By now, the number of pedestrians on the street had gradually increased.

Most were merchants trying to make a living, servants and female family members from various households out for supplies, and government officials who needed to report for duty.

Even in such a downpour, they still had to go out.

And so, as they passed by South Street, the people coming and going all noticed the Imprisonment Officers outside the residence facing the street.

Unable to restrain their curiosity, most would go up and ask the crowd that was gathering in the rain.

"Brother, what’s goin’ on in there? Somethin’ feels real off."

"A huge case, I tell ya! Heard the bodies are piled up in there, their necks bent all the way back to their spines."

"Just look at the Imprisonment Officer’s face. She’s worried sick."

"There were hardly any clues to begin with, and on top of that, this damn storm hit. The killer’s footprints have been washed away to nothin’."

The Shu State dialect rose and fell, but passersby could still hear it clearly.

Looks of fear appeared on one face after another.

In times of peace, how much blood could the common folk have seen?

They might see a bit of gore during the New Year’s pig slaughter, or when a vicious criminal was sentenced to beheading by the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office and executed outside the East and West Markets.

They might be scared at the time, but once it was over, it was over.

But a major case involving human life was different.

Until the murderer was caught, it would always leave the people nearby feeling terrified at night.

Just then, a figure walked out from the stately courtyard.

It was Fang Hongxiu, the Hundred Households from the Shu State Imprisonment Department in charge of investigating this case.

She was quite beautiful, with fair skin, red lips, and the ends of her eyebrows tilted slightly upward, framing a pair of peach-blossom eyes.

Her tall, full figure, set off by her bright red Imprisonment Officer’s robe, gave her a heroic air and a distinctly sharp, dashing aura.

Fang Hongxiu stood under the eaves, her eyes sweeping over the surrounding crowd.

She checked them one by one but found no suspicious individuals who might have returned to the scene. A sliver of disappointment couldn’t help but surface in her heart.

In her years of experience as an investigator, she knew that a small number of perpetrators would return to watch from the scene of the crime.

Some wanted to know the progress of the Imprisonment Department’s investigation; others were gloating over what they had done.

This was especially true for a case like the one behind her.

The victim’s death was horrific, he was clearly from a prominent family, and the scene was so clean it looked as if it had been swept.

It was enough for her to determine that the killer was a meticulous, calm, and seasoned individual.

’People like that often leave flaws in inconspicuous places.’

Fang Hongxiu thought about this, then composed her expression, clasped her hands toward the surrounding crowd, and said loudly:

"This is a major case. If any of you have any leads, please report to the Imprisonment Department at any time."

"If a lead proves helpful to this case, the Imprisonment Department will offer a reward of silver coins."

The words had barely left her mouth when, before the crowd could start murmuring, several Imprisonment Officers came running from outside.

The leader, a tall young man, had a grim expression—or perhaps it was a bit panicked.

He rushed over without bothering to salute. "Lord, something’s happened! We’ve identified the person inside..."

Fang Hongxiu raised a hand to cut him off, led them directly into the courtyard, and then gestured for them to continue.

"The deceased is the Jing State Liu Family’s Sixth Young Master, Liu Jing. He’s the owner of the Linglan Pavilion from the other day."

"Are you certain?"

"Lord Hundred Households, on a matter like this, this subordinate would not dare to speak recklessly."

"Liu Jing..."

A solemn expression immediately appeared on Fang Hongxiu’s face as her gaze shifted toward the nearby Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion.

"The Xiao Family did this?"

’But the Liu Family had already taken a step back, and there were rumors that the Xiao Family had agreed to let the matter drop.’

Fang Hongxiu could not figure out why the Xiao Family would make a move.

But she knew in her heart that this case was about to stir up a whole new mess.

...

With such a major case happening so close to the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion, the Xiao Family naturally got wind of it quickly.

Even if the details weren’t clear yet, a few of the servants returning from their errands would have a thing or two to say.

Soon, people were gossiping in the front, middle, and rear courtyards.

Ge the Third had woken up at the crack of dawn, oblivious as he fed the horses and fitted their reins.

Though his hands were busy, his mind was preoccupied with other matters.

The expression on his face shifted from time to time, a clear sign he wasn’t in the best of moods.

He was supposed to be out inspecting the Medicine Halls with Wang Lixing these past few days, taking care of some private business on the side.

But unexpectedly, those young mistresses from the rear courtyard insisted he take them out for a drive, saying the young master-in-law had praised his steady driving and easygoing nature.

Hearing this, Ge the Third’s feelings were complicated, to say the least.

’He never would have thought that his usual laughing and joking in front of the Fledgling, a deliberate attempt to get closer, would have this kind of side effect.’

’While this reaction from the Fledgling was something he was happy to see, he had important things to do soon.’

’How could he spend all his time chauffeuring those young ladies around?’

’But he had no choice.’

Before returning to the mansion last night, Granny Shan’s granddaughter had specifically instructed him that they were going out again today, telling him to have the carriage ready first thing in the morning.

’Damn it.’

’This little patch of land called Shu State... what’s there to even see?’

Ge the Third cursed under his breath, but his movements didn’t slow. After preparing the carriage, he left the stables and headed to the front courtyard.

There, he heard several Household Servants and Armored Warriors talking:

"I heard the Liu Family’s Sixth Young Master was found dead in his courtyard this morning. They say it was a horrifying sight."

Ge the Third’s heart skipped a beat, but he walked over with the same smile he always wore.

"What are you all talking about? Sounds like someone died?"

"Old Third, take a guess."

"Guess my ass. Just spit it out."

The Armored Warrior then lowered his voice and said, "Last night, that Young Master Liu from Jing State died."

Hearing this, Ge the Third’s expression flickered slightly.

’He knew more about Liu Jing’s background and purpose than most people in the mansion.’ He couldn’t help but ask: