The Crux of the Problem
"Mother," Yu Pianpian approached Madam Huo and chuckled softly. "I wasn't overthinking it. Sister Linlang has spent years wandering and hasn't learned proper etiquette. Now that she's back home, she constantly upsets you."
"If she could study at the academy and learn some discipline and ethics, it would be beneficial for the entire family."
Yu Pianpian sighed. "Miss Linlang has undoubtedly endured many hardships over the years. She must feel angry, resentful, and uneasy—I can understand all of that."
"How dare she feel angry and resentful?" Madam Huo's temper flared at Yu Pianpian's words. "Her parents gave birth to her and raised her, yet she's ungrateful and disobedient. A child like that should never have been brought back to stir up trouble."
"Mother, don't say that," Yu Pianpian coaxed gently. "Think about it—once Sister Linlang learns proper manners and respect at the academy, won't she be able to honor her parents properly?"
"Wouldn't it be a good thing to have another daughter who loves and respects you?"
Madam Huo was moved by her daughter's filial piety. She pulled Yu Pianpian into an embrace and smiled. "I always knew my Pianpian was the most kind and sensible child. You even care about that wild girl."
"But Shuyun Women's Academy doesn't accept just anyone. She would have to pass the entrance exam."
"That's not a problem. Father can simply speak to Chief Yang Shan. He'll surely grant him this small favor."
Madam Huo's smile widened, and she hummed in amusement. "That wild girl is lucky. Back then, you got in on your own merits, but she needs your father's influence just to step through the door."
"Your father is busy these days. I'll bring it up once his current case is resolved. Whether it works out or not will depend on fate."
"Mother, I know you always take care of your daughters. One day, Sister Linlang will surely recognize your kindness. And as for me, I'll do my best to get along with her and become a good sister to her."
Madam Huo shook her head with a helpless smile and lightly tapped Yu Pianpian's forehead. "I sometimes wonder if I'm raising you too gently. You are so kind-hearted, never scheming against others."
"Mother," Yu Pianpian nestled into Madam Huo's embrace, a sly glint flashing in her eyes. "With Father and you protecting me, I'll never suffer any losses."
Late Night at the Mu Mansion
The Mufu Pavilion was brightly lit despite the late hour.
A servant quietly brewed another pot of tea before bowing and retreating.
"Sir," Wu Yong quickly stepped inside and bowed. "My men and I searched the Niu family residence and found a small bag of silver."
His mission had yielded great results.
Wu Yong untied the bag, revealing five or six silver ingots. Seeing them, Chen Buyu immediately stood up.
"You found all of this at the Niu household?"
The bag contained forty or fifty taels of silver—a significant sum. Ordinary farmers might not even save ten taels in a year.
Wu Yong nodded excitedly. "Yes, Lord Chen. We also questioned their neighbors. The villagers said the Niu family's two sons have been gambling for years. The moment they have money, they run straight to the gambling dens. The local gambling house in town knows them well, and once they had more funds, they started gambling in the capital."
"What did you find out about Changle Gambling House?" Chen Buyu asked.
"I spoke with the manager, but his memory wasn't very clear. He did recall that the Niu brothers lost around three or four hundred taels in total."
"They gambled away their land, didn't they?"
"Yes, their family originally had twenty acres of Yongye land, but the two brothers bet it all away. They're lazy and incapable of farming, so they were left with just two acres, which they rented from a neighbor."
"The villagers said the Niu family has always been poor, so they were surprised when they suddenly had money to throw a grand wedding banquet earlier this year."
"After investigating, we learned that their newfound wealth started two years ago. Their neighbors also mentioned that Madam Niu is quite domineering—she has quarreled with nearly every household in the village. And their new bride? She was bought with money."
"After the marriage, Madam Niu became arrogant. She boasted that her new daughter-in-law was a beautiful and intelligent lady from a scholar's family. She claimed the girl would bear a brilliant son who would bring great fortune to their family—perhaps even a top scholar one day."
"Considering that the brothers squandered a fortune gambling, we estimate their family came into at least five hundred taels of silver two years ago," Chen Buyu murmured. "Something significant must have happened at that time."
"The villagers don't recall anything unusual, except one thing: the Niu family's first daughter-in-law died around that time."
"Niu Erji is an even more reckless gambler than his brother. The neighbors said that right after his sister-in-law died, the two brothers got into a fierce fight. They even threatened to split up the family, but Madam Niu suppressed the conflict."
"Afterward, Niu Erji and his wife moved to the city for work, but he sent nearly all his earnings to the gambling house every month."
"That means the key to this mystery likely lies with his deceased first wife," Lu Qian interjected.
"My subordinates thought the same," Wu Yong replied. "We inquired about her background, but the villagers only knew that she fled from Jinzhou and married into the Niu family alone. Since Jinzhou is far away, we can't immediately gather more information on her."
Just then, a guard from the Mu Mansion rushed in and reported, "Sir, the Liang Mansion is on fire!"
Mu Zhao immediately stood up. "Has Governor Yu been notified?"
"Yes, sir. He's leading the Water Dragon Team to extinguish the fire as we speak."
Mu Zhao nodded and grabbed his cloak. "Let's go."
Yu Linlang's Confusion
Meanwhile, Yu Linlang was on the verge of frustration.
She had no idea what was going on. Why did the governor insist on dragging her out of bed in the middle of the night just because the Liang Mansion was burning?
Still drowsy, she rubbed her eyes and blinked, utterly baffled.
When Madam Hu came knocking, she had asked half-jokingly, "Did someone die again?"
"Miss, the master said the murderer behind the recent disturbances might have been caught! He wants you at the front of the mansion immediately. A carriage is already waiting for you."
The carriage sped down the empty streets, passing through Yong'an Gate and heading straight for Ansheng Street, where the Liang Mansion was located.
By the time she arrived, the Water Dragon Team had been at work for a while.
Yu Linlang still didn't understand why she was needed.
Amidst the flickering firelight, she stepped down from the carriage and turned toward the blazing Liang Mansion—only to meet the deep, unreadable gaze of Prince Mu.