How could it be such a coincidence? What was that worker's name? Where is he now? Even if you didn't personally kill him to silence him, Master Su, you certainly didn't do little in the way of destroying evidence. I see the trees in the Su garden grow so well—could it be because there are enough dead bodies buried beneath them?"
Her rapid-fire accusations carried the essence of Fan Tong’s interrogation of her at the office. It turned Su Lin’s face pale, as if he had been poisoned on the spot.
Since today’s matter could not end well anyway, this businessman, who usually prided himself on decorum and making money through harmony, finally shed his last mask, revealing a vicious countenance.
"I trusted him after he worked for me for so many years, so I asked him to help deliver some live chickens. It was his bad luck to stumble upon my mother’s business. I warned him to stay in the residence and keep quiet, but he tried to flee in the night!" He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice held that familiar arrogance. "He was a lowly person whose slave contract was held by the residence. He should have served his master well. Since he failed and tried to run, the Su family had the right to dispose of him."
Qin Jiuye trembled all over as she listened, but she noticed that Qiu Ling seemed to have little reaction. Her clenched fists loosened, and a wave of disappointment washed over her.
Yes, to the authorities, a dead vegetable delivery man was worth even less than a night watchman with an official post, and certainly less than the head manager of Huichun Hall. Even if Su Lin confessed now, without a body, the authorities couldn't even open a case.
The sight of the Old Madam Su wanting to eat people was nothing compared to this. This was the most terrifying and disgusting thing she had experienced since becoming involved in this case.
If she hadn't saved her grandfather that day, Qin Sanyou would have been the scapegoat, executed on a chosen day. He would have been no different from this nameless delivery man whose bones were buried who-knows-where—just another bead falling off the Su family’s abacus.
She understood all of this, just as she understood why Guoran Pavilion could never catch up to a bowl of rice water sold by Huichun Hall no matter how hard they worked.
She also understood the reason for Qiu Ling’s reaction. He must have seen too many such scenes; such things could no longer move his emotions. To him, Su Lin was just a rat struggling under his claws. What use was anger? His only goal, and the best way to fulfill his duty as Inspector General, was to dig out larger cases and crimes from Su Lin.
Perhaps one day, she would become silent like him.
But for now, she couldn't do it.
Qin Jiuye took a slow step forward and bowed solemnly to Qiu Ling.
"Since Master Su mentioned his business being delayed, as the shopkeeper of Guoran Pavilion, I also recall an urgent matter. May I ask the Inspector General, because of Master Su’s many deceptions and obstructions in this case, my apothecary workers and I were trapped in Listening Wind Hall for several days. Can I take this opportunity to reclaim the losses incurred one by one?"
Qiu Ling paused, then spoke truthfully. "Emotionally, it is fitting. Rationally... there are many procedural irregularities. However, this case is special, and we are currently in the middle of an interrogation, so it is not a private act. I can allow some leeway."
Qin Jiuye nodded respectfully, then looked at Su Lin with a fake smile.
"Master Su, are you willing?"
So it was for this.
Su Lin barely looked at the thin, small woman. The expression on his face held a deep-seated contempt, as if he were certain of his judgment, as if everything were within his calculations.
"Isn't it just silver? I heard you came from a village outside the city. How many taels could you have lost living in such a wretched place? I can give you more, but you had better learn the principle of being cautious with your words and actions in the future. Do not overstep your bounds and come before me again..."
Qin Jiuye didn't wait for him to finish. She straightened up abruptly, stepped in front of Su Lin, and before he could react, she raised her hand and slapped him hard.
*Slap!* A loud crack echoed.
She used all her strength, until her entire palm felt numb.
Su Muzhi had given her a slap, and now she had returned it to Su Lin. The satisfaction of settling a score was something only those involved could truly appreciate.
Looking at Su Lin’s face, which showed a mix of shock, disbelief, and rage, Qin Jiuye flashed a wide smile and said word by word.
"I truly cannot control matters of murder and law. I only know that the business of my Guoran Pavilion cannot be delayed for a single moment. You delayed me for ten whole days, yet you only received one slap. It’s far too cheap for you."
She finished and turned to the young Inspector General, who was struggling to hide his astonishment.
"What Master Su owed me has just been reclaimed. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
Qin Jiuye said no more to anyone present. She lowered her head and walked quickly out of the dungeon.
Her figure was small and thin, but her strides were large. Though her steps were a bit heavy, she walked with an aura that could not be swayed.
Behind her, the young Inspector General was, for the first time in his life, stunned into silence during an interrogation. He stared blankly at the woman’s retreating back, unable to recover for a long time.
Su Lin continued to curse incessantly. He had clearly never been slapped by a poor, lowly slip of a girl. If his hands and feet weren't bound by iron chains and he weren't trapped in this dungeon, he might have transformed into a martial arts master and chased her for three miles with a blade.
But he was used to a life of luxury, and his stamina was poor. After cursing for a while, he ran out of breath. Unwilling to let it end there, he turned his spear toward the young Inspector General.
"Qiu Ling! As the Inspector General, one of the Four Gentlemen of Kunxu, and a man of the General of the South, you actually allowed an outsider to use private torture here! Don't think you'll hear another word from me. Once I weather this storm, I will personally go to the Xiaoning Princely Manor to file a complaint against you. Even the General of the South won't be able to protect you then! Or do you think the tattered hat of the Qiu family can protect you forever? Even if Qiu Yan were here, I would..."
*Clang!* The heavy iron door in front of Su Lin slammed shut.
Qiu Ling brushed his hands together, then stepped back a few paces, taking the only torch from the wall and personally locking the door with a large padlock.
He never used to do such things himself, finding them tedious and trivial. But now, for some reason, he felt a trace of satisfaction.
"Master Su should stay here and cool off. When you’ve thought it through and are willing to speak properly, we shall talk again."
He finished and signaled Lu Zican to take the torch away, leaving behind an endless darkness. Then, without looking back, he left the dungeon.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
云锦深衣 | Cloud-brocade robe | A high-quality traditional Chinese deep garment (shenyi) made of Yunjin brocade.
参佐 | Aide / Consultant | A temporary or subordinate official position assisting a higher officer.
孝宁王府 | Xiaoning Princely Manor | The residence/estate of Prince Xiaoning.
昆墟四君子 | Four Gentlemen of Kunxu | A title referring to four prestigious or talented individuals, including Qiu Ling.
邱偃 | Qiu Yan | Likely a prominent member or ancestor of the Qiu family.
