[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling":3,"chapter-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-51":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Top Scholar of Da Ling",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2288886,4475,"Chapter 51","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-51",51,"\u003Cp>The street held few pedestrians; Jiang Mingyu followed behind Prince Qi on horseback, with occasional passersby glancing over, none daring to approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu frowned slightly, silently thinking: “Yes, it must be this way.” A flicker of alertness passed through his eyes, as if sensing something unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my method truly failed, there would be mass coal smoke poisoning.” Jiang Mingyu’s voice grew lower, thick with latent concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying image surfaced in his mind: people engulfed in smoke, struggling to breathe, trapped in danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned colder, a chilling aura spreading unmistakably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But no one else suffered any harm—it’s suspicious. This death case has too many oddities; someone clearly orchestrated it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu furrowed his brow deeply, sensing an invisible hand manipulating the entire affair—this was no accident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it’s also possible the victim had an accident while burning coal alone...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s tone grew uncertain; he began considering alternative possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood the matter was not simple—many unknown factors needed consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jiang Mingyu felt someone watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze instantly locked onto Prince Qi, seated atop his horse—he noticed something odd in Prince Qi’s eyes: “Minister Jiang, muttering to yourself again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi’s tone carried a hint of mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly, revealing none of his inner suspicions: “Are you scared you’ll lose your head just from thinking about it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice held a cold detachment, as if already mentally prepared for the truth about to be uncovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi suddenly revealed a sneer: “Reap what you sow. If you knew this day would come, why did you act as you did?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone brimmed with disdain and ridicule, clearly relishing Jiang Mingyu’s predicament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu remained silent; he knew he was trapped, with no escape from this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a stick of incense burned, the victim’s house came into view—dilapidated and shabby, plaster peeling, doors and windows loose, faintly emitting the scent of coal smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foreboding sensation rose in Jiang Mingyu’s chest; this humble environment seemed subtly linked to the case’s oddities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here we are, Minister Jiang,” Prince Qi sneered. “Go in and inspect your ‘masterpiece.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu understood Prince Qi’s “masterpiece” was a mockery of the dead; he sighed inwardly—Prince Qi had no intention of fair justice, only using this to eliminate him as a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was empty; the corpse lay still, a black smudge of coal residue still on its lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu carefully examined the humble room: half-burned coal remained in the brazier, water stains marked the floor, thick dust coated the windows—each detail hinted at something suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi sneered: “You have half an hour to decide how you’ll confess.” Then he and his men exited, leaving Jiang Mingyu alone in the cold room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door slammed shut, leaving Jiang Mingyu utterly alone in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood silently in the center, gazing at everything around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust-laden windows and dimly lit corners formed an eerie, mysterious atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour passed; the knock on the door came as promised—harsh and impatient: “Minister Jiang, done gawking yet?” The voice carried undeniable pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu slowly opened the door; Prince Qi stood before him, face twisted in mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered: “After all that brooding, find any excuse to clear yourself?” His words dripped with provocation and scorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s lips curled slightly: “I’ve found something.” His tone carried quiet confidence and disdain—as if he had already uncovered the key to overturning the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi sneered again: “Jiang Mingyu, before a murder charge, how dare you speak such nonsense?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice brimmed with disbelief and threat, utterly dismissing Jiang Mingyu’s defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head gently: “Don’t rush—there’s more.” His tone carried a faint smile, as if he already had a further plan in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he took Prince Qi’s hand and walked straight into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others followed closely; tension filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s gaze scanned the room, searching for more clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, his eyes settled on the dusty window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes gleamed sharply—he noticed something unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was deep winter; the window was sealed shut, yet he spotted a clear handprint in the dust on the frame—fresh, unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stroked his chin, frowning slightly: “The victim said she was working outside when it happened. The killer must have entered and exited through the window.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried alertness and calm—he was nearing the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forcefully pushed open the window; a cold wind rushed in. At the same time, a pale blue strip of cloth was blown into Jiang Mingyu’s line of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught it precisely—the water stains on it revealed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered: “As I thought.” His tone carried deep certainty and deliberation—as if he now held irrefutable evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ma De, do you really think this will let you slip away?” Jiang Mingyu suddenly turned to Ma De, voice cold and warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma De rolled his eyes: “What do you intend to do?” His tone brimmed with contempt and provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: “You’ve always hated me, haven’t you? You resented Xia Duo’s death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried reasoning and deduction—as if he had unraveled a vast conspiracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of Xia Duo, Ma De’s anger exploded: “So what?” His tone brimmed with fury and resentment, as if long-suppressed emotions had finally burst free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu calmly shook his head: “So you killed that man and framed me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried firmness and condemnation—as if he had uncovered one corner of the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To take a life so carelessly, Ma De—what crime do you deserve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s voice rang with accusation and resolve—as if he had already pronounced Ma De’s guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words left everyone present stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma De’s face darkened; he roared: “Bullshit! What evidence do you have? In broad daylight, you dare lie with your eyes open!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu reached into his sleeve and pulled out the narrow, tapering strip of cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand and lightly pointed at the red-trimmed hem of Ma De’s robe: “This—wasn’t it torn off when you hastily climbed through the window and snagged it on the frame?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma De could not hide his panic; his hands clenched tightly, his gaze darting nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did he notice a small, unnoticed tear on his robe’s hem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gave him no chance to recover—he crouched down, pressed the cloth strip against the tear on Ma De’s robe, and compared them closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The length, color, and edge of the cloth strip matched the tear on the robe perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about that? Perfect fit, isn’t it?” Jiang Mingyu looked up at Ma De, his tone calm yet laced with mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma De turned deathly pale, sweat pouring down his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stammered: “This alone isn’t enough to prove I’m the killer... Your Excellency, don’t slander me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, don’t rush,” Jiang Mingyu stood up. “There’s more evidence coming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi, watching nearby, also turned pale, a chill rising in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined Jiang Mingyu could uncover such damning evidence in this shabby room—he now regretted coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu remained composed, utterly unfazed by the two men’s shifting expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked calmly to the window and pointed to the clear handprint on the frame: “Commandant, is this your handprint?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma De’s pupils shrank sharply: “N-no... not mine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether it is or isn’t—test it!” He seized Ma De’s hand and pressed it onto the print—perfect match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered at Ma De’s ashen face: “Commandant, what more is there to deny? Don’t tell me you just climbed in for a casual stroll out of boredom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma De was utterly broken; his face turned as gray as a corpse’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his mouth, but could not refute Jiang Mingyu’s ironclad evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Prince Qi, who had been panicking, quickly adjusted his expression and feigned shock: “Commandant Ma, I never imagined it was you, my trusted officer, secretly committing murder! As a soldier, you killed over personal grudges and framed an innocent man—you deserve death ten times over!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone shifted abruptly: “Given this, I shall now impose martial law—execute you as an example!” With that, he drew his sword from his waist, ready to strike Ma De down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden turn caught Ma De completely off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could utter a full sentence, a flash of cold steel appeared before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade’s edge nearly touched his nose!\u003C\u002Fp>",1402,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","341ed5bc297832849b485018d6e07bebc091032a779ef659c182b58d2882b47d","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-52","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-50",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]