Prince Jiang narrowed his phoenix eyes, his jade-like face frosting over as he looked at Su Xingyao: "Miss Su mentioned earlier that Du Qingshuang saw a man in black outside her window the night before, and was terrified?"
"Indeed," Su Xingyao's exquisite face showed a trace of worry. "Though Shuang'er had set up precautions, she remained anxious, fearing that person would return."
"What do you mean?" Du Qingdai's fair complexion drained of color, her delicate fingers clutching her handkerchief tightly.
"I understand now!" Li Yuan slapped his thigh, his eyes suddenly bright. "Your sister drugged you specifically to make you reveal the room switch!"
"The courtesans' selection banquet is tomorrow..." Prince Jiang's long fingers tapped lightly on the table as a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Du Qingshuang calculated everything. She knew that even dizzy, you wouldn't give up such an opportunity. You would let her impersonate you and attend in your place. And you voluntarily suggesting to switch rooms..." His lips curled into a cold smile. "You walked right into her trap. She wanted you to willingly step into her scheme."
"I merely struck her name off the list, yet she wanted my life!" Du Qingdai's delicate brows furrowed, her voice barely a whisper. "Could she truly harbor such deep hatred over what happened back then...?"
"Back then?" Prince Jiang raised an eyebrow, interest flickering in his phoenix eyes.
Du Qingdai's slender fingers clenched tightly as she lowered her gaze. After a long moment, she finally spoke, her voice choked with emotion:
"It's laughable really. We were just poor village girls. Our parents worked themselves to the bone for food, their backs permanently bent from labor..."
Tears glistened in her eyes, filled with boundless regret: "That merchant took a fancy to me, kept saying he'd pay a fortune to have me. Though I was unwilling, seeing our parents growing older day by day, I eventually... agreed."
She bit her crimson lips, her face full of remorse: "Though Qingshuang was young then, she saw through his intentions early on and tried desperately to stop me. But I..." Her voice caught, and after a moment she continued, "I was naive enough to believe him! Who knew he would not only take me, but also kidnap Qingshuang and sell us both to this brothel! Since then, Qingshuang has hated me for being weak and useless, causing both sisters to fall into this life..."
Tears fell like scattered pearls as Du Qingdai collapsed into her chair: "These years in this den of luxury, at least I've had Yao'er and Madam Liu for company. Yao'er often comes to counsel me, and tries to persuade Qingshuang to let go of the past. Even as courtesans, we found some warmth in life. But..."
She raised her tear-filled eyes, her voice full of disbelief: "I thought she had forgotten old grievances, but the hatred in her heart was like a poisonous snake, lying dormant for years, waiting for the right moment to strike..."
Madam Liu held her sympathetically, offering quiet comfort. Su Xingyao started to move, but suddenly froze, an odd expression flashing across her beautiful face as if remembering something unspeakable.
Just then, crisp birdsong cut through the early autumn dawn, startling everyone.
"My lord, it's getting late. We should prepare for court," Qi Feng stepped forward quietly to remind him.
Before sunrise, Prince Jiang stood by the window, his cold gaze fixed on the gradually brightening sky outside.
A ray of morning light pierced through the thin mist, filtering through the carved window lattice onto his face. That peerlessly handsome countenance showed rare signs of fatigue.
"All night..." he murmured, a cold glint flashing in his phoenix eyes.
As he was about to turn away, he suddenly paused. A faint fragrance lingered around his nose, making him narrow his eyes.
"Dragon's blood incense?" He sharply turned to look at Du Qingdai, his eyes gleaming.
Du Qingdai's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure, forcing a smile: "Your Highness has quite the refined taste. It is indeed dragon's blood incense."
"Interesting." Prince Jiang's lips curled upward, his gaze sweeping across her pale shoulders like a blade. "One tael of dragon's blood incense is worth a year's income for an ordinary shop. You and your sister seem to live quite luxuriously."
His tone was cool, but each word cut like a knife.
"My sister and I..."
"Your Highness, you're here to investigate a case, yet you're flirting with the lady?" Li Yuan teased with a grin. "Even a prince should maintain proper boundaries, shouldn't mix business with pleasure!"
Before he could finish, Qi Feng and Hu Qi exchanged glances before closing in on him, one from the front and one from behind, their knuckles cracking ominously as they fixed him with wolfish glares.
"Oh dear, forgive my impudence! Have mercy, good sirs!" Li Yuan's expression changed instantly as he hastily apologized.
"Focus on what matters," Prince Jiang cast him a cool glance. Only then did Qi Feng and Hu Qi back down, following their lord's lead.
"Master Li, perhaps you should rest. We're all exhausted," Madam Liu shuffled forward, her face wreathed in an ingratiating smile.
"I'm not tired at all," Li Yuan yawned, a lecherous glint in his eyes. "Why don't I find another lovely lady to pass the time with?"
"It's barely dawn, what lady would be up at this hour?" Madam Liu shook her head with a laugh.
Manager Zhang, Su Xingyao, and A-Qing filed past Li Yuan, each giving him looks of contempt.
"My sister died in this room," Du Qingdai's fair face showed a trace of sorrow, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't wish to stay here. I'll rest in her room and sort through her belongings."
"Of course, I'll accompany you, my lady," Madam Liu quickly agreed.
Watching the group walk away, Li Yuan suddenly snapped to attention, panic creeping into his voice: "Don't leave me here alone!" His eyes darted around fearfully. "Someone just died here!"
With that, he stumbled after them, as if some unseen presence lurked in the shadows behind him.
Dawn was breaking, and order reigned in the Great Hall of Prosperity. Upon the dragon throne, the Emperor sat serenely, his gaze slowly sweeping across the kneeling ministers below. To the east stood the civil officials in their blue robes like a forest, to the west the military officials in their crimson garments like flames.
Prince Jiang stood among the military officials, his dark purple dragon robe making his jade-like face appear even more frost-like. The fatigue of a sleepless night crept into his brows as he quietly covered a yawn.
"Prince Jing," the Emperor suddenly spoke, his gaze falling upon him. "What progress has been made in last night's murder case in Lin'an City?"
"Your Majesty," Prince Jiang stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Your subject is dim-witted, having spent all night investigating without finding any leads." His fingers lightly touched the jade pendant at his waist as he glanced toward the hall entrance. "It seems I'll need to spend a few more days at Taohua House."
No sooner had he spoken than an elderly minister with snow-white hair stepped forward. This was the ever-loyal Li Zhengdao, who despite his age stood straight and spoke with vigor: "Is Your Highness using this investigation as an excuse to frequent pleasure houses? This gravely damages imperial dignity!"
Prince Jiang raised an eyebrow, his smile unwavering as he remained silent.
"Enough!" The Emperor's eyes flashed coldly. "We will hear no more of you lingering in such places, tarnishing the royal family's reputation!"
"Your subject heeds your command," Prince Jiang bowed with clasped hands, his smile unchanged.