The Storm is Rising Again
The three of them entered in a row. Seeing this, Governor Yu and Chen Buyu quickly stood up to salute.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Wei Ling also obediently put down the cage and bowed to Mu Zhao.
Mu Zhao nodded, walked to the long table, and looked at the Trojan horse and bamboo ball. Raising his eyebrows, he asked, "Have you found anything?"
Governor Yu quickly gestured for Mu Zhao to sit down and said with a troubled expression, "We were just discussing this with Lord Chen and the others. On the surface, there's no clear connection between the deceased, Chen Ergou and Niu Erji, and us."
"Master Chen also believes that it's uncertain whether this was the work of a demon."
Mu Feng chuckled. "Then why is the Demon-Suppressing Department involved in this case?"
Wei Ling lifted her eyelids and responded bluntly, "The Criminal Prison Master Zhilu is following the prince and overseeing disaster relief. The Demon-Suppressing Department was merely following orders from higher authorities to take charge of the case on his behalf. There was no overreach."
Mu Feng snorted. "Wei Ling, let's not pretend here. The Demon-Suppressing Department has been dormant for years. Now that the timing is right, you've been observing the situation and waiting for the opportunity to make a move. This was simply a chance to emerge again."
"The Demon-Suppressing Department may have been silent for years, but that doesn't mean it has been inactive." Wei Ling's expression was cold. "In places beyond your knowledge, we solve countless spiritual illusion cases every year. Master Mu, I don't blame you for your ignorance—it's just that your limited knowledge makes you unaware of how vast the world truly is."
"You—!" Mu Feng's face flushed with anger. But before he could speak, Prince Mu pushed him back and intervened, "Mr. Wei, I have heard that you, Chitu, one of the six major magistrates, possess exceptional autopsy skills. I wonder if you can uncover anything new from these three corpses?"
"I wouldn't dare say 'exceptional'—I have only a modest understanding, not even one ten-thousandth of my master's skill. But if Your Highness wishes to hear my findings, I would be honored to explain."
With that, Wei Ling presented a detailed autopsy report.
Unlike the ignorant Young Master Mu, Wei Ling was extremely respectful toward the prince of the Xuanping Hou Mansion—a man of extraordinary talent.
A figure so remarkable that he inspired jealousy in all the young elites of the capital.
Ordinary people develop jealousy when the gap is small enough to be bridged through effort. But when someone like the prince stands far beyond reach, even envy becomes impossible.
---
The Linlang Family Residence
"Miss, are you really going out?"
"The old lady's birthday is approaching. I ordered a jade Guanyin from Babao Pavilion, and it's about time to collect it."
"Should I go in your place—?" Honglai started, but quickly swallowed her words when her mistress gave her a sharp glance.
Yu Qiuping stepped out of the west wing and suddenly stopped, turning to look toward the east wing.
"Has she gone out at all these past few days?"
"No," Honglai shook her head, concern evident on her face. "Miss, if you're going to Babao Pavilion to collect the jade Guanyin, you'll need to pay the remaining balance."
She hesitated before adding, "Even with the money your aunt secretly gave you recently, it doesn't seem to be enough."
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Yu Qiuping said with a mysterious smile. "Just wait—you'll be counting silver soon enough."
Honglai helped her out of the courtyard, glancing back as they left. "Miss, that woman who once acted so arrogantly—why has she been so quiet these past few days?"
"She's scared. Three murders in a row—it's no surprise she doesn't dare to step outside," Yu Qiuping replied coolly. "After all, she's just a village girl from the countryside. Fear is natural."
Honglai chuckled. "I thought she was someone powerful, but perhaps she's not as brave as she pretended to be."
Yu Qiuping and her maid left the governor's mansion, stepping onto Chongyuanfang Street. Babao Pavilion wasn't far, so they chose to walk, stopping to browse the jewelry stalls along the way.
Yu Qiuping had just picked up a finely crafted silver hairpin when a pair of women passed by, chatting animatedly.
"Madam Wang, have you heard? The third young lady from Lizhou's Mu family drowned in her own back garden!"
"What?" The other woman's eyes widened with interest. "When did this happen?"
"Just a few days ago. Oh, and let me warn you—I heard your sister had been considering her as a match for your nephew."
Madam Wang gasped and quickly thanked her friend. "Goodness, thank you for the warning! I never imagined that a young lady from the governor's mansion would be so short-lived."
"It's worse than that—let me tell you something, but keep it secret. I heard she had a bad reputation."
"You know that the prince of the Xuanping Hou Mansion is here for disaster relief, right? Well, when Lord Mu hosted the prince a while back, Miss Li shamelessly tried to seduce him..."
"What?!" Madam Wang nearly dropped her fan. "She dared to set her sights on the prince?"
"Exactly! My uncle's brother-in-law, who works in the provincial governor's mansion, saw Prince Mu leave in anger. That very night, Miss Li was punished by the family according to their strict house laws!"
"Even though the matter was hushed up, those in the know are well aware."
Yu Qiuping quickly put down the hairpin and tried to follow the women, eager to hear more gossip. But just then, she caught sight of the golden plaque of Changle Gambling House in the distance.
She hesitated, then instructed Honglai to wait while she approached the entrance. Lowering her voice, she whispered a few words to a servant guarding the door.
The servant looked annoyed and waved her away impatiently.
Yu Qiuping sighed in disappointment as she returned to Honglai, her mood visibly dampened.
"Miss?"
Yu Qiuping exhaled. "Forget it. I won't go to Babao Pavilion today. I'll go another day."
Honglai hesitated before nodding. "Should I send word to Manager Wu at Babao Pavilion to hold the jade Guanyin for us?"
Yu Qiuping sighed again and nodded. "Let Ma Gui handle it."
She turned back toward Changle Gambling House, her gaze dark with thought.
"Let's go home."
Honglai followed closely. Just as they were about to hail a carriage, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the gambling house.
The heavy curtains were yanked open, and a group of fourteen or fifteen people rushed out.
A terrified scream rang out.
"Someone's dead!"
"A body in the casino!"
Pedestrians on the street paused, curiosity drawing them toward the scene. Yu Qiuping and Honglai, caught in the crowd, hesitated.
Honglai attempted to push forward for a better look but was shoved back. Her expression darkened.
"Miss, what do we do now?"
Yu Qiuping's face had turned pale, unease creeping in.
A voice in the crowd shouted, "The governor's yamen is here!"
Yu Qiuping turned and saw Governor Yu approaching with his men. She quickly stepped aside, hoping to avoid notice.
But the governor spotted her immediately, his brows furrowing.
"Why are you here?"
Chapter 23: The Storm is Rising Again
The three of them entered in a row. Seeing this, Governor Yu and Chen Buyu quickly stood up to salute.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Wei Ling also obediently put down the cage and bowed to Mu Zhao.
Mu Zhao nodded, walked to the long table, and looked at the Trojan horse and bamboo ball. Raising his eyebrows, he asked, "Have you found anything?"
Governor Yu quickly gestured for Mu Zhao to sit down and said with a troubled expression, "We were just discussing this with Lord Chen and the others. On the surface, there's no clear connection between the deceased, Chen Ergou and Niu Erji, and us."
"Master Chen also believes that it's uncertain whether this was the work of a demon."
Mu Feng chuckled. "Then why is the Demon-Suppressing Department involved in this case?"
Wei Ling lifted her eyelids and responded bluntly, "The Criminal Prison Master Zhilu is following the prince and overseeing disaster relief. The Demon-Suppressing Department was merely following orders from higher authorities to take charge of the case on his behalf. There was no overreach."
Mu Feng snorted. "Wei Ling, let's not pretend here. The Demon-Suppressing Department has been dormant for years. Now that the timing is right, you've been observing the situation and waiting for the opportunity to make a move. This was simply a chance to emerge again."
"The Demon-Suppressing Department may have been silent for years, but that doesn't mean it has been inactive." Wei Ling's expression was cold. "In places beyond your knowledge, we solve countless spiritual illusion cases every year. Master Mu, I don't blame you for your ignorance—it's just that your limited knowledge makes you unaware of how vast the world truly is."
"You—!" Mu Feng's face flushed with anger. But before he could speak, Prince Mu pushed him back and intervened, "Mr. Wei, I have heard that you, Chitu, one of the six major magistrates, possess exceptional autopsy skills. I wonder if you can uncover anything new from these three corpses?"
"I wouldn't dare say 'exceptional'—I have only a modest understanding, not even one ten-thousandth of my master's skill. But if Your Highness wishes to hear my findings, I would be honored to explain."
With that, Wei Ling presented a detailed autopsy report.
Unlike the ignorant Young Master Mu, Wei Ling was extremely respectful toward the prince of the Xuanping Hou Mansion—a man of extraordinary talent.
A figure so remarkable that he inspired jealousy in all the young elites of the capital.
Ordinary people develop jealousy when the gap is small enough to be bridged through effort. But when someone like the prince stands far beyond reach, even envy becomes impossible.
---
The Linlang Family Residence
"Miss, are you really going out?"
"The old lady's birthday is approaching. I ordered a jade Guanyin from Babao Pavilion, and it's about time to collect it."
"Should I go in your place—?" Honglai started, but quickly swallowed her words when her mistress gave her a sharp glance.
Yu Qiuping stepped out of the west wing and suddenly stopped, turning to look toward the east wing.
"Has she gone out at all these past few days?"
"No," Honglai shook her head, concern evident on her face. "Miss, if you're going to Babao Pavilion to collect the jade Guanyin, you'll need to pay the remaining balance."
She hesitated before adding, "Even with the money your aunt secretly gave you recently, it doesn't seem to be enough."
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Yu Qiuping said with a mysterious smile. "Just wait—you'll be counting silver soon enough."
Honglai helped her out of the courtyard, glancing back as they left. "Miss, that woman who once acted so arrogantly—why has she been so quiet these past few days?"
"She's scared. Three murders in a row—it's no surprise she doesn't dare to step outside," Yu Qiuping replied coolly. "After all, she's just a village girl from the countryside. Fear is natural."
Honglai chuckled. "I thought she was someone powerful, but perhaps she's not as brave as she pretended to be."
Yu Qiuping and her maid left the governor's mansion, stepping onto Chongyuanfang Street. Babao Pavilion wasn't far, so they chose to walk, stopping to browse the jewelry stalls along the way.
Yu Qiuping had just picked up a finely crafted silver hairpin when a pair of women passed by, chatting animatedly.
"Madam Wang, have you heard? The third young lady from Lizhou's Mu family drowned in her own back garden!"
"What?" The other woman's eyes widened with interest. "When did this happen?"
"Just a few days ago. Oh, and let me warn you—I heard your sister had been considering her as a match for your nephew."
Madam Wang gasped and quickly thanked her friend. "Goodness, thank you for the warning! I never imagined that a young lady from the governor's mansion would be so short-lived."
"It's worse than that—let me tell you something, but keep it secret. I heard she had a bad reputation."
"You know that the prince of the Xuanping Hou Mansion is here for disaster relief, right? Well, when Lord Mu hosted the prince a while back, Miss Li shamelessly tried to seduce him..."
"What?!" Madam Wang nearly dropped her fan. "She dared to set her sights on the prince?"
"Exactly! My uncle's brother-in-law, who works in the provincial governor's mansion, saw Prince Mu leave in anger. That very night, Miss Li was punished by the family according to their strict house laws!"
"Even though the matter was hushed up, those in the know are well aware."
Yu Qiuping quickly put down the hairpin and tried to follow the women, eager to hear more gossip. But just then, she caught sight of the golden plaque of Changle Gambling House in the distance.
She hesitated, then instructed Honglai to wait while she approached the entrance. Lowering her voice, she whispered a few words to a servant guarding the door.
The servant looked annoyed and waved her away impatiently.
Yu Qiuping sighed in disappointment as she returned to Honglai, her mood visibly dampened.
"Miss?"
Yu Qiuping exhaled. "Forget it. I won't go to Babao Pavilion today. I'll go another day."
Honglai hesitated before nodding. "Should I send word to Manager Wu at Babao Pavilion to hold the jade Guanyin for us?"
Yu Qiuping sighed again and nodded. "Let Ma Gui handle it."
She turned back toward Changle Gambling House, her gaze dark with thought.
"Let's go home."
Honglai followed closely. Just as they were about to hail a carriage, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the gambling house.
The heavy curtains were yanked open, and a group of fourteen or fifteen people rushed out.
A terrified scream rang out.
"Someone's dead!"
"A body in the casino!"
Pedestrians on the street paused, curiosity drawing them toward the scene. Yu Qiuping and Honglai, caught in the crowd, hesitated.
Honglai attempted to push forward for a better look but was shoved back. Her expression darkened.
"Miss, what do we do now?"
Yu Qiuping's face had turned pale, unease creeping in.
A voice in the crowd shouted, "The governor's yamen is here!"
Yu Qiuping turned and saw Governor Yu approaching with his men. She quickly stepped aside, hoping to avoid notice.
But the governor spotted her immediately, his brows furrowing.
"Why are you here?"
Chapter 23: The Storm is Rising Again
The three of them entered in a row. Seeing this, Governor Yu and Chen Buyu quickly stood up to salute.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Wei Ling also obediently put down the cage and bowed to Mu Zhao.
Mu Zhao nodded, walked to the long table, and looked at the Trojan horse and bamboo ball. Raising his eyebrows, he asked, "Have you found anything?"
Governor Yu quickly gestured for Mu Zhao to sit down and said with a troubled expression, "We were just discussing this with Lord Chen and the others. On the surface, there's no clear connection between the deceased, Chen Ergou and Niu Erji, and us."
"Master Chen also believes that it's uncertain whether this was the work of a demon."
Mu Feng chuckled. "Then why is the Demon-Suppressing Department involved in this case?"
Wei Ling lifted her eyelids and responded bluntly, "The Criminal Prison Master Zhilu is following the prince and overseeing disaster relief. The Demon-Suppressing Department was merely following orders from higher authorities to take charge of the case on his behalf. There was no overreach."
Mu Feng snorted. "Wei Ling, let's not pretend here. The Demon-Suppressing Department has been dormant for years. Now that the timing is right, you've been observing the situation and waiting for the opportunity to make a move. This was simply a chance to emerge again."
"The Demon-Suppressing Department may have been silent for years, but that doesn't mean it has been inactive." Wei Ling's expression was cold. "In places beyond your knowledge, we solve countless spiritual illusion cases every year. Master Mu, I don't blame you for your ignorance—it's just that your limited knowledge makes you unaware of how vast the world truly is."
"You—!" Mu Feng's face flushed with anger. But before he could speak, Prince Mu pushed him back and intervened, "Mr. Wei, I have heard that you, Chitu, one of the six major magistrates, possess exceptional autopsy skills. I wonder if you can uncover anything new from these three corpses?"
"I wouldn't dare say 'exceptional'—I have only a modest understanding, not even one ten-thousandth of my master's skill. But if Your Highness wishes to hear my findings, I would be honored to explain."
With that, Wei Ling presented a detailed autopsy report.
Unlike the ignorant Young Master Mu, Wei Ling was extremely respectful toward the prince of the Xuanping Hou Mansion—a man of extraordinary talent.
A figure so remarkable that he inspired jealousy in all the young elites of the capital.
Ordinary people develop jealousy when the gap is small enough to be bridged through effort. But when someone like the prince stands far beyond reach, even envy becomes impossible.
---
The Linlang Family Residence
"Miss, are you really going out?"
"The old lady's birthday is approaching. I ordered a jade Guanyin from Babao Pavilion, and it's about time to collect it."
"Should I go in your place—?" Honglai started, but quickly swallowed her words when her mistress gave her a sharp glance.
Yu Qiuping stepped out of the west wing and suddenly stopped, turning to look toward the east wing.
"Has she gone out at all these past few days?"
"No," Honglai shook her head, concern evident on her face. "Miss, if you're going to Babao Pavilion to collect the jade Guanyin, you'll need to pay the remaining balance."
She hesitated before adding, "Even with the money your aunt secretly gave you recently, it doesn't seem to be enough."
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Yu Qiuping said with a mysterious smile. "Just wait—you'll be counting silver soon enough."
Honglai helped her out of the courtyard, glancing back as they left. "Miss, that woman who once acted so arrogantly—why has she been so quiet these past few days?"
"She's scared. Three murders in a row—it's no surprise she doesn't dare to step outside," Yu Qiuping replied coolly. "After all, she's just a village girl from the countryside. Fear is natural."
Honglai chuckled. "I thought she was someone powerful, but perhaps she's not as brave as she pretended to be."
Yu Qiuping and her maid left the governor's mansion, stepping onto Chongyuanfang Street. Babao Pavilion wasn't far, so they chose to walk, stopping to browse the jewelry stalls along the way.
Yu Qiuping had just picked up a finely crafted silver hairpin when a pair of women passed by, chatting animatedly.
"Madam Wang, have you heard? The third young lady from Lizhou's Mu family drowned in her own back garden!"
"What?" The other woman's eyes widened with interest. "When did this happen?"
"Just a few days ago. Oh, and let me warn you—I heard your sister had been considering her as a match for your nephew."
Madam Wang gasped and quickly thanked her friend. "Goodness, thank you for the warning! I never imagined that a young lady from the governor's mansion would be so short-lived."
"It's worse than that—let me tell you something, but keep it secret. I heard she had a bad reputation."
"You know that the prince of the Xuanping Hou Mansion is here for disaster relief, right? Well, when Lord Mu hosted the prince a while back, Miss Li shamelessly tried to seduce him..."
"What?!" Madam Wang nearly dropped her fan. "She dared to set her sights on the prince?"
"Exactly! My uncle's brother-in-law, who works in the provincial governor's mansion, saw Prince Mu leave in anger. That very night, Miss Li was punished by the family according to their strict house laws!"
"Even though the matter was hushed up, those in the know are well aware."
Yu Qiuping quickly put down the hairpin and tried to follow the women, eager to hear more gossip. But just then, she caught sight of the golden plaque of Changle Gambling House in the distance.
She hesitated, then instructed Honglai to wait while she approached the entrance. Lowering her voice, she whispered a few words to a servant guarding the door.
The servant looked annoyed and waved her away impatiently.
Yu Qiuping sighed in disappointment as she returned to Honglai, her mood visibly dampened.
"Miss?"
Yu Qiuping exhaled. "Forget it. I won't go to Babao Pavilion today. I'll go another day."
Honglai hesitated before nodding. "Should I send word to Manager Wu at Babao Pavilion to hold the jade Guanyin for us?"
Yu Qiuping sighed again and nodded. "Let Ma Gui handle it."
She turned back toward Changle Gambling House, her gaze dark with thought.
"Let's go home."
Honglai followed closely. Just as they were about to hail a carriage, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the gambling house.
The heavy curtains were yanked open, and a group of fourteen or fifteen people rushed out.
A terrified scream rang out.
"Someone's dead!"
"A body in the casino!"
Pedestrians on the street paused, curiosity drawing them toward the scene. Yu Qiuping and Honglai, caught in the crowd, hesitated.
Honglai attempted to push forward for a better look but was shoved back. Her expression darkened.
"Miss, what do we do now?"
Yu Qiuping's face had turned pale, unease creeping in.
A voice in the crowd shouted, "The governor's yamen is here!"
Yu Qiuping turned and saw Governor Yu approaching with his men. She quickly stepped aside, hoping to avoid notice.
But the governor spotted her immediately, his brows furrowing.
"Why are you here?"