The Dark Moonlight returns to the capital, and the mad prince is accused of forcing love.

Just past dusk, the last glimmer of light on the horizon disappeared behind the city walls.

Xu Qianhui followed Lin Zuoqing off the carriage. The lanterns in front of the Jingzhao Prefecture prison gate had just been lit, and the dim yellow light fell on the stone steps without casting any shadow.

Lin Zuoqing's left arm was still in a sling, covered by a dark cloak, and his face was even more stern than during the day.

He stood at the bottom of the steps, without urging anyone, and only glanced up at the street corner.

About fifteen minutes later, a blue-curtained carriage drove from the alley entrance and came to a steady stop outside the prison.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Shen Huaijin bent down to get out of the carriage carrying a medicine box.

He changed into a crimson robe, with a dark cloak over it, and his black hair was tied up with a jade crown. Not a speck of dust was on the hem of his clothes.

The lamplight, mixed with the afterglow of the sun, illuminated his handsome features.

The wind blew by, and the cloak fluttered in the wind like a black crow flapping its wings.

Lin Zuoqing looked him up and down, his gaze finally settling on the medicine box he was carrying, before turning to look at Xu Qianhui.

"Is this the coroner you hired?"

Xu Qianhui raised an eyebrow, her tone somewhat smug: "An experienced old coroner."

"A coroner in his early twenties, quite interesting." He stared at Shen Huaijin's face, his gaze sharp. "Name."

"Shen Huaijin".

"Which '谨' (jǐn)?"

"The glory of a day spent in splendor."

Lin Zuoqing was silent for a moment, his gaze darkening slightly: "I think it's like wearing fine clothes in the dark."

This probing question is completely unreasonable.

Shen Huaijin's expression remained unchanged: "Whichever Your Excellency says, then it is."

Using minimal force to achieve maximum effect.

This was a perfectly ordinary interrogation, but Xu Qianhui found it rather unpleasant to listen to.

She had invited the person, but when he arrived in front of Lin Zuoqing, he acted like a criminal awaiting trial, even questioning the characters in his name.

She frowned and glanced towards the prison.

The gate was dark and gaping, like the mouth of a wild beast.

"Lord Lin, it will get dark soon if we don't go in. I still need to return to the manor to report to the old lady, so we can't delay any longer."

Lin Zuoqing scoffed lightly, his gaze falling on her face with a hint of mockery.

I've never seen you take your grandmother's words to heart so much before.

After saying that, he stepped onto the stone steps and went straight into the prison.

Xu Qianhui suppressed her displeasure and gestured for Shen Huaijin to follow.

The heavy iron gate closed behind us, and the light dimmed instantly.

The musty smell mixed with the stench of blood hit me, making me want to vomit.

There haven't been any major cases in the capital recently, but there are quite a few people imprisoned here.

The cells on both sides were packed with people. Some were huddled on straw mats coughing, while others were peering out from behind the bars. As far as the eye could see, there wasn’t a single empty cell.

Hearing the commotion, the jailer hurriedly came forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency the Prefect."

Lin Zuoqing nodded slightly: "Take them to see the old woman who died at noon."

"Yes." The jailer hurriedly pulled out a large bunch of keys and quickly walked ahead to lead the way: "This way, please, both of you."

The group walked through the narrow passageway and stopped in front of a dry and well-ventilated cell at the far end.

After the door was unlocked, there was only a square table inside.

Granny Fang lay there, covered from head to toe with a white cloth, and there was not a sound.

Xu Qianhui stood by the door, a feeling of indescribable emotion suddenly welling up inside her.

Yesterday, Granny Fang was still criticizing Madam Fu in Ci'an Hall, acting like a respectable old servant who held the lives of others in her hands.

Now, covered by a white sheet, all that remains is a cold, lifeless corpse.

No matter how much a person schemes while they are alive, in the end, it's all for naught.

Life is so fragile.

Shen Huaijin put down his medicine box and walked around the square platform. His gaze swept over the window frame, door lock, and dusty corner before finally looking at the jailer guarding the door.

"Is this where the deceased was imprisoned before his death?"

The jailer nodded hurriedly: "This old woman is an old resident of the Duke's mansion. The Prefect specifically instructed that she not be mistreated. I've placed her in the cleanest cell here, where the ventilation is good and she's not feeling too bad."

Shen Huaijin then asked, "After the previous coroner's examination, did anyone else touch the body?"

The jailer hurriedly waved his hand and explained repeatedly, "The coroner locked the door again after the examination, and I personally guarded the key. Absolutely no one has come in."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Shen Huaijin walked to the square platform and looked back at Xu Qianhui.

"Turn your back."

"I'm not afraid," Xu Qianhui said.

"It won't look good later."

Shen Huaijin's voice was gentle, but it left no room for refusal.

Xu Qianhui had no choice but to turn around.

I heard the sound of a medicine box being opened behind me.

Shen Huaijin put on sheepskin gloves, pulled the white cloth over Fang Mama's stomach, and began to examine her carefully.

The room was very quiet; even the jailers held their breath.

He first examined the sides of the neck and behind the ears, and after a moment, he asked the jailer to bring the lamp.

The jailer glanced at Lin Zuoqing, and seeing that he nodded, he ran to fetch a lamp.

The candlelight shone on Granny Fang's eyelids and lips. Shen Yunci first carefully examined the side of her neck and behind her ears, then pressed her fingernails, wrist pulse, and chest, and finally inserted silver needles into several acupoints.

Lin Zuoqing stood to the side, remaining silent throughout.

Xu Qianhui had her back to them, but she could still sense his gaze occasionally falling on her, which made her feel inexplicably amused.

How could he possibly have the mind to come see me at a time like this?

After a while, Shen Huaijin put away the utensils and covered the white cloth back in its original place.

"You can turn it around now."

As Xu Qianhui turned around, she saw him slowly taking off his gloves, his expression indifferent.

Shen Huaijin looked at Lin Zuoqing and said with certainty, "The deceased's pupils were dilated and his eyes were bloodshot. His lips, nails and needles were examined and found to be normal. There were no external injuries on his body. He died of palpitations."

The conclusion was exactly the same as the previous coroner's.

Lin Zuoqing showed no surprise.

He raised his hand to straighten his cuffs, his tone indifferent: "Now that the examination is complete, you can go back and report."

Xu Qianhui didn't respond to him, but looked at Shen Huaijin.

The latter nodded slightly, and Xu Qianhui's expression relaxed. She said, "Thank you for your help today, Lord Lin. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, she turned and walked out without waiting for his reply.

Shen Huaijin covered Fang Mama with a white cloth, picked up his medicine box and was about to leave when he suddenly heard Lin Zuoqing's voice behind him.

"Are you and Xu Qianhui very close?"

Shen Huaijin stopped at the doorway, turned around to meet the probing gaze, a faint smile on his lips.

"What do you mean by that, sir?"

"It's time for you two to get to know each other."

We've known each other since childhood.

"In Jiangnan?"

"Yes."

Lin Zuoqing fell silent, his eyes darker than the prison lights.

He looked at Shen Huaijin for a moment before continuing to speak.

How much do you know about her?

Shen Huaijin's smile deepened.

He turned his head, thought about it seriously for a moment, and then said slowly, "Sir, you seem to be very interested in me."

Faced with his unwavering gaze, Lin Zuoqing's expression darkened, and he uttered a few words without flinching.

"You can leave now."

Shen Huaijin nodded slightly, said no more, and strode out of the prison cell with his medicine box.

The footsteps faded into the distance, echoing in the dark passageway.

Qingyan emerged from the shadows and asked in a low voice, "Master, should we send someone to investigate him?"

Lin Zuoqing looked up at the door, his fingers slowly tightening, a layer of gloom pressing down on his eyes.

"Go to the Crown Prince's residence and find out exactly which 'Jin' in the Second Prince's name."