Chapter 484: 疑点

He Lingchuan asked her, "What kind of person is Fu Songhua?"

"He doesn't talk much, dislikes socializing, and doesn't really smile. But he's astute and has his own opinions."

"How was he arrested a few days ago?"

"It was hot, and after he came home and had two bowls of plum juice, he took a nap. Suddenly, people rushed in from outside. Master Fu, Fu Songhua, jumped over the wall to escape. I immediately heard sounds of fighting and shouting outside. Shortly after, someone came in and said Fu Songhua had been arrested, and that all of us were accomplices and would have to go to jail!"

"Have you seen Fu Songhua since you were brought in?"

Lady Li shook her head.

"Who else is in his family?"

"I'm not sure. I've never met his family, nor have I heard him mention them," Lady Li said. "He usually just came home after socializing outside, and he hasn't taken any new concubines these past few years."

"You know nothing about his parents, siblings, wife, or children?"

"I asked before, but he only said his parents had passed away long ago, and he had no siblings or wife. If I pressed further, he would become impatient."

As a good place for convalescence, Baishajue was where many powerful and wealthy individuals would buy land and build homes, often keeping an additional concubine there. Such concubines would have no contact with their families, serving only their masters in Baishajue.

It wouldn't be surprising if Fu Songhua did the same.

He Lingchuan leaned slightly forward and said softly, "Fu Songhua has confessed. Do you know what that means?"

Lady Li shook her head. Since being brought to prison, she had been completely confused, only gleaning from the bailiffs' scattered words that Fu Songhua had committed a serious crime.

"Lingxu City always severely punishes enemy spies who cause trouble; beheading is the mildest punishment. Anyone implicated will be held accountable, and you won't survive."

At these words, Lady Li turned pale and was too shocked to speak.

"So, think carefully: does he have any relatives? Even a tiny clue would help."

Facing life and death, Lady Li finally racked her brain.

After a long while, she said, "Fu Songhua was not in Baishajue for the New Year twice; I don't know where he went. I asked, and he said he was traveling for business, but his stewards were still in the city."

The New Year is a time for family reunion; at the very least, one should have someone alive nearby.

"Very good. Anything else?"

Lady Li thought for a moment and added, "My maid, Ah Mei, saw Fu Songhua buying things on the street twice. One time he bought pine nut candy cakes that children like, and another time he bought two toys, neither of which was cheap. I originally thought he was buying them to please merchants' children, but now that I think about it, perhaps...?"

Perhaps Fu Songhua bought them for his own children.

Lady Li couldn't say anything more. Before the jailer took her away, she pleaded desperately for her life.

He Lingchuan could only say he would try his best.

Next, Fu Songhua's steward was brought in for interrogation.

The interrogation revealed that Fu Songhua primarily dealt in aquatic products. With so many lakes, rivers, streams, and bays around Baishajue, fish and seafood were abundant. Both supply and demand were strong in and around Baishajue, naturally requiring middlemen to transport aquatic products from fishing docks to the tables of city residents. There were many merchants in the city dealing in such fresh goods.

Besides this, Fu Songhua also had several side businesses to hedge against the off-season for aquatic products. These included oil and herbal medicine, but only in small quantities, at least according to the steward.

In all of Baishajue, there were at least three to five hundred people, if not eight hundred to a thousand, involved in these three types of businesses.

The three merchants further corroborated the steward's testimony.

He Lingchuan also asked the steward, "Do you often travel for business with Fu Songhua?"

"Yes, I've often accompanied him on trips over the past seven years."

"Where does he usually go?" He Lingchuan raised a hand to stop him from speaking further. "Which place has he visited most frequently in recent years?"

The last few words were emphasized.

The steward replied without much thought, "That would be Shalun Town, sixty *li* away. We go there three or four times a year. No other place is visited as frequently."

"What do you do there?"

"To procure goods. Shalun Town produces white lacquer, which is used for preservation."

He Lingchuan pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do you always stay at the same inn in Shalun Town?"

"Yes, Dazhao Inn. Another inn is closer to the raw material source, but Fu Songhua said Dazhao Inn was quieter. I originally thought he was trying to save money."

His last question: "While staying at Dazhao Inn, would he act alone?"

"Sometimes. He wouldn't always take me when socializing with merchants."

He Lingchuan finished his questions.

After these individuals were led away, he stared blankly at the prison wall opposite him.

The Baishajue County Magistrate, having already been rebuffed by him several times, dared not speak.

After a long while, He Lingchuan suddenly asked him, "Since Zhongsun Mou arrived in Baishajue, which local families has he been most closely associated with?"

The Baishajue County Magistrate was startled and immediately replied, "How would this humble official dare to monitor Lord Zhongsun's movements?"

"I think you would dare," He Lingchuan said, staring at him. "If you didn't have informants throughout the city, how would you have discovered the Inspector just after he arrived in your territory?"

Although Zhongsun Mou was arrogant, he still had to perform his duties, didn't he? He couldn't just eagerly reveal his identity everywhere he went.

With so many outsiders in Baishajue, how did the magistrate identify the Lingxu City Inspector?

The magistrate quickly waved his hand. "Oh, how could this humble official possess such ability?"

"If not you, then who?" He Lingchuan looked at him, speaking earnestly. "County Magistrate Tian, have you still not distinguished between insiders and outsiders? The Emperor's wrath—neither Zhongsun Mou nor these city elites can protect you!"

The words were heavily laced with warning, leaving the Baishajue County Magistrate in a dilemma.

*Let it be, let it be.* Even if a neck stretched out or pulled back still met the blade, it was better to get through this immediate hurdle first. He secretly took a breath.

"It was the wealthy and powerful families of Lingxu City who first discovered the Inspector's movements. The news spread throughout Baishajue within days, which is why Lord Zhongsun has been swamped with official duties and social engagements recently, unable to be in two places at once."

He Lingchuan's eyes shifted. "I heard that those from Lingxu City also reside in Baishajue?"

"Indeed, they do." All the officials in the city outranked him; being a county magistrate was not easy.

"These influential figures all prefer to live in the northwest of the city?"

"Yes, the powerful and extremely wealthy also like to reside there. The scenery is beautiful and the air is fresh." As the saying goes, "bustling outside, tranquil within."

He Lingchuan mused, "What kind of businesses do these prominent families usually engage in?"

"They likely have a hand in any profitable business within Chiyan, given their wealth and connections," the Baishajue County Magistrate said with a wry face. "As for the specifics, this humble official dares not pry."

"You dare not pry, but you've certainly 'heard' things. Come, here's the brush, you write." He Lingchuan pushed the white paper and writing implements on the table toward him. "Don't be afraid, there's no one else here, and I assure you, I will not spread this information."

The paper and brush were originally prepared for suspects like Lady Li, but unexpectedly, the magistrate himself ended up using them.

The Baishajue County Magistrate clutched the brush as if it were a hot iron, knowing resistance was futile. He could only write swiftly.

He Lingchuan continued to urge him from across the table, "Write it out thoroughly, the more comprehensive, the better."

It was as if County Magistrate Tian was writing his own confession.

In an instant, he had filled two large sheets of paper.

County Magistrate Tian put down the brush, pushed the papers forward, and whispered softly, "Please have a look, my lord."

He Lingchuan picked them up and examined them carefully, asking, "Are you sure there are no omissions?"

"Well, it might not be entirely comprehensive given the haste..."

He expected He Lingchuan to scold him further, but to his surprise, the other man smiled. "No matter, I asked for it on short notice. If anything else comes to mind, feel free to find me to add or correct it."

County Magistrate Tian was flattered. "Yes, yes."

"The information I asked you for today must not be spread outside."

County Magistrate Tian immediately nodded. "Absolutely, absolutely!" He was more than eager to comply.

He Lingchuan then turned to the fierce tiger lying on the ground, a broad smile on his face. "Old Jiao, aren't you tired from traveling all this way?"

Jiao Yu, accustomed to his ways, remained indifferent. "What do you want me to do? Just say it directly."

"I need you to go on an urgent errand." He Lingchuan leaned close to its ear and whispered.

The Baishajue County Magistrate dared not eavesdrop and instead stepped back a couple of paces to avoid suspicion.

He saw the fierce tiger constantly twitching its ears—He Lingchuan was too close.

Finally, when he finished speaking, the tiger quickly nodded. "Alright, I'll go now." It stood up, arched its back in a stretch, and strode out with powerful steps.

He Lingchuan watched its retreating figure and marveled, "Monsters are truly honest; they go when they agree, no pretense."

The Baishajue County Magistrate felt he was being targeted and could only continue to force a smile.

He Lingchuan then stood up and stretched. "Alright, find me a place to stay, one with a good view."

County Magistrate Tian let out a long sigh of relief. Finally, they had arrived at the part he was best at!

The next morning, He Lingchuan went out to sightsee.

He did not conceal his movements, and many wealthy nobles in the city, hearing that the Crown Prince's special envoy had arrived, sent him calling cards requesting an audience.

He Lingchuan had no time for social engagements. Just as he was about to discard all the visiting cards, he accidentally saw a signature on one of them, tucked it into his embrace, and left.

It was from a retired official of the Chiyan Kingdom.

Baishajue, even in a world abundant with green mountains and clear waters, stood out. Its fine, snow-like sandbanks, flat lakes teeming with birds, and icy springs that emitted cold mist even in midsummer truly made it a sacred place for travelers.

The Baishajue County Magistrate still accompanied him today.

After finishing his soak in the hot spring, He Lingchuan straightened his attire.

"County Magistrate Tian, the scenery of Baishajue is indeed splendid and lives up to its reputation. But why is everything under repair everywhere? This clanging and banging is quite a nuisance."

Along his way, he had seen at least two scenic spots undergoing renovation, a temple, and three large private residences where artisans were working busily.

Even the small hot spring pavilion they had just left had a gatehouse under repair, its newly painted door still giving off a strong smell.

"My lord, Baishajue is known as the confluence of a hundred waters, with thirty-seven lakes of various sizes, as well as rivers, streams, ponds, and marshes. This spring and summer have seen a lot of rain, and the moisture severely erodes wood. Doesn't it need frequent repairs? Otherwise, falling wood could injure people, which would be a series of troubles."

There were too many prominent figures locally; if a flowerpot or a piece of wood accidentally fell from upstairs, it would likely hit someone wealthy or influential.

He Lingchuan let out an "Oh." "I want to go to Chaohu Pagoda. How far is it?"

"It's very close, about a fifteen-minute walk," the Baishajue County Magistrate recommended. "It's very pleasant to have tea and enjoy the scenery there."

"Good, lead the way."