The main hall fell silent for a moment, save for the faint chirping of cicadas outside the window.
Shen Ninghuan picked up her teacup, her fingertips feeling the warmth of the porcelain. She raised her eyes to look at her older brother, her clear gaze holding a trace of understanding. "If Brother encounters a difficult case, shouldn't you first consult Father or the advisors at the government office? Why come and ask a woman of the inner courtyard like me?"
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Shen Mingxuan's face. He rubbed his hands together, which quickly turned into a bitter smile.
He stood up and walked to the window.
With his back to his sister.
After a moment of silence, he turned around, his face taking on a rare seriousness. "Huan'er, you know my temperament. Having followed Father all these years, there are always people hinting openly and secretly that I only secured a position in the Supreme Court by riding on the coattails of being the Shen family's legitimate son."
He paused, his voice lowering a bit. "This case is the first one I am presiding over independently. I don't want to run to Father for help before I've even investigated it clearly, nor do I want those old foxes in the office to treat me as a joke."
Shen Ninghuan listened quietly.
She could hear the emotions churning in her brother's heart—that stubborn pride, that urgent desperation to prove himself, and the undisguised trust and reliance on his sister's intellect.
"Yet you know to come looking for me." Shen Ninghuan set down her teacup, her voice betraying neither joy nor anger. "What, in Brother's heart, is your sister so easily persuaded?"
Shen Mingxuan hurriedly waved his hands. "Don't be angry, Huan'er! It's just... this case is utterly bizarre. I have pondered over it repeatedly for days, and I always feel that a crucial link is missing. In the entire government office, there are very few people I can discuss this with openly and honestly, and as for someone who can inspire me on such a strange case..."
He looked at his sister, his eyes filled with unfeigned earnestness and admiration. "After thinking it over, it turns out you are the only one."
Shen Ninghuan did not speak.
She merely gently fiddled with the new pair of jadeite bracelets on her wrist—they were a gift from the old madam, of excellent quality and warm to the touch.
After a long while, she sighed softly. "Alright, since Brother has asked, tell me about it. But since I haven't been to the scene and don't know the situation, the help I can provide will be limited."
Shen Mingxuan's eyes lit up. He quickly took a few steps forward and lowered his voice. "A few days ago, the Prefect of Yunyang, Chen Qiming, died in his home study. The door was bolted from the inside, the windows were shut tight, and Chen Qiming collapsed by his desk with a short knife stuck in his back, killed by a single strike."
Shen Ninghuan furrowed her brows slightly. "A locked-room murder?"
"Exactly." Shen Mingxuan nodded. "According to the scene investigation, the door bolt was fastened from the inside with a copper pin, and the pin was completely intact. The windows were all latched from the inside, and the window paper was unbroken. Aside from Chen Qiming's own footprints, there were no traces of a second person in the room. And what's even stranger..."
He paused, his expression solemn. "Before his death, Chen Qiming had a fierce argument with the Deputy Prefect, Zhao Wenhuan, which was witnessed by the servants in the manor. Zhao Wenhuan left the prefectural manor at a quarter to six in the evening, and Chen Qiming died around eight o'clock. We checked Zhao Wenhuan's itinerary; he went straight home after leaving the manor, and multiple servants testified that he never went out during that time."
Shen Ninghuan tapped her fingertips lightly on the table. "Why did Zhao Wenhuan and Chen Qiming argue?"
"Half a year ago, Chen Qiming submitted a memorial to impeach Zhao Wenhuan for embezzling river management funds. Although it didn't become a formal case due to insufficient evidence, the two formed a grudge from then on," Shen Mingxuan said. "Zhao Wenhuan had the motive, and he had the time to be near the scene around the time of the incident, but... there is no evidence that can nail him down."
"So you arrested Zhao Wenhuan?"
"Just a temporary detention for questioning." Shen Mingxuan smiled bitterly. "He refuses to confess, and we have no conclusive evidence. This case has dragged on for seven or eight days, and our superiors are pressing us hard. If we can't solve it soon, I'm afraid..."
Looking at the interior layout map Shen Mingxuan had copied, along with the detailed case files.
Shen Ninghuan lowered her eyes in deep thought.
A locked room, a grudge, and the seemingly only suspect having an alibi... This case was indeed bizarre!
There were many suspicious points.
Zhao Wenhuan had the opportunity and a prior conflict, but being impeached as an official was a very normal occurrence, and he hadn't suffered any consequences from it. Why would he fight Chen Qiming to the bitter end?
Furthermore, he insisted that that night was just a routine discussion.
Although there was a dispute.
They absolutely did not come to blows.
If Zhao Wenhuan really committed the crime, how did he lock the room from the inside?
If she could just meet Zhao Wenhuan, she could use her ability to hear inner thoughts to determine if he was the murderer. This would be the most direct method. However, such a major suspect was not someone she could meet casually, and inner thoughts could only serve as her personal reference, not as legal evidence.
"This matter... I need to think about it." Shen Ninghuan, following her intuition, had a vague guess in her heart, but she didn't know how to prove it. She opened her eyes and said to Shen Mingxuan, "Does Brother have any other details to add about this case?"
Shen Mingxuan shook his head. "That's all for now. I hope my sister can help me!"
"Naturally!" Shen Ninghuan nodded slightly, then changed the subject. "However, Brother must also think it over yourself. Ultimately, you are the one handling this case."
Shen Mingxuan could only nod in agreement.
...
In the study, however, it was an entirely different scene.
Behind a red sandalwood desk, Shen Zhongcheng sat upright, holding a volume of the Spring and Autumn Annals, but his gaze drifted over the edge of the pages, landing on Pei Cijing, who sat properly opposite him.
During the brief examination just now, from the chapters of the Four Books to policy essays on classical texts, Pei Cijing had actually answered fluently. While not absolutely brilliant, his responses could be considered solid and thorough. He quoted classics and historical records with ease, and though his insights weren't particularly novel, they showed a fair amount of his own independent thinking.
This truly exceeded Shen Zhongcheng's expectations.
According to the information he had gathered, he originally thought this marquis's son from a concubine-born branch, who had no reputation on ordinary days, was mostly someone who only knew how to idle away his days. Though he didn't commit evil deeds, he was still a slacker without any ambition. Yet, after their conversation just now, he discovered that Pei Cijing indeed had poetry and literature in his belly. His speech lacked any impetuousness, and even faintly revealed a kind of... calm clarity that did not match his age.
"Cijing," Shen Zhongcheng put down the book, his voice deep and slow. "Since you have read these books, have you ever thought about entering officialdom through the imperial examinations?"
Here it comes.
Alarm bells rang faintly in Pei Cijing's heart, but his face remained respectful and gentle. "Replying to Father-in-law, your son-in-law... has indeed thought about it."
"Oh?" Shen Zhongcheng's gaze sharpened a bit. "Then why have you never taken the exams until now?"
Pei Cijing grumbled in his heart.
Why else?
Because I'm lazy, of course!
He had worked himself to the bone in his past life, and in this life, he finally had the conditions to take it easy. He only wanted to lie flat, enjoy the gossip, and live a carefree life!
However, from his mouth, Pei Cijing said, "Your son-in-law knows that his knowledge is still shallow and needs more time to settle and be polished. I dare not rashly take the exam, for fear of disgracing the family's reputation."
Shen Zhongcheng gave him a deep look, a gaze that seemed to pierce through his skin straight into his heart.
"You need not belittle yourself," he said slowly. "From what you said just now, your foundation is evident. I see that your mind is clear, neither hasty nor restless. This is exactly the temperament a scholar should have."
He paused, his tone growing heavier. "Since Huan'er has married you, you are the son-in-law of the Shen family. Although our Shen family is not a house of immense wealth and nobility, we are a family of scholars and a noble, uncorrupted lineage. As your father-in-law, I do not ask that you become a marquis or a prime minister, but as a husband, you should at least have the ability to establish yourself and protect your wife and children."
These words were spoken with earnest sincerity, even carrying a bit of a father's expectation.
Pei Cijing felt a slight stir in his heart as he listened.
He knew Shen Zhongcheng's words were genuine, spoken both out of consideration for his daughter and a certain degree of approval for him as a son-in-law.
It was just that...
Pei Cijing lowered his eyes, concealing the complex emotions in his gaze.
Entering officialdom through the imperial examinations.
What did that mean in this era?
It meant getting dragged into court disputes, picking sides, and walking on thin ice between imperial power and noble families, civil officials and military generals, the old guard and the new elites.
Especially now.
The old emperor was advanced in years, the princes were fighting both openly and in the shadows, and undercurrents surged through the court. Entering officialdom at this time was no different from throwing oneself into the center of a whirlpool.
Could he even survive that game?
He had been a corporate slave long enough in his past life. In this life, he had finally managed to transmigrate as the young master of a Marquis's estate. He had no worries about food or clothing, his family had immense wealth, and he had the great tree of the Marquis's estate to shelter him from the wind and rain. Furthermore, the wife he married was beautiful and intelligent, his parents were kind, and his brothers... well, best not to mention them, but at least they wouldn't try to kill him.
This kind of laid-back, easy life.
Wasn't it wonderful?
Why bother thrashing about in the treacherous sea of officialdom?
Moreover, being an official in this era was completely different from the civil servants he knew in his past life. It was not a job about serving the people, but a net woven into flesh and blood. Once you stepped in, it was nearly impossible to get out.
A thousand thoughts raced through Pei Cijing's mind, but his face remained respectful and obedient. "I will keep my father-in-law's teachings in mind. I will certainly study diligently and not disappoint your expectations."
Seeing his sincere attitude, Shen Zhongcheng's expression softened a bit. He offered a few more words of encouragement before letting him go.
...
Lunch was served in the floral hall of the Shen residence.
The dishes were indeed exquisite: eight cold and eight hot dishes, four types of pastries, and two soups. Although not as luxurious as the banquets at the Marquis's estate, everything was refreshing and delicious, clearly prepared with great care.
The atmosphere during the meal was quite harmonious.
Although Shen Zhongcheng was strict, he did not bring up the imperial examinations again, only asking about everyday matters. Pei Cijing responded appropriately, occasionally throwing in a witty remark.
On the other side, Shen Ningyue and Pei Ciling were much quieter.
Shen Ningyue ate without tasting her food, her gaze unconsciously darting toward the main table. Shen Ninghuan was turning her head to whisper something to Pei Cijing, and Pei Cijing picked up a piece of stir-fried asparagus for her, his movements natural and intimate.
She gripped her chopsticks tightly and lowered her eyes.
In her past life, when had Pei Cijing ever been this considerate to her?
Where exactly did things go wrong?
...
After lunch and a brief rest, the two newlywed couples stood up to take their leave.
In the carriage on the way back, Pei Cijing leaned lazily against a soft cushion and let out a small yawn.
Today's grand drama of the bride's return visit had no flashing swords or shadows of blades, but it was mentally exhausting nonetheless. During his father-in-law's testing, in order not to embarrass his wife, his long-unused brain had to run in overdrive.
Turning his head to look at Shen Ninghuan beside him, he saw her leaning against the carriage window. Her gaze was calm, as if she was deep in thought about something. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and her fingertips unconsciously traced patterns on her lap.
"My dear?" Pei Cijing leaned in closer, his voice softening. "What are you thinking about? Are you tired from today?"
Shen Ninghuan snapped back to reality and looked at him with a slight smile. "Not really tired. It's just that my older brother asked me to look into a case, and I can't seem to make heads or tails of it at the moment."
"A case?" Pei Cijing raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "What kind of case? Tell me about it, maybe your husband can give you some ideas."
Shen Ninghuan looked at his expression that practically screamed, hurry up and ask me.
A hint of a smile flashed through her eyes.
She then gave a brief overview of the locked-room murder case of Chen Qiming.
"A locked room..." After hearing this, Pei Cijing stroked his chin, his eyes gradually lighting up.
A locked-room murder case?
He couldn't be more familiar with this! The over a thousand episodes of Detective Conan he watched in his past life were not for nothing! Although he couldn't remember the specific cases clearly, all those locked-room tricks, psychological ploys, and alibi schemes were already carved into his DNA!
