Ti flew by, and in the blink of an eye, mornings and evenings had interchanged, days whispering away into silence.
During these days, Jiang Shouzhong spent his daylight hours accompanying Li Nanshuang in searching for Yan’er, his evenings studying so case files related to the forr Magistrate of Qingzhou with Ran Qingchen, and his nights discussing life with ngniang.
Although Yan’er could not be found, new discoveries had been made in the investigation of He Benquan.
Extracting the thread from the ss of files, Jiang Shouzhong had uncovered so dubious clues and had even personally visited the prison where Qu Hongling had attempted to assassinate He Benquan, ultimately concluding—
The forr Magistrate He Benquan hadn’t died at all.
Soone had secretly replaced him with a look-alike, deceiving everyone.
This investigative result undoubtedly shocked Ran Qingchen.
At this mont, in the study, the flickering candlelight was dim, like scattered stars.
Ran Qingchen gazed intently at the detailed logical deductions that Jiang Shouzhong had written down, her eyes shimring like ripples on water; with each point, the skepticism in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by disbelief.
When she looked up at Jiang Shouzhong again, her gaze was full of astonishnt and admiration.
A case file that had been deed closed, one that not even the rigorously acclaid Ministry of Justice had questioned, had revealed flaws found by Jiang Mo.
Her husband truly was remarkable.
"Since He Benquan was secretly switched out, then who has the trendous capability to do that? And who would be willing to save him?"
Ran Qingchen raised a question.
Jiang Shouzhong picked up a record book and said,
"He Benquan had managed to push his distant cousin into the selection of court ladies, and now that cousin has beco the Emperor’s most favored Noble Consort. With such a connection, there definitely is the ability to save him."
Sister...
Ran Qingchen slightly furrowed her brow.
That Noble Consort Lin had recognized her as a sworn sister, and their relationship was not bad; part of the reason for coming to Qingzhou to investigate was because of that sworn sister.
"But Noble Consort Lin once said that she had no blood relation with He Benquan. In fact, so local officials gamble when offering beautiful won for selection, tying bonds with potential court ladies."
Ran Qingchen went on to say, "If chosen, their fortune would skyrocket. If not, they lose nothing. So at the ti, no one thought that Noble Consort Lin had any kinship with He Benquan."
"Between truth and deception, who can truly distinguish? To , only Noble Consort Lin has the power to save He Benquan."
Jiang Shouzhong stretched, feeling quite at ease as he lazily arched his back before nonchalantly picking up a teacup on the side and taking a light sip.
The aroma of tea washed away so of the weariness.
Jiang Shouzhong glanced outside at the evening sky and started thinking about what new moves to discuss with ngniang tonight.
Maybe learn from Mr. Luo?
A spiral ascension?
The splits in mid-air?
Ran Qingchen sank into thought.
If that were the case, that sworn sister was not simple at all.
Extending her hand from the palace to Qingzhou, performing a switch right under everyone’s noses, was indeed remarkable.
"If He Benquan is not dead, where could he be now?"
Ran Qingchen asked curiously.
Just then, she looked at the teacup in the man’s hand with a strange expression.
Jiang Shouzhong, unaware that he had taken the wrong cup, continued to drink and said,
"Who knows? Perhaps he has assud another na and gone into hiding. In any case, the current priority isn’t his life or death, but rather who had instructed He Benquan to release the flood that subrged Anhe Village."
Ran Qingchen hesitated slightly but did not point out the mistake to avoid embarrassnt. Instead, she inquired softly, "Who do you think it was?"
The woman’s fair face blushed faintly.
Although she had attained the "Love-void" state, it was only in emotional reasoning; she still had the sensibilities of a daughter.
Jiang Shouzhong rolled his eyes and said, "I’m not a deity. So of He Benquan’s files are obviously incomplete, even including the records of his tenure as Magistrate in Luanzhou, which have been erased. The power behind soone capable of this should not be underestimated."
"There aren’t many who can command a Magistrate, and having the ability to transfer him to Qingzhou implies soone in the palace is involved."
Ran Qingchen analyzed, "Noble Consort Lin is impossible; she can save a person but doesn’t have the power to transfer a relative unless she whispers into the Emperor’s ear. But given the Emperor’s character, should the harem engage in politics, the consequences would be unthinkable, with Consort Lan as the pri example."
Listening to Ran Qingchen’s analysis, Jiang Shouzhong said, "It must be either a Cabinet Minister or the Crown Prince."
"The Crown Prince..."
Ran Qingchen’s eyes flashed as she lowered her gaze in contemplation.
"Knock, knock!"
Jinxiu knocked gently on the door, carefully poking in half of her cheek. Her animated eyes scanned the study, and she said, "Master, Mistress, aren’t you going to eat? I’ve reheated the food several tis already."
Both startled, they realized they hadn’t yet eaten dinner.
"Sorry, I forgot." Ran Qingchen laughed softly, her fingertips inadvertently brushing past her hair, apologizing to Jiang Shouzhong. "Let’s eat first, we can continue the investigation tomorrow."
Jiang Shouzhong waved his hand and chuckled, "It’s alright, I’m not hungry anyway."
...
Jinxiu’s culinary skills were as exquisite as ever, particularly her braised dishes with their bright allure and rich flavors; even after being reheated multiple tis, they could still make mouths water... Jiang Shouzhong complinted, "Miss Jinxiu, the man who marries you will be truly blessed."
Jinxiu blushed, feeling inwardly pleased, her eyes curving into lovely crescents, "Master, I’m not planning on marrying. I will stay with Mistress for a lifeti."
The speaker was unintentional, but the listener read into it.
Ran Qingchen’s eyes danced, travelling back and forth between the two, her lips lightly touching the tip of her chopsticks as if savoring the food, yet deep in thought... The mind of a woman seed to stir with the gentle nudging of the chopsticks.
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