Chapter 23: The Official Investigation

"Who can say? At such an advanced age, who knows how many enemies one might have accumulated?"

"Perhaps she committed some heinous crime that brought vengeance to her doorstep. We must hold our tongues, lest we invite trouble upon ourselves!"

Lin Pianran spoke with feigned indifference, using the moment to keep her young maid in check. Her expression, however, remained remarkably relaxed, entirely unaffected by the news of the old matriarch's murder.

In her heart, she was jubilant: *The damned old hag, she was truly wicked! She deserved to die long ago! A good death, indeed! To have sent you off so easily—it was too kind for you!*

Seeing that her mistress had little interest in the matter, Huanxue, ever perceptive, replied, "You are right, Miss!"

"The old mistress was never kind to you, Miss. She frequently favored the other young ladies of the Lin family, ordering her matrons to make you kneel in the ancestral hall or having her servants strike your palms. She never showed you the slightest shred of affection, as a senior should."

"Her death truly has nothing to do with us!"

Lin Pianran cautioned her again, "If you have grievances, keep them to yourself. Do not speak of them before outsiders, and certainly do not show them. If others see through you and find leverage to use against us, it will only lead to endless trouble."

"Yes, Miss, I shall remember this well! I will be careful and cautious in all I say and do from now on!"

Just then, a chaotic commotion erupted in the courtyard.

Tianzhu knocked lightly on the door and, after receiving permission, entered. "Miss, the authorities have arrived! They say they need to ask you some questions and are already in the courtyard."

Lin Pianran, accompanied by her two maids, stepped out of the chamber.

Zhao Yurou and Lin Chuyan stood in the center of the courtyard with two government runners. Seeing Lin Pianran emerge, Lin Chuyan rushed forward to interrogate her first. "Lin Pianran, venomous snakes were found in all our rooms. Why are you standing here safe and sound? Did you release them?"

"Do not make baseless accusations!" Lin Pianran retorted with righteous indignation.

She glanced at Lin Chuyan coldly and signaled for Huanxue to bring out a cage containing several lethargic snakes. Pointing to the cage, she said with a smile, "My room was also filled with snakes. Some escaped, but I managed to catch these few. Does older sister want them? I can give them all to you!"

"You..." Lin Chuyan recoiled in terror, her momentum faltering.

Glaring at the cage, Lin Chuyan frowned and asked, "Many of our valuables have gone missing from our rooms. Was it you who took them?"

"Third Sister, as a young lady of a noble house, you should not make groundless accusations against others the moment you open your mouth. It makes you seem ill-bred and will only invite resentment."

"Take a look at my room; I, too, have suffered heavy losses."

"I was just about to report it to the authorities when you arrived! Officer, please come in and conduct your investigation."

"I hope my stolen property can be recovered soon! I am devastated!"

She covered her face with her handkerchief, letting out a fake, whimpering sob. Lin Pianran’s performance was impeccable; no one could discern the slightest flaw.

She stepped aside, allowing them to enter her chamber. Inside, there was nothing but a bed; the room was completely bare, much like the rooms of the other victims. After a brief inspection, the two officers departed.

Lin Chuyan could not help but sneer, "I thought you might be the lucky one, the exception to the rule! It turns out your room was also stripped clean!"

It was truly a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Some people were simply like that—if they were miserable, they wanted others to be even more miserable. If they suffered a loss and others did not, they would only grow resentful.

Lin Pianran countered sharply, "If they wouldn't spare a beauty like you, famous throughout the capital, why would they spare a nobody like me?"

She then turned to Zhao Yurou. "Madam, what are we to do? If our property isn't recovered, we’ll be penniless. How will we afford to eat?"

Lin Chuyan shot her a mocking glance and remained silent. The look in her eyes was clear: *How could there be no food? They still have so many relatives! And they have a Noble Consort De in the palace; there is no need to worry.*

Zhao Yurou said softly, "I must go to the old matriarch's quarters to see the results of the official inspection. You two should come with me."

Lin Pianran had no choice but to follow.

The courtyard of the old matriarch was packed with people—government officials, members of the Lin family, and their various acquaintances. The air was thick with speculation.

"The old matriarch was so advanced in age; who could have hated her enough to kill her so brutally?"

"I heard she was bled dry; the whole bed was soaked in red. It’s enough to give anyone nightmares!"

"Indeed, to die such a miserable death at her age... truly tragic!"

Some who held grudges against the Lin family whispered, "Perhaps she did too many wicked deeds, and her enemies finally came for her!"

"The body can't be buried in the Imperial Hunting Grounds. It will surely be taken to the Lin family ancestral graveyard. Once the authorities have examined the remains, they’ll be sent back to the capital, won't they?"

"Not only was she murdered, but all her valuables were looted. The culprit must be highly skilled."

"But with so much wealth, how did the thief move it all? I heard even the tables, chairs, and display cabinets were taken. How many people would that take?"

"Exactly! And where could they hide so much loot? The authorities will surely search every manor and courtyard before the thief can move the stolen goods."

The whispers continued one after another. Lin Pianran hid in the crowd, remaining silent.

Lin Aodong and Lin Aosong accompanied the officials as they examined the body and the scene. The old matriarch's eldest daughter, the Marchioness of Changping, was also huddled in the crowd, wiping away tears, appearing as though she might collapse from grief.

Lin Pianran watched it all with cold indifference.

It was said that when Noble Consort De heard of her mother's tragic death, she petitioned Emperor Qin Wu, who, moved by her filial piety, allowed her to assist in the funeral arrangements. He further commanded the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice to solve the case and apprehend the killer as quickly as possible.

The Ministry of Justice soon obtained search warrants to scour every manor for the missing loot. Yet, after working for the better part of the day, with nearly a thousand soldiers deployed, they found absolutely nothing.

It was as if the stolen goods had vanished into thin air. The authorities were at their wit's end, with not a single lead in the investigation.

After midday, the Lin family cleared out a chamber to set up a mourning hall for those who wished to pay their respects.