Chapter 155: Tender Night

Tender Night

Baoqin is actually Jin Jingwen?!

This news brought by Mo Yujue shocked everyone. Nie Jinxuan widened her eyes, and after a moment, she suddenly sat back down in her seat!

That's right, if Jin Jingwen is Baoqin, then many things make sense... Back at Zuixiashanzhuang, Baoqin had gone along with Nie Jinhui, so she naturally could have killed Concubine Tong Shu. The subsequent string of cases were all connected to the Jin family, but wait—if Jin Jingwen is Baoqin, why would she start with Jin Jingyuan?!

Thinking of this, Nie Jinxuan instantly raised her head and spoke without hesitation:

"Wait, even if Baoqin is Jin Jingwen, this doesn't add up! We previously said that this case started with Jin Jingyuan from the very beginning. Since Jin Jingwen is a child of the Jin family, her primary mission should be to avenge the Jin family; she wouldn't put the cart before the horse!"

Indeed, this question had been raised before. Compared to the revenge of the entire Jin family, Jin Jingyuan was only a part of it; why would the initial series of actions point so obviously toward him? Furthermore, given the culprit's mindset, methods, and shrewdness, even if they wanted to hide their true motive, they would be even less likely to make such an obvious initial move, only to suddenly shift toward the case of Jin Qi!

There is a problem here, a major problem. At the very least, Nie Jinxuan felt that even if this matter was related to Jin Jingwen, she was definitely not the mastermind behind this string of bloody cases!

Yet, upon hearing this, the few people present couldn't help but look at each other and then nod one after another.

"Hmm, the Third Miss is right. But we cannot rule out that Jin Jingwen is playing a game of smoke and mirrors~!"

"Yes, I think so too. However, now that we know Jin Jingwen's true identity, we might as well bring her in directly..."

"No, if we act rashly and Jin Jingwen insists she knows nothing, we will be helpless."

"How about we test her?"

"We should just arrest her and interrogate her!"

The group agreed with Nie Jinxuan's skepticism, but they were divided on the subsequent course of action. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan felt hesitant, and she habitually turned to look at Yin Fengzhan, who had not spoken since entering the room.

At this moment, Yin Fengzhan was lowering his gaze, lost in thought. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the window lattice, spilling onto his face and casting a dazzling halo, making him look almost like a god... Nie Jinxuan's heart skipped a beat. Just then, without even looking up at her, Yin Fengzhan spoke:

"Lure the snake out of its hole."

Yin Fengzhan's words remained concise. After speaking, he instantly turned his gaze to look at Nie Jinxuan.

That look was neither cold nor warm, neither light nor heavy, but after a brief moment of daze, Nie Jinxuan's face grew hot, and she couldn't help but look elsewhere.

Hearing Yin Fengzhan's suggestion, the others were stunned at first, but then they realized the meaning almost simultaneously. Zuo Wei was the first to stand up and say:

"Right, His Highness Prince Chen is correct. Since Baoqin is Jin Jingwen and is even colluding with the true culprit of the murders, she is certainly no simple character, so even if we catch her, she might not tell the truth. It is better to lure the snake out of its hole; then she will have nothing to say! Good, this method is good!"

Zuo Wei widened his mung-bean-sized eyes in delight, fully approving. But seeing his joy, Mo Yujue beside him still wore a grave expression.

"You say 'lure the snake out of its hole,' but what will we use to lure it?! After all, if Jin Jingwen is with the true culprit, then given the culprit's cunning and shrewdness, ordinary things will be useless! Furthermore, even without the culprit's help, Jin Jingwen is not a simple woman, so even if we know we need to lure the snake out, how to do it remains a problem."

Mo Yujue was a man of action, so his points were more pragmatic. Upon hearing this, Zuo Wei, who had just been so delighted, wilted. Just then, Nie Jinxuan, after a moment of contemplation, spoke slowly:

"Since the opponent is deep and cunning, why don't we use something real? The culprit must already know about the Jin Jingyuan matter, so even if we put more effort into that, it will likely be useless. Furthermore, since the culprit captured Huang Boqi and Wang Tianhai, they must have wanted to extract information about Jin Qi from back then. Why don't we start from the Jin Qi case?!"

"Uh... then what exactly does the Third Miss intend to..."

Zuo Wei was confused. Nie Jinxuan looked at him and narrowed her eyes slightly.

"For example, if there is news now that Zhao Kun left behind an account book before he was exiled, how would the culprit think if they heard that?"

"How would they think? Of course, they would want to... uh, good! The Third Miss's idea is good! But Third Miss, since you mentioned there is an account book, why not be more specific? For example, saying the account book is hidden in the Zhao family ancestral hall or some other place—wouldn't that be better?!"

"No, we absolutely must not say that! After all, Magistrate Zuo, don't forget that the culprit is cunning and treacherous. If we state a location, it will certainly arouse the culprit's suspicion. Only by not saying it will the culprit believe it is real..."

As she spoke, a faint, subtle smile rose on Nie Jinxuan's face...

This was Nie Jinxuan and her group taking the initiative. Five days later, in the middle of the night, Nie Jinxuan had just finished bathing and was about to go to bed when she suddenly heard Shui Yun's voice outside the room.

"Miss, Magistrate Mo just sent someone to pass a message saying the fish has been caught in the net."

Shui Yun's voice was well-controlled—not loud, but clear enough for Nie Jinxuan inside the room to hear. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan, who was wiping her hair, froze, then asked in a low voice:

"Where are they now?"

"They say they are at the Ministry of Punishments."

"Good, I understand. Prepare yourself; I will go over in a moment."

"Yes."

Shui Yun responded respectfully and turned to make arrangements. Meanwhile, Nie Jinxuan's brow twitched. She quickly wiped her still-damp hair a few times, pinned it up with a hairpin, changed her clothes, and walked out... Upon reaching the doorway, she saw that Yin Fengzhan was actually there too!

Nie Jinxuan was startled, but before she could speak, Yin Fengzhan said directly:

"Get in the carriage!"

It seemed Yin Fengzhan had also heard the news and was heading to the Ministry of Punishments. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan pursed her lips. Without being coy, she boarded the carriage first, and once she was seated, Yin Fengzhan sat down as well.

It was night, and the carriage was pitch black. In the narrow space, there was only the faint, lingering fragrance from Nie Jinxuan's recent bath.

Neither spoke, but Nie Jinxuan felt that Yin Fengzhan, sitting opposite her, was watching her! The feeling was exceptionally clear, making her face grow increasingly hot. Just then, a low, familiar voice spoke:

"Running out right after a bath—you really have no regard for your life!"

It was Yin Fengzhan's voice, tinged with a hint of coldness. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan's cheeks instantly burned, and she replied without thinking:

"I am willing!"

Nie Jinxuan said this with a bit of irritation. After she spoke, she heard no movement from Yin Fengzhan for a long time. She felt a bit strange, and just as she was about to ask again, Yin Fengzhan finally spoke once more:

"Come here!"

Yin Fengzhan's tone was commanding. Nie Jinxuan wouldn't have listened, but before she could speak, she was instantly pulled over by Yin Fengzhan and fell into his arms.

The impact made Nie Jinxuan gasp, and she instinctively tried to struggle. But the moment she moved, she was held tight by Yin Fengzhan, and a voice sounded in her ear:

"Don't move."

The voice was right beside her. The warm breath made Nie Jinxuan tremble all over. She placed her hands against the man's chest, and after a long while, she asked in a trembling voice:

"W-what are you doing?"

"Your hair is still wet."

Yin Fengzhan's voice remained calm. Nie Jinxuan was stunned, and before she could recover, she felt the hairpin being pulled from her hair, and her black tresses cascaded down. Then, a pair of large hands gently took a cloth and began to stroke her hair, slowly wiping it dry...

In the darkness, her vision was limited, making her other senses exceptionally sharp. Feeling the gentle wiping on her head and her body pressed against his solid, warm, and broad chest, even Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but feel a stir in her heart. She wanted to push away, but she was reluctant. Her body grew hotter and hotter, and in the end, she could only lean against the man, unable to say a word.

Time passed, and Nie Jinxuan leaned in Yin Fengzhan's arms, not daring to move a muscle...

Her face was very hot, almost as if it were on fire, and her palms, pressed against his chest, were faintly sweating. Yin Fengzhan just quietly helped her wipe her hair. Finally, when the carriage suddenly stopped and Zhongli, the driver, said they had arrived, Yin Fengzhan stopped.

Zhongli's voice brought Nie Jinxuan back to her senses. She made a move to push Yin Fengzhan away, but before she could, Yin Fengzhan held her down and whispered again:

"Don't move."

The same words, but deeper than before. Nie Jinxuan was stunned and didn't struggle again. Then, she felt her long hair being gathered up and pinned with the hairpin.

In the dark, Nie Jinxuan could clearly feel that the action of pinning her hair was not practiced, even a bit clumsy. Even with the hairpin, her hair was still a bit loose. But her heart trembled, and she reached up to hold the hairpin.

"You're so clumsy, you can't even pin up hair!"

Nie Jinxuan complained, but in the dark, Yin Fengzhan couldn't see the indescribable smile on her face. Once she finished speaking, she deftly pinned her hair up properly and said in a low voice:

"Let's go."

She stepped out of the carriage first. Yin Fengzhan, sitting inside, looked at her beautiful silhouette in the night, his deep eyes filled with an indescribable intensity, and then he followed her out in silence.

Yin Fengzhan and Nie Jinxuan arrived at the Ministry of Punishments. Upon entering, they saw Zuo Wei waiting at the door. Seeing them arrive, Zuo Wei hurried forward a few steps and whispered:

"Your Highness, Third Miss, you've arrived. Let's go, everyone is already here, just waiting for the two of you. Please follow me."

Zuo Wei didn't waste words. After speaking, he turned to lead the way, and the group bypassed the front hall of the Ministry of Punishments and headed straight to the prison.

Torches were lit in the prison, the dim yellow light dispelling the darkness but also revealing an indescribable eeriness. The air was filled with a nauseating stench, and the sounds of moaning, delirious muttering, and occasional screams could be heard...

Zuo Wei, walking in front, didn't linger. He walked deep inside, and after turning several corners and opening several locks, he finally stopped in front of a dim cell at the very back of the prison.

"We're here."

Zuo Wei said in a low voice, his usually smiling face now becoming exceptionally grave. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan, following behind, paused and looked up to see that Mo Yujue and Prince Rui, Yin Fengxiang, were already there.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan pursed her lips slightly and followed Zuo Wei and Yin Fengzhan inside. They stepped in front of the others and looked up, and indeed, they saw a person hanging on the wall of the cell.

It was a woman dressed in night-traveling clothes. Her hands were shackled by heavy, thick iron chains, each fastened to the walls on either side, and her feet were also chained, with the ends of the chains connected to an exceptionally large iron ball.

The woman hung her head, and fine strands of hair fell over her forehead, blocking her face and making it difficult to see clearly...

Hearing the noise, Mo Yujue and Yin Fengxiang turned their heads. Seeing Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan, Yin Fengxuan, sitting in his wheelchair, smiled slightly as a greeting, while Mo Yujue just nodded and said in a low voice:

"Caught in the Zhao residence study."

Mo Yujue said this to Nie Jinxuan. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan turned to look at the hanging woman before returning her gaze to Mo Yujue.

"Alone?"

"Yes."

"Going to the Zhao residence alone in the middle of the night... does she know martial arts?"

"Yes, but only the basics."

Mo Yujue was a martial arts expert, so he had seen through her level the moment she made a move. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan nodded and walked toward the hanging woman.

Nie Jinxuan moved gracefully, but after a few steps, she was blocked by Mo Yujue.

"Third Miss, be careful, it's dangerous."

"It's fine."

She smiled slightly at Mo Yujue, took two more steps, and finally stopped three steps away from the woman.

"Are you Jin Jingwen?"

Nie Jinxuan asked in a low voice. Her calm tone revealed no emotion. Only then did the hanging woman move slightly and slowly lift her head.

"Hmph! Success or failure is determined by the outcome; whoever you say I am, that is who I am!"

The woman's tone was hostile. Only then did Nie Jinxuan see her face clearly. It was indeed Baoqin, the maid by Nie Jinhui's side... no, she should be called Jin Jingwen.

Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan wasn't annoyed; she just watched her quietly. Seeing Nie Jinxuan so calm after seeing her, Jin Jingwen narrowed her eyes and gave a cold laugh.

"It seems the Third Miss knew my identity long ago!"

"Not long ago. If I had known long ago, wouldn't those people have been saved from dying?! So, not long ago! Not long ago at all..."

Looking at Jin Jingwen, Nie Jinxuan said slowly. She paused, and her expression instantly tightened.

"Alright, Miss Jin, since you just said that success or failure is determined by the outcome, please tell me directly: who is your accomplice?"

Nie Jinxuan asked directly. Hearing this, Jin Jingwen's eyes flashed, but she immediately burst into loud laughter, then suddenly stopped and looked at Nie Jinxuan.

"Accomplice? What is the Third Miss talking about? I don't understand. Accomplice... what accomplice?"

"The accomplice who helped you take revenge and kill people!"

"I have no accomplice!"

"So, you killed all those people?"

"Yes!"

"Is Miss Jin admitting to it then?"

"I already said, success or failure is determined by the outcome. Now that I've been caught by you, what else is there to say?"

"Is that so? Then, I will only ask Miss Jin one question. If you answer correctly, I will believe what you say is true; otherwise, it means what you say is not true... What does Miss Jin think?"

Jin Jingwen didn't expect Nie Jinxuan to say this at such a time, so she was stunned. She looked at Nie Jinxuan carefully, then curled her lips into a smile.

"Do I have a choice?"

"No!"

"Then why does the Third Miss ask me 'what do you think'?"

"Hehe~, alright, then I will be direct... Actually, my question is very simple: Miss Jin, in your heart, who do you think is more important—your older brother Jin Jingyuan, or the entire Jin family?"

Big update today, 15,000 words. First part uploaded, two more to come~

Also, many readers have reflected that the case is being written too long. I have realized this too, so from now on, I will conclude the case quickly and speed up the pace~! ===== CHAPTER 156 =====