Since returning from the mortuary yesterday, Su Yihan had locked herself in her room. This little Shen really had charm—he had even managed to lure Wang You out of the courtyard.
If Su Yihan knew what Su Jin was thinking, she would have cried out, “Father, that’s unfair!” But Shen Yu had come at just the right moment, giving her the chance to complete her analysis of the substances.
After greeting him, Su Yihan sat quietly to the side—her body was still weak.
Learning that Shen Yu would also participate in the investigation of Han Ruichu’s case, she smiled softly. It was effortless—this little wolf pup had practically delivered himself to her.
“Lord Su, has the autopsy report for the Han family’s daughter been completed?” Shen Yu asked, discussing the case.
Su Jin graciously called Di Yuanxin to hand the report to Shen Yu.
Shen Yu glanced at the cause of death. The autopsy was extremely detailed. Even with the skills of that female coroner, it couldn’t have been so thorough—did the Su family secretly employ an even more skilled coroner?
Fingertips tapping lightly on the wooden table, Shen Yu said:
“As I am new here and not familiar with Lord Han, I must rely on your guidance, Lord Su.”
Su Jin gave Di Yuanxin a subtle look. Yuanxin bowed and explained:
“Lord Han relies on the Noble Consort. In recent years, he has been in the spotlight. He intended to send Miss Han Ruichu to the palace to assist the Noble Consort. When the selection failed, she died that night.”
“Lord Han associates widely. If there are any rivals, it might be the Kong family, fifth-rank officials.”
“Kong Wenlang, the only son of the Kong family, had admired Han Ruichu since childhood. When he learned she was to enter the palace, he attempted suicide by hanging but failed.”
“We cannot rule out the possibility that a doting father like the Kongs would commit a desperate act for their son.”
The Noble Consort… so this involves the palace.
Shen Yu pondered briefly, then rose:
“Then we depart immediately for the Kong residence.”
“Ah…” Su Jin froze, letting out an amused laugh. This little Shen was truly impatient. “Very well, better to go early before any evidence is hidden.”
Su Yihan: “…Father, then what am I even doing here?”
Swift and decisive, Shen Yu cast a meaningful glance back at her before leaving.
Di Yuanxin remained behind. Once the others had departed, he asked with interest:
“Miss, do you wish to come along and see for yourself?”
“Of course,” Su Yihan scoffed, raising her hand as Tao Chun promptly supported her.
They followed calmly behind, blending into the crowd in the Jin Yi Wei uniforms.
The Kong residence gates were tightly shut, likely aware that they were prime suspects in the Han Ruichu case.
Knocking patiently, the steward cautiously opened the door. Seeing the visitors, he immediately knelt, his voice trembling:
“L-Lord… G-General…”
Tao Chun giggled softly and whispered:
“Compared to that man, my first impression of the general isn’t so shameful after all.”
Su Yihan pressed the brim of her hat low.
Tao Chun continued:
“The other day, observing Lord Han’s behavior, he didn’t seem grief-stricken at losing his daughter. Rather, he seemed desperate to cover something up. Could it be that she died because the selection failed…?”
Su Yihan ignored Tao Chun’s chatter. Even if Han Mao had been angered by humiliation, it wouldn’t justify a man assaulting his own daughter. Things were clearly more complicated.
The Kong family, though a clear target, did not seem the killer. Han Ruichu’s flirtatious behavior in front of Yunli did not suggest an affair with Kong Wenlang.
The Kong family might only serve as scapegoats. A mere fifth-rank official would not draw the emperor’s serious attention, and with the girl’s honor at stake, matters might be rushed.
Kong Hongcai and his son Kong Wenlang knelt on the ground, shouting that they were wronged:
“Lord, we are innocent! Our son wouldn’t even harm a chicken, let alone the esteemed Miss Han!”
Shen Yu snorted:
“Is a man’s fear of killing chickens really a virtue?”
Tao Chun laughed, covering her mouth:
“This General Shen thinks everyone must be like him.”
All the young masters in the capital were pampered, used to having everything done for them.
Kong Hongcai was struck speechless.
“L-Lord Su…” he cast a pleading glance at Su Jin.
Su Jin cleared his throat and spoke for Shen Yu:
“Fear of killing chickens is not a virtue.”
“…Father, that’s not the point.”
Kong Wenlang, pale and frail-looking, stammered:
“General, Lord Su, I… I will fully cooperate with the investigation.”
Su Jin waved for them to rise:
“When did you go to bed last night?”
“In the hour of the Ox,” Kong Wenlang replied decisively.
“Any witnesses?” Su Jin asked.
Kong Wenlang pointed to a maid:
“Xiao Luo slept on the couch outside the inner room.”
Xiao Luo’s legs shook:
“L-Lord…”
Tao Chun whispered gossipingly to Su Yihan:
“Even the Kong family and their maid are so timid—must be hereditary!”
Su Yihan nudged her:
“Quiet.”
Some commotion arose. Tao Chun stuck her tongue out playfully.
Su Jin continued the questioning professionally:
“When exactly did you fall asleep last night?”
Xiao Luo answered decisively:
“In the hour of the Ugly [3–5 a.m.].”
Su Jin fell silent—enough to establish a human witness.
Exchanging a glance with Shen Yu:
“Little Shen, what do you think?”
Shen Yu nodded politely, then asked Kong Hongcai:
“Do you mind if we search the residence?”
Kong Hongcai froze, asking aloud:
“Mind? Can we refuse?”
Shen Yu smiled faintly:
“No.”
“….”
Kong Hongcai stiffened, then stepped aside:
“General, please proceed.”
Tao Chun laughed gleefully. She had never witnessed an investigation so smoothly executed—how amusing!
Suppressing a smile, Su Yihan followed.
Sure enough, they found the drug powder beneath Kong Wenlang’s bed.
Its components matched those consumed by Han Ruichu.
The Kong father and son went pale—one fainted, the other knelt, banging his head until it bled:
“Lord, we are innocent! We truly don’t know where the powder came from. I know I am unworthy of Miss Han. If we truly wanted to harm her, why commit suicide…”
Shen Yu toyed with the powder, pondering a few moments before saying:
“For now, confine the Kong father and son and maid Xiao Luo in a standard prison cell.”
The evidence search had gone far too smoothly—there was still more to investigate.
With the Kong family father and son removed, only a few remained in the inner room.
Petite Su Yihan and Tao Chun stood out prominently.
Di Yuanxin attempted to shield Su Yihan, whispering:
“Miss, hide yourself…”
Su Yihan removed her hat. At the same time, Shen Yu, back turned to them, said calmly:
“No need to hide, Miss Su. I have a question for you.”
Su Yihan walked slowly toward him:
“The resourceful General Shen still needs to ask someone else?”
Shen Yu chuckled:
“Miss Su, why this sarcastic tone?”
Su Yihan glanced at him:
“In war, do you calculate every trick?”
“The Art of War, Thirty-Six Stratagems,” Shen Yu said, stepping closer and inhaling the faint scent of medicine from her:
“Even in pursuing a lady, one must cater to her preferences. To capture, first let slip.”