Chapter 2572: Dear Detective Mr. 24

Finding the ice chamber didn't take much time.

Jin Chen quickly found a lower stone doorway at the rear side of the wine cellar; a heavy chain hung on the door, but the lock was merely dangling, obviously to allow servants daily access to the ice.

He patiently waited for a patrolling guard unit to pass, then entered the doorway.

The temperature inside the ice chamber was far lower than in the wine cellar, the cold biting to the bone, with thick white frost covering all four walls and the ceiling.

Neatly cut ice blocks were stacked, giving off cold air; in the corner lay an ice‑pick for harvesting ice and a small cart for transporting it.

Servants usually came here in the early morning to take the needed ice blocks, placed them in insulated buckets, and then delivered them to various parts of the main house for daytime use.

Here people came and went, footprints were chaotic, but soon Jin Chen's gaze fixed on the area near the tool‑storage corner.

He crouched, lightly brushed away a surface layer of frost with his finger, and the outline of the footprints appeared, having been deliberately wiped clean with nearby ice chips.

Jin Chen extended his slender fingers, hovering them above the footprints.

Height about 180 centimeters, somewhat heavy, sturdy build, favoring the right leg for weight bearing, the left gait unsteady, possibly due to an old leg injury.

Jin Chen's analysis came to an abrupt halt as he pinched up a button lying beside the footprints.

A button made of gemstone, something an ordinary servant could not possess, and even a typical gentleman might not afford such a valuable ornament.

Jin Chen pocketed the button.

In his mind flashed all the people he had seen these days at the manor who matched the characteristics.

John Olgar.

No, his build is slender, and his legs have no old injury.

The captain of the manor's guard.

His build is similar, but his rank is insufficient to own such a button……

Joshua Clain, even thinner, weak as could be.

Jin Chen was muttering to himself, then paused; Joshua Clain habitually leans on his male servant Silas, always resting against the right shoulder whenever seen.

Silas's build…… tall and solid.

"Could it be him?" Jin Chen whispered.

If it really were Silas, then Joshua Clain's suspicion could almost be condemned.

In this era, conviction often does not require direct evidence as it does in later times.

Motive, opportunity, plus such physical evidence, are enough to send a person to the gallows.

【Host! Host!】 Ling Gun Gun interrupted his thoughts, 【Edgar came out of the wine cellar, he had taken several bottles of wine, and was heading toward the manor's side gate!】

Jin Chen immediately retreated from the ice chamber and gave chase.

This night kept him busy.

——

The manor's side gate is usually used for servants and goods to come and go, relatively concealed.

Before the gate stands a small circular fountain, gently trickling, its water sound masking the night's silence.

Jin Chen hid behind a tree, watching Edgar carry a heavy wicker wine basket, standing at the gate, waiting somewhat anxiously.

Soon, another figure hurried out from the shadow of the manor's outer wall.

That person also wore a cloak, hat brim pressed low, approaching and speaking quietly with Edgar.

【Wow, the value of these ten bottles of wine,】 Ling Gun Gun quickly estimated, 【It could probably cover a remote town's annual tax revenue—quite a extravagant gesture.】

Jin Chen observed the person, picked up a stone from the ground, and casually threw it over.

"Who!" Edgar was startled into a jerk, his hand‑held lantern almost dropping to the ground, he panicked and looked around.

He no longer shielded the person opposite him.

Jin Chen finally saw clearly, raising his eyebrows slightly in surprise.

Julian.

Brought back by Count Olgar and introduced to the family members as a young nephew.

【Wow!】 Ling Gun Gun continued to exclaim, 【Unbelievable! There's actually more to this fellow.】

Jin Chen calmly observed Julian's arrogant demeanor, recalling how, at the funeral that day, Julian had been attentive to Count Olgar in the minutest detail.

Throughout Olgar Zhuang Zhuang Yuan Zhuang Yuan, it's nothing but drama kings.

Julian swiftly stuffed the money pouch into his chest, barked at his attendants, "Go!"

They immediately turned and hurried away, vanishing into the dark alley beyond the side gate.

Jin Chen glanced back thoughtfully, gazing at the main residence's windows glowing with warm light.

So, could Miss Eleanor's mysterious lover be Julian?

【Unbelievable! Unbelievable!】

Ling Gun Gun became urgent, 【Host, hurry! The Main God's carriage is almost home—return quickly!】

Jin Chen has gathered plenty of clues and information tonight; he now needs time to sort them out.

Hearing Ling Gun Gun's alarm, his brow twitched slightly, and he swiftly left Olgar Zhuang Zhuang Yuan Zhuang Yuan.

——

Second floor of the cylindrical chamber, Jin Chen's room.

Jin Chen put on his pajamas, then heard a disturbance downstairs.

It was Alric returning.

Jin Chen walked to the window, peered through the curtain gap, and saw Alric stepping down from the carriage, his figure somewhat blurred in the porch gaslight.

Jin Chen's thoughts drifted back involuntarily to a few hours earlier, wondering what Alric would think after waking up.

Would he suspect?

Not long after, a knocking sound arose.

The voice was not urgent, even……hesitant.

Jin Chen walked to behind the door, and did not immediately open it.

He could almost imagine the expression of A'er Ruike outside the door at this moment: the dazed look after waking from unconsciousness, his green eyes filled with urgent questions awaiting answers, yet he desperately denied in his heart that most absurd speculation.

How could that be?

How could Xili'er be that dangerous, badly toying with his pervert?

Surely he must have misheard when his consciousness was fuzzy……

The knocking sounded again a few times, a bit heavier than before, but still restrained.

Jin Chen's fingers lightly rested on the door handle, but did not turn it.

He suddenly wanted to see how long A'er Ruike would wait outside.

Would he leave? Or would he keep knocking?

A'er Ruike outside the door, indeed as Jin Chen expected, was caught in extremely contradictory emotions.

He raised his hand and knocked a third time, this time with a bit more force, feeling somewhat impatient.

However, the door remained tightly shut, with no response from inside.