Chapter 2

The late autumn was bleak and cold, with the setting sun casting a glow that seemed like mist, filling the world with a smoky red hue.

The weathered walls of Weiling City bathed in the fading light of the sunset, giving the ancient city a solemn air. As one of the four great cities of the realm, Weiling City had a history of over three hundred years, built by the Huai River and backed by the Qiyun Mountains, with its picturesque scenery and pleasant climate, it was also a favored place for retired officials to spend their twilight years.

At dusk, the city gates of Weiling City had yet to close, and people continued to enter and exit in a steady stream. The gate captain was leaning against a small chair at the base of the wall, picking at a few small pimples on his neck while gazing at the setting sun. In about half an hour, he would close the city gates, change shifts, and head to the Yanluo Brothel for a few cups of wine, to spend some time with his favorite courtesan.

The guards at the gate were mostly listless and lethargic, but one young soldier was still diligently checking the vehicles and goods entering and exiting the city. Those familiar with the situation knew that such a responsible young soldier was likely a new recruit, while the old hands would not have such leisure.

A rapid galloping sound came from the official road outside the city, the sound of hooves thundering and deafening. The gate captain frowned and looked in the direction of the sound. Dust rose from the road as several tall horses galloped towards the city, their momentum formidable.

The gate captain immediately stood up, grabbing his saber, his face showing a hint of anger. However, as the horses approached the city gate, his expression turned to one of surprise and doubt.

There were only six riders, but their presence was more imposing than a hundred. All six were clad in purple cloaks and wore square purple hats, their cloaks fluttering in the wind, making them look extremely majestic.

People inside and outside the city gate saw the riders galloping towards them and quickly moved out of the way. The listless soldiers, however, suddenly became alert, gripping their sabers tightly.

The gate captain raised his hand, signaling everyone not to act rashly. However, the new recruit, who did not understand the rules, had already shouted loudly, "Stop your horses!"

The six riders reached the city gate in the blink of an eye, showing no intention of stopping, and even ignoring the people blocking their path. One of the riders coldly shouted, "Move out of the way!"

Seeing the horses not stopping, people scattered, and a soldier shouted, "Stop and be inspected! Do you dare to charge through the city gate? Are you planning a rebellion?"

But the six riders swept past like the wind, charging into the city. The new recruit drew his saber and swung it at the last rider, but the rider's reaction was much faster. As the new recruit's saber was about to strike, the rider's whip lashed out like a venomous snake, striking the new recruit's shoulder with a loud "crack." The new recruit screamed in pain, his shoulder blade broken by the whip. The rider's eyes glinted coldly, and with the thundering hooves, he followed his companions.

The new recruit's saber fell to the ground, and he clutched his shoulder, his face contorted in pain. The other soldiers were shocked, and one of them shouted, "Brothers, they are rebels! We must chase them!"

"Shut up!" The gate captain rushed forward, his face full of anger, but his eyes showed fear. He kicked the new recruit in the chest, causing him to cry out in pain and fall to the ground.

The people entering and exiting the city were stunned by the scene. They could not understand why the guards did not chase the riders who had charged into the city, but instead attacked their own.

The gate captain kicked the new recruit again, shouting, "Who told you to act? If you want to die, that's fine, but do you want to drag everyone else down with you? Just because you have a head, you think you can act recklessly?"

The other soldiers looked at each other, and an older soldier quickly stepped forward to pull the gate captain back, saying, "Captain Liang, he's new and doesn't know better. Don't take it out on him... If you really kill him, it will be hard to explain to the higher-ups!"

Captain Liang's anger had not subsided, and he said angrily, "Old Three, you should know that we might all be implicated by this bastard, and we might lose our heads!"

Old Three frowned and said, "What do you mean by that?"

"Old Three, you're an old soldier, but you lack discernment," Captain Liang said with a bitter smile. "Didn't you see who those people were? We can't afford to offend them. We won't even know how we die."

Old Three said cautiously, "I also felt they were important, but... they left too quickly, and I didn't get a good look at them!"

"Didn't you see the Flowing Cloud sabers on their waists?" Captain Liang clenched his fists. "Did you see the color of the boots of the leader?"

"Flowing Cloud sabers?" Old Three's face changed, and his eyes showed fear. "Captain Liang, you mean... they are... they are...!" His voice trembled, and he could not finish his sentence.

Captain Liang sighed, "Who else in this world would dare to wear Flowing Cloud sabers? The leader had red boots. You should know what that means. He could have us all executed with just a finger. If I really die, I'll flay this bastard alive first!" He pointed at the new recruit, who was groaning in pain on the ground.

...

...

Shunping Avenue was an important street in Weiling City. At the end of this street stood the most magnificent mansion in the city, known as Fangyuan.

The owner of Fangyuan was the former Minister of Revenue, Old Master Fang, whose life was legendary. He had made countless contributions to the rise of the Great Qin Empire. In his later years, he retired to the southern city of Weiling to enjoy a peaceful life, tending to flowers and plants. His mansion was built by imperial decree and took two years to complete, as a tribute to his service to the Great Qin. The four characters "Fang Jingyangxin" (Fang's Tranquil Heart) on the gate were personally written by the emperor and inlaid on the gate.

Such a person was naturally a significant figure. Even the governor of Weiling, who had once received favors from the old minister, treated him with great respect. In this city, Old Master Fang was like an emperor, and every word he spoke was like an imperial edict.

However, for the past four days, the entire Fangyuan had been closed, and elite troops had been stationed around the mansion, preventing any unauthorized access.

...

...

The six riders in purple cloaks galloped through the city's streets and alleys like lightning. As they passed a teahouse, the teahouse keeper, who had been peeking out, quickly withdrew his head.

The teahouse was small, but it was full of customers, who were whispering to each other. Many had seen the six riders pass by, and one of them sighed, "I fear something big is about to happen in Weiling."

The teahouse keeper walked to a small table where three scholars in long robes were sitting. One of them said in a low voice, "I just heard that General Feng and his thirteen bodyguards were killed by the Western Liang people. This incident hasn't even faded, and now something else has happened in Weiling. This year doesn't seem to be a good one."

The teahouse keeper said softly, "Mr. Sun, do you really think something big has happened at Fangyuan?"

"It's obvious," Mr. Sun stroked his beard. "Didn't you see the elite troops from the garrison? If it were a trivial matter, they wouldn't be here."

Another middle-aged man in gray clothes added in a low voice, "Did you see those riders? These hawks have come to Weiling. Do you think it's a small matter?"

"Could there have been a murder at Fangyuan?" another person asked softly.

Mr. Sun smiled faintly, "Even if it's a murder, it's no ordinary one. You didn't see that the governor and Commander Yuan have been staying at Fangyuan day and night. These two rarely get along, but this time they are working together... In a few days, there will likely be a shocking event."

These people were whispering, and at a nearby table, a single customer in a gray robe was sitting, wearing a bamboo hat. Hearing the conversation, he smiled strangely, threw a few copper coins on the table, picked up a black package, and left the teahouse leisurely.

...

...

The six riders galloped to the main gate of Fangyuan. The guards at the gate immediately gripped their sabers. The leader of the riders looked up at the sign above the gate, which read "Fang Jingyangxin," and waved his hand. One of the riders spurred his horse forward, took out a black copper plaque from his chest, and showed it to the guards. The plaque simply read "Shenyi" (Imperial Guard).

"Please wait, sir!" The guard's face changed, and he quickly saluted, then turned to report.

All six riders wore Flowing Cloud sabers at their waists, and the leader wore red boots, while the other five wore blue boots. The leader was around thirty, with fair skin, light eyebrows, and thin lips. His face was expressionless, but his eyes had a cold, sharp look.

The guard opened the gate and whispered to someone inside, who quickly went to report. Soon, a group of people came out of the mansion. The leader was a man in official robes, about fifty years old, and beside him was a burly man in black armor, a military commander. They quickly approached, and the man in official robes bowed and said, "May I ask if you are Captain Yue of the Imperial Guard?"

The leader dismounted and bowed, saying, "I am Yue Lengqiu." Without further ado, he asked, "Governor Song, where is the old minister now?"

The man in official robes was Governor Song Yuan of Weiling, and the man beside him was Commander Yuan Buyi of the Weiling garrison. Both looked very serious and immediately said, "Captain Yue, please follow me!"

Governor Song and Commander Yuan were high-ranking officials, and in terms of rank, they were not lower than Yue Lengqiu. However, they showed great respect to Yue Lengqiu.

Yue Lengqiu's five subordinates dismounted, their hands on their Flowing Cloud sabers, and followed behind.

Inside Fangyuan, Governor Song said, "After the incident, we immediately sealed off Fangyuan. All fifty-eight people in the mansion have been controlled and have not left."

Yue Lengqiu said coolly, "The emperor wanted the old minister to enjoy his retirement here, but now he has been harmed under your watch... The emperor is very angry. If the murderer is not found, both of you will be in trouble, and I, Yue Lengqiu, might lose my head as well."

Governor Song and Commander Yuan's faces changed, and they looked at each other, their eyes full of fear, and cold sweat appeared on their foreheads.

They quickly led Yue Lengqiu to a small, elegant courtyard. At the entrance to a refined house, Governor Song said softly, "The old minister's body is inside. Since we learned that Captain Yue would investigate, we have had people guarding it, and no one has entered."

Yue Lengqiu waved his hand, and his five subordinates immediately spread out, searching the courtyard.

Yue Lengqiu pushed open the door and looked around. The main hall was neatly arranged, with no signs of disturbance. He glanced at Governor Song and asked, "Has nothing been moved inside?"

"No," Commander Yuan replied, "After the old minister was killed, we immediately reported to the governor's office. Governor Song quickly sent me to investigate, and I confirmed that nothing inside had been moved."

Yue Lengqiu nodded slightly and entered the inner room. The room was deathly silent, with luxurious furnishings. The most prominent was a pink canopy bed, and the room was filled with a strong fragrance, mixed with a lingering bloody smell.

Yue Lengqiu walked to the bed and saw the body of Old Master Fang, dressed in fine robes, his face slightly blue, and his muscles stiff.

Yue Lengqiu turned to Commander Yuan and said coolly, "Commander Yuan, was the old minister killed on this bed?"

"No," Commander Yuan pointed to a table, "When we arrived, the old minister's body was under the table."

Yue Lengqiu said calmly, "But you just said nothing had been moved!"

Commander Yuan was taken aback, and a hint of displeasure appeared in his eyes. "We only moved the old minister's body from the floor to the bed. Nothing else was disturbed. Captain Yue, are you being too meticulous?"

Yue Lengqiu's face remained expressionless. "Commander Yuan, you are a military man and do not understand how to investigate a murder... Governor Song, it seems you have chosen the wrong person!"

Commander Yuan's face turned red with anger, and Governor Song frowned. Before they could speak, Yue Lengqiu said coldly, "The old minister's position, injuries, and even his expression could all be clues, but you have destroyed them!" He asked, "Was Lady Liu present when the old minister was killed?"

Commander Yuan, knowing the gravity of the situation, though dissatisfied with Yue Lengqiu's attitude, said patiently, "The old minister was staying in her room that night, so she was present."

"Is she still alive?"

"Yes."

"Have you obtained any clues from her?" Yue Lengqiu asked quickly.

Commander Yuan frowned. "Interrogate? Lady Liu is still in shock. She is the old minister's widow, and we... we cannot interrogate her!"

Yue Lengqiu smiled coldly and said to Governor Song, "Governor Song, please gather everyone in the main hall. Commander Yuan does not know how to interrogate, so I will do it!" He then turned and left the room.

Commander Yuan sighed and followed, while Commander Yuan glared at Yue Lengqiu.

...

...

Fangyuan was a massive mansion built by imperial decree, with a vast area. Its main hall was exceptionally spacious, and the fifty-odd people from the mansion stood inside without feeling crowded. The old minister's family members were still in mourning, their faces filled with sorrow, and the main hall was filled with a somber atmosphere.

The main hall was silent, and Yue Lengqiu sat in a chair, leisurely sipping tea. Behind him stood the five Imperial Guards, expressionless and sharp-eyed, their cold gazes making ordinary people dare not meet their eyes.

Yue Lengqiu did not say a word, and the people in Fangyuan were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound. Most of them were from the household of the Minister of Revenue and understood the ways of the bureaucracy. They knew the identity of Yue Lengqiu and his men, and in front of the Imperial Guard, everyone felt a sense of impending death.

Yue Lengqiu leisurely sipped his tea, but his sharp eyes occasionally swept over the crowd. After a while, he said coolly, "Lady Liu, stay. The rest of you, leave."

The people in the hall finally breathed a sigh of relief and left. Suddenly, Yue Lengqiu pointed at a man and said, "Leave him."

An Imperial Guard quickly stepped forward, grabbed the man's arm, and threw him inside. Another Imperial Guard closed the main hall door, and in an instant, the spacious hall was left with only Yue Lengqiu and his five subordinates, Lady Liu, and the man. The hall became dim as the door closed.

The man trembled like a sieve, kneeling on the ground and trembling, "Sir, I... I am innocent...!"

He was dressed in a blue robe, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a delicate appearance, clearly a servant in Fangyuan.

Lady Liu was a woman in her mid-twenties, plump and beautiful, with a charming and seductive demeanor. Her face was pale, but it made her look even more pitiable.

Seeing the servant bowing and begging, Lady Liu's plump body also began to tremble, trying to remain calm, but her eyes betrayed her fear.

Yue Lengqiu held his teacup in his left hand and gently swirled the lid with his right hand, saying coolly, "Tell me what happened that night. I don't have much time to waste on you. Although you haven't experienced the torture of the Imperial Guard, you must have heard of it... Lady Liu, with your delicate and beautiful body, I don't want to see it defiled in any way!"

Lady Liu, though her eyes were full of fear, tried to remain calm. "I... I don't understand what you mean. That night, an assassin suddenly appeared, and I... I fainted from fear. When I woke up, the master...!" Her eyes welled up with tears, and she choked up.

Yue Lengqiu seemed uninterested in her display of weakness and signaled to the Imperial Guard. The Imperial Guard immediately grabbed the servant's wrist with one hand and pressed his shoulder with the other, and with a loud "crack," the servant's shoulder bone was broken. The servant's agonized scream chilled the hearts of those who had just left, and Lady Liu's face turned pale, her body swaying.

Yue Lengqiu stood up, picked up the teapot, and squatted next to the servant, looking at him and saying coolly, "This is a pot of boiling water. I don't usually like cruel punishments, but if this water is poured on your face, I think you will wish you were dead." He glanced at the trembling Lady Liu, a cold smile on his lips. "You are only loved for your face, aren't you? Don't deny my suspicions. Among all the people here, only you were distracted and kept glancing at Lady Liu. Your cold sweat never stopped... So I think you must know what happened that night!"

Lady Liu's body went limp, and she fell to the ground, her face pale.

Yue Lengqiu pinched the servant's chin and stared into his eyes. "Tell me what happened that night. If you tell the truth, I will give you a large sum of money to ensure you live a comfortable life. You can choose to run away... You should believe that I have the ability to do this!"

The servant, enduring the pain, glanced at Lady Liu and finally said, "Sir, I... I truly love Lady Liu. I would do anything for her...!"

Lady Liu's eyes showed a hint of tenderness, and she collapsed on the ground, saying, "It... It was I who seduced him... This matter... This matter has nothing to do with him...!"

Yue Lengqiu's eyes flashed with coldness, and he said to the servant, "I don't care about your relationship. Tell me, what exactly happened that night?"

The servant hesitated for a moment and finally said, "That night, the old master... the old master was staying in the fourth lady's room, so... so I went to Lady Liu's room...!" His face was full of fear, and he paused, seeing Yue Lengqiu's cold gaze. He continued, trembling, "But the old master suddenly came to Lady Liu's room in the middle of the night. I couldn't escape, so... so I had to hide under the bed...!"

Lady Liu, both afraid and embarrassed, turned her head away, not daring to look at the servant.

"In the middle of the night, after the old master and Lady Liu went to bed