Chapter 37 is unusual.
Li Jin knew that Yan Zhao had calculated that he would personally help her, which was why he gave her this bizarre question.
The Lin family in the capital—that was the residence of Lin Yongde, the Vice Minister of Works.
Imagine the miserable outcome of sending Jin Shu, a newcomer who couldn't even recite all the names of the three provinces and six ministries, to face his difficulties alone.
"Yunfei called me just now for the same reason." Li Jin gestured to Zhou Zheng to put the food back on the plate, and then he stood at the door and explained to Jin Shu in detail.
"Last night, Lin, the illegitimate daughter of the Vice Minister of Works, went out to stroll in the East Market commercial street and did not return until late at night."
"Afterwards, Lin Yongde sent people to search, and they found the Lin family's young lady, who had already lost her breath, in an inconspicuous ditch in the commercial street. Her head was slumped in the ditch, and she had a head injury. The maid who went out with her was found unconscious by the roadside and has not woken up since."
"The body is still at the Lin family's residence." Li Jin looked at Jin Shu with a sigh. "This matter concerns the family of an official of the imperial court, so we must be very careful. It would be inappropriate for you to go alone since you are new to the capital."
He waved his fan gently, glancing at the paper in his hand: "In a little while, you'll stay behind me and follow my lead."
Well, she thought this was just an ordinary case, and she only needed to focus on solving it as usual.
But when Li Jin explained it this way, and there were actually so many twists and turns involved, she felt a chill run down her spine and her face showed embarrassment.
"Don't worry." Seeing her apprehension, Li Jin added, "You can manipulate someone as new to the capital as you are, but you would never dare to manipulate me in the slightest."
He laughed: "Consider it a status benefit."
Li Jin knew that Jin Shu's weakness lay in interpersonal relationships and social skills.
Coincidentally, Li Jin, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, doesn't need a board at all in this place!
Complementary relationships are also an advantage.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Lin residence. White gauze curtains had been hung on the bright gate, and painful cries could be heard from inside the mansion from time to time.
The steward, dressed in mourning clothes, handed out white ribbons to the three people as they arrived.
Zhou Zheng didn't take it. He turned slightly to the side, avoiding the crowd of people paying their respects, and first showed the sign of the Prince Jing's Mansion before revealing the black sign of the Six Doors.
He said nothing, but the steward understood immediately and bowed, saying, "Your Highness Prince Jing, this way please. I will go and inform him right away."
Taking advantage of this break, Li Jin slowed down and lowered his voice, saying, "I've met Lin Yongde, this illegitimate daughter, a few times. She's stubborn and has a terrible temper."
He paused slightly, his brow furrowing, and said, "Just as bad as her father."
As she finished speaking, she seemed to remember something and tugged at Jin Shu: "Besides, Lin Yongde is a doting father to his daughter. Don't say anything more later. If you can talk about it when we get back, then don't say anything for now."
Jin Shu understood in just three sentences.
It seems he didn't have a good impression of this illegitimate daughter of the Lin family, so he also had some complaints about Lin Yongde, who was a doting father.
It turns out that even the meticulous Prince Jing has ordinary human troubles, adding a touch of everyday life to his story.
This is not Li Jin's fault. Anyone would dislike that illegitimate daughter of the Lin family.
Since returning to the capital and ostensibly becoming a carefree prince, he has always managed to "accidentally" meet young ladies from various prominent families in the capital in inexplicable places.
Among them, Lin Ruxue, the illegitimate daughter of the Lin family, is one of the most frequently appearing characters, creating many special memories for him.
Looking at the courtyard that was all white, Li Jin walked ahead and shielded Jin Shu behind him.
Before she even reached the main hall, she saw two people dressed in mourning clothes, their expressions filled with great pain, walking out through the moon gate.
The one walking in front was older, around fifty years old, while the one behind him was younger, and looked about the same age as Li Jin.
"Lin Yongde and his son Lin Xinran greet Your Highness Prince Jing." As he spoke, he cupped his hands and bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
"Lord Lin, please rise, there's no need for such formalities." Li Jin stepped forward, offered him a helping hand, and said with deep regret, "I'm late!"
Lin Yongde sighed, his eyes reddened, and he turned away, wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes.
"My father was greatly affected by my sister's passing. I hope Your Highness will forgive him."
Upon hearing this, Li Jin nodded and continued, following the young master of the Lin family's suggestion: "In that case, Lord Lin, please rest well. How about I have young Master Lin take me to have a look?"
"No." Lin Yongde shook his head first, "I will fully cooperate with His Highness Prince Jing to bring the murderer who harmed my daughter to justice as soon as possible!"
He spoke with great passion, but the glint in his eyes did not escape the notice of Li Jin and Jin Shu.
He was truly heartbroken at losing his daughter, but his intention to manipulate Li Jin was equally genuine.
At this point, Jin Shu finally understood what Li Jinlai had said earlier: Lin Yongde might not necessarily be trying to cause trouble for Jin Shu, but rather for the Six Doors.
Li Jin nodded knowingly: "Lord Lin is right. Our Six Doors will not let the murderer get away with it."
Lin Yongde clenched his fists and bowed in agreement.
What does it mean to not let the murderer go unpunished?
These words, spoken by a lazy prince who spends his days traveling and enjoying life instead of performing his duties properly in the capital, are quite ironic.
In his eyes, Li Jin, who neglected his duties, was just as despicable as the murderer who harmed his daughter.
Inside the mourning hall, the Lin family members wept bitterly. Lin Yongde dismissed the servants, leaving only the Lin family members in the mourning hall.
Li Jin stepped aside, intentionally elevating Jin Shu's status: "This is Mr. Jin from the Six Doors. During my trip south, I encountered many cases, but fortunately, with Mr. Jin's assistance, I was able to successfully resolve them."
He gestured to Jin Shu and pointed to the coffin in front of him.
The coffin was pitch black, with a large "奠" (meaning "offering sacrifice") character on the front.
She and Zhou Zheng, one on each side, pushed open the lid, revealing Lin Ruxue, the illegitimate daughter of the Lin family, lying inside. Her face was slightly bluish-purple, and at first glance, she appeared peaceful and asleep.
Unusual.
Jin Shu kept her eyes fixed on him, fastened her handcuffs, put on her gloves, hung the veil over her ears, leaned forward, and pressed the livid spots on her face a few times.
Unlike typical corpses, this one was stiff and rising in an upward position, with all four extremities already rigid, and the face, mouth, and nose yet to be touched. Jin Shu frowned, and taking advantage of this moment, quickly bent down and carefully turned the head in a different direction.
The skull was fractured, the skin was detached, the wound angle was blunt, the wound edges were irregular and star-shaped, there was severe bleeding, and there was extensive livor mortis on the head and face, consistent with the prone position after death.
Logically, all these symptoms should be consistent with death from a blunt force trauma to the head, but...
Jin Shu's gaze fell on her lips, his expression extremely solemn.
She raised her hand and gently pressed down on the ulcerated outer lip, revealing the neat teeth inside. At that moment, an extremely rare, distinctive mercury line running along the gums and the roots of the teeth appeared before Jin Shu.
She opened her lips with a little force, and the corrosive ulcer marks on the inside of her mouth, as well as the remaining vomit, confirmed Jin Shu's suspicions.
In addition to the severe head injury, Lin Ruxue also exhibited obvious signs of acute mercury poisoning.
Jin Shu stood up, glanced at Li Jin with a solemn expression, took off her gloves and mask, and shook her head slightly, indicating to him that the cause of death of this concubine's daughter of the Lin family was not simple.
Although she didn't say a word, Li Jin already understood. Looking at the Lin family members who were crying beside him, he said calmly, "Lord Lin, there may be something fishy about Miss Lin's death. I need to take her back to the Six Doors."
Then, he glanced around at everyone and said, "Moreover, I need to question everyone in the manor yesterday. Each of you may be related to this case."
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